Halloween 1981 was the last time Sirius ever saw his best mate and his wife alive. It would be the last time he'd see his godson for nearly twelve years. It would be the last time he dressed up for the holiday just to see the smile on his godson's face.

"The Last Halloween"

Sirius Black ran a hand through his short, black hair as he stared at his best mate with an amused look crossing his features. They were in a middle of a war, the Potters had just been placed under the Fidelius Charm mere days ago, and James waved one of his old Quidditch uniforms in front of him like a mad man. James already donned a Gryffindor Quidditch uniform with his old captain's badge pinned to his shirt.

"We can't go out trick or treating," James announced, "despite the fact that I want to experience this Muggle tradition more than anything. Harry's the prime age for it. I thought we could still dress up though. Evans ordered a bunch of candy and is very excited to deposit said candies around the house for Harry."

"Did she plant any tricks?" inquired Sirius as he grabbed the uniform from his best mate.

"Unfortunately, no," he replied with a frown. "We can fix that, can't we? What kind of tricks do you get on Halloween?"

"I haven't the faintest idea, Prongs."

"More importantly, what's an appropriate trick for a fifteen-month-old to receive? Do you think I will be in trouble if I make his hair blue or turn him into a puppy?"

"I think Evans will murder you if you turn Harry into a puppy," Sirius said flatly, a wide grin spread across his face as he stripped off his clothes. "Although, I think he'd find it rather fun and highly encourage you to risk death at the hands of your wife for the enjoyment of the rest of us."

James laughed, his hand unconsciously jumping up to ruffle his hair. The sounds of a squeaking child could be heard from upstairs and the affectionate sigh of "Harry, stay still!" followed.

"You know, you're half naked in my living room right now," James commented. "What if my wife and son came downstairs at this moment and saw you in nothing but your knickers?"

"Why," Sirius said with a smirk as he pulled on the pants that went with the Quidditch uniform, "my dear Mister Prongs, are you nervous your wife will leave you for me?"

"Not in the slightest," James snorted though his eyes sparkled. "You're too full of yourself, Padfoot. Why would she leave me for you? A slightly less funny, less handsome, less talented man than myself?"

"In your dreams, Potter," Sirius laughed as he pulled on the Quidditch shirt over his head. "The only thing you got going for you that I don't is not being related to absolutely deranged pureblood fanatics."

James' mouth twitched downwards, his eyebrows furrowing underneath his square spectacles. His hand reached up to massage his chin as his hazel eyes bore into his best mate. Sirius ran a hand through his hair, the locks falling down perfectly flat on his head in a way James and Harry could never manage.

"Mad Eye thinks Bella was involved in Marlene's death," James said suddenly serious, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Wouldn't surprise me in the least," Sirius replied bitterly. "Bella was always the most disturbed of all the Blacks. Andy used to say my lovely uncle took a particular interest in squashing out any disobedience from her. Believe it or not, she used to be more… rebellious and less fanatical in her early years. By the time she got to Hogwarts, she was a properly brainwashed Black though."

"You say things like that, Sirius, and it makes me uneasy," James said as he took his glasses off and rubbed the lenses with the fabric of his Quidditch shirt.

"Growing up in a Black household wasn't nearly as much fun as growing up in a Potter household," Sirius commented dryly. "We were blessed with attending our parents' little pureblood indoctrination sessions, learned some foul vocabulary, and got firsthand experience in the Unforgivables at a very early age. It's a miracle that Andy and I turned out as normal as we did."

There was a thundering of footsteps that sounded above them. Then, loud thumps sounded on the stairs. Sirius craned his neck to look past his best friend to see his godson sliding down the stairs at record speed on his stomach. Once at the bottom, the small child attempted to stand but fell instantly onto his bottom. A hyena-like laugh escaped his lips as his hands gripped the bottom step and he pushed himself up into a standing position. The small child wheeled around and spotted Sirius, his lips stretching back into one of the biggest smiles he could muster.

"PA-FOO!"

The little boy donned a very tiny Gryffindor Quidditch uniform. His hair stuck up in every direction possible. Sirius squatted down and held his arms open for the child. Harry attempted to run into his godfather's arms but his little legs were not yet coordinated for such a feat. He swayed dangerously to the side when he was halfway to his godfather and fell over. The child laughed again, throwing his head back as though he were mad, as he scrambled to stand up once more. On his second attempt, going slightly slower in speed, he managed to make it to his godfather's outstretched arms.

Sirius clenched the small boy to his chest and stood up, lifting the child up until he was comfortably situated on his hip. Harry pulled back from the hug, his little hands on either side of his godfather's face which currently held a five o'clock shadow. Harry leaned his face forward and messily placed a kiss on the corner of his godfather's mouth. Sirius, in return, kissed the small child on his forehead.

"Did your dad already give you some sweets before I arrived?" Sirius asked in a teasing tone.

Harry's little hands left his godfather's face. He rested his wrists on top of his head, a toothy smile gracing his features. Three little fingers shot up on either of his hands akin to giving himself dog ears. Then, the small child started to bark at his godfather.

"Not today, little Prongslet. We're Quidditch players today. We battle like men!"

