Ebb and Flow

Godric's Hollow, Late July 1980

***

"Stupid bike!" Sirius growled, throwing a screwdriver across the garage.

The screwdriver hit the wall and crashed to the ground, creating an awful, high-pitched sound against the concrete floor. Althea winced at the sound, but walked forward.

"Would you like some help?" she asked, stopping behind the bent figure of Sirius.

Sirius glared at her from over his shoulder. "Fine," he sighed, and crawled underneath his motorbike.

Althea knelt down next to him and waited for instruction.

"Hand me the socket," Sirius said from underneath his motorbike.

"The what?" she asked, looking confusingly at the toolbox.

"The socket," he said with slight agitation--his outstretched hand, grasping for a tool.

Althea continued to rummage through the toolbox, and Sirius sighed with palpable frustration.

"Never mind, just get over here and hold this," he demanded.

Althea crawled across the cold, concrete floor, and with both hands, held the metal part to the motorbike. Her arm tiring, she watched Sirius immediately find the socket and crawl to her side. If he could find it so easily then why did he ask me, she thought as Sirius took the socket to the metal part Althea had been holding. I have no idea what any of this stuff is. I didn't actually think he'd want my help.

"Done," he muttered, sliding himself from underneath the motorbike. "This," he said, holding up the metal, t-shaped instrument with a hollow end, "this is a socket."

Sirius tossed the socket it into the toolbox and Althea winced at the sound of clanking metal. He looked at Althea, then at the toolbox, and shook his head.

"Grandfather was a Muggle and she doesn't know what a socket is," he teased, smirking.

"Not all Muggles know how to fix a motorbike," she said, folding her arms. "Usually, they pay someone to do that for them."

"Why would anyone pay for someone to fix his bike?" he asked, looking appreciatively at his motorbike. "It's fun to do it yourself."

Althea laughed and stretched her arms behind her on the cold, concrete floor. "Since you find fixing your motorbike fun, I have some other things round the cottage that need fixing," she said, smiling. "Like the fence that needs mending, the dripping tap in the kitchen, the leaky roof--"

"I'll stay with my bike, thanks," he said and ran his fingers through his hair.

Althea scrunched her nose and frowned.

"What?" he asked, scratching his chin.

Althea snickered at the black grease marks left on his chin. "Sirius, you have grease all over you, and you just put grease in your hair."

Sirius looked at his soiled hands and frowned. "You're right," he sighed. "I'll have a bath before I leave," he said and stood.

"No, you're not going to bathe here," she said, shaking her head. "The last time it took me a day of scrubbing to remove the dirt and oil from my bathtub," she explained, sitting upright.

Sirius grabbed a towel from the workbench. "Why didn't you just use a Cleaning Charm?" he asked, wiping his soiled hands with the towel.

"Cleaning Charms aren't efficient at removing Muggle motor oil," she explained, bringing her knees to her chin. "You can bathe at your flat."

"I don't want my bath all dirty," he replied and threw the soiled towel at her face.

Althea caught the towel. "Sirius, this is disgusting," she said, holding the towel far from her. "Why did you throw this at me?"

Sirius shrugged and leaned back against the workbench. "It was something to do," he remarked and laughed.

"Something to do," she repeated and threw the towel at him.

Sirius caught it and placed it next to him.

"That's it," she said and stood. "I want a divorce."

Sirius folded his arms and threw his head back in laughter. "You can't divorce me," he said laughingly. "According to the Ministry we were never married."

"Thank God," she remarked, leaning against the workbench. "I mean, who'd want to be married to you?" she teased, folding her arms--mimicking Sirius.

"Loads of girls, actually," he replied thoughtfully.

"Oh, loads of girls," she repeated with mock thoughtfulness.

"Yes, loads--you were one once," he said, resting his hands on the workbench.

Althea felt the apples of her cheeks pink. She bit her lip. "Anyway, all of these women--it must be the reason you're always at my cottage fixing your motorbike?" she conjectured, kicking the concrete floor with her heel.

