AN: I own nothing. This is my first fanfic written in my adult years (almost 33 now)… I wrote some in middle and high school and I can't even find them anymore. I would love to hear your opinion on this story, so I can continue to make each new story I write better. I have plans for at least 3 more short stories.
—-
James Potter sighed as he heard his two-way mirror buzzing on the counter across the kitchen. He was holding his two-week-old son and the baby was attempting to bring down the walls with his cries. The small boy had been changed and burped and fed, but he still wasn't happy. James felt like he had barely slept these past two weeks since the birth of his son. He was absolutely head over heels in love with the kid and it hurt him deeply that he was unable to pinpoint the problem and solve it. Harry deserved the best. He deserved parents who knew what the hell they were doing! Harry had been upset all night, keeping his parents on their toes and very awake.
Lily was in the shower for the first time in a few days as James had convinced her that she was a wonderful mother and deserved "alone time" in the form of a shower. James laughed to himself as he walked across the room to retrieve the mirror with his Harry-free hand.
"Sirius" He said as he picked it up. His best friend's face swam into view in the small, hand held mirror. He would have ignored the call if he hadn't been the one to insist on an update as soon as Sirius was back from his mission. It had been an especially dangerous one, tailing some high ranking death eaters to try and pin down their meeting place. James may be off the front lines for now, but wanted to do all he could for the Order of the Phoenix, a secret resistance group fighting the dark wizard Voldemort and his followers.
"James!" Sirius' handsomely aristocratic face smiled up at him. So, he was at least alive. A knot in Jame's stomach eased. It hadn't unknotted once since they had left school and joined the war effort, but there was small relief here and there when he knew his family was safe, found or blood. "What are you doing with my godson? Or should I say what are you doing TO him?" Sirius playfully glared out of the mirror, one eyebrow raised. "He's got quite a voice."
James felt irritated again. Sirius hadn't been trying to figure out what a small human's needs were with no shared language! "I didn't DO anything to him. I've done absolutely everything I can think of to calm him down!"
"Poor lad is voicing his complaint that he's only met me one time! You tell him, Harry."
"You're the worst." James frowned and spoke loudly over the infant's cries.
"Let me see him then." Sirius said.
James, absolutely ready to try anything, moved to the living room and sat on the couch so that he could position Harry and the mirror safely. The baby's green eyes were screwed up with minuscule fury and it took him a moment to notice the change to his immediate surroundings.
"Hey, now, Prongslet. Is your dad getting on your nerves yet? I know he can be a bit much sometimes, but we have to humor him." Sirius, as reckless and hard headed as always, was smitten with his godson and determined to be Harry's favorite person. To James' dismay, it seemed to be working. Harry saw the mirror and the new face floating above him. He gave one last full throated wail before his cries started to subside into upset whining that was much more bearable.
"Haaahhh." Harry proclaimed, reaching out towards the mirror. Sirius smiled, waved and stuck his tongue out at the two-week-old. "There's a good lad! Sometimes we just need a change of scenery, isn't that right?" Harry was transfixed and, mercifully, quiet. James' mouth fell open in shock.
"When did you become a baby whisperer?" James whisper-shouted "have you got a whole litter of pups that I don't know about?"
"I'm just experienced with Potters is all." Sirius winked up at them as James moved his face down next to Harry.
"James, you're a miracle worker." Lily's voice floated down the stairs to him.
She walked down the stairs, drying her hair with her wand and smiling.
All James could do was look at her and tilt his head down towards the mirror he was holding up for their infant. Lily was just as shocked as James when she peered around the couch to make sure it was indeed Sirius on the other end.
"I'd believe it if it were Remus…" she trailed off "but, I am so happy it's you, Sirius! You're my favorite Marauder, you know!" She changed tact quickly at the quirked eyebrow Sirius shot her way
"Mine too!" James chimed in. "Please don't hang up." James smiled at his oldest friend in a slightly manic way.
