The beginning
“I can't do this! I shouldn’t do this! What if they’re like me? What if I've made them a monster?”
“Merlin's beard man, take a breath! You're not a monster Moony. And if it so happens that your
kid has a Moony of their own, then you have a chance to be the parent you wish you had growing up. You’ll know what they’ll need. ”
“That...was actually insightful of you Padfoot…”
“Hey! I’m plenty insightful.”
“As unlikely as it is, Padfoot’s right-”
“Oi!”
“-you’ll be a great dad. You’ve been keeping us in line since our first year.”
“And if I remember correctly, I failed miserably.”
“Now, not entirely, there were plenty of pranks you vetoed, that never even made it past the planning stages and anyway, no one died.”
“Only because Prongs stopped you.”
“Exactly, you're not alone in this, Me and Padfoot will be with you every step of the way and if they are like you we will love them just like we love you.”
---
“JAMES! You’re never going to believe this!”
“Marlene’s pregnant.”
“Wha- How do you already know? I just found out!”
“Well. Marlene told Lily, who warned me that you might turn up and freak the hell out.”
“I’m barely an adult, how am I meant to look after a kid?”
“You know, I’m getting the strangest, not quite deja vu… you're not alone in this, you’ve got Marlene, and Moony and me. We will alway be just a firecall away”
---
“Lily’s pregnant!”
“Congratulations!”
“Welcome to the club, Prongs!”
---
“It’s a boy! We named him Lyall, after my dad.”
---
“Guy’s she’s perfect, allow me to introduce Maia Andromeda Black!”
---
“I want you to meet Harry.”
---
The joyous, if brief respite from the seemingly endless war came to a bitter end when a damning prophecy came to light, sending James Potter and his family into hiding under the protection of a Fidelius Charm. In the scant months leading up to All Hallows Eve of 1981 Voldemort seemed stronger than ever, with what felt like nightly raids of violence on magical and muggle community alike, Marlene McKinnon was murdered in the night by Death Eaters, they attacked her family home on an evening she happened to be visiting, wiping out her entire family, leaving Sirius Black to raise their daughter alone. Dorcas Meadowes was cut down by Voldemort himself after her team of Aurors responded to a Death Eater Raid in Cornwall, none returned, leaving Remus Lupin to bring up the son that looked so much like his mother. And just when it was thought to be as dark as it could get for the Marauders, the worst was yet to come.
---
On the Thirty-First of October 1981, the peace of the quaint village of Godric’s Hollow was shattered when Voldemort murdered James and Lily Potter, leaving their son Harry Potter orphaned and crying alone in his crib with a lightning bolt cut on his small forehead. For many in the Wizarding world, the day would be celebrated as the day Voldemort fell, but for those who had fought and lost loved ones, the day was bitter sweet. For Sirius Black it was the day he lost his best friend and brother, all because he convinced them to use Peter Pettigrew instead of him as Secret Keeper.
That night Sirius had a sinking feeling in his gut he couldn’t shake, after talking to Remus who admitted to feeling the same, he left his daughter with his other best friend and apperated to Peter’s hidden flat. Upon entering the small living space Sirius discovered the place long abandoned with no signs of struggle. The sinking feeling was joined by a constricting dread. He quickly sent a Patronus to Remus explaining what he found and for him to meet him at James and Lily’s cottage. Not wasting another second, he apperated to Godric’s Hollow landing in front of Potter Cottage, Sirius nearly tripped over his own feet as he spotted the front door, gaping open near blown off of it's hinges. He fell to his knees in shock, just staring at the door unable to move, he didn't hear Remus’ hurried footsteps until his hand landed on his shoulder.
“Padfoot?” Remus breathed worriedly.
“I convinced them to change to Peter.” The words tumbled, thickly from his mouth.
“What?”
