Hi fam!

I was on vacation last week hiking and enjoying the end of summer! AHHH it feel so good to have time to write again and not feel stressed :)

I know I said we would be back at Hogwarts soon, but given the events of the OotP I wanted a few moments with Sirius before Penny heads back to Hogwarts! So please forgive mee, Umbridge will come sooooon. I'm listening to the audiobook and I seriously forgot just how much I loathe herrr, grrr!

Alright, I love you and thanks for being the wonderful readers you are, stay healthy and happy

"Is that Snape?"

"No way, get out of the way so I can see!"

"Oi get off!"

"Hush or you'll wake them!"

"He'll probably give us detention for the entire year if we did that. . ."

"Her head is on his lap! If Sirius sees-"

"If I see what?" Sirius's voice said.

"NOTHING" every other voice chimed in unison.

Penny blinked against the onslaught of light that accompanied a loud commotion at the door. Instinctively she rolled over in search of Snape, afraid he'd left but found him sneering at the door.

"What are you doing to Penny, Snivelus!" Sirius barked as he made it past the human barricade trying to bar him from the room.

A rough hand grasped Penny's right wrist, Sirius's large form towering over her.

"You know, Black, contrary to what your tiny brain seems to think, being louder does not actually make what comes from your mouth any more intelligent." Snape replied, any grogginess he might have felt, long evaporated.

"She's 14 you sick bastard," Sirius growled, tugging Penny violently from Snape's lap. Unfortunately for Penny he had not thought the motion through and so he flung her into a heap on the floor where she landed painfully.

"We were just sleeping," Penny said, angrily as Fred and George appeared at her side and helped her to her feet.

"Looked more like cuddling to me," George smirked.

Penny slammed her foot down on his, causing him to yelp in pain.

"Bravo Black, you can finally count," Snape said in a bored tone, getting to his own feet and reaching for his bag.

"You always were obsessed with James, but honestly, Snivellus, going after his daughter is low even for you," Sirius said, kicking over Snape's bag before he could reach it.

Snape went stiff, the air around him suddenly shifting, his rage oozing from him like hot molten lava. Behind Penny, Hermione gasped while the Weasley's didn't bother to hide their laughter.

"I think you have me confused with yourself, Black. Given the way you are still unable to get over the fact he's dead and surmounted to nothing in his life. So you'll forgive me if I don't take your accusations seriously, especially in light of how bored I know you must be hiding in your mother's house," Snape said delicately, every word dripping with venom.

Foreseeing trouble, Penny threw herself between Snape and Sirius. She turned to beg Sirius not to do anything rash just as he dove at Snape, tackling him and taking Penny with him; the three of them falling toward the couch in a tangled mess. Before Penny could even register what had transpired, Sirius's hands were on Snape's neck, and Snape's on his, Penny sandwiched between them, squirming futilely to free herself.

"I can't breathe," Penny choked, Sirius's elbow pressed firmly against her throat without his noticing.

Everyone else in the room was yelling angry words Penny could not make out, yet none of them appeared to want to get any closer, clearly unsure how they were supposed to respond. Finally, Ginny bolted from the room in search of help.

Meanwhile, Penny choked and hit at any body part she could find, trying to get either man's attention, but they were stuck in their standoff, Sirius's face going redder by the moment. Penny reached out desperately for Harry's mind, who responded in alarm.

"Sirius, get off," he panted, trying to shove Sirius off of Penny, but two legs aimed a kick at him.

"Stay out of the way, Potter!" Snape hissed, just as Sirius barked, "Get out of it, Harry!"

Stars were bursting into Penny's vision when a loud bang sent Sirius flying over the couch. Gulping in air, Penny remained on top of Snape, coughing several times, Fred and George appearing above her.

"Sorry, mate, but Harry did ask nicely, and we can't have you killing our business partner," Fred said, pulling Penny off of Snape and smashing her on the back several times as though that would help her coughing fit.

A moment later a severe-looking Mrs. Weasley burst into the room, her knowing eyes narrowing on Sirius and Snape who were straightening themselves up.

"Thanks," Penny muttered to Fred and George as she rubbed her very sore throat.

"Fighting like children! Both in the Order too, honestly," Mrs. Weasley huffed, her hands on her hips.

