“Fine” Sirius sighed “I think you’re familiar with the phrase “the rabbit died” right?” Harry nodded his head “Well so were we, and I was so positive that Cat was carrying my child.” Sirius shook his head again. “I decided that if the rabbit died, I should replace it with something. Don’t ask me why Harry, I couldn’t even begin to tell you. I just got it into my head that she would be upset if she lost a pet rabbit, so I better be ready to replace it with something else. Originally I was thinking of a kitten with a big pink or blue bow around its neck. But seeing as how I had no idea whether the baby was going to be a boy or girl, I thought maybe I should get two kittens, or maybe a kitten and a puppy. Then I thought, no wait, rabbits live outside, I should get her an outdoor pet, but something useful for the baby as well.”

Sirius looked at Harry and threw his hands up in the air “By the time she and Lily had finally gotten back with the results of her test, a simple kitten and puppy with little ribbons had become a sheep and a cow, I figured the sheep would be good for wool, after all, all pregnant woman knitted, right? And the baby would need milk…..at least they still had ribbons around their necks, tied into bows…. .large bows….I can’t believe she didn’t kill me for pulling a stunt like that.” Sirius said as he held his head in his hands.

Harry tried to stifle his laughter, but couldn’t “Oh Sirius, you didn’t, not in front of the whole school. She must have been so embarrassed.”

“She was” Sirius replied, raising his head just enough to look at his godson “it became a huge joke throughout the school. And of course her living on a farm only made it worse, it looked like I was trying to be offensive, or demeaning to her or something.”

“But she knew you didn’t mean it that way, right?” Harry asked “And what about the baby?”

Sirius shook his head sadly “Of course she knew I didn’t mean it that way, but she was still upset. And there was no baby, she was just late. Her Aunt told her it happens sometimes, and then proceeded to give her and Lily her own version of the Spanish Inquisition trying to find out why she thought she might be and who she thought the father was. Apparently Cat and Lily had sworn each other to secrecy prior to her going home. According to Remus, Cat had sworn to Lily if she opened her mouth about me, she would insist that James was the father. I think she was afraid her brothers would do something drastic if they found out what she and I had been doing. I‘m just thankful I decided not to bring the stallion as well,” looking over at Harry, Sirius quickly added “It was a private joke between us.”

“So I’ve heard” Harry replied sarcastically. “Remus filled me in on a lot before you got back. I think he was hoping you and Cat would get back together again.”

“Remus told you did he? And what else has my dear friend been telling you, may I ask?” Sirius questioned, hoping Remus would have enough sense to keep certain things to himself.

“You mean in between planning out ways to get you and mum back together and teaching? Gheez, I don’t think he’s had much time for anything else considering the way you two keep managing to muck everything up.” Harry replied, waiting to see the look on Sirius’s face.

“Alright Mr. Potter, that’s enough of that.” Sirius responded as he threw a pillow at Harry. “I’ve been neglectful in my duties as a godfather and I intend to make it up to you. First of all by making sure nothing happens to you, secondly, by providing you with a family. A real family Harry, no more Dursley’s, no more running away to the Weasley’s, unless of course you want to. If only my name were cleared, I could take care of the two of you the way you deserve. As it is, all I can give you is myself.”

“That’s all any of us has ever wanted Sirius” Harry said as he hugged his godfather. “I don’t care about money or a house or anything like that. I know mum doesn’t either, she as much as told Snape that when he hinted how well he would be able to provide for her.”

Sirius snorted. “Leave it to him to bring something like that up. Hopeless romantic that he is. And I know you’re right Harry, I remember what happened when a certain aunt of mine accused her of being a gold digger.”

“So if you ‘know’ all of this, why is it so hard for you to just talk to her. You don’t have to propose to her the minute you see her, but I’m sure she’d want to hear the things you’re saying to me right now.”

“You’re absolutely right, which is why I want you there.“ Sirius explained, "I'm afraid the moment I see Cat I'll loss my nerve Harry. She has this way of making me feel wonderful and completely unsure of everything at the same time."

They both fell silent as they heard a soft rapping at the door. Peeking his head in, Albus smiled brightly at the scene before him “I see the two of you are making progress, however, Mr. Potter has a visitor. Apparently your friend Mr. Weasley mentioned your inability to travel to the great hall for a proper meal. It seems that comment was over heard and acted upon.” Albus held open the door as a small figure carrying a huge tray entered.

