Harry's not in this chapter till the end, but it shows how Ginny is slowly permeating his life unintentionally.

Sirius smiled at Teddy's excitement at being in Diagon Alley. The six year old was chattering away and pointing out all the fun things he could see. They'd already been to Eeylops Owl Emporium and Quality Quidditch Supplies, as Harry needed some new gloves for the next day. They passed Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour and Sirius promised Teddy they'd come back and have some before they returned home.

The two went to Gringott's, where Sirius had to sign some papers and withdraw some gold. Then the two wandered back down the Alley.

"There it is, Siri. 'Weasley Wizard Wheezes'. It's my favourite shop in the whole world," cried Teddy pointing. "Come on, hurry." He pulled on Sirius' hands.

Sirius laughed. "It's not going anywhere, Teddy. Look, here we are. Now, do you have your pocket money?"

Teddy nodded eagerly. "Two sickles and four knuts and it's all mine," he said proudly.

"Yes, you've been a good boy and done all your chores. Harry and I are very proud of you. Remember, you don't have to spend it all at once," said Sirius.

"Come on, Siri, let's go in," said Teddy impatiently. With a chuckle, Sirius opened the door.

Despite it being late morning, the store wasn't too busy, so Sirius didn't mind letting Teddy go and explore the colourful shop. He was intrigued himself, picking up various items and reading what they did. "Peruvian Instand Darkness Powder," he muttered. "Would have come in handy at Hogwarts. What the-U-No-Poo? Are they serious?" He laughed at his own pun.

"Well hi, Cutie. Can I help you with anything?" he heard a female ask.

He turned to say he was fine but he saw the comment was directed at Teddy. A young girl, about Harry's age, Sirius guessed, had bent down to talk to Teddy. Teddy was usually shy around strangers, so Sirius prepared to step in and help him. However Teddy surprised him.

"Yes please. I have two sickles and four knuts I want to spend. I want to get something fun," said Teddy.

"Okay, I can help you with that. First though, are you here all by yourself?" she asked.

Teddy shook his head. "I came with Siri." Looking around and spotting him, he pointed to him. "He's over there. I'm Teddy"

The young lady stood up and smiled warmly at Sirius. "Hi," she called out to him. Sirius nodded his head and smiled back.

"How about we go and look at some fake wands? Would you like that?" asked the girl. She took Teddy's hand and they wandered around the shop.

"I've got one of them What about that?" he asked her, completely at ease. Sirius followed from a distance, keeping watch.

"No, that's for bigger kids. They're called love potions. How old are you, anyway?" she asked.

"I'm six, nearly seven," he announced. He looked around. "Hey, what are they?" He ran over to a cage. The girl followed.

"They're called Pygmy Puff's. They're really easy to look after. I used to have one, a long time ago," she said.

Teddy watched them. "I want one of them. Can I have one, please?"

The girl hesitated. "Maybe we should ask your Dad first?"

"He's not my Dad, he's Siri. My Mum and Dad died," said Teddy, matter of factly. "Now I live with Siri and my godfather."

"Oh, I see," said the girl. "Well, shall we ask Siri what he thinks?" Teddy nodded excitedly.

The girl looked around and quickly spotted Sirius. She beckoned to him. "Hi again. It seems Teddy here would like to buy a Pygmy Puff and I thought he should ask you first."

Sirius looked down as Teddy looked up, with pleading eyes. "Please, Siri. I never had a pet before. Please?"

Sirius didn't have the heart to say no. "How much are they?" he asked in resignation.

"Well, lucky for you, they're on sale today. Only one sickle and two knuts," laughed the girl, flipping over the sign that showed the real price.

"I have that," cried Teddy. "Can I have that one, please?" He pointed to a lively purple coloured one. Instantly his hair changed colour to match.

"Oh, you're a Metamorphagus," said the girl in surprise. "That's so cool. Hey, wanna hold him while I get you something to take him home in?"

"Can I?" asked Teddy. He laughed as the girl dropped the ball of fur in his hands. "Look Siri."

The girl hurried away. Sirius smiled down at Teddy and stroked the creature's fur, making it shiver with happiness. "He likes that, Siri, I can tell,"said Teddy, looking up at him with such happiness. It brought a pang to Sirius' heart that Remus and Tonks weren't here to see the look on their son's face.

