November 24th, 1994

Sirius and I were told in no uncertain terms that we were not allowed on Hogwarts' grounds for the first match.

"I can't give you special treatment," Albus had said. "If I let you come to the first and second tasks, then I have to let Amos Diggory, Victor Krum's parents and Fleur Delacour's."

So, Sirius and I headed over to Molly and Arthur's to spend the day worrying about Harry together. Arthur had taken the day off of work; Molly had said her nerves couldn't have taken it if he had been gone too, and as busy as he was at work recently, I knew that he was more afraid of Molly than the Minister himself.

Arthur walked in to the living room, carrying four cups of tea and a bottle of Ogden's Best. He placed it all down on the coffee table before falling on to the couch next to Molly, who was knitting a pair of mittens furiously. Her tiny hands were moving so quickly that what had been a shapeless line of yarn just minutes ago was quickly taking shape in to a cute pair of mittens with broomsticks on them.

"I just can not believe that he has to fight a dragon! It's absolutely absurd!" Molly said, wiping under her eyes frantically; she had been crying consistently since we had arrived and told her about Sirius's fire talk with Harry on Sunday. Sirius had read Rita Skeeter's article in the newspaper, where she talked about the Triwizard champions and had realized that the headmaster of Durmstrang was Igor Karkaroff – a former death eater that had made a deal with the Ministry to be released from Azkaban in return for giving the Ministry names of other death eaters. He had needed to talk to Harry, but we had agreed that showing up at Hogwarts too often to speak to him in person would be a tip off to whoever was plotting against him that we were on to them, so he had fire talked him instead late at night. Sirius had warned Harry to watch out for Karkaroff, that Bertha Jorkins had disappeared in Albania, where Voldemort was last seen, and that he bet Dumbledore had wanted an Auror at Hogwarts to watch out for him. Harry had been, understandably upset, both about Karkaroff and the dragon that he had just found out he needed to fight, but the two had been interrupted before Sirius could suggest the conjuncitivus curse to him to combat the dragon.

"He'll be okay. He always is," Arthur consoled, pouring a generous amount of firewhiskey in to her cup of tea and handing it to her. She put down her knitting needles with a small smile of thanks, and took a heaping gulp of the warm drink. She winced at the burn of the whiskey, but followed up with another large sip. Arthur offered the bottle to Sirius and I; I took it and poured some in to my tea, but Sirius conjured himself an empty glass and poured the firewhiskey in to it, rather than his tea.

"I prefer my firewhiskey straight," he explained. "Harry will be okay. He had some time to come up with a plan – or Hermione did at least." I chuckled slightly at that. He had a point. What Harry lacked in brains, he certainly made up for in bravery, but Hermione was the true mastermind of all of their plots. I wasn't too sure how Ron fit in to their dynamic, and given the way he had been treating Harry for the last month, I was finding it hard to care too much. Hollyn had written me that Harry was being teased endlessly and harassed in the hallways by Slytherins, Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs alike. It seemed that most everyone believed that Harry was trying to take away from Cedric's accomplishment; from what Hollyn had written, Harry was irritable and miserable. Hollyn tried to spend as much time with him as she could, but it was difficult given that they were in different years; thankfully, Hermione was by his side every minute of the day. As I felt my disappointment with Ron grow, I also felt a surge of affection for Hermione – not that I hadn't liked the girl before, but she could be pretty annoying. I guess it just took time for some people to grow on you, and being there for Harry when everyone else had abandoned him spoke to her deeper character of loyalty. She reminded me of James. He would have stuck by his friends always, believing them when no one else would, when all of the evidence was stacked against them. He would have known immediately that Sirius had been innocent, which made it even more tragic that it was one of his friends who betrayed him – my blood began to boil with the thought of Peter, out there somewhere alive when he should be rooting in Azkaban.

It was a welcome distraction from thinking about the task that was set to start after lunch. I checked my watch, noting that we still had about thirty more minutes before it started, so I decided to get up and cook us up something simple for lunch.

