Arms snaked around the small person from behind and large tanned hands rested on the enlarged round abdomen. The owner of the large stomach sighed and put a smaller paler hand with only a diamond wedding band, on top of the bigger one. The child under them rolled over.

"It's not doing it today either."

"It's over seven months already."

"I know."

Time seemed to fly by and Harry had finally started to really look pregnant, his full stomach sticking out far from his body, looking much too big for his tiny frame, and yet the baby still hadn't even given the slightest kick, despite Sirius coming downstairs every morning and wrapping his arms around it first thing, or his attempts to trick it by poking Harry suddenly in the middle of the night and waking both up. He hadn't done that one for a week since Harry had started crying.

"When did it kick the first time?"

"It only did it once and it was right before Regulus showed up." Sirius sighed and poked it in desperation. Harry pushed his hands off in annoyance. "That's it! You've worn out your welcome for today."

"Aw!"

"Let it sleep."

"If it would kick once, I would."

"Then you'll have your hands all over it for the rest of the pregnancy and it'll get no sleep whatsoever. Maybe that's why it hasn't. Smart kid…"

"Yeah, well, if it knows what's good for it, it'll start soon."

"What are you going to do? Poke it till it kicks you in anger?"

"Oh ha ha. Very funny. At least I'm trying."

"I don't need to try because I can understand that it'll kick when it's ready." Sirius sighed again. "Don't worry, it'll happen eventually, My tall dark and handsome." Sirius cracked a smile.

"You haven't called me that in ages… I don't think you mean it anymore." Harry turned around in his arms.

"I know your name now, so I don't really need to. You're still tall, you're still dark and you're still the most handsome man I've ever dated." Harry said as he leant against his husband's chest, closing his eyes and holding him closely.

"And you're still my Swan..."

"Hardly. I don't think I can even do a simple pirouette jump anymore." Harry said dryly, looking at his stomach. He looked away when Sirius's hand lifted his chin and kissed his lips.

"I didn't call you it because you could spin around the room without falling over or leap across a stage and land on your toes. I called you it because swans are beautiful. You're my swan. My beautiful innocent virgin swan." Harry snorted with laughter. "Well, still beautiful anyway."

After a few more minutes of cuddling, snuggling and whispering sweet nothings, Sirius sat down at the table.

"Sirius, I was wondering…"

"Wondering what?"

"Do you think I could go down to the village today? Just for a little while?"

"No. It's too dangerous for you and the baby."

"But I'll be careful and I can take my pepper spray and, and, and…" Harry stumbled to find something else he could use to convince him, but Sirius beat him to it.

"No!"

"I want to be go out and socialise with other people besides you. I'm tired of staying here alone all day."

"It was your choice…"

Flashback

"Turn it up please."

"Harry, the music's loud enough. We're going to go deaf if it's any louder." But Harry didn't hear his father; he had gone back to staring out the window at the farm they were passing.

"Can I get a horse?"

"When you earn your own money, you can buy yourself a horse."

"That won't be long after today, if he's been practicing." Lily added in and turned around to smile at her son, who was currently bouncing up and down excitedly on the back seat of the car. He nodded at her happily.

"They pay you to travel doing shows everywhere. It'll be perfect."

"What about Sirius?"

"What about him?" Harry asked, sitting still and then leaning forward.

"It's already hard enough to have a long distance relationship from two different countries, but if you're constantly moving around."

"We'll work it out. If it gets too much, I'll quit and move back home."

"You'll quit the only job you'll probably get?" Harry frowned.

"I could get another job, if I wanted too."

"What job will you get?" Harry had looked out the window again as they passed a brightly coloured sign for a shopping centre.

"I need new a new pair of dress robes."

"My point exactly." James said smirking and looking back at the road.

"Keep still or it's going to smudge all over your face." Lily said as she applied the mascara to Harry's eyelashes. His eyes looked around and lit up as he looked to the far right of the room, a person was frowning and folding their arms as they scanned the room themselves. As soon as his mother moved the brush away, he ran off. The person laughed when they saw him and opened their arms.

Sirius caught him and was hugged tightly as Harry leapt into his arms, something that became a regular thing when they didn't see each other in a long time. In this case, six days.

Once put down, he kissed him deeply, uncaring that there was room full of people getting ready for auditions.

"I thought you weren't coming!"

"You asked me to be here, do you think I'd miss your big day?"

"You make it sound like I'm getting married or something." Harry's eyes twinkled brightly and Sirius grinned back at him, hugging him again and whispering in his ear.

