Just another little drabble where I've somehow managed to fit Sirius in as well xD (I apologize for so much Sirius Black, but I cannot get enough of him)

Please review :")

Euphemia Potter had not been in sorted in Ravenclaw for nothing. Even as a young child of eleven, she had been extremely observant, preferring to stay in the background and observe silently rather than be a part of the crowd. It never bothered her that she was never the center of attention, for she was had always been shy and amenable, only coming out of her shell when she met Fleamont in 5th year. Her observant nature, however, stayed. And it was because of this quality of hers that she was able to see what Sirius Black was hiding, or at the very least, trying very hard to hide.

Oh, he laughed and danced around all right, pranking the living daylights out of poor Mopsy and making it up to her by baking her her favorite vanilla muffins. He randomly broke out in song during dinnertime, swirling every Potter member around as if they were on the dance floor. His lips were always quirked in that charming grin of his, but she could see that his eyes had lost their sparkle. When before they were a bright grey, swirling with emotions, now they were emotionless and guarded, tight shields locked in place. She saw a hint of his older self when he was with James, but it was not enough, it did not comfort her. She saw the way his body flinched when her husband would swing a heavy arm on his shoulder, and guide him outside. She saw the slight tremors that went through his hand when he raised his wand, or held a spoon.

Her baby boy, for he had been hers since First Year when James had come running to her on the platform, holding a pale, skinny boy's hand. A boy with too wide eyes and too long hair, who stammered too much and apologized too frequently and wouldn't meet her eyes until at least Second Year.

He had been hers from the moment she saw the bruises on his ribs, and the scars on his back and a flare of anger unlike anything she'd ever known coursed through her at the thought of this innocent little boy being hurt by anyone.

He had been hers since the time he accidentally called her mom in Fourth Year and wasn't able to look her in the eye until she had to tell him, quite firmly, that she wouldn't respond to being called anything but that. He had never called her Mrs. Potter again.

And it was her precious son that crash-Apparated into their lawn, broken and bloodied and for the second time in her life, Euphemia was overcome with an anger that was far worse than she had ever felt. Each wound on Sirius' body was like a personal stab to her heart. She had fallen to her knees when she saw his hunched body, and cradled his limp form in her arms, his blood staining her white cotton dress. Mopsy had screamed when she saw her covered in blood, and tried to take Sirius away, but she would not have it. She wasn't able to rest until Sirius was stable.

That night, she stayed in the golden and red room, right beside his bed, ready for anything and everything, but also because his deep breaths calmed her aching heart and comforted her anxiety. When she had seen him lying in a pool of his own blood, the green grass stained red, something broke within her, and fear gripped her heart and her lungs, squeezing it until she felt like she couldn't breathe, only loosening when she saw him wrapped in the familiar gold comforter, sleeping peacefully. She could almost convince herself that everything was okay if she looked past the ghostly pale face and the periodic tremors. Almost.

When he had woken up three days later, dazed and frightened, she had been the first person to comfort him, knowing James wouldn't be able to handle him in such an unpredictable state. She had placed his head on her lap, running her hands through his hair and sung his favorite lullaby, feeling his frantic breaths even out as she did. It comforted her more than she could have imagined that he still fell asleep in her lap to her singing.

Now, almost two weeks since that incident, no one could even imagine the smiling young boy going through something so terrible, especially at the hands of people who were supposed to be his parents. Supposed to be, Euphemia thought fiercely, but not actually his parents for they had lost that right years ago, the first time they ever laid a wand on their son and their Heir.

But Euphemia knew better, for she was the one who was there beside him every night he woke up in cold sweat, trembling as if he had lived through the Cruciatus in his nightmares as well. She was the one who held him firmly and lovingly, comforting him. She was the one who brushed his fringe off his sweaty forehead to place a kiss on the crown of his, knowing how much the young Black liked it.

She was the one in whose arms he would eventually fall asleep.

Prompt(s): A mother mothering someone else's child. (Mother's Day event)

word count: 870

Also, written for Hogwarts Assignment #10, Lineage Studies: Potter Family. Character: Euphemia Potter.