“So I’ve noticed,” Cat teases as she conjured another rocking chair and placed it next to Sirius’s. “You know you spoil her terribly. Its no wonder Paddy’s having so much trouble with her.”

“Now you and I both know its impossible to spoil a baby.” Sirius replied coolly, only to be reduced to cooing once again as Edana smiled and hiccupped at him. “Besides, how can I not spoil a cute little thing like you.”

“Oh, Siri” Cat sighed as she cradled a little boy in her arms. Sirius watched with both admiration and fascination as the fussing child was quickly calmed and soothed by her voice and touch. She reached into the air, twisting her wrist slightly as a warm bottle of expressed milk flew from a small granite chest and straight into her hand. “What is it Siri? You act like you’ve never seen anyone feeding a baby before.”

“I’ve never seen you feed a baby before, at least not like this. You really do make a wonderful mother, gra.” he insisted, a wistful smile on his face as he continued to watch her rocking back and forth while feeding the baby. She was so utterly beautiful to him, the absolute picture of feminine grace and motherly love. The look in her eyes as she watched the infant suckle greedily while she cradled him in her protective and loving arms was enough to make Sirius feel as if nothing could ever be wrong in the world again. “Gra?” he whispered, waiting for her to look over at him, “Would you like to have children of our own?”

He felt himself smile almost shyly as she looked away from him, a crimson blush blooming on her cheeks. “Really and truly, gra,” he insisted as he reached out, gently stroking her face, “I want to settle down, I wan to have a family, with you and Harry. I want to ‘be’ a family.”

“Sirius, you better think long and hard before making a statement like that in this house.” Cat replied softly.

“It’s all I’ve been thinking about Cat. Ever since you asked me if I would be able to accept another man’s child as my own, Callista, Edana….” he whispered, motioning to the groggy baby in his arms. “I would, and I will, Cat. If not someone else’s than most certainly my own……and if you keep blushing like that, it’s all over for both of us.”

“Sirius, you have to stop saying things like that, not unless you believe it in your heart and soul.” Cat said quietly as she rose to place the now sleeping baby in his cradle.

“I mean every word of it Catrianna. Do you have any idea how many times I have had to stop myself from going to you in the middle of the night, restrain myself from crawling into your bed and never leaving again….and before you make any comments about my promise not to force you, you know I never would…although if the truth be known, I doubt you would take much convincing.” he added as he gently leaned against her and kissed her neck. “I can see it in your eyes, and I can most certainly feel it in your touch, you don’t want to be alone anymore than I do.”……

Charlie leaned back in his chair, rubbing some more of Belladonna’s Best Burn Balm into his latest wound, that new Russian Razortooth was going to be the death of him if he didn’t calm down soon. Gazing around his small flat, his eyes fell to the letters and pictures setting on his desk. Smiling wistfully, Charlie wiped off his fingers and picked up the picture his mother had sent him of the girl she simply called ‘Meg’. He normally would have ignored his mother’s letters regarding girls, after all, the past few she had attempted to set him up with had been flaming failures as far as he was concerned. But this one was different, if for no other reason than his father had also sent him a letter about her, unknown to his Mum of course.

Charlie slowly ran his finger along Meg’s outline, laughing softly as he looked at her curly blonde hair, “Great, our kids will probably have hair like Percy’s,” he mused, surprising himself that he was even thinking about such things, after all, he hadn’t even met her yet. Flipping through the photos his father had sent along with his letter, Charlie’s smile got wider and wider, she certainly seemed to fit in with his family well, even the twins. He laughed outright as he studied the picture of her and the twins yet again, obviously they had tried to do something to her as the picture was being taken, and it seemed she was ready for them if the looks on their faces were any indication.

“So, she’s related to the new divination teacher at Hogwart’s huh?” he sighed as he continued looking through the photos, stopping at the one with Harry and the pretty red-haired woman standing beside him. “Well, I’ve never seen a Sidhe before, and I certainly didn’t expect them to look like this from the description in the Ministry books, I wonder what else they got wrong. After all, if Dumbledore trusts them enough to teach and protect the students, they’ve got to be okay.”

