if i have already reblogged this idc
It was a funny twisty sort of feeling in the pit of his stomach and Harry wasn't exactly sure he had felt it before. An entirely new sense of dread or anxiety or both was churning around his insides alongside his breakfast as soon as the post arrived and went straight to Harry.
He knew what they were before he could open the post. Middle of July, Harry wasn't expecting anything else.
Ministry owl.
Ministry envelope.
OWL results.
Sirius pretended to make himself busy, fixing another cup of tea, wiping the kitchen counter, while Harry sat with the envelope in his hands trying to pretend he was totally cool and totally confident.
Because it didn't matter, right? Two years ago, Harry would've said it didn't matter, loudly and boldly and he would've been right. But so much had changed and now Harry had a home, with wallpaper and bookends and a godfather who had a conversation with him at the beginning of summer about study habits.
You're way behind, kid, and it's not your fault. But you know, maybe now since Voldemort isn't...breathing down your neck and you're not living with a sense of impending doom, we can think about school?
Harry had groaned initially. And had moaned even louder when after a failed History of Magic exam beginning of term, Sirius called him on the mirror to let him know he'd be keeping a closer eye on his marks and Harry had to endure a long "conversation" about actually doing his assignments and not just skating by on his good looks.
"It's not going to bite you, Harry," Sirius said from where he was leaning against the counter, cup of tea in his hands, "Nor is it going to open itself."
"Feels like it should."
"Like a Howler?" Sirius asked a half-smile pulling at the corners of his mouth.
"Mhmm. Just shout them at us too," Harry told him and took a breath before breaking the seal of the envelope and opening the post. He scanned the results slowly, caught somewhere between feeling pleased and feeling disappointed. What was Sirius expecting?
"Well?"
Harry wordlessly stood up and crossed to Sirius, handing him the results. He shifted from foot to foot, watching as Sirius read the paper.
It didn't matter. Except now it did.
It didn't matter. Except when Harry came home for the winter holidays and got to tell Sirius how well he did on the Transfiguration midterm. Because his godfather would say I'm so proud of you and Harry got to choose where they went to dinner.
It didn't matter. Except now, because Harry finally had an adult who actually cared how well he did in school. Who cared if he was learning. Who cared if he understood magic and could use it to protect himself. Who cared at all.
"Can you say something?" Harry asked, suddenly irritated though he was looking down at their bare feet. Sirius had the hairiest feet Harry had ever seen, and a big toe twice the size of his others. Harry made fun of him for it when they went to the seaside.
They're flippers Sirius. I think your ancestors forgot to follow through and gave you the ugliest feet in the world...
Harry felt Sirius's hand gently lift his chin up so he could meet his godfather's eyes.
"Well done, my love."
"But there's an A!" Harry nearly whined, unable to stop himself. "How is that good"
"Did you try? Did...you do the very best you could in History of Magic? In all your classes?"
"Well, yeah."
Late nights.
Revision guides.
Actually reading the textbooks.
"Then well done, my love," Sirius repeated and the twisting feeling in his stomach shifted into something that glowed. Warm. Shining. Bright. He watched as Sirius waved his wand to stick the OWL results to the fridge, and grabbed a quill from the counter to doodle tiny hearts around the margins. Harry laughed. Harry rolled his eyes. But Harry couldn't help but stare at the scores for a bit longer.
Well done.
Sirius pauses in front of the stove, pointing his wand at the flame to lower its intensity before turning to face Harry, who’s looking quite nervous. “You know, you’ve asked me that question so many times that I’m beginning to wonder whether you want to me to come to the match.”
Harry flushes. ‘I do want you there! I mean it. It’s just that, if you’re busy or have better things to do, it’s okay if you don’t want to come. Actually, I’m sure you have better things to do, you’ve only just been freed, and you probably want to.. I dunno,. go to the shops or something or-”
“Can I cut in before your rambling cuts off your oxygen?” Sirius interjects gently. He glances back at the stew bubbling on the stove before returning his gaze to Harry.
