The Potter/Black Romance
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Oh yeah, this is set in the January after their wedding/honeymoon and James will be turning 19 in this chapter.
Also, after their honeymoon, James' parents bought them a house near by and Sirius lives there most of the time on his own while James is at Hogwarts teaching.
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Chapter 16: The One where Sirius Tells James
Jamie
I need to talk to you about something really important. Can I come see you at school tonight?
Love Siri
James read the letter and wrote a quick reply before his next class.
Siri
Of course you can come and see me, you don't have to ask, just show up. But come around dinnertime and we can eat in my quarters.
James
Sirius read the letter and sat back in his chair, placing his hands protectively on his stomach.
"Don't worry Sirius, he'll be ecstatic," said Irene reassuringly.
"Are you sure? I mean, we've barely touched on the subject of kids, let a lone having them now," replied Sirius sounding very distressed. "We're too young."
Irene sat down opposite her son-in-law, "Normally I would agree with you being too young if you were any normal pregnant eighteen year old. But I honestly think you and James could cope. You're also my son-in-law and Michael and I will be here to help you while James is teaching."
Sirius smiled, "Thanks."
"Don't mention it," said Irene as she got up and ruffled his hair. "You hungry?" Sirius nodded. "Right, I'll make us some lunch then. Bacon and eggs?"
"Yup."
"Ok."
………
That night around 6pm Sirius apparated to Hogsmeade and headed up to Hogwarts. When he got to the Entrance Hall he found James waiting for him at the top of the staircase.
"Hey," said James as Sirius got to his level.
"Hey yourself," replied Sirius quietly. His heart was racing and he was so nervous, though he didn't know why he was, this was James. His best friend, his husband, the man he was in love with.
James smiled, he slipped his arms around Sirius' waist and kissed him before speaking, "What's so important?"
"Can we eat before I tell you? I'm starved," asked Sirius hopefully.
James raised his eyebrows slightly, "Of course." He took Sirius' hand. "Let's go."
James already suspected something was up with Sirius, it wasn't like the other man to be so quiet, and it also wasn't like Sirius not to pounce on him as soon as he saw him again after a month away. He led Sirius along many corridors and upstairs until finally they stopped in front of a portrait of a knight that was very reminiscent of Sir Cadogan. James said the password but Sirius didn't hear it because he was too busy daydreaming.
When they went in, the table was already laden with food for the private dinner. There were candles in the middle of the table and a bottle of expensive wine in a small metal bucket full of ice.
It wasn't like them to eat in silence; usually they had something to talk about even if it was just mindless, pointless chatter about nothing in particular. But James had noticed Sirius seemed a bit on edge and didn't appear to want to talk yet.
When James offered Sirius some wine he was drawn between his alcoholic loving mind and the fact that he was pregnant.
Oh well, one glass won't hurt will it? Thought Sirius hopefully.
As he ate, Sirius glanced around the dining/living area of Professor Potter's quarters. It was a very big spacious room with a hallway leading off from a door beside the big open grate fire. The mantle shelf above the fire held a prized picture of James and Sirius on their honeymoon with their arms around each other and smiling happily. There were other pictures of them together and with their friends and James' parents. There were two big plush armchairs and a nice big comfy looking couch; they were a deep red colour like the furniture around the fire in the Gryffindor Common Room. It was like an apartment, there was a small kitchen to one side with a breakfast bench, and the table they were sitting at was in the middle of the room. There was a desk in front of a big window at the far side of the room piled high with rolls of parchment and essays waiting to be marked.
Sirius ran a hand through his hair; he could get used to this place. If they didn't already have a house he would move in with James at Hogwarts without a second's notice.
When they had finished eating, Sirius was pretty sure James suspected something because Sirius was still on his first glass of wine and even that had barely been touched.
"So," started James leaning forward on the table. "What did you want to talk to me about?"
Sirius shifted nervously, "Um, you know how your mum told us there's a potion that can help guys get pregnant?" James nodded, watching Sirius intently. "Well, I asked her if she could get me some of it before you came home for Christmas."
