Chapter 2
James wasn’t afraid often. He could count on his fingers the amount of times he’d been afraid.
•When his dad had gone on his first Auror mission.
•The first Full moon after James had found out about Remus.
•The first Full moon as Animagus.
•When he was racing to save Snape’s life.
•When Sirius Black fell through his fireplace, bloody, unresponsive, and nothing but skin and bones.
When James first saw him, he’d thrown up. There was so much blood, and normally he wasn’t squeamish and could handle seeing Remus covered in his own blood, but usually he had time to prepare.
After the initial shock, James had leapt forwards and cradled Sirius to his chest as he yelled for his mother.
His mother would know what to do, she was a healer at St. Mungos after all. James just preyed that Sirius was still alive.
The sound of footsteps followed by a worried “what’s wrong James?” Announced the presence of his mother before she even turned into the living room. She took in the scene and then rushed forwards and looked Sirius over.
”Oh, my poor, poor boy. What have they done to you?” She cooed softly brushing Sirius’ hair from his face as she muttered spell after spell under her breath. “Monty! Grab dittany and get me some cool water and some hand towels!” Euphemia Potter ordered loudly to her husband who could be heard rushing around upstairs following the orders of his wife.
James couldn’t hide his fear, as he paced next to his mother, “Is he going to be okay? Mum?”
Euphemia shot him a glare over her shoulder, “He’ll do better without you fretting over my shoulder while I’m trying to work!”
James, using his brain for once, sulked out of the room and went to make the soothing tea his mother had taught him. He made enough for himself, his parents and for Sirius when he came to.
Not knowing what else to do, James went to the office and wrote out a quick letter.
Hiya Lily,
Sorry, I know I’m the last person you want to hear from but when you go to Diagon Alley, could you grab everything for me and Sirius?
Remus and Peter have already gone and got their stuff but Sirius is in bad shape and I can’t leave him. Dads got work and so does my mum and I’ll pay you back everything and some.
If not could you let me know so I can work something else out
thanks,
James
James sent off the family bird, Lucy, and turned back to see what state Sirius was in and if there was anything he could do to help.
Normally, Lily would read James’s letters with an eye roll and then throw them away. But this time Lily’s heart sunk to her stomach. Sirius was hurt. And in bad enough shape that James wouldn’t leave his side and didn’t think he would for the last week of the school break.
Lily could barely breathe. Sirius Black was hurt. The same Sirius who she found in the astronomy tower one night crying over a letter he had received from his family in first year. The same Sirius Black she’d made a tentative friendship with, who they met on the astronomy tower every night they got a bad letter.
Lily never knew what his letters had said, but she understood enough, she got horrible letters from Petunia, telling her she was an abomination. She could only imagine what hundreds of years worth of prejudice against Gryffindor would say.
She replied to James’s letter with one of her own, confirming she would make the trip and that James didn’t have to pay her back a dime.
When James had received Lily’s letter, two days after he’d sent his, he was pleasantly surprised. Lily was one of the nicest people he knew. And on top of that she was beautiful and charismatic.
But James was quickly snapped out of his pining when Sirius let out a gut wrenching scream beside him and started thrashing around the bed. James had to pin him as his mother gave him and anti-dream potion.
Sirius hadn’t come fully to yet, he’d had moments of consciousness, but the we’re short and few and far between.
James was starting to worry, they had five days before they left for Hogwarts. His wounds were healing nicely and most of the traces of the cruciatus were gone, but he still wasn’t awake. Euphemia said it was some sort of psychological thing that James didn’t wholly understand but it meant they couldn’t force Sirius to wake up, he had to do it on his own.
James decided to send letters to Remus and Peter to let them know what was going on, he also promised to keep them updated and told them not to worry if they couldn’t find him on the train. James wasn’t being dramatic he just wasn’t entirely sure when Sirius would wake up and he sure as hell wasn’t leaving his side until he did.
Peter sent his wishes for Sirius to get better with every update but Remus didn’t respond. James didn’t blame him. He’d forgive Sirius when he was ready, but it probably wouldn’t be anytime soon, and James wasn’t going to push him.
Remus didn’t hate Sirius. He felt betrayed and broken by him, he’d loved Sirius with everything in him and Sirius had made him feel like a fool for it. Yet, when James had sent the first letter just two days after Remus had felt those terrible waves of pain and blacked out, Remus knew there was something wrong but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
After the third day of nothing but bad news and only two more days until they all left for Hogwarts, Remus gave up on holding a grudge and flooed to the Potter Residence to check on his friends himself.
