Eclipsed

Over the next few days, James made it his mission to stick to Sirius like glue. If he wasn’t at Quidditch practice, in class, or spending time with Marlene, he was right by Sirius’s side, doing everything in his power to keep him away from Dearborn and Fenwick's crew, or the more terrifying option, from leaving Sirius alone. 

James’s constant presence didn’t go unnoticed. Sirius, though initially slightly annoyed, seemed to appreciate the attention he’d been missing over the past few months due to James and Marlene’s private ‘flying sessions’. It was as if having James around reminded him of better times, of easier times before everything had started to fall apart.

“Prongs, you don’t have to babysit me,” Sirius grumbled one evening as they lounged in the common room post-detention. The tasks were monotonous— scrubbing bedpans, organizing potion bottles, and cleaning up after patients every day after his classes were done. James had gotten started on some assignments in Pomfrey’s office while Sirius was serving the detention, and walked back together with him afterwards. “I’m not going to fall apart if you leave me alone for a bit.”

James chuckled, pausing the spell that was reading to him from his Transfiguration textbook. “I know, Pads. But it’s nice to spend time with my best mate. Besides, you’ve been spending way too much time with those… Punk guys.”

Sirius huffed, but didn’t necessarily disagree. “There’s nothing wrong with being punk,” he said defensively, “but I can see how that’s not... quite your thing.”

“Not my thing?” James raised an eyebrow. “Sirius, they’re a disaster waiting to happen. I don’t think I’ve seen Dearborn sober once this term.” Sirius rolled his eyes. “You know I’m right.”

“Alright, alright, point taken,” Sirius said, throwing up his hands in mock surrender. “But seriously, you don’t have to hover.”

“Who’s hovering?” James asked innocently, a smirk playing on his lips. “I’m just... spending lots of time with my best friend. Is that so bad?”

Sirius snorted, shaking his head. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“Yeah, but you love me for it,” James shot back, grinning.

Sirius’s annoyance seemed to melt away, replaced by a genuine smile. “Yeah, I guess I do.”

It was almost like old times, and for a moment, James could almost forget the strain that had been pulling their group apart.

As the days passed, James’s efforts started to show. Sirius was gradually pulling away from the Seventh-year crowd he’d been hanging out with, spending more time with James and Marlene, as well as Peter, when he could be pulled away from his new girlfriend, Clarissa. 

Remus had, predictably, made himself scarce during free-time, but was perfectly polite and friendly with all of them during classes and in the dorm after curfew. James had seen him spending time with Lily in the library, so he felt a bit better that his friend wasn't completely alone. 

The rift between Sirius and Remus was still there, but seemed slightly less cavernous with each passing day, and James hoped that soon, Remus would walk into the Great Hall and sit down next to Sirius like he always would, and then they’d be the Marauders again, like before. 

One afternoon, after a particularly grueling Quidditch practice, James found Sirius waiting for him by the changing rooms.

“Fancy a walk?” Sirius asked, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

“Sure,” James replied, sensing there was more to the invitation than a simple stroll, and told Marlene that he’d catch up with her later as he went off with his friend.

They wandered around the castle grounds, the spring air crisp and cool, the silence between them comfortable and familiar.

“Thanks for sticking around, Prongs,” Sirius said suddenly, his voice quiet. “I know I’ve been a right mess lately, but... it means a lot.”

James looked at him, surprised by the sudden softness in his tone. “You’re my brother, Sirius. I’ll always be here for you, no matter what.”

Sirius nodded, a flicker of relief crossing his face. “I’ve been trying to sort things out. With everything. I’ve been talking to Pomfrey, and McGonagall and all, but it’s just... hard, you know?”

“I know,” James said, then brushed his shoulder against his friend’s. “But you’ll get through it. And we’ll be there to help.”

Sirius seemed to relax at that, and they continued their walk back to the common room in companionable silence. As they stepped through the portrait hole, James made a beeline for Marlene, who was sitting in front of the fireplace with Mary and their other roommate, Isabelle, studying for the Charms O.W.L. 

“Hey, you,” she greeted, giving him a quick kiss. “How was the walk?”

“Lovely,” James admitted, smiling back at her. “You’ll have to join us next time.”

Sirius watched them with a wistful expression. James noticed and nudged him playfully.

“We were thinking of grabbing some snacks from the kitchens,” he suggested, wanting to keep Sirius’s spirits up, “Marlene, are you in?”

Marlene’s face lit up, and with it, Sirius brightened as well. “Now you’re talking!”

They made their way to the kitchens, and as they collected snacks for their friends back in the common room, James couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. Things weren’t perfect, and there was still a long way to go, but he was making progress with Sirius. Things were beginning to go back to the way they used to be, and for now, that was enough.

The heavy rain that day canceled the scheduled Quidditch practice Monday afternoon, and with Sirius in detention, James took the opportunity to spend time with Remus, who he’d really missed in the past two weeks since their late-night agreement, where Remus had asked James to take Sirius' side in their friendship. 

James found him sitting by the fire in the Gryffindor common room, sinking into a cushioned armchair with a book in hand. The full moon was just a few days away, and it was evident that Remus was already feeling the toll. James approached with a careful, casual air, an important question on the tip of his tongue.

“Hey, Re,” James said, settling into the chair next to him. “What’s on the agenda for Thursday night?”

Remus looked back at James with dark circles under his eyes, carefully choosing his words in the crowded common room. “I think... I think I’ll be alone Thursday, James.” 

James’s face fell. “What? Remus, that’s a terrible idea.” He scooched his chair closer and lowered his voice. “You’ve been doing so well when we’re with you! And you’re still hurt– don’t try to deny it, Lupin– why risk making it worse?” 

Remus’s eyes flashed with irritation. “I guess I’d rather be hurt than in Azkaban, Potter,” he replied sharply, “since all eyes will be on me Thursday, after the last time when someone thought it would be a good idea to tell a future Death Eater where they could come find me if they wanted to become a midnight snack!” 

James recoiled slightly, guilt blossoming on his face. “Remus, we didn’t think–”

“Exactly,” Remus interrupted sharply, still in the hushed tone. “You didn’t think. None of you do. And I’m the one who has to live with the consequences. So if I want to be alone and live with those consequences, let me, okay?”

They locked eyes, and James opened his mouth to argue further but stopped short when he noticed how utterly drained Remus looked.

“Moony, I–” James began, but then he sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Alright. I get it. You’re right. I’m sorry.”

Remus seemed to deflate a little, the sharp edge of his anger softening. “I just... I need more time, James. It’s not that I don’t appreciate everything you and everyone did for me. I just... need to be alone... at least for this month. Alright?”

James nodded slowly, a sinking feeling in his stomach. “Okay. It’s your life, mate. Let me know if you change your mind.” 

“I won’t,” Remus replied, going back to his book, “but thank you for respecting my opinion.”

As much as James wanted to fight him on it, especially after that sassy remark, he couldn’t find it in him to start an argument with someone who was pretending to read their textbook while holding it upside-down and struggling to keep his eyes open. 

The tension between them eased a little, and James reached out to squeeze Remus’s shoulder. “Get some rest, mate. You look like you could use it.”

Remus gave a tired chuckle. “I’ll do my best.” 

Going against every instinct he had to bully Remus into bed, James headed out of the common room and towards the hospital wing to collect Sirius from his detention and uphold his end of the bargain. As much as he wanted to be there for Remus, there seemed to be no way to be a good friend to them both, and after all, Remus had made him promise. He hoped that in the next few days leading up to the moon, Remus would be okay, but if he didn’t want help, there was nothing James could do.