The Intentional Accident

The sunlight peering through the bedroom curtains crept slowly up Sirius' face as he lay in bed. When it reached his eyes he was gently stirred from his slumber. He reached over to the bedside table for his glasses before looking over to the other side of the bed. Michael was already up. The sound of breakfast being made drifted through the door, accompanied of course by a terrific smell. Sirius dragged himself out of bed, put on his dressing gown and walked out the room. He found Michael in the small kitchen area adjoining the living room. He was tipping some hot bacon onto a plate when he looked up and saw Sirius.

"Morning, good-looking. How did you sleep?"

"Not too bad. Our little guy was kicking just before I dozed off. I think he wanted an encore." Michael smiled as he leant over the counter and kissed Sirius. He was pleased that Sirius liked the song as well. While he finished breakfast, Sirius sat carefully at the small table in the middle of the kitchen. The soft hooting of the owls carrying Hogwart's morning post could be heard outside. Michael brought over two plates of what looked like a full English breakfast and placed them down on the table. Sirius picked up a jar of marmalade and emptied at least four spoonfuls of it onto his bacon. He took a bite of one of the long, thin strips and saw the perplexed, open-mouthed look on Michael's face.

"What?" he asked, his voice muffled by the crunchy and yet sticky bacon.

"You do realise you just put marmalade on your bacon?" asked Michael incredulously. Looking down at his plate, Sirius now actually realised what he had done.

"I'm ...not entirely sure why I did that. I didn't think I could get strange cravings." He took another bite of bacon ala marmalade. "Actually, it's not that bad." The two men laughed heartily. Sirius was even able to convince Michael to try some of the unintentional combination. As they ate, Michael seemed to have a guilty air about him. It was then that Sirius noticed an opened letter on the kitchen counter. "It's not often that we have a full English breakfast," said Sirius. He knew something was amiss. Michael came clean straight away.

"I got a letter this morning from my manager. Apparently the captain has called an emergency training session for today. I could be gone quite a while, almost all day."

"And all this was to try and make me feel better about being left on my own all day," finished Sirius. Michael put down his fork and put his hand gently on Sirius'.

"If you want me to stay then I'll tell them I can't make it." He spoke with the utmost sincerity. He was perfectly prepared to risk annoying the team's manager if it meant that Sirius was happy.

"Don't worry about me. I'll be keeping myself busy. Besides, it's not as if I don't know my way around Hogsmeade ... plus Hermione and Ron are just down the road."

"You're sure? Because I'll stay if you want ..."

"I'll be fine. You won't though, if you're late," said Sirius through a loving smile. It didn't take long for Michael to finish his breakfast and change into his Quidditch robes. Sirius had always loved how Michael looked in those navy blue robes. The reason why had always been totally ineffable, there was just something about the colour. They shared a fond kiss, followed by Michael kneeling down to kiss Sirius' stomach and whispering some private message of love to the child within. Stepping into the fireplace, he was gone in the blink of an eye.

Sirius stood by the fireplace for several minutes. He hadn't really considered just how he would occupy his time while Michael was at practice and it wasn't just a question of what to do today, how was he to keep himself busy until the baby came? There were a good few months of this ahead of him. Although he knew Michael wouldn't be away every day, the thought of spending whole days in this solitary silence depressed him. He suddenly felt an impatient kick from inside him.

"OK, OK. I'll snap out of it," he laughed as he stroked his stomach soothingly. "What shall we do while Daddy is away?" Looking down, he realised that he was still wearing only his dressing gown. A quick shower seemed to be the first logical thing to do. Getting dressed was the next. He looked over the clothes he had unpacked the previous day. They had all been magically expanded in various areas in order to fit him. It was too hot out for his usual jumper, even though now they were in Hogsmeade he no longer needed to hide his pregnancy. As he buttoned up his enlarged short sleeve shirt, a thought struck him. It was looking at his summer robes that made him think of her. "Shall we see if Auntie Lily can come see us?" he asked the bulge in his white shirt. Sirius took the baby's lack of kicking to mean that it had no objections to speak of.