Sirius barked his usual laugh and said "well, I guess I'll come over there and tell you about the mission in person then?" Sirius asked "you can take a shower and maybe take care of that horrible facial hair." James and Lily just nodded in tandem and looked at each other. "Yes, please!" They coursed.
"I'll see you soon, Harry!" Sirius blew the baby a kiss before signing off of the call.
"Well," Lily said, sitting down next to James and reaching out for the infant "looks like we chose the right godfather, didn't we? Do you love your Uncle Sirius?" She asked the baby, who was looking around in puzzlement, but not voicing his displeasure yet.
—
"Mooney!" Sirius called as he put his mirror in his pocket and grabbed the leather jacket hanging off of the back of the kitchen chair he was sitting in.
"In here!" Came a muffled voice from the second bedroom of their London flat. They used the second, smaller, room as a library and office. Sirius popped his head around the open door to see Remus sorting through a pile of old spell books. "What are those?" He asked, walking over to the sandy-haired young man.
"Just a few old potions books James let me keep from his parent's library. He and Lily don't have the space, especially with Harry." Remus placed one of the books carefully on a bottom shelf and looked up, hair falling across his eyes.
"You're so cute when you're sorting books, you know?" Sirius asked, closing the space between them.
Remus gave a wry smile and only thought about rolling his eyes. "Going somewhere" He questioned, nodding at the jacket Sirius had just pulled on.
"Yeah, Harry is rebelling against his parents already and wants his godfather to come rescue him." Sirius beamed unabashedly "want to come help me watch him? I thought I'd force Lily and James to take a nap while I'm there. James looked like he hasn't slept since Harry's was born."
"I wish I could." Remus looked down, his mood darkening immediately, "Dumbledore wants me to meet him at the school this evening. Some new group he wants me to try and…befriend."
Sirius grimaced, knowing exactly the kind of people Remus would be attempting to 'befriend,' "I really wish you wouldn't." He said, offering his hand to the other man, "it's so dangerous and it's not like our side is offering anything worthwhile." He scowled at his own words, but held out both hands for Remus to grab.
"I'm the only one who can do it, Sirius. It would be a great boon if even SOME of the werewolves sided with the Order over Voldemort. Perhaps some of them will be interested in the new potion." Remus didn't looked convinced, but let himself be pulled to his feet, "you have no idea how much I'd rather be baby-sitting with you." Remus tilted his head down lightly to look into Sirius's concerned gray eyes.
"I know you would, Mooney." Sirius squeezed his hands and forced a smile onto his face "next time! Lily and James seem to have their hands full over there and need all the help they can get! Will you be back tonight?"
'I really hope so." The despair in Remus' voice tugged at Sirius and he pulled the other man closer. "Hey, it's all going to be okay! If Lily and James can bring a whole new life into this fucked up world, we can handle a few missions, even with the worlds worst werwolves."
Remus appeared to come back to himself and he smiled. "You're right, I'm just brooding. Go and give the new parents a break."
Sirius smiled again, a wide genuine smile that made his eyes shine "alright, send me a patronus if you're not going to be back tonight so I can put the wards up. And just remember you're my werewolf and I won't be sharing."
Remus did roll his eyes at that one, "I think dating opportunities will be pretty slim, Sirius."
"Good!" Sirius snaked a hand up Remus' arm and around his neck to pull him close for a goodbye kiss. Remus deepened the kiss and put an arm around the slightly shorter man. When they pulled apart, Remus was smiling. It was a true smile, if a tiny bit concerned. If anyone could make him forget the war and be a 21 year old in love for a second, it was Sirius.
"Glad I have that effect on you after so long!" Sirius quipped before his face became more grave "really, though, be careful out there and take care of yourself."
"I will!" Remus assured him, "Now, get out of here! Harry needs you! I can take care of myself."
"Indeed he does and I know you can. Don't do anything I wouldn't do." Sirius smiled, and headed for the front door and the apperition point they had set up in the stairwell.
—
Harry had started to cry again once the mirror call had ended. Lily checked his diaper to make sure that wasn't the issue.