Pulling out some parchment and a quill, Charlie quickly wrote two letters, one to his Mum at home, telling her of his decision, and the other to his Da at the Ministry, also informing his father of his decision, and asking him to send more pictures of Meg. Smiling widely as he sealed the letters, he picked up the photo of Meg and his Mum standing next to each other and quickly slipped it into his breast pocket as he grabbed his coat and headed back outside to tend to the Russian dragon once more……..

Harry grinned crazily as he watched Sirius with the baby, attempting to get the little girl to lay still long enough so he could change her. “Uhm, Sirius? Maybe you should get Mum to help you with that. I mean, you don’t really know what you’re doing, do you?”

Sirius stuck out his tongue and crossed his eyes at Harry’s comment. “Know how….., let me tell you something Mr. Potter, I used to change your diapers once upon a time, and it wasn‘t all ‘that‘ long ago. ”

Harry blushed as Sara and Callista laughed at him. “More info than I needed, thanks” he groaned. “Where is Mum anyway, we wanted to ask her when we’re going to go back to school. It starts up again next week, right?”

A dark shadow passed over Sirius’s eyes “I’m not sure if we’re going to go back right away Harry. Cash and your Mum are still discussing things with Dumbledore, I think they want to get everything in order before we drop in with our new… exchange students.” he explained, winking at the girls. “And you make sure you keep an eye on them when we do go back Harry, you’re the oldest and you know the school , they don’t. I don’t want to hear anything about trouble, detention, ….or Slytherins” he added, giving Harry a knowing look.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they know all about ‘them’ before we ever leave home.” Harry insisted, watching with amazement as Sirius quickly cleaned the baby’s bum and wrapped her in a new diaper. “Hey, you really do know what you’re doing. I bet Mum will be impressed.”

Sirius winked at him, “That’s what I’m counting on. Why don’t you three run along, I have a feeling if you’re found it will be up to bed with you. The adults seem to be having quite the conversation, even Cat and I aren’t allowed in.”

“You’ve got to be kidding” Sara stated, looking intently at Sirius, “If Aunt Kitty was left out, I’ll bet you my new snowboard its about her then. Maybe they’re going to decide if you can marry her Uncle Sirius?” she added happily, “Maybe that’s why they left you two out here with all the babies, like a test or something.”

“Actually Sara, I was thinking the same thing.” Sirius agreed as he lifted the baby and placed her over his shoulder. “So be good and let me and Cat to it., I need to score as many ‘good daddy points’ as possible.” he winked, giving Harry a wide smile when he saw the light in his godson’s eyes, right before Sara drug him off to look for Tanja and Monty so they could learn more about Hogwarts.

“So, you think this is a test do you?” Cat said softly, making Sirius jump as she startled him. “Not that you aren’t doing very well, but I see Edana has woken up again.” she giggled as he rolled his eyes. “I told you before, you are spoiling her, she wants to be held all the time now.”

“Oh sure, fine, blame me, I’m the bad guy” he grinned, kissing her quickly as he walked to put the baby he had just changed back into her cradle before going to Edana. “I mean, its not like YOU ever cuddle with her for hours on end.” he stated knowingly, “I have certainly never seen you take her into your bed with you when Paddy was near his breaking point, cuddling with her all night long, not even putting her into a crib or anything, not you, nuh uh, not at all.”

“Oh stop, you’ve made your point.” Cat sighed, laughing despite herself, “I admit it, I’m just as bad as you are, but exactly HOW did you know about that?” she asked, pointedly.

“Hey, have you forgotten, I share a room with Paddy, I was about to do the same thing when I saw you sneak in and take her. Poor kid, he’s having a pretty hard time of it, isn’t he?” Sirius asked, suddenly serious.

Cat looked down for a moment as she nodded her head. “That’s why I had that little talk with you the other day Siri. I’m afraid it may well come to that, in fact that may be one of the things they are discussing now.”