"Soon enough you will be." Another voice called to Harry and he looked round to see his mother beckoning him over. Sirius wrapped his arm round Harry's hips and they walked over to them, ignoring the weird stares they got.

Lily grabbed Harry's arm and sighed as she started redoing the make up, which had mostly ended up over Sirius's lips, much to James's amusement.

"Stop moving Harry!" Lily said as he continued to look around, taking in everything as the room slowly started to clear out. She reached into her bag and pulled out a little potion, holding it out to Harry.

"What is it?" James asked her sharply and she glared at him. Sirius didn't know why and assumed from the look on Harry's face, that it was something in the family.

"It's only a calming drought." She snapped back and gave it to Harry, who took it and unsurely drank it. His eyes glazed over and he didn't move again. It took quite a while, but once she finished Sirius barely recognized Harry.

"You look so different with make up." Harry, though looking very drowsy, blushed and stood up wobbling. He nearly fell and Sirius caught him under his arms, helping him to stand. He smiled up at him and kissed his cheek.

"Don't smudge it again or you're doing it yourself!" Lily said angrily and someone burst through the door of the now empty-besides-them room.

"Harry! We've been looking everywhere for you, come on, we're about to start!" They dragged him by the arm and he stumbled as they neared the door, but just laughed. "What's wrong with you?" They disappeared through the door.

"I think the draught was a bit too strong."

"Oops."

"You could have given it to him when he needed to sit still, like during his school exams, but no, you give it to him when he needs the energy?"

"He'll be fine. Let's go get a drink or some breakfast." The two walked to the door before looking at Sirius.

"You coming? We've been to these before, they take about an hour or two." Sirius shook his head. "Your loss." They left and Sirius went into the main room to wait, which was strangely empty. It seemed all the other parents and friends had the same idea as Lily and James. Sirius sighed and leaned against the wall, thinking and wondering how they were going to manage if Harry got this. He needn't have worried. After about a half hour, the door opened and a tall stern looking woman came out holding Harry's arm. Surely they couldn't be done already?

But as Sirius watched, it didn't seem over. She was scolding him, holding his shoulders and shaking him, but he just stared back at her, not noticing. As she finished and turned back into the room, leaving him out there, Harry went past hurriedly out the other door. Sirius frowned and followed him.

The building was on a hill over looking a huge field; the sun was just rising over it. He found him outside on the top, bushes and trees on his left and right. He'd sunk down onto the floor, his legs on either side of his body.

Sirius kneeled down next to him and put a hand on his back. "I take it the audition didn't go well."

"I didn't even get there, after months of practicing, practising, practicing!" He said sadly, not looking at Sirius. "I was standing in line, you know where they sign your name and group in, and I don't know what happened. I just passed out and when I woke up, everyone was falling forward, like a giant line of dominos." He gave a weird sort of laugh and sob.

Sirius sat down next to him and held him closely. He wasn't crying badly, but the mascara was running down his face and the powder was rubbing off his cheeks.

"It's ok, it's not the end of the world."

"What now? This is the only chance I had at any sort of career and it's ruined!"

"Did you ever really want a real career?" Harry shrugged.

"I don't really care, but I want to put in my share. When we get married, what will I do? That is, if you haven't changed your mind now that you see how useless I am..."

"Of course I haven't changed my mind! I love you and we'll find something for you to do. I would marry you even if you couldn't blink." Harry laughed and put a finger on Sirius's cheek, where a lipstick print still remained. Sirius stopped him rubbing it off.

"I wanna keep that a while, just to show people how much luckier than them I am." Harry moved his hand and stared lovingly at his fiancé before kissing his neck and making his shiver.

"Next time, no calming draughts beforehand, even if you stab him with your bloody mascara brush." James said as they started the long journey home, Sirius lying on the backseat with Harry in his arms. "

"He didn't miss it because of me, Mrs. Lopert said she told him to wake up and come back, so more like no sneaking out off into the woods to make out." She shot them a glare, looking at the lipstick-covered lovebites on Sirius's neck.

"It's alright, there won't be a next one."

"What? You're quitting?"

"I've had enough, I'm done with ballet." Harry said shrugging and as Lily looked to the front again, Sirius kissed the back of his neck. He turned over and lay on top of Sirius as a hand rubbed over his shoulder. Sirius noticed something unusual around Harry's neck and picked it up, looking at it carefully.

"What's this?"

"Oh, it's not important."

"So it's just for show?"

"Oh no, it's for a purpose, just not right now."

"And when is that going to be?"