The girl returned. "Here you go. I found an old cage out the back, you're welcome to have it. Oh, and today's special included a bag of food for him."

Sirius looked at the brand new cage and the big bag of food. All that for only one sickle and two knuts? Puzzled he followed Teddy and the girl to the counter to pay.

Teddy happily handed over his money. "You know," said the girl "My Pygmy Puff used to like to sit on my shoulder. He'd stay there for ages, even when I went to classes. He'd hide in my hair, like this." She swung her long red hair over her shoulder and indicated where her Pygmy Puff would sit. "His name was Arnold. Have you thought of a name for yours?"

Teddy pondered briefly. "Peter, the Pygmy Puff," he announced. Sirius cringed inwardly as the name instantly made him recall another Peter. A traitorous bastard if ever there was one.

"Well, I think you're all set. Good luck with Peter, Teddy. Remember, a little bit of food, a little bit of water, and lots of love. Okay."

Teddy nodded. "Okay. Thank you for helping me find Peter."

The girl laughed. "You're very welcome. Bye now."

Sirius stopped to talk to her. "Look, I'm guessing it cost a bit more than one sickle and two knuts. Here," he said, shoving a couple of galleons at her.

"No, no, it's fine. He just...reminded me of somone, and when he said he lost his parents, well...it's fine, honestly," said the girl.

Sirius looked into her earnest chocolate brown eyes. He didn't like pity or charity, but he believed her actions were well intended. "If you're sure?" he asked.

She nodded, and he put his money away."Then, thank you. You're very kind to a young boy, espeicially when he changed his hair colour. Some people don't handle it well," said Sirius.

"I had a friend who was a Metamorphagus, and she was one of the best people I knew," said the girl sadly.

Sirius didn't mean to make her sad and Teddy was getting ansty by the door, anxious to leave. "Well, again, thank you. You've been kind and helpful, er..."

"Ginny. I'm Ginny Weasley," she said, holding out her hand.

"Nice to meet you, Ginny," he said, offering her his hand.

"Likewise, Siri," she said, grinning at Teddy's name for him.

"Oy, Gin, got a minute," called someone from the back.

Ginny sighed. "I have to go. Good luck with Peter. Come back if you have any problems, not that you should. They pretty much take care of themselves. They're a good first pet. Bye."

Sirus and Teddy left the store and walked down Diagon Alley. "Boy, I can't wait to show Harry. He'll be so happy, won't he Siri. Can he sleep in my room? I want to teach him to sit on my shoulder too. Can I, Siri?" asked Teddy.

The happy boy chattered all the way down the Alley. Sirius smiled and murmured an occasional yes to him. As they passed another favourite shop, Sirius steered Teddy over to it.

Teddy's eyes widened. "You mean I get Peter AND an ice-cream. Boy, this is my lucky day,"

Sirius chuckled. "Shall we go inside or stay out here?" They were both wearing warm jackets and caps and Sirius could easily cast a warming spell on the two of them.

"Outside, Siri, please," said Teddy, sitting himself down at one of the tables. He plopped Peter's cage on the table and peeked in.

"What flavour today?" asked Sirius.

"Hmm, treacle tart please," said Teddy. "No, strawberry. No, butterscotch. Okay, vanilla," sighed Teddy.

"You could get a small scoop of each," suggested Sirius, smiling at his indecision.

Teddy shook his head and went back to watching Peter. Sirius went inside and ordered their ice-creams.

When he got back to the table he was surprised to see Ginny there, talking to Teddy. She smiled at him. "Hi again."

"Hi. Did we forget something?" he asked.

"Oh no, I'm finished at WWW. I only help out on Tuesday mornings, then I grab lunch and go to my afternoon class. I usually pick my niece up from school, but they had a day off today. So I have some extra time and I felt like some ice-cream," she said. She peeked into their small tubs. "Vanilla? Always a good choice." She nodded in approval.

"What are you gonna get, Ginny?" asked Teddy. Sirius supposed she'd told him her name while he was in the shop.

"Hmm, I think I'll live dangerously today and have strawberry. No, treacle tart. Yes, treacle tart. Or butterscotch," said Ginny, looking at the menu.

Teddy laughed and Sirius smiled. Ginny excused herself to go and order. "Join us when you get back," offered Sirius. Ginny smiled and nodded.

