A/N: 6 reviews!!! Yeah!!! I've decided to put up two chapters at a time, one showing what Shadow and that lot are up to, and then what Mr V is doing, just to tie them both in. Just so you all know.

HappyDappyDrunk: No problem, I love your fic, and would review it any day. Here you go, an update. Glad you like it. Thanks for the review.

Suzanne Hufflepuff: Thanks for the praise it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside (wink) its ok about suggestions; although they are welcome, I have the story worked out, so there's not much room for change lol.

Disclaimer: I wonder what would happen if A: J.K. actually came on the site and found some one claiming to be her, then she sued, and that poor irresponsible writer had to live off applesauce behind a dumpster... mmmm (believe me. I'm not J.K. I have blue hair. Since when did J.K. have blue hair!?!?!?!?)

Where were we? (Flicks back a chapter) ah ha! Got it!

Christmas was a week away, and snow was thick on the ground. Harry had decided to stay with Sirius in Grimmauld Place over Christmas, and the next evening, the four were sat on the plump sofas and armchairs round a roaring fire, in the lounge. All were sipping hot chocolate,

Harry was deeply curious about Shadow. Here was someone that had met his parents, and it wasn't some adult with a blurry memory. He was desperate to find out even the littlest thing about them. He felt it brought them closer to him, very slightly. But Sirius had reminded Harry that she had no parents either. At least he knew who his were.

Sirius was stretched out along one sofa gazing into the fire. Remus and Shadow shared the one between him and Sirius, curled up together, Shadow resting her head on her father's lap. He was gently stroking her cheek and occasionally her hair. Harry sat on his own, in a large armchair, contemplating the past.

Remus untangled himself from Shadow, and collected everyone's empty mugs. The second Remus left the room; Sirius sprang from his sofa, and clambered onto Shadow's.

"What the hell are you-" he pressed a hand over her mouth.

"Sshhh! Re-arrange yourself how you were just then!" Shadow obliged, and when Remus came back into the room he nearly dropped the tray of mugs he was carrying. Sirius had even taken the liberty of stroking her hair, and Harry was trying not to burst out laughing.

"Black! Hands OFF my daughter!" But Sirius and Shadow completely ignored him, and carried on staring into the fire. Remus raised his hands in defeat. "Fine fine fine. Just don't forget to use contraception ok?" Shadow shrieked, and leaped from Sirius' lap. Harry was almost crying with mirth, and Sirius was a shade of deep red. Remus smiled triumphantly, and seated himself on Sirius' old seat.

"Ok Harry I'm coming to sit with you." Harry was just about to point out that there was no room, when she simply climbed into his lap, her legs hanging of one arm rest, her back against the other.

"Er, ok then."

"Oh man! Why does Harry get Shadow?" Sirius whined.

"Because I'm not some randy old perv!" Shadow, Harry and Remus burst out laughing.

"Go Harry! You tell that good for nothing flea-bag!"

"Perv!?!? Flea-bag!?!?! I shouldn't have to listen to this!" and in jest, he stormed from the room.

"Drama queen. I better go check he's not actually insulted." Remus rose from the sofa and followed Sirius out the room.

Harry inwardly groaned. What would Ron say if he walked in on Shadow and Harry sat like this? She'd snaked her arm round his neck, and was absently minded playing with his hair. "What is he like eh? My Dad told me all about what it was like at Hogwarts. Apparently Sirius was quite the ladies man. Prick."

"Really?" Harry was interested...

"Yeah. There was like, Sirius, the ladies man, your Dad, the Quidditch star, my dad, the swot, and Peter... well. The Marauders were like, brothers. That makes us cousins." she winked at him. Harry smiled back.

"I'm glad Remus adopted you."

"well, I am too"

"No, I mean I'm glad I've met you. That there's someone else, another kid of the famous Marauders. So the whole idea isn't lost." Harry's smile ebbed away.

"I know exactly what you mean... it's sad... one dead, one a traitor... only Sirius and Dad left."

"I thought I'd lost Sirius though... at the department of Mysteries... when he fell through that veil... he's the nearest thing to a Dad I have..." Shadow hugged Harry tightly.

"Just remember something. The Marauders accepted their fates. If you had your parents, who would Sirius have? There was a reason they died. If it was because it meant that Sirius could have happiness, they'd be content knowing that." Harry was speechless. Yet what she said made strange sense. He was all Sirius had...

"I'm going to bed. Good night Harry." she kissed his cheek, and clambered out of the chair. Just as she got to the door-

"Shadow?"

"Yes Harry?"

"Thanks...I"

"I know... its ok." And with that, she left. Remus and Sirius were sat round the kitchen table, and she came in to say good night. Shadow kissed her father, hesitated slightly, and kissed Sirius' cheek too.

"Shadow? What you said to Harry... well, thanks. He IS all I have, and-"

"It's ok Sirius." She hugged him, and left the room.

'Twice in one night-no- twice in 5 minutes!' Shadow said to herself, as she made her way up the murky stairs. She was getting good at this agony aunt thing. Yet she meant what she said. If the Potters hadn't died, Sirius wouldn't have Harry.