To Build a Home - SIRIUS BLACK

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟒

INCHES APART
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Harry's days were filled with new discoveries, wonderful stories and warm naps at the hands of Maggie and Sirius. Each day he found bubbly laughter in the objects that danced in the air, the glasses that filled with water with just a command, and the fire in the candles that lit on their own.

He enjoyed what Maggie and Sirius could do with just a flick of the wand, and to his little eyes, this thing called magic began to be his entire world.

It was hard for Harry to not be entertained all the time. Every wobbly step he made was received with encouragement and cheers from the two adults, every new word he learned to say became praise and little by little he was beginning to grow a cheerful little boy deeply loved by his caretakers.

Harry was currently sitting on Sirius' lap, as the latter one recounted a story of bunnies and carrots and worms that was acted out in the air. The little figurines were built on white specks that flickered as they jumped around and rolled in the space above for the infant to gaze upon in awe. It was truly beautiful to see.

Maggie watched from afar, hidden just outside the door that was left ajar. She smiled softly at the scene in front of her. Her insides warm at the sight of Harry's shiny eyes and beaming smile. Sirius was unaware of the third presence; so focused he was on the task of storytelling, devoted of making his godson laugh and gasp in content.

It was an old children's tale. Maggie had heard it before from her own grandmother, and her grandmother from her great grandmother. Every single little wizard and witch had been told the tale, and Sirius was making sure Harry was no exception.

Surely, Harry would never experience the normal life of other children his age. He would always be tainted with the evil's wrongdoings, orphan at the early age of one. Maggie's heart ached so much at just the thought of that. Yet, it somehow worked as encouragement to make her nephew's first years in the world just the merrier.

Even after months since the unbearable had happened, Maggie still remained surprised every time she watched Sirius with Harry. The tall wizard had a way about him, he knew exactly how to make the infant act as he wanted —most of the times at least. And in return, Harry sought for Sirius any chance possible.

Maggie often felt like a fish out of the water in comparison to her fellow housemate. Sure, Harry adored her too, but the rigidity in which she moved was evident to anyone. She didn't have the natural ability of being flexible, relaxed to her nephew's needs. Still, it made her happy to see the two boys of the house interact.

The witch retreated from the room quietly, wishing not to make her presence known and thinking intensely. She wondered what James and Lily would think if they were there to witness her and Sirius. And for the first time, Maggie was pleased.

Few more days had passed and the adults continued to keep their distance. January had passed and February welcomed them with slightly more warm rays of sun. Sirius was still confused at the witch's sudden turn of behaviour, but more so he was irked. He had decided to let Margaret be, he refused to follow her around like a lost puppy. He, of course, was oblivious of Maggie's calculated, lingering moves. How she sneaked in quietly whilst Sirius and Harry were taking a nap —the infant resting on the young adult's chest—; the way in which she raised her head slightly to listen from afar when Sirius talked to Harry; and the soft smile that drew in her face when she noted the admiration in which those two boys —infant and wizard— looked at one another.

Maggie had now began to grow accustomed to the feeling that would settle in the heart of her stomach whenever she neared Sirius. It was most undesirable for the circumstances she found herself in, but little by little she was begging to understand there wasn't much she could do about it. She had resolved to keep it quiet, unnoticed, until it passed on its own.