Gryffindor Boys Dorm - Hogwarts circa 1976
All things considered, November 3rd 1976 started pretty normal for Sirius Black.
Blinking blearily from slumber, soft sounds drifted past Sirius’ shut curtains; James whisper-yelling about something, Peter laughing, and the soft thump of Remus’ book connecting to some part of James’ body.
“Shut it, will you?” Remus murmured, “you’ll wake him.”
“If he hasn’t woken up by now, his old age is to blame for the hearing loss,” Peter snorted.
“Relax,” James said, footsteps reaching the end of Sirius’ bed, “he sleeps like the dead.”
A quiet laugh tumbled from Sirius as he dozed. Yeah right, Prongs.
“Okay, on the count of three.”
“Three!” cried James, ripping open the curtains.
Simultaneous groans and grumblings of “he always does this” drifted past Sirius as his eyes adjusted to the light.
Suddenly, a large body was jumping onto Sirius, the strong hug a familiar gesture from James.
“Happy Birthday, mate!”
Letting out a grunt of exertion, Sirius pushed James face away from where he was attempting to kiss all over his cheeks in mock adoration.
“Getr off” he mumbled.
Turning to his left, Sirius took in Peter’s form, who was sheepishly holding a misshapen lump covered in frosting next to Remus.
“Happy Birthday Sirius!” Peter smiles, holding up the ‘cake.’
Sirius let out a laugh, hands reaching out to grab the plate.
“Err, we tried, Padfoot. Sorry.” Remus said, rubbing the back of his neck. “You know we’re no professionals, and I tried to convince James to just let the elves do it, but you can see I lost that debate.”
Sirius turned back to James, who was smiling brightly at the cake in Sirius’ hands.
“My mom always says it tastes better when it’s made with love!”
Peter feigned a gag. “You’re downright cheesy, Prongs.”
“Cheesy? You’d sure know all about that, wouldn’t you, Wormtail?” Sirius ribbed. “Thank you guys, seriously. I love it.”
Sirius grabbed a chuck off the side and slid it past his lips. Remus didn’t miss the small wince Sirius took before he swallowed.
“So?!” James asked excitedly, “is it good?”
“Mmh,” Sirius agreed. “So good, I’m not letting you have any.”
While James was letting out a gasp of indignation, Remus hid a smile, turning to the side. Above all else, Sirius Black would always put James Potter before himself.
—
After opening presents, the Marauders drifted down to the common room, where haphazard muggle birthday decorations had been strung from beams. A large homemade ‘Happy Birthday Sirius!” banner had been tied from the fireplace mantle; crude images, paw prints, and signatures decorating the paper.
Choruses of ‘happy birthday!’ rung out as the quartet drifted down the stairs.
Lily was the first to reach the group. Giving Sirius a beaming smile, she drew him in for a hug.
“Happy Birthday, Sirius!”
“Thanks, Lils.”
“Oi, grandpa!” a voice called from deeper in the common room, “come here you tosser!”
Sirius rolled his eyes at Marlene, plopping himself onto the couch cushion next to her.
“You don’t look a day over eighty,” laughed Frank, sitting down on the carpet next to where Remus perched on the arm of the opposite couch.
Marlene punched Sirius in the arm, grinning widely, “Seventeen! You’re legal now!”
James bounced excitedly on the balls of his feet. “Think of all the adventures and pranks we can have now! Imagine-”
Remus, forever the rational one, interrupted before James could continue; “Do keep in mind, this means you've come of age, and can get tried as an adult,” he cautioned.
James laughed. “As if Sirius would ever wind up in Azkaban! He’d have me defending him the whole way.”
“I’m just saying Prongs,” Remus murmured, before turning to look at Sirius, “be careful.”
Sirius let out a dramatic gasp, hand flying to his forehead in a mock gesture, “but Moony! When am I not? Besides, I’ve got all of you to help me ou-”
A loud rumbling broke through their discussion.
“Errm, I’d hate to rush things along,” Peter said, bringing a hand to his stomach, “but can we get breakfast? I’m starving.”
Laughs rang out as the group got up to travel through the Fat Lady Portrait.
—
Just as the rowdy Gryffindors sat on their benches in the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall strided over to the table.
“Mr. Black, need I remind you of no outrageous behavior today? We don’t want a repeat of last year, do we?” she asked, sternly peering at his grinning face over her spectacles.
