:Chapter Eight:

"His shoulder will be okay. He just needs to let it rest."

Sirius had woken up, but kept his eyes closed. He could hear it was Mr Benthoff that spoke.

"Of course, Mr Potter, you realize this could be a traumatizing experience. He may be a strong boy, but he's definitely not immune for emotional disorder. Keep an eye on him. We don't want him to- well, do things we'd blame ourselves for later on, because we didn't look after him."

"Of course. My wife and I will make sure he'll be out of trouble, until he's under Dumbledore's responsibility again."

"Excellent. Oh, good morning," Mr Benthoff said, as he saw Sirius open his eyes and sit up.
"I thought you'd never wake."

Sirius gave a greeting nod to Mr Potter. He combed a hand through his hair and turned to Mr Benthoff.

"What time is it, then?"

"Twelve o'clock."

"How do you feel?" Mr Potter then asked, as Mr Benthoff checked Sirius shoulder again. Sirius immediately noticed that most of the pain had worn off.

"Never better," he answered.

Mr Potter didn't know if Sirius meant that or if he was being sarcastic. He tossed a clean shirt he'd taken from home onto Sirius bed.

"Come on. I'm taking you home."

Sirius got dressed, got his arm rested in a sling, said goodbye to Mr Benthoff and together with Mr Potter left St Mungo's.

"Calm down, James!" Mrs Potter said a bit irritated. "You know Sirius. He likes sleeping."

James had been walking up and down the living room for the last fifteen minutes. With a nervous look on his face, he sat down next to his mother.

"But what if they keep him there forever!"

"James! It's just his shoulder. Not his brain or anything!"

It was then than they heard sounds on the other side of the door. James jumped up and hurried to the hallway faster than a Nimbus 1500.

"Finally!" he said as he spotted his father and Sirius. Sirius smiled, but it was a rather weak smile. Mrs Potter appeared around the corner too, now. She kissed her husband and suggested to have a cup of tea. As they walked into the living room, James told Sirius that Colonel Snobby had arrived at their house last night and that he had immediately sent him off again with Sirius' 'mysterious' letter. When he saw the horror in Sirius face, he also told him he hadn't looked at the address and had given Colonel the envelope upside down.

"Mum, we're going to Diagon Alley tomorrow. Could you arrange portkeys?"

Mrs Potter didn't seem to think that was such a great idea.

"Wouldn't it be better to just stay here for a few days?"

James frowned, "Why?"

"Well, I think Sirius would like to take it easy for a few days."

"Oh, no. I'm fine, ma'am."

Mrs Potter looked at him with a look of disbelieve in her eyes.

"I think it's best to stay here, guys." Mr Potter said.

"Why?" Both James and Sirius blurted out.

"Mr Benthoff said your shoulder needs rest, Sirius." Mr Potter said seriously.

"But it is resting, sir. I have the sling for that."

"We have to know for sure. Mr Benthoff said we had to keep an eye on you."

"What!" Sirius said in a way of great disbelieve, "And why's that? Am I not old enough to take care of myself? Does Mr Benthoff think my parents didn't teach me to be independent? Believe me, they taught me well enough to take care of myself, thanks!"

Sirius hated it if people treated him as if he was still a little child.

Mr Potter sighed, "It's not that, Sirius. He thinks you will- well- make wrong decisions…"

"Like what?" Sirius asked, having no clue what Mr Potter was talking about.

"Well…" Mr Potter started, "like-" he sighed. "…commit suicide I guess."

Sirius couldn't believe his ears.

"What! Commit- Me! James," he suddenly turned to his friend, "What would you do if I'd kill myself?"

The thought of it made a shiver run over James' back.

"I- I don't know... I can't imagine a life without you. I'd be lost and I'd miss you more than anything…"

Sirius turned back to James' parents again, pointing a finger in James' direction.

"See? You think I would do that to my friends, just because of some low sank losers who aren't even worth my time!"

It was quiet for a long time. After minutes, Sirius broke the silence.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you." He said hoarsely, looking out of the window.

"No," Mr Potter said silently, "You had the right to do so. It was foolish of us to think you would."

There was a silence again.

"I really admire your strength and courage, Sirius."

Once again Sirius snorted disgustingly.

"There's nothing courageous about running off."

"Hey," Mrs Potter said sternly, "Now you listen to me, Sirius. For goodness sake," she said, not believing how heartless Sirius' parents were. "They hurt you. You did not run off! You decided to leave. And you made a damn well decision in that!"

Sirius looked at her. Then he looked away again, slowly shaking his head.

"Sirius…" Mrs Potter continued, more quietly now, "Courage doesn't mean you have no fears. It means fighting for the things more important than your fears. And in this case it was you. Brilliant, smart, noble, good-looking Sirius. That is something worth fighting for, dear. You shouldn't keep effacing yourself. You're more loved and needed than you think."

Sirius turned his face to Mrs Potter again.
"Mum's right, you know. You're the best friend a guy could ask for!" James said, laying his hand on Sirius' shoulder.

Hearing all these things, made something if Sirius snap. He had had it with all those dark art freaks. All of them. If they wanted him, they had to come and get him. From now on, he would be fighting for the good side. Not just support. He would fight.

That day James and Sirius stayed at home. Most of the time, they lay in the garden.

There wasn't much talking, but they both felt these silences were good. They both got the chance to sort everything out. To process the heavy things that happened.

But even though they didn't say anything, they both felt that their friendship grew ever stronger.