Harry would've fallen face first into the carpet had it not been for Sirius. Despite having done a side-along a couple of times, he wasn't sure if he would ever be comfortable with Apparation. Or the floo for that matter.

"Sirius, I'm s—"

Whatever he wanted to say was cut off by Sirius. Strong arms wrapped around him, crushing him to his godfather's broad chest.

A hug? Overcoming his momentary surprise, Harry all but sagged against the man, gripping the back of Sirius's shirt tightly. "M' sorry," he mumbled into his shoulder.

"Bloody hell, pup,"as Sirius's hand moved upward to comb through Harry's hair, he felt the man freeze when his fingers brushed against the bandaid on the back of his head.

"You're hurt." It wasn't a question.

"I'm okay, I swear. It's nothing." He didn't remind Sirius how he'd had far worse before because although Harry was relatively new to this whole parent-child caring thing, even he knew that was the wrong thing to say to a worried godfather.

Instead, he allowed Sirius to pull away and inspect the wound for himself.

With a gentleness that was reserved solely for his godson, he tilted Harry's head downwards and peeled off the bandaid, fingers lightly probing the area for any more damage. Sirius took out his wand and cast a healing spell, effectively sealing the cut.

"Are you hurt anywhere else?"

They sat down in the living room. Harry tucked himself in the corner of the sofa and shook his head, hugging his knees to his chest.

Sirius didn't miss the significance of the move. It was almost as though the boy was attempting to shield himself, making himself as small as possible.

He sat down on the coffee table, forearms resting on his legs, hands laced together. "Tell me what happened, Harry. The inspector told us what he knew but, I'd like to hear your side of it as well."

In a voice all too small and forlorn, Harry narrated the entire thing to him, right from the moment the twins had suggested to take the car out for a drive to when they were taken to the police station. He described how the car's engine started to fail which ultimate resulted in them crashing to the ground.

"I know I said it was the twins' idea to sneak out, but it was my decision, Sirius. I decided to go with them. It was foolish and dumb and stupid but it sounded really exciting at the time and I knew I shouldn't have agreed to it but I did and everything went wrong and I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I ruined your sleep and that you had to come and get me. I was stupid and we were nearly caught by muggles."

"Ha—"

"You trusted me to behave and I messed up and now you're mad at me and you should be but I swear, I'll never do anything like this ever again."

"Cou—"

"I won't screw up again. You don't have to worry anymore."

Dear sweet Merlin

Sirius was speechless. Had Harry really been carrying all that around the entire night? The boy wasn't crying but Sirius could tell that he was close. Throughout his monologue, there had been something pleading, nearly desperate in the lad's emerald eyes. Now, his gaze was glued to the plush carpet, shoulders hunched inward, firmly refusing to look at Sirius.

Bloody hell, Black! You're in over your head.

Nobody had warned him about the harder areas of parenting. Part of him simply wanted to gather the boy in a hug and forget about the night's events, pretend it had never happened. Rationally, he knew that was the worst thing he could do. He had to be better for Harry's sake.

Taking a deep breath, he summoned a bottle of water and a glass from the kitchen.

"Drink this, please."

That startled Harry and the boy glanced at the glass of water being offered to him. Without a word of protest, he drank the water in large gulps, clearly proving just how parched he was.

"Listen to me," Sirius started making sure to keep his voice level. "I want you to understand one thing very clearly. I will always worry about you, pup."

His words did little to soothe the pinched expression on the boy's face. Perhaps a different approach was necessary.

He leaned forward conspiratorially. "Can I let in on a little secret?"

Eyebrows drawn together in mild confusion, Harry nodded.

"I know I'm brilliant at most things and this may come as a shock, but I'm new to this whole parenting thing. But it turns out parents always worry about their kids. No matter what. I'm guessing it's part of the package."

Harry was staring at Sirius like he'd grown another head, green eyes impossibly wide and the man was willing to admit that he melted a little right there.

"Do you know how I felt when Mrs. Weasley told me what had happened?"

"Mad?" Harry ventured, sliding forward in his seat.

"I was fu—reaking terrified, pup. Terrified that something had happened to you. And alright, after I saw you were okay, maybe I was a little mad, in fact, I am a little mad. But I'll always come for you, kiddo, no matter what."

Harry glanced at him, lower lip trembling slightly and utterly baffled. He suddenly seemed younger than his twelve years. "Why—why aren't you yelling? I messed up. How are you not completely furious?" He sounded like he was still waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"So you messed up today. Someday I'll mess up. We'll work through it, pup. You know why? It's because we're family, Harry."

Said boy stared at Sirius unblinkingly and just when the man thought he'd gone horribly wrong, Harry sprang out of his seat and tackled his godfather, burying his face into the man's shoulder, arms tight around his neck.

Sirius caught him immediately, tucking his godson more securely against him. "You're okay, pup. We're okay. I've got you, I promise."

To his utter mortification, Harry couldn't stop the moisture from building up behind his eyes and was relieved that his face was hidden. Never before had anyone ever said those words to him.

He knew that he should probably let go and stop clinging to the man like a baby but he just couldn't. This was real. All his life, his guardians had disappointed him which had resulted in him becoming wary of adults in general.

Sirius was here and he wasn't giving up and everything was going to be okay. He let out a watery chuckle, feeling silly about his initial trepidation and doubts.

"Can I... can I tell you a secret too?" He whispered, choosing to be childish for once in his life.

