Sirius was worried, when he met the strange girl on his ground, that she might throw off his plans. She needed help, that was for sure, and he needed to get stoned. Fortunately for him, the two went hand in hand.

Sirius was not independently wealthy. He was fourteen and had never earned a knut. He was a first-class pilfer, though, with no qualms at taking his parents' hard-earned money; as he explained to the girl, it had probably been embezzled anyway. He borrowed as many galleons as they could carry between them before they set off for the Leaky Cauldron.

Tom the bartender let them rooms with a sitting room between, where Lily sat on the floor and began counting the money. Sirius, unimpressed by the sums, wrote to Remus.

Moony –

We've got a nutcase on our hands, Father found her on the doorstep and I felt bad about that, so I hooked her up with some cash and told her I'd write you. I guess you can't take her in – any ideas?

Padfoot

Lily read over his shoulder. "You don't think they'll take me?"

Sirius jumped. "Merlin! don't sneak up on me like that. They can't afford it. But he'll have thoughts. Forget about it."

She shrugged. "We've got two hundred forty-six."

"Thoughts? Oh. Right. Perfect. How much does it cost to go to Hogwarts?"

Another shrug.

"Okay, well, I'll talk to Dumbledore when that owl gets back. If we can get you in you're home free, you'll live there and everything."

"I went last year," she said. "I didn't like it very much."

"It's food and shelter."

"It's paying to work."

"It's not really work, I never have. Tell you what. I'll get you enough to start off with, and then you're on your own. All right?"

She was doubtful as to his motives, that was clear. "What do you want out of it?"

He didn't have to think about that one. "Get me hooked."

"On what?"

"Anything."

"Why?"

He lifted his hands. "Why does anyone do anything? Why are my parents such whoresons? Why must the world turn about in such a mind-bending fashion? Make me into your next Susie Lynn, my girl, and I will set you up for life."

"If you overdose, and you die, and you leave me here, I'll find someone you care about and kill them."

"I'll be careful."

"I don't know you."

"Remus won't do anything too rash, but he'll buy off you. I know ninety percent of the school, Lily. They love me. I own them. If I tell them it's you, then it's you."

"How old did you say you were?"

He laughed. "You're quick. I'm in the upper half of everything, that's what matters to you."

"You're not it."

"Sure I am. They love me."

"But you're not it."

"Look," he said, getting impatient. "I've got three years left, right? That's it. Two years from now there is no one else that matters."

"That's two years too long. Who should I be talking to right now?"

"Me. You're talking to me because I have money and I can get you more. Please, Lily, take my word on this."

"I need you."

"I know you do." The grin was back. She blinked slowly.

"I need you to not let me down. If you do, I will kill you."

"That's nice," he said.

"You're not taking me seriously because I'm half your size. I'm not kidding."

"Yeah, sure, whatever. I'm going to get in touch with Dumbledore, and you can come to school with your wares and not get caught and you'll do fine."

She didn't say anything.

"Just graduate is all," he said, to break the silence. His owl rapped on the window.

No. Fuck off.

the letter read. Sirius scratched his head.

"Caught him on a bad day, I guess. No worries, we've got it down. Shall we sweet-talk Dumbledore, or shall we be professional, do you think?"

She stood quietly beside him. He picked up his quill.

Dear Professor Dumbledore,

he wrote, and then paused. "Professor? Or Headmaster? Should it be dear? He is, but this might not be the time and place."

To our excellent Headmaster, overlord of and yet sympathetic toward his precious students,

Hi. This is Sirius. Black, you know, I was in your office several months ago, all that is in the past now. For real this time.

I have a tiny request to make.

A girl, twelve years old, by name of Lily Evans was discovered sleeping upon the doorstep of our humble abode at roughly seven o'clock this morning. My heart goes out to her, this poor orphaned child, and the thought sprung upon me that Professor Dumbledore, the unnamed leader of our beloved homeland, is the very one to take charge of such a drastic situation. Professor, this girl is lovely. She is alone in an empty world and requires a father figure to guide her on her way. You alone can provide that service, and I implore you, take her in. Give her a home. Let her learn from our able teachers, and sleep in the very warm beds that your accomplished house-elves so diligently prepare for we who are lesser than she.

I think she's going into her second year, by the way. Do you know her?

Yours very sincerely,

Sirius Black.