Disclaimer: Characters belong to JK. Rowling.

His Boy

Chapter Four: Bonding Time

"So, what would you like to eat, Harry?" Sirius asked as he slid into the booth next to the little boy and Remus sat down across from them looking amused. They'd finally found a cute little diner like place that seemed kid-friendly. The waitress set down a little packet of crayons and a kid's placemat for Harry, making his eyes widen at the idea of being able to color while he ate. He looked up at Sirius who opened the box of crayons and spilled them out onto the table. "Go for it."

Harry beamed, scribbling in the hair on the ballerina, making it red. Sirius picked up a menu and looked it over. "Hmmm, Prongslet… there's a lot of good stuff in here. Why don't you have a look and see what you'd like to eat." He propped the menu up and Harry peered at it curiously. He looked up at Sirius questioningly. "You can get anything you want for breakfast."

"Um…" Harry frowned, looking at all of the colorful pictures inside the menu, not quite sure what to choose that wouldn't get him in trouble. "I… dunno… Padfoot." He bit his look, trying to look apologetic but Sirius just wrapped an arm around his shoulders and hugged him close to his side.

"Well, what do you normally eat for breakfast?" Remus asked kindly, trying to make it easier for the indecisive little boy.

"What Dudley doesn't eat firsts?" Harry asked, looking down at his coloring. He picked up the green crayon and began giving the lady in the picture pretty eyes. Sirius looked up at Remus who shook his head, not knowing what to say. The very idea of Harry having to wait and see what his cousin didn't eat for breakfast was positively absurd.

"Well Harry… Dudley isn't here, so you get to pick. Hmmm… how about you pick either eggs, waffles, or a muffin today? Is that easier?" Sirius asked, trying to make it so Harry wouldn't feel so overwhelmed with the amount of choices on the menu. Harry frowned for a moment before looking back up from his coloring, still biting at his little lip.

"Wabfles?"

"Waffles it is then. You know Harry, they make some pretty special waffles here, I bet you'll really like them." Sirius smiled, grinning as he looked at the menu. The waitress came back over with two coffees and a glass of milk, setting them down on the table. Sirius ordered while Remus helped Harry open his straw, showing him how to blow the paper off of it. Harry laughed, blowing the paper off of his straw and across the table.

The food came not much later, Harry had almost finished coloring in his picture when he plate of waffles was set down in front of him. His eyes widened, turning into orbs of absolute shock and delight at what sat before him.

Somebody had cut his biggest waffle into a square and then cut a smaller square inside of that, two slices of bacon laying length wise beside it. Four tiny waffles sat in a row beneath the big waffle and the bacon, making wheels. An orange slice sat vertically above the bacon, emitting whipped cream steam.

"A train!" Harry just about squealed, admiring his breakfast with pure joy. He just about clapped his hands together, but thought better of it, not wanting to get in trouble. He looked up at Sirius and Remus, his mouth gaping. "Padfoot… Moony…. A train!"

Sirius laughed at the boy's excitement and he wasn't the only one. Those closest to their booth were smiling at the well behaved and apparently very happy little boy. "I told you they were special waffles, Prongslet. Now eat up."

Harry gladly picked up his fork and went at it. Eating the train was even more fun than looking at it. He grinned up at Sirius, his face covered in the syrup Remus had poured onto the waffles for him and bits of orange pulp.

Sirius grinned and tickled the boy. "Chuggachuggachuggachugga…."

"Choo-chooooo!" Harry laughed, squealing and wriggling around in his seat as he was tickled. He rather liked Padfoot and Moony. They were so nice to him… and they had gotten him train waffles. He decided he really liked trains, riding them and eating them.

After they finished their breakfast, Remus took Harry into the bathroom to help him wash off his face and hands while Sirius paid. Remus decided it was also a good time to make sure Harry went to the potty before they continued on their daytrip. They didn't need to have any accidents later on just because they couldn't find a bathroom.

Once they left the diner, the trio of wizards traveled a few blocks until they found the shops they were looking for, the first being a clothing store specifically for children.

Harry gazed around at all of the clothes in wonder. He had never known such places existed, always having been stuck wearing Dudley's old hand me downs. Sirius got a cart and lifted him up, placing him in the child's seat so that he could keep a good eye on him. They headed for the boys' section and Sirius picked up a tiny blue t-shirt, holding it up to his chest. "What do you think, Harry? Will it fit me?"

Harry giggled and shook his head. "No, too lil' for chu, Padfoot."