Neither Snape nor Sirius met her gaze or each other's, Snape choosing to grab his things and make his leave without a word. He didn't so much as glance at Penny as he passed, but Penny refused to let him get away that easily and ran after him, blocking his exit with the only thing she had, herself.

He stopped, giving her an exasperated expression, the both of them acutely aware of how every pair of eyes were glued to them, morbidly curiously what the two of them would do or say next. For a long moment, he held her gaze, the irritation in his features ebbing away, but then his hands were on her shoulders and he lifted her from the spot. He set her aside and turned on his heel and left without a word, however, somewhere in the transaction, though she did not see him do it, Penny felt one of his long cool fingers caress her cheek gently. But it was gone before she could be sure and anyone else could notice.

She touched the spot absentmindedly, the pulsing of electricity his skin always left, slowly ebbing away. Penny could not be mad at him, any conversation they would try to have with this many onlookers would go nowhere, and it was evident Sirius was still angry and therefore prone to fighting again. She knew it was best for him to go, but she still worried when she would get the chance to see him again,

"Out, all of you, out," Sirius's low, harsh voice said, jarring Penny from her thoughts. She turned to see everyone go silent, each of them glancing nervously between each other.

Fred and George did not need telling twice and miraculously wasted no time in leaving, Hermione and Ron hot behind them. Penny turned on her heel to follow after them, certain she did not want to be stuck in the room if Sirius were this mad.

"You're staying," said Sirius, moving faster than she knew he was capable of and gripping her wrist unkindly.

"Perhaps it would be better if we took Penny to the kitchen to discuss this-"

"There is no we, I will be having a discussion with Penny, alone, Molly."

"You are not the only one worried about Penny and I do not see what the objection to-"

"I SAID GET OUT, MOLLY. I'M HER GUARDIAN. I'LL HAVE THIS DISCUSSION WITH HER IN WHATEVER MANNER I SEE FIT," Sirius bellowed, making Penny jump.

Knowing a losing battle when she saw one, Mrs. Weasley glanced apologetically at Penny, biting her lip in indecision before turning to go.

"I think I should stay," Harry said, not budging from the spot.

"Don't make me ask twice, Harry, you know as well as I do she needs a wake up call."

"Yeah, but. . .maybe it would be better to do this later, when we all, you know, calm down a little," Harry suggested, looking distinctly awkward.

Pushing Penny toward the couch and away from the door so she could not escape, Sirius crossed the room, took Harry by the upper arm and guided him out of the room, Harry protesting the entire way before Sirius shut the door in his face and locked it with his wand. Rather dramatically, in Penny's opinion, he turned on Penny, his dark eyes blazing with anger.

"What do you think you're playing at, kid?"

"I was sleeping , you know, that thing I wasn't able to do all day until Snape showed up and got rid of my pain? So you'll have to forgive me but I'm a little confused as to why you're treating me like some criminal," Penny said, not bothering to watch her tone.

"You were alone with him, anything could have happened!"

"You don't think that's a bit melodramatic, especially considering if he wanted to kill me or whatever, he had plenty of time when I was, you know, STAYING AT HIS HOUSE," Penny said with an eye roll

"Melodramatic? He's a Death Eater, Penny! Wake up! And since we're on the topic, do tell me how staying with that snake went for you, I would have thought ending up at that festival and getting that wound in your gut would have woken you up to how dangerous he is," Sirius pressed, practically yelling now.

"How many times do we have to discuss the same point until it penetrates your thick skull? I told you that was my fault, and even if you didn't believe me, are you suggesting Dumbledore is wrong about him?" Penny said, yelling right back at him.

"Dumbledore isn't perfect, he can be wrong."

"Oh yes, and of course only you know he's wrong. But tell me, what do you base this belief on, hmm? A hunch only you miraculously have?"

"I know it's hard, but you need to grow up and accept you've made some dumb decisions and fallen for Snape's act. I think you just don't want to admit the truth to yourself, but ask yourself, why would Snape be interested in you anyway? He's a grown man, what interest could you possibly hold for him?" Sirius said, kicking the dustbin Mrs. Weasley had left the other day, very aggressively.

