Chapter 3
December 24, 1985
"Dad, dad, wake up! We have to open the presents!"
“What?
“The presents! We have to open them! Get up, Dad!” Harry pushed Sirius towards him. edge of the bed.
“It's Christmas already?” The older man yawned, ignoring the child's efforts to move him.
His body ached, the last patrol around the city had been exhausting. He sat on the bed with effort. He smirked as he saw the little boy with big, amused eyes.
“Still not Christmas, today is dinner before Christmas and tomorrow will be Christmas.”
“Oh” Harry stopped moving the older man, clearly disappointed. “
“But, today we will eat your favorite dessert.” Sirius hugged Harry, ruffling his more messy hair. They both laughed and the younger one tried to free himself from the older one's grasp with fun. Harry had grown quite a bit, inherited quite a few traits from his parents, including his father's eyesight problems. He was a very charming child, mischievous and somewhat spoiled, according to Regulus. His godson deserved the best and his godfather would do anything to see him happy.
"Are we going with aunt Andromeda and uncle Regulus?" The boy had broken free of his grasp godfather.
“Yes, Harry.”
The little boy referred to his godfather as "dad", even though he was told that his father was James. The child, not understanding it, called his biological father "father". Sirius gave up, his efforts led him to gladly accept that nickname. But he had no problem with Harry calling Lily "mother". When he first called it that, he couldn't make out his words' emotions, on the one hand he was happy and on the other he was depressed because his friend did not have been there to hear it. The little boy jumped out of bed to run down the hall.
"Harry, don't run so fast!" said his godfather from his place, his paternal instinct had kicked in against his will.
It wasn't that he didn't love his godson, on the contrary, he did. But he was never in Sirius Black's plans to be a father. He never imagined how stressful having a baby could be. When Harry was a baby he didn't like to eat what he prepared for him, he spent hours crying when he was not given what he wanted, he was also very naughty. Those moments with the little one were very hard for the older one, due to the situation and his lack of parenting experience. But in the end he managed to make his little godson do as he was ordered with bribes that would benefit him, too because he had pampered him. According to Remus, he had spoiled him a lot, but to Sirius it was indifferent, he also wanted to see his little godson happy. It was his responsibility to raise him the best possible way. Sometimes the little one imitated the older one's actions, which became part of it, for example, running his hand through his unruly slicked-back hair or scratching his ear when he was nervous. It was not an easy task to take care of the child, nor was the academy of aurors. He had entered the academy, he would not rest until he found the traitor of Pettigrew. His stay at the academy was not difficult for him; however, it was a problem to be separated from his godson, most often his cousin Andromeda and his brother Regulus. They helped him take care of him and others took him with them. It was an honor for his companions that Harry Potter was looking at them with his green eyes. For Alastor Moody it seemed like a good idea, according to him, the infant could learn to defend himself when he was very young.
He got up from his bed and left the room to go to where Harry had gone. He smiled affectionately when he found him in the room with drawings made by the minor. Among them some brooms flying through the city, James wouldn't have a son who didn't know Quidditch, in others they were drawn with the elf, mostly Sirius was drawn in his animagus shape and in the others there was a portrait of each one of those who considered their family.
“It's my Christmas present.” Harry invited Sirius to sit with him. His reddish pajamas made his godfather's heart soften.
"What is it, Harry?" asked the older man sweetly as he stroked the unruly hair of the minor.
“Drawings I did.” The boy smiled with joy showing him his drawings. “This is for aunt Andromeda and uncle Ted, this one's for cousin Tonks, this one's for uncle Regulus, and this one's for uncle Moony.”
Finally, Harry showed him the drawing of a red-haired woman with tender green eyes. Sirius felt his heart sink.
“This is for mom, she also has to receive gifts.” Then he showed him a drawing of a black dog, which moved its ears from one side to the other. "This one's for you, but it's not ready."
He smiled affectionately, he liked it when his godson drew him in his animagus form.
"And this one's for Daddy James." Harry showed him a drawing of Prongs next to a Quidditch broom. "You said he likes Quidditch, so I drew him like this."
"Your father is going to like it very much, Harry." Sirius replied calmly.