Reaching out a hand, Sirius tickled the boy under his armpit. Harry squirmed in his arms, giggles escaping his lips as his arms shot down to protect himself from the assault. Lily Potter descended the stairs. Her hair cascaded down around her shoulders in loose ringlets. She had on a dress with a red top that had a large Gryffindor lion embossed across her chest and the short skirt flared out in red and gold stripes. She had two round balls of fringe in her hands that were gold and red. She had red knee-high socks with white trainers on.

"What are you, Evans?" Sirius inquired.

"I'm a Gryffindor Quidditch cheerleader," she said as though that was the most obviously thing in the world.

"What's a cheerleader?"

"It's someone who cheers on a team in a sport. It's a Muggle thing."

"Do they always wear skirts that short?" Sirius inquired, his eyes trailing down her body.

"Oi, Padfoot, do I have to punch you?" James snapped playfully.

"Where do I find these Muggle cheerleaders exactly? Do you have any friends that would wear something like that when you introduce us?" Sirius asked, a smirk working its way onto his handsome face.

"In your dreams, Black," Lily responded, her hand flicking a lock of hair behind her shoulder. "Like I would ever set you up with any of my friends. They'd never speak to me again."

"Oi, I take offense to that," Sirius retorted as Harry rested his head on his shoulder, his little arms wrapping around his godfather's neck. "I treat a lady with an abundant amount of respect."

"Until you grow bored with them and want to move on. Then, they're tossed aside like dirty socks."

"Well, not everyone can meet their soul mate at the age of eleven on the Hogwarts Express," Sirius said lazily as his gaze flickered to James as Lily snorted.

"Please, I had no interest in James like that back then, least you forget."

"Oh, Evans, how could any of us forget?" Sirius replied with a roll of his eyes, his head tilting so his cheek rested comfortably against his godson's unruly locks.

"Enough, Sirius," Lily sighed as she crossed the room to the fireplace to grab her camera. "I want a picture of you three. Go stand together nicely. Harry, honey, why don't you grab your broom that Sirius got you for your birthday?"

Harry's head shot up at his name being spoken. He wiggled in his godfather's arms as though a jolt of excitement shot through his body. Sirius lowered the boy to the floor, ensuring his feet were under him properly to hold his weight before letting go. The toddler started to make his way over to his mother.

"Your broom, Harry, over there."

Lily gently turned the boy around and pointed to the toy broom that was leaning against a bookcase on the other end of the room. Harry bounded over to the broom, little noises of excitement emitting from him. He clenched the broom with both hands and turned around with a grin plastered across his face.

"Pa'foo, 'ooooom!" he said proudly, thrusting his arms forward to show off his broom.

Sirius chuckled as Lily motioned for Sirius and her husband to stand with their backs against the wall. James crouched down, his arm beckoning the small child forward, as he called his name. Harry happily obliged. Sirius crouched down as well as the small child squeezed between the two adults. He clenched his broom tightly, a wide smile painted across his features, as he dutifully looked at his mother. Lily snapped the camera several times before she was satisfied that she captured the moment appropriately.

"I want a copy of that," Sirius commented as he reached out to ruffle his godson's hair.

"Don't I always send out copies to you, Remus, and Peter?"

"You still send pictures to Remus?" inquired Sirius, attempting to sound nonchalant.

"Don't start, Padfoot," James said with a loud sigh as he stood up. "Not today, okay? Let's just enjoy Halloween with Harry. Lily's planned a whole thing for him."

"Are they coming? Peter and Remus?" Sirius inquired as he too stood.

"No, I didn't invite Moony because Wormtail hasn't the chance to reveal the secret to him yet. We haven't even told him we switched yet. Before you say we shouldn't, stop it. I trust my friends… all of my friends. I didn't invite Wormtail either. I thought it would be weird to invite Wormtail but not Moony. You'll check on him tonight though, won't you? He seemed rather… jittery when we performed the charm almost as though he were second guessing being our Secret Keeper. I think he's afraid. You know how he gets."

"I planned on going over tonight. I thought I'd leave here around five, pick up some food, and head over to Wormtail's. Thought we could have dinner together tonight and I could get his mind off things. Reassure him that I'm the one the Death Eaters are hunting and not him."

"Can we not talk about this right now?" Lily interrupted, her fingers running along the camera. "It's Halloween. I'm excited to celebrate the holiday with Harry."

Sirius looked down at his godson who was biting his bottom lip as he tried to hold the broom steady in his hands and swing a leg over the wood in order to ride it. Sirius, noticing the boy struggling, squatted down instantly. One hand held the broom steady as his free hand reached out for the toddler to take. Harry took the hand gladly he easily mounted the broom with some help.

Sirius was able to stand up just in time before the broom started darting around the living room. Harry's cackles echoed throughout the room. Speckles, the Potter's pet cat, hissed from his spot on the back of the sofa.

"What kind of tricks do you have planned, Evans?" Sirius said lightly, gladly changing the subject as he clapped his hands together.

"None," she replied, pulling a face, "I only got treats. He's fifteen months, Sirius."

"They're never too young to start pulling a few good tricks or pranks on them," he replied pleasantly as he and James stepped back to avoid being hit by Harry on his broom. "Prongs thought we could turn him into a puppy dog."