His words were cruel and cold, aimed at the insecurities Penny only just recently began to get over. Her relationship had just rounded that awful bend, leaving her in that blissful straightaway where the path felt easy and the skies blue, Penny certain Snape cared for her just as she cared for him. But Sirius's words, they wanted to steal that from her, but she refused to let him.

"You can tell yourself whatever lie you want, but I don't think this is about Snape at all, you just can't let go of a grudge, it's like you think if you hang onto it you won't have to accept James is dead. It's about time you woke up and accept he's gone!" Penny said, advancing furiously on him, not caring she was over a head shorter than him or that he was a full grown man and she but a 14-year old girl.

"And you'll be following after him if you continue like this! Snape will hand you over to Voldemort the first chance he gets, he's done much worse to many others. I've seen it! So maybe you can try to understand why I find it hard to stomach seeing you in his lap like some desperate puppy dog. Your dad would be ashamed if he knew," Sirius raged, meeting Penny half-way, his fists shaking.

"Is that right? Why don't you stop acting like such a coward and say what you really mean," Penny said through gritted teeth.

"You call me the coward after that snake abandoned you to the whims of the most grotesque humans on the planet?" he demanded, towering over Penny.

"Yes, you're a fucking coward! Say it, Sirius, go on," Penny yelled, shoving Sirius several times.

"You're acting like a child."

"Probably cause I am one, wasn't that your line? No, I want to hear you say it, go on Sirius, who's ashamed of me? Do you honestly believe it's my dad?" Penny said, continuing her shoving.

Sirius allowed her, making no effort to stop her, his jaw set and his eyes hard.

"Say it! Tell me the truth, you're ashamed of me. You wish I was more like Harry. But I can't be because I don't remind you of James, just the woman who took him from you. Is that it, Sirius? Do you resent me because I'm a reminder of what you lost?" Penny said, coldly, losing all control of her anger.

"You're just trying to change the subject and I won't let you," he said, dismissively.

"But you don't deny it!"

"You won't be spending any more time with Snape. You will get over this ridiculous school girl crush and grow up. I have better things to be doing than babysitting these stupid, hormonal choices of yours," Sirius said with such harshness that it knocked Penny off balance.

His words felt like a knife that was carving a chunk out of her heart and prying it out. They struck at that horrible place inside Penny, the darkness she tried to pretend wasn't there but was reminded of it whenever her parents were brought up. That irrational fear inside Penny that preyed on her deep longing to belong and to have a family and told her she'd never find a place of safety.

Meeting Sirius in their third-year had changed Penny's life and quelled some of these fears, the idea that someone was always watching out for them, that they always had a place to go and someone to talk to, it comforted Penny like nothing she had ever experienced before. But his words, they kicked down all the things Penny thought she'd built with him and exposed that gaping hole in her chest she tried desperately to keep hidden.

"You babysitting me? That's rich of you considering it's always been Snape who's been there for me. Tell me Sirius, what were you doing when I ended up in that forest and nearly froze to death? Or when Yaxley was torturing me in the Ministry and trying to kidnap me? Where were you when Cedric died? Or how about you explain all those thirteen years you were in Azkakban thinking it was better to leave us with our horrid uncle and aunt? Funny thing is, I can't recall you ever showing up, but you know who did-Snape! So you don't get to be sanctimonious now and tell me what I can and can't do," Penny spat, making to push past Sirius, ready for the conversation to be at its end.

"You're not listening, girl," Sirius growled, stopping her with a bruising grip to her upper arm. "You won't be seeing him again, and that's final."

"Like hell I won't! Just try and stop me," Penny said, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

"Fine, I will. You want to act like a tantruming toddler then I'll put you in timeout like one," said Sirius, dragging Penny to the other corner of the room and reaching for the cupboard door.

"Get off me! I'm not going in there you psycho! Penny yelled, thrashing wildly.

She could hear people banging at the locked door, someone yelling Sirius's name, but he ignored them all and continued on his warpath.

"If you do this you're nothing more than a bully!" she went on, digging her heels into the carpet in an attempt to stop his progress, but with one good yank, he'd pulled her off her feet and sent her stumbling. "Sirius, no! Please," Penny said, her anger being replaced with fear as he tossed her into the dark and musty cupboard.

