Shadows Of The Past: A Marauders' Tale

4 | Mongolia Crescent

~August, 1993~

Sirius Black

The sun was setting. He was trotting along a narrow woodland path. The wagging of his tail was in line with the rhythm of his trot and his tongue was bouncing up and down, hanging from the side of his mouth, letting the cold air cool him down.

He had been travelling for days with one goal: See Harry. After he'd seen Harry, he would travel to Hogwarts in search of the rat, but he had to see James's son first. He had to see what he looked like. Did he still have James's hair? Lily's eyes? Sirius could still remember seeing him for the first time - he could still remember holding the little newborn baby, whose chubby fingers were wrapped around his index finger. He was so small, so precious, so innocent, so unaware of the war that was going on around him.

~~~

31st of July, 1980

"It's a boy!" Sirius almost fell off his chair as James entered the living room, shouting enthusiastically.

"Congratulations mate," Sirius grinned widely, while rubbing his eyes and stretching his legs.

"It's a boy," James repeated the new information enthusiastically, "and he is just amazing... Amazing, Padfoot, he is amazing."

"So, he wasn't born with antlers, I presume," Sirius laughed as he got up to his feet. James rolled his eyes and waved his hand impatiently.

"Come and see for yourself," he said happily and grabbed hold of Sirius's hand. Sirius felt his body stiffen.

"Are you sure?" he asked cautiously. "I don't want to int-"

"Stop blabbering nonsense," James waved his free hand and started dragging him upstairs. "I want you to meet your godson."

"My what?" Sirius gasped, loosing his balance on the stairs, but James pulled him back to his feet, preventing the fall.

"Honestly, Padfoot," James shook his head. "There is no need to kill yourself. If you don't want to be his godfather, just say so."

"No, I - I just, I didn't well - I didn't know," Sirius stammered, allowing himself be pulled to the bedroom door. James let out a chuckle and finally let go of his hand. He grabbed hold of the doorknob and puffed his chest.

"Sirius," he said dramatically and very proudly. "Allow me to introduce you to Harry James Potter."

Finally, he opened the door and Sirius stood in front of the doorway, rooted to the spot. He saw Lily sitting in bed. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun and her cheeks were rosy. She looked tired, but her green eyes were radiating pure happiness and in her arms lay a bundle of blankets. She looked up at him and smiled widely. Sirius didn't know what to do or say. He felt as an intruder, as though he didn't fit in the room, as though he was going to ruin the energy of the room by stepping inside. 

"Well come on in,"  James said and sat on the bed beside Lily. Sirius looked at Lily, who gave him an encouraging nod, and walked slowly to the bed. Lily's arms shifted, revealing a little face that was secured within the blankets. The newest member of the Potter family appeared to be fast asleep and did not seem bothered by the stranger standing before him. His chubby cheeks were pink and a few strands of black hair were escaping the blankets, covering the top of his head.

Sirius could feel his lips forming a very wide smile as he continued to stare at the newborn baby. He could feel his worries fading away and his body relaxing, being taken over by the happiness that seemed to have infected the Potter household.