"I have to have a break from them sometime," he replied and playfully kicked her heel with his foot.

Althea laughed, which produced a puzzled expression on Sirius's face.

"What is so funny?" he asked, sliding closer to her.

"You," she answered, stifling her laughter. "You haven't been on a date in ages. When you're not working for the Order, you're with your mates, or you're at my cottage fixing your bike or finding other ways to amuse yourself," she explained, playfully kicking his foot.

Sirius rested his arm behind her on the workbench and laughed to himself. "I do find you amusing," he mused and smiled. "Is there something wrong by surprising you with breakfast?"

"It is a bit unnerving to wake up and find you in my kitchen," she explained, sliding closer to him. "However, I reckon the real reason you cook me breakfast is to see if I have a man over."

"That is absolutely ridiculous, like you'd have a man over," he scoffed, rolling his eyes. "You don't know how many times I've popped over to find you asleep on the sofa or at the kitchen table. If it wasn't for me, you'd never sleep in your bed."

Althea laughed and rubbed her forehead. "You're right--I'd never sleep in my bed," she replied and absentmindedly placed her arm behind him. "I should reduce the amount of hours I'm working."

"You should. You look tired."

"I'm exhausted, and I feel especially awful today," she said, massaging her lower back. "Helping the Longbottoms' Midwife two days ago took it out of me," she explained, rubbing the back of her neck. "Three Midwives for one birth, and he wasn't born until yesterday." Althea groaned.

"Here," Sirius said softly, and started to massage her shoulders. "So, it was a difficult labor, then?" he asked, massaging tender spot on the nape of her neck.

"Mhmm," she replied, closing her eyes. "He was a week late."

"A week?" he asked, massaging her upper back.

Althea's head dropped forward--her long hair falling over her shoulders and into her face. "Mhmm. Madam Doula had to induce labor--she didn't have the potion so she owled me," she answered sleepily. "She owled me two days ago at ten and the baby boy wasn't born until five yesterday morning."

"Ugh, you were at James's until nine before that," he said quietly, kneading a particularly tight knot deep in her lower back.

"Mhmm, and then at six in the morning yesterday, I was called on emergency to St. Mungo's after the giants attack on that Muggle village."

What an awful attack that had been--Muggle homes leveled, cars overturned and trees uprooted. St. Mungo's immediately owled all able Healers and former Healers to assist the already overworked Healers with the enormous amount of Muggle casualties. The ground floor was converted into a makeshift triage with Muggles lying on hastily conjured cots along the walls and out into the corridors. Althea had spent the last day and a half at St. Mungo's tending to the Muggle patients requiring the quickest medical attention. Upon her arrival, she--with great reluctance--had to make the awful decision to treat those that were capable of recovery and give comfort to those she knew would not survive. Althea prayed she would never be owled again for a St. Mungo's emergency.

"I didn't know St. Mungo's owled you," he said and stopped massaging her lower back.

"They did," she replied, shutting her eyes tightly as images of broken bodies flashed before her eyes.

Sirius sighed and resumed massaging her shoulders. "Absolutely awful...that attack."

"It was."

"You haven't had any sleep, then?" he replied softly, running his fingertips up and down her spine.

"None," she muttered and smiled as her back tingled underneath his fingertips. "Well, except for the short nap I took."

"I'll have to draw you a warm bath later," he whispered in her ear, running his hands up and down her arms.

"That sounds wonderful, but you're not getting in the bath with me," she remarked, smiling a tired smile. "You're all dirty," she added, and waited for Sirius's reply.

Sirius sighed, which widened her smile. "Excuses, excuses," he murmured, his breath warming her neck. "Anyway, you're lucky Lily's not due until two weeks into August," he remarked, removing his hands from her shoulders. "You'll be able to sleep until then."

