There was a pause in which Sirius looked out of the fire at Harry, a crease between his sunken eyes.

'You're less like your father than I thought,' he said finally, a definite coolness in his voice. 'The risk would've been what made it fun for James.'

'Look-'

'Well, I'd better get going, I can hear Kreacher coming down the stairs,' said Sirius, but Harry was sure he was lying. 'I'll write to tell you a time I can make it back into the fire, then, shall I? If you can stand to risk it?'

Sirius removed his head from the fire, wearing a disappointed expression. He sighed, before running a hand down his face. He felt awful for saying that to Harry. He didn't mean it to come across like that.

He was pulled out of his musings by a voice behind him.

"My God, Padfoot."

Sirius turned, alarmed, only to find his old friend Remus Lupin standing in the doorway. His usual warm expression replaced by one of anger.

"How much did you hear," Sirius asked, going to sit down at the table.

"Enough," Remus replied sharply, following his friend. "How could you say that to Harry? You know how much he cares for you and you go and say a thing like that."

"I just wanted to see him. I'm his godfather, it's my job to be there for him," Sirius explained, trying to justify his actions. "He's already lost me once."

"Yes, and he'll lose you again if you're not careful. Can't you see that Harry was trying to protect you-?"

Remus was cut off by the animagus mid-sentence. "I don't need protecting."

"Yes you do!" Remus insisted. "You're too reckless for your own good. I swear to God, Sirius, one day your recklessness will get you killed!"

"I just wanted to-"

"To see him, I know." Remus paused a moment, looking to be contemplating what he was about to say. "But do you know what you want more?"

Sirius shook his head in confusion.

"You want Harry to be James," Remus continued, despite his friend's protests. "And in a way I get that. I understand, I really do. But do you know what's sadder?"

Once again Sirius shook his head.

"What's sadder is that Harry wants you to be James." Remus said.

Sirius looked up.

"He needs you to be a father to him, Sirius and as much as I hate to tell you this; you're letting him down. I know you love him, anyone can see it, but he doesn't need a best friend. He already has two amazing ones. What he needs the most is a parent and it's your job to be one."

Sirius listened intently to his werewolf friend, feeling a range of different emotions. Anger, fear, sadness, but most of all, love. Love for Harry.

"Lily and James gave you a job to do. See that you get it done," Remus said, before standing and walking out of the kitchen.

Sirius's face was wet with tears. He knew what Remus said was true. Although he loved Harry like a son there was a small part of him that wished he were James. There were times when he needed his best friend back more than anything and because he couldn't have him, he looked for the closest thing. Harry.

He decided right there and then that he would stop. Stop wallowing in self-pity. Harry needed him and nothing, not even death, would stop him.