August 1980

"Come on, Pete," Sirius said. "It's just for the night. You know I wouldn't leave her if I had a choice."

"B-but what about James and Lily, or Remus," his short friend asked nervously.

Little Procyon Black was was wailing in Peter Pettigrew's arms. She reached out to her father. Sirius wished he could take the child back but knew he needed to leave.

"It's the full moon tonight, mate, you know that." Sirius sighed. "James and Lily are with Dumbledore right now plus they already have Harry with them and it's an adjustment with a newborn. They need to get used to Harry before taking on two kids at once. And Jane is still at the ministry. I've got a mission with Marlene and Dorcus. But if you really don't think you can handle it I can see if I can get a hold of Mary or my cousin Andromeda. But I trust you; mate."

Procyon continued to kick and scream in Peter's arms.

"But she hates me!" Peter tried to protest over the sound of her wails.

"She doesn't hate you, she just doesn't like it when Jane and I aren't there." Sirius tried to reassure his friend. Although it was true, little Procyon hardly behaved this way with anyone else. He assumed it was because the child could somehow sense Peter's nervousness around her.

"I'll be back before you know it," Sirius said. "Just promise me you'll keep her safe?"

"I—sure," Peter looked like she wasn't sure if he was trying to convince himself or Sirius. "She'll be safe with me."

Sirius left and Procyon wouldn't stop crying. She threw her food in every direction. Peter was quite shocked with the baby's stamina. She had to have been going like this for what felt like hours.

"Silencio," Peter finally decided to take out his wand and silence the baby.

She paused her crying. Confused on why she couldn't hear herself scream anymore. She tried to scream louder but to no avail. Peter finally thought he got some peace. Then his left forearm started to burn. He didn't know what to do. He tried ignoring it; perhaps Voldemort would forgive him this one time. The burning didn't stop. He didn't have a choice. He wrapped the baby up and apparated.

He stood outside of a dark forest. The wind blowing. It was cold. He heard a rustle behind him and turned his head and drew his shaking arm.

"Pathetic," the figure spat out as he disarmed Peter. The baby squirmed in his arms silently crying out. The movement caused the figure to pause. "Is that a baby?"

"Erm-" Peter didn't know what to say.

The man wore a death eater mask that matched his own. There was no way he could tell who it was. The man summoned the baby to his arms. The man seemed to stare at the fussing child in surprise. Peter was shocked to see the baby begin to calm in the strangers arms. She likes a Death Eater more than me? Completely ignoring the fact that he too was a death eater.

"Did you put a silence charm on her?" The man asked incredulously.

"She wouldn't shut up ok." Before Peter could defend himself the other Death Eater reached over and knocked his mask right off.

"Pettigrew," the man said. "I should've known. You'd be foolish enough to bring my brother's child to a meeting with the dark lord."

He took off his mask. And lifted the silencing charm of the child.

"Dada," the baby said, reaching up. The man shifted and let the child wrap her arms around his neck and bury herself in his shoulder away from Peter Pettigrew.

"Not quite, little one," The man said.

"Black!" Peter exclaimed in surprise.

"How are you surprised? It's in my blood to be here," Regulus Black said. "I can't believe my brother trusted his child to you? And more so I can't believe your stupid enough to think that my brother wouldn't put a tracking charm on her when he isn't around. When he contacts you—and he will. Tell him your mother needed something and that it was urgent so you took the child with you. Tell him you apparated to a far location first just to throw anyone off. Got it?"

"Wormtail!"

An urgent voice sounded from Peter's pocket. Regulus shoved the baby back into the other one's hands. Which made the baby start to cry again. Peter hastily threw off his hood and answered the mirror.

"Sirius," Peter greeted shakily.

"First, what is your animagus form?" Sirius asked.

"A rat," Peter squeaked out.

"What are you doing?" Sirius asked in a terrified voice, wasting no more time. "I put a trace on Procyon and saw that you had left to the middle of nowhere. Were you attacked? Did something happen?"

Peter repeated back everything Regulus said to him. And watched in surprise as Sirius nodded approvingly.

"I'm glad to see you're taking the extra step to keep my little girl safe," Sirius said. "Are you ok, little star?"