Harry gives him a sheepish smile. “I suppose so.”
Sirius laughs. “Thank you for your graciousness, Your Majesty. Now, it is precisely because I’ve just been freed that I want to come to your match more than anything. I’d much rather support you as a human in the stands as opposed to a dog by the forest. It’s a much better view, you see.” He gives the contents of the pot a quick stir before returning his focus to Harry, his tone turning a bit more serious. “I know we’re new at this. This you and me being a family thing. But I want you to know that I’ll be at all of your games because I want to be there, and I want to cheer you on. I’ve missed out on a lot of your life, and I really don’t plan on voluntarily skiving out on any more. I’m proud of you and want to see you be excellent. And trounce the Slytherins while you’re at it. Got it?”
Harry lets out a small sigh. “Okay. But if you ever have anything better to do, I won’t be mad or anything.”
“I’ll never have anything better to do,” Sirius promises. “You’re quite a brilliant player, mate. There’s not much better entertainment than that. I’d die of boredom if I didn’t come to your matches. You’re even better than your dad was.”
Harry blushes at the praise, but also straightens up a bit with pride. “Yeah?”
“Absolutely,” Sirius assures. “Now come over here and have a taste of this stew. It’s my secret recipe, and I swear you’ll love it.”
no thoughts just james potter, quidditch whiz, worried out of his mind chasing after his toddler who’s riding a baby broomstick— while his wife laughs at him in the background
(sirius, somewhere on his order mission: *cackling his head off*)
Sweetttt
Omg could we get another part of animagus cat reader and Sirius? Maybe they’re napping together and the boys try to take cat reader as a joke/because they’re curious while she’s sleeping and she suddenly transforms back as they pick her up LOL. Sirius is grumpy to be woken up/have their special time now exposed hehe
part 1
--
Sirius's bedcurtains are drawn, a clear sign that James and Remus should grant him some privacy.
Unfortunately, James Potter has never been one to take hints, and Remus strictly stays out of their shenanigans. It's only when James gasps with the entire capacity of his lungs that Remus peers curiously over at the bed in the corner, intrigue piqued when he finds a newly familiar form curled up on Sirius's chest.
"That cat!" James hisses, and he's particularly lucky that Sirius is laying on his side with your chin nuzzled over his ear, or the boy would have heard him. Instead, it's you that wakes, eyes blinking open wide as you stare at the men staring back down at you.
"Hi, darling," Remus hums softly, reaching out a tentative, scarred hand to hover it near your nose. You don't need any time for inspection before butting your head up against the heel of his palm, and he grants you a warm chuckle and scratches behind your ears. When you're not transformed, the feeling of someone toying with your hair is entirely unwelcome. But now you lean into Remus's touch, slumping relaxed once more over Sirius's ear.
"Stop hogging her," James urges, sticking his own hand less ceremoniously beneath your nose, "I want a turn."
Remus concedes with an exasperated grimace, but lets James take over anyways. He's lucky that you're you and he doesn't even know it, because if he'd tried petting any other cat by jamming his fingers into their neck, he'd be walking away with several scratch marks on his arms. But you forgive him as he tries petting you too similarly to how he pets Sirius in the man's own animagus form, all riling strokes and heavy-handed pats. You let out a soft mewl of protest when he tries picking you up, and Remus mutters something about you being the most patient cat in the world.
"Just leave her alone, James," Remus warns his friend, "Her patience is gonna wear out."
He listens for only a second, then decides he knows best.
"S'alright, Moony," He promises his friend, over-confident and too eager for affection he hasn't earned yet, "She's layin' all over Sirius, clearly wants a cuddle. You snooze, you lose, now it's my turn."
James's hand slides to your underbelly, an area you're not fond of being handled at in this form. Annoyance surges through you, prickling at your fur and making you long for the smooth expanse of your human skin again, an urge that you give into without much thought when James tries prying you off of Sirius's face.