"Oi, Padfoot," James hissed as he punched his friend in the shoulder.

"James Potter, don't even think about it," Lily said sternly, pointing a finger at her husband.

"I was joking, Lily. I wouldn't actually do that until he was much much older and could consent."

"Say it with me, Potter, I will never transfigure my son into an animal."

"What if he asked me to?" James replied, his face splitting into a grin.

"Are you an adult or a child?" Lily questioned.

"That's up for debate," he replied cheekily. "Also, it depends on who exactly you ask."

"I'm pretty sure McGonagall called us children a few months back at an Order meeting," Sirius supplied as James nodded eagerly beside him.

"She did, I remember. She also asked us when we were going to grow up," James added. "All because we were highly interested in Dung's recent business dealings. We had a lot of questions. I think McGonagall thought we wanted to join in on the business venture. We didn't, of course, have any intention of doing so but I guess our questions were… questionable."

"I don't even want to know, do I?" Lily asked with her hands on her hips. "Where was I?"

"You were talking with Alice while Harry and Neville played together on the floor," James responded.

"Sirius, can you take Harry up to his room? James, can you help me do the stations for trick or treating?" Lily said with a sigh, changing the subject completely.

"Don't you mean treat or treating?" inquired Sirius with a grin. "You said no tricks."

"Keep it up and you'll find yourself being tricked today, Black."

"You make me all a tingle, Evans," Sirius responded. "Oi, Harry, show me your room! Your mum and dad are going to set up Halloween!"

Harry continued laughing as he leaned back on the broom, nearly missing the sofa. Speckles jumped off the back of the sofa with another hiss as he disappeared off into the kitchen. The toddler babbled something incoherent as he fell off the broom and collided with the hardwood floors. He didn't seem phased by his landing as he wasn't very high off the ground.

"Pa'foo!" Harry burst into another bout of giggles as he rolled onto his back and held his arms up for his godfather.

Sirius crossed the room and loomed over his godson. He tried to keep a stern look on his face but struggled not to smile. He crouched down and slid his hands underneath the child's armpits and hauled him up into his arms. Harry went limp in the man's arms, completely content to snuggle against him.

Sirius climbed the stairs as he heard Lily start to explain to James exactly how they were going to accomplish trick or treating in their house. Once at the top of the stairs, he made his way to the second door on the right and entered.

Harry's bedroom was decorated fit for a Gryffindor Quidditch player. The walls were a golden yellow. His bookcase was had an array of Quidditch books to regular Muggle children's books to magical children's books. The mobile above his crib was made up of Quaffles and Snitches. His crib sheets were a dark red with tiny golden Snitches plastered all over the place. Situated in the middle of the crib was an auburn stag stuffed animal. Resting in the red chair in the corner of the room sat three more stuffed animals: a black dog, a gray wolf, and a gray rat.

Sirius let the boy slide from his embrace. Harry, immediately, trotted over to the chair and pulled the black dog stuffed animal into his arms, clenching it close to his chest as he cuddled it as though his life depended on it.

"Pa'foo," he said softly. "Pa'foo. Pa'foo. Pa'foo!"

Sirius sat down on the floor, sitting cross legged in the middle of the room. Harry, upon seeing his godfather on the floor, closed the space between them. Sirius smiled up at the child as Harry planted himself in front of his godfather and mimicked his seated position. He struggled slightly, attempting to neatly fold his legs in the same manner. Once he achieved it after several tries, he grinned proudly up at the man.

"Are you ready to go trick or treating?" Sirius asked the boy. "You say trick or treat and you get candy. Trick or treat."

"Tick teet!" Harry shouted as he bounced slightly in excitement.

"Close enough," he replied with a shrug. "Would you like to get a trick?"

"Tick?" Harry said, cocking his head to the side with his eyes narrowing in confusion.

"I'll make sure you a trick or two today, no worries, my dear Prongslet. We won't let your mum know until it's too late."

"Pa'foo!" Harry exclaimed happily. "Pa'foo woof!"

"That's right, Padfoot woofs."

Harry planted the plush dog hard onto the floor and started barking. He kept rising the dog in the air and slamming him onto the hardwoods as though mimicking the dog moving about the room. Sirius leaned back, the palms of his hands resting comfortably flat on the floor behind him as he watched the boy start to crawl on his hands and knees as he played with his stuffed plush toy.

Harry bounded around the room, woofing, and soon grew tired of being on his hands and knees. He jumped up, allowing the dog to fly through the air and continued barking merrily. Before long, the boy and his stuffed dog spun around in circles. It didn't take very many turns before the boy grew dizzy and fell to the floor in a fit of giggles. He shot back up immediately, swaying to the side as he started to spin again and fell to the floor even quicker than before.

Sirius couldn't help but smile at the boy. He had decided that he had never wanted any children of his own and even went as far as saying he hated kids when he was younger. He hated the sticky hands and dirty faces. He hated the crying and whiny little voices. Except, Harry had changed his opinion on kids completely. He couldn't wait to see the small child. He loved the messy kisses and when a sticky hand would reach for his. He wanted to soothe his cries and cuddle the child close to his chest. Harry was perfect in every way, shape, and form. He felt so lucky to be the little man's godfather.