The baby calmed again at the sight of her father. She stared at him in confusion and looked over at Regulus and then back at her father.

"Right, well. I also figured perhaps my Mother might know how to quiet her," Peter said weakly.

"Has she still been fussy? It's been hours, mate." Sirius said in surprise.

"She was quiet for a bit," Peter said. "I think the apparating scared her."

"Alright Wormtail, just keep her safe, I'd better get going." Sirius said. He looked to his daughter and gave a small wave "If you need to leave her to take care of your mother just take her to Andy. I told her that it was possible you might stop by with her. I love you little star."

He left and as soon as he did Regulus snatched the baby up. And ripped a chunk of Pettigrew's hair out of place.

"Ouch!" Peter said. "What are you doing?"

"I'm taking her to my cousin Andy's and pretending to be you." Regulus sneered. "And let me be clear, you will not under any circumstances mention the child to the Dark Lord are we clear? You know he's looking for a child and you decide to bring one to this meeting? It's like you want your cover blown."

Peter nodded nervously.

"I need a verbal confirmation, idiot." Regulus said. "Don't make me make you take an unbreakable vow."

"I won't say a word about her." Peter said stiffly.

"After the meeting you'll pick her up from there," Regulus glared. "You better hope she doesn't know how to tell on you."

He pulled out a bottle of polyjuice potion and put the hairs in. His appearance shifted and next thing Peter knew, he was staring at a clone of himself.

Regulus apparated away with the child. Appeared again in front of the Tonks household. He looked up to the stars where the one called Sirius shone brightly in the sky.

"I hope you know, brother, that she's safe with me." Regulus promised the star in the sky.

February 14, 1981

It wasn't a happy holiday, like it should have been. Just under a month ago they had been to the Funeral for Dorcas Meadowes. They sat solemnly in the parlor of Jane and Sirius's flat. Their number had dwindled a bit with Dorcas gone. Mary, who no longer never really wanted to be in the fight in the first place, had limited to no contact with them since the funeral.

"If you need anything for the kids, you can call me, but other than that, I'm out. I can't support these missions and watch you risking your lives anymore. I just can't do it." She had said.

They had understood. Jane had even admired it, saying that she was braver than all of them for being able to turn away.

It was the first time they had seen Remus since the funeral, having been away trying to recruit werewolves over the last full moon. And it would be the last time they'd see him in a few months given he had just been asked to go on another one soon. And Peter always spent Valentine's Day with his mom since his father had passed.

It was also the first time they had seen James and Lily since the funeral given that they were still supposed to be in hiding.

So really it was just Marlene and Remus tonight trying to convince Sirius, Jane, James, and Lily to have a double date night in on Valentine's.

"Come one, you guys," Marlene said. "I know you're not supposed to be out and about anymore, but you deserve some time to yourselves. It's Valentine's Day for crying out loud."

"I really don't feel like we should be celebrating anything without—" Lily started to say.

"Don't," Marlene choked. "I think she'd want you to celebrate."

"I think Dorcas would've been happier than anybody to think there was a little more love in the world." Remus said quietly.

"But the kids, we can't just leave them," Lily said.

"That's what we're here for," Marlene said. "Remus and I will stay here with the little tiny terrors and you all can go to the Potters for some nice dinner and wine."

"C'mon, mates," Remus said. "We're not gonna let them starve."

Remus held Harry carefully in his arms while Jazlyn held Marlene's hand as she toddled around her.

"Yeah with the both of us here, they'll be safe with us." Marlene insisted.

August 11,1981

Avalon being born had been a shock. And one that James and Lily kept secret. With one of their children already in the cross hairs of Voldemort they couldn't risk another one. Only Sirius and Jane knew of the newborn's existence. They had hardly seen any of their other friends since the spring so hiding the pregnancy had been easy.

But the birth had been a difficult one. With only Jane to act as a midwife while Sirius stayed home with their own daughter. She wasn't a professional of course but had done her best. Jane had insisted that the child get an initial 2 month check up from a real healer though, just to make sure there were no post birth complications. Jane had volunteered to take her. A few weeks later they set the date for Halloween.

"She'll be safe with me."

AN: happy Birthday Sirius!