"Can we drop it off?" Harry looked at him with wide eyes through his round glasses.
“Of course, we just have to make a few stops and then we can go to hand it over.”
“And then we'll go with aunt Andromeda and uncle Regulus?"
“Yes, Harry. But first we'll have to give you a bath.”
The younger frowned, leaving his drawings on the table. He didn't like that idea.
“Take a shower?”
“If you don't bathe, there will be no gifts.” Sirius raised his chin, he knew that his godson would not resist.
“OK, but if you also take a bath.”
“Me?, but I took a bath yesterday.” The other smiled mischievously just like his godson. “Alright Harry, come on.”
The eldest stood up stretching his body upwards, then extended his hand to the boy, he grabbed it with a warm smile. So they both walked down the hall to address the bathroom where they would take a long and fun bubble shower.
★★★
The Auror´s department was a mess. They had barely been able to get out of the ministry.
"Remind me to read the letters that arrive at breakfast." Sirius had forgotten to introduce himself. That day, he thought his vacation had started, when it would start in two days. Moody, the head of aurors, was very strict with him and how could he not be if he had been his star student, besides that it reminded him over and over again why he had become an auror.
“Mother!“ the little boy yelled running to the entrance of the cemetery.
They had arrived. The ground was covered in snow. Apparently he had not had visitors in good weather, since there were no footprints and no one had bothered to clear the path between tombstones. Within a few seconds, small flakes fell from the sky.
“Watch where you walk, Harry.” The older one closed his leather jacket and accommodated his scarf, when he got to where the minor was.
In front of them was a statue of a smiling woman, in her arms she held a little baby. Beneath it was an inscription carved in stone. The boy looked with much admiration for the statue of his mother, he constantly asked his godfather how it was his mother.
"Mom was very pretty.”
“Of course she was precious, kind and brave, like you.” Sirius replied. “Even your mother's statue has the same shape as your eyes.”
Harry smiled, then from his backpack he took out the portrait of his mother that he had shown him.
“Look mom, I drew you a picture. It's not pretty, but I tried to get it right. Uncle Remus says that I will improve. I drew you as I have seen you in photos, because I hardly remember you. Look at your hair, it's red and your eyes are green, like mine.” He pointed to her drawing. “It's my Christmas present mom, well tomorrow is Christmas but I wanted to give it to you so you can see it.” He placed the drawing next to the inscription very carefully. “Merry Christmas mommy, I love you.”
Black felt his heart sink, still not over what he had done to his friends. The boy walked up to him and took his hand while looking at his mother. He had not only inherited the color of his mother's eyes, also her gaze. He saw James and Lily in him.
"Do you think she'll see my gift?"
"Of course, Harry, your mother is always with you, surely she also saw when you drew it. But it is better that you have left it for her to see better.” He responded with a smile. His godson smiled with relief.
A few long minutes passed as they gazed at the statue of Lily Evans. Every year visited that cemetery since what happened, Harry was too young to know what had happened in the past. Sirius didn't want to contaminate his innocence, but as soon as he grew up he would tell him.
"Anything else you want to tell your mother?" He noticed that her goddaughter trembled slightly. He had a cold.
Harry thought for a few moments. "Can you tell dad to wake up?"
The older man's heart froze, his godson's gaze showed pure innocence, perhaps he was starting to get impatient that his dear father wouldn't wake up and it made sense. He did not know if the boy remembered his parents before what happened. At that time he was when he realized he needed James more than ever.
“You can try it, you will see that she will listen to you.“
The little one closed his eyes tightly for a few long minutes, the older one looked at him very sad, the guilt he felt for having ruined his godson's family ate at him day and night, alcohol had become his comfort.
“Ready?” he asked his goddaughter, removing the greatest of sad thoughts from him. “Sure?” When Harry nodded, he smirked. “Well, go and say goodbye to your mother.”
The infant walked to his mother's grave, affectionately kissed her hand, and then placed at the feet of the statue. Then he turned to the older one.
"Bye redhead." Sirius whispered with a sad smile before turning around. “Give me the Harry hand.”
