A/N: I'm still alive. Barely. Thanks for the encouraging reviews. I'm really proud of this story so far. Truthfully I don't have much of a plot anymore but I'll try to make it interesting at least.

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Chapter 4

"It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves."-William Shakespeare

Sirius listened to Aurora talk about Taylor for two hours. She never seemed to tire of speaking about her daughter. Sirius had the feeling Aurora was embellishing slightly. Taylor was an extraordinary girl on all accounts. Smart, beautiful, funny, well behaved…the list went on.

"So, are you going to tell her about me?"

"That you're her father? Not yet. Taylor will probably figure it out herself. She always asks about her father but I refuse to talk. When a mystery man turns up she's going to realise what's going on."

"How do you think she'll react?" Sirius asked slowly, not knowing if he'd like the answer.

"I don't know. Just - well, don't overwhelm her," Aurora said as she brushed her silky black hair.

"Whatever you say, sweetheart," he said nonchalantly but Aurora saw the apprehension on his face.

"Sirius, it might take her a while to adjust to the situation but I'm sure she'll love you. How could she not?"

Aurora threw her brush in a drawer then went to stand in front of him. He looked into her serene blue eyes and felt a little calmer. "You're right. I'm irresistible."

"I wouldn't go as far as irresistible but you certainly have charm," she grinned.

Sirius smiled back at her. It was just like old times. The love between them was still there. The passion was still there. It was almost like they were never apart.

Sirius put his hand on her cheek and moved in to kiss her. At the last second they were interrupted by a knock on the front door. Aurora jumped back in surprise.

"Show time," she gave a shaky, weak smile. "Just try to act normal."

"Are you implying I don't always act normal?"

"Do you really want me to answer that?"

Sirius followed her out then stood in the kitchen as he'd been instructed. He'd never been so nervous in his life. This moment was going to change the rest of his life. What if Taylor hated him? What if she didn't want him in her life? So many what ifs.

"What's going on, mum? Why did you-" Taylor stopped talking the second she spotted the stranger in the kitchen.

The two of them stared at each other for what seemed like minutes but was really only seconds. Sirius felt an uncharacteristic lump rise in his throat. Aurora hadn't been lying. Taylor was perfect. Just by looking at her he could tell she was their daughter.

She was tall for her age and slender but not overly thin. She had Aurora's black hair and Sirius was pleased to note she had his brown eyes. She was pretty in a sophisticated and smart kind of way, he thought.

"T, I'd like you to meet one of my old friends from school," Aurora said once they'd finished eyeing one another.

"Nice to finally meet you," Sirius smiled and tried to keep his voice smooth. He held out his hand and after a reassuring nod from her mother, Taylor accepted the offered hand.

"You're Sirius Black," said Taylor as he clasped her hand a little longer than was necessary. It wasn't an accusation or a question. Just a simple statement on her part.

"Taylor! Don't be rude!" Aurora reprimanded.

"It's all right. I'm glad she knows who I am. It saves us from awkward introductions."

"You went to school with my mum?"

Sirius stole a glance at Aurora. "Yes, I did actually."

"Then you might know who my father is," Taylor said thoughtfully.

"Taylor!"

"Sorry I asked," she rolled her eyes at her mother. "I'm going to my room."

With a last look at Sirius, she stomped off. The walls shook when she slammed her door.

"I'm sorry. Normally she's so well behaved," Aurora shook her head, deeply embarrassed by her daughter's attitude.

"It's fine, Rory. Do you think she knows?"

Aurora gave a small nod. "Or at least she will soon."

"Do you think I should talk to her then?"

"I don't know, Siri. This has all become way too complicated," she sighed heavily and crossed her arms.

"I'll go talk to her, kitten."

Aurora looked a little hesitant. "What will you say?"

"Honestly…I don't know. I just think it's about time I act like her father." He gathered himself up and tried to think like a parent.

"Sirius…" she said softly. He turned back to her. She looked like she was on the verge on tears again. "Tell her I'm sorry and I didn't mean to hurt her."

"Of course, sweetheart, but I'm sure she already knows it."

Sirius gave Aurora a nervous smile then went and knocked on Taylor's bedroom door. There was no answer so he knocked again.

"Go away, mum!"

"It's not your mum."

More silence. Then, "come in."