“Minnie! Not even a happy birthday? You’ve wounded me,” Sirius gasped, clutching at his chest.
McGonagall sighed. “Happy Birthday Sirius. Please no extra mischief toda-”
Screams echoed from the slytherin table as hair turned bright red.
McGonagall snapped her head back to Sirius, who was holding his hands out in an innocent gesture.
“Wasn’t me, honest! You should probably better check on them though, I’m sure the perpetrator is around here somewhere!” he said, smirking.
McGonagall let out a huff before turning and traveling to the Slytherin table. Sirius sent her back one last look before bending his head closer to the table.
“Alright lads, fess up. Who did it?”
Two pairs of hands pointed to Remus, who was currently hunched over eating his toast.
“Moony!” Sirius gasped, “why thank you! I knew you had it in you.”
Remus hurrumped around a mouthful of food. “Wasn’t just me,” he said, pointing a hand to James, “he practically begged me to help with the charm work.”
Sirius smiled wide. “Brilliant work, boys! Truly.”
“I made their hair your favorite color, Pads. I knew he’d like it,” James said, nudging Remus with his elbow. Remus just rolled his eyes again.
—
The day flew by; a variety of dungbombs, custard creams, naughty nifflers, fireworks, and other prank items causing pandemonium in each of the Marauders’ classes.
Laughing at the most recent jelly-jinx curse sent at a passing slytherin as they traipsed back to Gryffindor tower, Sirius turned to James.
“Prongs, you’ve outdone yourself. This has been the best birthday ever!”
James seemed to shine even brighter, exclaiming “Of course, Pads. Only the best for you. But the day’s not over yet!”
Murmuring the password, James allowed Sirius to pass through the portrait first.
Suddenly, hundreds of Lumos’ raised as voices rang out. “Surprise!”
All of the furniture within the common room had been pushed to the outer walls; the decorations from earlier seemingly multiplied and enhanced by the shimmering balloons that floated around the room.
Sirius made a noise of astonishment, turning towards James. “You did all this, for me?” he asked.
“Well I had help,” James replied, gesturing to the other Marauders in the corner, “but yes. I made you a promise when we were twelve, and I intend to keep it.”
“Sirius Black, I promise to make every single birthday better than the last!”
“James. You can’t possibly do that. That’s a vow that’ll last forever.”
James was not deterred. “Then I swear to be around forever so I can keep meeting my promise.”
“I love you, Prongs. You know that? You’re never getting rid of me now.”
James slung an arm around Sirius. “Merlin’s balls! I’ve been trying to get rid of you for years,” he ribbed, “I guess I can deal with you for another couple hundred,” he sighed.
Sirius let out a bolstering laugh, turning to greet the rest of his friends.
—
Sirius was very drunk.
He was lying with his head against James’ lap, while his feet were nestled comfortably under Remus’ thigh.
A game of Never Have I Ever was currently being played on the carpet in front of them, that of which James and Remus were paying attention to.
Sirius was quite content to just stare at James and his smile.
James is the human embodiment of sunshine, Sirius thought. Being in his presence can warm me on my coldest days.
“Hey, uh, Prongs?” Sirius garbled.
James dragged his eyes away from the game, chin pointing down at Sirius.
“What’s up, Pads? How ya feeling?”
“Great!”
James hummed around the bottle he brought to his lips.
“I’m just really glad you’re here.”
James’ brow creased in confusion. “Like here, on this couch?” he asked, tapping the cushion.
Sirius shook his head. “No. Hogwarts. Not sure how I’d be if I hadn’t met you,” he slurred, “you’re my best friend.”
James smiled yet again. “Me too,” he said before turning his attention back to the game.
As Sirius laid there, he basked in the raw warmth that James exuded.
My best friend. My ride or die.
—
Cell 390 - Azkaban circa 1981
A man sat hunched over against the cold stone floor, staring at the dim wall in front of him. His hair was matted, plastered to his forehead. Dark circles and tear tracks dawned his face. His slim form shivered.
“You’re sure this is him?” the medi-witch asked, eyes turning towards the guard.
“Yeah, this is him. He’s been talking to himself all day- not that I really care, but- he hasn't eaten in days, and is so far gone that the Dementors can’t get a thing outta him. Bad for business, ya know?”
“I’ll see what I can do,” she said, stepping into the cell of Sirius Black.
Happy Birthday Sirius.