Chapter 3
James froze. A beat, and then he shrugged, “Yeah, ‘course I am mate.” He laughed before he spoke again. “Just some bruises from quidditch, fell of my broom the other day at practice.”
“But you never fall off your broom prongs?” Sirius shot James a confused look. In all their time at Hogwarts, James Potter had never fallen from his broom, or at least injured himself in the process. Now concerned, Sirius gently took James’ hand, “You know you can talk to me mate? You’ve always been there for me, it goes both ways.”
“Of course, pads I know. Thank you, really.” James brushed him off and laughed, “Come on then we’d better get to bed. Hide the chocolate, wormy’ll kill us if he finds out.”
“Yeah okay prongs.” It was quite a moment, before Sirius spoke again. “You’re sure you’re okay though?”
James winced slightly, but the next second it was gone. “Yeah, course I am.” But it was too late. Sirius couldn’t let his best mate suffer alone.
“No, I know that look. What’s going on.”
“I’m fin-“
“Don’t give me that crap prongs. I know you. You’re like a brother to me. What’s going on?”
“Sirius, stop it. I’m fine, just leave me alone. I just hurt myself at quidditch, it’s no big deal.” James snapped.
Sirius was taken aback. Hurt flashed on his face. “Look I’m sorry okay. I just want you to know I’m here.”
“Now I know. Night pads.” James spoke coldly. He was resolved in his misery, and he wanted to deal with it alone. He always had, why ask for help now?
Sirius crept over to his bed again, and fell asleep. But as he drifted off, he heard the dorm door closing gently. James. No matter what James had said, Sirius knew something was wrong. If only he knew what.