"But just right for you!" Sirius grinned at him, holding the shirt up to Harry, just to be sure. He nodded, satisfied that it would fit the boy and noted the size before placing it into the cart. "Let's see, what's your favorite color in the whole wide world, Harry?"

Harry thought about it for a minute, his face screwing up with concentration. He'd never been asked that question before… what color did he like best? "Red." He decided finally, nodding to himself. "Like da lady's hair."

"What lady?" Sirius asked, looking around the shop. He didn't see a single red headed woman in sight and he looked to Remus who shrugged.

"Da lady…. She comes to my dreams sometimes." Harry explained, biting his lip. The Dursleys had never liked it when he mentioned his dreams to them… he'd always been yelled at for it. Every once in a while he'd have a dream about the same lady, the one with the red hair who held him close and rocked him while she sang a sweet song that he could no longer hear.

"Oh!" Remus's eyes widened and he ruffled Harry's hair. "Sirius, he means Lily." Sirius whacked himself in the forehead with the palm of his hand.

"Of course! Harry, the lady with the red hair is Lily. Your mum." He explained simply, stroking Harry's hair gently.

"My mummy had red hair?" Harry asked curiously, his eyes lighting up at the thought of knowing something about his mother that he didn't already. Actually, he didn't know anything about his mother except that she was gone and never coming back because she'd gotten into a car crash with his daddy. At least that was what his aunt had told him, right before she'd told him not to ask questions. But Padfoot and Moony seemed to like it when he asked questions.

"Yes, she did. She was very beautiful and she had green eyes, just like your's. But other than that, you look every bit like your dad." Sirius explained, pushing the cart in between two racks of shirts. He grabbed up a red one with a green dragon on it in Harry's size, knowng without asking that the boy would approve of it.

"Just like my daddy?" Harry asked, lighting up even more, his little chest puffing out with pride at the idea of looking like his father.

"Exactly like him, only his eyes were hazel." Remus picked up a little pair of jeans that had an easily undoable snap button and set them in the cart. If anything was too big or too small, they could always magic it to fit when Harry was sleeping. "I've got pictures back at my flat that I could pick up and bring round later so you can see them properly."

They continued their shopping, getting plenty of day clothes Harry could play a rough as he wanted in while the little boy occasionally gave input when asked. For the most part though, he was lost in his own little world of thinking about what his parents looked like now that he'd been told. When they got to the pajamas he was broken out of his stupor by all of the fun prints. He helped Padfoot and Moony pick out three pairs of pajamas. Red ones with trains, blue ones with stars, and green ones with more fire breathing dragons that made him think of the book the little girl on the train had been reading. Which reminded him….

"Padfoot? Are we gonna get dat dragon book?"

"We'll see if they have it at the toy shop." Sirius nodded and Harry smiled at the idea of it. He'd never had any toys or books to call his own. The only toys he ever got to play with were the ones Dudley had already broken and didn't want anymore unless his mother had decided to throw it out. Then he would throw a tantrum until he got to keep it, making the toy room and Dudley's bedroom impossibly full of broken old things. Aunt Petunia had had to throw things out while Dudley was sleeping to make room for anything new after a while, only taking the most broken toys that were deepest in the piles of mess.

"Well, I think that's everything we need here." Remus said after they had found Harry a good pair of sneakers and red rain boots that matched the rain coat they'd picked out earlier. They headed up to the front of the store and paid for everything. They left the shop, carrying bags of little boy clothes and heading up the street to the toy store. Remus left them, taking the bags of clothes and saying he had a few things to take care of but that he would meet them back at number twelve later on, winking to Sirius.

Harry's eyes grew big at the sight of all of the magnificent things and it was all Sirius could do to keep a hold on one of the boy's hands at all times. Harry didn't have any desire to run off, he just wanted to get a closer look at everything. He'd never seen so many wondrous toys in his life… new and unbroken toys that Dudley had never played with.

They spent quite some time in the toy shop, letting Harry get his heart's fill of looking and admiring. Sirius was quite surprised that he wasn't asking for a single thing, he just seemed perfectly content to look and a bit shocked when Sirius placed a plastic sailboat into the cart. He figured his godfather must have made a mistake. "Padfoot… why did chu put the boat in the cart?"

"Because you wanted a boat for bath time, didn't you?" Sirius asked a little confused as to why Harry was confused. He reached for a yellow rubber duck, gave it a squeak and then dropped it into the cart. Every kid needed a rubber ducky for his tubby time.

