Disclaimer: See Prologue

A/N: No, thank heaven, this is not a photograph I have taken. Oh, and I feel really bad about all the Anna hatred (although once everyone reads what she said to him in November, they'll hate her even more) so if you haven't read it, please check out 'Sugar and Spice' because she's really not all bad. In fact, there's a tiny part of her that is completely selfless.

Harry stared intently into the photograph as though willing to be dragged into it. Outside the same little church his parents had been married in, stood Sirius. There was nothing particularly remarkable about him other than his wearing a suit with black Converse boots and a wicked grin. He carried it off effortlessly whereas James beside him looked entirely out of place.

One thing that was odd, thought Harry, was the joint expression on both his parents' faces, slightly strained smiles.

Lupin laughed. "I really don't know what possessed you," he said to Sirius who grinned and replied, "Well, it certainly wasn't Satan."

This sent them both into peels of laughter and Harry merely watched, utterly confused.

1980

"Where are your shoes?"

Sirius raised his eyebrows. "On my feet. Why? Where do you want them?"

Lily clicked her tongue, exasperated. "Well, you're not going to the church in those."

This was a challenge. Sirius winked. "Watch me."

And sadly, she did. Lily tried her best not to wonder what everyone thought of their choice of moral guardian, She hissed, "Peter and I told you, warned you even, we said it was ridiculous. We said it should be Remus."

Out of the corner of his mouth, James replied, "We asked Remus and he turned it down. Harry can manage with one godfather. Loads of children do."

Lily rolled her eyes. "Loads of children don't manage with Sirius, James."

"Sirius is my best friend."

Sirius nudged him. "Hear, hear."

Lily almost blushed. "Well, it's true. You're the only person I have ever come across who wears a suit with trainers to a church," she hissed. "Honestly. You think you'd make a little more effort for Harry's christening."

Sirius coughed, "Excuse me , more effort? Do you know how long this hairstyle took?"

Peter nodded beside him. "I was up half the night practising it with him. Don't insult it or I'll be forced to hex you."

Lily huffed and turned into the church, taking her son with her. James met Sirius' eyes and bit back a smile. "Come on," he said. "We'd better get in."

In a church full of friends, family, friends of friends, it was impossible not to be nervous and Lily immediately had doubts about her use of a Christening gown. It looked awfully feminine. She heard the loud cries of a child in the back row and knew that despite herself, her sister had not stayed away. She smiled, "With God's help, I will."

The minister turned to Sirius. "Do you believe in God?"

Sirius thought about this for a moment. "No. I mean, I'd like to but it's all a bit vague really isn't it? I'm more of a Big Bang man myself."

Even James was glaring at him now. Lupin leant over and muttered, "Pad, you're the godfather."

Sirius raised his eyebrows. "Oh, God, you say? God, yes. 'Course I believe in God. Good man. Certainly knows the Kingsmill from the Hovis."

The minister frowned. "Er…yes….I suppose he does. And er…do you renounce Satan?"

Sirius glanced behind him. "Why? Is he here?"

"Oh no, this is just between you and I, sir."

Sirius nodded. "Then consider him renounced."

"Godparents fill a special role in the life of a child. In accepting the role of this child's godfather, you promise to participate in the life of this child, doing everything in your power in the strength of God to assist the parents in the spiritual nurture of this child." As the speech went on, Lily shook her head more and more violently. Sirius saw her catch Lupin's eye and smiled to himself. "Do you, as the godfather to this child, promise to share responsibility with James and with Lily, for this precious child, to pray for him and walk with him in the way of Christ, to help him take his place within the life and worship of Christ's church? If so, answer 'With God's help, I will'."

He looked down at the small child in the minister's arms. He wasn't what one might call a beautiful child. Indeed, he had turned a violent shade of scarlet after screaming for a whole ten minutes. Now, he was strangely quiet and vulnerable. Harry returned his gaze with bright green eyes and he hated to admit it, but the breath caught in Sirius' throat.

"With God's help, I will."

He looked up, drawn by Lupin's soul-piercing gaze. His black eyes were twinkling and the smile was evident in them despite the repression of it on his lips.

It was only once they were outside and Lily and James were preoccupied with thanking guests and saying their goodbyes that he felt Lupin's eyes on him once more and turned round.

"What's that look for?"

Lupin grinned. "You're getting broody, aren't you?"

"What? No!"

"You never could lie to me. You want a baby, don't you?"

Sirius frowned. "Are you forgetting who you're talking to? Sirius Black does not get broody. Hens get broody."

Lupin nodded but he was still smiling smugly.

"Shut the fuck up!" snapped Sirius.

Lupin's eyebrows rose. "I didn't say anything."

"No, not out loud."

"Do you want a photograph?" James asked Lupin, smiling back at him and putting an end to the argument. "Sirius, do you want to hold him?"

Somewhat reluctantly in front of Lupin, Sirius held his arms out and accepted the little white, ribbon adorned bundle.

CLICK!

"Had to. Sorry."