Chapter 5
James
James had just left Regulus behind in the classroom and was walking to his next class trying not to be late when he ran into Remus. He looked a bit on edge and James was worried about what would come out of his mouth.
“I think Sirius is taking Regulus transferring here really hard the dorm room is trashed and I'm worried.” Remus was always the first to advocate for Sirius
James was processing what to say to calm his friend, he was starting to feel guilty that he found Regulus first and left Remus alone to help Sirius. But he couldn't just leave the younger black alone something had told him to check on Regulus.
“He’ll be okay Moony, I’ll keep my eye out for him this week but that was an awful class they never should have been paired to duel after not seeing each other in years.” James comforted his friend
If there was one thing to know about James Potter it was that he would die for his friend's happiness. There was no problem too big or small for James to care and Sirius was always going to be one of James’ top priorities. Moony wasn’t looking appeased though and James knew he need to do something now.
“Look I’ll skip the next class tell our professor that I got sick and needed to rest okay, I'll check on Sirius right now and make sure he's good”
He heard Remus let out a breath of relief. People had a tendency to trust James as a fixer and knowing James was going to be with Sirius was as good as sunshine, happiness, love, and hope all in one. James was that good.
“Thanks, James I’ll cover but if I don't see you guys at dinner I’m going to track you guys down do you understand” Remus looked directly at James as he said this
“Yep heard loud and clear now go to class, I'll handle Sirius now.” James was already sprinting away to find Sirius
When he walked into their dorm guessing that's where his friend was he took a second to stand in shock Sirius had really done a number on their dorm room.
“Siri are you in here mate” James called out before walking right over to his bed and seeing his best mate curled into a tight ball looking wrecked.
“James, why do I ruin everything good”
Sirius was in one of his melancholy moods and James knew there was gonna be no talking him out of it. What Sirius needed was lots of love and attention. He’d grown up in a house where when he cried no one came and Jams had done his best to show him that wasn't the case. Instead of responding James just laid next to his best friend and held his arms out as an invitation. Sirius curled right into him.
People might have thought their closeness was weird but James and Sirius were like brothers and had been almost inseparable since they first meet. When he first met Sirius he was trying to put on a posh facade so clearly forced that James laughed in his face. Sirius had looked a bit miffed at first and scrunched his face up until James had said “I like you we’re gonna be friends” with an easygoing attitude only a child could have. From then on Sirius had clung to James’ sunny disposition and positive attitude.
“You're not ruining anything Sirius, People are lucky to have you in their lives” James had a knack for knowing exactly what to say and when Sirius got like this it was James who healed those broken memories from his childhood.
“What do you say we ditch our classes and go ride our brooms in the forest to cheer you up.” James smiled hoping to get Sirius out of their dorm and in a better mood.
“Okay,” Sirius said sitting up and fixing his hair and jumper. I wasn't as much of a response as James wanted but he knew Sirius and flying was a sure way to make him happy any day
They packed their gear, headed to the forest edge, and mounted their brooms. Without delay, James yelled, "Race you to the astronomy tower!”
Sirius was on his tail shouting back “cheater” but James could hear the laughs back in his voice and he relaxed knowing that his friend was having a good time
James was glad Sirius was behind his still because James was struggling he hadn't done his pre-flying routine to help his intrusive thoughts. Flying right now was horrible and he kept getting the image of crashing into the trees and towers or his broom failing. He was trying to counter the thoughts with rationale, The brooms are safe, he's fine, he's flying low, he's with his friend, and he's not going to crash. He hated this part of OCD the worst when it started to ruin the things he loved like flying.
Sirius was catching up and James had a few seconds to pull back and act as if he stalled by accident to let Siri win. It also gave him the chance to catch his breath and work on pushing the thoughts out.
“Hah James you're too slow for me even on a bad day I kicked your ass” Sirius talked such crap but James loved it, he knew Sirius didn’t ever mean it poorly he just loved to tease and joke around.
“Yeah yeah, pads shove off, or ill tell moony you still keep your stuffed animal under your pillow sometimes.”
“You wouldn't dare Jamie fleamont potter Effie would ground you from Christmas if I cried to her and you know it.” - “ Effie James, James he's teasing me,” Sirius said in a fake crying voice
Both the boys started laughing at Sirius’s bad acting. It was too easy to rile each other up it came with the territory of best friends they knew you too well.
“Come on Sirius we’re gonna be late to dinner and I promised Moony we wouldn't be,” James said as he walked in the direction of the dining hall
“Fine but Moony better have saved me treacle tart or I'm going to have another fit.” Sirius was playfully pouting but going along with James to dinner anyway.