"Eventually..." He laughed and looked back into his eyes before kissing him. Harry yelped as he felt Sirius's hand move up his thigh in his robe and when they broke apart, was rewarded with a growl.

"Oi! Calm it down back there." James said looking through the mirror at them. After a few moments of silence, there was a giggle and Lily looked around again.

"Do you mi-WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?" James put on brakes suddenly and the car spun. They all screamed and he finally managed to pull it over without bashing into anything. He looked round and saw that they'd been thrown back, the one shoulder of Harry's robes falling down, revealing his own series of lovebites, old and new.

"That's why you screamed, for a few lovebites?"

"No! Harry, what's that round your neck?" Harry held the chain with a little bottle on in his hand. "No, not that one. What's that?" He quickly gripped that too.

"Nothing." He said nervously.

"Really? Would that 'nothing' happen to be an engagement ring?" James didn't believe it for a moment, but saw the blush on Harry's face and uneasy look on Sirius's.

"WHAT?" He bellowed and Sirius sat up and Harry held in his arms, as if James was about to attack his fiancé. Harry's hand slowly loosened on the chain and he took it off, opening his shaking hand and showed them the single pearl ring. James took a deep breath and started the car again, speeding along the road as he regained his composure.

"When did this happen?" He asked and to anyone who didn't know him, would seem calm, but all three occupants of the car knew better.

"A week ago." Silence followed before he spoke in a hollow, dangerously quiet voice.

"Give that ring back Harry, it's not going to happen." He said conclusively.

"Wait James, let's just consider this logically before you say no." Lily interrupted and turned to look at them again as they both cocked their heads to look at the ring Harry had now placed on his finger and was holding up into the light. "Have you considered where you'll live? You know one of you'll have to move?"

"Of course. We haven't decided that yet bu-" Harry spoke over Sirius.

"I'm going to go over there with him."

"What? Are you sure?" Sirius asked him and Harry nodded and looked into his eyes. Lily noticed that despite the calming draught having worn off a long time ago, Harry didn't seem to be jumpy or looking around at everything like usual. Instead his attention was solely focused on Sirius, his hand rubbing his fiancé's arm.

"I am. I have nothing really to leave behind and if you had to move, you'd need to change jobs and leave your family and everything." Sirius kissed him suddenly and passionately.

"God, I love you." He said breathlessly before pulling their mouths together again eagerly.

"Just hold on for a moment, you do realize you also have family? Parents and brothers count." Lily said and Harry pulled away this time.

"I know, I just think you'll have no problem going over there, I don't think Regulus will feel the same way." He grabbed Sirius again by the collar and crushed his lips against his, though Sirius didn't protest this at al as Harry straddled his hips.

"Regulus? You're still in contact with him? How's he doing?" Sirius gave an impatient sigh.

"Do you think I would just forget about him after spending a majority of my twenties taking care of him?" He said rolling his eyes. "He's doing just fine."

"No real damage from the beating those bastards gave him then?"

"Who beat him up? When was this?" Harry asked curiously.

"It doesn't matter, it was his Slytherin housemates right before we moved."

"I think I might know why they did it."

"It's complicated Harry, I don't think he even knows why."

"Just 'cause he won't tell you why doesn't mean he doesn't know." Harry said, annoyed at Sirius's tone. "Don't treat me like I'm stupid, I was in that house up until six months ago!"

"You were a Slytherin? You're joking right?" He looked to James, who looked back at him through the rear-view mirror and gave a nod. "You've never told me."

"You never asked, so I assumed you knew." Harry shrugged and Sirius bit back the comments and held his tongue wisely.

"So what are you planning on doing up in Bulgaria if you don't want to do dancing anymore." Lily prodded again and Harry thought for a moment.

"He doesn't have to work. I make enough to support both of us and, any others that may come sometime during the duration of our marriage."

"But that's not happening anytime soon." Harry quickly added, looking warningly at Sirius.

"Of course not. I want you to myself for at least a little while." Sirius growled again before pinching his behind. He growled back and was pushed down onto the seat.

"Save it for the wedding night."

"Speaking of the wedding, when are you planning on having it?"

"We haven't decided on a date, but it'll be soon." Sirius said quickly.

"Very soon. Two months, four at the most. But only if there's a major emergency." Harry added before looking at his mother. "I'll need your help planning it though." James didn't even look at Lily and knew he'd lost her support of not allowing the wedding.

"We'll have to work quickly. There's the ceremony to plan and the reception. Then there are the flowers and the catering. I'm taking off Monday. We'll have to start planning your dress if you want it ready in time for the day."