The little one adjusted his dark gloves before shaking hands with the older one. They had not said anything all the way until they had left the cemetery. The streets were lonely and a little wet from the falling snowflakes. A few muggle cars passed by from time to time. Turning the corner they crossed a street, Sirius looked to his right. a wave of sad memories invaded him, just in that direction he had run like never before towards the Potter's house. He kept his eyes straight ahead again, squeezing the man's hand lightly. As they continued walking they could see through the window the families enjoying a family banquet, because it was already late. All over London families celebrated Christmas, a time of happiness. The laughter that came from those homes seemed like ghost echoes. He remembered his first Christmas with his friends, he would give anything to turn back time.
“ I'm tired.” The youngest complained.
“As soon?” When the younger one nodded, he let go of his hand and bent down so that he was placed on his back with a smile. Once he had felt the weight of it, he grabbed the small, short minor's legs and he would have wrapped his arms around his neck. “Ready?”
“Yeah.” The boy replied with a laugh. He adored that his godfather carried him like that, he was reminded of something, but not exactly what. As they walked again, a dog ran past them, followed by another.
“Apparently they have a competition. the older one commented.” An amused smile appeared on his face. “Are you ready?”
"Let 's beat them!" The infant squealed with excitement.
Sirius grabbed the younger's legs with a little force to prevent him from falling. “Hold on tight Harry.”
He ran down the sidewalk chasing the two dogs ahead of them, the younger's laugh made Sirius feel alive again, as if his happiness had returned. The cold on his face caused him to run faster. He wanted to feel that adrenaline again, that same emotion. The wet pavement he was running on would not defeat him.
"Look at the dogs!" He yelled euphorically, they were a few meters away.
He increased the speed at the request of his godson, thus surpassing both dogs that did not even pay attention. They kept running down the sidewalk, some muggles and wizards looking at them with confusion. Harry's yells of amusement were the rope to keep him going, his nephew's happiness was what mattered to him. He decided to continue like this until he reached St. Mungo's Hospital. When they turned round the corner again they reached the heart of the city, wizards and muggles passing by with their long bags, the cars passed at a slow speed to avoid an accident. Some of them looked strangely.
They were almost reaching the hospital, Sirius's heart was pounding like Harry's, he almost bumped into a lady in a purple fluffy coat.
"Faster daddy!" Harry was happy.
Sirius Black smirked in amusement, followed suit as they passed through sprawling venues. that showed their products through the glass. The Christmas smells gave it a touch of cheer. The boy's amused laughter drew the attention of shoppers coming out of those locals.
"Faster Padfoot! Is that all you got?"
He looked at his reflection in the glass of the premises, he saw Harry looking ahead with a big smile. Suddenly he was no longer carrying the little boy on his back and his adult features were missing. A memory was playing with his mind.
"Come on Pads!" James was on his back facing forward with his wand at hand, she was wearing her Gryffindor uniform just like him.
He smiled with great joy, he remembered that day. They were running from a prank they had played on the slytherin. His days at Hogwarts had been the best of his life, because he had known James. He was his best friend. The best wizard he had ever known. His partner adventure. His Prongs. His James.
“We arrived!” He looked away from the glass to look straight ahead, skilfully stopping to prevent him from falling and knocking Harry over.
At last they had arrived. The hospital entrance.
"Ready Harry?"
“Ready daddy.”
★★★
Sirius raised his hand to his cheek, he felt his lips being slightly bitten. Without doubt it had ceased to be a tender kiss.
“Black”
He lowered his hand to her waist to attach it to him, with his free hand he caressed the rebels witch locks. She hadn't persuaded him to lock himself in there for a while just for a few simple kisses, no.
“Dad!”
He tried to focus on the witch's lips, Violet Fanning had become his girlfriend after a year, which was a surprise to everyone, even little Potter.
“Dad!”
He ignored the voice of his godson calling him, he could wait, he couldn't. His appetite had been leaving behind from a few weeks ago. The blonde had a job just like him, they could see each other very rarely, but they never wasted their meetings.
“Black”
“Dad!”
He rolled his eyes away from Violet, the little boy's voice wouldn't let him continue. The big witches looked at him with concern.
“Something wrong?”
"I'll see why Harry is calling me. I can't go on like this." The older man complained. He had left his godson with his father, since he had asked for it, he did not know what he was telling him... but now he does and he could ignore that since he was interrupting his moment with the blonde. “I'm sorry Violet.”