"How does fish and chips sound for lunch?" I asked, patting Sirius's thigh before getting up off the couch. "We should all eat something, and I can't sit here and wait."

"Let me help, dear," Molly insisted, putting down her knitting.

"Can you make some treacle tart too?" Sirius asked hopefully, his puppy dog eyes out in full effect.

"Anything for you, love," I replied with a roll of my eyes. It was impossible to deny that man anything when he took out the puppy dog eyes, which he knew full well. Not that I could deny him anything at all today – puppy dog eyes or not – as we were all on edge and having something to do with my hands would be a blessing.

I followed Molly in to the kitchen, stopping to pull fish out of the cooler drawer. She was already pulling out the ingredients for treacle tart, and I put the fish down on the counter.

"I'll make the tart," I said. "I used to bake for him all the time. His first birthday that we were together I made him this huge chocolate cake with butterbeer frosting. I was so nervous about it, wanted to make a good impression on him and make his birthday perfect. We ended up in a huge row though." It felt nice to reminisce, to take my mind off of worrying about the next two hours, even if it was just to think about our first fight. At least we could laugh about it now.

"What about?" Molly asked, peeling potatoes for the chips. "I was under the impression that you two never fought. You're always right on the same page with each other."

"Now we are! Didn't always used to be like this. We used to fight non-stop before we got together – you should have heard us in our early years at Hogwarts…we used to get in to screaming matches in the Great Hall, much to the amusement of James and Remus."

"I never knew that!" Molly said, focusing on the potato that she was peeling, which was giving her a bit of trouble. "I remember meeting him at your engagement party and think you two were just the most precious couple. I remember telling Arthur that he just doted on you."

"We only ever fought the one time after we got together though. I did something that he didn't like – asked his brother for help – but we had made up by the next morning."

"What changed? What made you two stop fighting?"

"Our sixth year, we just sort of…clicked. He had just run away from home, and the whole Jase situation had just happened. We bonded over our traumas. He was there for me when I wasn't sure anyone would ever want to be there for me again," I said, thinking fondly back on our time together. It was truly incredible when I thought back to all of the experiences Sirius and I have shared – good and bad. Molly looked at me with affection in her eyes.

"I'm sorry for bringing it up, dear. I know you don't like to talk about it," Molly said, watching the fish as it fried. I was just finishing up the treacle tart and popped it in to the oven. "Well, I for one am thrilled to have Sirius back around. Plus, you got Harry out of that house."

"I am too," I admitted, although I'm sure it hadn't been a secret. "I couldn't have been able to stomach this tournament without him by my side. I thought we were done with worrying about Harry after getting him away from Vernon and Petunia!"

"He'll be okay," she said, patting my hand gently. "Arthur is right. He always is. I don't know how that boy has so much courage, but he puts most adults to shame. Let's take the food out to the boys and try to think about something else."

I picked up the stack of plates and silverware that Molly had set out, while she levitated the plates of food behind me. I knew that she was sick with worry; just by the fact that didn't insist we come in and eat at the kitchen table. It was very unlike Molly to allow us to eat anything but snacks in the living room – it was unheard of for her to allow us to eat a proper meal in here.

"Thanks so much, Molly – Addie," Arthur said, digging in to the plate of food.

"Thanks, Molly – kitten," Sirius echoed, pausing to peck my cheek before picking up his own plate.

"Treacle tart should be done soon," I said. Sirius picked up a plate and started serving himself as I picked up my teacup and took a sip; Sirius must have put a stasis charm on it for me, because it hadn't cooled off at all. I was just thinking about how thoughtful that was, when I realized that he was trying to hand me the plate of food. I took it from him with a smile and watched as he picked up another plate to serve himself. My heart warmed at his thoughtful gestures, and I leaned my head against his shoulder and whispered, "Thanks, love."

