Glued it back together again
James Potter liked to believe that the sun. Everything orbited around him. He didn't mean that in a conceited way, but it was just that, as his parents only child, everything did seem to orbit around him, in his eleven-year-old eyes at least. His parents, Effie and Monty, completely adored him; his best friend Peter worshipped him as if he were Merlin himself; and everything was perfect.
He had the perfect family, perfect friends, and the perfect life. But he never truly realised how easily he could fall in love until he was head over heels.
It was on the Hogwarts Express, and he’d just met Sirius. He'd heard about the Blacks before; they were considered one of the darkest wizarding families, but Sirius was the complete opposite. They’d found themselves in a compartment together; he thought he had found the perfect friend, with, of course, Peter and Remus joining them.
“It's a pity she's friends with such a git,’ James mused, after a particularly nasty encounter with a greasy-looking boy and the girl with him. ‘I reckon she would make a great gryffindor.”
“Really?” Sirius arched a slender eyebrow, sceptical. Considering the argument they had just had with the greasy boy about the superiority of some houses, James didn't really blame him, but he thought he was right.
‘Yeah. She's got fire, I think. Remus snorted at this, and Sirius simply rolled his eyes. Peter just smiled encouragingly at James, but then again, he always did this, no matter what James said. The train journey was largely enjoyable, apart from that one issue, and the four boys chatted about nearly everything. Quidditch, hobbies, family (though, for sirius’ sake, this topic didn't last very long), and every detail of their lives.
Remus was noticeably quieter than the rest, though he always had a grin plastered across his oddly scarred face. He seemed reluctant to make friends, though James couldn't really see why, as he was quite an enjoyable companion. Peter was, as always, a nice presence, his contributions being entirely encouraging of the other three but not sharing much himself. Peter was really an open book; you could easily get along with him, but conversation never really went past the surface.
Sirius was on another level entirely. They had immediately clicked, and James was glad they did. It felt as though there was a part of himself missing, and he didn't even realise it was gone until he found it. This was Sirius. In the few short hours that they had known each other, they had become the best of friends, and James was unsure if he’d ever find a greater friend.
Before he knew it, the sun had started to set, and the Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmeade Station. Getting up, he couldn't help but admire the bustling crowds of schoolchildren sharing stories about their summer holidays, anxious about the upcoming school year. It was nice, James thought, to be somewhere where he would constantly have company. Sure, he was a happy child, but it was quite lonely at Potter Manor. Especially as Peter wasn't allowed around to play nearly as much as James would have liked, Mrs. Pettigrew was quite strict.
He followed the warm, booming voice that was beckoning for the first years. He had heard stories about Hogwarts from his father (Effie had attended school in India), and he knew what to expect, though he was giddy all the same on the journey across the lake. He, Sirius, and Peter had all gotten in a boat, though unfortunately there wasn't enough room for Remus, which caused an odd sort of feeling to settle in the bottom of James stomach. It wasn't as though they were purposefully leaving anyone out, and anyway, Remus didn't seem to mind; he’d found room in a boat with the ginger girl and her beak-nosed friend from earlier, but it caused James to feel incredibly guilty all the same.
The boat ride went fine, though somehow James and Sirius almost ended up toppling their boat over, resulting in the bottom of the small vessel getting flooded and the bottom of their robes getting soaked. The highlight of the trip, perhaps, was when they were getting out of the boats and, snap, James learned his name, tripped, and fell flat on his face. This amused the boys way too much, and by the time they made it to the entrance hall, they were all in fits of giggles, with Remus gasping for breath and Sirius almost tripping over himself in his laughter.
The laughter didn't last long, though, as a stern-looking woman, whom James recognised as Professor Mgonnagall, came and gave the first-year students a speech about Hogwarts and the house system.
The wooden double doors opened, and James heard someone gasp at his side. The ceiling was seemingly gone, replaced by a twinkling night sky, not dissimilar to the one outside.
“Black, Sirius.” The boy seemed frozen, and James did what he thought was right and squeezed Sirius’ hand. This seemed to shock him somewhat, and James didn't understand why. Physical touch comes naturally to him; even a simple hold of the hand can make someone feel infinitely better than before, so it must be good, right? Sirius didn't seem to dislike it, Persay; he just seemed confused as to why James would want to, and this hurt James more than the former would have. He has barely known Sirius for a day, and yet he feels as though he would hold up the sky for him.
Growing up, James had everything. Yes, Sirrius did too, material-wise at least, but James was luckier than he ever knew. He had parents who cherished him and a best friend who adored him. Sirius didn't have that. He had a cruel mother, a heavy-handed father, and a younger brother who he loved with all his heart and who clung to him like a lifeline in that house. James was more grateful for his upbringing in this moment than he ever was before.
Sirius squeezed his hand back, took a deep breath, and approached the hat stool. James was so glad Siris ended up in Gryffindor, even if the heckling came from his older cousin. His other cousin, Narcissa, was much too prim for this and settled on a displeased, sour face, pursing her lips at her younger cousin but not outright protesting like her sister.
Himself, Remus, and Peter all got Gryffindor too, along with a group of girls, Marlene, Mary, and Lily, the fiery-haired and spirited girl from earlier. James felt a tug and a flutter in his stomach when the hat called out Gryffindor for her, and she broke out into a soft, glowing smile. Lily and Remus seemed to be getting along the most, with James hearing bits and pieces of an overly enthusiastic conversation about books (boring, in his opinion).
But it is towards the end of the feast that James really falls for her. Everyone at their table is chatting and laughing, and Lily is staring across the room to the Slytherin table, eyes full of hurt at the boy she considers her best friend, completely ignoring her. It is at this moment that James's heart breaks for her, and she glues it right back together with that gorgeous smile of hers.