The Times We Almost Lost Everything

The time they almost lost Sirius was in first year. James and Sirius had hit it off, becoming fast friends despite his family's warnings that he shouldn't get comfortable in either the Gryffindor house or as the position of James Potter's best friend.

They had, of course already known each other in passing, both being purebloods thus having both been introduced at least once so as to keep up the pretense of polite acting among the nobles of the wizarding world. However James had been quick to look past their less than perfect beginnings and create a new one.

Sirius was partial to thinking he genuinely didn't remember having met him, it being when they were seven at the Black house where Sirius had decided to be a complete prat and order the house elf not to bring James his food no matter what anyone else said. Sirius himself was partial to pretending it had never happened.

Regardless, Sirius soon found himself in a pickle or a bind however which way you choose as he soon discovered just how inferior he felt when put beside the young Potter who welcomed into his circle not only the new scaredy cat of the Gryffindor house but also the boy who seemed to wish for nothing else than to be ignored.

James welcomed them all as his friends and then, later, sometime around Christmas, into his home. Sirius had gladly accepted, having already received word that he was not to be welcomed back at Grimauld place until he begged for forgiveness and demanded to be placed in Slytherin.

Both of which he refused to do.

Upon arriving at the Potter house however, he swiftly realized just how out of his depth he was upon entering. For the first time in too long he was in a home that was quaintly yet elegantly decorated, nothing gaudy or unneeded, warm and friendly and all too entirely welcoming.

The Potters treated him kindly, offering him food, drink, games, talk, everything they so freely offered their son they offered to him. Sirius however…. Felt entirely out of place.

Here was this family, this family he had been raised to hate and loathe and they were treating his kindly, gently, as if he belonged there. James hadn't told, hadn't needed to tell him that the reason for their delay in entering had been so that his parents could change their ward to allow a member of the Black family through.

It only made sense since it had been made clear that James would never be able to visit his home due to similar wards.

Later, on Christmas Eve, as the two boys were lying in their beds, James spoke quietly, "You know Sirius…. You… You can visit whenever you want to. You're welcome whenever you'd like."

Sirius had laid in silence for a moment, "Im not sure I should James…."

James had frowned and sat up looking as though Sirius had damaged his dignity in some way, something Mrs. Black would never have approved of seeing as she disapproved of any visible emotion. "Why not?"

Sirius had sighed and sat up slowly, "James… I should think it'd be obvious. I don't belong here…"

James had scoffed, "You belong here as much as you belong in Gryffindor, you're my friend you dolt."

Sirius gave a small smile, "I don't belong in Gryffindor though. My whole family has been in Slytherin. That's where I belong James. Im supposed to join him when he comes recruiting out class, that's where I belong."

James threw off his cover and marched over to Sirius, scowling at him, "Going to become a Death Eater then? Just leave me, Remus and Peter to fend on our own out there then?"

Sirius looked helplessly up at his friend, "You all have your families, and your mum and dad are here…"

James continued to scowl down at his friend, "And what about you? You expect we'll just let you off without anything to show for it? Bloody hell we will."

Sirius shifted uneasily in his borrowed bed, "Look James... Im just trying to-"

"Well stop it! You're our friend and we aren't very likely to leave you just because it's inconvenient for you to deal with us. If you're worried about the war then don't be, let me take care of it. Just you wait, it'll be me who puts an end to it, you'll see. In the meantime, you just lay back and enjoy our company because you aren't going to be rid of us easily, do you hear me Sirius?"

Sirius gaped up at his friend and then let a slow smile cross him face, "Yes James."

"Now you can just be yourself from now on, alright? I won't let your family bother with any of us if I have a say, do you hear?"

Sirius nodded again, holding back tears he absolutely refused to let fall as James cleared his throat uneasily and went back to his bed, "Now good night…. And Happy Christmas."

Sirius hadn't responded but instead fallen asleep where, in his dream he watched a young man with raven hair and glasses put an end to a man with no nose he knew immediately to be Voldemort and felt his heart lighten for he was sure the man was James doing just as he had promised.