"She's nice and fun. And she smells real nice," said Teddy happily.

"Well, don't tell her that,"chuckled Sirius. He glanced at his watch. "After this, we'll have to get home. Even though there's no school for you today either, you can still practice your writing and do some reading," he said.

"Aw, do I have to? I want to play with Peter. Say, can Peter come with me to school tomorrow? I want to show Tori," said Teddy excitedly.

"You'll have to show your little girlfriend another time," smiled Sirius indulgently. He and Harry often gently teased Teddy about his new friend Tori who had just started at the school in September. She only did half days till Christmas, but would start full days after. Teddy came home her first day, announcing he finally had a best friend, and that had never wavered. He didn't mind that his best friend was a girl. Sirius had met her mother and they both agreed it was cute.

"Well, in the end I got chocolate," sighed Ginny, sitting at their table with a small tub. "So, what are you two handsome gentleman doing after icecream?" she asked.

"What's handsome?" asked Teddy, taking a scoop of icecream and eating it.

"Nice looking. If you were a girl I'd call you pretty," said Ginny.

Teddy wrinkled his nose. "I'm not pretty. My girlfriend is, but," he said.

"Well, of course she is. You, Teddy, are a man of good taste," she said.

"Is that good, Siri?" he asked Sirius.

Sirius laughed. "It's very good, Teddy. So Ginny, you mentioned going to afternoon class. What are you studying?"

"Today, I've got Ancient Runes. It's fascinating, but it's my hardest subject. Thank Merlin this is the last week of studying before our Christmas break," she sighed, taking a spoonful of icecream.

"I studied Arithmancy myself," said Sirius. "I really enjoyed that."

Ginny nodded. "Me too. I found it quite easy at Hogwarts, but Merlin, it's a lot harder now. But it's my favourite subject, so that helps," she said.

"How much longer do you have to study?" asked Sirius.

"I have one more block of study after Christmas, and then, if I'm passing all my courses, I get to go out in the field. Egypt, Europe, I can't wait," she said excitedly.

"Curse-breaker?" asked Sirius, and Ginny nodded. "My brother got me into it. My first choice fell through and I really didn't know what I wanted to do."

"What was your first choice?" he asked.

"Quidditch. I actually made it to the Harpies squad, but I was injured just before the start of the season. It was an old injury made worse when I was hit by a Quaffle, and that was the end of my illustrious Quidditch career," said Ginny.

Sirius looked impressed. "Wow, you must have been good. Sorry to hear about your injury. Do you still play?"

"Just for fun. My family has a Quidditch pitch on our property, so we always have family games," she said.

"My godfather is going to teach me to fly," said Teddy, licking his spoon.

Ginny laughed. "You've got ice-cream all over your face, Teddy. Here," she said, getting a napkin and wiping his face.

Sirius watched as Teddy thrived under the female attention. Maybe that's why he'd gravitated to little Tori at school. Or had it been the Veela genes that Sirus could sense in both mother and daughter, he wondered? Luckily he himself wasn't affected.

"You know, I really think I could have some more icecream, but I don't think I could eat another whole tub myself. I wonder if anyone could help me eat it," said Ginny.

"I could, I could," said Teddy, eagerly. "Can I, Siri?"

Sirius nodded. "Can he come and help me choose a flavour?" asked Ginny.

Sirius nodded again, and Ginny held out her hand to Teddy. "You know, we could get a small scoop of each flavour we want, Ginny," said Teddy. Sirius chuckled.

"That's a great idea, Teddy," said Ginny as they walked into the shop.

Sirius chuckled and shook his head. The kid was a charmer. He watched as he and Ginny had quite the discussion on the flavours. Ginny even picked him up and balanced him on her hip easily as they peered into the freezer before making their choice. This surprised Sirius, as Teddy hadn't like being picked up since he started school last year.

Ginny chatted easily with the girl behind the counter, who offered Teddy a free taste of some flavour. The girl said something that made Teddy's hair change colour, and he leaned his head on Ginny's shoulder. He must have felt embarassed or something, Sirius guessed. He was still so surprised that he had taken to Ginny so quickly.

They came back to the table, chattering like old friends."Look, Siri, rainbow flavour," said Teddy. He took a big scoop and ate it. "It's yummy."

