The Intentional Accident

Another two months passed. In that short amount of time Michael's team was maintaining it's position at the top of the League and Sirius had returned to work. Whenever both his parents had to work, David would spend the day with either Ginny and Harry or Oliver. Whenever Ginny was too busy, Harry had to take the little tyke into class with him, much to the joy of his students and of course the eight month old just loved all the attention. Occasionally he would stay with Aunt Lily and play with his cousin all day. However, in David's young mind, his time with his dads was always the most fun.

David Oliver Potter-Wood was christened on a hot May afternoon in a ceremony attended by family and friends. It was Luna that performed the ceremony, it seemed only fitting after she presided over Sirius and Michael's wedding just under a year ago. The reception, however, was the real event. Sirius saw people he hadn't seen in years. The cottage was crammed with old acquaintances and distant family. Agatha and Patrick had consented to be David's godparents a few days before the ceremony, a choice that Sirius and Michael had been unanimous in. Towards the end of the afternoon, Michael rose, holding the life of the party in his arms. David seemed very interested in the glass that his father held in his other hand, though frustratingly it was just out of his reach. After getting everyone's attention, Michael made his speech, which was something he didn't often do.

"First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for coming. It's fantastic, the numbers we've got here. It's great to see everyone together after six years ...or whatever. Basically the principal as far as I'm concerned is this little lad ..." David rested his head softly on Michael's shoulder. "Who in the last eight months has one, blessed us and two, exhausted us." He paused as everyone laughed appreciatively. "Can I thank ...well if

I start thanking I'll have to go through everyone. Can I just thank everyone for their support over the last eight months and in fact before that. It's very much appreciated. A toast, ladies and gentlemen ... to David Oliver."

"David Oliver," said the room in unison as everyone drank to the tot's health. By the early evening, everyone had left except the grandparents. Dressed for bed but in no way ready, David sat next to a large pile of his toys. The camera that Harry had brought along was trained on his grandson, who seemed to have a natural talent in front of a lens. He waved a wooden toy hammer at Harry.

"He's normally not this good," joked Sirius as David smiled and gurgled. "He's doing it all for the camera. Point a camera at him and he's as good as gold."

"You going to say something, David?" asked Harry from behind the camera.

"David ...da da da da da," said Michael, trying to encourage his son to speak. They were beginning to make progress as David had almost said his name just the day before. David copied Michael by making the same basic noise. "Come on, David ...da da da. He can do it, he can almost say his name," Michael explained to Oliver. He then turned back to the little one. "David ...David."

"Dad!" stated the toddler, clutching a toy car in his hand.

"No, not dad," laughed Michael. After crawling over to his grandmother, David was now being taken for a walk around the living room with Ginny holding him up by the hands from behind. During the general conversation, Michael mentioned that he had a match the next day.

"Oh really? Who against?" asked Ginny.

"The Ballycastle Bats," Michael informed him. Sirius' ears burned at the mention of that particular team. For several months he hadn't even given it a first thought let alone a second one, but now in an instant he was struck with a very strange feeling. He tried to put it out of his mind as he also tried to lull David to sleep. He tried rocking him back and forth gently while humming but David only squirmed more and tried to get at his glasses.

"You're supposed to be calming down, not getting more excited." David only gurgled louder and waved his tiny hand at his grandparents. It took a while but finally David started rubbing his eyes and yawning, indicating that he was ready to admit defeat. After a quick goodbye cuddle from each of his grandparents, Sirius tucked the tired out toddler into his cot.

It wasn't long before Michael and Sirius were also crawling into bed. It had been a long day for them as well. Lying next to each other, they listened to the sound of David's soft, steady breathing coming from the other side of the room. Michael ran his fingers through Sirius' hair as they listened. Sirius could feel his urge to speak mingle with his growing sense of dread until he could no longer tell them apart. He felt Michael's fingers begin to relax. He was falling asleep. Now was the time to ask him.

"Mike ...don't go tomorrow," he whispered.

"What?" asked Michael drowsily.

"Please don't go ...to the game."

"Why not?" Michael could sense the desperation in Sirius' voice. He had never asked him to miss a game before, not once.

"I just ...have a feeling ...a terrible feeling. I can't explain it. Just don't go, please." Sirius tried to look into Michael's eyes, but his own were too filled with nervous tears. Michael saw this, but he also saw that Sirius was just tired and was worrying for no reason. He placed his hand gently under Sirius' chin and brought his face level with his.

"Sirius, nothing's going to happen. You'll bring David along to see the match and he'll be able to watch my team and I as we cream the Ballycastle Bats. Besides, Agatha will be there as well. Nothing will go wrong when she's around, she won't let it. Now get some sleep, you'll feel better in the morning." After Michael fell asleep, Sirius did something he had never done before. He closed his eyes and prayed to God that Michael was right.