There's a lot of noises at once. A pained yelp from Sirius, when you form suddenly weighs a lot heavier on him than it was when you'd laid down. A 'woah!' from James as your fur gives way to soft skin beneath his hands which he quickly retracts. A soft gasp from Remus who hadn't been expecting the rather unpleasant sound of transforming between bodies.
Two sets of eyes regard you with incredulity, and one blinks slowly beneath you, laden with drowsiness.
"It's you," James breathes, an air of amazement in his voice that shouldn't be there; after all, he's an animagus as well. Surely he should have noticed shifty behavior or a change in mannerisms from you. All of a sudden your preference for Sirius's softer, fluffy sweaters makes sense.
"Yes, it's me." You huff exasperatedly, perched precariously on Sirius's once-sleeping form. He's not pushing you off but you're sure it's not comfortable, so you slide yourself in front of him instead, easing back against him and letting him spoon you.
"Cat's out of the bag," Sirius rasps sleepily beside your ear, and you don't have to look at him to know he's grinning at his rather pitiful joke, "Did he try to pick you up?"
"Right around the stomach," You gripe, glaring at James while Sirius wraps his arm around the very portion of your body you'd just forbidden James from touching, "Like a toddler."
"For the record," Remus calls, "I was nice to you."
"I was nice too!" James gawps, "I just wanted a cuddle."
"Get your own girlfriend," Sirius drawls lazily, his face buried against the back of your head, and maybe it's a biting statement considering one Lily Evans is still firmly opposed to the presence of James in her life. Sirius knows, and amends it, "Or crawl into Moony's bed. I don't care, "Jus' keep your hands off m'girl."
dude do tag me!
I just saw this on pintrest and everyone should know about this
(Not mine btw)
Harry Potter the Casanova of Gryffindor Tower.... Sounds great to me! What do u think?
@goodgodfathersiriusblack
After the first task, Sirius reaches out to Harry to offer dating advice for the Yule Ball, which changes things.
AO3
***
Given that the first task is finally over, and Harry survived, Sirius can breathe a little sigh of relief. At least one task down, and the fact that he did so well makes Sirius incredibly proud. Next on the order of business for Harry is probably the Yule Ball. Since he’s a champion he’s probably going to have to open it, and it may be a bit presumptuous, but Sirius couldn’t resist offering dating advice to his godson. He figures he’s young and he doubts the Dursleys would bother to offer much guidance.
Hopefully, Harry doesn’t really need too much, but Sirius had to offer just in case.
Sirius smiles when he gets another owl so quickly, Harry writing to him will always make his day.
Sirius,
What do you mean there’s a ball for Yule? What do you mean that I have to open the ball?
No, no – they can’t really expect that from me, right?
You’re pulling my leg, right? Please tell me you’re pulling my leg.
If not, I need help.
Say hi to Buckbeak.
Harry
Sirius is stunned for half a second. How had Harry not known about this? Then, again, no one appears to tell the kid anything.
Alright, well, at least Sirius was right to offer. He’ll just have to meet with his kid on his own and give some concrete advice.
Everything will be okay. He’s sure of it.
***
“I still don’t get how they could expect this of me,” Harry groans as he sits on the floor of the cave beside Sirius. “I mean – dragons are one thing, but girls?”
Sirius laughs. “They’re not as scary as you think.”
“They travel in packs, and they giggle like … like my mere presence is hilarious.”
“They’re giggling because one or more of them have a fancy of you – hard not to given everything, and they travel together because … well, I never really understood that.”
“What am I supposed to do?” Harry questions, seeming quite freaked out. “You were right, McGonagall says I have to open the ball with a date, and it’s only been like a day and a half, and every girl has gone nutty and I don’t know how to dance and I don’t want to go on a date… this is – this is unfair.”
“And the whole dragon thing wasn’t unfair?”
“The dragon thing was actually kind of fun.”
