Well, ya'll, im heading out to LA in a few days, so I think yall deserve a chapter before I go. Nice of me, yes?

Magma Rose: could be...my friend had to give me a therapy session after I read the 5th book. It took a big can of icing to calm me down.

BrennQT: James is a sweetheart, isn't he? I'm really working hard on this story to concentrate on James and Sirius's friendship above all else. Everyone else can offer sympathies and pity and love, but its what comes from James that matters. They're so cute!

Goldenlioness4: haha, don't forget your own story. People start threatening your life when you do that. And I say that from experience. Haha. Glad you like

Cute and lovable: hmmm, you know, I'm not sure if they should know. I mean, it seems like it wouldn't be too hard to figure out, especially for remus, but I really hate peter, and I don't want him to know. So if thats how it goes, I need to find a way for remus to know but not peter. Sigh...

Jojo: well, Sirius left his trunk at hogwarts over the break. I really don't see why those kids lug that whole thing home for a few days. He had his wand in his pocket when he flew over to the Potters.

U don't know mi: I take it you like chewy kinds of candy. Were I a sweets person, I would have taken all that from you about ten years ago, but I prefer things like chips...yummm...anyways, I'm sorry abt the elf story, its just not coming to me anymore. I'm sad abt it too. But you like this one, and I refuse to give this up! So horray!

And thanks to everyone else who reviewed–sometimes twice–I absolutely love you all! Well, heres a chapter for you. I am off to collect my brother from day camp and indulge in the Phantom of the Opera...Gerald Butler...drool...

Chapter 7

Carter arrived the next day to check up on Sirius. He finished making his notes and said to the family and patient, "Well, you're doing great, Sirius. Most of the bruises have disappeared, as well as the smaller cuts." He pointed to a few of the more serious ones saying, "These, however, are going to leave scars. Of course, you can get that magically taken care of."

"No," Sirius said quickly. Carter raised a brow. "Some things you should never forget," Sirius said.

Nodding, Carter continued, "You still have at least four weeks in that leg and chest cast, and I'm going to keep the spells on your lungs intact for another week, just to be safe."

"Can I shave soon," Sirius asked rubbing the near two week stubble on his face. "I don't mind a bi of stubble, but I'm getting a beard here."

James laughed, "It's just a bit more fur, Padfoot!" The adults looked at him strangely.

Carter smiled, "If you want to reopen that gash on your cheek, go for it."

Sirius huffed, "I'll wait."

The Potters made Carter's payment, and the healer asked, "When does the school term start again?"

"They go back in two days," Jacob answered.

Carter nodded. "All right. I think it would be best if Sirius didn't go back for another week. You still need to get in more healing and some time out of bed. Two days isn't enough."

"Um, how am I going to get around the school?" Sirius asked. "If my leg is healing naturally, then I sure can't walk on it yet."

"No," Carter said. "Next time I come by, I'll have a wheelchair for you, magically altered, of course."

"Rumors are going to spread like mad," James said after the adults had left the room. Sirius nodded. Biting his bottom lip, James asked, "Padfoot, do you want Moony and Wormtail to know about this?"

The smirk playing on Sirius's face immediately fell, and his eyes widened. Biting his healing bottom lip, Sirius wondered. Would it be right of him to keep it from them after James knew? They were his friends too, after all. But then again, as much as Sirius valued their friendship, they were no where near to the same level as James.

He hadn't even been ready to let James know about his home life. It had just happened. If he had been unprepared for James to know, then he could never go about telling the others. But his bandages would not go unnoticed, especially not the leg cast. The wheelchair would be a bit conspicuous, too. Maybe he could pass it off as an accident.

Then there were the teachers. He especially didn't want them to know. Too many people already knew of his weakness. But they would have to be told something.

"No," Sirius answered. "I don't know what I'll say, but I don't want anyone to know about this." James nodded. He knew better than to press the matter and state the obvious. "Code shake on it," Sirius said raising his hand.

James looked indignant. "You don't trust me," he cried.

Sirius raised a dark brow. "This coming from the bloke who dyed my hair bright pink while I was sleeping."

"You should have been on guard," James said lifting his own hand. They performed the shake, finishing it off with a good spit. James's stomach began to growl. "I'm going to go grab some food. Want anything?"

"Surprise me," Sirius said, and James walked away smirking.

The next day James sat at the foot of his bed laughing along with Sirius. "You going to miss me on the train, Jamie?" Sirius teased.

"Oh, of course, Siri," he said back. "It's the only one I haven't ridden with you for." He ducked the pillow Sirius chucked at him.

"Don't call me Siri," he said, only slightly serious. "Only my cousins call me that." James laughed.

"I'm sure you won't miss that," James said. "You did hear Mum the other day, right? She said that you're staying here all this summer. No ifs, ands, or buts about it."

"Very assertive, your mother," Sirius noted.

"What? You didn't notice before," James asked. The two boys laughed.

"Did I hear someone making comments about me," a jolly voice asked. The boys turned to the doorway to see Kaelin standing with her hands on her hips, a small smile playing at her face. Jacob was smirking behind her.

"Now boys," Jacob said, "Surely you remember all my warnings? Wait till she's shopping or in the kitchen to say such things." He laughed as his wife pinched his sides.

"Well," James asked, "wasn't she just in the kitchen?"

Kaelin smiled and flicked her wand. A tray of sandwiches and lemonade floated into the room. "I've brought lunch up."

