Sitting On The Baby By HPOD sufferer

Date: Sunday, 17th September, 7:20PM

Rating: K+ (Scary and Supernatural themes may scare young children), sexual implications (very minor)

Summary: Sirius bounded into the compartment, making to sink into the seat next to Lily. The seat in which a sleeping baby...well, slept. Eyes popping, James grabbed his friend's wrists, stopping him from sitting. Sirius Black was frozen in a strange, half-sitting, half-standing position. Lily grabbed the baby quickly, and James released his friend. "You know," said Lily " Baby sitting doesn't usually consist of actually sitting on the baby."

A baby has appeared. Where from? Why? Who does the baby belong to? Harry travels to Marauder Era. AS A BABY! Something went seriously wrong on that Halloween night.

Chapter 20: Wormtail Wanted

The wolf is strong, the wolf is bad

But he's my friend and that makes me glad

Darkness is merely a shadow that we can fight

Because where there is shadow there is always light

My family is here and my family is near

They do not know me because their hearts are full with fear

I need only my friends by my side,

They define me, they save me and they are the ones I can ride!

It really was too obvious, Padfoot thought as he strolled along beside the Wolf. Werewolves were really only focussed on attacking humans. So the solution to his dilemma had been pretty easy- turn back into Padfoot.

Of course, if it weren't for Prongs, he'd probably had been dead before he'd even thought up that idea.

The Wolf leapt from the bed, teeth bared and claws outstretched towards Sirius, flying through the air. Prongs swung his head, complete with a set of mighty antlers, catching the Wolf in the chest and flinging the beast across the room as if the Wolf were only a little girl's rag doll, coming to a limp thud underneath a boarded up window. Still gasping from shock, Sirius had immediately morphed before rushing to the Wolf's side, nudging his wet nose into the fur.

The Wolf had stirred, eyes opening in a dazed fashion, staring at Padfoot for a while, before the Wolf licked his face and stood, ears pricked to attention. Padfoot had grinned his sloppy dog grin, knowing the Wolf would not be fooled.

The Wolf always knew when you were pretending. Nevertheless, Prongs and Padfoot had been able to convince the Wolf to remain calm (or as close as he could get) and to be lead peacefully from the Shack. Padfoot felt a rush of relief when he emerged from the Whomping Willow.

Something about that house was not right...and who was that person whose figure haunted that room?

Padfoot looked up to see Prongs, Wormtail and the Wolf disappearing into the Forbidden forest. Padfoot felt a shiver run down his spine...he didn't really like the forest. He sped up and was soon with the group again, trotting through the trees.

Padfoot let himself frown. They hardly ever went into the forest, and never this far in. Whatever was Prongs doing?

The quiet chatter of Wormtail drifted into Padfoot's ear, but he didn't listen, more preoccupied in keeping his full attention on checking fro danger.

Prongs made a sharp left pushing Padfoot and the Wolf down a barely visible path. He started to speed up, and the Wolf and Padfoot had to almost run to keep up.

The trees suddenly dropped away to reveal a small body of water, that looked rather like a large puddle. It had a diameter of about two trees lain on their side, tip to tip. The moonlight streamed down from the gap in the trees, making the surface a silver colour.

And they weren't the only one in the clearing.

Exactly thirteen people stood on the opposite bank. Padfoot smelt impatience on the wind.

They'd been waiting. For them?

Wormtail made a frightened squeak.

Danger.

Padfoot could smell blood. The people smelt of blood. Human blood.

One took a step forward, to the very edge of the water. "Animals. We know that there is a contaminated one among you. Do not come closer."

Padfoot's hackles raised and he growled. He knew these people wanted to harm them, he could smell hate.

Another figure, shorter than the first, stepped forward. "Not to worry Lupin, we don't need you yet. But what about the filthy dog?"

Only one person Padfoot knew had a voice like that, and only that person called him 'filthy dog'. Severus Snape stood on the other side of the miniature lake.

Padooft glanced at Prongs, and inched around the lake. Prongs used his antlers to stop the wolf following. Once Padfoot was a good distance from the Wolf, he transformed. "I've revealed myself Snivellus, how about you?"

Snape dropped his hood, smirking. "Ah, Black. Such a pleasure. A family reunion."

Sirius only understood when the other twelve dropped their hoods. There were a few Hogwarts students, but other wise all of the others were wanted Death Eaters. Including Bellatrix Black and her husband.

"Good evening cousin," Bellatrix said, looking down her nose.

"I thought I had been disowned? Or is my dear mother missing me?" Sirius hissed, anger making his heart pound painfully. He wished it wouldn't. Feeling hurt so much sometimes.

Bellatrix's eyes narrowed. "Don't be foolish Sirius. You hurt your dear mother. She'd never want you back."

"She deserved to be told," Sirius hissed. "Everyone deserves the truth."

"And the truth is that the Dark Lord is the only way to go," Bellatrix responded. "Now, enough of this. What ever are you doing here? This was a rather private affair."

Sirius glanced across the lake to his friends. "Leave Bella. Leave Hogwarts and take the scum with you-" he nodded his head at Snape. "Or I'll have to force you."

Bellatrix laughed. She turned to her fellows. "The little schoolboy thinks he has the authority to banish us!" She turned her cold eyes back to Sirius. "Don't push your luck Sirius. You're a mere child against us. We work with the Dark Arts. We are the shadows of the world- and we are everywhere. Your little schoolbook spells won't help."