Sirius snorts and rolls his eyes. “Alright, let’s start with the basics. First, you have to select who you’re thinking of asking. I would suggest someone you either fancy and want to get to know – but know there will be awkwardness and you’ll have to push passed that or a friend that you could potentially enjoy an evening with. You could perhaps go with a friend that is someone you may possibly fancy or go with a friend that is someone who would only be a friend, but you’d have to be clear about that. Do you have any ideas?”
He watches as Harry digests this information and says, “Well, I could go with Hermione if I wanted just a friend, but I think that would upset Ron and frankly, be unfair to her. I’d really like to go with Cho Chang – I kind of, maybe, have a fancy of her, but all I know about her is that we’re both seekers. I suppose another friend could be like Parvati Patil or maybe Katie Bell. I’ve talked to both enough that maybe it could be… a friend date.”
Sirius nods. “Okay, let’s leave Hermione out of it. We wouldn’t want to disrupt your friendship with Ron again so soon.”
“Agreed.”
“That leaves Cho, Parvati, and Katie. Now, this is where you have to make a decision – do you want someone that you barely know, but fancy or you know, but don’t fancy?”
Harry shrugs. “I mean – it would be nice to get to know Cho better.”
“Okay, that’s fair. You’ll have the dinner and dancing to get to know her, if you ask her,” Sirius states. “Now, before asking, you should make it clear that you’re not that into dancing, but if you ask any of them to go, you should expect to dance more than just the opening dance.”
He groans. “It’s bad enough having to do it once.”
Sirius nods. “Yes, but you’re going to a ball. It’s expected that you dance. If you don’t want to dance too much, you should make that clear so that they don’t expect to be dancing all night and are disappointed.”
“Okay, but what if I tell them and they say no?”
“Then you have to accept no for an answer and find someone else who would be willing to support you.”
Harry nods. “I suppose that I should try and learn dancing then?”
“That would be a good endeavor. I’d suggest asking someone you’re comfortable with to practice or your date would be better, but it could be embarrassing admitting that, so you could always Hermione or one of the quidditch girls who would no doubt love to help you.”
“That sounds like a good plan,” Harry states. “What about the actual asking? If they’re traveling in packs…”
Sirius laughs. “They may giggle, but simply ask for a moment alone and once you’re alone, tell them either – that you’d like a romantic date to the ball or a friend date to the ball – depending on who you ask. Explain about the dancing to help them make a decision, and once they do – if it’s yes, ask them to meet up to practice dancing or if it’s no, accept their answers and move on. Just be sweet and polite and you’ll be okay.”
“That sounds easier than it’s probably going to be.”
“It’s usually not that bad, I promise. Maybe a little embarrassing, but the sooner you do it, the better,” Sirius assures him. “Then you can focus on the actual date.”
Harry grimaces. “Besides dancing, what would be expected?”
“Well, you should meet her at her common room probably with a nice flower – try asking her favorite or finding one that matches her dress robes.”
Harry nods. “Sounds easy.”
“You should offer your arm, and smile as you lead the way into the ball and take out her seat first before you sit. At dinner, make sure you talk to her about her interests. Start with something you have in common and let the conversation flow. If it stalls, try to ask about things that are around you – the food, the music, the dancing, the people… anything that can spark something. Remind her about being uncomfortable with too much dancing, but that you’ll make an effort.”
“Okay, okay. Seems like genuinely good advice so far,” Harry says. “Then, of course, the dancing. I suppose if we practice before it might not be so bad.”
“I’m sure it won’t be as bad as you’re imagining,” Sirius assures him. “Make sure to still pay attention to her as you dance, and if need be, make light conversation. If you’re done dancing or taking a break, try finding a quiet area to continue chatting from dinner. Don’t ignore her and even if it ends up being Parvati or Katie rather than who you fancy, remember that you can’t just glare at your fancy’s date – just focus on your own date.”
“Yeah, that – that wouldn’t be fair to her if I was staring at some other girl.”