"Told you!" James claimed as she shook her head. "He's just eaten before you took a shower too."
Lily sighed and rocked the baby. That seemed to calm him a little as his volume decreased a bit. "Is he really coming over?" She sounded a bit desperate.
Despite himself, James grinned his biggest grin and cocked his head, "are you… pining… for the presence of Sirius Black?"
"Maybe I am! He seems to be the only antidote to this strange new sickness Harry is experiencing." She rolled her eyes at him and walked to look out the front window. "We can wait right here, Harry, you'll be the first to see Padfoot."
"I get it," James said to Harry, leaning over his wife's shoulder, "I love Sirius too. But we mustn't drive your mummy too crazy!"
"Go take a shower, James. Harry and I will wait for Sirius." Lily turned her head and smiled fondly at her husband, who really did need a shave. Facial hair just looked silly on James Potter.
"I get it," James quickly kissed her before heading to the stairs, "you just think it's too sexy and want to make sure we wait a few years before giving Harry a little sibling. I suppose I agree with you…" He smiled brightly at the two of them, still able to be so carefree, even with the weight of war and a family on his shoulders. James headed for the stairs. Lily was in awe of that ability.
Harry seemed to be more content looking out the front window. His unfocused baby eyes followed a couple walking towards the center of their small town. Lily let her mind wonder as she stood by the window with her child. Harry had completely upended all their lives. Before, they had been almost as reckless as Sirius when it came to taking on dangerous missions. She had taken just as many assignments as James and the boys, but now they were both stuck home with Dumbledore's cryptic warning hanging heavy over the new family, Harry being the only one blissfully unaware, for now. What age should they tell him about what they knew? Surely the boy would start to wonder why he wasn't allowed to do things other children did, like attend primary school or sleep over at a friend's house… Well, they had a few years yet before questions like that arose.
"He thinks a child born this summer is a threat to him and we must all take precautions to keep Harry and Neville safe." Dumbledore had told them only a month ago. Nice thing to say to a pair of very young first-time parents. Watch out, your baby might be stalked by the most evil dark wizard of the age. No, I'm not going to tell you more than that, just hide in the house and don't bother with fighting back. She and James had discussed the merits of ignoring Dumbledore and assisting Remus, Sirius and Peter on their missions anyway, but had decided against it as soon as Harry actually made his appearance. Neither of them could stomach the thought that Harry would grow up without a mother or father. They would just have to stay where they were. Lily was still able to brew potions for the Order at least. Poor James had been itching to do SOMETHING. He would pour over reports and talk to everyone who had gone out, attempting to put together clues the others may have missed. It wasn't nothing, as he had noticed that someone had to be spying from inside the Order itself. "How else could Death Eaters know we found that house and clear out?" That thought unsettled Lily and she shook her head. No use worrying about that now. Dumbledore knew and was watching everyone closely. He may be cryptic, but he was still a great wizard and the leader of the resistance.
Just then, a dark-haired young man appeared at the end of the walk and started towards the house. He appeared out of nowhere, showing that he had chosen to apperate as opposed to driving his rather more conspicuous mode of transportation. Sirius wore a black tee-shirt, old ripped jeans, a leather jacket and black, probably dragon-hide, boots. Lily was somewhat surprised that he had apperated as opposed to showing up on his ridiculous new, FLYING, motor bike. He took the Potters' protection seriously though.
As Sirius approached the front door, Lily opened it, grinning from ear to ear "Padfoot! So good to see you! Harry isn't the only one who missed you. It'll be hard to pry James away from you when he gets out of the shower."
"Well, I'm glad he won't smell like a teenager at least." Sirius said, also grinning and reaching out for his godson, "he looked a bit worn out over the mirror call."
"A bit." Lily admitted, handing her son off to his godfather and closing the door behind them. "You don't look like you've slept very well lately, either." She observed as Sirius gently kissed Harry on his wild black hair. Harry, for his part, had started making happy burbling noises and was not taking his eyes off the newcomer.
