Rating: PG
Words: ~800
Warnings: Strong language; mentions of violence; gen with some hints; AR.

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended – Standard disclaimer.

Notes: Part of Harry's Two Daddies series, sequel to The Last Will of James and Lily Potter. Please, bear in mind that this is not a chaptered!fic; just a bunch of ficlets. I hope that does not disappoint any of you.

"We have, Chief Warlock: not-guilty," declared the elderly wizard of the Interrogators, and immediately all hell broke loose inside courtroom number ten. Severus could hear Dumbledore trying to put some order in the room, but he didn't pay much attention; in fact, he heard very little after his absolution.

Unbidden, his eyes sought two people he thought he despised; Sirius Black sat nonchalantly in the front row, eyes fastened on Severus, holding his godson in his lap, who was playing animatedly with a musical hippogriff called Guh – or so Harry said. The droning of people passed unnoticed as Severus broke free from the chains of his chair and walked up to them.

"Congratulations, Snape," Black said, sounding bored. Severus nodded, gazing at Harry. He felt raw . . . naked, at the thought that Black had witnessed one of his most shameful moments, and he refused to meet the Gryffindor's eyes. Harry, noticing the scrutiny, held out his arms, asking to be picked up. Severus obliged, feeling a fondness for the boy he wasn't supposed to.

"Let go of the child, you scum!" cried a young woman, her eyes swollen and red-rimmed. "Don't touch Harry Potter!" Severus tried to glower at her, but his shaking body didn't let him, and he stepped back at the sight of her drawn wand. "Take responsibility—"

"What do you know of responsibility, Mandy?" gritted out Black, staring levelled at the woman, with whom he was obviously acquainted. "You were like this at school, too. It's not your place to judge anyone. I'm the one who asked Peter to be Lily and James's Secret Keeper. Am I not allowed to hold my godson, too?"

"It's different, Sirius, and you know it!"

"It doesn't feel like it," Sirius muttered, handing Harry to Severus; the boy was unusually quiet, probably sympathising with the awkward mood that had settled around them. "I know you care, Mandy—."

"We were best friends since First Year," Mandy sniffled, "ever since Lily hit James in the head when he stole my rat and gave it to his owl." She chuckled, lost in memories. "You two were such mean little bastards." Mandy and Black shared a sad smile. "Can I come to visit Harry, Sirius?"

Black glanced back at Severus. "Maybe. I'll owl you, okay?" Mandy choked a sob and nodded, before turning and walking away with her family and friends. Black returned to Severus's side. "What now, Snape?"

"We should discuss Harry's guardianship."

Sirius gave him an unreadable look. "Do you want it?"

"It was Lily's last will." It just wouldn't so to reply affirmatively; why give Black more ammunition to use against him?

Black nodded once. "I suppose we could talk about it at Grimmauld Place—Merlin, I hate that place!"

"I have a house—."

"You do?" Black's face lit up with hope. "We could go there, instead."

Bemused, Severus replied, "We could." before motioning Black towards the Floo. "It's not great, but it's clean and stocked." Black didn't listen and was already skipping ahead for Floo tickets. Severus glanced at Harry. "Just what have I got myself into, hmm, brat?"

Harry giggled. "Da, Guh!"

"Indeed."

"Why not?"

"Black," Severus replied wearily, "are you listening to yourself? I can't even understand why you'd want to live here—with me . . ."

Black had the grace of flushing in embarrassment. "It's for Harry, and it was their last will."

Severus suspected otherwise, and he said so. "You're just clinging to me because you have no one else." He instantly regretted his words – and wondered why so for a second – when Black's face shuttered, and those gray eyes grew hard with something.

"Whatever, Snape. We've agreed on a joint guardianship, so I'll be back for Harry on the weekend; we can keep him a week each—."

"That's not healthy for a child." Black stared, but Severus didn't back down. They just couldn't do that to Harry. The boy still cried for his parents; it would be cruel to take him from one of the two people who actually cared that much for the boy – enough to cooperate with their greatest enemy, Severus thought.

"What do you propose, then?"

"I suppose you could stay here for the time being. You can have my old room, and Harry'll stay with me on my parents'."

"Why with you?"

"Because," Severus replied haughtily, "I don't trust you. You'll probably scar the child for life by bringing one of your tasteless trysts into this household." Black froze, and Severus cursed at his choice of words.

"I wouldn't."

Severus waved him off. "I don't care. Let's just set up the boy's room and you can sleep on the couch."

"Don't think I can't see right through you, Snivellus. You're not getting rid of me that easily."

TBC