“Exactly. The focus should be on making sure that you’re both having a good time.”
“Okay. Okay. What about at the end?”
“Walk her back to her dorm, tell her you had a great time – if you fancy her (and this could go for if the date started as a friend, but you find you do like her) – then ask her to have another date. This could be something simple and we can talk about that when the time comes in a letter. Just maybe vaguely ask if she’d like to go out again. If she says yes, tell her that you’ll let her know a time and place, if she says no – respect it and thank her for being your date and that you hope she enjoyed it.”
“And… then leave?”
Sirius tries not to laugh. “Well, she might expect a kiss on the hand, the cheek or even the lips. It all depends on the vibe, just go with your instincts on that one.”
Harry swallows, but nods. “I guess.”
“It’s not as bad as it sounds,” Sirius attempts to assure him. “Just take it one step at a time. You’ll be fine.”
“If you’re sure…”
“I am, I promise.”
***
A few weeks later, Sirius knows that Harry’s managed to ask Cho to the ball. He’s nervous, but he’s been preparing for the ball, and Sirius has assured him that it should be just fine. He just needs to relax and not worry so much.
He also told him to write to him afterwards no matter the outcome. He wants to know how well his advice went over.
He grins when the owl arrives.
Sirius,
Thank you – thank you – thank you! Your advice was perfect.
Cho and I had a great date. We practically danced the night away! Okay, maybe not. She was okay with only dancing half the time, but we went for a walk and – and it went so great that she kissed me before the end of the night!
There was plenty of kissing before a final dance and walking her back to the dorm. It went so well she said yes to a second date.
So, now, I need advice on that. Got any ideas?
Thanks again,
Harry
Sirius grins, happy for his kid. He’s happy to offer more dating advice as long as his kid needs it.
He’ll certainly be a ladies’ man after this.
Just like his father and godfather and it’s great.
So what country are u from? How old are you?
P.s .: Never have I ever been so happy to find a friend.... Probably cuz we both love that sirius and harry bonding and fluff fics
Gawwwd i... I would love to be friends with u n @snufuffles is that the name sorry i forgot but i love their writing!!!!! N urs too
screaming crying throwing up omg we r friends i deem it official
and @snufluffles has the best, softest harry&sirius content i miss their writing
thank you 💜
The brothers Black
It's late. He should go to sleep. He has Harry to look after now, he should set a better example.
The said teen is sitting on the floor beside him, and for a moment Sirius is caught in the nostalgia of just how much Harry reminds him of himself.
It's a bad thing, really. He wasn't the best guy around. Hell, Sirius thinks he was probably a menace to even think about. Harry, Harry is better. Sirius remembers picking up the newborn Harry Potter in his hands and hugging him. Sirius remembers closing his eyes and apologising to the ghost of a dead Regulus because Sirius had never hugged his baby brother as much as he deserved.
Sirius puts off his cigarette and runs a hand down his face. Fuck.
Reggie.
Beside him, Harry looks at him with worried eyes. "We don't have to continue, Sirius," he says, perceptive boy. "I can leave—"
"Not necessary, kid," he says, pulling out the last of photos from the shoe box. Harry shuffles closer, almost cuddling him. Sirius quietly points out the people he never got to see grow older. Marlene, her puns and her affinity for everything yellow. Pandora, her heart and her necessity to constantly have chocolates on her person. Dorcas, her loud army boots and bright sundresses.
The last photo in his hand doesn't belong in the shoebox.
It's Reggie and him, Sirius has his brother in his arms and his lips pressed to Reggie's head, eyes closed tight. But it's Sirius, he knows this moment.
Three weeks before Sirius started Hogwarts, Reggie was sure that Hogwarts would steal his brother from him.
(Didn't it?)
Poor boy had been promising to be the best brother in the world, begging Sirius to keep loving him.
