Sirius' mother would never love him, no matter the circumstances. Sirius knew that. So why did he doubt it?
The footsteps get louder, they ring in his head because they won't stop. Not until Sirius gets what he deserves. He spoke out of turn.
"Sirius." A voice hisses, its cold tone seeping into his veins like chilled fire. It burned every inch of him and twisted his bones into plaits.
She is only getting closer and the door in front of him can't remain locked forever. Sirius stays silent, barely breathing and maybe she won't catch him. The door in front of him is looming, not natural in any sense, yet the lock is unstable. Even without force it shakes slowly out of place.
"There is no use hiding." It speaks again as her hand twists the doorknob. It's slow and certain and it twists until-
Click.
Walburga Black standing before him dressed in floor length robes with no remorse. In fact, the grin on her face is wicked and the only grin Sirius has ever seen her wear. Her wand is clutched in her fist and Sirius know it will be turned on him eventually. After all, Walburga never laments for her children.
She raises the wand and Sirius instinctively raises his hands, like that could stop it.
"Cruci-"
-------
Dark room, soft sheets. Is he anywhere? It looks like the void. Sirius desperately looks around for some light, did his mother finally end him? He clutches for something, anything, breathing heavily and sobbing in the process. It's too much.
Light.
A light flicks on and he grounds himself.
Bed
Dorm room
James
The prank.
He's safe but at what cost? He hurt Remus, if the dream was real he could go through the same suffering. It wasn't though and James, his best friend who always helped him through these things, has been nothing but cold these past days. After the first screaming match it was radio silence from them all.
And now? James is currently staring at Sirius pulling his hair and freaking the fuck out.
"Sirius." James says firmly with soft undertones.
Sirius didn't respond. He couldn't even recognise his voice. James sighs
"Pads." He says softly.
Sirius looks up at him, eyes wide and uncertain as James shuffles over in his bed. James lifts the covers up offering him a space, Sirius didn't think he would still care but doesn't hesitate to crawl right into bed next to him. He manages to hide in James' chest as the light flicks off.
"Nightmare?" James asks softly, getting settled.
"Why did you still offer me your comfort?" Sirius asks, the words spilling out of him before he can even process what James said.
"You may have done stupid things,' James sighs. "But you're still my brother."