“Peter was their Secret Keeper.” Sirius finally took his eyes off the open door to look at Remus. “I convinced them to change to Peter and I would be a decoy.” Tears were now running down his face. “What if I got them killed, Moony?” He whispered plaintively.
Remus wrapped his arms around Sirius holding back his own tears at the sight of one of his oldest friends looking so broken. “We don’t know that they're dead-”
“Then why can we see the house?”
Moony froze. Why could they see the house when they hadn't been let in on the secret. “Stay here, I’ll go first.”
“No, I might have lost James. I'm not taking the risk of losing you too.” Sirius staggered to his feet and drew his wand. Remus nodded and drew his own as he slowly approached the open door.
Slowly pushing the door the remaining way open, Remus let out a wounded sound at the sight of James lying at the foot of the stairs as if trying to prevent someone from passing him, his eyes wide open but unseeing, unarmed.
Sirius whimpered as he sank to the floor next to the man who had been his family since his first year at Hogwarts. “I’m sorry James.”
The sound of a wailing child, shook the remaining Marauders out of their sorrow as they quickly made their way up the stairs with cries of ‘Harry’
Pausing at the slightly open door to Harry's nursery, they took a deep breath before slowly pushing the door open, their wands still held high. The sight before them was as heartbreaking as the sight of James had been. The roof had been blown out and lying on the floor in front of Harry’s crib lay Lily, her green eyes open and her arms wide as if she died with them spread.
Harry sat crying in his crib, his head bleeding but otherwise unhurt. Remus quickly but carefully hurried to him and gently lifted him into his arms in an attempt at comfort although Remus didn't know if he was trying to comfort Harry or himself.
“I’m going to kill him!” Sirius’ angry voice broke the silence.
“Who?” Remus asked half dazed from the discovery of two of his best friends' bodies.
“The rat who did this!” Sirius started to make his way out the door only to be stopped by a strong grip on his arm.
“No you’re not. If you kill Peter in revenge, what happens to Harry or to Maia? I can't look after three kids by myself, Padfoot.”
Slowly the anger left Sirius and he sank to the floor next to Lily crying almost as loudly as Harry.
Neither Marauder knew how much time passed as they sat on the floor of the nursery mourning the loss of their best friends before the sound of footsteps had them reaching for their wands once more. Sirius leapt to his feet and pointed his wand at the door as Remus backed up and hid behind the door still cradling a now sleeping Harry.
As the door was pushed open the sight of the giant of a man was a welcome one. “Hagrid? What are you doing here?” Sirius exclaimed as he lowered his wand.
“Dumbledore sen’ me.” The giant of a man sniffled as he took in the scene in front of him.
“Why? And how did he know something happened?” Remus asked, as he stepped out from behind the door still clutching Harry to his chest.
“Dumbledore ‘as ‘is ways. An’ he sen’ me ta ge’ ‘arry ta take ‘im 'ta ‘is aun’.”
“OH, HELL NO!” Sirius shouted.
Remus didn’t even try to shush him as Harry squirmed in his arms at the loud noise.
“Harry is mine and Remus’ godson. We’re not letting him into the same county as that woman, let alone her house and if Dumbledore has a problem with that he can come take it up with me face to face.” Sirius glanced back at the once again settled and sleeping Harry. “Now if you will excuse us Hagrid, we need to get Harry home- ...and have to plan the fu-funerals of our best friends.”
Hagrid just stood there as Remus and Sirius walked past. Neither said a word until they were already in the air on Sirius’ bike. -he hadn’t even noticed Remus landing in it earlier- Sirius on the main part whilst Remus still cradling Harry settled into the side car.
“Hey Moony?”
Remus looked up from where he was staring at Harry’s sleeping form. “Yes, Padfoot?”
Sirius’ eyes never left the sky in front of him. “Where are our kids?”
Remus smiled softly as he returned his gaze to Harry’s sleeping form. “Professor Mcgonagall agreed to look after them for us.”
Sirius gave a soft chuckle. “Good old Minnie.”