Sirius doesn't know when tears blurred his eyes but the ache in his chest comes back full force at his brother's innocent face, still red because of crying and eyes scrunched up close behind Sirius' hand. Sirius was supposed to protect him. Keep his eyes closed, never show him the blood and death that was carved into their fate.
"Regulus." Harry breathes beside Sirius and even the boy sounds pained. He leans further into Sirius and Sirius. Sirius is a greedy man. He takes the opportunity with desperation and puts his arm around Harry's shoulder, pulls him in.
(Everyone he touches will turn out dead. But Harry can't be dead, no, that's his boy, that's his child, he can't, no, not his boy—)
As they've done with every other picture, Sirius turned the photo behind to read who clicked it and when, even if he remembers the dates like they're tattooed on his spine.
But the back of the photo isn't only that. It reads,
Dearest Siri,
I don't know how to tell you how sorry I am. For the first time in my life, words fail me. I've failed everything you've ever tried to teach me— all in for a blind wish that was always impossible.
I've heard your silence, I've heard your screams and it seems that it's all I can remember. I am your shadow, no matter how much mother and father try to force the fact to be false. I want your presence, brother. I do not know how to exist without you. It is the only demand I can still make from fate— for even fate will have to pry you from my dead hands.
You are my brother. You are an ache in my chest and nowadays, I only ever breathe to feel this ache. The letters you've written to me are in my room, you will know where. The letters I've never sent you will be there. Burn them, Siri. I am going down a path of betrayal— towards you, towards our name, towards James, towards the Dark Lord as well. Of all the betrayals I've committed, my biggest regret will be not seeing you before I walk towards death.
Remember me, Siri. Let me stay alive with you. Let me take a part of you as I die.
Yours,
RA Reggie.
Clicked by Andromeda, 18/8/71
Panic burns through Sirius and he's heaving— choking on his tears and sobs and gasps.
His brother. His baby brother. He clutches the photo tighter and cradles it to his heart and wails. Regulus.
The ache in his chest blooms anew and Sirius wants to claw at his chest and find that piece of Regulus that's always lived beside Sirius' heart. Brother. My brother. My only brother. My little brother.
Regulus. Regulus. Reggie. Reggie. Reggie. Baby. Reg. Ree. Reg. Reggie.
Sirius slams his fist on the floor and he welcomes the pain that comes with it, his sobs almost cover the thuds his fist is making and he doesn't want to live. His brother. An open wound in his chest, his brother. Sirius wants to burn himself alive, like Reggie wanted to burn those letters.
"My brother." He wails, not sure if anyone will understand what he's saying but he doesn't expect them to, no one will ever understand just what his brother is, was.
There's a hand on his shoulder and Sirius heaves again. He has failed everyone he cared for, and he failed his blood the most. His boy, his brave Reggie.
Harry doesn't speak but keeps his hold on Sirius' elbow and Sirius wishes he would choke him or plunge his hand in Sirius' chest and drag his heart out— Reggie died with a wish to see Sirius, his poor brother, his baby, his Reggie— he doesn't want to live knowing how Reggie suffered and sobbed.
Because even if his brother is dead, Sirius is alive and thus, so is Reggie. Sirius can feel the sobs that must have wrecked Reggie, he can hear all the whimpers Reggie had to subside because he couldn't wake Mother and he can feel all the bile in his throat that his brother must have thrown up during one of his panic episodes.
And now, Harry rises up on his knees and holds Sirius— as Sirius was holding Reggie in that photo. As Harry's hand covers his eyes, Sirius feels the darkness that must have been the last thing Reggie saw.
wth u leaked their nudes! Dude!
i decided to get out my art supplies and draw beautiful fanart for @impishtubist's Top Sirius Agenda so y'all can visualize it 🥰
also wolfstarbucks because why the fuck not 🤗
Oh I just searched up Vape already exists and its for voldemort and snape
Okay so this has been my shower thought for the past couple days…what’s the Death Eater initiation process like?? And why do I keep imagining it like some kind of bad PTA meeting?