Barely five minutes later, Sirius found himself sitting at the kitchen table with a quill in his hand and a sheet of parchment staring up at him. Subconsciously, he had decided to write to Lily because he had questions that she could answer. She had a six-year-old son after all, so she had already gone through what he was experiencing now. He had never had the perfect relationship with his elder sister, especially not in Hogwarts. She had loved being the daughter of the famous Harry Potter and found Sirius' shyness to be an embarrassment. She had matured greatly since becoming a mother during her sixth year at Hogwarts. Sirius had never brought himself to admit it, but he was scared. He needed her advice and support for the first time in his life. However, he didn't want to appear too needy in the letter, so he thought carefully about what he wanted to say.

Dear Lily,

How are things? I hope Arthur has been behaving himself. It's been a while since we last saw each other so I thought I'd write.

I expect Mum and Dad (or maybe just Mum) told you that I'm expecting a baby. It feels weird, to put it lightly. I was wondering if you'd be able to visit some time soon, seeing as I can't travel for obvious reasons. I suppose I have questions that need answering. I wasn't sure of who else I could come to.

Our new address is 16, Hogsmeade.

Hoping to see you soon, Sirius.

Sirius summoned his shoes to him as he sealed the letter. He had charmed them to put themselves on his feet, as it would be a while before he could bend down that far again. Putting the letter in his pocket, he walked out into the dazzling sunlight and locked the door behind him. The walk down into the shops was doing him a world of good. He had missed the fresh country air that was so impossible to find in London. There were no stifling fumes, no bustling crowds or traffic, just the clear air, green hills and pleasant townspeople. The other thing that was missing was the snide looks he had received from their neighbours in London. It was something he was glad to be rid of. He soon reached the post office and selected one of the faster owls to deliver his letter. Watching it fly away at a phenomenal speed, he couldn't help but wonder if he had just made a terrible mistake.

After leaving the post office, Sirius made to return to the cottage then stopped briskly. He looked up at Hogwarts longingly. There were people up there he hadn't seen in ages and now they were only a few minutes away. He wasn't going to exert himself walking up there; he just had to take it steady.

"Fancy a little walk?" he asked his little companion. His suggestion was met with some hasty kicks. "We won't be long, I promise," he said as he patted his tummy soothingly. Not giving himself a chance to reconsider, he resolutely turned around and headed towards the path that led up to his old school. Understandably it took him longer than usual, as he was walking for two but he finally reached the main door. A thought struck him; he wouldn't be allowed to just stroll in to Hogwarts. Surely he had to write to them in advance or something. Hoping to meet someone he knew straight away, he opened the immense doors and walked in to the Entrance hall.

It felt strange, seeing the vast hall so empty when he had always remembered it being full of coming and going students. He realised that he must have come during lesson time. He had half a mind to turn around, perhaps just showing up like this wasn't such a good idea. Finally he turned to go but found himself walking through a pair of ghostly feet. Stepping back, he saw whom they belonged to.

"Well, it's certainly been a long time since I last saw you, Mr. Potter."

"Hello Sir Nicholas, sorry to just barge in unannounced ..."

"Oh don't concern yourself with it. You're a pleasant change from the usual intruders I've seen over the years." The ghost floated down to just a few inches off the ground. As he did, he noticed the considerable bulge in Sirius' shirt. "I hope you won't think me impertinent, but is that what I believe it to be?"

"Yes it is. I'm expecting in about four months time."

"My heartiest congratulations to you. I'll let Professor Lupin know of your arrival. Don't worry about running into the new caretaker, he's a much more agreeable man than Mr. Filch, not that I should speak ill of my fellow dead, of course." Giving a polite little bow and repositioning his flapping head, he floated up to the staircase and disappeared through the wall. He hadn't changed at all. Sirius wandered slowly up the same staircase and headed for the Headmaster's office. He was keen to see Remus after so long. Upon reaching the entrance to his office, it suddenly hit him that he didn't know the password. The two stone gargoyles seemed to be eyeing him suspiciously. Sirius thought about coming back later when someone behind him spoke.

"It's 'Chocolate Frog'." Sirius turned to see a face that could have easily been his own, were it not several years older.

"Hi Dad!" Sirius exclaimed. Harry pulled his son into a one-armed hug, as his other arm was carefully cradling a stack of essays.

"You didn't say you'd be coming up to the castle."

"I didn't plan on it. I just sort of ...decided to come and see how much the place had changed."