“Wouldn’t you need to be there for that? I mean, it’s your decision too, isn’t it?”

“No, I made my decision when I agreed to be her godmother. And let’s face it Siri,” Cat sighed deeply as she watched Sirius pick up Edana and quiet her quickly. “She wasn’t loved in the womb, she was born far too early, and Paddy isn’t much more than a child himself, he’s got a lot of growing up to do himself.”

“But he loves her, gra. That has to count for something, doesn’t it?” he asked as he stared down at the little girl in his arms, who was now sucking contentedly on his finger.

“Of course it does Siri, but not enough to risk her, and she is at risk.” she whispered as she leaned against him, smiling tenderly at he and Edana for what seemed like hours. “Did you think over what we discussed Siri? Do you still feel the same way?”

“About being a father to her and Callista? Of course I do, gra.” …………

Orpha waited for the murmuring to subside before she continued, “Yes, I know many of you thought it was merely a rumour, but I have indeed challenged Maharet regarding the running of the clan. In particularly the future of our clan, I don’t like what I see happening. Far too many of our women folk are being sacrificed to this ‘prophecy’ that no one, save Maharet herself, have seen.”

She fixed several members of the clan with her brilliant aqua eyes. “This is one of the reasons we are here today. A new ‘counsel’ will be formed this very day, one consisting of both women and men.” she paused again as disbelief swept through the room. “I know many of you consider this outrageous, if not outright blasphemy. But the world is made up of both male and female, the goddess has her god, it isn’t right to completely discount half of our clan based on nothing more than gender. They fight along side of us in battle, defending their homes and children just as we do. Many of them have laid down their lives to protect the clan, going into danger everyday to keep us safe. …Our men deserve to have a say in the future of our clan.”

“But Orpha, how can you say that? They don’t bear children, they don’t live to become crones, they don’t….”

“Stop, before you go any further, stop.” Orpha said calmly and evenly. “Everyone of us here realizes that men will never be as in tuned to the ways of the land and the goddess as the women are, I’m not claiming they are or they will. But we all recognize that there is a wisdom to the way of the warriors, the sages of battles, even our own goddess has at various times donned the garb of war to battle our enemies. I personally think it is disgraceful that we ignore this.”

One older man stood up, “Orpha, I understand your wisdom in this, but as I man, I must confess that I am extremely uncomfortable with the idea of being responsible for the future of the clan. For deciding the best course, best…’mate’ if you will for our daughters….”

Orpha laughed lightly, “And don’t think for one moment we will leave it entirely in your hands, Feargus, I saw the trouble you had with your own daughters.” she teased as everyone laughed good naturedly. “I am simply saying it is time the entire clan had a say in its future. In fact, Kitty is a wonderful example of what I mean.”

“Kitty? Catrianna? Surely Maharet will insist on brokering her marriage and children, even her father…...” Feargus began, only to be silenced by Orpha’s raised eyebrow.

“Her father and I have done a miraculous job of keeping Maharet from harming her anymore than she already has. And I intend to keep it that way, so does Magnus. Even Mac Lir has agreed to assist us should it become necessary.”

Siobhan looked around the room, seeing many confused and undecided faces, she decided to force the issue one way or the other. Standing up and speaking clearly, she called upon Tristessa. “Tris, you are a crone, tell me, what do you think of this idea? Do you feel Maharet is no longer capable of directing the future of the clan?”

Tris paused, leaving an uncomfortable silence before she rose to her feet and looked at her family. “I have never seen the prophecy, however, I ‘have’ buried far too many members of my clan. Many of which did not die at the hands of our enemies.” she stated softly, sitting down once more as a loud murmur swept through the room.

Several of the women in a corner stood up and called upon Tris “Explain yourself Tristessa! Have we been betrayed? Has she gone mad?”

Tris shook her head sadly as she looked up at Orpha who nodded and spoke for Tris. “At this point, I must ask any of you who do not want to hear this, to participate with us to leave. What is to be discussed next needs to be kept in confidence, as much for our clan’s sake as anything else. Siobhan, Lia, Tris, Katie, Moira, please stay here. If any of the men care to join us, I would ask Luke, Duncan, Colin, Wallace, Bruid and Paddy to stay.”