"Sirius!" Lily's voice called from downstairs.

"You ready to go trick or treating?" he asked the small child as he stood up and held out a hand for the boy to take.

"Tick teet!" Harry shouted, discarding the plush dog on the floor, and slipped his tiny hand into the bigger one.

The two made their way out of their way out of the bedroom and down the hallway. Harry hesitated when they approached the stairs. The small child stilled and looked up at his godfather.

"Pa'foo!" Harry cried as he reached for the man to pick him up.

Sirius did so without hesitation. They made their way down the stairs and saw a variety of different bowls situated around the room. Once off the stairs, Sirius sat Harry on his feet who immediately clenched his hand once more.

"Okay, go to each bowl, knock, and say trick or treat," Lily explained.

She crossed the room with a small orange tote in her hands. There was a giant, friendly looking jack-o-lantern embossed on the front. Harry was printed below the pumpkin. She handed the bag to the small child who grabbed it eagerly.

"How does one knock? You want us to knock on the bowls?" questioned Sirius.

"No, it's called pretend. Pretend there's a door there," Lily said with a frown. "Connect with your inner child and have an imagination."

"I was never allowed to have an imagination as a child," Sirius quipped.

"I'm sure you'll manage, Padfoot," James said pleasantly as he stood next to one of the bowls, hands stuffed in his pockets as he rocked on his heels. "I'm the first house. Come on, you lot."

"Come on, Harry, let's go trick or treating. I think I'm playing the part of your dad and your parents are giving away the candy. We're pretending," he said lightly, amused by the whole thing.

Sirius started forward towards James, tugging Harry along to follow him. He rolled his eyes, feeling quite silly, as he raised his fist in the air. He had half a mind to punch James in the chest but thought better of it. He jerked his wrist back and forth a few times.

"Knock. Knock. Knock," Sirius said unenthusiastically as Harry looked up at him with curiosity shining in his eyes.

Harry, in turn, raised his little fist in the air, mimicking his godfather. His whole arm rocked back and forth, nearly hitting the candy bowl off the end table.

"'Ock! 'Ock! 'OCK!" Harry shouted in delight.

"Oh, well, hello there, young man. Are you the star Chaser of the Gryffindor Quidditch team?" James inquired with a grin as Harry burst out into giggles.

"Say trick or treat," Sirius bent down to whisper in the boy's ear.

"TICK TEET!" he yelled.

Sirius reached out and showed Harry how to open up the bag. The boy thrust the bag forward as James reached into the bowl and pulled out a couple of candies and deposited them into the bag. Lily was not far away, camera in hand, as she snapped a few pictures.

"Hold on," James said as his fingers fiddled around with the captain's badge on his chest.

Once it was off, he crouched down and carefully pinned the badge to his son's shirt. Once finished, he reached out a hand to brush aside his son's messy fringe off his forehead. He smiled at the boy before standing up.

"Okay, next house. Lily, give me the camera. Your turn."

The two Potters switched places. Lily handed her husband the camera before she took a spot next to the front door where there was a bench with a small bowl sitting on it. Lily smiled broadly as she took a seat next to the bowl of chocolates. Sirius led the boy over to her, raising his hand and pretending to knock. Harry copied him, his knees bouncing in anticipation.

"'OCK! 'OCK! 'OCK!" the boy yelled before fumbling to hold out his bag. "TICK TEET!"

"Why, if it isn't the most handsome Quidditch captain I ever did see," Lily said as she slid off the bench seat and sat on her knees. "I bet you'll go pro and play for Puddlemere United."

"Bite your tongue, Evans!" James snapped playfully as he pointed a finger at her. "No son of mine would play for Puddlemere. Merlin, we're a Falmouth Falcons household and don't you forget that!"

Sirius let out a giant bark-like laugh as he rolled his head back. Lily chuckled, a smirk dancing on her features with sparkling emerald eyes, as she grabbed a few pieces of candy from her bowl and deposited them into her son's bag. She winked at her son as she stood up.

"Calm down, James," Lily said gave him a pointed look.

"It's not funny! Puddlemere? Are you serious? They're so dull to watch. So stiff and proper it's like watching a bunch of old men on the field. The Falcons are at least entertaining. They know how to put on a good show," he told her pointedly.

"Calm down, Prongs," Sirius said as he motioned for Harry to grab his mother's hand. "You know she's trying to get you all worked up."

Sirius crossed the room until he was by the fireplace where he saw another small bowl. He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned his side into the brick. He tossed his head to the side to get the bangs out of his eyes as he waited for his godson to pretend to knock on his door. Harry bounded forward excitedly, pulling Lily along with him.

"My son a Quidditch player for Puddlemere… I think I'd die," James said as he snapped a picture of Harry and Lily. "The only thing worse would be if he was in Slytherin."

"Potter, enough," Lily chastised him as she raised her wrist. "Knock. Knock. Knock."

"'OCK! 'OCK! 'OCK! TEET TICK TEET!" Harry shouted, not paying attention to the bickering amongst the adults.

"I'm sorry, young man, I only give candy to Slytherin Chasers," Sirius said mockingly, looking over at his friend with a smirk.

