[For Harry]

[not_the_grim]

Whether by design or simple coincidence, Sirius' life seems to strike a balance in recent months. When he feels able to worry less about his godson, his girlfriend provides him new and confusing concerns, and Sirius, who has never considered himself particularly skilled at worrying over anyone, can't help but wonder why the hell everyone can't just

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[seek_to_end]

Staying out of trouble was certainly a difficult task for Harry Potter most times, but at least the island provided a change in type and scenery. Harry's girl problems had previously been isolated and easily explained (at least with Hermione's help). Cho had missed Cedric too much and expected things of Harry that he didn't know how or couldn't give. Romilda was best avoided. And Ginny... Well, Harry would be hard-pressed to admit to any problems while they were together.

But none of them had prepared Harry for a normal girlfriend with a mostly-normal life and normal wants. Harry's life just hadn't been normal. While other boys dreamed of touching girls, Harry's dreams were invaded by Voldemort. While other boys were touching girls, and kissing them and flirting with them, Harry was fighting off giant snakes and running for his life. It wasn't fair, but he didn't want to complain about the injustice of it. He wanted to move on and catch up on what he had missed

[not_the_grim]

"All right, I reckon," Sirius replies, his smile instinctive as he budges over a bit to make room for his godson. Truth told, he isn't entirely certain how he is lately, Cassie's strange behavior only serving to stoke his natural restlessness. But he's glad to see Harry.

"And you?" He reaches to give Harry's shoulder a brief by fond squeeze.

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Harry appreciated the touch and said as much with a small smile in Sirius' direction. If there was one thing he never tired of, after years of living with the Dursleys, it was being able to touch the people he loved.

"Alright," he answered. "Good. I--" Harry blushed suddenly, stupidly, a flash of color across his still pale cheeks, and shook his head. "Good, I think."

[not_the_grim]

The blush is impossible to miss and strange sitting on a face so like James', who did many a ridiculous thing but seldom felt any embarrassment for any of them. The gesture, however, seems entirely appropriate to his son's demeanor, and the dichotomy of the two gives Sirius a brief pause before he smiles.

"Oh really?" he asks, having an idea of what's caused Harry to blush. "Things are going well with the girlfriend, then?"