Wormtail's question at the bottom sounds more like a girl thing, I know, but I didn't know how else to phrase it. Besides, most of the guys I know are kinda girly. In fact, all of the guys I know...

35. Eras and Ends

James Potter entered a compartment on the Hogwarts express, more excited than nervous. Most of the compartments he'd passed were full, but this one had only two occupants; a girl with her face pressed against the window, and a dark-haired boy who looked up at James and said, "Hi."

"Hiya." James replied, stepping forwards with relief. He didn't bother asking if he could sit in here, as the other boy had shifted over to make room. Instead, James threw himself down and smiled. "I'm James."

"Sirius." The other boy nodded. "First year, right?"

"Yep. You too?"

Sirius nodded, glanced at the girl, then shrugged to show he was unconcerned by her presence. The next few minutes passed with the two boys talking and laughing.

It was the beginning of an era.

----

They watched the girl and Snivillus leave the room, still giggling. Eventually, James turned back to Sirius, and titled his head.

"Slytherin? All of them?"

"Well, yeah." Sirius shrugged. "Some of them were probably in different houses, but my mother wouldn't consider them family anymore."

"Pure-blood pride." James stated, his face giving the impression the words tasted bad. Sirius nodded.

"Not me, though. Don't worry about that. I think the whole idea's stupid. And, believe me, I'd rather not be in Slytherin."

"Good." James replied, looking clearly relieved. "What's your surname?"

Sirius told him, half expecting James to look disgusted, or to make excuses and leave the room. Instead, he nodded.

"I think I've heard that before. I'm Potter."

And that was all that was said on the matter for the rest of the journey.

Sirius was always grateful.

----

The DADA teacher turned slowly to face the room full of third years, her eyes narrowed and deadly. A thick layer of dark blue slime coated her, and most of the front of the classroom.

"Mister Black." She cried, her voice shrill enough to make the students in the front row wince.

"Yes, Professor?" Sirius replied innocently, even as his friends shook with silent laughter around him.

"Are you responsible for this?" She demanded, then spoke again before he could answer. "If this is your handiwork, Black, I'll make sure you're out this time." Her voice dropped to a deadly mutter. "Dumbledore told you, didn't he, that if you caused anymore trouble this year, he'd have to expel you?"

Sirius was unconcerned by threats, far too used to them, and so, with a smirk, he opened his mouth to offer a smart remark.

Beside him, James spoke first. "It wasn't him!" He lied loudly. "It was me. I did it."

Sirius turned to him, open-mouthed. James could scarcely afford to get in more trouble than he could. The DADA teacher scowled, knowing she had no way to prove otherwise.

It wasn't the first time either of them had taken a hit for the other, and it wouldn't be the last.

----

"God, Sirius, you could've killed him!" James hissed, pale, sweating, and breathless.

"He'd have gotten out fine." Sirius shrugged. "Besides, I didn't tell him to go down there, did I? He should've kept his greasy nose out of our business."

"Sirius!" James cried, exasperated. "He could have died." When Sirius looked unconcerned, James shook his head. "And you're lucky Dumbledore came down before he could shout his mouth off. What if Moony's secret got out?"

For the first time, Sirius looked slightly guilty. "It was just a joke."

James sighed, and leaned back again a wall to catch his breath. "Dumbledore's not happy."

"I better go see him." Sirius sighed.

"Yeah. I'll come with you."

And he stayed by his side, supporting him, throughout.

Because that's what friends do.

----

"We're getting married." James cried, his face alight, his eyes shining, and Lily's hand clutched in his.

His three friends started whooping and jumping around. It was ten full minutes before they all calmed down.

"I'm the best man." Sirius announced, as though it was his choice.

"That's OK, isn't it?" James asked Remus and Peter anxiously.

"Of course." Remus replied instantly, still grinning.

Peter remained silent, his smile fading.

But James and Sirius had always been the closest.

----

"A baby?" Remus repeated, his eyes wide. Beside him, Sirius' mouth was open, and Peter looked as if someone had hit him over the head.

"Yes!" James cried jovially. "Can you believe it. Me and Lily are going to have a baby!"

Sirius was the first to recover, and swiftly guy-hugged James, before Remus and Peter did the same.

"I can't believe it. A baby. You. And Lily." Sirius told him, grinning. "Well done mate."

"Congratulations, James." Remus said.

"Yeah, congratulations." Peter nodded. James hesitated, then spoke again.

"Listen...I want...well, we thought Sirius..."

"Could be godfather." Remus guessed, without any sign of disappointment.

"Yes." James nodded. "You guys don't mind, do you?"

"No." Remus answered instantly.

"And you two'll make sure he doesn't screw up my kid completly, right?" James asked, smirking. Sirius threw a cusion at him.

"Yep." Remus nodded. James looked a Peter, who was silent.

"Do you mind, Wormtail?" He asked. "About Sirius being the godfather?"

Peter looked at James, then at Sirius, before smiling. "No. Course I don't."

Later, though, when James had left and Sirius was in the bathroom, Peter turned to Remus.

"Does it bother you, that Sirius and James are so close to each other?" He asked. Remus blinked.

"Well, no. Not really." Remus shrugged. "Does it bother you?"

"No." Peter replied flatly, and turned away.

Around fifteen years later, Remus wondered if that moment had been the beginning of the end.