"Oi, Black, I'll beat you on the head," James said sternly as he wagged his finger.

"Just kidding," Sirius said happily as he picked up the bowl of candy. "I wouldn't really want a Slytherin godson. We're Gryffindors through and through."

Sirius then dumped the bowl into Harry's bag as Lily gave him a very piercing, annoyed look.

"Where dwell the brave at heart!" James chimed in cheerfully.

"You boys better knock it off. Merlin forbid he actually get sorted into Slytherin or some other house other than Gryffindor," Lily said as she motioned for James to take their son's hand as Sirius crossed the room to the coffee table.

"Evans, our son will be a Gryffindor," James commented as he gladly took Harry's outstretched hand and gave his wife the camera.

"I will laugh in your face if he gets sorted into another house," Lily commented as she crossed the room to get a better picture. "If you so much as say anything to him about it, I'll divorce you on the spot."

"I have no doubts that Harry will be in Gryffindor. Potters are always in Gryffindor," he commented as he raised his wrist while Harry followed suit.

"Well, mate, I hate to break it to you, but Blacks were always in Slytherin until I came along," Sirius commented. "Even Andy was in Slytherin."

"'OCK! OCK! OCK! TICK TICK TEET!"

"You wouldn't really care, would you, James?" Lily asked as snapped a picture as Sirius dumped the whole bowl of candy into the bag for a second time.

"No, of course not," James said flatly with a wave of his hand. "He's my son and I'll love him regardless of what house he is in. Disappointed, mildly, but I'd get over it eventually."

"I bet McGonagall would be thrilled not to get another Potter," Sirius said lightly with a smirk.

"She'd cry herself to sleep every night having missed the opportunity for another Potter in her House," James responded.

"How many more houses are we trick or treating at?" questioned Sirius as he cracked his neck.

Lily looked around the room, pointing at various bowls.

"Three," she replied as James passed Harry's hand into Sirius'.

"Can we please do a trick?" Sirius whined slightly.

James crossed the room until he was at the bookcase where a small bowl was situated in front of some books. He leaned back against the wall, his hand reaching to his face to push his glasses up his nose. Harry tugged on his godfather's hand as they made their way over to James.

"What kind of trick?" she questioned as she made her way over to them.

"I can turn his hair blue," suggested James as his fingers inched into his pocket for his wand.

"We could have it so every time he talks, bubbles come out," Sirius added.

"Every time he takes a step, his shoes can roar like a lion," James said with slight enthusiasm lacing his words.

"We can transfigure his outfit into a Puddlemere United uniform," Sirius teased as he raised his wrist and Harry followed.

"'OCK! 'OCK! TEET TRICK!" Harry yelled and thrust his bag forward, his little fist hitting James in the leg.

"Ow, Harry, be careful," James said as a hand reached down to rub his leg while Harry only smirked up at him. "Shut up, Padfoot."

James took out his wand and pointed it at Harry's feet. He moved his mouth to one side, obviously thinking for several seconds before he flicked his wand silently and a jet of white light hit Harry's trainers.

"Take a step," James instructed him.

Harry looked up at his father with confusion written on his little face. He thrust his bag forward again eagerly and said, "Tick Teet." James rolled his eyes and grabbed a few pieces of candy from his bowl and tossed them into the bag. The boy grinned and Sirius tugged his hand along. With every step he took, his shoes started making various animal noises. First, his shoe barked, then meowed, then roared. Harry, amused to no end, started stomping his feet while standing in place, laughter eliciting from his mouth as zoo noises filled the house.

"That's a trick, Prongslet," Sirius told him.

"TICK! TICK!"

"Oh, I wish I had a video camera," Lily said sadly as she crossed the room to take a picture of her stomping son. "We should get one, James."

"What's a video camera?" he inquired.

"It a Muggle camera that takes videos with sounds. We could have been recording the whole trick or treating experience with it and watch it on a television."

"Sirius, can you go out and buy a Muggle video camera for us?" James asked.

"We could record him on Christmas morning opening all of his gifts," Lily commented. "I heard Vernon bought Petunia one when Dudley was born. My mum was annoyed because Vernon went on and on about how expensive it was but nothing was too expensive for his little Petunia."

"Ugh, I don't know, Lily, I don't want to be compared to Vernon Dursley," James commented as he pulled a face of pure disgust. "Maybe we should table the video camera. I don't want to buy anything that Dursley thinks is good."

"I wish I could have met the guy," Sirius commented as James pointed his wand at Harry's shoes to stop the animal noises. "He sounds like a riot."

Harry stomped his feet a few more times, a frown working its way onto his little features when they no longer made noise. He looked up at his godfather, a pout working its way onto his face.

"Oh, yeah, he's a real treat, Padfoot," James said sarcastically. "He's a funny little man."

"Little?" Lily snorted.

"Touché," James said, his eyebrows wiggling. "Trust me though, Pads, that guy makes Walburga Black seem reasonable when she talks about Muggles."

"Merlin, I'd love to meet someone that fits Walburga's idea of what a Muggle is actually like," Sirius said as Harry collapsed onto the floor and dug through his bag of goodies.

"He's not that bad," Lily said with uncertainty in her voice.

