It in fact didn't take long for Sirius to find out. Almost as soon as he turned up for the Potter's farewell get-together, he knew something was wrong. It wasn't exactly a cheery party, seeing as how they were going into hiding because they were top of Voldemort's hit list, but James was less than sociable. He was acting strange, too strange even for him. Something was definitely wrong and James was being evasive to say the least. But Sirius being Sirius wasn't letting him get away with it
"Prongs look talk to me, y'know I'll find out eventually, have Dumbledore look in your head...granted there's a lot of empty space to get around but I'm sure he'd manage to find something."
James almost laughed...almost. Lily was just next door entertaining their friends and holding their child. The child he'd named the man beside him as godfather to a year ago. The man he trusted enough to guard his family's safety. "It's nothing mate. Just thinking back I suppose."
"Oh you're thinking now? When'd that happen, I'm sure Lily would be very impressed. Tell me what's wrong James."
"That night, remember the night Bellatrix and her lot attacked the Linser's place?"
"Yeah...thank Merlin they were warned first. Was she there that night then?"
James nodded slightly "Yeah...she..."
Sirius instinct kicked in. James tone, coupled with the knowledge that his dear cousin was possibly the craziest thing since Mad Joe McMad the Maddest Wizard ever to do anything mad or crazy in Britain, made him suddenly very wary.
"What'd she do Prongs?" he asked outright. "Cruciatus, she does enjoy that, did she use it?"
"Imperious," he said, eyes dark. "She said she couldn't help but think back to Hogwarts when she used to..."
Sirius blinked. "Used to...what?"
"She apparently had a thing for me...so she made me...want her."
Sirius seemed almost to snarl. "She didn't. Prongs tell me she..." James didn't need to speak, his expression told Sirius all he needed to know. "I'm gonna kill her."
"That's really not the half of it..."
Sirius' face dropped, what could she possibly have done that was worse?
"I saw her when I was on watch down Knockturn. She Disapparated right afterward with that sister of hers but I got a quick look at her...she was...well she looked pregnant."
After he'd calmed down, which took quite some time Sirius tried to reconcile it "Yeah, well, Bel's married isn't she? Maybe she..."
"Maybe but...Padfoot I'm terrified here. If she is...What'll it do to Lil...even Harry, I...I didn't tell her, she was pregnant then herself and I was worried it'd...affect her, but now, what's my excuse now?"
"Right that's it...It's time my dear cousin and I had a chat."
James actually looked terrified. It was an unusual look for the usually overconfident man he was. "If she tells Lily. I have to do it, I have to tell her. But I have to know if it's my kid Padfoot, I need to know."
Sirius nodded. "And you will. Tell Lena I'll be back"
He Disapparated, just a minute before a voice started James from his reverie.
"Hey, James, is Sirius in here?" Lena asked, sticking her head around the kitchen door.
"No, he, er, had to pop out for a bit," he said. Lena frowned.
"Did he say where he was going?"
"No, I don't think so," James said. "He said he'd be back later."
"Thanks, James. Your son's a real ladies man, by the way. Lapping up all our attention."
"That's my boy," James said distractedly. Lena went back to the other room.
"What's wrong?" Lily asked her best friend.
"Sirius has left," she said.
"Without a goodbye?"
"Doesn't matter, really," Lena said. "I've only lived with him for three years; it isn't like I deserve a goodbye. It's not like I'm carrying his child or anything."
"Well, maybe if you told him you were pregnant, he would say goodbye," Lily said pointedly.
"Lily, I don't know if that would make a difference. He's changed."
"He'd never desert you if he knew," Lily said. "He has a right to know either way. It is his baby."
"What if he doesn't want to stay? We're not getting on very well. I couldn't bear it if he left."
"The only way you'll know is if you tell him," Lily said. "I know you're afraid of his reaction, but you'll have to face it eventually. Be a Gryffindor."
"You're right as always, Lily. I'm off to work. Goodbye, Harry," she said, tickling him.