"Well, we finally managed a raid on that shop in Knocturn Alley! Liberated it of a few gallons of Pollyjuice and some other nasty potions." Sirius' face changed from pure joy at seeing Harry to a more concerned and pensive look, "it does seem like James was right about the spy… didn't catch any of the Death Eaters there and there was nothing more incriminating than the potions."
Lily bit her bottom lip and looked towards the upstairs, where the shower had just turned off. "I was hoping James was wrong about a spy…"
"Me too." Sirius followed Lily into the cozy little living room and sat beside her on the couch. "Can you hold him for a second, I need to take this jacket off. Harry deserved much softer fabrics from those holding him."
Lily chucked and held Harry again for a minute as Sirius threw the jacket off to rest on the arm of a chair.
"Sirius!" James bounded into the living room, grinning from ear to ear at his brother. "You really need to tell me everything that's been going on with these last few missions. Where's Remus? I thought you might drag him along, being that he's the responsible one."
"I will tell you everything," Sirius smiled in an innocent way "after you and your beautiful wife take a well-earned nap." James pouted and Sirius barked a laugh that made Harry, back in his arms again, look up from where he'd been studying and pulling on the leather cord wrapped around Sirius' wrist. "I tried to bring Mooney…" the mirth faded from his face, "but stupid Dumbledore has another stupid werewolf colony for him to infiltrate! I can't stand when he's gone on those missions. At least when it's a Death Eater tail or something, we can go together… I never know when, or if, he'll come home…"
Lily reached over and wrapped an arm around his shoulders, "don't worry about Remus, he'll be fine! He's been through more than the rest of us combined and always manages to come home." Sirius didn't look reassured.
"Alright, you two, if you want any information from the last mission I went on, you better get upstairs and rest. We can't have two zombie parents watching after our Harry." Sirius forced his face to smile as he mockingly scolded them and their weary appearance.
"No arguments from me!" Lily quickly pecked him and Harry on the cheek before hopping up. "There's a bottle in the kitchen if he gets hungry, extra clothes and nappies in the nursery if you need to change him and a bite to eat for yourself on the counter. Thank you for doing this. We really need it." She made her way to the stairs after pointing out where the various baby things were to be found.
James, trying to hide a yawn, glared and said "I'd sleep better if you would just tell me now, but I haven't had many chances to cuddle my wife in the last fortnight. You're lucky I have my priorities in order."
Sirius grinned innocently up at him, saying "James, we'll all have a drink here in a few hours and I'll tell you more than you want to know. I brought a bottle."
"You're wonderful, you know?"
"That I do, dear James, now off to bed with you! I've got Harry."
James bent down to kiss his son and whisper, loudly, "give him hell, Harry."
"You wish, Prongs, Harry loves me."
—
When James walked into his and Lily's bedroom, she was already curled on her side of the bed. He was struck again with how lucky he was. How on earth had he ended up with such an amazing woman? Had she really agreed to marry him? Had they really just brought another life into this world two short weeks ago? Lily was already a brilliant mom; Harry had not exactly been planned. One too many drinks after a very successful mission, a forgotten potion and too madly in-love newlyweds… James had always wanted children, so he'd been over the moon when she told him. His excitement had seemed to ease her worry about bringing a child into the world during such uncertain times. "No, we planned on waiting a few years and seeing how things were, but we can't hold off our lives just because of Voldemort!" James had insisted "I love you and I love our child and I can't wait to be a dad and teach them everything." He had been right too, Harry was the most perfect human to ever exist in his opinion. He had perfect little hands and feet, perfect green eyes like his mum and perfect, if crazy, black Potter hair to show his heritage. James smiled, tossed his glasses on the bedside table and crawled into bed next to his wife. He still loved calling Lily his wife, though they had been married over a year now. He scooted closer to her and wrapped an arm around her slim waist and under her arm to entwine their fingers.
"Love you." She murmured sleepily, squeezing his hand and snuggling into him.
"I love you so much, Lily." James smiled and kissed her exposed neck and shoulder before lying his head on her pillow, smelling her beautiful red hair and relaxing immediately.
