Sirius opened his eyes and immediately shut them again. He shielded his face with his hand as he slowly opened his eyes again, this time cautiously— the fluorescent light overhead was brighter than the sun and nearly blinding. He blinked a plain room into view; the blankets on the bed, paint on the walls, and the armchair situated in the corner were all in the same beige color palette. Where the hell was he?

He shifted to sit up, and a sharp pain shot through the right side of his abdomen. He groaned and grabbed his side; he felt thick bandages through a thin scrap of material that had replaced his clothing. Upon further inspection, he realized he was dressed in a hospital gown— he was in St. Mungos.

"Ah, Mr. Black— glad to see you are awake."

A man stood in the doorway to his room, dressed in lime green robes— a healer, no doubt. He was a plump man, balding at the crown, and small eyes that reminded him of Peter's. He held a roll of newspaper in one arm, and a clipboard in another.

"How did I get here?"

Sirius's voice was deep and crackly; hoarse from being freshly woken up.

"You were transported here from the Ministry of Magic. You were in pretty rough shape when you got here last week."

"Hold on— last week?!"

"Yes, yes— we've had you under some sleeping draughts to allow you to heal. That was a nasty spell that hit your side; it about did you in."

Sirius instinctively felt his side again, running his hand over the bandage as the Healer continued to speak.

"We'll have you out of here in a day or so, but you'll be on a series of potions every twelve hours for the next week until that wound heals up. We were able to repair your broken nose quite well at least—it should be good as new."

He reached up and felt his nose; it felt as though it had never been broken in the first place. He looked around at St. Mungo's overly beige room, feeling a great deal of unease. If he were at St. Mungo's, then he was out in the open. Surely the dementors would be coming to arrest him any moment— why hadn't they already?

"Why aren't I in Azkaban's hospital wing?"

The Healer chuckled "Because you're not a prisoner."

"I'm the most wanted man in Great Britain," Sirius said, blinking "They'll be coming for me."

"No, they won't," The Healer smiled "Your name has been cleared."

He set the newspaper roll down on the tray table next to him. He spread out the latest issue of the Daily Prophet to show him.

SIRIUS BLACK: INNOCENT!

The front page featured his portrait, smiling wryly as he flipped his hair out of his face. It was an old photograph— he had been only 19 or 20 when it was taken.

"My name has been cleared?" He asked thickly, running his index finger over the bold word innocent.

"Yes sir, quite a few people— even Albus Dumbledore— corroborated your story. The public is outraged that you didn't receive a fair trial those years ago."

"Likewise," Sirius muttered under his breath. He stared at the front page, worried if he looked away for too long, it would change. "Can I keep this? The paper?"

He read the headline over and over in his head. Sirius Black: Innocent. Sirius Black: Innocent.

"It's all yours. Now, you have some people waiting here that would like to see you, would you like me to send them in?"

Sirius Black: Innocent. Sirius Black: Innocent. Sirius Black: Innocent.

"Mr. Black?"

Sirius's attention snapped back to the Healer. "Oh, yes— please, send them in."

He nodded, gave him a polite smile, and exited. Sirius turned his attention back to the Daily Prophet; this had to be a dream, this couldn't be real.

Sirius Black: Innocent.

He scanned the article, his heart nearly leaping out of his chest as he read.

Recent evidence has come to light that notorious mass-murderer, Sirius Black, is indeed innocent of the accused crimes. Black, who was serving a life sentence for murdering 12 muggles and wizard Peter Pettigrew, was framed by Pettigrew himself before he faked his own death.

"It turns out that Peter Pettigrew is a Death Eater, not Sirius Black," Albus Dumbledore explains "For many years we had it wrong. Pettigrew is indeed alive— he sliced off his own finger in order to frame Black for the murders. He had been a spy for [He Who Must Not Be Named] right under everyone's noses. Had Black been granted a proper trial, this evidence may have come to light."

Sentenced in late 1981, Black was not given a fair trial. Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge declined to comment on this, as well as any comment regarding the return of He Who Must Not Be Named. The Minister is expected to resign from his post at the end of the week.

"So he's finally come to his senses…" Sirius muttered to himself, under his breath.

Black was apprehended at the Ministry of Magic last Friday evening, injured during a brawl between the Order of the Phoenix, 6 Hogwarts students, Death Eaters and He Who Must Not Be Named. He was transported to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, where Healers informed the Daily Prophet that Black is expected to make a full recovery.

Black is exonerated of his crimes accused of Halloween night 1981; however, there is no word yet if Black will face repercussions for his 1993 escape from Azkaban prison.

