With Kreacher gone, Harry stared at his newly found treasures. He was feeling a strange mixture of emotions, he wasn't sure exactly how to put a word to it. He carried the collection of vials into the study, Ron brought the Pensieve. They sat down around it, an apprehensive feeling floated in the air around them.

Hermione's lips were pursed together and her eyebrows knit in concern. She rested her chin on her knee as she spoke.

"Harry, I don't mean to be a spoilsport but, what makes you think Sirius left these for you? She asked.

Harry looked up at her. "Didn't you ever just…know something, Hermione?"

Hermione didn't reply but Ron put his arm around her and nodded. "Constantly, Harry." He kissed her temple.

"Do you want some privacy, Harry?" Hermione asked.

He nodded. "Yes. Better do this alone for now."

"If it looks even the slightest bit…off, you'll tell us straightaway, won't you Harry?" Hermione said as she and Ron went to leave the room.

Harry gave her a reassuring grin. "I think I'll be able to manage it, Hermione."

"Come on, Mione. Let's go. Be careful, mate." Ron said, leading her out of the room by the hand.

Harry sighed when he heard the door click shut. He ran his fingertips over the tops of the vials, selecting one at random, he poured the smoky memory into the bowl. It swirled and danced against the shiny black volcanic glass of Sirius' Pensieve.

Harry took a deep breath as he leaned forward and felt himself falling forward. An aroma filled his nostrils before he could readily identify where he was. As the room came clearer, the scent was stronger. It was delicious. He was surprised to find himself in the tiny cottage in Godric's Hollow.

The room was decorated for Christmas. A beautiful tree trimmed with lights in a corner, presents piled high underneath it. The staircase bannister was wrapped with red and green ribbon and there were candles everywhere, emitting a comforting glow. The fireplace was lit and Harry felt a punch in the stomach seeing Sirius alive and well standing by the fire, one hand in his trouser pocket, the other clutching a snifter of brandy. He swirled the drink around in his hand as he intensely stared into the flames.

"Sirius, are you sure you won't join us tomorrow?" The musical voice from the next room made Harry jump.

Sirius smiled to himself. "No, thank you Lily but I really can't impose myself more than I already do."

"Oh shut up, will you? You're not imposing and you know that." Harry spun on his heel to see his father bounding down the stairs.

"James, I'm…" Sirius began, a smile spreading across his face.

"If the next words aren't 'I'm joining you and Lily for dinner', you can stuff it." James clapped Sirius on the back.

"I…suppose I should be able to come after all." Sirius sighed, relenting.

"Why on Earth is it so bloody difficult to get you to do family things?" James asked. "It's as if you don't like us or some nonsense. More brandy?" James raised the crystal decanter and poured himself a drink. Sirius held his glass out for more.

"I suppose it's just my nature, James. I didn't exactly come of a snug and cuddle family, did I?" Sirius shrugged his shoulders. "Being around normal people makes me bloody uncomfortable sometimes."

Harry crossed his arms over his chest. He knew that feeling. He still sometimes felt like he was imposing himself on the Weasleys. Harry tried to take in every last one of his father's mannerisms; the way he stood with his arms crossed, the way his glasses kept slipping down his nose and how he pushed them back into place with his knuckle.

Just then Lily poked her head into the room. Even though he knew she was only a memory, Harry had to fight the urge to run to her.

"So Sirius, you're joining us, then?" She asked with a smile. The light from the fire illuminated her porcelain skin and her green eyes looked greener against the long velvet dress she was wearing.

"Yes, Lily I'll be there."

"Brilliant. I'll ring them later and tell them to add a place setting." Lily approached Sirius and put her hand on his chest as she sweetly said: "You're as much a part of the Potter family as I am. Maybe someday you'll remember that, you thick git." They smiled and Sirius patted her hand in friendship before she stepped back into the kitchen.

"We'll be making that official, come July." James said with a mysterious air.

Sirius knit his brows together and looked at his friend with an investigative stare.

"Well, you know. Lily'll be putting on some weight and I'll need some help getting that spare room upstairs sorted out." James gave him a wink.