Althea frowned, grabbed his hands, and placed them on her shoulders. "You're not done yet," she said, waiting for Sirius to continue massaging her shoulders.

"Why should I keep this up? I'm not going to get anything out of it," he joked and Althea pinched his side.

She laughed as Sirius pinched her side, but frowned when she looked at the grease mark left on her shirt.

"Oh, don't get angry about that bit of grease on you shirt," he said, pointing to the mark. "You should see your back."

Althea sighed and continued to look at her shirt. "I'll have to change my shirt then," she said, tugging her shirt. "I'll be back."

Sirius nodded and Althea started for the door; unexpectedly, with a loud pop James appeared in the garage. His face pale and his demeanor agitated, he hurried toward Sirius and Althea. Sirius ran forward and grasped James at his elbows.

"What's wrong?" Sirius asked anxiously.

James took in large breath and exhaled before he spoke. "Lily's water broke!" he said rapidly and Sirius looked at Althea for translation.

Althea rushed to James' side and rested her hand on his shoulder. "It's something about Lily, right?" she asked and James nodded. "She's having the baby?"

"Yes, yes!" James replied nervously, nodding his head. "Hurry--her water broke!"

Althea rested her other hand on his other shoulder. "James, listen to me. Go home and stay by Lily's side. I'll be there shortly," she said, looking into his eyes. "Now, go home--everything will be fine."

James nodded and with another loud pop, left the garage. Althea sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. Two weeks early--it's probably the stress of the last attack, she thought as she rubbed her tired eyes. I just pray everything goes well. I hope that three hour nap I had will do for now. The Longbottoms yesterday, Lily today...will any other babies decide to come early? August first is open.

"I'll change my shirt and then I'll Apparate over," she informed Sirius. "Don't worry. James is just a nervous father."

Sirius laughed nervously. "I don't think I'd be like that," he remarked, running his fingers through the back of his hair.

Althea smiled. "Yes, you would. All new fathers are nervous," she replied, walking toward the door. "You'd be worse."

As she opened the door, Sirius spoke, "Good luck."

Althea's grin widened. "Thanks, but I'm not the one having the baby. I just scream at her to push and make sure James doesn't faint and hit his head," she replied and exited the garage.

***

"Puerperium medicari," Althea said, pointing her wand directly at Lily's lower spine.

Immediately, Lily relaxed.

"Thanks," Lily breathed as James helped her onto her back.

Althea smiled and wiped the wet, red hair from Lily's eyes. "Now, let's see how far we have to go before I get to see my favorite baby," she added, lifting the sheet and examining Lily. "So, why did you wait?" she asked, raising an eyebrow as she looked over the sheet.

"What?"

"Having James fetch me," she answered with a smirk as she rested the sheet over Lily's legs. "I believe birth is more important than motorbike maintenance," she insinuated and winked at Lily.

"I believe our baby would understand," Lily replied and smiled weakly. "Motorbike maintenance is highly important."

"Yes, a massage with motor oil is highly important," she remarked and Lily raised her eyebrows. "I'll tell you after my favorite baby's born."

"How long?"

"Not long. I say in about an hour," she answered and Lily frowned. "Hey, I could have said three."

Carefully washing her hands, Althea chuckled as she heard Lily groan about the baby's delay.

"I would have hexed you if you said three," Lily said, shifting upon the bed. "Anyway, did Alice have her baby?"

Althea nodded and took a stethoscope from her bag. "A huge baby boy," she replied, listening to the sounds of the baby from Lily's abdomen. "When I had arrived, she was only a third dilated, so Madam Doula had to use the Inducing Potion, but it was still seven hours until she had the baby," she explained as she placed the stethoscope around her neck.

"Seven hours," Lily said, wide-eyed.

Althea yawned as she sat in a chair by Lily's bedside. "Seven hours is normal--she was already in labor for six. Some women have longer labors than that," she explained, rubbing the side of her face. "However, yours will be one of those easy labors other women hate hearing about," she teased in an attempt to ease Lily's fears.