Sirius slammed the newspaper back down. "How about time served?" he grumbled, "12 years was punishment enough..."

Still— he was found innocent. He was no longer a prisoner. He could go to the grocery, he could go to Diagon Alley— hell, he could simply take a walk around the block without fear of being arrested. He was free.

It wasn't long before his room was filled with visitors. Molly was the first to enter, swiftly running to his side and kissing his cheek enthusiastically.

"Oh Sirius, we are so thankful you are alright!" she cried, "You've had a revolving door of visitors over the last week or so, and both the Prophet and Witch Weekly have been hounding the hospital for an exposé on you the moment you woke up."

"How's your gash healing up?" Arthur interjected, "you feeling alright? Harry wanted us to owl the moment you woke."

"I guess so— he's not here?"

"No, we told him we'd bring him by the house to see you once you were home. Too much press around the hospital— he doesn't need that right now."

Sirius nodded, albeit just a little disappointed Harry was not here to greet him. He looked around at Remus, Arthur, Molly, Kingsley; there was someone else he was disappointed not to see.

"Where's Allie?"

"She's with a Healer currently, but she'll be along," Molly said, smiling slightly.

Sirius frowned. "Healer? Why? Was she injured? Is she alright?"

Molly patted his shoulder reassuringly.

"She's fine, Sirius, she's just fine— she'll be along. We sent a medi-witch to inform her you had woken up."

Sirius relaxed back against his pillow. "So, the cat's out of the bag on Voldemort. Fudge is to resign?"

"Yes, he's gotten quite a bit of pressure from the community to step down. There are concerns with government security," Kingsley explained, "The community wondering how an alleged murderer could walk into the Ministry without any sort of alarms going off— the only reason Fudge and the Aurors showed up is because Dumbledore sent word."

Sirius chuckled softly; it had seemed a little too easy for him to enter the Ministry— Fudge probably never expected him to walk right into the belly of the beast. Looking back, he was surprised he had the stones to do it himself. Unbridled Gryffindor bravery, he figured— to a fault, almost.

"How are the others?" he asked, "Tonks? Mad-Eye?"

"Tonks is in the next room over," Molly said, "she had some spell damage, but she's doing much better and should be able to go home in a few days."

"Mad-eye was also admitted, but he checked himself out after 24 hours," Arthur said "He was paranoid his potions had been tampered with. He refused to take anything the healers brought him."

Sirius laughed; Moody was always paranoid. Wouldn't drink anything he hadn't brewed himself. Remus stepped forward, smiling slightly.

"You know, for a minute we thought we'd lost you," he said, "Allie was a wreck."

"Oh, the poor thing cried for two days straight— slept sitting up with her forehead resting against your bed," Molly sighed "She refused to leave your side until the Healers thought you were through the worst of it. Whatever spell Bellatrix hit you with was a nasty one."

"A nasty spell for a nasty bitch," Sirius muttered "Where's Harry staying? The Burrow? Of course, he's welcome to his room at my house even before he gets home."

"Actually," Molly said "Harry is at his Aunt and Uncle's currently-"

"He's with those loons?" Sirius cried "He should be at my house! He's going to live with me from now on, of course."

"Sirius—" Remus cleared his throat "Dumbledore was very clear that Harry was to go back to his Aunt and Uncle's. He insis—"

"He's my godson!" Sirius growled, "I'll have words with Dumbledore— leaving him with the Dursley's yet again, pfft…"

"He's going to be stopping by to see you here soon, actually," Arthur said, "now that you are awake."

Sirius crossed his arms and let out a pouty huff. "Good."

He turned his nose up as he watched Arthur cast a Patronus, assumingly to send word to Dumbledore. Molly had opened her mouth to speak again, but a knock came at the door, and Allie stepped into the room. Sirius's irritation faded almost instantly as a wide grin spread across his face.

"There she is!"

She flushed, giving everyone a sheepish smile before shuffling over to Sirius's side. She sat at the edge of his bed.

"How are you feeling?" she asked softly.

"Oh, I'm alright," he said, "Don't you worry about me, kitten."

Molly looked at them with an odd smile. "Everyone, why don't we give these two some privacy, eh? Let's all go check on Tonks."

Sirius and Allie watched as the Order members shuffled out of the room. Once they were alone, Allie flushed again.

"How are you doing?" Sirius asked, "With everything— about your Dad and brother?"

She shrugged, starting to pick at a loose thread on the blanket. "Alright, I guess."

He watched her for a moment as she continued to fidget with the thread. She was dressed simply in a pair of faded jeans and one of his old band t-shirts, but she looked radiant and as beautiful as ever— even her unruly curls seemed to behave more so than typical.