James tilted his head to the side quizzically, "What are you saying?"
Sirius sighed, "I took the potion on Christmas Eve before our dinner that night."
James suddenly realised what Sirius was trying to tell him, he remembered what they did that night clearly because it was probably the most romantic he had ever been. He decided not to say anything and let Sirius say it.
"So, after that night and when you came back to school I started to get sick in the morning," continued Sirius. "Your mum suspected something was up so she gave me a check up and ran a few tests."
"And?" prompted James.
Sirius took a deep breath, "I'm pregnant."
James just continued to watch Sirius blankly for a moment. Finally though, he got up with Sirius watching him worriedly.
"James?"
James went over to Sirius; he grabbed his husband's hands and pulled him to his feet. Before Sirius could say anything he found himself being pulled into a tight hug.
Sirius sighed with relief, he honestly thought James would kick him out saying he didn't want the child. Sirius hugged him back sniffing, his hormones were already playing up and he could feel himself ready to cry.
"I love you so much," said James as he pulled away so he could see Sirius' face. He lowered his head a little and kissed Sirius deeply, stroking his back as they kissed and finally he pulled away smiling. "I never thought we'd be parents so soon. If at all really."
Sirius smiled back at him through tearful eyes, "Me neither…So you're all right with it?"
James pulled them over to one of the big armchairs by the fire; he sat down and pulled Sirius into his lap. "I am more than all right with it… You know, I was beginning to think nobody had remembered my birthday."
Sirius rested his head on James' shoulder. "I hadn't forgotten, but sorry I didn't get you a present."
James stroked his hair, "This is one of the best presents you could've given me, Siri. Thank you."
"Happy birthday then," said Sirius, he kissed James on the cheek.
"So my parents know?" asked James.
"Yeah they do," replied Sirius nuzzling James' neck. "Although your dad said he wants a grandson and he has to be straight so he can help him pick a girlfriend."
James snorted, "Fine with me."
"But your mum wants it to be a girl so she can buy her dresses and do girly things that we won't want to do," said Sirius in amusement.
James laughed, "Well, at least we have two keen babysitters."
"That's what Dani said," replied Sirius through a yawn, he was feeling rather tired now that he had given James the news.
"She knows as well?" questioned James in disbelief. Why was he always the last to find things out? Especially when it concerned him.
Sirius sighed, "She turned up to say 'hi' while I was having lunch with your mum. Rem proposed to her during their holiday."
"I'll write to them tomorrow," Said James. He shifted so he could get comfy and put his feet on the coffee table. "So, are you staying tonight?"
Sirius yawned widely, "I think I better. I might splinch myself otherwise."
"Mm yeah, we can't have that happening," said James, he put an arm around Sirius' waist and placed his hand on the still flat stomach of his lover. "I can't wait."
"I bet you can't," mumbled Sirius tiredly against James' shoulder.
"You tired, sweetie?" asked James softly. An affirmative grunt in reply. "Let's go to bed then."
James managed to slide out from under Sirius, who held his hands out. James pulled him up and studied Sirius' face. "You look a bit peaky, are you all right?"
Sirius nodded, "I'm fine. I just haven't slept much the last few nights, that's all."
James frowned, "You shouldn't wear yourself out you know?"
"I know," replied Sirius, he was finding it harder and harder to keep his eyes open.
"OK, c'mon," said James, he wrapped an arm around Sirius' waist and led his lover to the bedroom.
Sirius was too tired to bother undressing himself, so James did it for him, somehow managing to hold Sirius up at the same time. James pushed Sirius' robes off his lean shoulders, and then pulled Sirius' T-shirt up over his head and dropped it to the floor. Sirius kicked his own shoes off as James undid his belt and trousers and pushed them down passed his slim hips and to the floor so Sirius was left in his black satin boxer shorts.
Sirius didn't like to wear much when he went to bed, because most clothes usually ended up all tangled around him throughout the night, so by the morning he was very uncomfortable and probably unable to move much as well.