"Pa'foo," Harry held up a Chocolate Frog to his godfather, "pweese."

Sirius sat down on the floor in front of his godson and took the Chocolate Frog from his grasp. He opened it carefully, his fingers clenching the frog before it could hop away. He handed it to his godson who bit off its head immediately.

"Lily, really, I know you wish things between you and Petunia were different, but that oaf of a man is not someone I'd want to spend Christmas with. I think I'd poison myself. If we ever spend another holiday with them again, make sure you bring me a bezoar if you want me to survive the night."

"Oh, Merlin, I want to be invited to that. I'd love to watch Prongs poison himself," Sirius said with a smirk. "It would be fourth year all over again. That was hilarious."

"Would it have been hilarious if James would have actually died?" snapped Lily as she took a picture of Sirius rummaging through his godson's candy bag and a wiggling frog leg sticking out of Harry's mouth.

"Oi, Evans, that's just morbid and sick," Sirius commented as he opened a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans and lazily looked through the beans.

"Pa'foo," Harry called as he held out a hand and Sirius placed a green one in his hand.

"I think it's grass. Please, Harry, tell me it's grass."

Sirius held his breath as his godson popped the candy in his mouth. He chewed it thoughtfully before swallowing and smiling up at his godfather.

"I'm sure if it was vomit, he would have spit it out," James commented as he wrinkled his nose and took a seat next to his son on the floor.

"You think? I've seen him eat a worm before," Sirius commented as he flicked through the multi-colored beans in mild interest.

"Why didn't you stop him?" Lily questioned as Harry rummaged through his candy bag once more.

"It all happened so fast. We were out in the back garden and I was Padfoot and he was playing in the mud and when I realized what exactly he was doing it was too late to stop him," Sirius said nonchalantly as he plopped a red bean in his mouth.

"If you let him eat much more candy, he's going to be up all night on an intense sugar high and puking his guts out," Lily commented. "I plan on sleeping tonight, James, so it's all on you."

"What ever happened to us being a team, Evans?" questioned James as he ruffled his hair on his head. "You're the one who owl ordered all this junk."

"It's Halloween. The candy is supposed to last you for the next six months and not be eaten in one night."

"Do you think it'd be funny if I put all of the brown beans in one box and gave it to Wormtail tonight?" Sirius asked with a grin plastered across his face. "He'd be so disappointed to get all mud and dung flavored ones. Can you picture his face?"

"Do it," James encouraged him as he chuckled. "Take a picture when he opens it. You know his sorry arse would eat them too waiting for the lone chocolate flavored one."

"The chocolate flavored ones are a myth," Sirius commented.

"Wormtail swears he had one once. I, personally, think he just likes the taste of dung."

"You guys are awful," Lily said as she shook her head.

"For his birthday this year, we should put that picture on his cake," Sirius ignored Lily's comment. "The sheer look of disappointment."

"Oh, Merlin, I like that idea," James said with a laugh. "Can you do that, Lils? Can you put a picture of a person on a cake like that?"

"Probably. I don't think I could get it to move though," Lily replied after thinking for a few moments. "Merlin, now you're dragging me down with you."

"You love it, Evans," Sirius commented as Harry held out another Chocolate Frog for his godfather to open.

"Pweese?"

"Black, don't give him anymore chocolate."

Sirius ignored her and opened up the frog for his godson. He carefully handed it over to the boy who gladly took it. Lily scowled at him and he merely shrugged.

"I'm the godfather. I get to go home tonight and not deal with the sugar rush. You're the parent, you deny him the sweets. I will gladly give him whatever he asks of me," Sirius explained. "I want him to like me. I don't discipline him or take away the good stuff. That's your job."

"James, put away the candy for the night."

With a sigh, James picked up the bag of candy and held it out for his wife to take. She took it and placed it on top of the bookcase. Harry didn't seem to notice as he bit off the head of the frog. Sirius glanced down at the watch on his wrist.

"I should probably go. I want to run home for a bit before I grab some pizza and beer for Wormtail and me," Sirius announced as he stretched his arms over his head. "I got to change anyways."

"We'll be here doing bath time and not eating sweets," James commented as he leaned over towards his son. "Give Daddy a bite."

Harry giggled as James opened his mouth wide. The boy thrust the headless frog towards his father who bit off one of its wiggling legs.

"Mmm, thanks, Harry," James commented as he chewed on the leg, his hand reaching out to ruffle the boy's hair.

"Come here, Harry, give your godfather a hug goodbye," Sirius said as he held his arms open to the small child.

Harry, clenching the Chocolate Frog tightly in his fist, threw himself at the older man. Little hands wrapped themselves tightly around his godfather's neck, his chocolate covered face burying itself into the crook of his neck. Sirius winced, feeling the chocolate smear on him but only tightened his grip on his godson in response.

"Happy Halloween, little Prongslet," he murmured in the boy's hair.

"Tick Teet!"

Harry pulled away, a wide grin spread across his features. He held the frog out for his godfather and Sirius, though not really wanting a bite, leaned forward and bit off one of the legs to humor the child. Harry burst into a fit of laughter as he too bit off one of the legs.

