Sirius Black and James Potter were brothers.
Ever since they first met on the Hogwarts express, they had a bond like no other.
A bond that helped them get away with Merlin knows what, a bond that helped them be able to tell what the other needed, a bond that joined them.
Though this bond could also be their downfall...
Everyone knew there was no other duo such as the Potters. The charming Sirius, with his wit, loyalty, and outstanding courage; and the mother hen James: fiercely compassionate, equally as brave, with a love of winning.
The two were in their last year at Hogwarts, and everyone knew where they would end up next: the Auror training academy.
And that was why Voldemort wanted them gone. Though he had plans for the Potter boy, in hopes of convincing him to join the cause again, Black was fair game.
And the sitting figure in front of the self proclaimed Lord, was how he was going to make that blood traitor meet his end..
It hadn't been too hard to obtain the man in the chair.
The polyjuice sure as hell made it incredibly easy to spike his drink, no one would question a friend after all.
The Dark Lord pointed his wand at the figure.
"Imperio."
———
It was the Christmas holidays, and James's friends were worried.
He had been acting weird ever since term began in September.
At first it wasn't that noticeable, there were just minor things; like him taking a different path to class.
But it was becoming more frequent, these irregularities.
He was jumpy, he barely flirted with Lily and when he did he had a sort of disgusted look on his face. The Gryffindor quidditch team were doing the worst they've ever done, the practices were a nightmare, and the twinkle was gone from the mans eye.
Remus had also attested that he smelled weird but everyone just drew that too the fact that James normally showers two times a day and now he only did so when he was reminded.
Even on the train home, he didn't join his brothers exploding snap game, or ordered anything from the trolly. Instead he opted for reading with his girlfriend and Remus: and it was a book that everyone knew he hated.
James's friends had tried to talk to him about it, thinking it had to do with stress or something, but there were only occasional times where the real James shone through - and those consisted of the boy shaking, trying to speak, and then passing out.
Sirius hoped that the Christmas break with their parents would shake him out of whatever was going on.
In a way he wasn't wrong.
"Mama!! Pops!!" Sirius yelled, running over to Mr and Mrs Potter, giving them a giant hug.
"My baby boy!!" Euphemia exclaimed, kissing his face.
"Lay off mum, I'm not the baby I'm literally older than James!" The boy huffed, but made no effort to move from her embrace.
Fleamont ruffled Sirius's hair, placing his forehead on his affectionately, "it's good to have you back son!"
Sirius gave a lopsided grin, failing to notice the figure of his other brother looking on longingly, before getting hit over the head and dragged along off the platform.
"Where's James?" Euphemia stated worriedly, instinctively holding Sirius closer. "Surely he doesn't need that long to say goodbye to Lily? He'll be seeing her in a few days after all."
As if summoned, Lily ran up to the trio, "you haven't seen James have you? He forgot to come say hi to my parents as I told him they wanted to take a picture of us with their muggle camera for their photo album - can't have moving pictures you see!"
Fleamont exchanged a look with his wife, "out apologies Lily, we haven't seen our other son yet. Perhaps he went somewhere last minute? Not to worry though, he can get home on his own, and if we haven't heard from him by tomorrow then we will contact the Ministry."
"But shouldn't we do something now??"
"If this was the first time that he hadn't shown up, yes, but there have been many a times where he hasn't appeared and then has come home with something silly as a surprise. The best thing we can do is hope that it is just that."
Lily nodded, still unsure, however she knew that if this had happened before than it was most likely that.
She couldn't shake the pit in her stomach though; and neither could Sirius.
The three Potters headed home, hand in hand, trying to push the worry they felt away.
When they returned to Potter Manor Sirius headed to his room. He couldn't wait to flop on his bed and blast his music - and the soundproof room meant he could do so as loud as he pleased.
When he closed the door however, he realised a figure was sat in his reading chair.
"..James? Where were you? Why weren't you at the station? We were all worried sick!"
"You should be."
"What?"
The boy started shaking, like he usually did, but this time he managed to get a few words out.
"..Siri..us..r...un"
The older brother looked on in confusion, moving closer.
"Jamie...? What's wrong?"
"You Sirius. You're what's wrong."
"Huh? What did I do?"
Sirius grabbed his hand, which jerked away from him.
"It's more the fact of what you didn't do.."
Before Sirius could even react, James had his wand out and yelled the body bind curse in a matter of moments.
The once bright eyed boy sneered over his brother.
And that was when Sirius knew. It wasn't James.
This whole time..it wasn't him.
He kicked himself for not realising sooner.
"James... this isn't you, you have to fight against whoever's controlling you!!"
The boy let out a cold laugh, "he's been trying bless him, but can't seem to throw it off. Unfortunate for you: but great for me."
His body began to shake.
"Luckily, you won't be bothered by it much longer; he'll be free when he's completed his task."
"And when will that be?"
James raised his wand.
"In a few minutes."
Sirius looked at the wand point. He knew there was no use screaming as no one would hear. He could call an elf but then they would most likely die, and he had left his wand downstairs so he couldn't fight. Not that he would have anyway. He would never fight his brother.
He paused.
"If I'm going to die, I want to say something first."
The figure stayed quiet, so he assumed he was allowed to proceed.
"James, Jamie.. i have known you for years, you have been with me through thick and thin. And it was an honour. You've given me the life I've always wanted. A family. And I want to thank you for that."
The man in question started convulsing again, trying to fight against the voice in his head.
"You, me, Remus and Peter, we're the Marauders no matter what, alive or dead; and it was an honour to serve with you guys. We truly did get into some good mischief in our day. And its all because of you... but this Jamie.. this isn't. You are not to blame for this. That voice in your head is. And once this is all over, I want you to remember these words: you are innocent. And I forgive you."
"Sirius.."
There was so much emotion, all in that one word. That was his James!! He could even see the tears in his eyes! Had he brought him back?!
"Avada kedavra."
...
Silence.
That was all there was.
James was shaking.
Throwing his wand down on the bed was the first action in ages that he had been able to do himself.
The second; holding his now dead brothers body close.
The tears refused to stop.
He couldn't cope. No matter what Sirius said, it was his fault.
It was his wand who did it, his hand.
He would never forgive himself.
And he couldn't either.
If anyone else had killed Sirius he wouldnt forgive them, so why was he any different?
He reached out for a pen and paper, his other hand still wrapped around Sirius's lifeless form.
Dear mum and dad,
Sirius is dead. Well, i guess you can see that, but what you won't be able to see is that its my fault. I did this to him. I muttered the curse. Before he died.. before i murdered him, Sirius said it wasn't my fault, because i was under the imperius curse. I know you would say that too. But its not the truth. I am to blame. So I'm sorry. I'm just sorry. Tell Lily I'm sorry too. I would have loved to be a dad... but there is no world that exists where Sirius Black and James Potter aren't together.
All my love, James.
He folded the letter neatly, picking up his wand, and placing it on his bed where the item once was.
He held the piece of wood to his temple, a tear falling down his face.
There was a flash of green light, and then his body thumped to the ground.
Sirius Black and James Potter were brothers.
And even death would not part them.