"You want a dress?" Sirius asked and Harry blushed and nodded. "Then you'll get any one you want." Harry blushed even more and smiled, kissing Sirius's hand.

"Wait, isn't it tradition for the bride's parents to pay for the wedding?"

"Lily!"

"Harry and I will go first thing on Monday morning to the dressmaker. Madam Vanetino works quickly and her designs are exquisite, but she's also the most expensive."

"Only the best for my beautiful virgin bride."

"I think it's also fair that we pay for the dress too."

"Good grief!"

"And I don't mind that choice, but I just want an hour around other people..."

"I said no Harry. That's the end of it." Sirius said with an air of finality and Harry didn't argue again but went back to making breakfast slightly sadder. Sirius didn't seem to notice and left for work soon afterwards. As much as Harry wanted to go, he put the feelings aside and did the washing up before cleaning the windows, vacuuming the carpets and doing the ironing. After everything was done, he sat down on the living room couch, leaning back tiredly.

Looking down, he put a hand on his stomach, wondering if there was really something wrong with the baby like Sirius had been worrying about for the past few weeks. It still didn't kick and after a few moments (or was it hours?), the doorbell rang. Harry heaved himself up with some difficulty and moved as fast as he could to answer it.

He really did love the baby and his pregnancy wasn't difficult or uncomfortable, but for someone who'd never been able to sit still for more than ten minutes (no, he wasn't stupid like a lot of people thought, he'd just never been able pay attention in lessons very long before getting distracted by the whomping willow outside the window or the pretty pink swirls his potion was emitting… probably the only thing he in Sirius had common), this new body, or rather the lack of movement that came with it, wasn't very much fun.

After what seemed like an eternity between the living room and front door (even though it was only two rooms), he pulled it open and didn't expect what he saw.

A tall haughty-looking man was standing there. He had dark black hair that had been combed back but not gelled down. He looked down on Harry, not nastily, but didn't smile as his eyes travelled over his body, stopping on his belly.

"Well, this could cause a problem." He said and spoke just as arrogantly as he looked.

"Can I help you?"

"Yes, I'm looking for Sirius, Sirius Black."

"Who are you?"

"I'm, an old friend. Is he here?"

"I'm afraid he's not. Can I give him a message for you? Perhaps your name?"

"Unfortunately no, we didn't end off in good terms on our last meeting and he took something very precious from me." Harry looked over him again and his eyes rested in horror on the cane he was holding. A long black wooden stick and on the front of it was a silver crested B. What was worse, was on top was the silver head of a dog with a vicious expression on it's face and long sharp fangs.

What if I become like him and hit the three year old on the back of the head with a dog-topped cane?

Fear filled Harry up from the inside, his insides feeling hot and sticky like they were filled with caramel. The man noticed him looking and held up the cane, give a strange sort of smile.

"You like it?" Harry shook his head and dragged his eyes away from the cane as it was put on the floor and held in front of him. "Yes, well neither did Sirius. I remember it used to be quite useful when he wouldn't listen. But nothing compared to the reaction I would get out of his brother… You know Regulus I take it? He used to cower at the sight of it right up until the last time I saw him." Harry didn't say anything.

"You know, when I was told that my son was married, I wasn't told he had a child. It'll interfere with plans, but it's no problem. I'm sure your father will be most delighted to get a grandchild in exchange for losing a son in law…" Harry had wanted to stop him, tell him to leave, but a lump rose in his throat as his father was mentioned.

"My father?"

"Yes, he came to me with the information I've wanted for many a year, the location of one my sons, which you see, will lead me to my other."

"I think you should go now…" Harry tried to close the door and a large foot blocked the doorway.

Thank you to all who have been reviewing.

This chapter is really long, so it's got three dedications. Firstly, for Layelleswen (I think this is the second time). I've never been more grateful for the advice, comforting words and laughsyou've given me in my recent rough periods. Grins at the the naked image of Sirius in her head

Secondly for Boblin. Hope you feel better about whatever's upsetting you after reading this. You're a great friend.

Lastly, something that should have happened a long time ago (maybe it did and I don't remember?). For Miru Amai. Reviewer, friend and long-time emailer. I'm considering changing the dedication on the insane story for you if Abbie doesn't want it. Or if second hand isn't your style, I'm looking for a new project that I'm sure you can be some help in wink. No chan this time... I promise.

All three of you and the companionships you bring are very special to me.

Jenna

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Next chapter: Harsh words, worry and two surprises for Sirius while Regulus makes a mistake that could cost him his genitals...