"I love you," Sirius told him as he swallowed the leg. "You going to celebrate my birthday with me in a couple of days? Have your mum make me one of her famous cakes, okay?"

"Pa'foo, wuv ooo," Harry cooed as he leaned forward and smeared chocolate all over Sirius' cheek.

"You're so disgusting," Sirius said fondly as he brought up a hand to wipe his cheek. "You need a bath."

"Pa'foo!"

"Alright, love you," Sirius said again as he kissed the boy on the cheek before gently pushing him off his lap.

Sirius stood up as Harry stumbled backwards to sit on his father's lap. James accepted the small child without hesitation, wrapping his arms around the boy's waist.

"Lily, thank you as always," Sirius said as he pulled the redhead into an embrace, planting a kiss on her cheek. "I'd like a red velvet birthday cake, by the way."

"All you boys just expect me to throw you birthday parties like I'm your mother," Lily replied as she returned the embrace.

"If you don't, nobody else will. You didn't just marry Prongs that day, you married us all," Sirius replied as she kissed him swiftly on the cheek.

"We're going to tell Remus tomorrow about the switch. He'll be coming for your birthday. I want you to play nice," Lily told in sternly. "None of you are the spy. We trust all three of you with our lives."

"He's always gone lately. He won't tell us what he's doing."

"Sirius, enough. You know James and I don't want to hear it."

James stood up with Harry resting comfortably in his father's arms. He stood next to his wife and best friend, his face suddenly grave.

"Whatever mission Dumbledore has Moony on needs to be kept secret. I trust Moony just as much as I trust you and as much as I trust Wormtail," James said evenly. "We're brothers, Padfoot, and it would do you well to remember that. Stop being a paranoid bugger."

Sirius sighed, biting his tongue. He reached out and clapped James on the shoulder. He gave his best friend's bicep a squeeze before letting go. He leaned in quickly, giving Harry one last kiss on his unruly mop of hair.

"You got chocolate on your neck, Padfoot," James said lazily as Sirius instinctively wiped a hand across his neck.

"I'll stop by tomorrow. I'm assuming you're going to have Wormtail tell Moony in the morning? Are they coming over afterward?"

"We'd like everyone together," James commented as he nodded. "It's been awhile since we were all together outside of an Order meeting. Be here for dinner? I think Wormtail said he was going to have lunch with Moony and tell him."

"Sure. I'll pop over around four. Prongslet and I will play while you two crazy kids make your four children dinner," Sirius joked. "I'll bring a dessert and see if I can't find one of those Muggle video cameras. Your mum say how much Dursley spent? I want to get a better, more expensive model than him. Only the best for my best mates."

"Honestly, Sirius, will you ever grow up?" Lily inquired playfully, gently hitting him in the arm with the back of her hand.

"Only if you promise to still make me dinner and throw me birthday parties. Can we have hats like we did for Prongs' last party? I was rather fond of them."

"If you see any at the store tomorrow, buy them. Can you grab me stuff to make your cake too? I think I'm fresh out of flour and the like. Harry and I have been doing a lot of baking lately since we've been cooped up in this house for so long."

"Deal. Alright, Potters, happy Halloween. See you tomorrow. We'll plan my party after dinner when everyone is nicely fed and happy."

Sirius exited the house, stepping out into the brisk October air. The sun was just starting to set. He stepped onto the sidewalk, knowing he was now fully outside of the wards of the house. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and strolled down the streets of Godric's Hollow looking for an Apparition point. He slipped into an alleyway, away from view and disappeared.

He took a shower upon entering his flat, ensuring that all of Harry's sticky chocolate was off him. He noted the chocolate smeared on James' old Quidditch shirt and threw it on a chair in his bedroom to deal with in the morning.

An hour later, he rode his motorbike across town to Peter's neighborhood. He parked the motorbike outside of his mate's flat and walked down two blocks to a local pizza joint to pick up a large pizza and a six-pack of beers.

By the time he arrived at Peter's, he was a good half hour late. He balanced the pizza box in one hand, the beers dangling from his fingertips underneath the box. With a free hand, he rapped on the door. There was no noise from inside. He groaned, hitting the door louder.

"Wormtail, open up! It's Padfoot!" he called but there was no noise to indicate anyone was even coming to the door. "Wormtail!"

Sirius kicked the door once. His mind started to race, his heart hammering in his chest. A cold, sick feeling iced over him. He bent down, placing the pizza and the beer on the floor. He dug through his pocket to pull out a keyring and shakily shoved the key into the hole. He pushed the door open, feeling as though he were moving in slow motion.

The flat looked normal. Nothing was out of place, no furniture turned over. Peter's mail lay neatly on the coffee table. There was no sign of struggle. Sirius froze, his eyes darting around the immaculate flat. He swore, running out of the flat without even bothering to shut the door behind him.

He jumped on his motorbike, kicking it into gear because he didn't trust himself to Apparate without Splinching himself to hell and back. Godric's Hollow would only be a fifteen-minute flight. His hands shook as he pulled out of his parking spot, nicking the car in front of him with his bike. He didn't pay any attention to it as he pounded his fist into his dashboard and the bike lifted in the air.