Waiting until the few members who did not wish to stay cleared the room, Orpha had everyone else took their seats. “Go on Tris, tell them, they have a right to know. Kitty will understand, and none of them will breath a word of it outside of this room.” she insisted as she stared at each of them in turn. “You are now part of the future of our clan, old and young alike, Tris, Lia and I are here as crones, Siobhan you are here as a mother, and I hope to add others to you ranks shortly. Katie and Moira, you will represent the maidens, the true future of the clan. The men like wise, I have asked time tested warriors, fathers and youths to be here so that we are all represented and that we can all understand. Tris, please continued ….”

Tris sighed deeply, a sorrowful look filling her eyes as she looked around the room. “Maharet has had to make many….choices… for our clan, many of them harsh, some of them seemingly senseless. The one that comes to mind is Kitty….” she looked at Orpha yet again, a pleading look in her eyes, it was obvious she did not want to tell her tale.

“Tristessa, I know this is hard for you, and I am sorry, but if it comes from me, many may think it is a ploy to depose Maharet, and nothing could be further from my mind. Besides, Luke and Duncan already know part of it, as her brothers, they have the right to know the truth, to know why their sister has been so sad all these years.”

At these words, everyone in the room seemed to lean forward a little more, as if to hear the whispering of Tris’s heart as she wrestled with the conflicting loyalties within her. “But if Kitty knows ……it will hurt her even more.”

Luke stood from his seat and walked up to Tris, hugging her gently as his eyes misted over. “Tris, I know she was with child many years ago, and I know she never had that child. I want to know the truth, for my sake and for my sisters, you have to tell us what is going on.” A collective gasp was heard through the room as the words left Luke’s mouth.

“You knew?” Tris asked incredulously “Did she tell you? Did you ask her?”

Luke grinned sadly, “I may be a man Tris, but I’m her brother, I know my own sister, I know when her heart’s been broken. I know when ‘she’s’ been broken.”

Nodding her head, Tris squeezed Luke’s hand and finally told the truth she had kept inside of her heart for nearly two decades. “Luke is right, Kitty was with child, it must be around seventeen years ago now. It was a little girl, she refused to tell any of us who the father was, and nothing we did could convince her to, not even Orpha could pry it from her mind. She contacted me as soon as she realized Kitty was going to have a daughter, hoping I would be able to convince her to tell us who the father was. But before I could get here, Maharet summoned me. She apparently has some way of knowing when one of us is with child, she asked me the same questions Orpha did. But I didn’t have any answers to give her I hadn’t already told to Orpha. She wasn’t happy, she said it wasn’t supposed to happen this way, that it wasn’t the proper time yet.”

Tris let out a shuddering breath as she looked up at Luke and continued. “Before I could make my way back here to talk to her. Maharet sent out a summons for the warriors, our clan was being attacked near one of the borders by what we would later come to call death eaters. …..Luke, there was no reason Kitty should have been made to go, Maharet knew she was pregnant, she knew it was a daughter…” Tris broke down into sobs at this point, hugging Luke tightly as he wept silently on her shoulder.

Orpha dabbed at her eyes, sniffling softly as she took up where Tris had left off. “I’m sure we all remember what happened after that. Nearly three times the amount of enemies as we had been led to believe, all of them armed and more than willing to kill. We nearly lost Kitty that day, her brothers brought her back to us covered in her own blood. I’m sure I don’t need to mention the amount of wounds the poor child received, in fact, I believe many of us remarked how odd it was that she was stabbed so many times through her belly….” Orpha startled as Duncan threw his chair across the room, splintering it against the wall. He had a look of madness on his tear stained face, the look of a man in search of blood…….

“So Harry, what else do they do at this school of yours?” Tanja asked as she rubbed Monty’s chin. “And will we really have to carry sticks?”