It occurred to him all at once. "Is she?" His head spun around towards the kitchen and he yelled, "Are you?" Lily's excited laugh confirmed his theory.

Sirius charged at James and lifted his friend off his feet in a bear hug.

"That's truly the best fucking news I've heard in ages." Sirius said, beaming.

"We think so too." Lily said, carrying a tray in front of her. They sat together, James and Lily on the sofa, Sirius on the floor and ate the warm banana bread Harry could smell as soon as he entered the memory.

"So you hit the center ring, eh Prongs?" Sirius teased.

"He did indeed, Padfoot." Lily laughed.

James puffed his chest out proudly. "It was pretty easy, no Beaters in my way. Just smooth flying, straight through to the…ouch!" Lily elbowed him.

"That's quite enough of that analogy, thank you. I certainly hope it's better than Quidditch, Jamie." She teased.

James and Sirius shared a half joking smile of consideration of the point.

"Well, afterward we're all sweaty…breathing heavy…in need of a shower…" James said, just to provoke her.

"If that's the case, I'll keep a Beater's bat next to the bed, see how much fun you find that." Lily said, smirking. She kissed James' lips. "Are you going to ask him?" She nodded towards Sirius.

"Ask me what?" Sirius said with a mouth full of banana bread.

"I was going to tomorrow." James said.

"Well you've got my attention now, what is it? What do you need?" Sirius said, sitting up straight, intending to comply with whatever his best friend asked of him.

Lily smiled and put her hand on James'. "It's not about what we need, Sirius." She put her hand on her stomach. "But the baby will need a Godfather."

Sirius sat quietly a moment. Lily and James looked at each other sideways, unsure of the meaning behind his expression.

"Me? Me a Godfather?" Sirius finally said quietly.

"Who else?" James said smiling.

"Well…what about Moony?" Sirius asked.

"I won't lie and say we never considered Remus. But honestly, Remus has plenty to deal with already with all the new…legislation the Ministry has been discussing." Lily said, his tone turning bitter.

"But in the end, of course we want you, old man. You're the closest to a brother I'll ever have. I want my son or daughter to have you in their lives as an uncle." James said leaning forward, resting his forearms on his thighs.

Sirius considered it for a moment. "A very mischievous uncle."

"Indeed." James said nodding.

"A dashing, rich uncle." Sirius added.

Lily rolled her eyes playfully. "That you are. Modest, too." She said with a laugh.

"An uncle who can tell him about all of the secret passageways at Hogwarts and all the places where he can skiv off classes and never get caught."

"Well, his father can tell him that, too." James said.

"Yeah but does his father know exactly which classrooms are always in disuse and perfect for a little recreational mischief with fellow Gryffindors? Fellow female Gryffindors?" Sirius raised an eyebrow at them.

"This is sounding less and less attractive by the second." Lily said, sitting back.

"I'm kidding, Lil. I'd be honored. Truly. Of course I'll be the Godfather. What a brilliant Christmas surprise."

The room became hazy, much less sharp. Conversation continued but the words were slowed down and so muddled, Harry couldn't understand what anyone was saying.

"No, not yet. I'm not ready to go yet…no…" A swirl of laughter surrounded Harry as he felt himself exit the memory. He popped back from the Pensieve with such force that he fell backward on his arse.

Ron and Hermione came running and threw the door open.

"You alright, Harry?" Hermione yelped, seeing him on the floor.

"I'm fine." Harry said, a little sadly. "They were there. My parents and Sirius."

Ron stepped forward, intrigued. "Doing what? Something for the Order? Something dangerous?!"

Harry grinned. "No, no really. It was Christmas. They told Sirius about me. Asked him to be my Godfather."

Hermione smiled and approached the Pensieve and the vial. A piece of parchment seemed to be wrapped around it and secured with yellowing sellotape. She peeled it off carefully. She recognized Sirius' handwriting and showed it to Harry, they shared a smile.

"What's it say?" Ron asked reaching for the parchment scrap.

"A Moment that Truly Brought me Joy." Hermione read.