—
"Well, Harry, I'm glad we finally get to spend some alone time together. I can start telling you all the secrets of magical mischief making." Sirius smiled down at the baby lying on top of his legs. Harry made an 'ah!' noise that Sirius took for approval. "Good lad!"
He talked of nonsense and stories from Hogwarts for a little while, just enjoying being in the presence of such sweet innocence. Having been doing nothing but fighting dark wizards with the occasional, but sadly rare, night with Remus in months, being with Harry was like having a weight lifted off his shoulders. Harry knew nothing but love and cuddles and naps and his bright and curious eyes were intoxicating. Before long, Harry did start to fuss a bit and Sirius had to change the first nappy of the evening. He had only done it once and was quite proud of himself for doing a wonderful job the second time, if he did say so himself. Unfortunately, Harry continued to make upset noises bordering on cries even after he was changed.
"Now, now, Harry, we mustn't wake your mummy and daddy, they really need some sleep." Sirius made his way into the kitchen with Harry to see if he wanted to be fed. Harry refused the bottle and started to cry.
"Well, if it's not food or needing a change, I think I know something that'll interest you!" Sirius walked back to the living room. He flicked his wand at the record player in the corner. A record jumped off the shelf, slid out of its sleeve and hopped onto the turntable. "If I know your dad, I bet you'll like this one." The jaunty first notes of Two of Us began to play a little louder than Sirius had expected with a baby in the house. Had Lily and James not shared any music with their son? He was two weeks old! Sirius flicked his wand at the stereo to lower the volume a bit. Harry immediately stopped crying and began to look around in a curious manner. "Tut, tut! They haven't played you any music, have they? Well, Harry, this is one of the best muggle bands to ever exist, they are called the Beatles. Trust Uncle Sirius and you'll never go without good music." Harry gave a gummy smile and waved his little hands. Sirius sang to him.
"Two of us riding nowhere
(On my motor bike)
Spending Fleamont Potter's
hard earned pay
You and me Sunday driving…"
Harry was obviously entertained as he shrieked an excited baby noise and smiled while Sirius slowly spun them around the room, singing along and altering the lyrics as he saw fit.
He was singing "aaaall I want is you!" as they danced past the window; he glanced out and noticed the one thing that could make his evening perfect. Remus was coming up the walk in the darkening twilight. "Look at that, Harry! Uncle Remus decided to say 'fuck off, Dumbledore, I need to be with my boys tonight.'" Sirius held Harry up to the window to show him before crossing to the hallway and opening the door before a knock could wake up the new parents.
"Mooney!" Sirius crooned, probably loud enough to wake James and Lily anyway.
"Mmph!" Baby Harry agreed as Remus smiled tiredly at both of them. Seeing Sirius with Harry was, admittedly, the most adorable thing he'd ever laid eyes on. Sirius was so protective and careful with the infant, yet also excited and proud beyond belief, you'd think he was a new parent. He had taken his godfather role very seriously and Remus was proud of him.
Before letting him cross the doorway, his smile slipping a bit, Sirius asked "first place we ever kissed?"
"Glad you're remembering to be cautious." Remus smiled, "Gryffindor common room, end of sixth year, after the quidditch party, on the bench by the window…"
Sirius beamed and pulled him into the cottage with his Harry-free arm, closing the door with a foot. Sirius planted a kiss on the other man's lips before asking "you decide to say 'fuck that, I want to be with my boys tonight?'"
"That and Dumbleore was called away on urgent business and rescheduled our meeting for two days from now. He said we deserved a few days off anyway and suggested that we take the time to rest and 'enjoy the simple things." Remus stuck his nose in the air and changed his voice to an impression of the stately wizard as he pronounced the last sentence.
"Too right we do!" Sirius agreed. "We deserve more than a few days, but I'll take what I can get right now. Wanna hold Harry?"
Remus nodded and reached out to take the small baby, smiling down at him. Harry seemed to be very pleased with all the attention and different faces to examine.
