HARRY POTTER AND THE BREATH OF LIFE

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any other known character from the Harry Potter series. I do own the plot and a few characters.

Chapter 18 – Babysitting

            One of the worst things a person can go through is being put in the dark. Harry has this problem and once Iris went through the same thing. And it had its' consequences.

            After the breaking of the news involving Voldemort, things changed everywhere. Including the Black household. The house where Iris and Sirius lived.

 Some of the important members of the wizardry community were being lured into Voldemort's ranks. But there was information that the Dark Lord wanted a particular couple. Iris, however, had no knowledge of the couple's identity. Sirius, on the other hand, seemed to be familiar with it. But the real problem started when Lily and James went to ask her to baby-sit Harry while they were away at some mysterious meetings with Dumbledore. She didn't have a problem staying with Harry. She was his godmother. Her problem was she didn't understand the reason why she couldn't be told what were the meetings about. And it got worse when Sirius started to attend them.

            The babysitting started when Harry was six months old. He smiled at everyone but appeared to distinguish people. Every time he saw Iris or Sirius he would giggle and in his godfather's case he tried to catch his finger to suck it. Apparently Sirius's rough fingers were tastier than his own. He giggled for any reason and Iris made him giggle a lot.

            On the first week Sirius stayed with her, attempting to tire out the baby so he would go to sleep. He could be hyperactive and sometimes it was almost impossible to make him go to sleep. They soon found out that Sirius's Animagi form was a good way to amuse the baby.

 On the second week Sirius was called to the meetings and Iris took care of Harry on her own. She was a bit frustrated because no one told her anything. She was relegated to babysitter. A babysitter kept in the dark.

 Her frustration reached the top on the third week. Sirius was becoming cold and distant. They hardly talked and because he arrived home late she went to bed alone. There was no more waking together. Something was really wrong.

 Dreams filled with green lights, screams and hooded figures haunted her sleep. When she woke up screaming and sweating Sirius seemed too tired to even wake up.

 On the beginning of the fourth week of meetings and babysitting Iris decided to visit her grandmother. She took Harry with her because she was taking care of him. She found Clara at her old house. There was no one home when she got there.

" Grandma? Where are you?" she yelled to the inside of the house. It seemed empty.

 Harry was on her arms and he was distracted playing with a toy dog. (It could be one of the three Sirius got on that Christmas, remember? I believe it is one of those. Lol. ^_^)

" Grandma?" she yelled again.

" You don't have to yell, dear. I'm coming." Came the voice of Clara from the kitchen.

 Iris made her way to meet her. When they came face to face they smiled. Iris hugged the old lady and Harry was obliged to acknowledge the existence of other people other than his toy dog. He looked at Clara and was reluctant to smile.

" And who is this good looking baby?" Clara asked softly.

" This is Harry. He's my godson." Iris answered.

" I presume you want to talk to me?" the older lady turned to Iris.
" You presume right."
" Let's go to the living room."
" Where is everyone?" Iris asked on their way to the living room. Harry was concentrated on his toy again.

" Your father went to take of some problems at work and William is at Hogwarts."

 They sat down on the couch and Iris placed Harry on the floor where he continued to play with his toy.

" So, what's wrong dear?" Clara asked calmly.

" I can't take it any more. There's something big going on out there and I'm being kept in the dark. I know there's an evil wizard called Voldemort attacking people but that's all I know. Sirius hardly talks to me and he's out most of the day. On top of that I have to watch over Harry all day long, every day. This has been going on for four weeks now. I fell so useless Grandma. I don't know if I can take the frustration that's growing inside me. I fear I might do something I may regret later." Iris explained.

" I don't know what to say, dear. My dreams have been clouded. I can't see anything. I'm afraid I can't help dear."
" Please Grandma. Give me advice. Help me." Iris pleaded.