"Thanks, Mum," James said reaching for a sandwich. "Momma's special lemonade," Sirius said gulping down a glass. Kaelin sat by her son, and Jacob settled at James's desk. Kaelin tried to ask the boys whether or not the professors had begun teaching for NEWTs, but James cut her off. They were still on vacation after all.

Sirius chuckled at the grimace on James's face and took another sip of sweet lemonade. They were such a carefree family. They could laugh and joke with each other. The Blacks' idea of family bonding usually involved plotting Muggle destruction.

But Sirius shouldn't be thinking of that now. He was away from them. The Potters were looking after him now, and they loved him. So why did his stomach suddenly drop?

Sirius's eyes widened, and his hands began to shake. The cold was spreading through his entire body. He immediately began to squirm, trying desperately to disappear into the pillows and blankets around him. "No," he muttered.

The Potters all stood in alarm. "Padfoot!"

"Sirius," Jacob asked, "What's wrong?"

Sirius stared out the bedroom door in fright. "They're here!"

The small family jumped at the bang of their front door flying open. A deep voice screamed out, "POTTER!"

"No way," James breathed.

Kaelin's hazel eyes narrowed dangerously. "They wouldn't dare," she hissed as she stormed from the room, wand clenched tightly in her fist. Jacob tore after her, and James moved to consol his frightened friend.

"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing in my house," they heard Kaelin scream.

"Where is the boy," Mrs. Black's harsh voice demanded.

"I believe my wife asked you a question," Jacob growled.

"As did mine," Mr. Black retorted. "Where is the boy?"

"Sirius is no longer any of your concern, Black," Jacob answered. "You forfeited that right after what you did to him."

"The boy is ours to with as we will," Mrs. Black stated.

"As you will," Kaelin cried. "You almost killed the boy! He was in critical condition for days! Unconscious over a week!"

"Punishment," Mr. Black scoffed and his wife continued, "He should not have acted so foolish. His behavior was unacceptable and required correcting."

"You don't need to explain yourself to these blood traitors, my dear," Mr. Black's smooth voice said. "What do they possibly understand of honor and merit? These creatures who associate with Mudbloods and house worthless blood traitors?"

Sirius squeezed his eyes shut and pressed his hands to his ears. He didn't want to hear this. He couldn't stand to hear it anymore. Distantly, he felt James wrap a comforting arm around him. Why were they here? He ran away! He didn't want to be around them anymore! They didn't really want him. They told him what a disgrace he was all the time. Why couldn't they just leave him alone?

"Now, we demand that you return our son to us," Mr. Black said.

"Absolutely not," Jacob thundered. "Not after what you did!"

The boys could hear the clinging of coins. "If it is about the healer expenses, we will reimburse you."

Kaelin exploded. "How dare you! First you hurt that innocent boy, then you intrude into my home thinking you can pay us to give him back to you! Who do you think we are? I assure you we are not so cold hearted and shallow here."

"Then you will return him to me," Mrs. Black demanded. "After all, I am his mother."

"Some mother," Kaelin snapped. "I'm positive that I loved that boy more the first day he was in my house than you have his whole life. I was still suspicious of him them. I still thought he was like you. Fortunately, I was wrong about Sirius, but I see that I was right about the two of you all along."

"You question our motives involving the boy?"

Jacob snorted loudly. "That's some sick love," he sneered.

"Love is for the weak," Mr. Black said. "And this is getting past the point of ridiculousness. The boy is not yet an adult. We are his parents, and as such, we demand that you return him into our custody immediately."

"He doesn't want to go back with you," Jacob yelled. "He wants and needs to be with people who love and care about him. You certainly don't. James is his best friend. Sirius will stay here with us."

Sirius was faintly aware that James's arm was no longer around his shoulders. In fact, James himself had gone somewhere. Several loud thuds sounded, like someone storming down a flight of stairs.

"Get out of this house," James's voice angrily carried through the Potter home. Normally, Kaelin would have protested her son's behavior, but here she did nothing. "You have no right to be here."

"Don't meddle, boy," Mrs. Black snapped.

"Don't speak to my son like that," Jacob threatened.

James marched up defiantly in front of the Blacks. "Leave, you filthy witch," he hissed. "Leave or we'll call a Ministry official. I'm sure they'd love to know exactly what you've been doing to your son for past ten years."

"Your chances to safely leave this house are growing thin, Mr. and Mrs. Black," Jacob said. "I suggest you take the one you have left."

The house was silent for several minutes.

"This isn't over yet, Potter," Mr. Black threatened before the door slammed shut.

The Potters gave each other worried glances before tearing up the stairs back into James's room. Sirius was still curled up on the bed as best as his injuries would let him. He was shaking. Kaelin walked slowly over to the bed and gently tried to lower the boy's hands, which were pressed firmly to his ears. He jerked away from her and tried to shrink further into the headboard.

James stepped around his mother and placed a light hand on Sirius's shoulder. "Padfoot," he said. Sirius's hands left his ears and moved instead to grip at his hair. "Padfoot, mate, it's okay. They left. We told them off. They won't be bothering you anymore."

Sirius shook his head madly. "It's not," he insisted. "They're never going to leave me alone."

"You're not going back," James said. "They know that. We told them."

Sirius continued as if he hadn't heard James. "I'm a failure. They can't have a failure. They have to correct it." He lowered his head to his knees and covered it with his arms. "They'll never stop."

Awww, my poor baby! and it only gets worse...oops :D