Molly was nibbling on a bite of food, looking around at us to make sure everyone was okay. She looked thoughtful, as though she wanted to say something but was holding back. After a moment of internal debate, she spoke. "Did you two see the Daily Prophet article two weeks ago about the champions? Oh that poor boy, I had no idea that he still cried about his parents! But, what did you think of the mention of Hermione?"

"Rita Skeeter is a trash journalist," Sirius said vehemently. "She just loves to create drama and make insinuations that aren't true. Look at the backlash of her article about Arthur the night Moody had his incident! Harry no more cries about his parents at night, than Moody thinks his carriage clocks are trying to kill him."

"I've been trying to tell you, Molly, that nothing she writes is true!" Arthur was shaking his head. "That article didn't even mention Cedric!"

"I know, I know. I just wonder if there is something there. Honestly, I was hoping Ronald and her might…" She trailed off.

"Ron and Hermione? They're total opposites. They're always down each other's throats; Hermione would murder him in his sleep," Sirius said, amused and surprised. I had always known that Molly was hoping one of her boys would marry Hermione – Ron was the most logical choice. The thought of Hermione with Fred or George actually made me laugh – if oil and water were people, they would be Hermione and the twins.

"Well, so were you and Addie, apparently!" Molly retorted, her eyes twinkling with hope.

"That's true," I agreed. "If you'd have seen us back when we were their age, you would have said the same thing about us."

Sirius sputtered for a while, seemingly at a loss for words. "That's…different." He said, slightly defeated.

"Sure it is," I mocked, patting his hand sarcastically. "I think it's a lovely idea Molly! I don't think her and Harry are anything more than friends."

Molly nodded, looking hopeful. "Wouldn't it just be lovely! And that way, Harry is free to–"

"Molly!" Arthur said sharply, cutting her off. I thought he was cutting her off so she didn't say Harry would be free to date Ginny – which she was not at all subtle in wishing – but he shhh'd us all and pointed to the wireless. It had just announced that the tournament was about ready to start.

"Oh!" Molly exclaimed, her plate of food laying forgotten on her lap as she stood up suddenly; food splattered all over the floor. "Oh, Merlin." She said, looking down at the mess she had made. "Where did my wand get off to?"

"I've got it, Molly." Arthur waved his wand and the mess disappeared immediately. I got up quickly and walked in to the kitchen, taking the treacle tart out of the oven so it didn't burn. I hurried back in to the living room, hoping I didn't miss anything in the ten seconds I was out of the room.

"They just announced the lineup – Cedric, Fleur, Viktor, then Harry," Sirius filled me in.
"Ludo Bagman is the announcer again."

"Which dragon did we get?" I asked, dreading the answer and knowing by the look on Molly's face that I wasn't going to like it.

"Hungarian Horntail." Arthur was rubbing his eyes, his glasses in one hand. I groaned, and dropped my head on to Sirius's shoulder again. He wrapped an arm around me and started rubbing circles on my arm; I leaned in to his touch, which was providing me so much comfort. I hadn't taken Care of Magical Creatures, but even I knew that those were one of the most ferocious breeds of dragons. Why couldn't he have pulled the Swedish Short-Snout that Cedric was just about to face?

I stayed in that position, my face pressed in to Sirius's shoulder, for the duration of Cedric, Fleur, and Viktor's turns. I felt as though I was clenching the entire time, on edge waiting for Harry's turn. I barely paid attention to the other champions; simultaneously wishing they would hurry up so Harry could get it over with and slow down so that I could push off Harry facing a dragon for a couple of minutes more. Sirius cheered, however, when Viktor used the conjunctivitis charm on his Chinese Fireball.

"I knew that would work!" He exclaimed, pumping his fist in the air.

"If only you'd been able to actually tell Harry about it," I reminded him gently. Sirius nodded glumly, the cheer dying on his lips as he realized that Harry was up next and we had no idea what he was going to do.

Ludo announced that the Horntail was entering the stadium. I sat up sharply, lifting my head out of his shoulder for the first time since the task had started. The pit that had been sitting in my stomach since I had woken up this morning expanded until my entire body felt like it was on fire with anxiety; I felt little pinpricks take over my limbs and my entire body felt heavy.