He loomed over her, streaks of light making it past him, shadowing him and making him look more ominous. He watched her, his hand still clenched in a tight fist. "I'm not sorry, Penny, I tried to do this the easy way but you always insist on doing everything the hard way," Sirius said, quietly from above her.

"Sirius, don't!" Penny begged, scrambling to her knees and making a mad dash for the door, but he snapped it shut in her face, encasing her in darkness.

"SIRIUS LET ME OUT NOW, YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND," Penny screamed, banging on the door with all the strength she could muster.

The darkness was a heavy blanket, pulling her downwards, causing the heart in her chest to constrict horribly, her lung capacity shrinking so she could only gulp in shallow bursts of air.

"DON'T LEAVE ME IN HERE," she continued but the only response she received was the sound of the lock clicking.

"I don't want to be alone, please Sirius," Penny gasped, bloodying her fists as she still pummeled the door in the desperate hope that even if he did not open it for her, it would fall apart.

But it was no use and she was becoming much too dizzy from the effort and her inability to breathe properly. Though she couldn't see the world around her, she felt it tilting to the right, so she clung to the doorknob in an attempt to stay upright. It was coming. . .its box had been open and Penny could do nothing to stop it's escape. That monster within her, with it's red eyes and putrid breath. It was creeping toward her, leaping onto her chest and pushing her downward, below the surface, into the frigid waters that were so obscenely silent that they made Penny want to scratch her ears from her.

She was trapped, unable to breath, Cedric's lifeless form floating grotesquely before her, his arms out at an unnatural angle. Instinctively she yelled his name, trying to reach for him but she gulped in the cold water, her wretched companion keeping her firmly pinned in place. But her muscles refused to give up so easily, burning with the need for oxygen, they thrashed wildly, breaking free.

Though Penny reached for the surface, everything around her began to swirl downward and she was sucked with it, falling through darkness until she landed on soft grass, looking down the end of a tunnel, a tunnel she was very familiar with. She sprang to her feet and immediately began running, if she could just make it there before the light went out.

Panting hard and coughing out water she made it, the glaring lights of the pitch blinding her. She blinked hard against them, her eyes tearing up.

"Cedric, wait!" she called, looking around desperately.

But the pitch was empty, except for a strange rectangular object just ahead, so she ran toward it. The closer she got, the more the dread spread through her, numbing her fingers and her toes. She stepped up, peering over the side, those empty eyes and vacant expression looking back at her.

"Why Cedric?" Penny whispered, unable to look at him a moment longer. She turned, resting her back against his coffin, buried her face in her hands and cried. For how long Penny remained like this, she did not know, but for a long while she was not sure if she were sitting in that pitch or the dark cupboard, but she didn't care. The ache in her heart refusing to relent as it pulsed with angry waves of pain, crippling Penny.

She wanted nothing more than to feel the warmth of Cedric's soft skin brushing against her, find his warm smile, and hear the beautiful melody of his voice. It felt horrendously unfair that they were not in Belgium as they'd planned, making the best memories of Penny's life, and that she was instead trapped in this lonely pace, knowing she would never again rest her head on his shoulder, or have him to tell her when she was being too mean and stop her before she let herself get so angry She'd pushed too much with Sirius, sabotaged herself like she always did. All because of the pain loss left. It was hard for Penny to trust people, to believe they wanted her the way she was. She'd felt blissfully free with Cedric, and losing that, it was unbearable.

In Penny's mind, she felt Sirius didn't want her, not the way she was. She was a nuisance, he'd said as much. Harry was all he really needed, Harry was the one people always wanted, the one who could do anything and was always so unafraid. He wasn't like Penny, who tried to make up for her cowardice with her harsh exterior and angry words, like the ones she used to push Sirius away-all because she didn't want him to know how much it hurt that he was disappointed with her, that just once she wished he would pat her on the shoulder like he did Harry and say "good job" with that grin of his. But she was too cowardly to tell him that, and now she had to pay penance for her cruelty.