"I've got a feeling,
A feeling deep inside, oh yeah!
I've got a feeling,
A feeling I can't hide,
Oh no!"
Sirius continued to sing as he led Remus into the living room, "I'm teaching Harry about the Beatles. I don't think Lily and James have played him any records yet! The sound was up a bit too loud for a baby when I put this record on."
"Well, I'm sure they have been quite busy and may not have thought to begin his musical education yet, right Harry?" He smiled sweetly at the baby and gently tickled Harry under the chin. Harry seemed pleased and reached out to grab his index finger.
"Well, that's their loss, Harry loves the Beatles and he hasn't fused once since I put the album on." Sirius looked very proud of himself. Remus chuckled and accepted Sirius' proffered hand, allowing himself to be pulled into a little dance where Sirius spun him slowly and then pulled him close. Harry did indeed seem to be enjoying the dancing and music. He smiled up at them both, looking between their faces as he was now held between them in a close embrace.
"..it always leads me here,
Lead me to your door…" Sirius sang quietly as they swayed.
Remus could not help but to smile widely. They had both needed this badly he realized, a night of focusing on the good things that still existed in this world. Really, there were quite a few, if one stopped for a moment to take them in. He couldn't remember the last time they had done more than desperately kiss and make love after an especially dangerous mission before falling into uneasy sleep, only to wake up the next morning with more to be done. This evening could go on forever as long as Remus was concerned. A happy Sirius, a smiling Harry, James and Lily sleeping peacefully upstairs knowing their child was so loved. He was suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude towards their old Headmaster, giving him a few days to recuperate.
"What are you thinking about?" Sirius asked, also smiling contentedly.
"Just how incredibly lucky we are. Even with a war raging and uncertainty around every corner, we still have our family. We still have each other." Remus looked up from Harry and fixed Sirius with a piercing stare that attempted to convey his feelings of love and security in that moment.
"We are. We do. We always will." Sirius pulled Remus and Harry a bit closer, singing quietly, "when I find myself in times of trouble, mother Remus comes to me, speaking words of wisdom…"
—
Lily woke to a completely dark bedroom, James curled around her body and still breathing the deep and even breaths of sleep. She lay there for a moment, feeling as though she should not have been able to wake of her own accord. Then it all came flooding back, Harry fussing, Sirius arriving and forcing them to take a nap. They had done more than nap she realized as she looked at the clock on her night stand, it was nearly ten pm! She and James had slept hard for almost five hours! She hoped Sirius was doing okay and that he would have come to wake them if he needed anything. Easing her way out of James' embrace, she picked up her wand from the bedside table and made her way towards the door and a, miraculously quiet, home. She peered into Harry's nursery to make sure he and Sirius weren't in there before making her way to the stairs.
The sight that met her eyes when she crept into the living room swelled her heart with so much love and appreciation that she almost cried. Sirius was asleep on the couch, head propped up on a few pillows, arms wrapped protectively around her infant son. Harry was sleeping peacefully on his godfather's chest and she was happy to see that a cushioning charm had been set on either side of him, so he wouldn't be able to roll onto the floor, though Sirius' arms were doing the same job. She was happily surprised to see a third Marauder asleep in the armchair next to the couch; Remus was snoring quietly, wand still in his hand. She thought he had probably wanted to remain awake to guard the two on the couch, but was unable. She guessed he had cast the cushioning charm. As she was surveying the scene, wondering if she should attempt to move Harry to his cot, strong arms wrapped around her and James kissed her cheek before taking a look at the baby sitters himself.
"Well, they weren't supposed to fall asleep on the job!" He whispered in mock outrage.
"I think we all needed this." Lily said, turning to put her arms around his neck and pull him into a deep kiss. Her husband, her wonderful husband who had so easily slipped into the roll of father. She could never have done this with anyone else. Thankfully for them both, he came with brilliant, if unconventional, baby-sitters.
AN: Hoped you liked! I would love reviews, both positive and with constructive criticism.