Ginny took a scoop, and looked at her watch. "Merlin, I have to go. Sirius, Teddy, it's been so nice to meet you today, and thank you for sharing the ice-cream."

"Aw Ginny, do you have to go?" asked Teddy.

"Afraid so, or my teacher will be mad at me for being late," said Ginny.

"My godfather is a teacher," said Teddy.

"Well, if your godfather is my teacher, I don't want to make him mad, do I?" She kissed the boy on the top of his head and hugged him like she did to her niece. "Bye. Hope you both have a happy Christmas."

"Bye Ginny," they both called and watched her hurry away. Light snow began to fall. "I think it's time we got home, Teddy," said Sirius.

"Can we take the ice-cream home for Harry, Siri?" asked Teddy. There was still half a tub left.

"Sure," said Sirius, casting a freezing charm on it. "Let's get Peter home and you can show him around," he said.

Hours later, a tired and weary Harry entered Grimmauld Place via the floo. "Hey, you're late! Teddy's gone to bed already," said Sirius, looking up from the lounge where he was listening to the wireless.

"Sorry. I was working on those evalutations and time got away from me," said Harry. "I didn't realise it was so late."

He moved into the hall to hang his jacket and scarf up next to Teddy's and Sirius'. A familiar flowery fragrance hung faintly in the air."Bloody hell, now I'm even smelling her at home!"

Sirius frowned. "What was that?" he asked as Harry came back into the lounge.

Harry shook his head. "Never mind, think I'm imagining things. So, how was your day? Things go all right with Teddy in Diagon Alley?"

Sirius smiled and pointed. Harry looked, and sat up to get a closer look. "What is it?"

"A Pygmy Puff. Teddy picked it out," said Sirius. "I'm babysitting it so it doesn't get lonely now Teddy's asleep."

Harry grinned. "You're a softie, aren't you. I thought we agreed that he had to earn his pocket money and buy his own treats. These are more than the two sickles and four knuts I know he had. The cage too?" he said.

"Yeah,well, don't look at me. The girl in the shop took one look at him and her heart melted. We even got a bag of food thrown in," said Sirius, chuckling.

Harry grinned. "You do realise he's the womaniser out of the three of us. Blimey, he's already got a girlfriend, and now he's charming the older witches."

"It's a sad day when a six year old is getting more female attention than us. Look at the two of us, we're rich, charismatic, hot," said Sirius. "This witch was all over him. We need to ask him what his secret is."

Harry burst out laughing. "Poor Sirius, were you hoping that she'd fall for you."

Sirius shrugged good naturedly. "She's a bit young for me, but she'd be perfect for you."

Harry shook his head and raised his hands in defense. "Not dating, remember? Anyway, I'm going up to check on Teddy then get to bed. Don't forget I'm only at work in the morning, then I'll come home, grab some lunch and change."

"That's right, you're playing Quidditch tomorrow with the guys from work, aren't you?" asked Sirius.

Harry nodded.

"Well, if you're still playing after I've picked Teddy up from school, we'll swing past and watch."said Sirius.

"Sounds good," said Harry, patting his shoulder as he walked behind him. "Night."

"Night, Cub," said Sirius, sipping his Firewhiskey.

He looked over at the sleeping Pygmy Puff. "Peter, really? Of all the names, you had to pick Peter, Teddy!"

Sirius fell asleep, dreaming of a happy time at Hogwarts when three friends changed into their Animagus form and ran out into the night to be with their other friend, Moony. Back then they thought they were invincible.

How wrong they were.

Harry showered and put clean boxers on before he headed into Teddy's room. He pulled the covers up to the boy's chin and gently pushed his hair over his forehead. Teddy needed a haircut soon, he realised.

"Harry, is that you?" a sleepy voice asked as he was about to leave.

Harry turned. "Yeah, Teddy, I'm home and ready for bed. Night, mate."

"Did you see my Pygmy Puff?" asked Teddy, yawning.

Harry nodded. "Yeah, Siri was looking after him downstairs. He's great, Teddy."

"We had ice-cream too," said Teddy, almost asleep again, "and we brought some home for you too."

"Thanks, Teddy. I'll have it tomorrow,"said Harry.

"Ginny couldn't finish it, she had to leave," said Teddy.

"What? Who?" asked Harry. 'Did he just say Ginny?'

But Teddy had fallen asleep.