"I really getta boat?" Harry said, awestruck as he watched to duck go into the cart as well. He looked up at his godfather with wide eyes, unable to believe this was really happy. He would have been perfectly happy just looking at the toys, but being able to take them home with him… to that house where Dudley wasn't? That was a whole other story.

"You really get a boat. And a duck." Sirius nodded, kissing Harry's head and peering around. "Aha! And here's something else I know you'll like." He held up a colorful wooden train and watched as Harry's eyes bugged out of his head. He set the train into the cart. With the Black family fortune to his name, plus the Potter's small fortune Harry had inherited, Sirius was going to get the boy whatever he desired… within reason. He didn't want to spoil him, but at the moment, he couldn't help it. Harry had had so little for so long and every kid needed clothes and deserved toys. He wanted Harry to at least have some things to play with. He chose out a few other things such including some wooden building blocks and an airplane. Harry himself, chose a lion out of the wall of plush. They even managed to find the dragon book Harry had wanted along with a couple others Sirius thought he might enjoy. He would have to remind himself to find that old copy of Beedle the Bard tales he knew had to be somewhere in the house, if his mother hadn't thrown it away like most of their childhood books and toys.

"Did you enjoy our trip?" Sirius asked, looking down at Harry who was walking alongside him on the sidewalk, holding tightly to his hand as Sirius carried the bag of toys in his other hand. Harry had his other arm wrapped tightly about the floppy golden lion he'd picked out. He looked up and smiled, nodding. "We'll go again sometime, then. Not every day or week, mind you."

"Yes, Padfoot." Harry grinned at him and hugged his lion closer to keep it from slipping out of his arm. He yawned, his pace slow, a happy smile on his face. Sirius lifted him up onto his hip, holding onto him with one arm. They stopped to grab some sandwiches and eat lunch at a little deli nearby to the underground station before continuing on their way.

Harry made it almost all the way through the train ride back to their stop, but Sirius ended up carrying the sleeping four year old off of the train and up the stairs to the street. Harry's head snuggled against Sirius's shoulder contently, his lion still gripped up against his chest by one arm that wasn't about to let it go.

Sirius set the bag of toys down on the doorstep of number twelve as he unlocked the door and picked it back up as he headed inside, closing the door behind them as quietly as possible. He hurried up the stairs and entered the bedroom he and Harry had slept in the night before. Sitting down on the bed and setting the toys down on the floor, Sirius shifted Harry, laying the little boy down against the pillows, smiling at the way he snuggled against them and buried a hand into his lion's mane. Sirius removed Harry's shoes and glasses gently, not wanting to wake him up from his nap. He pulled out his wand and tapped the boy's glasses, watching as the tape flew off and they mended. Now they wouldn't rub. He placed his wand tip against the boy's raw nose and said another spell, smiling as he watched the scrapped part of the boy's nose heal right up. He pulled the covers up over him, tucking him in tightly.

"Out like a light." Remus whispered as he stepped into the room. Sirius placed a finger to his lips and the two men snuck out of the bedroom, leaving the little one to his nap. Sirius shut the door behind him. "I talked to the real estate agent. She has space available right now if you want to talk to her about finding a house. She's really good."

"You'll watch Harry?"

"Of course I will. I promised, didn't I?" Remus smiled. "I've been working on getting the kitchen cleared up and such for his little party this evening. Dumbledore is going to come and Hagrid as well, but I figured that would be enough, we don't want to overwhelm him. Hagrid said he also wanted to return your old motorbike."

"Sounds perfect. Did you get a cake?" Sirius smiled, thinking of both the little party and his motorcycle that he had missed quite a bit in his time in Azkaban.

"Yeah. With a treacle topping. If he's anything like Lily, he'll love it and if he's like James, well… the rest of it is vanilla. And I've got it all decorated with balloons and streamers. It'll be a real birthday party."

"Great! Thanks a lot, Moony."

"Not a problem. You had better get going though, don't want to keep Debbie waiting. You can just floo straight to her office. It's Daisy Wizard Realty."

"Alright… I'll see you in a bit then." Sirius nodded, making his way down the stairs.

"Good luck." Remus called after him, careful to keep his voice low still. He didn't want to accidentally wake up Harry from his nap.

…

Harry yawned, sitting up in the now familiar bed, rubbing at his eyes. Somebody had taken his glasses off… He reached for them, pulling them on and blinking. He took them back off. Were these really his glasses? The tape was gone and they weren't broken. Maybe Padfoot or Moony had glued them back together for him? He would have to remember to thank them when he found them. He slipped out of the bed, his socked feet padding across the carpet, carrying is lion with him. He had decided to call him simply 'Lion', thinking that that would be a perfectly good name for a lion after all.

