While He Is Sleeping

Chapter Three - Something Positive

Sirius's eyes burned with tears as he rolled his head back against the grim covered, brick wall of his cell in Azkaban.

Azkaban. With dementors.

It was hell, and he had only been here for around four hours. Sirius let out a shakey breath, he was born into a good family but that went to shit. Then his life was good - great - and now it's back to shit again. It seemed to be an on going crisis of the life of Sirius Black. He couldn't believe as the minutes ticked by, it was becoming longer and longer since his family had been murdered. Nearly six hours ago Sirius had flown to visit Peter, to check up on him like the good friend I am. But what he found showed that Peter wasn't the good friend like Sirius.

Peter's place hadn't been in ruins either, it was just abandoned. Knowing - or dreading - what had happened Sirius had flown on his motorcycle to the Potter's cottage in Godric's Hallow. When he arrived, the first thing Sirius awknowledged the house. It was suppose to be under the fedius charm and the fact that he could see it proved that he was right. The nursery was burnt black, too, which made Sirius cry out and break into a sprint into the broken front door. Nobody else had been there, and the first thing Sirius saw was his brother laying lifeless on the floor, sprawled out in a wierd angle and his hazel eyes dark and wide.

Sirius screamed and collasped onto the ground beside James, hunching over the body possesively as he sobbed uncontrollably. He was sure that the muggle neighbors were beginning to crowd around the house, but he didn't care. Anyone could come and stare at him weep, Sirius did not care about anything anymore. There was a high pitched cry from upstairs which caused Sirius to jump up. He looked around the now broken house until his eyes landed on the stairs that led to the bedrooms.

He had ran up the stairs and threw the debry covered hall, into the nursery. Stopping at the site of another of his best friends dead, also sprawled out on the floor in front of her baby son's crib. Sirius cried out again, a sob racking through is body as he snatched his crying godson out of his crib and into his arms - falling to the ground next to Lily's limp form, leaning over her like he had with James, except this time with their living child in his arms. The child, having gone through everything he had tonight, only had one peculiar scar, on his fore head shaped like a lightening bolt.

Hagrid had arrived and pried the wailing baby out of his arms. Sirius left his motot bike witht he giant and the baby at the ruined cottage, tracking down the one person that was now filling his mind with murderous thoughts. Sirius couldn't help but curse at himself, burying his face in his dirty hands. If only he had been reasonable, and had stayed there so he could explain how James and Lily had switched secret keepers and it was really Peter Pettigrew they wanted. But no. Sirius had to be recklass and leave and try to kill Peter with vengance.

The last time that Sirius had seen Harry filtered in his mind as dementors began to sweep by the cells. He needed to concentrate on Harry; if the ministry ever let Sirius have a trial, the only way he will last until then was if he kept his thoughts happy - which meant he had to think about Harry.

It was September, and the little boy had waddled up to his godfather, raising his arms and demanding to be picked up by his favorite godfather. Sirius had taught him how to say that. Harry didn't know that Sirius was his only godfather, but Sirius was sure that even if there were other's he would still be the toddler's favorite. Harry jabbered happily to his new company, apparently relaying everything that had gone on his life to the man as Sirius carried him into the kitchen and greeted Lily who hadn't come to the door like James. The two's conversation only lasted a couple of minutes; then his new toy broom stick was brought up and Harry squirmed out of Sirius's arms.

Lily and James groaned simulateously, glaring at their friend.

"Umph!" Sirius was on his back instantly, and so was James but in laughter. Lily laughed at Sirius, but chased after her son to keep an eye on him.

"Merlin... I didn't know it went that fast," Sirius mumbled, rubbing the back of his head where it had made contacted with the wood flooring.

"Really?" laughed ames. "I thought you meant to do that to us. Do you know how many glass things that kid has smashed?" As if on que, there was the sound of shattering chine and a frustrated scream from the reheaded mother.

"Ten?" Sirius guessed evenly, grinning.

"Now eleven," James chuckled, shaking his head.

As expected, the Potters invited Sirius to stay for dinner. Sirius spoke with James and Lily about what was going on for a while before dismissing himself to go and spend time with Harry. When he reached the living room, he stopped in the door way and let a grin filter onto his handsome face. Harry was sleeping on the floor, his mouth hanging open and drool showing with soft snores being emitted from his throat. The toddler snuggled with his toy broom stick, earning another chuckle from Sirius before he distangled the toy from Harry's arms and sent it back to his bedroom with a flick of his wand.

Sirius picked Harry up from the floor, wiping his chin, and then resting his small, exhausted, frame against his chest and sitting on the sofa. So much had happened in this very living room, it was incredible. Christmas, 1979, Lily got sick and told the Maraurders - including James - that she was pregnant. Sirius had read many pregnancy books in this living room with both Lily and James, just eager to find out more about their upcoming future. Two weeks after Harry was born, Sirius practically had moved in on this very sofa just to be with his godson and help in any way that he could. The first Christmas with Harry would always be burnt into Sirius's head - literally. It had been total chaos; the tree falling, a candle singed the back of Sirius's head, the light's burnt the cat's tail (it deserved it) and the giggles and snores all around gave everyone a head ache.

When Harry took a step for the first time, it was in this room. It hadn't been to anyone in particular, he had just decided to take a few steps before losing his footing and plopping down. And his first word "Snitch", or "Sneech" as Harry had muttered.

Harry gave an abrupt snored and shook slightly, snuggling closer into Sirius's shirt. Sirius didn't know when the next time he saw Harry would be, so he took advantage of the situation and wrapped his arms aroung the small body, holding him impossibley closer to him and pressing a kiss into the outrageous mop of black hair.

Another sob ripped through Sirius and he quickly turned into his animagus form, focusing on his godson that had already lost so much before he was two years old. Padfoot curled into a ball in the farthest corner of the cell and closed his eyes, making sure only memories with Harry crossed his mind. Even though Sirius and Harry had lost a lot this night, they hadn't lost each other.

The third updated chapter in While He Is Sleeping! :) I will e posting the updated version of chapter four in the morning. This version is quite a bit longer, and I like it a lot more than the older version. Sorry if it's beeen long enough that you don't remember, but let me know what you think about this one!