The Stag

He was going to die.

Sirius Black watched as his demons swirled around him. He could feel the gravel digging into his back, and yet was too weak to move. Two cries had faded to one—the weak cry of a boy who was desperately trying to save his life. A boy who, mere hours ago, had closed his hands around Sirius' throat. Sirius had seen the fury in his eyes. He had seen the pain.

And yet, Harry had believed him. And now he reached for Sirius, finding his arm. He too would die. The Dementors knew no mercy and they would not spare a thirteen-year old.

And then, through the mist, a figure emerged.

Sirius was quite sure that he was dead. He hadn't seen the figure in twelve years; not physically at least. Sirius saw it quite often. He saw it every time he closed his eyes. He saw it in the darkest depths of his nightmares.

And now it was here. Sirius' eyes bristled with tears. For the first time in twelve years, his face broke into a genuine smile as he stared at the handsome stag. It wasn't real. He knew that it wasn't real. And yet, it wasn't unreal. It glowed in the light of the moon, protectively circling the duo and driving away the horrors that surrounded them.

For the first time in quite a long time, Sirius felt hopeful. He knew that he was going to survive. Even though the odds were against him, he was going to get through this. The stag came to a halt in front of him and dipped its head. Sirius' hand was weighed down with exhaustion but he still managed to lift it, resting it between the antlers. The stag stayed for a second before prancing off. Sirius' hand crashed to the ground.

It was gone.

But not really.

Sirius knew that it hadn't really left.

It never did.

Sirius Black believed in the stag.

Sirius had faced pain and torment unlike any other. He had faced battles and demons. He had faced betrayals and lies. He had found it difficult to believe in anything. And yet, Sirius Black believed in the stag. There was a reason that he saw the stag when his eyes were closed. There was a reason that the stag appeared in his darkest nightmares. The stag served as a reminder…to carry on and keep fighting. The stag was what kept Sirius going, even after all of these years. Despite everything, Sirius believed in the stag. Sirius Black believed in James Potter.