Quidditch League - Holyhead Harpies - Beater 1

Round 6: November: Sirius Black

Prompts:

(dialogue) "Three, two, one. Ready or not, here I come!"

(object) soccer ball

Hogwarts - Assignment 2 - Introduction to Quidditch - Extra Credit Task 4: Write about a game of hide and seek.

Teddy-Sitting

A/N - this is an AU

Sirius thought that he would spend the afternoon wondering what Remus was up to. Whether Remus' appointments went as expected. He thought he'd have time to ponder these things.

But he had never looked after a six-year-old before and it didn't take long for him to realise that he would never have a moment to himself whilst looking after the tiny terror, Teddy. He had no time to consider what Remus was up to, because Teddy demanded all of his time and attention.

The moment they set foot in the house, he was off like a shot. Sirius took time to hang up Teddy's cardigan and put his school book-bag on the hook, before checking the lock on the front door. He glanced around, wondering where the child had run to.

He didn't have to look far. The closest room to him was the kitchen, and when Sirius stuck his head in, Teddy was in the process of unwrapping a bar of chocolate.

Sirius let out a small sigh. Like father, like son, he supposed. He coughed lightly and Teddy jumped, turning his guilty gaze on Sirius.

"Sometimes Dad lets me have a chocolate after school," Teddy tried, his eyes widening at Sirius.

Sirius was sure he had invented the puppy-dog eyes, so he wasn't fooled by Teddy's attempt. He was quite immune to the expression. "Put it away," he insisted, uncertain of the rules and not wanting to give Teddy something he wouldn't be allowed. "I'll be sorting us out some dinner in a bit." He leaned against the doorframe, watching Teddy lift the lid of a tub on the counter to put the chocolate away. "What do you want to do?"

Teddy considered the question, his gaze darting back to the chocolate tub a couple of times, clearly hoping that the answer somehow involved chocolate.

"How about a game?" Sirius suggested. "A board game, perhaps… We could, uh, play something like football. Do you have a football?"

Teddy's face lit up at the idea. "I like football," he offered. "I'm very good. I always score against Dad."

Sirius noted the proud tone in Teddy's voice.

"I bet you're very good," he said, not wanting to comment about how bad Remus was at football. They had played back at school and learnt quickly that Remus was best sitting on the bench, cheering them on. "Do you think you could beat me?"

Teddy nodded. "Of course," he insisted. "I'm the super best at football and I'm better than my whole school."

Sirius doubted that. Teddy was six and children stayed in primary school until eleven, but he wasn't going to shatter the illusion of a small child. He wasn't cruel.

"It sounds like I don't have a chance," he replied. "Come on, let's go into the garden."

...oOo...

Sirius hadn't run so much in years. Teddy's kicks sent him running every which way across the garden after the ball. The boy had no aim and Sirius was certain he'd never progress past Remus' own skill level when it came to football.

He tapped the ball softly towards the goal, mock groaning when Teddy quickly stopped it from going in. Teddy clutched the ball, almost jumping on the spot in excitement.

"I concede," Sirius said, dropping down to his knees. "I'm never going to beat you."

"You can keep trying," Teddy offered. "Sometimes I let Dad win, but I don't tell him. It's nice to let other people win because it makes people happy. But I like to win the most." He smiled up at Sirius. "Do you want me to let you win?"

Sirius let out a laugh as he pictured the scene. "No thank you, I'm happy to admit you're the better footballer and that you've won today. Let's go inside for a drink and then we can—"

"Play another game?" Teddy guessed.

Sirius hadn't planned to play another game. He had planned to stick a Disney movie on and relax in the comfortable armchair Remus never usually let him sit in.

"Sure. Another game."

...oOo...

Sirius decided he liked hide-and-seek. It was quite easy to find Teddy because the small boy would giggle if he heard Sirius close by, or if Sirius called his name. He would pretend for a while, of course, not wanting to spoil Teddy's fun, but eventually he would make a big show of finally finding Teddy.

After Teddy complained that Sirius' hiding places were too easy, Sirius decided to challenge him a little bit. When Teddy began to count down from twenty, Sirius found himself standing in the bath, with the shower curtain pulled across a bit, hiding him from view unless Teddy walked all of the way in.

"Three, two, one. Ready or not, here I come!"

Sirius smiled to himself. He hoped it wasn't too tricky for Teddy, but the boy had insisted on a challenge.

He listened carefully as Teddy searched the house, calling Sirius' name. He heard Teddy pass the bathroom and go into one of the bedrooms. He heard Teddy searching, items rustled, a thud as something hit the floor and then the door clicked open again.

"Uncle Sirius," Teddy called, not trying to hide his frustration. "Are you still here? You're not allowed to leave the house—it's cheating."

Sirius listened as Teddy walked down the stairs. "I'm still here," he called quickly, hoping Teddy couldn't work out what room he was in.

Teddy rushed back up the stairs. "I heard you!" he shouted, excitedly. "Where are you?"

Teddy ran down the hall and into one of the bedrooms, and Sirius realised he could be standing in the bathroom for ages whilst Teddy looked. That suddenly didn't seem like a good idea.

He moved the curtain back and leaned over, giving the door a push. It creaked as it began to close, but before it could click shut, the door was pushed open. It crashed against the wall and Teddy ran in, looking around wildly. His gaze landed on Sirius. "I found you. That was easy, I knew you were there!"

Sirius couldn't help but laugh. "I'm sure it was," he agreed. "But I think it's time for dinner now. Your dad will be back soon and he'll be tired."

Teddy frowned. "We can play again, I have a really good hiding place," he said.

Sirius was certain that Teddy was planning to hide in the bath and was slightly tempted to allow him the one more game, but he knew that it wouldn't be just one. He knew Teddy would insist on another and another.

"Next time," he replied. "Sorry, Teddy, but I have to get dinner on now. How about I put a film on for you in the meantime?"

Teddy nodded, looking upset, but Sirius paid him no mind. He knew Teddy was just having a sulk over the game, and he'd be alright again soon.

He led the way downstairs with Teddy trailing after him and went into the living room. It didn't take long to get the movie on, and Teddy parked himself in front of the television, his eyes fixed on the screen and sulk quickly forgotten. Sirius watched for a moment, before heading out of the room and to the kitchen.

It didn't take long to get the pasta in the pan, and Sirius was chopping vegetables when the front door opened and Remus returned.

"Dad," Teddy shouted, and Sirius could hear him run down the hallway. "Can Uncle Sirius look after me all of the time? We played football and hide-and-seek but he wouldn't let me have a chocolate."

Sirius couldn't help but smile as he continued to prepare dinner. He was glad that Teddy had fun, and he couldn't help but admit that he had enjoyed himself too.