Chapter 5: "Baby's First Month"

A banner with the words "Baby's First Month" was hung outside Godric's Hollow.

James and Lily decided to throw a big party for Harry, and invited almost everybody they knew. Presents were stacked up on a large wooden table, which seemed to sag under all the weight.

Baby Harry lay peacefully in Lily's arms while she rocked him gently. He looked so much like an angel asleep – tufts of black hair, long eyelashes, tiny fists clutching at his mother, and a calm smile.

One by one, the guests arrived. Sirius, the (for-once) punctual godfather, was the first to arrive. The change was immediate as he saw Harry – he cooed and carried Harry clumsily, tickling his cheek gently, and whispering "Harry, this is your godfather, Sirius. No matter what happens, you've gotta remember me"

Sirius stood in shock as he realised what he had just said. He shook his head violently, as if wanting to shake off the unpleasant intuition as well. He dumped Harry back into Lily's arms, and fled back to his house, leaving Lily and James staring at him, speechless.

~

A large crowd gathered around the Potters.

"Oooh, look, Harry's making gurgling sounds! He must be learning to speak!" Remus chuckled as Harry babbled on and on incoherently.

Looking around, Remus realised that someone was missing. "Where's Sirius?"

James shifted uneasily from one foot to another.

He muttered, "He came so early today, but left almost immediately."

"Left' is an understatement, he practically tore out of Godric's Hollow. He looked like he was about to burst out screaming" Lily added quietly.

Remus' eyes filled with anxiety.

"I think I'd better go look for him now. I'm sure you two can't leave the house now with so many guests around."

"Thanks, pal."

~

An important-looking wizard stepped into Godric's Hollow, marvelling at the coziness of it. He was walking through the garden when two big beaming faces and one small beaming face greeted him enthusiastically.

(A/N: Sorry, I couldn't resist doing the "beaming face" thing! =))

"Professor Dumbledore!"

"We're so glad you could come. Look at Harry! He's only a month old and he's already babbling away!"

"And he's already got tufts of black hair!" James added, grinning.

Lily nudged James and gave him a serious look that plainly said, "James, don't fool around." James smiled at her boyishly.

They turned to Professor Dumbledore, who handed them a present. He was just about to say something when Peter came rushing in.

"J-j-james, sorry I'm late!" Peter panted, not noticing Professor Dumbledore. He held up a poorly-wrapped present in his pudgy hands, and handed it to Lily, who thanked him. Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat.

Peter gasped in surprise. "Professor Dumbledore!" He blushed in embarrassment. "So sorry I didn't notice you, really, I – "

"WAH!"

Harry suddenly woke up from his slumber and wailed loudly. He pointed a chubby finger at Peter, sniffed, and screeched again, rambling a whole string of unarticulated words.

Peter backed away in astonishment from the child. To him, Harry's words seemed like insults. The way he pointed his finger at him seemed like an accusation. For a moment, he felt a sharp stab of pain in his heart. Then he slowly understood – the child could sense the betrayal in him. Guilt flooded him, and he squeezed his eyes shut.

Lily was too embarrassed to say anything. She hastily brought Harry back to their bedroom, trying to calm him down.

James turned to say something, but Peter Pettigrew was already fleeing out of the house the way Sirius Black did.

~

With Harry sleeping quietly once again, Dumbledore motioned the Potters into the study. He pointed a long, wrinkled finger at his present and said, "This present is from all of us at Hogwarts. This is not only for Harry, but also for the both of you. You might want to especially thank Professor Flitwick. He was the one who concocted the potion and mastered the charm."

James opened the present carefully. In it was a wooden box, encasing a vial which contained some flaming-red liquid. Lily and James turned questioningly to Dumbledore, who smiled.

"You must have forgotten all about the Fidelius Charm."

Realisation dawned on the both of them. James hit his forehead with his palm. "I can't believe we forgot all about this!"

"Then may I conclude that you have not thought of who to choose for the secret-keeper?"

Lily shook her head uncomfortably.

Dumbledore stroked his beard thoughtfully.

James spoke. "We'll make Sirius the secret-keeper, Professor. I can vouch with my life that Sirius will never betray us."

Professor Dumbledore hesitated.

Lily nodded in agreement. "Professor, Sirius may not appear to be very serious, but he is a good friend. He would never betray us."

Professor Dumbledore finally agreed.

"The three of you and Sirius must meet at Hogwarts next Saturday. That is when we will perform the Fidelius Charm. And do remember, you still have time to reconsider your option. I will always be available if you would like me to be the Secret-Keeper, but of course, I suppose Sirius will be your best choice after all."

He smiled, and apparated away, leaving Lily and James to their own thoughts.

~

"Sirius?" Remus knocked on the door of his apartment.

A dishevelled and drunk Sirius groggily banged open the door and came face to face with Remus.

"Y-yeah?"

"Sirius, you're drunk! You've promised me not to drink anymore, remember?" Remus said disgustedly.

"W-w-who c-cares?" Sirius slurred.

"Look, what's wrong? Why did you just run out of Godric's Hollow before the party even started? You left Lily and James there worried, you know. You shouldn't have been so inconsiderate! You – "

"STOP BLAMING ME!" Sirius was wide awake now. He eyed Remus angrily, and spat, "If only you know how I felt at that moment. If only you knew why I even left the party. Do you think I would have just left to go back home and get myself drunk? No! Can't you even try to understand before ticking me off?"

Sirius turned and stomped into the apartment. He slumped onto his sofa dejectedly.

"When I carried baby Harry and muttered some stuff to him, I was so shocked when I found myself saying things like No matter what happens, you've gotta remember me' It sounded so much like a premonition that something bad was going to happen. It sounded like" Sirius broke down.

"Sirius" Remus patted Sirius gently on the shoulder.

"Sirius, nothing's going to happen. Everything's going to be fine. If I'm not wrong, the Fidelius Charm is going to be performed soon. I'm sure Lily and James would like you to be their Secret-Keeper. Once the charm is performed, everything will be fine. Don't worry."

"But – "

"No buts." Remus said firmly. "Now, off you go to take a shower and freshen up yourself. We'd have to go back to Godric's Hollow later and you are going to apologise to Lily and James. Go on, I'm waiting"

Sirius smiled weakly and did what he had been told to do.

~