Spotting the bag of toys on the floor, he hesitantly dug into it, searching for that dragon book he'd wanted so badly. Finding it, he gave a squeal of delight and sat back on the floor, leaning against the side of the bed and opening the book in his lap. He basked in the glory of the brightly colored dragons that popped up from the page, not a single one of them scary looking. There were some books that made dragons scary, but this one always had them smiling or having tea.

Harry was so into his new book that he did not notice when the door opened and Moony entered, smiling down at him. He sat down beside the little boy who looked up and didn't even flinch as he was lifted into the older man's lap. "Did you have a nice nap, Harry?"

"Mhmmm." Harry nodded, grinning up at him and then turning his attention back to the book. He was quite enthralled with it, which made Remus smile. Children should always be exposed to books, he thought, it was great for them and their future reading skills.

"Would you like me to read it to you?"

"Oh! Yes puh-ease, Moony!" Harry bounced excitedly, turning to book back to the first page and Remus began, his finger trailing along the lines of letters, pointing to each word as he spoke it. Harry leaned back against him contently, letting Moony turn the pages but taking his own turn at making the pieces in the pop ups move after Moony showed him how.

"Again?" Harry asked pleadingly once the book was closed and finished. Remus laughed, looking down at those big green eyes and opening the book back up. They got halfway through it when Sirius came prancing into the room, waving a piece of paper in his hand.

"I found it, Moony! I found it, Harry!" He swooped down, scooping Harry up and dancing about the room with him after he dropped the piece of paper to show Moony.

"Five bedroom, two bathroom, cottage on the outskirts of Ottery St. Catchpole, a part wizarding community. It looks great Sirius…" Remus commented, looking down at the picture of a very pretty cottage surrounded by a garden and trees. "But what do you need five bedrooms for?"

"One for Harry, one for me, one for you, one for guests, and one we'll make into a playroom for this little rascal." Sirius stated simply, tickling Harry as he danced about the room to silent music.

"Ah… one for me?" Remus asked curiously, looking up at his best mate and favorite child. "Sirius I…"

"I already talked to your landlady. She's willing to let you out of the lease on your flat early and you're coming to live with me and Harry and that's that." Sirius said firmly, flopping down on the bed with the little boy in his lap. "Let's face it. I can't take care of Harry all on my own, I'm going to need help. And he likes you already. Besides, your flat sucked. It'll be fun, just us bachelors."

"I… I don't know what to say." Remus said, his eyes glued to the beautiful cottage he was going to be moving into with his best friend and Harry. He rose from the floor and hugged Sirius. "Thank you. But what about…"

"There's a shed a little ways into the back woods. We can reinforce it easily and make it perfectly safe. Wait til you guys see it, it's even prettier than the picture. Look Harry…" He picked up the sheet of paper and showed the little boy. "This is our new house. You get your own bedroom and a room to play in with your toys, how about that?"

Harry beamed, not knowing how to respond to the idea of having his very own room. He had only ever known the cupboard… to have his own room… well… it was a completely foreign concept for the four year old to process.

"I think… I hear our guests downstairs." Remus said after a moment, his head perking up. "Harry, we've got another special surprise for you little man."

"What is it?" Another surprise? Harry had gotten so many surprises today he couldn't even count them all. First he'd woken up in this new place that was kind of scary looking, but his Padfoot and Moony were here with him. And then he'd gotten a bath with warm water and bubbles. Then there had been the train ride and the train waffles and shopping for clothes and toys. The idea of a new house that was better than this one they were in at the moment… what more could they possibly have in store for him?

"You'll see." Sirius scooped Harry up and they left the room, the four year old clutching to his lion. They headed down the stairs and all the way to the basement kitchen. Sirius covered Harry's eyes as they went down the last set of steps. He removed his hand when they reached the bottom.

"Happy birthday, Harry!" Harry gasped, his eyes growing wide behind his glasses. The room was covered in red streamers and floating balloons. Five steaming bowls of something sat on the table, a small sticky golden cake in the center. Two men were sitting at the table, waiting for them.

The first man had a long white beard and hair even longer than that. His blue eyes seemed to twinkle as Harry was set down into the chair beside him. Harry stared at him, remembering him… he had been at the Dursley's the night before when Padfoot and Moony had come to rescue him.