Penny did not know how much time passed, but her voice grew so hoarse from screaming that she could not do it anymore, her firsts were crusted over with blood and aching from pounding on the door. The room outside the cupboard remained silent, Penny wondering if Sirius had locked the outer door as well to prevent Penny from having any company. Her stomach was ravenous with hunger and her eyes tired, but Penny dared not sleep because Harry kept trying to press into her mind, but she kept the door between them firmly shut, not wanting to hurt her twin with the thoughts she could not control. Penny's feelings weren't Harry's fault, but she knew they would upset him, so she refused to let him in, enduring every moment of the darkness alone, until a stirring from outside the door caught her attention.

A low hummed tune met her ears as she strained them.

"Oh, that is clever," said a pleasant voice from the other side of the door that clicked and swung open, revealing Albus Dumbledore.

"H-headmaster, sir," Penny stammered, not moving from her spot on the floor.

"Please Penny, one title is quite enough. May I join you?" he asked, smiling kindly down at her.

"O-of course, there's a stool here, if-"

"Excellent," he said, demonstrating he was much more agile than Penny first assumed and positioned himself on the tiny stool. "Reminiscent of the cupboard under the stairs, but perhaps a little dark," Dumbledore went on, pulling something from his pocket and clicking it. A small orb of light zoomed from it and hovered between the pair of them, allowing Penny to see the knowing, blue eyes that observed her from behind his half-moon spectacles.

"I don't mean to be rude, but why are you here?" Penny asked.

"Molly of course, it seems Sirius has a stubborn streak that can rival even yours, and he would not tell her how to break the charm," said Dumbledore, pushing an old jacket out of the way to better see Penny.

"She was trying to open the door?" Penny said, feeling oddly touched by Mrs. Weasley's attempt to rescue her.

"Of course. I cannot imagine Molly has ever been able to ignore the cries of a child. I am quite the same way when it comes to questions, which is likely why I became a Professor."

"But how did you get in?"

"I'm glad you asked, it was quite a clever charm, I'd expect nothing less from one as talented as Sirius, but it'd take much more than a charm to keep me out, and Sirius seems to have forgotten Maslow's law, he never was much for the technical study, he and your father always preferred practical study," Dumbledore said conversationally, pulling a couple of chocolates from his pocket and offering one to Penny, who accepted reluctantly.

"I suppose everyone does say you are a very great wizard," Penny said, crunching loudly on the very strange chocolate.

"I like to think I have earned some of that notoriety," Dumbledore winked.

"Sir, do you mind if I ask, well, was my dad a good student?" Penny asked, finding herself unable to ignore her curiosity.

"While I can't pretend James and Sirius for that matter, didn't have a distinct lack of respect for the rules, if my memory doesn't deceive me, I believe the pair of them received 18 OWLs 16 of which were Outstandings. But fret not, your mother got the outstanding in Charms that James missed, so it seems genetics are in your favor to surpass both," Dumbledore said, an amused note to his voice.

The information was like a precious gem that Penny held close to her heart. Being able to have conversations with her parents about OWLS, while annoying to someone like Ron whose parents were always asking about his studies, was something Penny was deeply jealous of. It was just another milestone that reminded her she was an orphan and how terribly little she knew of her parents. Sometimes they felt like strangers to her, so tidbits of information like this was important to Penny, as it allowed her to fill in what she'd only previously been able to imagine.

"I do not not think I could live up to such an achievement, but it seems like a worthy goal to aspire to," Penny said, smiling to herself as she imagined Sirius and her dad comparing grades only to realize they'd been beat by Lily.

"Don't count your dragon eggs before they hatch, Miss Potter. But there's no need to agonize about OWLs yet, you'll have the rest of the year for that."

Penny couldn't help but snort with laughter at the matter-of-fact way he said it, but he wasn't wrong, and probably knew better than even she what she was in for this coming year.

"I suppose you're right. After doing the homework Professor Snape assigned for the summer, I have the feeling this won't be my favorite year at Hogwarts," Penny grumbled, recalling the horrid essay he'd assigned.

The blue eyes behind those half-moon spectacles sparkled as Dumbledore stroked his long beard. "Professor Snape was a very driven student, and remains so. Sadly he does not see the merits of a break."

"Now that you say that, he was always doing something when I was staying with him," Penny said, trying to remember a time she'd witnessed Snape doing nothing.

