A Little Flame / Sirius Black

Chapter Three

"Sweetie, did you like the nursery?" Ria cooed at her son.

Theseus gurgled back at her from his dark mahagony crib.

She had came back to Britain two days ago. She smiled sweetly at her nine month old darling while examining the lilac walls. Percy was scandalised when she refused to ocean blue walls and a beach themed nursery.

"Nope, I'm not going to abide stereotypes" she had said firmly.

She and Theo had moved into the house her father had gifted her mother when she got pregnant with her.

Her father was overjoyed to have a daughter and set up a dowry for her. So even if she didn't work for the rest of her life, she'll have enough to live in a wealthy lifestyle.

She was blessed with a really good stepmother who was caring towards her.

'The Coral Isle' was situated on the ocean side with a beautiful private beach in front.

Front room

Backroom and backyard

Front side

Her son would have a happy childhood growing up here. He'll have enough room to invite friends over and have sleepovers.

Her thoughts turned less pleasant as she thought about letting her friends know that she was back. It meant Sirius would know too. Moreover he would know that he, no she had a son. He wanted nothing to do with Theo and he'll have nothing to do with him.

After all, what was there to be scared about? She shouldn't refrain from seeing her friends. There was no need for anyone to know she spent a night with Sirius. He didn't want to be a father so he won't be one. That's it. She was going to let Lily know. She hadn't seen her godson since he was born. So she absolutely had to see him.

Posey, the ever faithful house elf she received from her stepmother, agreed to watch her son while she wrote a letter to Lily.

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Sirius watched happily as James tossed Harry into the air. His godson let out a shriek of giggles.

Harry was the centre of all of their worlds from the moment he was born.

Sirius couldn't imagine a life without his little giggles and tantrums. Harry was a sweet perfect baby. Sirius often had moments of sadness in between where he would remember the chance that he had blown. Harry would know to climb on his lap and gurgle at him, thus comforting him.

At present his thinking process was interrupted.

"We're all invited to Marlene's birthday party. It's at the Three Broomsticks at 7. We should go get ready. Bathilda has promised to babysit Harry" Lily came in and told them.

Harry woe fully turned and looked at Sirius, as if he understood that he was going to be left out.

Sirius laughed at his expression as he scooped him up and kissed his chubby cheeks. For the thousandth time, Sirius wished he had seen his own pup being born.

A very long distance away, a young child, let out a sniffle, missing something he never knew. It was as if Theo knew that his father longed for him and didn't know that he existed.

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The private room at Three Broomsticks was crowded. Champagne was passed around by waiters and people were starting to dance.

Sirius held a drink to his chest and looked around. He was leaning on the wall and observing the room. It was a party like this when he had slept with Ria. When she got drunk and started throwing herself at him, he had felt like that was a dream come true.

He was surprised to find out that she was a virgin. She wasn't like the others he had slept with. He had subconsciously understood that she was giving him her heart.

He hadn't been with another woman after her. The guilt and the heart sickness was much too painful.

He was woken from his thoughts with a start.

"Merlin, Ria ?" Marlene was shouting.

Sirius watched in a haze as the woman who he thought about at least five times a day walked into the room.

Lily was talking loudly to Marlene about her surprise but Sirius heard nothing. Her figure was fuller and she seemed more confident than he had ever seen her. He wanted to talk to her, badly.

After the excitement subsided and the party settled to a rhythm, he approached her slowly.

She turned around before he could reach close to her, as if sensing his presence. Her eyebrows shot up.

"You!!!" she snapped coldly. He felt hurt by her coldness but he figured she was justified.

"Ria, I wanted to apologise. I know it's too late for forgiveness but I still want to try. I know I was wrong in forcing you to get an abortion. The past year, seeing Harry, with James and Lily made me realise what a chance I blew" Sirius stopped talking looking at her furious expression.

"First of all, Black, you got one thing correct, it is too late. Secondly, no-one bullies me into a choice I don't want. I never got an abortion, have nine month old son who despite being premature is a healthy baby, and we are very happy, regardless of his sperm donor's condition! " she replied with her head high.

Sirius Black was feeling like the earth shook beneath him. He tried to articulate words but no sounds formed.

Finally he got a strangled sound out." I have a son? " he choked.

" No Black, I have a son " Ria replied in glacial voice. She swept away from him angrily, leaving him clutching the wall so that he wouldn't collapse.

Nearby James and Lily Potter watched in open mouthed disbelief.