Chapter 2: Something's Wrong
Early the next morning, Sirius reached the house of the Potters. Panting, he reverted back into his human for, and rang the doorbell. Then he rang it again, and a third time. Finally, he heard feet coming down the stairs.
A voice called out, "I'm coming! Jeez!" Sirius knew that voice. It was…
"James," he said, as soon as he saw his friend.
"Sirius! It's right early for a visit, don't you think?" James asked. Then he noticed the bruise forming below his friend's eye. "Bloody hell, mate, what happened?"
"Long story. Hey, can I come in?"
"Of course you can," James said, leading Sirius inside. The two sat down at the kitchen table. "So, when'd you leave? I mean, you must've been running…"
"All night, yeah."
Just then, Rosanne Potter came downstairs. She was wearing her bathrobe and slippers. "James, dear? Who was at the door?" Then she walked into the kitchen and spotted Sirius. "Oh, Sirius, dear! Hello!"
Sirius smiled. Roseanne was always happy to see him. "Hello Mrs. Potter. Sorry about barging in like this…"
"Oh, don't be silly, dear, you know you're always welcome here."
"Thanks Mrs. Potter," Sirius said gratefully.
"Goodness, dear! What happened to your eye?" She walked over to Sirius and took his chin in her hand, turning his head so she could better examine the bruise.
"Oh, that. Heh," Sirius laughed nervously. He never liked discussing his father's abusive habits. "I was… in a hurry to leave, and I banged it on the… heh… yeah…" he trailed off with sheepish laugh, stopping his explanation when he noticed the suspicious looks coming from James and his mother.
"You know you can't lie to us, mate," James reminded him.
"I know, but I had to try," Sirius smiled.
"Did your father hit you again?" Mrs. Potter asked.
"… Yeah," Sirius said quietly.
Mrs. Potter took out her wand and placed it on the bruise, murmuring a healing spell. The bruise shrank until it was barely visible.
"Thanks."
"No problem, dear. Now, how about we get some food into you? I'll make breakfast."
"That'd be great, Mrs. Potter. Thanks."
James, however, was concerned. Sirius's voice lacked the usual enthusiasm it held at the mention of food. "Hey, everything okay, mate?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, why?"
"You're acting weird."
"Weird how?"
"Just weird."
"Whatever," Sirius smiled. James grinned in response. Sirius would talk when he was ready.
And so the day wore on. After eating breakfast, Sirius went up to James's room to catch up on his sleep. Even after he woke up, Sirius continued to act distanced and sad. James was worried. He knew something was wrong, but whenever he asked Sirius, Sirius would laugh and shrug it off, saying it was James's imagination.
When they finally had to go to bed, James said, "You go on up, I'll be there in a sec."
"Alright," Sirius replied, and he hurried up the steps to James's room.
James went to his mother. "Mom?"
"Yes, dear?"
"Something's up with Sirius, but I can't get him to tell me what."
"I know dear. And it can be frustrating. I'm worried too. But people like Sirius… they just need time. Give him time and space and he'll come around. I'm sure he'll talk to you when he's ready."
"I know. I'm just worried. Something's wrong."
A/N: Just so you know, James and his mom are not clueless. Here's how I see it: Sirius has run to James's before, and he's always been fine, you know, acitng normal. But now, he's worried, because he knows he can't go home, and he doesn't know where he'll go. That's why he's acting weird, and James noticed that Sirius wasn't his normal self. So, no, James and his mom are not clueless.