James helped Sirius into the massive bed that Hogwarts' professors were blessed with. As soon as Sirius' head hit the pillow, he was out like a light. James watched Sirius sleep for a few minutes, he was breathing softly and he slept like a baby.
Sirius looked so sweet and innocent when he slept, that made a big change from his wide-awake personality.
James got up after pressing a kiss to Sirius' sleeping cheek and headed out to the portrait hole of his quarters, he was assigned for patrolling that night along with Professor Eston. James left the quarters quietly and headed to the Entrance Hall where they always started.
"You're late," said Eston sternly.
"Yeah sorry about that," said James nonchalantly. "Had more important things to do. I'll start above ground." With that James left Eston standing and steaming at the top of the Entrance Hall staircase.
During his rounds, James sent four snogging couples back to their House Common Rooms minus a few points, he had also given detention to three Slytherins, one of them being Regulus Black. Hey, no one ever said he had to be fair.
After that, James reported back to 'the bastard' and then went back to his quarters to be with Sirius. He found his lover on his stomach and sleeping soundly. James undressed and got into bed next to Sirius, he trailed little kisses right down Sirius' spine and across his shoulder blades. Sirius made a little noise.
"Are you just going to molest me in my sleep?" asked Sirius in amusement.
James kissed the back of his neck, "Just wanted to taste you."
Sirius turned onto his back and looked up at James, "I bet you'd love it if they made a 'Me' flavoured Bertie Botts Bean."
James grinned, "Hell yeah. I'd buy them by the bulk."
Sirius pulled James' head down to him and kissed him and the he pressed their foreheads together. "You realize I'm not ever going to sleep with you again after I carry your child for nine months, right?"
James smiled and kissed him again, "You wouldn't be able to live in celibacy."
"No, no Jamie. Its you who wouldn't be able to live without sex," replied Sirius tapping James lightly on the cheek. "I, on the other hand am still trying to recover from our honeymoon and Christmas."
James smirked, "You'll get over it."
…Later That Night…
Sirius looked out the bedroom window at the stars with his head on James' chest, "Ever wished upon a star?"
James stroked Sirius' hair; "I have no need to. Got my star right here."
"Stop being so sweet, my stomach's churning enough as it is," mumbled Sirius into James' chest.
James smirked, "Sorry, Siri."
"So you should be."
James kissed him on top of the head; "I am… Let's get some sleep, I have a class first thing."
………
The next morning James woke up to hear coughing coming from his ensuite bathroom. He hauled himself up and headed to the bathroom only clad in his boxers to investigate the sound. As soon as he pushed the door open, James saw the source of the coughing bent over the toilet bowl coughing and throwing up. James went and knelt down just behind Sirius and rubbed his back.
Sirius finally ran out of stomach contents to lose and flushed the toilet before moving and sitting against the stone wall of the bathroom breathing heavily. "God I hate morning sickness."
James frowned slightly, "Is it always like this?"
Sirius smirked, "It's usually morning, noon and night sickness, but I was quite lucky yesterday," he rested his head against the wall, crossed his legs and closed his eyes. "Just think yourself lucky you won't be there until the last few months."
James leaned forward pressed a kiss to Sirius' forehead making his lover open his eyes again, "Just say the word and I'll be there right by your side."
Sirius smiled, "I don't want to jeopardise your career now… Anyway, I'll be fine. Your mum and dad'll look after me and Dani promised she'd come and see me as often as she can, same with Rem. So really, you've got the easy way out."
"Well yeah," replied James, "But its my kid too, it wouldn't feel right to me if I didn't do anything to help you."
Sirius nodded in understanding, "Its up to you."
……
A little while later, James was showered, clothed and ready for another day of teaching. Sirius said he would get something from the kitchens later for breakfast and then James left for the Great Hall for his own breakfast.
Around 1:30 that afternoon, Sirius decided to go for a wander around Hogwarts before he went home. His wandering soon led him to the Transfiguration classroom on the first floor of the castle and he snuck into the back of the classroom.
The class was full of what appeared to be Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff second years; they were all trying to turn animals into water goblets from what Sirius could see. Their teacher however, was sitting at his desk marking papers.