“Wands, Tanja, they are called wands. And I dunno, if you do I’m sure Mum will have to stop at Diagon Alley to get them, actually she’ll probably have to stop there anyway to get supplies for everyone. I know I need to restock some of my potion kit, I have double potions next term.” he stated, making a face as he thought of spending twice the amount of time with Snape when he got back.

“Oh, potions” Sara squealed, “I bet I’m going to love that class. All the interesting things to mix and the pretty colours…”

“And the rotten teacher who hates my house, and me…” Harry added.

“I’m sure you’re over exaggerating Harry” Moira said softly as she joined the group near the fireplace. She kept a close eye on Callista, who seemed hesitant to look at her this evening. “He’s probably just strict, Wallace can be like that too.”

“No, he’s beastly! I have no idea what Mum sees in him. He’s ugly, mean, rude, nasty, greasy..”

“Ghee Harry” Callista half-gasped, her eyes opened wide at the tone of such dislike in Harry’s voice. “tell us how you really feel about him.”…….

After they had finally succeeded in calming Duncan down, Luke continued the discussion as best he could. “And the reason you’ve waited to tell us all of this? Its got to be more than a grudge against Maharet. And why wait until now to do something about all of this?”

“The why is very easy, fear that history will repeat itself. I was too shocked, to hurt to do anything immediately after it happened, or I should say, after I realized what had happened. Also I didn‘t want to hurt Kitty by bring it up, and since she didn‘t seem to be in any hurry to return to anyone, or to try to have another child, I let it be. But now things have changed, drastically changed.” Orpha explain softly, stroking Tris’s hair as the blonde Gangrel rested against her shoulder. “We all seem to believe Kitty is with child once more, and while it pains me to force the issue. It seems that Maharet will be no more happier about it this time than she was last time. It is only through the sheer force of will that your sister possesses, that Maharet hasn’t become involved yet, that she hasn‘t realized your sister‘s condition. Add that to the fact that she seems to wants to have Sirius removed from the situation…permanently removed…”

“She WHAT?” Duncan and Paddy roared in unison.

“Sit down and lower your voices.” Orpha scolded, ‘I have no intention of leaving that happen. And just to make this perfectly clear to everyone here, I approve of Sirius, although in the interest of fairness, I will be making a trip to this wizarding school to meet the other wizard Tris has told me of. I wish to judge him with my own eyes, and I am NOT above invoking the laws of Maeb if I feel it is in the best interest of Kitty and of our clan.” she said firmly, a tone in her voice that clearly prevented any arguments.

“But Orpha” Paddy said softly, “you promised me, if….if you had to take Edana from me,” he paused, sniffling loudly as he wiped his sleeve across his eyes, “you swore Kitty and Sirius would raise her, even Duncan agreed to step aside if they …..”

“And I have every intentions of keeping my word to you Paddy, “ Orpha assured him, “but if I recall correctly, I said Kitty and her husband… it is more than likely that will be Sirius, but if you like, you may accompany me to meet this other wizard. After all, his response to the children will be very important, as Kitty may well be taking in Callista very shortly”……

Siri felt his heart swelling to the point he thought it might burst with the overflowing love he experienced every time he looked at Cat and the babies. If he half closed his eyes, he could easily picture her fussing over a crib in the nursery of their home, her belly large and full of child as she put the finishing touches on what would be their child’s room. He imagined the excitement and thrill of the birth, the pure joy they would share as they gazed upon their child’s face for the very first time. The smile that would be on Harry’s face as he poked his head into the door, asking if he had a little brother or sister.

“Helloooooo……Sirius…. Helloooooo” Cat called, waving her hand in front of his face, laughing as he startled, staring at her with wide eyes. “Are you falling asleep on me, mo ionúin? Is last night catching up with you?” she teased, smiling brightly as he smirked at her.

“No, its not, thank you very much.” he teased back, pretending to be wounded by her comment. “And I don’t think you want to know what was going through my mind anyway.” he stated as he placed the finally sleeping Edana in a crib.

“Well now you have my curiosity piqued,” Cat stated, staring at him expectantly, “Well, come on, out with it. You know I won’t give you a moments peace until you tell me.”