I mean surely you don’t have to go hunt down Voldy himself to ask to join, so I can only imagine it’s more of a secret club type thing. Somebody pulls you aside and super casually goes “so we get together like twice a month, usually on a Saturday but sometimes during the week, it’s whenever the Dark Lord decides really. It’s mostly at the Malfoy Manor but one time we got summoned to some random graveyard a couple years back?? Now THAT was a meeting for the ages, lemme tell ya…bloody hell. Thirteen years we don’t meet and then within the first two minutes he has the nerve to chew us all out for being disloyal or some shit like that! Crazy. ANYWAY…it really just depends, ya know, where and when we get summoned, so make sure you have your Death Eater attire ready cause Voldy really hates it when you show up in street clothes, and “it’s in the wash” isn’t a good enough excuse, believe me. It’s always potluck style for dinner, so A-M bring a side dish, N-Z bring a dessert…Severus Snape’s allergic to tomatoes so might wanna avoid those. Oh, and here’s the best part!! If you join, you get this wicked tattoo!”
Which brings me to my next thought…is Voldy an amateur tattoo artist and does the Dark Mark tattoos himself? If so, I gotta think that his drawing has gotten better over the years from the first time he tattooed one of his followers.
Voldemort: *tattooing Lucius’ arm* Alright, you’re done!
Lucius: What…is it supposed to be?
Bellatrix: It’s clearly a snake, Lucius!
Narcissa: *pointing* Yeah, but what’s that odd shaped lump above it??
Voldemort: It’s a skull!
Snape: *looking over Lucius’ shoulder, bored AF* Looks like a severed head with its tongue out to me—
Voldemort: OH FUCK OFF SEVERUS
OR…if Voldemort doesn’t give the tattoos himself, then where do they get them? Is Voldy all *claps hands* “Okay, you’re IN! Once we get done with all this paperwork of you swearing your allegiance to me, yada yada….you’re gonna go to this tattoo shop in Knockturn Alley and ask for the Dark Lord Special. Severus said my drawing was shit so I’ve decided to have someone else do the tattoos…” *side eyes Snape*
New Death Eaters showing up to the shop and the tattoo artist being all like “…Dark Lord Special, huh? I’ll throw in a Nagini tattoo around your bicep for an extra 10 galleons, whaddya say?”
@goodgodfathersiriusblack
Prompt Harry's kids
Harry worries about being a parent, but Sirius is there to support him as a good godfather and an even better grandfather.
AO3
***
Harry had been a nervous wreck throughout the pregnancy, even though he wasn’t the one pregnant. His wife, Luna, assured him that they would be good parents, even if they hadn’t quite been raised by good parents. Yes, Luna had her father around, but he was … not the greatest, loving though. Harry technically raised by the Dursleys (who sucked), with some support by Sirius but between being on the run and dying and coming back later… well, there wasn’t consistent parenting.
At least he’s trying now.
Throughout Harry’s many, many nights of waking him up and telling him about how he couldn’t do this. He hadn’t wanted to worry Luna because he knew that Sirius would be able to calm him down, but now, she’s in labor and he’s freaking out and he can’t breathe and it’s –
“Hey, I’m here, Harry.”
Harry looks up from where he was sitting outside her room – she said he was freaking her out and he needed to calm down outside.
“Oh, Sirius, thank Merlin – I can’t – I can’t do this. I’m not ready to be a father!” Harry practically yells, earning looks from the people in the vicinity.
Sirius sits next to him and puts an arm around his shoulders. “Listen to me, Kid. No one ever thinks they’re ready and I get it. You haven’t had the best examples for parents when you were younger, but – but – you are an incredible young man and you and Luna will make wonderful parents.”
“How can you say that when you don’t know –”
“I do know, though, because I know you and you are an incredible young man that has been through a lot – you manage to adapt to any situation and thrive – the same will be true for this, I promise.”
