Solemnly Swear

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters.

Warnings: Mentioning of abuse and described injuries because of it.

Rating: T for safety reasons.

Summary: At the start of third year, James, Remus and Peter discover that Sirius is abused by his relatives. Part of the A Bond of Family series. Rating is for safety reasons.

Special thanks to Kitty for beta-ing and proof reading this, for your endless patience and lessons to help me get better.

Chapter 1

James frowned when Remus glanced at Sirius for the seventh time in just as many minutes as the dark-haired boy was eating dinner; even more subdued than he normally was at dinnertime.

But James wasn't really worried as he knew his best friend was always a bit quieter at the Start-of-Term Feast, so he wasn't sure why Remus seemed uneasy.

He was just about to lean across the table and ask what was wrong when he noticed himself that Sirius was paler than usual as the boy shifted beside him, hand shaking a little as he picked up his glass.

"Hey, are you all right?" James leaned closer so others wouldn't overhear their conversation.

"Yeah, I...you know what, No. I actually don't feel so well. I think I'll call it a night if you don't mind," Sirius smiled faintly.

"Do you want me to come with you?"James asked, taking the admission as a cue to check on him better.

He was indeed pale and from the cloak he wore, James knew his friend was cold despite the hot weather.

"I'll be fine, I'll just go get the password from Frank," Sirius paused. "Although, if you can get Pete to nick something for if I feel better later, I wouldn't say no to that."

"Consider it done," James smiled, sharing a nod with his best friend as the dark-haired boy moved to where Frank Longbottom was seated and spoke to him for a few moments before Sirius left the Great Hall.

"Where is he going?" Peter asked with his mouth full and Remus shifted away so he wouldn't get sprayed with food.

"He wasn't feeling well so he went to bed early," Remus grimaced. "Would you mind waiting with the questions until your mouth's empty?"

"Sorry," Peter grinned unashamed and Remus shook his head fondly as he leaned over the table to James.

"You're going after him, aren't you?"

"I'll give him half an hour," James picked up a few napkins and collected several pieces of roast chicken and beef, folding it into the napkin as he knew Sirius liked those and they would keep for a longer period of time than the other types of food should he be nauseous.

"Mind keeping some dessert apart, Pete?" he asked as he subtly slid the package into his robes before picking up some for himself.

"Some chocolate gateau?" Peter suggested.

"No, you know Sirius hasn't much of a sweet tooth. Some fruits and strawberries will be more appreciated," Remus shook his head. "Don't worry, we'll put something together."

"Thanks. Be sure to include some peppermint humbugs, if he's still unwell tomorrow morning they might make him feel better," James smiled as he rolled some roast potatoes and a pork chop into a second napkin and slid that into his pocket, too, before finishing his lamb, raising an eyebrow as a note was passed to him.

Quid Agis. Wish him well – Frank.

James smiled, giving Frank a nod as the Prefect caught his gaze and smoothly slid the clean plate Remus slid towards him underneath his robes before he rose to his feet. "I'll see you two later."

"Don't let us keep you up," Remus smiled and James nodded in gratitude, hearing the underlying promise they'd stay away long enough for Sirius to fall asleep.

He made his way out of the Great Hall, ignoring McGonagall's curious eyes on him as he did and quickly made his way to Gryffindor Tower.

"My, aren't you boys early. Are you unwell, too?" the Fat Lady raised an eyebrow as she caught sight of him.

"Quid Agis. No, just thought I'd call it an early night, too," James quickly passed through when she swung open and made his way to the dorm, having the decency to knock softly before he entered.

"Sirius?"

"James?" Sirius appeared out of the bathroom in his night clothes, clearly having just cleaned up as his hair was still damp. "You didn't have to leave the feast for me."

"I know, but I wanted to. Besides, I brought provisions in case you were still hungry as you hardly touched your dinner."

"I am a little hungry," Sirius admitted as he crossed their dorm to his bed, sitting down as James came to him.

"Well, you're in luck then because I got all your favourites," James slipped the plate from under his robes and placed it on the night-stand, digging out the napkins filled with food and displaying them on the plate.

"Chicken sounds really good," Sirius smiled as he pushed one of his pillows up so that he could lean against the headboard as James stoked up the fire in the fireplace so the room would heat up.

Once he was done, he sat across of Sirius on the bed, handing him the chicken legs with a napkin.

They ate in silence for a while and James was pleased to see a little more colour return to Sirius' face as the room steadily warmed up.

"Why don't you brush your teeth while I preserve these for when you wake up, hm?" he suggested as Sirius' eyes began to drop soon after.

"Yeah."

James pulled back the sheets and returned the pillow to its usual place as Sirius disappeared into the bathroom, relieved that the other had eaten both some chicken and some roast beef.

He stuffed the remainders of the food into the area they kept any snacks in and cast the usual spells that would keep the food both cool and fresh for a few days.

He looked up when Sirius returned from the bathroom and joined him at the bed again, smiling as Sirius slipped inside, pulling the comforter up as he curled up on his side.

"Are you comfortable?"

"Yeah, thank you," Sirius smiled, shifting as James tucked the comforter around him a bit more securely.

"Would you like me to stay with you until you fall asleep?" James asked softly, aware that Sirius usually slept better when someone was near.

"You could just crawl in beside me, you know," Sirius flashed him a tired smile. "It's not like it would be the first time and we both know you'll fall asleep sitting up if you stay."

"True," James chuckled. "I'll be right back then."

He made quick work of showering and brushing his teeth before returning to Sirius' side, smiling when he realised the other had already retrieved his pillow and made room for him.

He crawled in beside him, raising an arm so that Sirius could curl up beside him like he usually did when they slept in the same bed, but Sirius shook his head.

"I'll just lie beside you; don't want to wake you if I need to leave the bed."

"You know I wouldn't mind, but how about you just lean against me. You're shivering," James suggested, smiling when Sirius curled up against him and rested his head on his collar bone.

He took his hand, frowning when he realised Sirius was actually a little warmer than usual to the touch, but as the younger boy relaxed beside him, he held his tongue and just stroked his thumb over the back of Sirius' hand.

It didn't take long for Sirius' breathing to even out and James smiled sleepily as he kept the comforting gesture up, quickly joining him into sleep.