“Don’t I know it,” Sirius responded, rolling his eyes and laughing as she swatted him. Turning quickly, he caught her in his arms, pulling her tight against him as he kissed her, all but melting as he heard her sigh softly. But before he could go any further, one of the babies let out a sharp cry, wailing pitifully as he and Cat rushed to the crib. “It’s alright little guy, I’ve got you.” Siri whispered as he tried to hush the sobbing child. He watched as Cat felt the baby’s forehead and then his tummy.

“Someone’s got a big gas bubble in there, here, give him to me.”

“I can do it” Sirius insisted, “I ‘have’ burped a baby before.” he reminded her, just as Remus came into the room, a cranky toddler in tow. “There, see, ‘he’ needs help, I’m fine.” he winked, laughing as Remus shot him a look.

Angus and Roel turned to stare at each other, they had both seen it at the same time. Brutus and Cash were positioning themselves to deliver killing blows to Gustavas, it seemed they would strike at the exact same moment. But what neither of the Gangrel combatants could see was that the Tremere realized it as well, and was doing some manoeuvring of his own. No matter which one of them struck at him, one of them was going to strike and kill Cobryn as well.

“Come on, we’ve got to get him out of there,” Angus urged, “Cash would never forgive himself for making a mistake like that.”

“Stop talking, start running” Roel growled as he and his clan brother dashed towards the wounded Caitiff hunter, hoping to drag him out of the way before it was too late. As they approached the battle, each of them took a different side, circling around so they were each able to approach Cobryn on either front. “Hurry up Angus, its nearly over.” Roel hissed as they each slipped an arm around the Caitiff. “Damnnit, why aren’t you helping us Cobryn?”

“Because he can’t” Angus replied hastily. “The Tremere must have poisoned him with his bile when he tried to feed. The childe is half dead, its up to us now.”

Gustavas grinned as he spat at the Gangrels in front of him, “Do you think this is over brother dear? You really should know better than that, I’ve beaten you ever since we were children. And you don’t have mother dear to go running to anymore.”

“I don’t have anyone or anything because of you” Brutus roared, “Not my family, not comrades, not even the peace of my grave. It ends now, YOU end now.” He insisted as he raised his weapon high above his head, swinging down with enough force to shatter the Tremere’s skull…..it was at that moment that they saw what was happening.

Cash turned just in time to see Angus trying to pull Cobryn out of the way as Brutus’s arms came swinging down upon Gustavas. Cash felt his voice stick in his throat as he tried to scream out a warning to his clan. But only Roel seemed to hear him, the young Gangrel’s eyes wide with fear and understanding as he looked up at Brutus, watching as Gustavas sneered, dropping to his belly to avoid the blow, leaving nothing to shield he, Angus or the wounded Cobryn. Roel stared directly into Brutus’s eyes, he had only one chance to move, to save his brothers, but his timing must be perfect, if he was off by even a split second, Angus would die…..

Sirius stared at the baby with disbelief, “Did that sound actually come out of you?” he grimaced as he wiped off the baby’s mouth and the shoulder of his own robes. “Well, I trust you’re feel much better now?” he added, flashing a smile as the baby gurgled at him. “So, you ready to go to sleep again, little man? No? What do you need, your diaper is clean, you’ve been fed, you’ve certainly been burped” he smirked. “I bet I know, you want a lullaby, don’t you?”

“Well, too bad for you, Cat isn’t here, she’s got the prettiest voice you’ve ever heard, but I’ll do what I can if you promise not to cry over my singing…. What do you say? Is it a deal….” seeing the baby laugh at him, Sirius nodded, “I’m taking that as a yes….now, what can I possible sing to a baby. Wait, I know.” he grinned as he sat in a rocking chair and cradled the baby in his arms.

Cat smiled tenderly as she watched Sirius singing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ to the little boy. She could almost cry with joy and relief, he really was good with the children and he seemed to be looking forward to being a father himself. She closed her eyes as she rested a hand against her abdomen, wondering how soon that day would be.