Harry looks up at him and sees sincerity in his eyes. “I can’t do it alone.”
“You’re not alone,” Sirius says. “This baby is going to have two wonderful parents, two grandfathers and a whole bunch of Weasleys to help you out.”
Harry grins and lets out a chuckle. “Yeah, yeah, you’re right, of course.”
“Now, go in there and keep your wife calm – it’s what she needs from you right now.”
“Of course.”
Harry gives him a hug and says, “You’ll stay?”
“Of course. Anything for you, kid.”
***
Two hours later, a very tired looking Harry appears in the doorway. “Would you like to meet my son?”
Sirius grins. “Naturally.”
He follows Harry into the room, where Luna is looking just as tired, but happy. She’s holding a little boy that looks remarkedly like Harry – those Potter genes are something special.
“We have someone we’d like you to meet,” Luna says, “Would you like to hold him?”
“Of course, of course.”
He takes the baby in his arms and can’t help thinking about Harry when he was born. “He looks just like you, Harry.”
Harry grins. “And like his grandfather, James. Who he’s named after.”
“Baby James,” Sirius says, looking up to spare them a smile. “I love it.”
“You’ll love his middle name even more,” Luna says. “Harry, would you like to…”
Harry clears his throat nervously, causing Sirius look up.
“We’d like to name him after you – James Sirius Potter,” Harry says, looking at him hopefully.
“Oh… oh, Harry… Luna… really?” Sirius says stuttering. “That’s such an honor…”
“An honor that you deserve.”
Sirius looks down at the baby in his arms, and smiles, nodding. “Thank you. I only hope that I continue to do the honor right.”
“You will.”
***
James Sirius Potter is the light of all of their lives, and Harry can’t help grinning at seeing Sirius so full of grandfatherly cheerfulness. It’s a blessing and a curse.
There’s a part of him that wishes he’d gotten that with Sirius, but he loves what he has with him, too, it’s different, but lovely.
Just as he’s about to call them in for lunch, Luna comes out of the house where she’d been resting. Heavily pregnant and meant to be on bed rest, Harry immediately worries, “Is something wrong?”
“I am in labor,” Luna groans.
Harry nods. “Better get you to the hospital,” she nods and wobbles away to the car. “Sirius!”
Sirius turns at the yell and can immediately see the stress on Harry’s face.
“Luna’s in labor, will you –”
“Take care of my grandson? Yes.”
Harry lets out a relieved breath. “Thanks.”
“Just worry about your wife, I’ve got everything handled here.”
“You’re the best,” Harry says before disappearing after his wife.
Time to have another baby.
***
Sirius is grinning as he holds three-year-old James in his arms, and looking at the happy, yet exhausted Harry and Luna.
The pink bundle in Harry’s arms looking remarkedly like Luna.
“So, what’s this one’s name?”
“Lily Pandora Potter,” Harry says, grinning. “We weren’t sure which should go first, but Luna insisted.
Sirius smiles. “She’s beautiful.”
“But she’s early, so she and Luna are going to have to stay a few days, would you mind…”
“Watching my favorite grandson – I can say that, ‘cause I only have one – while you’re gone? Not at all.” Sirius states before turning to James in his arms. “Jamie and I will have all sorts of fun, right, Jamie?”
“Yeah!”
“There you have it,” Sirius states. He reaches out his free arm to squeeze Harry’s shoulder. “I got this; you don’t have to worry about a thing.”
***
Harry smiles as he sits beside Sirius in his backyard a few years later. Sirius had been a delightful godsend. Always there with advice, willing to listening about Harry’s woes, or just to give Harry (and Luna) a break – the perfect grandparent.
“You’ve done well with them, you know,” Sirius offers as he watches Luna chasing them around. “In a few years, they’ll be off at Hogwarts, and everything will be great.”
“Everything is great – partially thanks to you,” Harry says, smiling. “Best grandfather ever.”
Sirius grins. “Thanks, kiddo.”
“Anytime.”