Chapter 4
~James~
As a best friend, James noticed Sirius' mood swings, though to his annoyance he couldn't figure out why. For as far as he knew there wasn't a rhythm, he also didn't have a clue what triggered it. Just one moment on the other he went from cheerful, confident and easy going to sad, worried and mournful. It could change so drastically from one moment to the other, that James worried about his friend's wellbeing.
Right now was one of those moments and James was determined to figure out what was wrong with his best friend. He needed to fix it, he needed to make sure his best friend was able to be happy all the time, because he hated seeing him in pain.
Remus and Peter were in the library and would probably stay there for a couple of hours, so this was a perfect chance to talk to Sirius alone, without him feeling pressured by a group.
"Hi, ehrm, mate?" James started hesitantly.
Sirius slowly lifted his gaze and locked his eyes on James, then gave a stiff nod, as a sign to continue.
James took a deep breath. “Look mate, I’ve noticed that you sometimes have very big mood swings.” He saw Sirius stiffen and was scared he said something wrong. “N- not that I mind, really I don’t!” He quickly reassured Sirius. “I just- what I’m trying to say- eagh!” James let out a frustrated noise, then took a deep breath. Sirius gave him a confused look but stayed silent.
“I just want to make sure that you’re alright or not. If you are, great! If you’re not, what can I do for you, and do you need to talk about it?” James said in a soothing voice.
He sat down next to Sirius on the bed. “Because I worry about you and if you’re having trouble, I want to help.” He smiled at Sirius and stayed quiet waiting for a response.
Sirius seemed to have some inner battle, so James put his hand on Sirius’ in hope to give comfort.
Eventually Sirius opened his mouth to say something, but stopped himself.
“You can talk to me and if it gets too much, just tell me to fuck off, no hard feelings, I promise.” He said and Sirius snorted.
“Really, I can just tell you to fuck off?”
“Well not always, and you could also say it nicer, but if talking gets too much and you want me to go away, that’s fine. I can handle a ‘fuck off’.” He said with a small smirk and Sirius rolled his eyes.
“Alright.” Sirius muttered and sat up a bit. “I have a sister.”
James waited to see if he would elaborate, but he didn’t. “I know.”
Sirius looked startled at that. “Y- you know?” James nodded. “What, how?” He demanded.
“At the train station, I saw you say goodbye to a little girl and assumed she was you’re sister.” He explained calmly. “So, can I ask what exactly is bothering you about you’re sister?”
“She did nothing wrong.” Sirius was quick to inform him. “I just really miss her. We’ve always been together and always been really close, but now…” he trailed off.
“It’s alright to miss her, it’s perfectly normal too. I mean, I miss my mum and dad really much.” James said, trying to sound comforting.
“You do?”
James was slightly confused about the question. “Yeah, my mum and dad are great. I knew I was gonna miss them, but it’s even worse than I expected.”
Sirius stayed silent and James wondered if he had said something wrong.
“So, do you want to tell me about you’re sister?” James asked genuinely. “I mean you’ve made me curious.” He added with a slight grin, that Sirius returned.
James let Sirius ramble about his sister, ~Regina, or Reggie. Because that is what Sirius called her and James thought that was really sweet.~ that she could be sarcastic and rude, but in a funny way and that they’ve always taken care of each other. James didn’t miss how Sirius didn’t talk about his parents at all, but because he saw Sirius’ smile he decided to ignore it for now. James also learned that Regina would go to Hogwarts next year and was really excited to meet Sirius’ sibling.
James himself always thought the idea of a sibling was great, he imagined it as a bond stronger than any friendship. And always wished he could have a bond with someone like that, though he thought the friendship between him, Sirius, Remus and Peter came close.
He was shaken out of his thoughts when he noticed Sirius was looking at him with a slightly guilty expression.
"I'm sorry if I worried you." Sirius said and James smiled.
"There's really nothing to be sorry for, I just wanted to make sure you weren't sick or something. You're… homesick?" He asked, not completely sure since Sirius had only talked about his sister.
"No," Sirius stated firmly. "I miss my sister, I'm l… Sister-sick?" James snorted. "No," Sirius wrinkled his nose slightly. "that way it sounds like she's annoying. Well, I mean she is, sometimes. But I only miss Regina." Sirius said firmly.
James was slightly confused, ~did he not miss his parents, or even his own room and space? ~ though he decided to let it, again, go for now.
"That's alright, Sirius." He said and smiled softly.
*Summer holiday*
~Regina~
In a few weeks she was going to join her big brother for her first year at Hogwarts and Regina was nervous, for multiple reasons.
For starters the girl had never really interacted with anyone outside her direct family, except for party’s with other ‘respectable’ pureblood families, where she mostly was expected to be quiet and look pretty. To only speak when spoken to, so she wasn’t sure how to talk to anyone.
She also didn’t think she was going to end up in the same house as Sirius and even if she did she would have to meet the fury of Walburga Black, which is not something to look forward to.
And if Regina, as she suspects, ends up in Slytherin… she would have to deal with Sirius. It’s not that she suspects that he will be full of disapproval, it’s just that she has no idea. Sirius, on multiple occasions, has expressed his dislike for Slytherins in general, so she is worried what he would think of her if she was put in Slytherin.
And on top of that, the thought of so many people was terrifying. What if people think she’s an idiot, awkward, annoying, ugly, or just dislikable in general? She had no idea how to make friends. Sirius had also suggested she would come and sit with him and his friend on the train, which she agreed to, but is now very anxious about. Because if they didn’t like her, that would mean she would see Sirius way less.
The possibility of she could fuck everything up where endless, and a lot of them where actually capable of happening. Regina is well aware of how important a first impression is, so the thought of her first day is absolutely terrifying.
***
“Ready?” Sirius asked once he’d opened the door to his little sister’s room. Regina turned to him and gave him a nervous smile. Which he returned only without the nervousness and way more confidence. “Don’t worry you’ll be alright, you’ve just gotta’ relax.”
“I’m not worrying.” Regina denied, though it sounded entirely inconveniencing. Sirius raised an eyebrow and smiled knowingly at her and when Regina growled under her breath in annoyance, his smile turned into a smirk. Which made it clear he was entirely unimpressed with her mood.
He placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it gently, it gave a surprising amount of comfort. A feeling that whatever happened, she would have her brother to look out for her. She really loved her brother, she knows she does because only he can make her feel this way, safe. Yes, even in this house. It wasn’t the roof, the walls or the rooms that made her feel safe, it was the fact that Sirius was in it. Sirius was her safe zone, and she hoped she was his.
Together they made their way down the stairs, to be brought to the station. They were going to Hogwarts, together.