Author's Note: Wow--you guys are awesome! I updated the story early in the day, and I came back with four reviews waiting! Glad to see this fic is snagging more readers/reviewers...reviewers are especially appreciated! Thanks to all of the following--
Elaine02: Hmm...you know, I was thinking about that, but I'm not entirely sure it will happen. At least, it won't in the first eight chapters (which are written). I'm debating between that and one other idea I have--you'll see what I mean later when I think it might be too soon. Okay, I'm rambling. Sorry.
Salazara: Glad to hear it--thanks much.
iceangle998: Here's your update! ;-)
N.E.W.T.S.: Hey, me too! Haha...good to know.
LouLou Writer 2005: Wow! Thanks for elaborating on what you like.
Porcelain Prayer: Awesome! That's the best thing for me; when people make exceptions about what they read for this story.
maneatingbananas: Good...I'm glad you think this is original. Really glad. By the way, I love the name.
The Mistress of Shadows: Wow, yourself! Oh, I love when people say this is funny...hey! Another cool name! Props.
SecretWanderings: Oh wow! That's the best review I've ever gotten, MNFF! I don't think I've ever been on anyone's favorite author's list, and like I said to Porcelain Prayer, for me the best thing is when people make exceptions in what they read for this story. I'm so glad I got you into these fics--there are some really awesome ones on here! Oh, and thanks for pointing out the mistake--I'm gonna go back to each chapter and edit when I have time. Okay, this is getting too long. ThAnK YoU So MuCh! (I'd read your fics, but I haven't finished the LoTR series, and I haven't gotten around to the last Star Wars movies yet.)
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Sirius's POV
Sirius woke up in the morning to someone muttering something. He turned over and saw that it was James.
"Sirius...Sirius...no..."
James was dreaming about him? He was twitching now—was he having nightmares? About him? Shaking his head, he got out of his four poster and changed into his robes.
"Don't...my fault...all my fault..."
What's your fault, mate? wondered Sirius. Thinking it best not to wake him, he headed toward the entrance and descended the stairs.
"Stay away...no...no...please..."
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Harry's POV
Harry woke up, but he didn't feel at all refreshed. Almost every night he'd had nightmares—nightmares about Sirius and the Veil, about Cedric and the graveyard, and his old, ever-recurring nightmare about Voldemort killing his parents. Last night it had been about Sirius. It cheered him up slightly that he was, at the moment, alive and well. Harry slipped his robes on with a trace of a smile on his face and noticed that Sirius's bed was empty. Deciding to look for him in the common room, he headed downstairs.
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Sirius's POV
The whole James-having-nightmares thing was really disturbing Sirius. He had been sitting next to the fire for hours, and he still couldn't figure out what was bothering James, or why it was disturbing him so much.
Hearing footsteps, he turned around to see James coming down the stairs. Everything about him looked the same...the jet-black, untidy hair, the long arms swinging at his side...but something was different...off about him that he just couldn't place. It frustrated him that his best friend, who trusted him more than anyone else in the world, might be hiding something from him.
But instead of expressing his concerns, Sirius smiled at his best mate and walked down to breakfast with him.
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Harry's POV
Harry could hardly believe how happy he was. It was like he was just floating through life, living only for the next laugh. At night he was haunted in his dreams by memories of what happened, or didn't have to happen, but the guilt and regret washed away like specks of dirt as soon as he woke up. They were replaced by a happiness so pure and fulfilling, he found the horrible feelings of dread that usually resided in his stomach replaced by nervousness and excitement. It was amazing what one day of having Sirius back in his life did to him.
Consequentially, he was so happy that he didn't notice Sirius becoming suspicious.
"So, what are the plans for today?" managed Sirius through a mouthful of bacon at breakfast.
"R—"
Harry had almost suggested the Room of Requirement, but then remembered Sirius hadn't known what that was last year.
"Couldn't sleep last night," he lied, "So I decided to go for a little exploring, but you were dead asleep, mate. Anyway, I think I found something new. Follow me."