"Easy labor," she muttered, massaging her enlarged stomach. "Yeah, just wait until you have an easy labor. You won't think it easy anymore."

Althea laughed. "I'll be the worst pregnant woman ever," she mused, tapping the armest. "You'll have to put a Silencing Charm on me and take my wand away." Althea smiled as Lily laughed quietly. "Honestly, there is nothing to worry about. You'll do fine," she reassured her friend, as she sat forward. "You're doing wonderfully now."

Lily smiled as James kissed the top of her head. "I hope so," she sighed, taking his hand in hers. "It's just the baby's early."

"Yeah, is that okay?" James asked, concerned, furrowing his eyebrows.

"I was two weeks early," replied Althea. "I think I've only assisted one birth where the baby arrived on the exact day."

James looked confused. "This is your first time not assisting a birth?" he asked with a slight rise of panic in his voice.

Althea bit her lip to hide her laughter. "I've never had a baby," she replied, unable to hide her laughter. "I don't push the baby out for the mother."

Althea's laughter quieted upon hearing a noise outside the room. James heard the noise as well and stood--his expression quickly transformed from embarrassment to apprehension.

"It's probably Sirius," she said, looking at the door.

"Oh, I don't want him in here when I'm giving birth," Lily replied, looking darkly toward the door as she attempted to sit up. James immediately rushed to her side to help her, but Lily slapped his hand. "I can move myself," she snapped, and Althea snickered. "What are you laughing at?" she asked, her eyes narrowing.

"Have to take your wand away," Althea replied cheekily and patted Lily's foot. "Anyway, I'll go see who's here," she added despite Lily's scowl.

Althea left the spare bedroom and quietly crept down the staircase, mindful of the third step that creaked. Please let it be Sirius or someone from the Order, she thought, grasping firmly her wand. The thought of battling with a Death Eater while Lily gave birth created sharp pains in her stomach. However, as Althea reached the drawing room, her fears subsided as she observed Peter sitting across for Remus and Sirius.

"You never find one with without the others," she remarked, leaning against the doorframe. "Did you bring the rest of the Order, too, or are you the only members?"

"Oh, you know we can't tell you that," Sirius replied, resting his head against the back of the sofa.

Althea ignored Sirius's comment. "Remus, I didn't know you were back in England," she said happily, walking to Remus' side.

Remus stood and greeted her with a warm embrace.

"Yeah, I returned for the birth," he replied, rubbing her back. "Thankfully, I returned early."

Althea frowned as Sirius mimicked her eagerness to see Remus--much to the delight of a snickering Peter.

"Don't pay attention to him," he whispered as he released her.

"I don't," she answered, frowning, as Sirius rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I have to return upstairs. We heard noises and I went to investigate," she explained, slowly backing toward the staircase. "I'll tell you when the baby's born, then?"

"What? We have to stay here?" Sirius asked, folding his arms.

"Of course, you have to stay here," she answered, resting her hand on the staircase railing. "Lily specifically said that you had to stay here."

Sirius pursed his lips and opened his mouth. "But what if you need help?" he asked, a small smile emerging across his face.

"I'll call on another Midwife," she replied--mimicking his smile. "Anyway, I should go upstairs--Lily could be ready to push."

Althea hurried up the staircase, but calmly entered the spare bedroom. Oh, Lily will be pleased, she thought, as she entered the spare bedroom. Not only is Sirius here, but Remus and Peter--I wonder if Mad Eye will come later to give all of them the play by play from the drawing room whilst Lily is upstairs pushing. James seemed relieved that Althea had returned and shoved his wand in his robe pocket.

"It's your friends, James," Althea said, walking over to Lily's bedside.

"Friends?" Lily repeated--the agitation and annoyance bursting from her voice. "Althea, go downstairs and tell them to go home!"

Althea carefully sat on the edge of the bed. "I think it's better they're here. It gives us the added protection we need--not that anything will happen."