Molly gasped and covered her mouth. Arthur put his hand on her back and started rubbing up and down slowly, his own eyes wide with poorly concealed panic. Sirius stood up woodenly, and started pacing in font of the wireless, as though being closer to the wireless would make him somehow closer to Harry. I took a moment to say a quick prayer to…whatever was out there. Merlin or God or whatever spiritual deity there is out there – Mary would say it was a general aura that permeated throughout the universe, bringing karma to those who deserved it. I don't know how much I believed in all of that, but if it got Harry through this safely, I would try anything.

Ludo announced that Harry was stepping out in to the arena. Sirius made a noise somewhere between a cheer and a groan, and Molly looked like she had stopped breathing all together. I closed my eyes, picturing Harry standing off against a 20-foot tall, ferocious, fire-breathing dragon. Even in my head, Harry looked so small and young that it made my heart clench; for the first time, I was almost grateful that Dumbledore had not allowed Sirius and I to come and watch. I think seeing him physically standing next to a dragon would have triggered my fight or flight response – and I know that I wouldn't be fleeing. I really didn't fancy facing off against a dragon, but it had to be better than watching Harry do so.x

"Potter has shouted something, but we couldn't hear which spell he used. It doesn't appear to have had an effect on the irritated Horntail, and Potter has not moved from his spot in the center of the arena. He appears to be waiting for something," Ludo announced through the wireless.

Sirius ran his hands through his hair stressfully. "Come on Harry! Do something!" He shouted frustrated.

"Sirius!" I reprimanded, not happy with him projecting his stress on to me, Arthur and Molly.

"Sorry, kitten. What is he doing, though?" Sirius apologized, coming to sit next to me. He put his hand on my knee, which I hadn't realized I had been bouncing absentmindedly. I stopped, apologizing softly to him. Ludo started making noise, saying that he thought he heard something coming – Harry's Firebolt! I looked at Sirius fondly, thankful that his gift was being used in such an important manner. Harry mounted the broom and started flying around the dragon, in Ludo's words, trying to confuse it. As Harry flew round and round, the dragon was getting confused, but also irritated; she struck out with her tail and struck Harry in the shoulder.

"No!" Molly called out, her hand covering her mouth.

"He's okay, Molly," Arthur assured her. And he was, he was already flying off, egg in hand. As Ludo announced that Harry had retrieved the egg, I barely comprehended what that meant. I was so on edge, the adrenaline coursing through my veins, that while I heard Ludo, I still believed that Harry was in danger.

It wasn't until Sirius wrapped his arms around me and pulled me in to his lap that I came to. "He's okay, kitten. Our boy is okay," he whispered in my ear, rocking me gently. I let out the breath that I hadn't even realized I had been holding, and before I knew it I was crying in to Sirius's shoulder while he rubbed my back. Molly was in a similar state, tears rolling down her own cheeks as Arthur got up to refill all of our glasses. Molly and I opted to take our firewhiskey straight this time, as the four of us cheers to Harry Potter – the boy who always lives!

Sirius and I stayed with Molly and Arthur until dusk, drinking and celebrating Harry's achievement. I felt relieved knowing that the second task wasn't until February, and Harry would be able to enjoy the holidays without the threat of another task looming over him. According to Molly and Arthur, the Yule Ball was going to take place on Christmas – I had sent Harry to school with some dashing dress robes. I hoped he took a nice girl, and got to have a normal teenaged experience for once – nothing to remind a fourteen-year-old boy of his own youth than an awkward first date!

After Molly had fallen asleep on the couch, and Sirius had insisted on helping Arthur carry her upstairs, we took our leave from the Burrow and apparated home. We stumbled through the front door and I walked in to the kitchen to turn the kettle on. After all of that drinking, and the excitement of the day, we both could use a nice, strong cup of tea.

