the_debt_of_time

"We're going to teach him so much." Sirius grinned, thinking about all the
possibilities that the future had in store. "How to prank and fly a broom and pull witches
and―"
"Oh, Merlin," Remus groaned. "I hope the boy has Lily's common sense. If not, I
suppose we can try and figure out how to counteract whatever horrible habits Sirius will
let rub off on him."
"Have to keep him alive first."
Remus and Sirius both turned and stared at James, who had lost all mirth from his
expression as he watched his sleeping son. Harry had his tiny fist gripped tightly around
Sirius's index finger.
Remus placed a hand on the new father's shoulder. "James.. ."
"What?" James snapped. "It's true. Voldemort wants to kill m-my son," he quietly
cried, reaching a shaking hand out and gently touching the boy's soft hair. "I don't know
what to do to protect him. I couldn't save Mum or Dad... and I couldn't save―"
"Don't," Sirius said in warning as he felt his own emotions begin to rise to the
surface. "Don't say it."
James ignored him. "I couldn't save Mia."
Sirius held the baby out to his friend. "Remus, take Harry," he insisted as he felt his
heart begin to race, the familiar urge to drink overpowering him. He wanted to drown in
the pain and never resurface, but he had a job to do. Sirius could not drown—not while
James was struggling.
He pulled his friend into a tight embrace and held him there for a long time. "Get
it together, mate."
"I don't know how," James sobbed into his friend's shoulder. "I feel helpless.
Voldemort wants my son dead, and I couldn't even save the rest of my family from being
killed by Death Eaters. How am I supposed to do this? What am I supposed to do? It's my
job to protect him. It's my job to keep him safe."
A pregnant pause filled the air before Sirius whispered, "Our job."
Remus nodded, stepping close so that Harry was encircled by all three of them.
"Our job."
Sirius pressed his forehead against James's. "It's our job to keep Harry safe."