Lily's expression turned grave. "We shouldn't even be having this baby," she muttered darkly. "This was an absolute mistake."

"No," James whispered soothingly, and kissed the top of her head. "It will get better."

"Better?" she growled through an obvious contraction, grabbing James's forearm. "We're putting an innocent life in danger."

"Lily," James whispered, resting his head atop her sweat-drenched head. "We can't let Voldemort rule our lives. To carry on with our normal lives is the biggest protest we can make against him," he explained softly, brought her hand to his lips, and kissed it.

"James is right," Althea added, lifting the sheet to inspect Lily. "I can't think of a better way," she continued and smiled as she placed the sheet over Lily's legs. "I think it's about time you see your son."

***

"Look at Harry's hair," Lily said softly, attempting to smooth her son's thick, black hair.

The three laughed as the smoothed hair stood up.

"James, it's your hair," she added happily.

"Yeah," he murmured and sniffed back tears.

Lily handed him Harry, and while James held Harry, Althea helped Lily finish the rest of her labor. Taking her wand from her pocket, she muttered a charm for Lily's soreness, and went into the bathroom to clean up. Harry is finally here, Althea thought as she turned off the tap. Lily is actually a mother--my best friend--the girl who I stayed up all night with chatting about boys, music, and clothes. Althea walked into the spare bedroom, performed a few Cleaning Charms, and sat at the end of the bed. Althea smiled, tears forming in her eyes, as she looked upon Lily and baby Harry. You're so beautiful, she thought as Lily's finger stroked Harry's tiny cheek.

"Would you like to hold him?" Lily asked, smiling.

"Are you sure? Don't you want to hold him?" she replied and bit her lip.

"I'm sure," Lily replied and presented Althea with the wrapped Harry.

Althea awkwardly took Harry into her arms. "Hello, Harry," she whispered, gazing at the sleeping baby in her arms. "He's beautiful," she said and kissed Harry's forehead.

"You probably want one now," Lily replied as James helped her shift in the bed.

Althea smiled as Harry squirmed and yawned in her arms. "I do," she said quietly, stroking the side of Harry's face. "I want a whole Quidditch team," she added and kissed Harry again. "Anyway, I better tell the godfather the good news."

"Right," James smiled.

Althea carefully handed Harry back to Lily. "Would you like Sirius to see him?"

"Yeah, we'd like that," James said, staring at Harry.

Althea left the spare bedroom and wiped her eyes as she walked down the staircase. Harry is perfect, she thought as the third step creaked from underneath her feet. I hope I'll have children every bit as beautiful as him. Althea entered the drawing room to find Sirius, with his head in his hands, sitting next to a calm Remus and across from a bored Peter. Remus was the first to notice Althea's entrance and nudged Sirius. Sirius--pale--looked up, immediately stood, and rushed to Althea.

"Is everything all right?" he asked, resting his hands atop her shoulders--the anxiety apparent on his face.

"Everything is fine," she answered, smiling.

Sirius's nervousness faded. "So--so the baby's here, then?" he asked--a grin forming.

Althea nodded and Sirius hoisted her into the air--spinning her around above him.

"This is fantastic!" he replied happily, and Althea laughed as he continued to spin her around. Sirius stopped spinning her around and held her close to him. "I'm a godfather," he said excitedly, nuzzling her neck.

"James would like you to come see the baby," she said, reluctantly pulling away from Sirius.

"Oh, right," he replied, running his hand through the back of his hair.

Althea led Sirius up the staircase and to the spare bedroom. Opening the door, she allowed Sirius to enter first. Sitting next to him on the bed, she watched as James handed him Harry. He held Harry uneasily at first, but quickly grew accustomed to the wiggling, kicking baby.

"So?" James asked, smiling proudly.

Sirius, awestruck, looked up from Harry. "I don't know what to say--he's so small," he replied, stroking Harry's small, pink hand.

