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Chapter Two: Christmas Cheer

Christmas arrived quickly that year, taking Sirius by surprise. The last couple of months had been hard, to say the least. Harry had seemed to realize that Sirius wasn't just babysitting him for a couple of days. He was crying constantly, and one day looked up at Sirius with big, tear- filled, green eyes and said "Ma" in a tone that could only be described as inquisitive begging.

"No, Harry, Mummy and Daddy aren't coming back, I'm sorry. But Uncle Remus is coming over today, won't that be fun?"

Sirius wasn't dumb enough to think he and Remus could make up the absence of Lily and James, but soon they would all move on, all adjust to the circumstances. It just takes time.

"Now, do you want to help pick out the wrapping paper for Uncle Remus' present?" Holding up two rolls of paper, Harry grabbed the red and gold Christmas tree roll. "Ah, good lad, a true Gryffindor, eh?" Gently grabbing the paper from Harry's mouth, he began to wrap the gift. "But, yes, tonight Uncle Remus is coming over, and tomorrow we're all going to go to my cousin Molly's house for Christmas Eve, then Father Christmas is coming! Won't that be nice? You'll get lots of presents!" Harry had managed to get the wrapping paper roll back, and didn't seem to comprehend anything Sirius had been saying.

"SIRIUS! HARRY!" a yell could be heard from the kitchen.

"In here Remus!"

Remus came into the room and swept Harry off the ground and up into the air, enticing a fit of giggles. "And how's my little lad?"

"I think he's been missing his M-U-M."

"Ahhh, we can't have that! It's Christmas time! No sad thoughts. I brought some cookies, how's that sound Harry? Mmmm yummy!"

Setting Harry back down with a gingerbread man in his mouth, Remus turned back to Sirius. "Is he still crying like he was?"

"It's calming down, but yeah, and I think he's been having nightmares about, you know, that night."

"I guess you can't really send a one year to a therapist to try to cope, can you? But I'm sure he'll move on eventually. You should ask Snape if there's any way to give a child his age dreamless sleep. A reduced dose or something."

"He'll probably just scoff and say I am incompetent to raise a child. Wouldn't even be far off target with that."

"Oh come on Sirius, you've been actually quite good with Harry. You can't control what he dreams. I have nightmares about it, and they weren't even my parents."

"I just wish there was some way for me to get them back."

"We all do, Sirius, we all do."

Christmas Eve morning dawned bright and clear, and for the first time in the last two weeks, Sirius didn't wake up to Harry's crying. Stretching, he cracked his back, and noticed an owl sitting on the footboard of his bed. Untying the letter from it's leg, Sirius handed it a knut and opened the parchment.

Dear Mr. Black,
We are pleased to inform you that your offer on 22 Clarendon, was accepted. Included with this letter are the official forms for purchasing the house that you need to complete. If you have any questions at all, write us any time. We hope you holiday season is a cheery one.
Yours,
Wizards National Reality -Selling quality homes since AD 435-

The day was starting to look up. No crying from Harry, a home available, the promise of a delightful meal at the Weasley's. Yes, maybe Christmas is what they all need to move on with their lives.

Walking into the kitchen, he found Remus trying to attempt to feed a giggling Harry without spilling creamed bananas everywhere.

"Morning Sirius, there's some tea in the pot on the counter if you're interested."

"Fabulous. I got the house."

"Oh that's great. Wonderful neighbourhood for Harry to grow up in, if you ask me."

"The dog in me saw that yard and I couldn't resist. I think I may buy Harry here a P-U-P-P-Y for Christmas while the stores are still open today. Somehow I can't see him taking me seriously as a father figure when half the time I'm a dog..."

"That would be nice. They could grow up together, and maybe Harry will learn some responsibility. What time is Molly expecting us tonight?"

"She said any time after noon would be fine. Do you think you can take Harry over while I go and pick up his last minute present? It should be fine on it's own for a few hours while we're there, right?"

"Probably, if it's really tiny you could keep it in a box with some toys and food and such..."

"Great. Now, I think it's time for someone's bath!"

That night Sirius found himself helping a very pregnant Molly Weasley prepare dinner while Harry and Ron tried to avoid the very rowdy Fred and George.

"I really don't know how you do it Molly! Six children and another on the way. I'm having a hard enough time with just Harry, and he's one of the best behaved kids I've ever had the pleasure of meeting."

"Just takes a bit of practice and patience I suppose. And having two parents help. Have you at all considered settling down with a nice lady, giving Harry a mother figure in his life?"

"Molly, you know 'settling down' isn't my sort of thing. Especially at 21, not quite sure how James managed it. Though I suppose if I were as madly in love as he was with Lily I would understand. Anyways, that would require dating, which, is not only hard to do with a one year old, but also compromises Harry's safety. What if I get deceived, bring someone home one night, when all they want to do is hurt him? I think it would be best if I just flew solo for now. He's got Remus and you lot for him too, right?"