"You were bored, weren't you?" said Harry, raising an eyebrow. Sirius smiled and nodded. "It's to be expected I'm afraid. When your mum was expecting Lily, she got so bored that she once risked taking the fireplace to go see her parents. Your grandmother went berserk at her."

"Don't worry Dad, I won't be overdoing anything. I just felt like a wander."

"Well, there are plenty of people around here who will be overjoyed to see you. Now I better be going, or my first years will think I'm not coming back and start dancing on their desks." Harry gave his son another quick hug then carried on down the corridor, balancing the load of parchment very precariously. After giving the password, Sirius began the steady climb up to the Headmaster's office.

~|~

"Come in," came a gentle voice from behind the door, which Sirius opened gradually and poked his head through. He instantly spotted Remus Lupin sitting behind his desk. He had aged a little over the years, even though he always looked older than he actually was. He had grown a short beard, which was slowly turning grey. He had a long way to go before his facial hair even came close to rivalling Dumbledore's. Remus put down his quill and rose stiffly from his seat. He seemed weary.

"Hello Sirius, long time no see," he said with a slight twinge of a croak in his voice. A quick cough soon sorted this out. He offered his hand to the young man, who gladly shook it. As he did, he noticed that Remus' hand was almost covered in bite marks. Taking his hand back, Remus smiled almost apologetically. "That time of the month, I'm afraid," he said simply. He perched himself on the edge of his desk and put his hands in his lap. "So, what's new?"

"Oh, not much. Michael's preparing for his next game against the Falmouth Falcons, we've moved into Hogsmeade for a change of scenery. Oh yeah, and I'm having a baby." Remus chuckled heartily. He recognised that wit anywhere. It had previously belonged to James Potter and was currently being shared by Harry and young Sirius.

"Yes, I think your mother might have sent me an owl about that."

"She did?"

"Oh yes, in fact I think she contacted quite a few people ...anyone the owls would deliver to." Sirius shook his head in mock despair. "Like mother like daughter," stated Lupin simply.

They talked for at least an hour. Sirius told his old teacher all about his new home and everything that had happened. He was working on how to word a particularly important question. He began by telling Remus all about the article in the Daily Prophet. Remus said he hadn't read it, for which Sirius was very glad. He spared the more disgraceful details but got the message across perfectly. It was then that he was finally able to find the right way of putting his burning question.

"It's just that, even though there hasn't been anything about us since, I can't shake the feeling that I haven't heard the last of it." The aging Headmaster thought about this for a moment.

"I wouldn't be surprised if something else does turn up. Michael is the Keeper for a very successful team; some say they're dead set to win the League Cup this year. Unfortunately, that does make them, including Michael, very susceptible to the press. Believe me, Sirius; I've had my name in the papers on more than one occasion because the majority of the public don't approve of what I am. At the end of the day, you have to try and ignore what they say about you. Morons are entitled to an opinion as well, you know." That last comment really cheered Sirius up. The article had been creeping in and out of his mind for a couple of months but now it seemed less important in the grand scheme of things. After promising to visit whenever he could, Sirius left the famed office, Remus' words of advice resounding in his head.

~|~

Taking a personal tour of the castle, Sirius briefly visited some of his old teachers. He saw Professor Leigh, who had taken over Snape's position as Potion's Master when Snape took early retirement. It was Professor Leigh who had awoken Sirius' talent for brewing potions, which allowed him to score very highly in the N.E.W.T and become a Healer. Although he had only really known him for a few years, Sirius still considered him a good friend. Professor Flitwick squeaked with joy and nearly fell off his pile of books when he recognised Sirius. As it turned out, both Professors Flitwick and Leigh had received owls a few months previously telling them about Sirius' pregnancy, so they weren't surprised when he told them. The letters had naturally originated from the same person. Towards the end of the afternoon, Sirius made his way outside to see someone who had always been much more than a teacher. In fact, he was more of a grandfather than anything.

Sirius knocked lightly on the door of the tiny wooden. At first the only reply was an odd sounding squawk, followed by a gruff voice.

