Chapter Text
Late October, 1979
Tony walked into the crowded pub, looking around with interest. It didn't appear too terribly different from the bars he had snuck into back home, though being here legally was definitely different.
As blue eyes scanned the crowd, they locked with a pair of silvery gray, and Tony’s smile turned predatory.
Oh, yes. He may technically be in England for Stark Industries, but when had that ever stopped him from having a good time?
Mid-March, 1980
“Prongs, Lils, I need to talk to you two. It's…important.”
James took one look at the devastation on his best friend's face and pulled him in the door. Swallowing back the smart arse comment he wanted to make about the time of night, he towed Sirius towards the lounge, yelling for Lily.
Lily rushed into the room, pulling her dressing gown tight around herself, her hair more disheveled than Sirius had seen it since first year, when James had pulled a prank and stolen all of the girls hair products. She took one look at Sirius and immediately called for their house elf, requesting a tea service be brought right away.
The three of them settled into the lounge, and their elf settled the tea tray in front of them. Once everyone had been served and the niceties observed (regardless of their rebellions, James and Sirius were both Purebloods, and you simply didn't jump straight into business when tea was involved), James set his cup down with a quiet clink.
“Okay, Padfoot. You know you are always welcome here, but I think it’s time you tell us why you showed up on our doorstep in the middle of the night, looking like you're in the midst of a breakdown. Don't you?”
Sirius sat in silence, staring into his teacup. James and Lily exchanged worried glances. Sirius wasn’t generally still for more than five seconds or so at a time, and James was getting nervous. Giving Lily’s hand a quick squeeze, he stood and moved across the room to sit next to his best friend.
“Hey. Siri. You can talk to me, you know that, right? There’s nothing you can’t tell me, man. I won’t judge. We're brothers, Padfoot, and nothing could make me leave you.”
Sirius stayed silent for several seconds longer, then carefully set his own cup on the table. He pulled his wand, and after a moment looked up and met James' eyes. With a flick of his wrist, his glamour dropped, and James caught his breath.
“Oh, Sirius. Who?”
Sirius’ breath hitched. “Tony. It's Tony’s. James, what the hell am I gonna do?”
Before James could form an answer, there was a sharp click, and they both looked up in time to see Lily storming from the room.
“Don’t worry, Siri, she'll come around. It's just been a rough–” James was cut off as Lily stormed back into the room. Her eyes were red-rimmed but determined, her face set.
Quickly approaching the couch where Sirius was sitting, she gently draped a soft baby blanket over his pregnant belly. Sirius smiled slightly when he saw the snitches flitting across the soft material.
“We-” Lily stopped, then gently cleared her throat. “James and I won't be able to use this, but you will need it. Now. What are we going to do?”
August 1, 1980
“Sirius, he's beautiful. Just perfect.” James was unashamed of the tears streaming down his cheeks as he took in every feature of the infant in his arms.
Sirius smiled wanly. “Don’t get too attached, Prongs. You know the blood adoption will change most of his features, if not all.”
James stared at the infant for several tense moments, then visibly braced himself. “Padfoot…”
“Don’t.” His voice was sharp, but his eyes were sad. “I'm firm on this, Prongs. This is what is best for Harrison.”
“Harrison. His name is Harrison?”
“Harrison James, Prongs. He's named after his Dad.”
James' knees went weak and he lowered himself to the side of Sirius’ bed, carefully supporting Harrison's head as he adjusted the infant in his arms. At only a few hours old, he was already the most beautiful thing James had ever laid eyes on.
“We’ll be such good parents to him, Padfoot. I swear it. And you will be the most amazing godfather in all of England.”
October 31, 1981
“Lily! Take Harry and run! Go, find Sirius!! He'll protect you guys!”
Lily stumbled up the steps, nearly losing the will to keep going as she heard the spell shouted behind her. James hadn't even had his wand, having left it in the kitchen when he went to kiss Harry good night. Only the thought of her son kept her feet moving. She had to get him to Sirius. She could mourn her loss later, but for now she had a son to save.
Sirius fell to his knees next to his best friend's body, tears splashing across the too still face.
He stood and turned towards the stairs, but a movement in the corner of his eye had him turning the opposite way.
“I'm afraid I can't let you take Harry, Sirius. That simply wouldn't be…for the greater good.” The smile on the usually kind face was twisted and bitter.
“What do you mean? Why wouldn't I take Harry? He's mine. James and Lily…they adopted him, and they loved him, but he's mine. I need to raise him.” Tears continued to pour down Sirius’ face, but he ignored them, trying to concentrate on the friend in front of him, the one who was still alive. “I can hear him upstairs. Lily must have…he must have been in bed already, and Lily went to get him. It's the only thing that makes sense. Lily never would have left him. Never.”
The twisted smile dropped, the face becoming almost sympathetic. “I'm sure you're right, Sirius. No decent mother would desert their child. Unfortunately for you, you will never find out. Obliviate.”