"Of course! I adore that child, and I guarantee by the time they're the twins age, Ron and Harry will be like brothers."

"They do seem to rather enjoy each others company, don't they?"

"Ron's only cried once this evening. Quite the feat with Fred and George in the house to torment him. I've got the feeling that those two will never be easy to raise. You know, when they were babies, one of them would cry in the middle of the night, and when Arthur or I got them to calm down again, as soon as we were about to fall back asleep the other would start crying! I swear to this day that they did it on purpose."

Sirius chuckled softly at this. "Yes, I cannot wait for them to get into Hogwarts, I'll bet a million galleons they'll be the new generation of Marauders."

"Well don't you go encouraging them, or I'll have your head."

"Me? Encourage rule breaking and recklessness? Never. I'm offended Molly, deeply hurt," Sirius said innocently, giving her a mask of indignation.

Swatting him with a dish towel, Molly ordered him off to seat the table.

Returning home that night, Sirius laid a sleeping Harry to bed. The child had had a long day, playing with Ron and the other Weasley kids, who, despite the fact they had Ron there all the time, found having a one year old walking (rather unsteadily at that) around the house endearing. "I think that was Harry's first time have cranberry sauce," Sirius said to Remus, whilst gazing at the sleeping form of his god son. "Remember? He was too young last Christmas. Hard to tell though I guess, wasn't there all the time. But when else do you have it but the holidays?"

"Hmm, you're probably right on that one. Big day for Harry. A new friend, and a new food."

"Not to mention the cap Molly knitted him. So new headwear, too."

Remus chuckled at that. "So, will he have his first pet tomorrow?"

"Oh! I nearly forgot, come check her out. Gorgeous pup if I do say so myself." Leading Remus into the kitchen, where a small border collie slept in a box. "Adorable, huh?"

"Precious."

"Do you think Harry will be less lonely-like with a pet? Maybe help fill the void?"

"She may help a bit. But I don't want you to get your hopes up expecting a dog to make everything all right. Only time will do that."

"I know, I know. It's just, you know, it's hard trying to get a child to perk up when you don't want to."

"Hey, it's Christmas Eve, let's not dwell on what we can't change. Let's just put the presents under the tree and try to get some sleep, okay?"

"Okay."

Sirius said a silent prayer of thanks to whoever was out there listening when, for the second day in a row, he awoke to a quiet room, with the exception of Remus' quiet snores from the transfigured bed next to him. Walking to Harry's crib, he was surprised to find him awake, playing with a muggle train toy he had gotten him a while back.

"Hey kiddo, guess what? It's Christmas! Should we wake Uncle Remus so we can open presents?"

Receiving a clap of hands from Harry, which he assumed was a yes, he picked him up from the crib and placed him on Remus' bed. Immediately Harry began using Remus as a human jungle gym, stirring him from his slumber. Yawning, Remus willed his eyes to focus on the child.

"Wakey, wakey Remus! Time to go see what Father Christmas left!"

"You know, Padfoot, if I didn't know better I would think you wanted to open presents yourself, but of course, knowing you, you only have your godson at heart, right?" Remus said in a soft, sarcastic playfulness.

"Of course, I am far too old to be excited by such childish things as presents."

Smiling, Sirius lifted Harry off Remus and rested him on his hips. "Well, are you coming or what?"

Ten minutes later Harry, Sirius and Remus could be found gathered around the tree in the living room. "Now, let's see, this one is for... Harry!" Handing the child the gift. However, the concept of actually opening the wrapped box seemed to not be part of Harry's plan. Instead, he seemed satisfied with shaking it and biting it's corners. Clearing his throat, Sirius said, "Righto, we'll just let him have his fun for now. Open one of yours Remus."

Gently picking up a package, Remus opened it with absurd neatness. "Ahhh, a new wallet. Just what I needed!"

"Look inside."

"Oh! And a gift certificate to Flourish And Blotts."

"Well you know what they say, bad luck to give a wallet or purse that has no money in it, and I didn't want to give you straight money because it's considered sort of patronizing, so I figured, 'Remus likes reading.'"

"Thanks, Sirius."

The day had passed quickly, and soon Harry was found in bed with his new stuffed dragon, a small black and white puppy next to his bed. Staring at the sleeping child and glancing at Remus laying in bed reading, Sirius couldn't help but think that, in the end, everything was going to work out.

A/N: Well, there's chapter 2. Not much action plot, but I'm really leaning more towards a look at the relationship between godfather and godson, rather than a suspenseful plot. The next chapter will have a slightly older Harry. There's only so much that can happen with a one year old. I'm currently basing Harry's general 'ness on my one year old nephew, so if it seems Harry is developing a bit slow or fast or anything like that, then so is my nephew. Anyways, thanks to all of those who reviewed, it's encouraging.