Chapter 11

(James pov)

The first half of the year went by fairly quickly. It turns out I'm very good in all of my classes (as if there would be any doubt). Sirius and Remus were also in the top of our class, with Sirius right behind me or occasionally ahead of me and Remus right behind him. Peter was…well, he was still in our class. Charms and Transfiguration were my two favorite classes. Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions were Sirius's best classes and Remus seemed to shine in all of them. Just not to the level that Sirius and I did.

By the time Christmas came along, all four of us had been able to make names for ourselves as the mischief makers of Hogwarts. Whenever there was a prank-like occurrence in the castle, teachers automatically screeched our names and threw us in detention. Whether or not we had actually done it. Although, to be fair, we usually were the cause of the aforementioned prank.

This Christmas, I was expected to go home, as my mom had asked me to earlier. Of course I was anxious to go home, I was just a little bit sad to be leaving my friend here all alone. Both Remus and Peter were also going home for the holidays. Sirius was still forbidden to even attempt to contact his family, as his mother had threatened him in a later letter and had reminded him that he was not to come home for holidays.

So it was with this weighing on my mind that I sat in the Common Room, staring at the dancing flames. If only there was a way to keep Sirius company and go home at the same time. As if he heard my thoughts from across the school, Sirius walked into the Common Room and walked over to me, sitting down in the seat across from the couch.

"Hey man," he said softly, looking over into the fire briefly before turning his gaze back to my face. "What are you tearing yourself apart about his time? Another brilliant prank or something more…serious?"

I looked at him, and was entranced by his eyes. The fire was glinting off of them and I could see the flames dancing in his eyes. Quickly, I shook myself out of it and returned to staring into the fireplace. Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see a concerned expression flash across my friend's face.

"Come on, what's up? Did something happen?"

I shrugged. Might as well tell him the truth. "I don't want to leave you alone during the break. It seems…cruel."

Surprise immediately took over Sirius's face. So much for being honest, I thought dully. "Why?" he asked, cocking his head to the side, waiting for an answer.

I shrugged again and turned to look at him. Suddenly, as if I had been struck been lightening, I got a brilliant idea. "Hey, why not come to my house over the holidays!" I proposed, standing up as I said it, shocked at how long it had taken me to think of that idea.

Sirius however, remained sitting and looked skeptical. "At your house?" he asked, looking worried now too.

"Sure," I exclaimed, "why not?"

Sirius raised his eyebrows, as if I had asked an entirely stupid question. "What does your mom think about me?"

As quickly as my excitement had come over me, it had evaporated. My mom didn't know about Sirius. She didn't know that I was friends with him. It wasn't as though I was ashamed of being his friend, it was just…well, Sirius was still a Black and as much as he was unlike his family, my mom would still only hear the name Black. After all, she had been the one who had warned me about Sirius in the first place.

How would she react to my best friend? I sighed slightly and sat down next to Sirius. He looked over at me with questioning eyes. How would she react? I wasn't sure, and that's what bothered me.

(Sirius's pov)

I watched as my friend pondered my question. I thought his idea was a brilliant one! I didn't want to stay at Hogwarts alone anymore than I wanted to go to my own home. I didn't do well alone. I like having friends around too much, I like being around people who love me. Which was my fault, I know, but it hardly mattered. It was just my personality and I couldn't change that. But there was no one I could stay with.

When James had suggested his house I had been enthused and happy, but then I recalled that first day at the train station. I remembered his mom shooting me dark looks as she explained my family to her son. I was glad that her son had been able to give me a chance, but I wasn't sure how willing she would be. Not to mention his dad…

Finally James opened his mouth to speak. "She doesn't need to know until you're there," James said, nodding in satisfaction at his idea.

"What do you mean?" I asked, no confused. I wasn't sure how well that would go over. I had a feeling that should I just appear, she would dislike me even more than she would should she know that I was coming.

"Yeah, I'll just tell her in a letter that "a friend" is going to come spend the holidays with us. Sound good to you?"

I had to hand it to him. James Potter was very good at vague comments. And that one was certainly vague. And good. "I think it's a brilliant idea. If I were anyone else, though, would she mind having company?"

James shook his head. "No, and if she knew you, it wouldn't be a problem either. But she will and when she does know you, she'll adore you. Just like every bloody teacher in this bloody school."

I laughed slightly. That was a slight overstatement. I think that it was a love-hate relationship with the teachers. Oh well. It worked. It got me out of a lot of trouble that I probably should have gotten into.

"I'm gonna go write the letter," James said before standing up and leaving. I watched him leave and decided to go pack. After all, the train leaves bright and early tomorrow morning. I most certainly did not want to be running about at five in the morning throwing things that I needed into a trunk.

(James pov)

"Oh man, I hope this works," I muttered to myself as I finished writing the letter to my mom. It read:

Hey mom,

Is it all right if I bring a friend home with me for Christmas break? I know that it's really short notice and that the train leaves tomorrow and you really can't answer, but he's still coming home with me. You see, he can't go home to his own family this break and all of our other friends are going home for the holidays too so he really doesn't have any other friends here who could keep him company. Sorry again that no matter you say it doesn't really matter. Sorry.

Just remember that you love me. And I love you too.

See you tomorrow…yeah. Tomorrow.

James

I reread the letter and mentally slapped myself. That was the crappiest letter I have ever written. I just hoped that my mom wouldn't be furious. Of course, when she learned who my friend was…well, I didn't want to think about it.

I tied the letter to my owl's leg and sent her off, watching her fly into the distance and out of sight. I began to chuckle slightly. This was my life. Sitting here, taking care of one of my friends who was more than capable of taking care of himself, and hating my mother for her close-mindedness. I sighed and burst into hysterical laughter. I laughed until my sides hurt. I laughed until tears streamed down my face. I cried until I couldn't cry anymore.

Across the school, Sirius Black lay on his bed in his dormitory, pain filling his heart and tears streaming down his face…

A.N. I don't think that was good. Oh well. Stay tuned. Lol. please review. I really liked getting a lot of reviews last time. It made me incredibly…happy! Thanks a bunch you guys.