Lightning struck and the thunder seemed to shake the entire Potter manor. James Potter watched the skies and sighed. He had wanted to fly today and practice some new Chaser moves. Now, he was stuck inside the house with nothing to do. His mother poked her head out from the kitchen to call him. "James, if you aren't doing anything, you may as well come in here and help me."
He groaned but acquiesced. His mother smirked as she handed him a flowery apron to put on. "I'm not wearing that mum!" was the response from the disgruntled boy. She just laughed and ruffled his hair.
Suddenly, the door bell rang. James and his mother looked at each other, each asking the other to get the door with not so subtle eye gestures. Finally, James threw his hands up and stormed out of the kitchen.
"Alright, alright. I'm coming," James exclaimed.
He threw the door open and stared in shock. Sirius was standing outside with a bag in hand. The two had been best friends long enough for James to know that this was no ordinary visit. He ushered Padfoot inside and guided him to the chair.
"Who is it James?" his mum questioned from inside. James' eyes searched his best friend's face, noting the lost expression.
"Hold on mum." Hi =s voice was firm. "What happened Padfoot?"
"I ran away. I couldn't take it anymore Prongs. All of the lies, insults, hatred…I had to leave. They hate me. My mother said she wished I was dead because I am such a disgrace. I ran. This was the only place I could come to Prongs. I…" Sirius sobbed hopelessly. James immediately pulled his friend into a warm hug. He knew about the Black family and how they treated Sirius. The anger raged inside of him.
"You know you can stay here forever, right?" James muttered. He felt Sirius pull away from the hug. Padfoot nodded. "Let's get you some food."
As the duo walked pass the kitchen, James' mum looked up from her stew. "Mum, Sirius needs a place to stay."
That's all that needed to be said.
His mum walked up to Sirius and whispered a spell to dry him off. "You're worth the lot of them," she fiercely said. Sirius mumbled a quick thank you but Mrs. Potter waved it away. "No, no. Now that you're family, you must call me mum." Sirius looked up in surprise and his eyes searched hers for any sign that she was joking. Finding only kindness, he engulfed his new mum in a hug. "Go get cleaned up and we'll eat." Sirius nodded, his eyes sparkling again.
When Mr. Potter returned from work, he was told of what had happened and was in complete agreement with his wife. The Potters welcomed Sirius with open arms and the family of four played chess long into the night. Eventually, they all retired to bed. Mrs. Potter, however, remembered James joking with Sirius years ago when Sirius had snuck out about how Sirius needed honey milk before bed. She got up without disturbing her husband to make a glass. Slipping into Sirius' room, she found it was empty. Mrs. Potter panicked for a moment before realizing that he was probably in James' room. Just as she was about to open the door, she heard light snoring coming from inside. She smiled to herself and left, not wanting to disturb Sirius after he was finally getting some rest.
Inside the room, James lay on the bed, snoring. Snuggled at his feet was a huge, shaggy, black dog, his chest rising and falling as he slept peacefully with loving parents a boy who was more than his brother. Off to the side was a mug embossed with JP, steaming from the hot honey milk inside it.
Sirius was finally home.