Sirius came up behind me and wrapped his arm around my waist. As the kettle whistled that the water was boiling, I realized I couldn't move to get teacups, so I summoned them with my wand. Sirius had me trapped against the counter and was kissing my neck sloppily; it was sending chills down my entire body. I poured hot water in the cups, letting the tea steep and impressed with myself for being able to function while Sirius was doing such a wonderful job of trying to distract me. He kissed the spot right behind my ear, and I turned in his arms quickly.

"Fuck the tea," I purred, throwing my arms around his neck and pulling his lips down towards mine. Sirius shoved his tongue into my mouth aggressively, using the hand that was wrapped around my waist to push the cups into the sink, sending tea flying. In one smooth motion, he had wrapped his hand back around my waist and lifted me up onto the counter. I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling his closer to me. His hands went up to my hair, tangling in the messy tendrils and pulling my head forcefully towards him in a passionate kiss.

I reached for the bottom of his t-shirt desperately, pulling it over his head and throwing it blindly over his shoulder. I let my hands run down his chest and abs, admiring how well his physique had bounced back with proper medical care and good genetics. Sirius was as sexy today as he had been at eighteen; he was the kind of man that not even the horrors of Azkaban could quell. Sirius moaned in to my mouth when my hand brushed the waistband of his jeans and he worked his hand underneath my shirt. He was trying to pull my bra off, and I whipped my sweater over my head to help him in his efforts. Sirius stopped for a moment to admire me, after he had flung my bra over his shoulder to meet his shirt.

Impatient now, I unzipped my jeans and started pushing them down my legs. Sirius's eyes lit up at my eagerness, and he enthusiastically started to do the same Soon, we were down to nothing, and I grabbed my wand to perform a contraceptive charm. Sirius grabbed my hand, an unusually vulnerable expression on his face – certainly not the expression I was expecting to see.

"Are you okay?" I asked, his hand covering mine still.

"Yes. No. Maybe?" Sirius said, confusion now clouding his vulnerability. "I've just been thinking, and…what if we don't use protection?"

I was startled by his question, but not shocked. I had seen the way Sirius looked at Max and particularly Louisa. I knew that although he loved Hollyn, he did feel that he had missed out on her childhood. I knew that he wanted to be there to really raise a child – and I knew that I would do anything to give this man a chance to make up for one of the many things he had missed out on. Sirius deserved the chance to get to experience all of the things he wanted in life, and I certainly wasn't going to be the one to tell him no.

"Okay," I agreed, after just a second of hesitation. There was no question in my mind that I would give this man anything he asked for, and I had always pictured myself having another baby. Why not now?

"Okay?" Sirius asked, his eyes widening in shock. "Just like that? You want to have a baby with me?"

"We already have a baby together," I reminded him. "But I know that it is something you always wanted, and I want to give you the chance to experience all of the joys of raising a baby. So let's do it. Fuck it!"

"Fuck it?" Sirius echoed, shock still evident in his tone. "You really want to have a baby?" He asked once more. I nodded, a shy smile breaking through my lips. Sirius broke out in to the widest grin I had ever seen from him – which only served to make him even more handsome than he had been seconds before. Sirius, in a fit of overenthusiastic excitement, picked me up off the counter and carried me all of the way upstairs before throwing me on to the bed.

"You make me so fucking happy," Sirius growled, kissing his way down my body in a way that I could only describe as worshipping. "You sexy, beautiful, wonderful woman."

"You make me feel alive," I told him, my eyes closing at the way he was making me feel. "I didn't even realize how dead I felt until I saw you in the shrieking shack last year. I didn't even realize how much I needed you…how much I wanted you. And I promise that I will never let you forget how much I need you."

Sirius made his way back up at my words, and locked gazes with me. His face was gentle, loving. He slowed down, maintaining eye contact with me and revering my body with his own. We finished in each other's arms, holding each other tightly and swallowing each other's cries of "I love you."

From where I was sitting, it looked like everything was going to turn out just fine.