A/N: I started writing this story on a whim, and I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do with it as of yet. This has probably been done a million times, but personally I haven't read any like it, so if there is an uncanny similarity to another story out there, it's purely accidental. If anyone would be willing to beta for me, let me know. Please review.

Disclaimer: I don't any of the Harry Potter related characters, all of whom are property of JK Rowling, her associated publishers, and Warner Brothers. No profits are being made off this story.

Chapter One: God Fatherly Obligation

Sirius Black sat shell shocked in the office of Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and wizardry.
"They're dead?" he managed to choke out.
"I'm afraid so. They died honorably. They fought. They sacrificed their lives for their son" Dumbledore said softly, his eyes lacking the normal twinkle.
"And—and Harry?"
"I believe, Sirius, it is time for you to fulfill your god fatherly obligation. However, I do suppose it would be a possibility to send young Harry to his aunt's, if you are not up to the job."
"You mean that muggle that hated Lily for being a witch? No. No. He—he'll come with me. It'd be best. It's what James and Lily would've wanted."
Dumbledore gave him a small, sad smile. "Harry couldn't ask for a better godfather. We just need you to sign the adoption papers and it'll be official." He pushed forward an official-looking piece of parchment, a quill, and an inkwell.

'We, James and Lilly Potter, hereby give custody of our son, Harry James Potter, to SiriusAlphard Black, in the event of our deaths before Harry is of legal age. With the custody we leave our vault to Mr. Black for assistance in raising Harry, and, when Harry is of legal age, any remaining sum will be passed on to him."

"You'll just need to sign right there, and there," Dumbledore said, pointing to two lines on the paper.
Still feeling quite numb, Sirius dipped the quill into the inkwell and signed his name. "When can I take him home? Better yet, where is he?"
"If it is convenient you can take him home tonight. He's currently resting in Severus' quarters. But before you go, I think we need to discuss a few matters. Firstly, your flat will need extra warding."
"Okay. But, I think I may move us into a house when one becomes available. One bedroom is fine for an infant, but he's already walking. We'll need more space, and a nice big backyard would be nice..."
Dumbledore smiled. "Yes, that would be a very good move. But more importantly right now than the accommodation, is you knowing how vital this boys safety is. He's a celebrity, Sirius, and for every few people out there who love him, there will be one who wants him dead for killing their master."
"I understand. I won't let anything happen to Harry, he means too much to me."
"There's one more thing I think we need to discuss. Harry cannot know of this until he is old enough to understand it, to be able to handle it. But you need to know it. There is a prophecy involving Harry and the Dark Lord. The only way the Light of Dark can triumph, is if one of them kills each other."
"So, what you're saying is the fate of the world rests in the hands of a 15 month old? That this child will either murder or be murdered?"
"Yes. So you can see we cannot let Harry know anytime soon. It'd be too much for a child."
"I understand."
"Good. Now, it's late, and you should try to get back home and get some sleep. Harry can stay here tonight if you want sometime on your own."
"No, I think it'd be best for him to be with me. He knows me, and he needs someone who loves him with him right now."
"Okay, we'll go retrieve him from Severus then, hmmm?"

"Remus, oh God, can you come over?"
"What's wrong?"
"It's Harry. He won't stop crying and I don't know why!"
"Okay, okay, calm down, I'll be over in a second."
True to his word, as soon as Sirius' head was out of the fireplace, Remus stumbled through.
"Where's the little tyke?"
"In the bedroom. I don't get it! I feed him, sang to him, burped him, told him a story..."
"Did you try changing his nappie?"
"Oh Merlin! Remus, I'm so not ready for this. Two days ago I was having casual sex, and now I have a kid to take care of! Why didn't Lily and James make you godfather? I'm too stupid to even think of changing a nappie!"
"Calm down Sirius," Remus murmured while removing the used nappie. "You've had him for less than a day, no one knows how to become a father overnight. You'll get the hang of it. And you know damn well I couldn't be the best godfather to Harry when I have to worry about turning into a bloody wolf once a month. There, now doesn't that feel much better, hmm?" Remus said the last bit playfully to a changed Harry, leaning down to blow a raspberry on his belly.
"You're really a life-saver, Remus, thank you."
"No big, anytime. Let's just have a cup of tea now, alright?"
Leaving Harry to nap, the two men moved to the kitchen, and whilst Sirius was conjuring up the tea, Remus sat shuffling through house flyers.
"Have you found any houses that spark your interest yet? This one looks nice, Surrey's a good place to raise kids..."
"I made an appointment to go look at one in Kent tomorrow. Nice little three bedroom in a good neighborhood, lots of children, good primary school. Merlin knows I'm not qualified to teach Harry his ABCs and such..."
"I dunno about that. Remember when our DADA teacher used to say you had good spelling and grammar?"
"That was just because everything else was crap."
"True, I'll give you that, but it was good none-the-less."
"I'd still prefer having professionals teaching him. He'd probably take it more serious anyways."
"You're most likely right to have the majority of the job given to teachers, but you should still sing the alphabet song to him and read bedtime stories."
"Raising a kid would be no fun without getting to lull them to sleep with stories of dragons."
"I should get going. I need to get some shopping done before the stores close."
"Alright, see you, thanks again."
"Forget about it. Bye."
Sirius walked back into the bedroom where the small child was resting. He looked so much like James that it hurt. The funeral would be in a couple days. A funeral that would not be happening if he had just done the right thing and agreed to be secret keeper. Or if they weren't so blind to think that the warm-hearted Remus could have been the one giving information to the Dark Lord. If he didn't have Harry to care for, Sirius would kill Peter Pettigrew with his bare hands, Azkaban or no. James and Lily had been nothing but kind to the rat of a man.
When he was sixteen, the Potters took him in when he could no longer tolerate his bigoted family. And now, he was repaying them by raising Harry. Harry, who even at such a young age was showing to have the perfect mix of James and Lily. He would never forget the look on James' face when he told them that they were expecting a child, or the pride when he retrieved his friends from the waiting room to show them the newly born Harry.
And now, they were gone, and it was Sirius' job to pick up where they left off. James loved to tell Harry all about quidditch even when he was just a few weeks old. Not surprisingly, Harry's first word a few weeks ago was 'Snitch!' James floo called every person he knew, even those he didn't like (Snape could care less about what nonsense the child was saying) while Lily tried desperately to get Harry to say 'Mummy' or 'Daddy' or anything that wasn't sports-related. "Another quidditch star in the family I guess," she had sighed, but Sirius could see the pride and happiness shining in her eyes. The same vibrant green eyes their child had been blessed with.
Sirius was brought out of his bitter-sweet thoughts when heard the doorbell ring. Walking to the door, he discovered a teary eyed Hagrid with a wrapped box.
"Brought the wee lad some clothes, thought he might need some new ones after his were destroyed, when, well, you know..."
"Thanks Hagrid, that was really kind of you. Harry's sleeping right now, but he should wake up soon, do you want something to eat or drink 'til then, so you can say hello and see him open the package?"
"Nah, I've got to be off on a mission for Dumbledore, top secret it is, but he trusts me."
"Alright. Thanks for shopping by, and the clothes. It was very thoughtful off you."
"Aye, good day to ye, Sirius."
Closing the door, Sirius collapsed on the couch and thought of how different his life was turning out to be over the last couple of days.