Harry Potter A New Sirius Black

How in Merlin's name had Harry coped with living in that house? Sirius vowed that he'd find out, no matter how long it took. He hoped that the longer he spent with Harry, the more he would trust him, and then he would open up more. Sirius knew all about bad childhoods, and it sickened him that his own actions had caused someone he loved to have one of his own. He looked again at Harry, whose breathing was deep and even. His messy black hair lay on the pillow, and Sirius couldn't help himself - he reached out and stroked it very, very gently. Thankfully, Harry was so deeply asleep that he didn't even stir. Sirius smiled gently, the soft strands of hair flowing through his fingers. In his opinion, it was one of Harry's best features, so much like James's that it made his heart flip in his chest.

He continued to lie there, watching Harry for a long time. He didn't know how long it had been, but when Harry began to stir, Sirius immediately transformed into a dog. He was bound and determined to get a smile out of Harry first thing this morning, so as his eyes opened and he became alert, Sirius jumped up onto him, barking and licking his face.

"Oof, Sirius, gedoff!" Harry said in a sleep-laden voice, but Sirius would have none of it. He continued to lick Harry's face, gently barking in the boy's ear. Harry couldn't stop the smile that broke out on his face as he struggled to get the huge dog off him. "All right, all right, Sirius, I'm awake!" he choked out, laughing. "I'm awake!"

Sirius relented and got off him, transforming back into himself. "Did you enjoy your morning greeting, kiddo?" he asked, letting out a laugh of his own.

"I suppose so, you crazy mutt," said Harry, wiping his face clean. "But did you really have to do that?"

"Of course," said Sirius, in a mock offended tone. "Now what kind of question is that?"

"A reasonable one," said Harry, sitting up on the couch and stretching.

"Well, I'm afraid Sirius doesn't have a serious answer," replied Sirius, using, he knew, one of the worst puns in the world, but that was why he loved it so much.

"Very funny," Harry said, groaning. "How many people have you used that on?"

"Ah, how do you know me so well?" Sirius said, a goofy smile remaining on his face. "It was common for us Marauders to bandy it around nonstop."

"Didn't that get old?" Harry asked.

"Why, of course it did, but that's what made it so great!" Sirius exclaimed. "Now, onto bigger and better things. Would you like some breakfast?"

The smile disappeared from Harry's face then, and Sirius's heart sank as the boy's mood grew more somber. Starting another day brought both of them back to reality, and the situation they'd fallen into. "Okay," Harry said softly.

Sirius slung a comforting arm around Harry's waist, and they walked into the kitchen, both of them with their pyjamas still on. Sirius had let Harry borrow some of his, and had shrunk them so they fit Harry.

Sirius called for Kreacher, carefully keeping his temper in check this time, although the anger still roiled through him when the disgusting elf popped into the room. Sirius asked for bacon, eggs, and pancakes, and within a few seconds, Kreacher was back with the food. As he bowed and shuffled away, Sirius continued to restrain himself as he heard the mutter of, "Oh my poor mistress, what would she say if she saw the blood traitors sullying her table?"

After Kreacher was gone, Harry gave Sirius a grateful look. Sirius let out an audible sigh of relief - controlling his hatred for Kreacher took a supreme amount of effort. He'd never forget the Christmas holidays during his first year at Hogwarts, when he'd come home to a freezing reception from his so-called family. He remembered Kreacher popping into his room, a sneer on his wrinkled face and a look of loathing in his eyes. "Mistress says the traitor is not to leave his room," he had croaked, the vindictiveness practically oozing off him. "The traitor is not to eat any meals until Mistress deems it appropriate. The traitor is not to associate with good Master Regulus, who is noble and obedient."

Breaking himself out of his memories, Sirius looked over at Harry, who was slowly picking at his food. "Come on, pup," he coaxed gently. "I know you don't feel like it, but you need to get some nourishment into you. It'll make you feel better."

Harry gave Sirius a small smile. "Pup?" he asked. "Is that your new nickname for me? You've been calling me that recently."

"Yeah," said Sirius, a little embarrassed. It had come out unintentionally, but he meant it. He had always called him pup ever since he was born, and he'd never forgotten it. He still had trouble coming to terms with the fact that the boy before him was now fourteen years old.

Harry saw the embarrassment on his godfather's face, and smiled softly. "It's okay," he said. "I ... uh ... kind of like it."

Sirius smiled tenderly back at him. "Pup and Prongslet," he said with a chuckle. "James used to ream me out for calling you Prongslet, because he said that should have been his idea. After all, he was Prongs."

Harry grinned, and to Sirius's relief, ate more of his breakfast. Both occupants of the house sat in quiet contemplation as they ate. Sirius wondered if Harry would ask about what was happening at Hogwarts, but throughout the meal, it was never brought up. Sirius realized that it must be too painful for him at the moment. Eventually, they would have to poke their heads out of the sheltered world they had built for themselves, but not right now. Harry should take as much time as he could to heal. Sirius knew that the whole wizarding world would be hungry for his whereabouts, some worried for his well-being but many others clamoring for his blood. And Sirius wasn't about to let anything happen to him.

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