For some reason, Sirius didn't look at all convinced. Harry was confused, but this was hardly the time to question him when he himself was point-blank lying with every word he spoke.
"You comin'?"
Sirius looked sadly at his half-eaten breakfast, then nodded and said,
"Yeah, but I bet you 10 galleons I already found it!"
A confident grin found its way onto Harry's face.
"You're on," he replied, "Let's go—I promise it'll be worth it,"
They started walking through the hallways. Suddenly, Harry said,
"Quick--think of what you want more than anything right now."
"I wouldn't say no to some food." Sirius grumbled. "What's this all about?"
"You'll see."
After about another minute of walking, they reached the entrance.
"Concentrate hard on, er...food, then."
"Alright," said Sirius, looking doubtful,
After about 15 seconds, a door appeared. Harry opened it and stepped inside—gone were the cushion, spellbooks, and everything the D.A. needed. Here—Harry suppressed a laugh—here was a soft couch, surrounded by food, all of which were separated in to different categories: breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, candy...
"Whoa!" exclaimed Sirius, "How in Merlin's name—"
As Harry explained what the room did, he could just see Sirius's brain working overtime to think of all the ways they could put this to use. Like pulling one over Snape, for instance.
"You owe me ten galleons, mate," said Harry.
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Sirius's POV
They stayed in the "Room of Requirement" for hours, just taking, laughing and eating, but Sirius's contentment kept being interrupted by thoughts of doubt and suspicion. Like the fact that Sirius was always a light sleeper, or that he knew for a fact James had been asleep—which meant that James was definitely hiding something from him. He was his best friend! Did he honestly think that he wouldn't notice anything?
Fortunately for James, the Room of Requirement was a great place to think up pranks. In no time, they had a plan, and after carefully observing the Marauder's Map, they had a general idea of where the Slytherin common room was. Oh, this was going to be fun!
Sirius stationed himself at Point B, their common room, covered by the invisibility cloak. Eventually, a couple oafs led him straight to the entrance and got him the password ("basilisk"). Everything was going according to plan, except for one problem—Sirius was not what you would call a patient guy. He was supposed to be waiting for James to reach him after gathering supplies at Point A, the kitchen. Sirius started fidgeting. Where was he? He shifted his feet.
God curse stinking ADD.
Sirius pulled the tow-way mirror out of his pocket.
"James," he whispered. His best friend's face appeared looking happy to see him.
"Sirius?" he said, "What's up?"
"Are you almost here?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Are you almost here? With the food?"
James looked completely bewildered.
"No, I'm not! Why would I be?"
Sirius was starting to get irritated. Was this some kind of a joke? If it was, it wasn't a very funny one.
"You know why! The prank? The Slytherin common room? The Room of Requirement?"
James was looking at him like he was insane—which was probably true, but that was beside the point.
"First of all, I don't even know what the 'Room of Requirement' is! And second, I'm at my house—like I said I would be—for break."
He turned his mirror around to show him the inside of the Potter Manor. Now Sirius was bewildered—what was he on about? He'd been hanging out with him for almost two days! Then he was angry—he hadn't been hanging out with James; he'd been hanging out with some kind of imposter! Sirius said a hasty goodbye and waited for J...the imposter to arrive, more impatient than ever.
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Harry's POV
This was taking Harry longer than he'd expected—for one thing, he didn't have Sirius to help him carry all this. Then there was the fact that he didn't have the invisibility cloak, and kept having to dodge teachers.
Eventually, he found his way to the dungeons, almost falling over with the weight of the bulk in his arms.
He wanted to stay here and do this forever. Not only was seeing Sirius fulfilling his dreams, but the way there were living was more fun than Harry had ever had.
"Sirius," he whispered, ready to start having fun.
Fun was not what he was going to get.
Sirius ripped off the cloak, looking angrier than Harry had ever seen him.
"Who are you?"
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Author's Note: Oooo, cliffhanger! Get used to them...cause you'll be seeing a lot of 'em...Oh, and I have a new story in the works, so keep an eye out for it! ReViEw!