“Everything alright Kitty?” Remus whispered as he placed his hand on her shoulder. “You seem distracted. Thinking up baby names perhaps, or maybe picking a wedding date?”

“Well I guess I’ll just call you Mr. Subtle, huh?” Cat replied snarkily, “And what is wrong with our little girl here? Is someone over tired, you don’t have a fever, and you’re not wet.” Cat lifted up the toddler, pressing her nose against the little girls, only to promptly have her suck on it. “I think I see the problem,” she stated matter of factly as Remus laughed deeply. “Remus, be a dear and bring over the high chair please.”

Sirius sighed as he watched the baby fall asleep in his arms, this just felt so right to him, the entire day had. It seemed odd that given his life so far, the pain, the betrayal, the dark days and nights in prison, that this should be what he wanted more than anything, even more than clearing his name. He simply wanted to be a father, to move on with his life, to help direct and protect a new life. He wanted the love and peace that came with family, and even the frustration and tears he remembered from his own father from time to time. Kissing the baby softly, Sirius placed him back in the crib and left to help Cat and Remus with the toddler, smiling as he thought of what their future together may hold.

“Now sweetie, I know you’re hungry, but if you don’t cooperate with me, you’ll never get any of this inside your mouth.” Cat explained once more as the toddler twisted and turned her head in every direction except the one Cat wanted. “Fionula, you’re really testing my patience right now” she sighed, “I’ve tried everything I can think of and several things I shouldn’t have, its no wonder Remus brought you in here.”

“She giving you that much trouble, gra?” Sirius asked as he leaned against the door frame, smirking at the battle of wills in front of him.

“You have no idea, Remus had to wash himself off before he could go back to the other toddlers. She’s being a very, very naughty girl tonight.” Cat added, looking pointedly at the little girl.

“Oh ho… you’ve got Aunt Kitty upset with you now.” Sirius teased, a look of shock and horror on his face. “What ever are we to do now? She’s such a meany when she gets testy.” Seeing Cat roll her eyes, Sirius quickly walked to her and kissed her cheek, “let me have a go at it.” he whispered as he took the bowl of food from Cat’s hands.

“Fine, you keep trying that, I’m going to mix up some cereal and see if that will suit her any better……and good luck” she added, kissing him back as she walked towards the stove.

“Luck, I don’t need no stinking luck.” Sirius teased back, smiling widely as Cat giggled at him. Pulling a chair up next to Fionula’s highchair, Sirius fixed her with a steady gaze. “Ok, I know you’re hungry, and I know you want some of this yummy…uhm…applesauce, right?” he asked, trying to get her to laugh so he could slip some food into her mouth.

He watched as the little girl pouted, lips pursed tight and tears still running down her cheeks. It almost broke his heart to see her so upset, especially when all she had to do was open her mouth so they could feed her. “Gra, are you sure she’s hungry? Don’t they usually grab for food, or at least open their mouths?”

“You mean like little birds?” Cat retorted, “Most would, but not her, she’s been like this since she’s been a baby. Her mother had the worst time trying to nurse her, and even now she will cry with hunger, but she won’t willingly accept food. None of us know why, we just do our best, and at times, resort to holding her nose shut so she has to open her mouth, but I just hate forcing her like that.”

Sirius nodded, he didn’t like the idea of that either, “Alrighty then dumpling, lets see what Uncle Sirius can do.” He heard Cat laughing as he made silly faces at the toddler, babbling nonsensically in the attempts to make her open her mouth, or at least to stop her tears. “Nummy, nummy, nummy… mmmmmm” he rolled his eyes around as he pretended to eat the applesauce, licking his lips and grinning as he saw her finally stop crying and stare at him.

“Mine” the toddler finally shouted as Sirius pretended to scrape the sides of the bowl, acting as if he were almost finished eating the food.

“Yours?” he asked, eyes wide as he placed his hand over his mouth, pretending to be shocked and ashamed of eating her food. “Noooooo, not yours, ….mine.” he added, sticking out his tongue at her.