"James?"
James looked up briefly catching a glimpse of Sirius at the back of the room and then he turned his attention to the student who called out for him, "Yeah Sophie?"
"Can you help me?" asked the young Ravenclaw. "My lizard just doesn't want to change, I don't get it."
James smirked, "Ok." He got up and headed over to the distressed girl and crouched down beside her desk where she had a lizard placed in the centre or what appeared to have been a lizard. It was actually a water goblet with a head and tail. James snorted when he saw this; "You've gotten yourself into a right fix here, haven't you?"
"It's not funny," said the girl scowling at him.
James wiped the smirk off his face mockingly; "No you're right. Of course not."
"You're mocking me."
"Yeah I am," said James honestly. "Now, show me what you've been doing." He transfigured the lizard/goblet back into a lizard.
The girl cast the charm again and her lizard turned into a goblet/lizard again. "See? It won't work."
James stared thoughtfully at the lizard/goblet for a moment and then to her wand. "Let me look at your wand." Sophie handed it to him. James examined it a moment and nodded, "Yeah, this is your problem. Your wand's cracked, been having problems in Charms?" Sophie nodded. As he spoke, James kept glancing at Sirius. "Yeah, my suggestion is get a new one, cause there's not really much you can do with this."
"Bugger," muttered Sophie as James stood.
"Are you going to watch the match on Saturday, James?" asked another male student.
James quirked his eyebrows, "Wouldn't miss it for the world. You should know that. Gryffindor vs. Slytherin to, I have to cheer my House on."
From what he had already seen, Sirius guessed that James was probably quite popular as a teacher being young himself and more in touch with the kids. He also noticed that they called him 'James' and not 'Professor Potter', but James probably didn't like the authority that title gave him. He was quite bad when he was given authority, that was painfully obvious when he was the Quidditch Captain and Head Boy.
A little while later the end of class bell rang and all the students started to pack up.
"Before you go!" called James just as they headed toward the door, "I want everyone to write an essay on Animal Changing for next Wednesday."
A collective groan went up from the class.
"Why?" Whined one student.
James raised his eyebrows; "Well I had to do one so you can to. Plus, you're my last class for the day, I have to do something nasty."
The class left muttering things under their breaths, after they had all left Sirius moved away from the corner.
James sat down on his desk and yawned, "You know, it's really hard to teach with you prowling in the background."
Sirius smiled and walked up to James, he stopped in front of him rested one hand on James' shoulder and the other on his chest, which he started to trail his fingers over. "Am I off putting?" He asked innocently.
James stopped Sirius' hand from moving on his chest and brought it up to his mouth and kissed the palm. "Very," he kept Sirius' hand in his as he spoke again. "So, are you going to stay or go home?"
"I was going to go home," replied Sirius almost apologetically. "But I can come and visit if you want me to."
"Should you be apparating in your condition?" asked James worriedly.
Sirius rolled his eyes, "James, I'm pregnant, I'm not dying. Anyway, your mum's a medi-witch she knows best, and she said I could continue to apparate for the first three or four months." James didn't look convinced. "Ask Madame Pomfrey for confirmation if it worries you that much." He put his free hand up to cup James' cheek. "You worry about me far too much."
"That's only because I love you," said James, he hopped off the desk and put his hands on Sirius' waist. "Anyway, who else have I got to worry about?"
Sirius smiled and leaned in to kiss James gently on the lips, "Your baby."
James gave him a lop-sided smile, "Well, you're my baby until we have a real one." Their lips met again and then James stroked the back of his hand over Sirius' stomach. "So what do you reckon, boy or girl?"
"I don't know and I don't much care as long as these months go by quickly," replied Sirius already appearing to loathe his pregnancy.
James pressed a kiss to his forehead, "I can't wait for the raging hormones to kick in at full force," he said sarcastically, only to earn himself a thump in the stomach.
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Next Chapter: August. Wedding Anniversary. A very pregnant self conscious Sirius Black. Ooh the fun James will have.