Slowly, Sirius opened the door and entered the small dark room. The only light was from a candle on an old and battered dressing table that Sirius recognised as once belonging to Aurora. The room was startlingly small and bare. The bed against the far wall and the dressing table took up most of the space. The off white walls had moldy patches and the carpet had been torn up to reveal a hard wood floor.

Taylor was lying on the bed staring up at the ceiling. Sirius was very relieved to see she wasn't crying. Not quite sure what to do, he moved cautiously towards her bed.

"What do you want?" she asked. She drew her legs up and Sirius took this as an invitation to sit on the bed.

He didn't answer her though so she repeated the question. First question and she already had him stumped.

"Are you frightened of me?"

Nice one, Black, answer a question with a question.

Taylor had no trouble answering though. "I'm not frightened of you."

"Do you know why I went to Azkaban?"

"I don't walk around with my eyes closed and fingers in my ears," was her brusque reply.

"Right. That was a pretty stupid question," Sirius admitted.

"You'll get no arguments from me."

Sirius just couldn't resist a smile. She might have had Aurora's temper but she also had his wit.

"Why aren't you frightened of me then?"

Taylor sighed, obviously bored with the conversation. "My mother wouldn't let you near me if you were dangerous. Besides, you don't look like a murderer. Mum always told me to make my own judgements rather than go on what others says."

"Your mother is a very smart woman. Tell me, why don't I look like a murderer?" Sirius asked curiously.

"Your eyes," she shrugged.

"My eyes?"

"They're soft and brown," Taylor sat up to look at him closer. "Kind of like mine."

Sirius froze. She had him trapped now. She was watching intently for his reaction but he was determined not to give her one.

"Really? I hadn't noticed. What a coincidence."

"Don't play games with me."

Sirius jumped in surprise. "Excuse me?"

"I know you're my father. I'm not stupid," she snapped.

"Your father? What makes you say that?" he chuckled uneasily.

Taylor pulled something out from under her pillow and handed it to him. Sirius went and stood near the candle to get a better look.

It was an old photo of him and Aurora. It had been taken the day they graduated from Hogwarts. They were laughing and hugging and kissing and looking generally happy.

"Where did you get this?" he asked, his voice breaking mid sentence.

"I found it in mum's room a while ago. I knew the guy in the picture had to be my father. I just knew it. I only just realised it was you now though. I saw your picture in the newspaper but I didn't make the connection. But as soon as I saw you without the beard and the long hair I knew."

Sirius turned back to her and saw the tears glistening on her cheeks. "Oh, Taylor, I'm so sorry."

She shook her head. "It's not your fault." Sirius breathed a huge sigh of relief. "It's all mum's fault."

This isn't good.

"No, no. You mustn't blame her."

"Why not? It's unfair! I could have come to visit you in Azkaban!"

"Taylor, that's exactly why she didn't tell you! It was for your own protection."

"Even though you don't want anything to do with me she should have told me," she said as she rubbed at her eyes.

"Who said I don't want anything to do with you?" he demanded.

"You never wrote to me or tried to make contact."

"That's because I didn't know about you. This is all new to me too. Rory - your mother- only told me about you today. Until then I didn't know you existed," Sirius explained.

"Mum didn't tell you either? But then you must hate her like I do!"

"I don't hate her and neither do you. Yes, at first I was angry but I realised she did it to protect you, not hurt me."

"But you're not a murderer," Taylor said exasperatedly.

"You may think that but other people don't. Honey, people aren't as open minded as you. As far as they're concerned I'm a criminal. If anybody found out you were my daughter…well, they'd take their anger out on you and your mother didn't want that."

Taylor thought about this for a moment. Gradually, the anger faded from her face. Sirius went and sat beside her on the bed. "I'd still like to have known but I understand why she did it now."

He nodded and smiled. "I knew you would. You're a very smart kid. You take after your mother in that department."

"So, do you want to be part of my life?" she asked cautiously.

"Only if you want me too."

"Things are moving a little too quickly at the moment…"

"It's all right. Take your time. I'll always be here."

Taylor seemed to like this answer because she smiled up at him. She had Aurora's shy smile. "What should I call you?"

"What ever you want, angel."

"I think Sirius is best for now. Dad feels a little weird."

"If you're happy with that then so am I."

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A/N: I know, short boring chapter. The next one should be a little better. Hopefully. Please review anyhow.