Chapter 2
Harry did not let Sirius leave his sight for the rest of the day. “Kiddo, you gotta let me go to the bathroom alone.” Sirius had said at one point. Harry just turned around and went back to the living room sofa.
“Sorry, I was just scared. That curse came so close to…” Harry began when Siris walked back into the room of 12 Grimmauld Place.
“I know, Harry. But it’s okay. I’m here.” The older man reassured him, taking a seat next to Harry. The younger man just stared at his hands resting in his lap.
Harry looked up after a quiet moment. “What happened? How did you fall forward? How are you not hurt after that fall?”
“Do you really think that Sirius ‘Padfoot’ Black would let a glorified mirror get the better of me? Come on!” Sirius joked in his most arrogant voice. Truthfully, he had known how close to death he had been but showing his fears to Harry would only make things worse. Harry had to leave for Hogwarts the next morning and Sirius wouldn’t allow the boy to be more stressed because of him. At his words, Harry let out a small laugh. “I’ll be alright, kiddo.” Sirius promised sincerely.
“You better be. You’re all I have left.” Harry said. As he let his head fall on Sirius’ lap, he missed the dark expression that crossed the man’s face. Harry was absolutely right. Sirius was no longer a loner. He had two people he loved depend on him. He couldn’t let anything happen to himself. In that moment, Sirius vowed to be more careful, to do his best to come back home from every mission. He also would make sure that those two people promised him the same thing.
“I feel the same about you. You are so very important to me, Harry. Don’t put yourself in jeopardy like this. Voldemort is not your burden to bear. Leave it to the Order.” Sirius said. Harry nodded into his lap and Sirius gently patted his hair.
“I’m so sorry about calling you James.” the man said after some time had passed.
“Why? I’m glad I remind you of him.” Harry replied.
“You did.” Sirius began. “You reminded me of him when we first met. But over time, I got to know you and I saw that you were so different. You are your own person, Harry. There so much of both James and Lily in you yet there’s so much that’s just… that’s just you.”
This piqued Harry’s interest as he got his off of Sirius’ lap and turned to face his godfather. “Like what?”
“Well, for starters, you’d never treat anyone the way we treated Se-Snape. But unlike Lily, you don’t put up with people you don’t like until you hit your breaking point either.” Sirius explained.
Harry pondered on that for a moment before replying, “I think that’s the courtesy of the Durselys.” Guilt struck Sirius’ heart has his face became somber. “No, I didn’t mean to-” Harry tried to backtrack.
“I should have been there.” Sirius remarked. An uneasy silence passed them until Harry suggested that they start cooking dinner.
“Where’s the salt?” Harry asked as Sirius dug around for the salad mix in the fridge. The rest of the food was on the stovetop, cooking itself with the help of Sirius’ magic.
“In the shelf next to the plate,” came Sirius’ response.
Harry paused for a moment. He turned around to see Sirius with his head in the fridge. “Oh, and where are the plates?” Sirius brought his head back out and faced his godson. Harry had a cheeky smile on this face that made Sirius erupt into laughter. Harry soon followed suit.
“I’ll set the table, why don’t you try to find the salad mix?” Sirius offered. Harry nodded as the two men exchanged spots.
“Accio salad mix.” Harry called out. Sirius whipped around, two plates in his hand to see the plastic bag of greens be pulled into Harry’s waiting hand. The older man smiled fondly as he set the plates down. The two continued their task in comfortable silence, only speaking when Harry needed help finding something.