The Intentional Accident

Michael was the first to step out of the fireplace and into his old home. Looking around he saw that nothing had changed since his last visit. His father had never been one for decorating but that wasn't the only reason why the house had never been altered. On the other side of the room sat the cabinet filled with his father's various trophies and awards that he had accumulated over the years. The dark red curtains were closed but the little sunlight that got through cast a maroon shadow over the room and gave it a warm glow. The living room was, in a way, designed to feel like Gryffindor tower. Michael had spent his childhood in this house and then his school years in the real Gryffindor tower. He had barely felt the transition at all. Sirius joined him after his loving mother had finally allowed him to leave. They could hear a familiar voice coming from upstairs.

"Is that you, Angelina? I didn't expect you back so soon!"

"It's us, dad!" called Michael. Oliver Wood soon came trundling down the stairs. He was looking a little better than when Sirius had last seen him. Oliver had recently visited St. Mungo's after a mild stroke. The Healers had put it down to stress and considering that Oliver was the Head Coach for the England Quidditch team, it was a fair diagnosis.

"Hello lads! Minsky, look sharp! We have guests." They could hear a bustling sound in the kitchen. A diminutive house elf wearing a child's blanket like a toga scurried urgently into the room. Minsky had been in the Wood family for many years. When Oliver got married, his parents asked Minsky to move in with him. She had looked after Michael ever since he was a baby.

"Can Minsky offer sirs something to drink?" she asked in a high voice. Her ears were slightly smaller than those of most house elves. She wore a pleasant smile on her little face whereas other house elves usually wore an expression that seemed to be perpetually begging for forgiveness. It was obvious that she was well treated. Something else she didn't have in common with many of her fellow elves.

"Oh no thank you Minsky, we're not thirsty," said Michael as he looked affectionately at his old friend. Minsky blinked up at him, then opened her eyes wide with amazement.

"Master Michael? Minsky almost did not recognise you! You are so much bigger ...and master Sirius, Minsky has not seen you since ...oh, sorry master, Minsky is prattling," she said as she lowered her head apologetically.

"You prattle to your hearts content, Minsky," laughed Oliver. "Just bring my usual through, oh and some of those biscuits as well." Minsky gave a small curtsy and disappeared back into the kitchen. Oliver sank into his armchair while Sirius and Michael took a seat opposite him. "So, how are you guys?"

"We're fine. The question is, how are you getting along?" asked Sirius. He had seen the state that Oliver had been in when they brought him in. He was on sick leave until the Healers were satisfied that he had made a full recovery.

"Oh please, I've never felt better. I'd offer you a drink but all I have is some herbal stuff a bunch of know it alls gave me," he said jokingly as he threw Sirius a cheeky sideways glance.

"That herbal tea is to help you relax."

"Help put to me sleep, more like!" scoffed Oliver. "Your godmother was here just a few minutes ago," he said to his son as a point of conversation.

"Angelina was here?" said Michael, a little surprised.

"Yeah, you've just missed her. She wanted to sign one of her players onto the England reserve team. Officially I'm not supposed to even consider such things until after the League Cup is over but it's impossible to say no to her."

"Well, the Holyhead Harpies have some seriously talented players, plus it's never a good idea to annoy any of them," Michael pointed out. Angelina Johnson was the manager for the only all witch team in the league, but to Michael she was always his godmother. Minsky returned with a mug full of Oliver's prescribed herbal tea and a plate of assorted biscuits.

"Here you are sir," she said as she passed the mug up to her master and friend. "Minsky has put in some sugar, just as master likes it." Catching the disapproving look on Sirius' face, Oliver smiled and coughed unconvincingly.

"Minsky, ixnay on the ugar say." The tea was meant to help him unwind, not get him all hyped up. Under normal circumstances Sirius would have entered his Healer mode and given a friendly yet firm lecture on the importance of following doctors orders. However, there were bigger matters at hand that took precedence. "Thank you Minsky, you did a great job with this stuff. Now then Mikey, your letter said you had something to tell me?" Minsky was making her way out when Michael stopped her.