"Don't worry dear, there will be another time. We always have them.” She smiled with mischief.
"You're right, we always find the right moment." Answered the wizard, looking at her up and down. “You look sexy in your robe.”
Violet flushed with a smile. Their love story was somewhat strange, they had met in the worst time Sirius Black has ever been through. Deep down he felt that he was only using her to turn off such abnormal feelings he had, but he really did have affection for the witch who he was saving James's life.
“Are you serious?”
"Of course I'm." He said with amusement. "Will you come to our dinner?"
"I don't think so honey, I have too much work to do." The witch apologized with shame.
“Do not worry honey. It will be another time.” He answered with a certain sadness in hir tone.
"Can I reward you?" Violet looked at him mischievously.
“Oh, really?" he spoke with the same playful tone, as he gazed at the desirable lips of the blonde. Violet barely opened her mouth in lust when another call from Harry brought him up interrupted.
"Dad, where are you?!"
He snorted and Violet gave a small giggle before giving him a small kiss.
“You'd better go, I'll go check if I can escape tonight with you, even if it's a while.”
Sirius smiled and left the small room where he was with Violet. That was a secret place for them, sometimes they would go there to kiss as if they were teenagers.
“See you honey. “ The witch moved away from her, adjusting her hair and her robe.
“Bye sweetheart.” He kept walking once the blonde was out of sight.
He went where called his godson, who was at the door of James's room looking at everyone. parts impatiently.
"Please shut up that kid.” He heard a picture of a magician covering his ears say.
As he got closer Harry saw him and hugged him very tightly. He didn't understand the boy's emotion.
"Daddy, daddy's awake!"
Sometimes his godson gave him this news when he felt James's pulse when he touched him, he stopped believing him since he would get excited in the same way and return to his depression when he saw back to brown with eyes closed.
“Harry, what you felt was the pulse of his heart.” He tried to calm his godson.
“No dad, he woke up. Come, look.” The little boy tried to pull the gray-eyed man out of the sack.
“Harry.”
“I'm serious, dad, Look.”
Sirius didn't believe him, although deep down he wanted to, he missed James with all his soul.
“Look!”
"Harry!" Sirius crouched down looking into the wide eyes of his godson.
"Dad is asleep. He hasn't finished his treatment yet. But look! “He was desperate. “Mama Lily heard me.
"I'm sure it did, but your father still hasn't woken up."
The boy frowned hard, when he got angry he looked like his friend's redhead, the same gestures they had. His cheeks swelled red. “Believe me!”
"Don't talk to me in that Harry James Potter tone." He stood looking accusingly at the little. "If you keep behaving like that, there will be no gifts."
The boy's face paled for a few seconds, which made the older man smile, as soon as he told him this would make his friends happy, since they thought he was just looking at Harry. However, a few seconds later the little boy frowned again.
"Look, Daddy Sirius!" The boy strode over to his father's gurney.
"Someone educate that child!" Another painting exclaimed.
Black entered the room to remind Harry that he had run out of his favorite dessert, no gifts. In the room there were Christmas globes and some small gifts from the brunette's friends. The table in front of the stretcher had a painting of muggle style from James's family. As he approached the curtains where his friend was, his heart pounded, it still hurt to see him and he was sure it would hurt for the rest of his life.
“Smart little kid you ran out of gifts or favorite dessert.”
"Daddy, you woke up! I brought you dad Sirius!"
Suddenly his heart stopped beating. The brunette made gestures with his mouth. Sirius wanted to jump off happiness, so he approached him with speed. It was the first sign of life he made. He took his hand without hesitation.
"Harry calls any nearby healers!" He couldn't hide her happiness from him.
The little boy was not going to leave his father, but he ran to the door to start screaming. If any healer was nearby. After a few seconds he heard footsteps approaching his hand as it had become warmer, it was no longer cold like other times. He tried to control his breathing. The emotion, he looked at the photo that was on the table, Lily was happy. He couldn't help thanking her from his mind.
Suddenly large brown eyes met Sirius's gray ones. He smiled so much that his eyes began to water.
“James.”