The second man was humongous and a little bit scary. His face was covered in a mess of dark brown beard and he wore a strange furry suit with a big yellow polka dotted tie. He was so big, Harry thought he might be some sort of giant. But his eyes twinkled as well, with kindness as he looked at Harry.

Nervous, Harry slipped out of his chair and into Sirius's lap, deciding that he'd much rather be where he felt safe than in a chair of his own. Sirius wrapped his arms around him reassuringly. "Harry, this is Professor Dumbledore, and Hagrid. They knew your parents too. "

"Las' time I saw ya, ya didn' even have all yer teeth." Hagrid beamed lifting his spoon to eat now that they were all there. Harry smiled shyly, looking down at Sirius's bowl. It was full of strange lumpy yellow liquid. Sirius pulled Harry's smaller bowl over, handing him his little spoon.

Harry lifted some of the soup to his mouth and found that it was full of corn, chicken, carrots, and potatoes. He chewed at it. "Mmmm…. Padfoot." He didn't know what it was called, but he liked it… even if it did have vegetables in it. Dudley always hated eating his vegetables, so Harry usually ended up with them. He didn't mind though, they weren't nearly as bad as Dudley made them sound.

"You like your chowder, Harry?" Dumbledore asked kindly and Harry nodded, grinning through a spoonful of the delicious meal. "The kitchens at the school I work at made it special for you. They don't have much to do during the summer, because there aren't any students around."

"Thank chu." Harry whispered, looking down at his lap shyly. He had figured out that Padfoot and Moony were ok, they weren't going to get mad and hurt him so long as he was careful, but he didn't know what to make of these strange new men.

"You are very welcome."

The wizards ate their chowder, the adults doing most of the talking and laughing. Sirius was glad to be back among people he cared about, it was so much better than being locked away in a cell. Remus seemed pleased to be there as well, he didn't get out much. And Harry was just happy to have had such a good day. He even slid back into his own chair without complaint.

"Alright Harry, cake time!" Remus rose and lit the four little candles sitting on top of the cake. He pushed it in front of Harry who's eyes grew, the firelight from the candles shining on his glasses. He'd never in all of his life, had his own birthday cake. "Remember to make a wish first."

Harry nodded and closed his eyes, thinking really hard. Finally deciding that what he wanted more than anything else in the world, was to be able to stay with Padfoot and Moony forever. He took a deep breath and the candles went out. They all clapped and Remus served the cake.

Harry's mouth exploded with delight as he tasted his first bite of the cake. It was sweet and the best thing he had ever eaten. He beamed brightly, eating away slowly, wanting to make it last. He lifted a big piece to his mouth, lost his grip on his fork, and watched in shock as it fell to the floor. He quickly looked to see if any of the adults had noticed, but they were all still engrossed in their conversation. Harry slipped down off of his chair and snatched up his fork from underneath the table. He stood up quickly… too quickly. His head banged off the table with a loud thud. Dumbledore's glass, set quite close to the edge, fell to the floor and shattered. Harry looked down at it, his lower lip trembling. This was bad.

"Harry!" Sirius shouted in shock, startling the young boy. Harry burst into tears, rubbing at the top of his head.

"I…I…I am s-s-s-soooooorry, P-padfoot!" Harry collapsed down onto the floor away from the glass, covering his head with his arms, waiting for the yelling to start. He was going to be in so much trouble now… Uncle Vernon had hated it when he dropped his fork on accident… but breaking things was absolutely forbidden. He'd get a spanking with the belt for that and so much time in his cupboard he usually missed the entire day's meals.

"Oh Harry…" Sirius bent down, wedging his hands beneath the little boy's arms and lifting him upwards, pulling him tightly to his chest and smoothing back his hair. He could feel a little bump forming on top of the boy's head. "You banged your head pretty good there, huh? I bet that hurts." Harry nodded, his eyes glued to the floor. Sirius followed his gaze to where the shattered glass lay. Dumbledore had already bent down to begin clearing up the pieces without magic. Nobody wanted to overwhelm Harry by pulling out a wand. "Well, that's quite a mess."

Harry nodded in confirmation. It was a big mess… and now Padfoot probably wouldn't want him anymore because he had broken something. He was sure of it. Padfoot would send him back to the Dursleys… So much for his wish. He sobbed harder, unable to stop, his little heart breaking. "P-puh-ease dun gib me back to dem!" He whimpered.

"What do you mean?" Sirius asked, surprised. What could possibly be going on in that child's head?