"Actually, Minsky, you should probably hear this as well." Slightly surprised, Minsky sat down on the small, three-legged stool she usually did her sewing on. She was excited and indeed, honoured that she had been asked to stay. Michael took a deep breath. Sirius had told his parents, even though his father already knew before they arrived. It was Michael's responsibility to tell his own father the news. There was no use tiptoeing around it. "We're having a baby."

Very much like Ginny, Minsky let out a high-pitched squeal. The only difference was that Ginny didn't fall backwards off her seat from the surprise. Oliver seemed thoughtful, stroking his chin with his fingers. He didn't look angry or annoyed but he seemed deep in contemplation. Unable to bear the tension any longer, Michael finally spoke.

"Well ...Dad?"

"I'm just trying to see if I can guess which one of you is having my first grandchild." His voice was riddled with joyous undertones, but he was trying to appear calm. "What do you think, Minsky?"

"Minsky has an inkling, sir ...but Minsky's inklings are not what they used to be. Minsky does not want to say out loud in case she is wrong." Oliver leaned over the armrest so that Minsky could whisper into his ear. He nodded, gave a little hum of agreement then sat up again, smiling warmly.

"Oh yes, I think you're right, Minsky. No doubt about it. It's you, isn't young Mr. Potter?" Sirius felt that he had to laugh. It was as if everyone knew he was pregnant when he himself was only just coming to terms with it.

"How did you guess?" he asked through a wide grin.

"Oh it's not a guess. It's obvious. I'd recognise that look anywhere. I remember when your mother, my dear Katie, walked into the room and gave me that look. She never actually told me she was pregnant, I just knew it. I rushed over to her and ...just knew it." A single tear descended from his eye as he was washed over with the wonderful memory of that day and many other days with Katie. First it was just the two of them together, and then when Michael was born they became a trio, inseparable and happy. Seeing his father's tears, Michael rose from his seat and knelt down by the armchair.

"Dad?" Oliver forced himself out of his melancholy and dried his eyes briefly.

"Oh ...don't worry about me. I'll be fine." He ran his hand lovingly through Michael's hair. "I couldn't be happier for you. I know your mother would feel the same way." Leaning forward in his seat, he hugged his son tenderly. "Now, enough of the past ...it's time to look to the future." Rising from his seat he embraced Sirius, the carrier of his grandchild, the future. Unable to keep her excitement under control, Minsky leaped at Michael and cuddled his leg.

"Master Michael and master Sirius are having a little baby! Minsky is so happy for young master!" They spent a good hour talking. Michael and Sirius took it in turns to tell Oliver everything that had happened. They both saw fit to omit the article in the Daily Prophet, knowing how it would be a blemish on the whole afternoon. Before they left, Minsky tugged timidly on Oliver's trouser leg. He bent down so she could whisper into his ear again. After listening to what she had to say he nodded and motioned her away.

"What's up with Minsky?"

"She'll be back in a second. She has something for you." Moments later, she returned carrying something in her arms. She offered it to Sirius and Michael, who saw that it was a light blue baby suit with a golden Snitch sewn onto it.

"Minsky started making it for master Michael when he was a very tiny baby ...but Minsky was not very fast at sewing back then. When Minsky was finished, master Michael was too big for it. Minsky is much quicker now and ...oh, Minsky is prattling again. What Minsky means is ... Minsky would very much like the new baby to have it." Michael looked at it and saw how much care and love had gone into it. Bending down, he took it gently from the small elf. Before she could scuttle away as house elves were known to do in such emotional situations with their masters, he gave her a one armed hug.

"It's wonderful. Thank you, Minsky." After saying their goodbyes, Sirius and Michael stepped back into the fireplace. It had been a long day for both of them and they were glad to be back home. As soon as they had left, Minsky looked up at Oliver, her eyes brimming with happy tears.

"So ...master is going to be a grandfather!"

"Please Minsky, you'll make me feel old."