Harry's tiny fingers clasped onto Sirius's index finger, causing Sirius to smile.

"He has my finger," he said, fascinated, turning his gaze toward Althea.

Althea smiled at the interaction between Sirius and Harry. "Isn't he perfect?" she commented, resting her head against Sirius' shoulder.

Althea briefly closed her eyes as Sirius kissed the top of her head. "He is," he replied and smiled as Harry sucked on his pinky finger.

***

After Remus and Peter left, Althea remained in the drawing room--allowing for James and Lily to bond with little Harry. She would spend the rest of the evening and night at their home, periodically monitoring Lily's condition. What I really want to do is go home, crawl into my bed, and sleep for days, she thought, bringing her knees to her chest. The lack of sleep drained her body of its energy and she recognized this. There were times, like this, which she realized she did not have to work. She had enough money--her father had left her a large amount of money that would sustain her for the rest of her life. However, she wanted to work and to contribute something useful to the world. My life would be a total waste if I didn't work, she thought, resting her chin against her knees. It's just every time I try to cut my hours, something happens. Healers dying, Midwives dying...there won't be enough soon. My training was accelerated by two years. Now training is at minimum at St. Mungo's now...it's scary.

"Here," Sirius said, offering her a cup of coffee.

The smell of coffee and Sirius's voice jolted her from her thoughts. "Thanks," she replied, taking the cup of coffee. She took a sip and observed as Sirius sat next to her. "You don't have to stay here," she said, resting the cup on her knee.

Sirius laughed quietly as he placed his cup on the coffee table. "Someone has to keep you company," he replied, stretching his arms out before him.

"So I don't fall asleep," she replied and took another sip of coffee.

"Exactly," he replied, reaching for the cup on the table. "You know, you should call another Midwife and have her take over for you," he said, taking a sip of coffee. "That way you could go home and get some rest. I have my motorbike, I'll take you home."

"I know," she sighed, rubbing her eye. "However, it's such short notice that I don't think anyone would come," she explained, looking at the milky brown liquid in her cup. "Plus, I want to look after Lily and Harry myself," she added and smiled tiredly. "Thank you, anyway."

"Yeah, isn't Harry amazing? Looks exactly like James too," he said, smiling to himself.

"He does have Lily's nose," she said and took another sip.

"I suppose he does," he agreed and placed his coffee cup on the table. "Bloody hell," he sighed, throwing his head back against the sofa. "I never thought James would have a kid."

"It's hard to believe for Lily, too," she replied, placing her empty cup next to his. "It changes a lot of things, doesn't it?"

Sirius lifted his head and turned it toward Althea. "It changes everything," he replied solemnly.

Althea slid closer to Sirius. "Like what?" she asked, resting the side of her head against the top of the sofa.

"Oh, I don't know," Sirius began, sliding closer to her. "I mean look at us, Althea. We're young and have our whole lives ahead of us, but this bastard's out there trying to take our futures away from us," he continued, resting his head against the top of the sofa. "It's unfair--that's all--I guess," he finished and sighed.

"Like we have to grow up too quickly," Althea added, studying Sirius.

Sirius nodded.

"I have to admit," she began and lifted her head from the sofa, "when Lily and James told us that she was pregnant, I was happy, but a part of me resented it. I wondered if Voldemort hadn't threatened us would there even be a baby or a marriage."

Sirius abruptly lifted his head. "I didn't know you felt that way too? I thought I was the only one that felt those things."

"I felt them," she replied, looking at her hands in her lap. "However, observing them today, there is no doubt it was all supposed to happen."

"Yeah," he replied, smiling to himself.

"However, it still makes me question every decision I've made or make," she said and gently bit her bottom lip. "I wonder if I'm ready for certain things or if I'm worried that I won't have a future for those things."

"Like marriage and children," he added thoughtfully.

Althea nodded.