Sirius pushed his hand into the pocket with his wand in it. "Oh yeah? There's how many of you? Thirteen?"

"There's only one of you," Bellatrix dismissed.

Sirius smiled. "I'm sorry to say you're mistaken." From his pocket he pulled an object and showed it to Bellatrix. "You see, where ever you find a shadow, you'll always find light."

Bellatrix's eyes widened and she glanced up from the object in Sirius's hand to her cousin's face. "Dumbledore doesn't employ his students."

"You're right," Sirius smirked as he heard twigs snap in the surrounding trees and the whistle of wind blow through the clearing. "He seeks aid from his friends. And you'll find Dumbledore has a lot of friends."

At this word, figures stepped out from the trees, completely surrounding the group of Death Eaters. Sirius glanced over the lake, relieved to see that Wormtail, the Wolf and Prongs had retreated, hidden away. "Do not move," commanded one of the advancers. "We are the Order of the Phoenix and we will not hesitate to attack."

Bellatrix merely laughed, and faced Sirius. "Run," she hissed.

Simultaneously all of her fellow Death Eaters Disapparated. Bellatrix threw one last cold look at Sirius. "Your father would have been...disappointed, Sirius."

A crack broke the world. Sirius didn't pay attention to the Order's cries of anguish. Someone was clapping him on the back, shaking his shoulder, but he stared at the place where his cousin had been. He was hardly aware of the Order disappearing.

He was alone.

Across the lake a stag's bellow called, and Sirius let his eyes wander. Prongs and the Wolf stood side by side. Prongs looked at Sirius.

"Yeah," Sirius whispered. "And I'm glad."

He closed his eyes and felt fur sprout all along his body- his bones reform, his muscles stretching, his skin altering. He opened his eyes, and his senses flooded. He could hear- truly hear- he could smell, smell all that there was to smell, and he galloped around the lake to meet his pack.

Sirius wasn't a Black. He wasn't even an Order member- not yet. He was barely a man. But he was one thing.

He was a marauder, and nothing could beat that, because he had his friends. Friends meant the world to him. Family you were obliged to. Friends you weren't. Friends you got a choice.

And the marauders were the best choice there was.

Prongs lifted his head. There was only an hour left of night. They started to walk through the forest, back to where they could find the Whomping Willow. They went through the hidden tunnel, and locked Remus in the bedroom. Sirius's heart ached when the locked clicked.

Prongs took a step back and transformed. He stood aside, waiting for Peter to appear.

Peter did not come. Sirius could hear whimpers from within the bedroom. "Peter?" James called. "Hey mate! Joke's over! Come out!"

Nothing happened. "Did he come with us?" Sirius said. "Last time I saw him was at the-you know-"

"Do you reckon he fell off my back?" James said in panicked voice as Remus let out a shriek.

Sirius started to tug James down the tunnel. "We'll go look for him. Anyway, we don't want to be caught here."

They were just reaching the end of the tunnel when the sounds of footsteps reached them. James and Sirius shared a look. James's head turned in a 'no way' fashion. 'The cloak' he mouthed.

They faced forward, running, hoping they would get there.

Madam Pomfrey walked along the tunnel, and shivered as a breeze made her cloak flutter. Under the cloaked, the two boys held each other's hands over the other's mouth to silence their pants. They were just in time.

The Matron disappeared around the corner, and the cloak was swept from their shoulder. "That was-" began Sirius.

"-Way too close" finished James. They looked at each other, and burst out laughing, and headed out of the tunnel. They started off towards the forest in the dawning light, eyes scanning for their friend.

Peter came stumbling out of the trees, and James and Sirius rushed to his side. Peter waved a hand. "I-fell off." he panted, red in the face. "Got-lost…"

Sirius grabbed onto his elbow and steered him towards the castle. "I feel bad for forgetting you," he muttered. Peter shook his head, eyes glazed.

"Fine…"

Sirius turned Peter around to look him in the face. Peter's eyes were rolling. "I think not," Sirius said. "Sirius- are you sure those Death Eaters were gone?"

Peter's eyes focused slightly. "Death-Death-Eaters?" He asked. "There were thirteen of them. Snape-Snape-"

"What? What did Snape do?" Sirius asked urgently, his blood starting to quicken. Peter looked positively ill- he was shivering despite is long robes and there was sweat on his brow.

Peter didn't get to answer. His eyes rolled back, and his head lolled to the side, and his body crumpled into Sirius's arms.

Sirius turned to James. "We need to get him to the hospitable wing, now!"

James glanced at the castle. "If we're careful, I won't be seen. Get on."

James swivelled around, and once he was facing Sirius again, Prongs stood in his place. Not stopping to question his friend's actions, he threw Peter onto Prong's back and hopped on behind him.

He couldn't help but smile and say "Ye-ha!" as Prongs started to gallop towards the castle.

A/n:I can't believe you guys. Tut, tut. I would never kill Sirius. What do yu take me for? Joanne Rowling? Do I look like her to you?

Yay! I did this in less than ten days! Everybody clap for me! And I let a lot of the plot progress! Well, I hope you paid attention. Sadly, not baby Hawwy, but hopefully he'll appear next time. And you know what? I've designed a name for the Sequel, if I do one: Napping With The Child. Like the title? (Kidnappers, anyone?)

This chapter is not only dedicated, but writen for Raven55. They gave me probably the nicest review ever and squashed one of my fears. Thankyou Raven55!

Also: What is wrong with Peter? Tell me what you think really happened!