Sirius hadn’t moved apart from when he was screaming and thrashing, not even a twitch, but when Remus walked into the room, his hands clenched and unclenched, as if grabbing for something.
James sucked in a gasp, “You- did- did you see that he moved his hands when- he hasn’t moved not at all, until then.”
He looked from Sirius and then to Remus remembering an old story his Mum used to read to him, but that was impossible, they were just stupid stories and even if they were true it was incredibly rare, it just couldn’t be.
Remus looked at James thoughtful, and a bit scared, “Just say what you’re thinking, you’ve got your solution face on.” Remus said on a sigh.
James shook his head and lead Remus into the library before searching through all the books for what he was looking for. When he found it, he let out a small gasp and the book clattered from his hand and fell to the floor.
Remus, being fully done with the dramatics, opened the book to the page James had it and quickly read its contents. “No James, absolutely not. We- no- it just can’t, okay?”
”But it says about animagus or animal forms, both have to shift into another creature which is why it’s so rare, but you both shift. It makes sense.” James said in awe, “It also says that when you touch skin to skin, like holding hands you’re more powerful and heal quicker. You always said that when Sirius rubbed your back after you transformed that you felt better than normal.”
Remus growled and shook his head, pain like a dagger in his heart struck, and he winced slightly. “That’s because I was a love sick fool! Not because of some magical bond!”
James took a tentative step towards Remus and placed a hand on his shoulder, “Look I know it sounds mad and Sirius hurt you and you have every right to be mad at him and hate him, but please, just try. I don’t know how to help him and mums done everything she can.” James said holding back tears.
Remus sighed and walked back to the bedroom Sirius was staying in, “Sirius Black,” Remus sighed as he pressed his forehead against Sirius’ “if you don’t wake up before we leave for Hogwarts I will personally torture you myself for putting us all through this.”
”Don’t threaten me with a good time.” Came Sirius’ raspy reply, “Sorry Remus, I’m so, so sorry. I was stupid and foolish and I wish I could take it all back, I wish I would never have met you so I couldn’t hurt you at all. I’m so so sorry.”
Tears we’re streaming down both their faces and neither realized as James snuck from the room.
”Don’t say that. I want you in my life, pain in the ass and all. I forgive you.” Remus said as he bent down to kiss Sirius.
Once they broke apart Sirius started protesting, “No don’t forgive me, what I did was unforgivable. You should hex me and leave me for dead.”
Remus shook his head and placed another kiss on Sirius’ lips which shut him up.
“BOYS! No kissing while Sirius is healing! And certainly no other activities! I don’t want Sirius ripping his stitches!” Euphemia yelled as she walked in the room with a sheepish James shuffling in behind her.
Sirius and Remus both flushed red and Remus thew himself from the bed like it was on fire.
”Sorry Mrs P, for dropping in unannounced and getting blood everywhere, I’ll pay for the cleaning and the medicine and everything and I’ll get out of your hair I’m sure I can stay at the leaky cauldron until we go to Hogwarts. I didn’t mean to be such a bother.”
”Sirius Orion! You are welcome here and after what I saw, I’m unofficially adopting you. You are not a burden and when I see your mother she better prey that there are people around. You’re staying here until you’re of age and want to leave. Until then, this is your home and James is your brother. And no Mrs P, it’s Ephhie or Mum.” She instructed as she redressed his bandages and then placed a soft kiss on his crown and left.
Sirius looked to James in worry. What if James didn’t want him here. “It was my idea, she pounced on it and started knitting you a Sirius Potter sweater. Sorry if it’s too much.” James commented.
”It’s perfect, it’s more than perfect. Thanks mate.” Sirius replied testing the water. James sent him a glowing smile but then looked to Remus who looked ready to kill someone.
”No problem, just refrain from the word mate for a while, I think Remus might rip off the next person you call that’s head.” James said with a wink.
Sirius was confused. “Why? I mean I’d understand if he’d rip my head o-“ Sirius was cut off by Remus’ lips.
”Shut up about the incident or I will rip your head off, and it’s nothing.” Remus said sending James a warning look.
James pulled out a book from behind his back and Remus tried to grab it from his hands, but James was a seeker and was used to having to dodge bludgers and managed to hand Sirius the book and hold Remus back as Sirius read through the page of information.
”No,” Sirius breathed in shock, his wide eyes looking up at Remus’ fearful ones, “me and you.”
”Yeah, if you don’t want to- I understand if-“ Remus didn’t get to finish his sentence because Sirius was hurtling through the air and into Remus’ arms where he showered Remus with kisses.
James, knowing his work was done, smiled and left the two to reconcile. Everything was going to be okay.