"You know, I wonder those same things, too--marriage and children--I mean," he said, taking her hands in his.

"What do you think about?" she asked, her muscles in her abdomen tightening.

Sirius shrugged, looking at their hands. "I'm not like James."

"I've noticed," she remarked softly and Sirius laughed quietly. Althea leaned closer and whispered, "I'm not like Lily."

"I've noticed," he whispered and looked up. Something flickered in Sirius's eyes and his lips contorted into a small smile. "You're not interested in marriage and children, are you?"

"Eventually, but it isn't my highest priority," she answered, and looked to the doorway. "I love my work too much to quit now...although it is tiring--exhausting even." Her eyes returned to Sirius and she raised an eyebrow in interest. "Are you?"

Sirius vigorously shook his head. "I'd misplace the baby," he answered and laughed to himself. "I have James's work now--it'd be impossible--"

"And you've tired of girls accosting you with the 'M-word,'" she finished for him, and winked when he smiled appreciatively at her. "What is the obsession? There are more important issues to worry about than having a wizard's last name," she continued, fighting a smile as Sirius eyed her with some confusion. "What?"

"I thought--our seventh-year--I thought you wanted to," he remembered, his expression contorting into confusion and disbelief.

"I thought you did," she laughed, releasing her hands from his. "You're the one that asked!"

"It was something to do--I didn't know you'd take me up on it!" he remarked and shook his head as he laughed. He sighed and took her hands in his. "It was right at the time."

"It was," she murmured, and tenderly pressed his hands in hers, "but now...."

"Now," he murmured and furrowed his eyebrows as if he was struggling with something. He lightly chewed his bottom lip as he looked at her, and then, he sighed. "I don't think I was ever truly in love with you," he said, and realizing how awful it sounded, quickly shook his head. "Wait--wait--that came out terribly wrong!" he added quickly with visible embarrassment.

Althea laughed. "That came out awful!" she teased and squeezed his hands. "But, go on," she added, smiling.

Sirius laughed and sighed. "What I meant was I loved you but--"

"But now it's different," she finished for him.

Sirius cocked his head to side and raised an eyebrow. "Do you?" he asked, visibly surprised.

Althea smiled. "Do you?"

A large smile emerged across Sirius's face. "I asked you first," he reminded laughingly.

"Fine then," she replied, feeling slightly lightheaded. "I do love you."

Sirius mockingly furrowed his eyebrows as if in deep thought. "As in love, love?"

Althea rolled her eyes as she slipped her hands out from underneath his. "Yes," she replied--Sirius's grin widened. "Now, do you love, love me?"

"I do love, love you," he replied, leaning closer to her.

Althea brought her hands to his face and laughed quietly as his thumb stroked her jaw.

"What?" he whispered, resting his forehead against hers.

"It's peculiar--that's all," she whispered, playing with the hair on the back of his head.

"It is," he answered quietly and leisurely pressed his parted lips to hers.

Remembering she had to check on Lily's condition, Althea slowly and reluctantly pulled away from Sirius. "I have check on Lily," she said quietly, resting her forehead against his.

"That's why we're here," he sighed and kissed the tip of her nose. "I'll still be here."

Suddenly, Althea realized something odd about Sirius. He did not smell as he usually did of frankincense--there was something floral about his smell. Althea started to sniff his hair and Sirius, obviously puzzled, gently pushed her away from him.

"What are you doing?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Smelling you," she explained and attempted to remember that smell. "You smell different."

"What are you talking about? I don't smell different--"

"Yes, you do. You smell--you smell like my shampoo," she replied, her eyes narrowing.

"I do not," he replied, incensed. "I don't use those girlie things."

"You would if you took a bath at my home after I told you not to."

Sirius smiled sheepishly. "Now--now don't get angry. I'll clean your bathroom," he pleaded, resting his hands on her shoulders. "I didn't want to miss the birth. You understand, don't you?"

"Duty as a godfather," she teased and ruffled his hair.