"Anything you want, pup."

"I'm new at this whole thing too." His godfather huffed a soft laugh and pressed a quick kiss to his temple, fingers combing comfortingly through Harry's hair.

"We're quite the pair, aren't we?" Sirius remarked. "Guess we'll just have to learn together." He drew back from the embrace with one last squeeze.

"I'm a slow learner," Harry was only partially joking because trouble seemed to find him wherever he went.

"That's okay. I'm smart enough for the both of us. Alright?"

Harry let out an amused snort because that was such a characteristic thing for Sirius to say. "Alright." He bit his lip, wondering if he should say what he'd been thinking all night. Sirius deserved to know the whole story. He'd proved that much.

"I was scared tonight," he admitted. Although his fears seemed silly now, they had felt very real only an hour ago. "Ron and the twins were pretty certain that Mrs. Weasley was going to kill him and that's all they could talk about and I—," he swallowed audibly

His godfather didn't push him and Harry felt another surge of affection for him.

"I didn't know what to expect... from you. It's just that you've never gotten mad before, at least not at me and I didn't know how you'd... react."

"I was sure you wouldn't... hit me or take away food—"

"Never, Harry. I would never do that," Sirius assured him, horrified by the mere thought of it.

Harry believed the man without any inkling of doubt. After what he'd done to the Dursleys, his uncle in particular, he was clearly aware about Sirius's views regarding child abuse.

"I know that, Sirius. I also know it's rubbish and stupid but...," he trailed off with a shrug. "I was still afraid."

"It's not stupid at all," Sirius asserted. "Not one bit. What you've been through, with the muggles... you're the bravest person I know."

Heat rushed to Harry's face, all the way to the tips of the ears.

"We still have to talk about tonight," Sirius said with a grimace. As much as he wanted to, they couldn't ignore that night's little adventure. Consistency was essential.

Sirius didn't kid himself into believing that this was the last time they'd be in such a situation. Harry was a child, the son of a Marauder no less. There were going to be many such instances in the future where Harry would get into trouble and Sirius would have to be the one to make and enforce rules.

He wasn't looking forward to that particular aspect of parenting, but it is what it is.

Karma. This was nothing but karma.

"Okay," Harry replied softly and the man was relieved to note that this time, there was no trace of fear on the boy's face, only a sort of mild apprehension.

They'd never discussed any rules and that was his own fault. "I know I don't have to tell you this but what you boys did tonight could have ended very differently."

The thought of the car plummeting to the ground with the four children still inside— Sirius shuddered. "You could've been injured. Terribly. All four of you." He forced the words out in a stern, even tone.

Harry nodded earnestly. "I know. I didn't mean to worry you, Sirius and I know you said you will always worry but... I'm still sorry."

The boy was being sincere, of that there was no doubt, but Sirius couldn't let this slide. "I know, Harry. You're grounded for the following week and the trip we were supposed to take to the beachside villa, I think it's best if we push that to the weekend after the next. That's fair, yes?"

It was more than fair. He knew that very well. He would bet his Nimbus and his spot on the Quidditch team that Ron and the twins were looking at far worse punishments. A week was long but not awful and although he had been looking forward to their trip to Corsica and the extended wait was going to suck, they were still going.

For a terrible moment, Harry had been afraid that Sirius would cancel the holiday entirely. This was good, great in fact and he was pretty sure Ron would be envious of him.

"It's fair," he replied honestly. He knew that the consequences would probably be a tad bit harsher in the future but that was okay.

"Alright then," Sirius's sternness faded, replaced by the usual fond look he directed towards Harry and he tousled the boy's unruly hair. "It's been a long night. How about we both get some sleep because you need to go and collect your things from the Weasleys in the morning."

The reminder brought a fresh wave of nerves and embarrassment to Harry. "Mrs. Weasley probably hates me now. I don't think I'm ever going to be allowed there again."

Sirius smirked down at the boy. "I highly doubt that. Didn't you hear what she said? It's not your fault, Harry dear," he mimicked in a truly awful impression of Molly Weasley.

Harry let out an amused snort. "Please never try that again. You're brilliant, Sirius, but some talents are even beyond your capabilities."

"You have no regard for true talent, Harry James. Nonetheless because I am merciful, I will let you off with a warning... just this once." Sirius poked the lad in the ribs, eliciting a yelp from him.

Harry was still grinning when he got into bed. It was true that he'd gotten into trouble and there had been consequences. But at the same time, he felt lighter than before. He glanced at his godfather who was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed when something struck him.

"Hey, Sirius?"

"Hmm?"

"Earlier tonight the inspector said an old partner of his had once seen two men on a flying motorcycle. Was that you and my dad by any chance?"

"Since there aren't any other flying motorcycles I'm aware of, I'd say it was me and James alright. We were fresh out of Hogwarts. I'll tell you about it in the morning, provided you don't try something like it," the man offered, with a pointed look at his charge.

Harry held up his hands innocently. "No, sir."

"Good lad. Now, to bed with you."

"Okay, okay!"

With one last glance at the sleeping boy, Sirius closed the door behind him. So maybe he was cut out for this whole parenting thing after all.

*drumroll* That's a wrap!

Let me know what you liked or disliked in the comments. Can't believe I finished this little piece on time. Although it was small, it was incredibly fun to write since you guys know I'm a total sucker for fluff.