You Are Cordially Invited (Sirius Black)

"I Understand, I Do. I Love You."

JAMES and Lily had called around to say goodbye to Aurora in the morning and spent an hour chatting in a much more sociable manner than that of Friday evening. James quietly took Sirius to one side as the girls were talking.

"Listen, you know that… thing… from the other night?" James whispered awkwardly. Sirius presumed "thing" meant "pregnancy" and nodded.

"Well, it turns out she's not… we're not… well, it was a false alarm," James stuttered uncomfortably. He ran a hand through his unruly hair and blew out his cheeks.

Sirius felt like he had been punched in the stomach- here he had given Aurora up because he would swear to protect James's child and now they weren't even pregnant!

"...Got us thinking, though," continued James's voice from a faraway place. Sirius snapped back into focus. "When we found out we weren't it made us realise how much we do want it. We're… we're gonna keep trying… and although we're not there yet, when we are will you promise to be its Godfather?"

Sirius had a glut of mixed emotions but he could never ignore the fierce loyalty and devotion to his friends. His own needs came second.

"I would be honoured."

James grinned and clapped him on the back, which gave way to a fond hug. There was a knock at the door. Sirius approached with trepidation, given as a recent visitor was most heinously unwelcome, but before he could even open it Dora Tonks came bursting through the door, her hair flame-red and her skin polka-dotty. Apologetically Andy stepped through after her, followed by Remus who had arrived simultaneously.

"Uncle Siri I'm an umby-rella!" Dora shrieked and her hair suddenly stuck up on end. Everyone laughed.

"She's certainly full of fun," Remus mused to Andy.

"Yes, she brings life and joy everywhere she goes and to everyone she meets. I just wish she would pick a less vibrant colour!" Andy mused.

Sirius hugged his cousin.

"How are you?" She asked kindly.

"I'm fine, Andy, you know me," he said with false ease. Andy smiled gently.

"Yes, I do know you which is why I'm asking."

Sirius regarded her carefully for a moment, aware that his cousin was like a best friend and did indeed know how he was feeling. He ran a hand through his fine, dark hair and shrugged. Andy gave him a hug.

"I understand, Siri," she whispered in his ear as they hugged, "I do. I love you."

*

Sirius had never been to Platform 3 1/2 at King's Cross before. It was the platform which took you to Dover from which wizards and witches could get the train to Calais, which then went through Europe and Asia. It was meant to be an alternative for magical folk who couldn't Apparate or had no other form of transport (especially as magic carpets were in the process of getting banned), but Sirius dreaded to think how much it would cost. It hardly seemed likely that a train from England to the other side of the globe was a pauper's journey.

Witches and wizards in varying degrees of finery and international dress buzzed around, waiting for their departure. Sirius thought he saw someone he knew and yanked Aurora behind a brick barrier.

"Well, this is an odd goodbye," she mused as Sirius glanced about fervently. He looked back as if just remembering she was there.

"Sorry… I just… yeah…" He finished lamely. He pushed his dark hair away from his eyes and breathed deeply- he couldn't believe this was it. Aurora was looking at him with sparkling azure eyes, wide with sadness and compassion and feeling.