 Clara looked at her granddaughter with an apology look. She really had no idea how to help her. Iris saw the look and started crying. It was too much. She cried on her grandmother's shoulder. Harry disengaged his attention from the toy dog and crawled to his godmother's feet. He hugged her knees – the only place he could reach – and snuggled. Iris picked him up and allowed him to snuggle on her lap. She kept crying for almost an hour. After so many tears she felt exhausted. Harry hugged her and gave her many kisses.

" I love you too, Harry. You're currently my best friend." She told the little boy.

 Clara was felling terrible. Her favourite girl was in trouble and she couldn't help. She too felt useless.

" Iris, dear, I'm sure there is something you can do. Evil doesn't last forever. Sirius loves you, you two are made for each other. Maybe he is dealing with more than he can stand and he doesn't want you to know that."
" Why should he be risking everything and I'm sitting comfortably at home? It's not fair."
" Life isn't fair, dear. Sirius is making a sacrifice. Soon it will come your time for sacrifices. Maybe he is insuring your future and Harry's future. All our future."
" I believe that Grandma. I just don't understand why I have to stay out of all this?" Iris was near tears again.

" Perhaps this is Sirius's doing. I believe he is deliberately leaving you out of this."

" You think?"
" I'm almost positive. He doesn't you facing danger. So he's keeping you in the dark."

" I'm going to talk to him. Maybe he will give me some answers. See, you did help Grandma." Iris forced a smile.

" Not really, but I tried. Go home now. Maybe you'll find him there already."

" Thank you. I love you Grandma."
" I love you too, dear."

 Iris got up, picked Harry's toy and left after hugging her grandmother. When she arrived home she found James, Lily and Sirius in the living room. The moment she entered the room Sirius got up and went to her.

" Where have you been? I was worried." He said.

" I was visiting my grandmother. I haven't seen her in a while."

" Are you all right?" he asked calmly.

" I've been better." She whispered. " Here you Lily. Harry was a very good boy." She said turning her attention to her friend.

 Lily got up and picked Harry.

" I'm so sorry, Iris. We're pushing it aren't we?" Lily asked worried.

" No. It's all right. I love hanging out with Harry. He's my godson and my new best friend."

" Soon this will all be over. He won't be able to thank you enough." Interfered James.

" There's no need. As long it ends out all right, you have nothing to thank me about. I'm just doing my job as Harry's guardian."

 Lily handed Harry to his father and hugged Iris. Then the Potter left to their home. Iris and Sirius were left alone. Iris couldn't face him.

" Iris there's something bothering you."

" Oh, really! I wonder what it is." She said with her anger finally coming out in the open.

" I understand you're frustrated but Dumbledore…"
" Right. It's all Dumbledore. He's taking over our lives. He's controlling you." Her frustration was taking over her judgement.
" Iris, you don't know what you're saying. Dumbledore is protecting us. You don't understand."
" I don't understand because he doesn't want me to understand. I'm just good for one thing. Babysitting. I would like to see you in my position." She was practically yelling with anger.

 Sirius didn't say anything. He had never seen her like that. It was hard for him. He loved her so much yet he found himself incapable of telling her anything.

" Iris…" he started but was quickly silenced by her raising hand.

" Don't bother. Nothing you are going to tell will make me feel better. So just don't."

" I love you." He whispered loudly enough for her to listen.

 She sighed deeply and started crying again. He made his way to her but she stopped him.

" I would like to be alone right now. Not that that is any different from the last few weeks." She said with a trembling voice.

 He was hurt but he knew she was right. He had been neglecting her.

 He made his way to their room when the doorbell rang. Sirius stopped dead in his tracks and turned to the door. Who he saw made him drop his jaw.

TBC

            Huuuuuhhhhhhhhhh. Cliffhanger. Who can it be? Don't vote because I already know. You don't however but you'll see next chapter.

            Came to think of it I decided to post two chapters this time to compensate for the delay. This may became a habit.

            Thanks to my reviewers and readers.

            Cheers.