His heart nearly dropped out of his chest as he drew closer to the Potter home. He descended, seeing the roof blown off the house. He landed the bike and it skidded on the asphalt. The damn thing nearly hit the fence. He flung his body off the bike as he ran inside the house, his wand being drawn from his pocket as he made his way up the cobblestone walkway.

The front door was half open. Sirius pushed it all the way open, stepping inside. He saw James first on the floor. He was lying on his back, his eyes wide open, his glasses askew on his face. His wand was nowhere to be seen. He must have knocked over the end table when he fell backwards as the bowl and a few pieces of candy from their earlier trick or treating were scattered to the left of him.

"Prongs…" Sirius whispered as he found himself moving towards his best friend.

He crouched down next to him waiting for his friend to move but he was as still as a statue. Reaching out a shaking hand, Sirius adjusted his friend's glasses on his face. He felt a large lump form in his throat. He tried to swallow it down but found it wouldn't go away.

There was a cry that emitted from somewhere upstairs. Sirius nearly jumped out of his skin as he stood up, his wand clenched tightly in his hand. He made his way towards the stairs, watching where he stepped to not activate any of the squeaky floorboards.

He climbed the stairs, straining his ears for any sound or movement. He could hear Harry crying and a male voice shushing the child. Just as he stepped off the last step and onto the landing, he saw a large mass leave Harry's bedroom. His arm shot up, a curse dancing on his lips when he faltered.

Hagrid stood in front of him, Harry cradled in his arms. There was a large gash on his godson's forehead and dried blood ran down his cheek. The child's chest heaved as tears poured down his face. Harry stilled when he saw Sirius.

"Pa'foo! Pa'foo!" Harry cried and wiggled frantically in Hagrid's arms. He reached out for his godfather.

"Harry…" he whispered as he held out his arms for the child. "Hagrid, give him to me."

"Sorry. I can't, Sirius. Dumbledore gave me orders ter take him."

"I'm his godfather. I'll look out for him. Give him to me. I'll take care of him."

"Sirius, I can't."

"Pa'foo!"

"It's okay, Harry, you're alright," Sirius said, attempting again to swallow the lump in his throat but failing.

Sirius closed the space between them, reaching out a hand to place it on the side of his godson's face. The boy leaned into the touch, his cries dying down as he began to hiccup. His thumb brushed against the dried blood on his godson's cheek. He rubbed it gently, watching as the blood started to disappear.

"You're okay," he whispered again. "You… you go with Hagrid, okay, Prongslet?"

"Pa'foo," the boy moaned morosely, his little hand reaching out to grasp his godfather's shirt.

"I'll see you tomorrow, okay? I'll get you tomorrow. I promise," Sirius said, voice thick with emotion. "Hagrid, take my motorbike outside. Get Harry somewhere safe. Tell Dumbledore I'll meet him tomorrow. There's something I need to take care of and then… then I'll take Harry tomorrow, okay?"

"Yeh okay, Sirius?"

"I'm fine. I'm fine."

Sirius' mind was spinning, his heart pounding wildly in his chest. Harry was alive, somehow, but James was dead and he was pretty sure that Lily was probably dead in Harry's nursery if Hagrid was the one holding his godson. Peter. Peter bloody Pettigrew sold them out. He sold them out and it wasn't due to torture. His flat was pristine, there were no signs of struggle, and Peter was too chicken shit to leave the flat.

"Yeh are white," Hagrid spoke softly. "Yeh look like yer goin' ter fall over."

"Pa'foo!"

Both of Harry's little fists were now gripping his shirt. The little boy tried to pull himself out of Hagrid's arms and into his godfather's. Sirius gripped the boy's hands into his, gently pulling them off his clothes. He leaned his head forward, their foreheads connecting together. He closed his eyes, relishing in his godson's touch.

"I love you, alright?" Sirius whispered. "I love you."

He pulled back slightly, his lips brushing against the child's cheek. Harry blinked up at him with wide emerald eyes. He looked like he was going to start crying again, tears threatening to spill down his eyelashes. Harry bobbed his head forward and planted a very wet kiss on his godfather's cheek.

"Wuv ooo," Harry cooed. "Pa'foo?"

"I love you. I'll see you soon. Be good, okay? I'll see you soon," Sirius choked out the words. "Take him, Hagrid, before the Death Eaters start to show up. Get him to safety."

"Be safe, Sirius," Hagrid said gruffly.

Hagrid brushed past Sirius, their shoulders bumping together. Sirius closed his eyes, hearing his godson calling for him once more. He turned around, not bothering to stop the tears from running down his face. He smiled weakly at the boy, raising a hand to wave weakly at him. Harry just stared at him, wide eyed, over Hagrid's shoulder. His little fists gripped the half-giant's coat.

"Pa'foo," Harry called, sadly, one last time before he disappeared down the stairs.

Sirius stood rooted in his place, too shocked to move and too consumed by grief to even think about anything except one thing: he wanted to murder Peter Pettigrew. He wanted to find him and murder him with his bare hands. He had done this. He betrayed James and Lily. He was the reason they were dead. He was the reason Harry was an orphan.

Sirius was going to kill him.

Hope you enjoyed this one-shot. Please, if you took the time to read, please take the time to review. It's the only payment that fanfiction writers get!