"A vice or a virtue, I'll let you be the judge," Dumbledore said with a clap of his hands. "Now, before I aid and abet your great escape I hope you will allow me to do what old men do best and give you some unwanted advice," Dumbledore said, smiling kindly at Penny, who nodded, taken aback by the offer. She was not accustomed to Dumbledore taking an interest in her life, muchless offering her any help, that'd been more of the relationship he'd shared with Harry, but not Penny.

"I am sorry to say, I realized too late that some wounds run too deep and some grudges cannot be forgotten. I'd hoped, or rather, allowed myself to believe Professor Snape and Sirius could be agreeable for your best interest. But it seems they decided to disagree on what your best interest is instead, but the fault falls on me because I did not address the situation properly. Now it seems you, the one I was hoping to spare a little pain, endured much more than one your age should. For that I admit full responsibility and ask your forgiveness."

"B-but sir, you didn't do anything!"

"Oh, but I did, Penny. You see, it was I who overrode Sirius's objections and insisted you remain with Snape for the summer. While I stand by my sentiment that day, and feel vindicated looking at you seeing how Professor Snape has helped you deal with your grief in a way I suspect no one else could, however, the manner with which I went about it made the animosity between our dear friends even worse," Dumbledore said, looking somber and inclining his head ever so slightly.

"I don't think that has anything to do with you. And honestly sir, I really have nothing I can complain about,"

"Please don't lie, Miss. Potter, I may be old but I am not blind, in fact I see quite clearly those hands of yours and the tear streaks leading to some especially puffy eyes," he said, pausing pointedly to also look at her neck and abdomen before continuing. " It is expected the young will be careless, how else do we learn not to be? But for one as old as me to be careless, that is a grave offence and I do not wish you or Sirius to suffer any more from it."

"I don't think Sirius will be speaking to me, so I don't think you need to worry about any more fighting," Penny said, miserably.

"It is my suspicion that speaking to you is precisely the thing Sirius does want to do. But I imagine he, like you, believes you do not wish to speak with him. Alas, while he may have had parents unlike you, I think it's safe to suppose that they never emulated any healthy communication skills, especially with regards to conflict. Do not forget Sirius ran away from home, and I think as a result he fears disappointing you more than most," Dumbledore said, getting to his feet and accidentally knocking his pointed wizard's hat off.

Penny picked it from the floor, dusted it off and handed it back to him.

"What do I do then?" she asked.

"Oh it's quite simple-believe me when I say, you are a great joy in Sirius's life, even if he does feel frustrated sometimes," Dumbledore said, catching Penny's gaze and adding knowingly, "and one he's very proud of."

"Thank you sir, for that, and breaking me out," Penny said, looking at the ground and smiling.

"You are entirely welcome. It's been a long time since I've done something this exciting. I really should skip meetings more often," Dumbledore mused as he made his way to the door.

He turned just before exiting, the change in his demeanor startled Penny, who noted how the twinkling in his eyes had been replaced with a serious intensity.

"One last thing and then I promise you can be on your way."

Penny nodded, uncertain what to expect.

"I would advise you not to let Sirius's discrepancies with Professor Snape influence your own relationship with him. I will make no such argument to suggest Professor Snape is not guilty of committing horrible deeds, but I do not choose to judge a person by their worst choices, but whether or not they are capable of feeling remorse for them," Dumbledore said, his blue-eyes giving Penny the distinct feeling he could see every thought that flitted across her mind, much in the same way Snape's did when he was searching her mind for the truth.

"I trust Severus Snape with my life, and I ask you Penny, even when everything he does suggests he isn't to be trusted, and everyone urges you to abandon him, to remember these words and not to let go of all the memories you've shared with him because in them resides the truth. There are things that only time can explain, so I beg your patience," Dumbledore said, so cryptically, Penny thought he was joking at first, but when he did not smile, and the silence wore on, she realized he was waiting for her to respond.

"Okay, I will, sir," she said, tentatively.

"Excellent!" he said, returning to his usual pleasant self and turning to go.