"Oi! Get back ere, yeh silly creature!" The door was opened and a slightly flustered Hagrid appeared. He didn't see Sirius at first but looked around, very annoyed. Looking down a little, he finally noticed him. "Gallopin' Gorgons ...its little Sirius!" Sirius felt himself pulled forward into the gentlest hug Hagrid had ever given him. He got the impression that Hagrid also knew about the baby because Hagrid's bear hugs usually left Sirius struggling for breath. When he was finally released, he looked up and saw happy tears staining Hagrid's white, bushy beard. "How are yeh? Come in, come in." Sirius always loved Hagrid's house. It hadn't changed at all. Well, perhaps the only noticeable change was the feathered creature perched on the edge of Hagrid's chair. It looked distinctly like a dodo, though Sirius knew it to be a Diricawl. Hagrid tried to swat it away, but the daft looking bird vanished in a puff of feathers and reappeared on top of a shelf. It let out a mocking call and cocked its head at them both.

"I didn't think you liked Diricawls," laughed Sirius.

"I don't," said Hagrid tensely, eyeing the troublesome bird as he laid a plate of rock cakes and two large cups of tea on the table. "I captur'd a whole bunch of em fer a lesson, couple o' days back. Then when I set the rest free, this one wouldn't leave. Bin ere ever since." Sirius picked up his tea and took a sip. Hagrid offered him the plate of rock cakes, but was prevented from accepting by a nervous kick from the baby.

"Um, I don't think I should, Hagrid. It's just that ..." Unable to find the words to explain, he just stroked his stomach and smiled.

"Oh, o' course, o' course. Yer mum sent me an owl with the happy news. When yeh expectin'?"

"Some time in September ...oh, quick, it's kicking!" Hagrid put his enormous hand very carefully on Sirius' stomach. His palm nearly covered Sirius' entire lower torso.

"Crikey," choked Hagrid as he stifled back more happy tears. "It's a lively little tyke, in't it?"

"It's a he," said Sirius as he wiped away a blissful tear of his own.

"Well if that don't beat all," sighed Hagrid as he sat back in his chair and took a large gulp from his tea. "Little Sirius ...blimey." They talked for a long time. It was five o'clock when Sirius next checked his watch.

"I'd better be getting home. Michael will be home soon."

"I always liked young Michael. He's a nice fella."

"Oh yes, he's been wonderful," said Sirius under his breath. He had gotten the feeling that Michael really would have stayed home from practice if he had asked him to. Then again, if he had, Sirius probably wouldn't have come up to his old school and seen everyone. Hagrid took Sirius' cup and placed it by the sink, where the Diricawl was now having a quick wash.

"Now don't you go being a stranger, where is it you live now?"

"We're in number 16, down the main street."

"Right, well I'll be sure to visit when I can." As Sirius rose to leave, Hagrid picked up a rock cake and bit into it, letting out a short cry. "Ah, bugger! Broke a tooth. Must be gettin' old. Matter of fact, I can't even remember why I still make the blasted things." Chuckling merrily, Sirius gave his beloved friend a final hug and started his journey back down to Hogsmeade.

"See, it was worth the walk, wasn't it?" Sirius asked his little one. The baby did nothing, which seemed to suggest it had no complaints.

~|~

Sirius was glad to find that Michael had not yet returned from practice. He was unsure of how he would react to his long walk. There was, however, a letter waiting for Sirius on the kitchen table. He recognised the handwriting instantly. Opening carefully, he read it eagerly.

Dear Sirius,

Yes, mum sent me a letter when you told them. I think she may have told quite a few people.

After the day he had had, Sirius considered this to be a major understatement.

I would love to come over. I know what you're going through, but my advice will be limited. You have to remember I kept my pregnancy a secret for quite a while. I'm not working tomorrow, so I should be able to pop round some time in the morning. I'll have to bring my little monster with me. He's looking forward to seeing you and so am I.

See you tomorrow, Lily and Arthur.

The thought of seeing his sister and young nephew made Sirius' already bubbling happiness overflow. He wandered into the bathroom and started the shower going when he heard the fireplace roar into life. A sweaty, smelly Michael emerged, still in his Quidditch robes. They embraced each other after the long day.

"You 'forgot' to change again, didn't you?"

"Yes, I have a memory like a sieve these days." In one swift motion, Sirius removed Michael's robe and pulled him closer.

"In that case, let's get you out of those clothes and into the shower. I've got a lot to tell you."