The autumn air was crisp as James walked through the corridors of Hogwarts, a slight chill settling in his bones. He couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that had been creeping in since Sirius’s accident during a routine Quidditch practice. It had been just a few days, but the weight of uncertainty pressed heavily on his heart.
Sirius had collided with a bludger, landing hard on the pitch. The Healers had assured everyone that he would recover, but the memory loss had come as a shock. For the past two days, Sirius had struggled to recognize even his closest friends, leaving James feeling lost and abandoned.
“Hey, Moony,” Sirius said brightly, a smile stretching across his face as he approached Remus in the common room. James watched from a distance, heart sinking. The way Sirius looked at Remus—there was a warmth, a tenderness that made something inside James twist.
“Hey, Padfoot. How are you feeling?” Remus replied, a hint of concern in his voice.
“Better! I can’t believe how much I missed you guys. It’s like waking up from a really long nap,” Sirius grinned, leaning against Remus as if he’d always done it.
James swallowed hard, trying to ignore the pang of jealousy that surged within him. It wasn’t that he begrudged Sirius his friendship with Remus; it was just that everything felt so different now. There was a distance between him and Sirius, an unbridgeable gap that reminded him painfully of what he’d lost.
Sirius turned to James, his expression shifting to one of confusion. “You’re… James, right?”
“Yeah, that’s me,” James replied, forcing a smile. “You remember me, don’t you?”
“Not really,” Sirius said, scratching his head. “But I’ve seen you around. You’re one of the Marauders, right?”
James felt his heart drop. He took a breath, trying to mask his hurt. “Yeah, that’s right.”
Sirius’s gaze flickered back to Remus, who was watching the exchange with concern. “I’m glad you’re here, Remus. You’re always so comforting,” Sirius said, nudging Remus playfully.
James stood frozen, the casual intimacy between Sirius and Remus cutting deeper than he’d expected. Was this what it felt like to watch someone you loved slip away? He couldn’t help but feel insecure, fearing that the bond they’d built as a couple was fading, replaced by something new—something he couldn’t touch.
The next few days were a blur of awkward interactions and forced smiles. Sirius continued to be affectionate with Remus, laughing and leaning into him, while James felt like an outsider in his own relationship. Every glance exchanged between Sirius and Remus ignited a fire of jealousy that left him cold.
One evening, James found himself alone in the Room of Requirement, pacing back and forth, frustration boiling inside him. He sank onto a couch, burying his face in his hands. He had to admit it—the jealousy was consuming him.
“Why can’t I just be enough for him?” he muttered to himself.
Just then, the door creaked open, and Remus stepped in, his expression somber. “James, can we talk?”
James looked up, forcing a nod. “Sure.”
“Look, I know this is hard for you,” Remus began, taking a seat across from him. “But Sirius… he’s lost. He doesn’t remember how much you mean to him.”
“I know that,” James replied, voice strained. “But it feels like he’s chosen you over me. I’m just… I’m just his friend now.”
Remus’s gaze softened. “He doesn’t remember, James. It’s not a choice. Please don’t take it personally.”
“I can’t help it!” James exploded, his frustration spilling over. “I just… I love him. And now I feel like I’m invisible.”
Remus sighed, looking down. “Sirius will come around. We just need to give him time.”
But time felt like a luxury James couldn’t afford. He spent his days in a haze, watching as Sirius grew closer to Remus while he felt more distant. The insecurity wrapped around him like a dark cloak, stifling his every thought.
Then, one night, everything changed. James was pacing again, lost in his thoughts when he heard a commotion outside the room. He opened the door to find Sirius, his eyes wide, looking disoriented.
“James!” he exclaimed, rushing forward. “I remember! I remember everything!”
“Everything?” James echoed, heart racing.
“Us!” Sirius beamed, pulling James into a tight embrace. “You and me! I can’t believe I forgot.”
James felt tears sting his eyes as he clutched Sirius tightly. “I thought I’d lost you.”
“I’m so sorry,” Sirius said, pulling back to look into James’s eyes, his own filled with concern. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I thought… I thought I was just your friend.”
“I didn’t handle it well,” James admitted, shame creeping into his voice. “I was jealous, and I shouldn’t have been. I was scared you wouldn’t remember me.”
Sirius cupped James’s face, his thumb brushing away a tear. “You’re everything to me, James. I love you. No one can take your place.”
“I love you too,” James replied, his heart swelling with relief and joy.
Sirius leaned in, pressing his forehead against James’s. “Let’s not take each other for granted again, okay? No more insecurities.”
James nodded, a smile breaking through the storm that had clouded his heart. “Okay. Just… promise you won’t forget me again.”
“Never,” Sirius vowed, sealing it with a soft kiss.
In that moment, the fractures mended, and they both knew they’d face whatever came next together, stronger than before.