'Sirius, look I've got a frog!' Sirius turned to see his godson hurrying towards him, his hands cupped around a small living critter.

'Do you now? Let's see it then.' Harry opened his hands to show a small green coloured frog.

'Can I keep him Sirius?' Sirius stared at his godson.

'You want to keep it?' Harry nodded keenly.

'Yes please. I'll keep good care of it. I'll feed it and I'll-'

'Whoa Harry, okay you can keep it.' Sirius grinned as Harry jumped up and ran to Remus, holding the frog in his hand the whole time. He distinctly heard the boy exclaim,

'Remus, look what Sirius is letting me keep! It's a frog...' Sirius grinned and shook his head, continuing his exploration of the valley.

Little over an hour ago Harry had dragged Sirius and Remus out the door of their rented cottage to explore the valley across the way.

Harry had kept the two adults busy by discovering things and running to his guardian and friend to show them his discoveries.

So far he had discovered a dead bird, a worm, a canine footprint, a snake, a bright blue flower and most recently, the frog Sirius had agreed to let him keep.

Sirius trekked back to the other two and put his hand on Harry's shoulder.

'So kiddo, what're you going to name you new mate?' The two grown men watched, amused, as Harry frowned, seemingly in deep thought.

'Joe! His name'll be Joe!' Sirius snorted as Remus turned a laugh into a cough.

'And, and why is his name to be Joe?' Sirius asked, trying in vain not to laugh. Harry shrugged.

'I don't know anyone with that name. I like it.' Sirius nodded, trying and failing to see the child's logic. Why not name it Dudley and then torture it?

Sirius grimaced at this thought. No, it was much to evil for an eight year old to even think about.

'We should probably go back for diner soon,' Remus commented as he and Sirius splashed through a pond, following Harry who was jumping in each puddle he came across.

'Probably,' Sirius agreed lightly.



'Harry! Please don't jump... Ergh...' Remus groaned as Harry jumped into a particularly muddy puddle, splattering mud all over himself. Sirius groaned.

'Must he jump in every available puddle?' Remus chuckled.

'Have you ever been a child before Padfoot?' Sirius looked scandalised.

'I've never stopped. Growing has only made my good looks and irresistible face improve.'

'Padfoot, you need help. Mental help.'

'Well excuse me for stating the painstakingly obvious!' Sirius huffed. Remus just groaned and said,

'Well I'm headed back to the cottage. Collect Harry and then come back. I don't fancy you being out here after dark.' Sirius rolled his eyes and agreed, bidding his friend good bye before heading to his godson.

'Harry, we've got to go back now. It's getting late and we need to eat and get you cleaned up. C'mon now.'

'Aw, can't we stay out a little bit longer?' Harry complained. Sirius sighed.

'No, I'm sorry kiddo. You can blame Remus when we get back. He's the one who said we have to go inside now.' Harry groaned but followed without further comment, Joe still held securely in his hands.

When they reached the cottage they found Remus waiting on the porch, wand in hand.

'Shoes off,' he instructed the both of them. He was using that 'don't-argue-or-mess-with-me-or-else' voice. The two obeyed and pulled their muddy shoes off, placing them on the porch in front of Remus.

'Harry, put Joe in here,' Remus pointed to a large fish tank. It was already occupied by rocks, water, grass and moss. Harry obeyed, gently placing the frog in the tank.

Remus waved his wand over their clothes and shoes, muttering a quick cleaning charm.

'You can each go have a shower because I'm not about to use Scourgify on your skin.' Harry and Sirius each frowned in turn.

'You go ahead Harry. I'll have after you.' Harry nodded and bounded up the stairs, eager to take a quick shower as he was actually fairly hungry.

'Whoa Harry, that was fast!' Harry grinned proudly as he stood in front of his godfather five minutes after he had run up the stairs. His hair was still dripping water.

'I know. I went as fast as I could because I'm really hungry.'



'Ah...' Sirius nodded in understanding. 'We should probably get you some food then, eh?' Harry nodded anxiously.

'Yes please. I don't know how much longer I can last,' Harry added the last sentence dramatically, ungracefully falling onto a chair. Sirius snorted and said,

'Let's get you some diner before you break your neck by 'gracefully' falling again.' Harry glared at his godfather's back as he went around preparing fish and chips.

'I agree with ol' Padfoot here Harry.' ('I am not old!' Sirius retorted angrily.) 'I wouldn't fancy having to take you to St Mungos.' Harry stuck his tongue out childishly at Remus, grinning the whole time, or grinning as much as one could whilst sticking their tongue out.

'You'd better put that tongue back in before I magic it to stay like that,' Remus joked.

'Oh lighten up Moony.'

'I was joking Padfoot.'

'Well I apologize for not being able to tell if you were kidding or not.' Remus rolled his eyes, and made a face to Harry behind Sirius' back as he turned back to the counter, putting the food onto three separate plates.

He placed one plate in front of each person and sat down. As soon as his bottom touched the chair, Harry was devouring his food.

'Harry, time to go to bed!' Remus called through the house.

'Shush!' Sirius came into the kitchen where Remus was and said 'he's already asleep. Fell asleep ten minutes ago while we were playing chess.' Remus looked up from his book, surprise etched on his face.

'He's fallen asleep already?'

'Moony, it's already half past eleven.'

'Is it really? Merlin, I didn't notice.' Sirius shook his head, grinning.

'Anyways, I've put him to bed already, and I'm going to bed. See you in the morning.'

'Night Padfoot.' Sirius wave to his friend and made his way up the stairs to his room.