“Dobby” Harry smiled as the house elf beamed up at him. “Am I glad to see you, I’m starving.”

“Hmpft, Dobby is not surprise Harry Potter” the elf replied as he scowled at Sirius, “Harry Potter’s mother came to Dobby before she left. She made Dobby promise to keep a close eye on Harry Potter Sir. Dobby is to make sure you eat proper, he swore to her, he did.” he explained as he sat the tray on the small table next to Sirius’s cot.

“She would” Sirius sighed, trying not to smile in front the of irate house elf. “She probably doesn’t think Moony and I can take proper care of you. I mean, we all know its nothing short of a miracle I haven’t managed to kill you off through shear neglect.”

“Is Harry Potter’s father unwell?” Dobby whispered to Harry. “He seems most peculiar to Dobby, he does.” Dobby’s ears moved downwards, as if expecting the man to spring upon him at any moment.

Harry grinned in between mouthfuls of food “Oh, he’ll be fine, he’s just a bit love sick” he said as Sirius gave him a warning look. Heedless of the consequences, Harry continued “He gets like this whenever mum goes away. HE forgets to eat himself, you see.”

“You’re pushing your luck Potter.” Sirius growled playfully, “And I am NOT love sick.”

“Ahhhh Dobby sees. Harry Potter’s father misses Harry Potter’s mother.” The house elf approached Sirius meekly, and gently stroked Sirius’s hand “Not to worry, she promised Dobby she would be back soon. She worried about Harry Potter Sir she is, she told Dobby so. Harry Potter‘s mother would not lie.” Dobby insisted as he left the room, his eyes still intently focused on Sirius.

Sirius and Harry looked up to see Albus chuckling softly at them “Well Harry, it would appear Kitty recruited every member of the staff to watch over you. From our ever present house elves, to Mrs. Norris, and even to myself. I can honestly say, she has left nothing to chance regarding your safety and well being.”

“Mrs. Norris? How did she manage that? No wait, never mind, I don’t need to know.” Harry replied as Albus and Sirius laughed at him.

“Good idea Harry. Trust me, some things are much better left unknown.” Sirius agreed.

“True, true.” Albus agreed, “especially were the mind of a woman is concerned I dare say. Ahh, I see you have more company.”

“Good day Professor Dumbledore” Remus smiled “you seem to have an owl waiting for you on your desk.”

“Do I? And on a Saturday morning before Christmas.” Albus shook his head as he left the friends to see to the message.

“He’s right” Sirius agreed “an owl on Christmas weekend, it has to be the Ministry. I hope nothing’s happened. It would be just like Voldemort to attack now.”

“No rest for the wicked” Remus agreed “but you don’t honestly think he would attack now do you? I thought he would go for Harry or Angel first, not the Ministry.”

“You’ve got a point Remus, but I’d rather not take any chances were Harry’s concerned. Are you hungry? Dobby seems to have brought enough for a small army.” Sirius asked as he shook his head, remembering Dobby’s words to him before he left.

“No, I’m fine thanks.” Remus said as he stared at Harry. Leaning toward Sirius, he whispered “So how is he holding up under the strain. I heard Olia was killed last night and Cash has all but imprisoned him.”

Sirius grinned “He doesn’t like it, but he understands. Besides, no matter how much he complains, he knows Cat would skin us alive if anything happened to him, and I know he wouldn’t want that.”

Harry looked up and grinned mischievously at Sirius “Sure about that are you? Because I could think of a few people I wouldn’t mind getting skinned in the least. Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, ….Snape.”

“Very funny Potter” Sirius teased “Leave Snape for Cash, your uncle and his clan deserve a little fun of their own.” he winked.

“Now Sirius, I doubt Kitty would appreciate hearing that.” Albus reminded him as he returned to the room. “I am afraid I must be off to London. Apparently the Ministry is in complete chaos due to several attacks, and I am unable to contact Minister Fudge or Mr. Weasley via the floo network. I trust you will all be extremely careful while I am gone. I spoke with Cash earlier and he has assured me the shield of silence surrounding the school will dissolve by early this evening, if not before. Mr. Potter, I trust you will stay with either Sirius or Remus until your mother returns.” he asked, peering over his glasses as he fixed Harry with a stern and penetrating gaze.

“Yes Professor Dumbledore” Harry agreed, feeling almost ashamed at the escape plans that had been roaming about his head.