"I…I… I'll be good. I pomise!" Harry said even more desperately, his little chest heaving. He was practically hyperventilating with pure panic at this point. "Dun take me back to da Dursleys." He whispered, shaking fearfully. He gripped the back of Sirius's shirt tightly, clinging to him.

"Take you back? Harry, we're never ever ever taking you back there." Sirius hugged him tighter as Remus worked on making an ice pack out of some of the ice from his drink and a napkin. He handed it to Sirius who placed it on top of Harry's head.

"But… I was bad." Harry said confusedly, his tears beginning to slow as well as his breathing. He sniffled, rubbing at his eyes as Sirius rocked and shushed him. He could feel the pain ebbing away from his head, being replaced with a sort of cold numbness .

"No, you weren't." Sirius shook his head, hating the Dursleys more and more with every second. What had they done to his godson, his sweet little boy? "You didn't break the glass on purpose, it was an accident. Even if you were naughty on purpose, we'd still keep you."

"Chu w-would?" Harry sniffled again and Sirius picked up a napkin, clearing off the boy's running nose.

"Yep. Like it or not, mate, you're stuck with us forever, no matter what happens. You're our little Prongslet."

Harry smiled big then, hugging Sirius around the neck and burying his face against his neck. He had never fit with the Dursleys, and this new feeling of really truly belonging to someone… it was so wonderful. This was his real home. The place where he felt the safest, right here in Padfoot's arms.

"Well, I think that's enough excitement for one day." Dumbledore smiled, rising from his chair. He'd magicked the floor clean while Harry had been distracted. "It was very nice of you to invite us to your birthday party, Harry. Oh yes…" Dumbledore reached into his pocket and pulled out one small parcel and another larger one. He handed the small one to Harry and the bigger one to Remus. "The cloak, for when he's older."

"Go on Harry." Sirius gave him a little bounce and Harry unwrapped the little package. Inside was a small golden ornate box. He tugged it open to reveal two small figurines dancing with one another. One was a red headed woman, the other a black haired man with glasses. A pretty little tune chimed as Harry watched them dance. "Oh hey… it's your mum and dad, Harry."

"Thank chu very much!" Harry smiled at Dumbledore brightly and the old man nodded his head. Hagrid stepped forward, offering Harry a lumpy package. The little boy set the music box on the table and took the package from the large man. He tore it open and squealed as a great plush dragon appeared. He hugged the green thing tightly. "Thank chu!"

"That's a Welsh Green." Hagrid smiled back at him brightly. He and Dumbledore said their goodbyes, wishing Harry happy birthday a couple extra times and then left.

Sirius carried Harry up stairs to the bedroom that had become his temporarily until they could move into their new house. Remus followed, carrying the music box. He set it down on the bedside table.

"I'm going to head home and start packing. You have a good night, Harry. Good night Sirius."

"Good nigh', Moony." Harry grinned at him.

"Night Remus." Remus left the room, closing the door behind him.

Sirius helped Harry into his train pajamas before they snuggled up in the bed to read the dragon book again, Harry clinging to both of his plushies tightly. Harry yawned, rubbing at his eyes as they finished the book. Sirius got up as Harry sank down against the pillows. He pulled the covers up to the little boy's chin, tucking him in tightly and kissing his forehead. He removed the boy's glasses and set them to the side, next to the music box. "I've got a few things I've got to do, but I promise I'll be right here when you wake up. You can call for me if you need anything, alright? I'll just be down in the kitchen."

"Alright." Harry nodded, too sleepy to argue or feel afraid. He yawned again, snuggling down. Sirius reached over and winded up the music box, opening it. He smiled as it emitted light in the dark room. The perfect present indeed. Harry rolled over, his eyes watching his parents spin in circles happily. Sirius rose from the bed and made for the door. Harry looked up. "Padfoot?"

"Yes?" Sirius asked, turning his head to look at the little boy.

"I love you." Harry bit his lip, not sure if he should say it. He knew what it meant, having heard it a lot whenever Aunt Petunia was talking to Dudley. Sirius smiled and strode back over to the bed, brushing Harry's hair back from his forehead affectionately.

"I love you too, Prongslet. Now you go to sleep. We've got a lot of things to do tomorrow, like get you some new glasses that fit better."

"Ok." Harry nodded and gave a happy sigh, closing his eyes. He was loved… at long last.

This chapter turned out way longer than I had originally planned, but I love it. It took longer to write as well because I kept squeeing. Lemme know what you thought, I would love to hear from you!

Love always,

S.Q.O.