On the landing, he bade her farewell, leaving Penny to watch the curious man hum his way down the stairs. There was no denying Dumbledore was a weirdo, but Penny was starting to understand why everyone said he was the greatest wizard of their time. With all the resolve she could muster, Penny took the stairs three at a time and made for Sirius's room. Holding her breath she knocked three times.

"I told you I wasn't interested, Molly," Sirius said.

Ignoring his tone, Penny tested the door and found it unlocked, so she pushed her way tentatively in. Sirius was flat on his back on his bed, tossing a ball into the air and catching it. He did not bother to look up when Penny shut the door behind her. Feeling distinctly awkward and uncertain how she was supposed to get Sirius's attention, Penny summoned her magic, causing the ball once released from Sirius's hand to zoom to Penny's outstretched one.

With an annoyed grunt, Sirius sat up ready to make his anger known, but stopped dead in his tracks when his eyes settled on Penny, his face going red.

"You didn't announce yourself," he said.

"You didn't ask if it was me," Penny rebutted, tossing the ball back at Sirius, who caught it, looking flustered.

"I figured you were-" he said, not meeting Penny's gaze.

"Still locked in the cupboard?" Penny offered, doing her best to control the edge in her voice. "Dumbledore let me out," she went on, summoning the ball back to herself.

"Course he did," Sirius said with a harsh laugh.

"Why didn't you?" Penny asked, quietly, tossing the ball back to Sirius, who seemed surprised, but whether it was by the ball or her words, Penny couldn't be sure.

"'Cuz I'm an idiot," he said, this time fixing her with his sad gaze and tossing the ball back at her.

"That makes two of us," said Penny, twirling the ball in her hand and examining it as if she'd never seen a baseball before.

"Don't try to take the blame for this. I had rubbish parents, I should know better, that kind of shit never worked on me, I don't know why I thought-I don't know why James thought I was cut out for this. It was supposed to be so straightforward, but it's so much more. . ." he said, his words disappearing in his throat.

"Frightening?" Penny offered, looking up and tossing the ball back. "I spent 13 years wishing for nothing more than a parent. And then you came along and it made me so happy, yet also so afraid."

"Of what?" he said, his handsome brows furrowing.

Penny searched for the words that were trapped in her chest, her mouth opening and closing several times with no sound leaving her. Sirius waited, perched at the edge of his bed, the ball hanging loosely in his right hand. Reminding herself that she was a Gryffindor and needed to start acting like one, Penny blurted out the first words that came to her mind.

"That you wouldn't like me. That I'd disappoint you."

The ball in Sirius's hand fell to the floor with a loud thud as Sirius sprung to his feet, which started Penny so much that she jumped in surprise.

"I take it back, you are an idiot," Sirius said, almost angrily.

Utterly bewildered and slightly alarmed, Penny could only watch as Sirius advanced on her. He didn't stop until he had his arms wound tightly around her, his scratchy face pressed firmly into her hair.

"You stupid, stupid girl," he said, squeezing her so hard, Penny thought she might explode. "You have brought my miserable life more joy than I knew existed. You gave me a second chance when I'd all but given up. I couldn't have imagined a more brilliant, caring, hilarious and stubborn girl. I love everything about you, Penny, you make me so proud. I'm sorry I haven't conveyed that, and I'm sorry about today."

Sirius loosened his grip enough to allow Penny to wrap her own arms around him. "I'm sorry too, Sirius. I didn't mean it, any of it," she said quietly into his firm chest.

Sirius pulled away from her in order to give her a lopsided grin. " I know you didn't, kid. But how about next time we not let things go that far?"

"Agreed."

With a mischievous smile Sirius said "Good," and bent down to pick Penny up, tossing her over his shoulder, causing Penny to yell and flail around.

"What're you doing?"

But she got her answer half a second later when he launched her onto the bed, barking with laughter at the bewildered look on her face. With a flick of his wand he sent them into darkness and then hopped in beside her, grabbing a blanket and wrapping it around her. Wriggling his arm beneath her head, he said, "I love you, kid."

"I love you too, Sirius."

I always wanted more of Sirius and I diverged a bit from cannon where he was always irresponsible. I think how his parents were would influence him and make want him to be less strict, but at the same time, I think its not unusual to become what you hate most, and Sirius has to come face to face with how hard parenting actually is! It's a journey for both of them, I think!