Chapter 9
A few days later, Sirius and James were getting ready to go out with the gang – and Remus, who he had a very long conversation about getting to know his friends with and ended up bribing him with chocolate to come. Sirius adores the fact that he is Remus’ exception to his genuine dislike of people. But Sirius has bigger things on his mind right now. He was going to tell James that Regulus is here, though he doesn’t know how he’ll react. Sirius has never seen James as angry as he was when Sirius ran away. He was furious at his parents for doing that to him, and even angrier at Regulus for just letting it happen. Though Sirius now knows what really happened, he can understand why James would be wary.
“Mate, I need to tell you something,” Sirius eventually works up the courage to say.
“What?”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you this sooner, but I didn’t know how to. I know how you feel about my family.”
“What happened?” James asks sceptically.
“You know my brother, right?”
“Regulus, yeah?”
“He’s here. Studying.”
“What?”
“Yeah, history of all subjects,” Sirius chuckles nervously.
“How do you feel about that?” James asks.
“Careful, mate. You don’t want to be one of those psych students constantly analysing their friends,” Sirius tries to deflect.
“Pads, how are you feeling?”
“I really don’t know,” he sighs. “It just caught me by surprise. Seeing him in the corridor.”
“Right. And do you want to reconnect with him?”
Sirius exhales, “You know I do, I love him, but there’s so much history. So much pain. I’m not even sure if he wants to reconnect.”
“I doubt that.” James replies. “Out of all of the Uni’s in the world, he just so happens to choose the one you go to. That’s unlikely. He wants to reconnect with you. He wants to be your brother again.”
“Yeah, maybe...”
“Padfoot.”
“Yeah?”
“Do what feels right for you. What you want. Whenever you’re ready. You deserve a relationship with your brother, but not at the expense of your mental health.”
Sirius was surprised by James's level of understanding. Especially concerning his brother. Sirius assumes he has had a few years to cool down.
Sirius sneaks up behind James and loosely wraps his arms around him, whispering, “Thank you, Prongs.”
Sirius then practically drags James out of their room, “Come on, we’re gonna be late.”
***
The night was great. Sirius only remembers half of it though, if he’s being totally honest. But that’s what makes for an awesome night out.
Remus strongly disagrees as he groans, clutching his head, “I am never drinking again,” he croaks.
“I think the night was a success,” Sirius says slowly, trying not to vomit all over the tiny bed.
“Really? How so?”
“You got to know my friends, and they all love you. Obviously, what’s not to love. But the real question is, do you like my friends?”
“I do actually, they all seem really cool. And that’s saying something, coming from someone who hates pretty much every human being.”
“Yeah, they are truly something.” Sirius remarks, reflecting on how fortunate he is to have such amazing friends. He rolls over so he’s facing Remus, and notices that James isn’t here. And his bed is made, which he never does in the morning. Which could only mean one thing...
“James must’ve had fun last night, he didn’t come home,” Sirius smirks.
“Oh, I saw him leave with your ginger friend last night.”
“What?” Sirius abruptly sits up, which he instantly regrets as he his hit with a wave of nausea and his head begins mercilessly pounding. “Lily?”
“Yeah, he left with her. I was standing pretty far away at the bar, but I’m fairly sure I saw them kiss.”
“No way! Prongs and Evans? Finally! James has only had the biggest crush on her since year 7!” Sirius exclaims excitedly.
“Are you serious?” Remus responds. “No, don’t you dare,” sensing what Sirius was about to say. “Who even has a crush for that long?”
“James. He’s always been a romantic.”
“Yeah, I can see that.”
James enters their dorm at that moment.
“Hey, mate,” Sirius grins.
“You saw, didn’t you?”
“Remus did, yeah. So, you and Evans. Tell me everything.”
“There’s nothing to tell.”
“Really? Then why didn’t you come back to the dorm last night.”
“She was in no state to be alone, so I slept on the floor.”
“On the floor?”
“Yes. And we had a nice chat this morning and agreed to just be friends.”
“What do you mean you agreed to be friends? You’ve been in love with her for years!”
“Sirius, be quiet. My heads killing me still.” Remus exclaims.
“Right, sorry.”
Sirius turns to James, who just shrugs at him, “I guess I’m not really into her anymore.”
“What miracle has occurred to make James Potter stop fancying Lily Evans?”
James sighs, smiling softly to himself, “I don't know, mate.”
Oh. That's it. He’s met someone else.