"Molly said you were with Healer?"

Allie flushed, nodding.

"Are you alright?" he asked, "Were you hurt?"

She shook her head. "I— I need to— to tell you something…"

Sirius furrowed his brow "what's that?"

She opened her mouth, but another knock at the door interrupted them. Dumbledore stood in the doorway, dressed in shimmering silver robes that contrasted against the dinginess of St. Mungo's.

"My apologies, didn't mean to interrupt," he said "May I have a word with you, Sirius?

Allie stood to leave, but Dumbledore held his hand up to stop her.

"No, Allison, you may stay. What I have to speak to Sirius about concerns you, as well."

She nodded, then sat back onto the edge of the hospital bed and took Sirius's hand in hers, this time facing Dumbledore.

"Kreacher's loyalties have been compromised," Dumbledore started "He has been visiting Bellatrix Lestrange and Narcissa Malfoy—"

"What?" Sirius sat up abruptly, regretting his swift movements as he grabbed his side. "Why on earth would he be visiting them?!"

"Apparently you had ordered him 'Out' some time ago— you probably meant for him to leave the room, but he took it as 'out of the house' and went to the next Black relative he knew of. When Harry had attempted to contact you via the Floo network, after he had a vision of you being tortured, Kreacher informed him that you were not home. He was instructed to lie to Harry to get him to go to the Ministry, thinking he needed to save you."

"That vile little beast!" Sirius hissed "I swear, he's getting clothes the moment I get home—"

"I would strongly advise you not to do that," Dumbledore interrupted quickly "Kreacher knows far too much— thankfully he was ordered not to speak of some of the things he'd overheard during our meetings, so we can hope that the other side doesn't know too much."

"Well, I don't want that— that thing in my house!"

"Sirius, he's mental," Allie said softly "Maybe if you'd treated him a little better he—"

"Treated the little rat better?" he scoffed "treated him better?! After all the prejudice slurs he throws around about my friends? He's a carbon copy of my mother!"

"Might I suggest," Dumbledore interjected, not unkindly "Sending him to work in the kitchens at Hogwarts? Close watch would be kept on him there."

Sirius let out a huff and then nodded stiffly. "Yes, fine— anything to get him out of my house." He grumbled impatiently.

"Now, I'm sure the others have told you that Harry is with his Aunt and Uncle?"

"Yeah, and I'm not sure why you insist on sending him back there. I'm his godfather, I'm more family to him than those prats are; he should be with me—" He took Allie's hand "—with us ."

"The night James and Lily were killed, Lily sacrificed herself for Harry;" Dumbledore explained, "Because of that sacrifice, Harry was protected from the killing curse. In order to keep him safe until he became of age, I needed to seal that protection with blood magic. Someone who shared the same blood that ran thought Lily's veins would need to care for him. That would be his Aunt. So long as he returns 'home'— meaning to the Dursley's— once a year, even just for a short time, the magical bond is still intact until his 17th birthday."

Sirius took a moment to chew on this thought. He had known that Dumbledore had some sort of protection placed on Harry through things mentioned at meetings, but now it made sense as to why he was always so insisted on Harry returning to that house.

"Would it be harmful to him to spend weekends this summer with me?" he asked, after a moment.

"I do not think that be of any harm," Dumbledore said, "and I'm sure he would enjoy staying weekends with you."

"I'll write him, then," Sirius said, waving his hand "but I don't think he'll be thrilled about only staying on the weekends."

"I will explain to him why," Dumbledore sighed, "It is time for him to know some other information I've been withholding from him thus far." He turned his attention, Allie, his eyes now twinkling, "Allison, I'd like to discuss something with you as well."

Allie shifted to sit up straighter, looking at Dumbledore inquisitively.

"The Healers tell me that you show natural talent in caring for Sirius whilst he was asleep," Dumbledore said "I know this had been your ambition before you left school. Unfortunately, to be a Healer, you need NEWT scores in Transfiguration, Potions, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Herbology. I regret that you never got a chance to take these exams, and would like you to offer you the chance to at the end of next school year."

Allie's eyes lit up, growing to the size of saucers. "Really?"

"You would be able to floo or use a portkey to attend lessons, but you would have to put in quite a bit of time to fit 2 years' worth of classes into one school year."

"I'll do it," she said quickly "Yes— I'll do whatever it takes."

"Very well," Dumbledore said, "I'll see to it that you are registered for classes. Expect an owl middle of August with your supply list."

"Thank you, Sir, thank you." She said eagerly, smiling ear to ear.

Dumbledore nodded, "I won't impose on you two any longer. I'll leave you for now, but I will be in touch."

