Exploration and Memories
That night Sirius slipped away from the dormitory and out into the corridor. It was about time he found out just what was in the third floor corridor Dumbledore had warned them about.
As he ran through secret passages and snuck through hallways, his mind flashed back to his schooldays. James was suddenly beside him with Remus and Peter just behind. Remus whispering at them to be quiet while he and James whispered just a little too loud about the prank they were going to play and Peter giggled nervously at the idea that they might be caught. Sirius froze and closed his eyes as the memory swept over him.
"Come on, Pads. Keep up." James's voice spoke in his mind. "We've got a mystery to solve."
He would've had that gleam in his eye. The one he got when he thought of a really good prank or a "sure fire" way to get Lily to go out with him.
Sirius shook his head and continued on. He had to hurry. Harry could wake up at any time and if he wasn't there for him...
He changed back into his human form when he got to the door. "Alohomora." he whispered. The door swung open and he slipped inside.
A giant three headed dog was on the other side. Sirius swallowed, thankfully the thing was asleep. He glanced around the room. The dog's paws were resting on a trapdoor. He wondered what was down there, but there was no way he was checking now. He refused to risk waking the dog. Besides, he'd been away from Harry for too long. He got out as quietly as he could and locked the door behind him.
A cat meowed somewhere down the corridor. Mrs. Norris.
Sirius shifted back and ran back to Gryffindor Tower. The fat lady wasn't pleased when he barked at her until she woke up.
"You're Harry Potter's dog aren't you?" she frowned, "What're you doing out without your master?"
He whined at her.
"Oh fine. Silly dog." She swung open and he hurried up to the dormitory.
Harry was awake. He looked panicked as he searched the room. "Shadow, where are you?"
Sirius winced. He really should have been faster. He ran to Harry's side and started licked him. Reassuring him that he was here and he was sorry.
Harry sat on the floor next to him and wrapped his arms around him. "Where were you, Shadow? I was so worried."
Sirius licked his cheek with a whine of apology. Harry hadn't been having nightmares since they'd gotten to Hogwarts, Sirius had hoped that that meant he wouldn't wake until he got back. Looks like he was wrong.
"It's alright, boy. I was just a little scared when I woke up and you weren't there. I'm okay now. Let's go back to sleep huh?" Harry smiled at him and crawled back into bed. Sirius jumped up next to him. "Don't run off like that again, okay?"
Sirius's dream that night was a good one.
/The four of them were sitting under their tree in the courtyard. Peter was trying to burn his Transfiguration homework with his glare. Remus laughed at his expression and moved over to help him.
"What do you think Padfoot? Will Evans and I last?" James sighed.
"I hope so. If I had to watch you go through that AGAIN, with a different girl, I might strangle you." Sirius laughed.
"I wasn't that bad." James pouted.
"Yes, you were, Prongs." Remus sighed, "I swear the past couple years you only talked about pranks and Evans. With the occasional complaint about homework or talk of Quidditch."
"Wormtail, Moony and Padfoot are being mean to me."
Peter laughed, "Don't look at me, I'm with them."
James flopped back onto the grass with a dramatic groan. "Betrayed by my best friends. They, who I called brothers!"
Remus didn't bother looking up from Peter's homework. "Prongs, your Padfoot is showing."
"Oi!" Sirius pulled up a handful of grass and threw it at Remus.
Remus lifted an eyebrow before throwing some back at him. The next twenty minutes was spent with the four of them in a grass war. It only stopped when it did because Lily came over.
"Do I want to ask?" she sighed.
James swept her up in a hug. "Don't worry my Lily flower, we had it under control."
The other three Marauders exchanged amused looks.
"I'm sure," she rolled her eyes.Once she was sitting beside them she flashed a wink at the other boys and dumped a handful of glass down the back of James's shirt.
He jumped up with a yelp and tried to shake it out. "Lils, that itches," he whined.
They all burst out laughing./
"Shadow. Come on boy, it's time for breakfast." Harry's voice shattered his dream and brought him back to the waking world. "Were you having a good dream? Sorry to spoil it, but I really need something to eat."
That afternoon in seventh year was one of his happiest memories. They'd all been so happy. They'd known about the upcoming war, but they were young, still in school with their best friends. Just messing about and having fun. Then Peter had to betray them. Sirius shook his head. Peter was dead. He didn't know what scum of the earth had taken over his body, but the Peter he knew, the one he'd thought of as a younger brother, he was dead. He needed to remember that.
He sighed and followed Harry down to breakfast.
Draco dropped next to Harry at the Gryffindor table. Harry frowned slightly and looked over at the other Slytherins before turning back to Draco.
"It's Saturday, I can sit where I want."
Harry grinned. Ron, on Harry's other side, rolled his eyes but waved at Draco anyway. The twins walked over with someone from their year and sat across from Harry, who was too busy getting a plate for Sirius to notice. They waited until he'd set the plate on the ground and straightened before introducing him.
"This is our friend Lee Jordan. You guys mind if he sits with us?" One twin asked.
Draco and Ron both turned to Harry. He was the deciding factor here. Harry started chewing his lower lip, fingers tangling in Sirius's fur.
"Don't worry," Lee said, "I don't bite."
Harry whispered something to Draco, blushing.
"Harry says it's fine." Draco announced.
"Alright. Thanks, mate" Lee winked at Harry.
"So," one twin started, "Any plans of mischief this fine day?"
Sirius nearly choked on his breakfast. He'd said those exact words to the other Marauders countless times.
"Not really." Ron shrugged. "We were just going to hang around outside."
"Is that all?" One twin frowned.
"It's a shame. They're still so young, so innocent." The other sighed.
"Well what are you planning?" Draco asked.
"I'm afraid that's confidential, my dear Draco." Fred answered. (Sirius decided to just call one Fred and one George at random until he figured out which was which, it was easier that way)
"We can all hang out after lunch." George chimed in, "Alright with you Lee?"
"Sounds good. See you firsties later." Lee smirked. The three grabbed one last piece of toast and ran off.