Sirius nodded, and they watched Dumbledore leave the hospital room.

"Taking your NEWTS, that are exciting stuff," Sirius grinned "You're going to do great— I have full faith."

"I'm going to have a lot going on this year…" Allie's expression fell. She paused for a moment, chewing on her lip.

"Yes, it'll be busy, but you know Remus, and I will help you as much as we can—now, what is it you wanted to tell me a few minutes ago?"

"I—"

Her breath caught in her throat. Her face flushed scarlet as tears welled up in her eyes. Sirius frowned as he studied her.

"Allie, what is it?"

She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She began to tremble, and a few tears slipped down her cheeks. Sirius cupped her face with his hands, wiping her tears with his thumbs and giving her an encouraging smile.

"Whatever it is, you can tell me," he said softly.

She nodded then looked down at her lap. "I— I'm— pregnant."

She spoke so softly that Sirius wasn't sure he heard her correctly. He leaned forward slightly, furrowing his brow. "Say that again?"

"I'm pregnant." She whispered again.

This time, he knew he heard her correctly. His heart skipped a beat, his stomach flip-flopped. The room grew hot— was it just him, or did they kick the heat on full blast?

"You're— no… no— surely you're not really…?"

She nodded; tears flowed down her face freely now.

"How? We always used a contraceptive—"

"Not every time," she whispered, "That night Tonks came over, and we had a fair bit to drink; we forgot. I counted the weeks, it adds up."

Sirius took a moment to wrap his head around this thought. That night was a little hazy, but he certainly didn't remember either of them casting a contraceptive.

"… You're pregnant," He said, mostly to himself "that means I'm going to be a—"

He trailed off, his mind swirling. She bit her lip and nodded silently. She looked fearful as if she was expecting him to be upset over this news. Instead, a wide grin spread across his face. She was pregnant. He was going to be a father— a Dad.

"I'm going to be a dad," he said thickly, smiling a toothy grin, "We're going to be a family."

"You're not upset?" she sniffled.

"Absolutely not," Sirius said reassuringly. "This is everything I've ever wished for, kitten. My name is cleared— I'm a free man, and we can be a proper family."

He wiped her tears with his thumbs once more, and then kissed her firmly.

"Is that where you were? Getting the baby looked at?"

"Yes," she said, "All seems well, they told me."

"Excellent," Sirius grinned. He reached for her stomach, placing his hand just above her navel, "When will we feel kicks?"

"Not for some months," Allie giggled "I'll grow fat first before you are able to feel anything."

He didn't think he could smile any wider— the mental picture of Allie with a large baby bump made him happier than he could ever describe.

"Who knows?"

"Just the Order so far— only because I broke down crying to Molly when I thought you weren't going to make it."

His smile faded almost instantly; he felt guilty for causing her to worry. "I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"S'alright." she sniffed.

They paused for a moment, simply staring and smiling at each other silently. "Come here—" Sirius shifted to one side carefully and then patted the bed next to him. "Why don't you lay with me?"

She curled up on his uninjured side, resting her head against his chest. She draped her arm over him, taking care not to touch his bandages. He kissed her forehead and then rested his cheek against her head.

"I guess I should probably get a job, huh?" he muttered playfully. "Especially if you are cutting your hours back at work…"

"I never said anything about cutting my hours…"

"Ah, ah—" he cut her off "I want school to be your first priority. Cut your hours back to the minimum; let me take that burden from you."

"But my family—"

"Let me take that burden from you, kitten," He repeated "I will make sure your family is taken care of, understand? You've spent your life caring for others— let me take care of you."

She seemed to want to protest this, but after a moment, she let out the breath she was holding and nodded. "Alright."

Sirius kissed the top of her head once more. "Alright."

They lay there, she in his arms, as Sirius's mind raced around all he had learned in the last forty-five minutes. He was a free man— his name was cleared. He wasn't a wanted fugitive anymore; he could leave the house whenever he pleased. He was going to become a father, have a family of his own— he never thought he would have this. In a period of what felt like no time at all, he had gotten everything he'd wished for; everything he'd dreamed of night after night for the last 14 years.

"I love you." She murmured against his chest.

"I love you too, Allie."

And that he did, with every fiber of his being. Despite all his poor luck in his life, he felt so much fortune at this moment. He, Allie, Harry, the baby— they would be a proper family, the four of them.

As it should be.

Thank you all so so so much for reading Be Careful What You Wish For!

Things are not over for Allie and Sirius. Join them in the next installment, Hold On Tight (chapter one is up NOW!). Add me as a favorite author so you don't miss any updates.

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