I know that I fail at updating, but here's what happens: I start a story. Make a few chapters. Take a break…the break turns into a hiatus. I come back, can't remember what happens next in the story. Then when I remember and am ready to continue I don't think anyone will be interested anymore. So, that's what happens. I'll try to stop sucking and get her done.

Adventures in the Afterlife

The Potter's Home

"Yes?" said James "What do you want?"

Sirius was frozen with shock and fear. There was James, squinting angrily at him as he had done only a handful of times in his life. "Does he not remember me?" Sirius' brain normally wouldn't have entertained the thought that when he did meet up with James again, that James would have forgotten their friendship.

"Are you trying to sell me something? Well, you're not doing a very good job, sir." James stood waiting for a response. Sirius just took a step back and mumbled something about 'workplace performance'

"I…" started Sirius staring at the cracked boards beneath him, but he could barely take a breath before James finished "…are an idiot. Yes, I know." Sirius looked up sharply to see James fussing in his pockets. "Ah!" he said finally. As he wiped the lenses of a pair a thick rimmed glasses with his tattered shirt he squinted up at Sirius, and as if responding to some psychic question he continued, "So I can see the dumb look on your face." With that James slipped the glasses onto his face with one hand. That hand fell to his side as quickly as he had raised it, as though all the nerves in it had died simultaneously when he saw the face of the person standing on his porch.

Sirius shook off the tingling in his fingers and plucked his voice up from somewhere far below him where it had been hiding for the last few minutes. "Hello, James. Nice to see you again." Sirius addressed him in a jovial fashion that suggested he last saw James a matter of weeks ago. Now it was James' turn to play stupid. Sirius stood smiling in a bemused sort of way. The initial shock of actually seeing his best friend in the flesh (so to speak) had worn off, now he could go back to regarding James as he had most of his life: like the brother he never had, and Sirius was sure if he ever had a brother (whom he liked), he would taunt him mercilessly.

"Looking a little brain dead around the face, there James. Might want to close your mouth before you drool all over that lovely shirt of yours." Sirius' remarks seemed to snap James out of his trance.

"You're right, Sirius. One-hundred percent cotton, you know." And with that both men broke into large smiles and negotiated themselves into a strong embrace.

"It's been a while." croaked Sirius. His voice faltered over the tears he was trying to restrain.

"Sure has." replied James in the same broken tone. The men broke away from each other and took a few moments to turn their heads slightly a grunt a little while they pulled themselves back together.

"So!" exclaimed James turning back to face Sirius and clapping his hands together roughly, "Tea then?" he turned into the house and beckoned Sirius to follow.

The house seemed to be in extreme shades of orange and brown. A crackling fire provided some background noise to an otherwise deadly quiet scene. "Well, I'll put on a kettle, and you…just sit down make yourself at home and all that." James retreated behind a door that swung backward and gave Sirius a fleeting glimpse of the very pink kitchen. Sirius surveyed the room and the array of mismatched furniture it held. There was a deep red sofa next to a wooden armchair with a high back and several comfortable looking chairs that had different colored blankets strewn over their backs. They were all huddled awkwardly together in the far corner even though the room would allow all the furniture to be spread more spaciously around. Sirius took a seat in the chair nearest to the fire. He took a long breath and let himself sink into the chair. The comfort he should be feeling being in James' home again was very absent. Everything looked very homey. A vague scent of baking cake hung heavy over him. The room was positively glowing with warmth…and yet, something was very missing. Sirius thought hard. He struggled with his memory and his mind to figure out what was wrong here. It sat lazily on his tongue like some stupid piece of trivia that he was trying to force out of his brain. What was wrong here? What was…?

"You alright, mate?" Sirius' eyes flew open. James stood over him holding a tray laden with a kettle, two fine looking teacups equipment with matching saucers, and an assortment of small tea cakes. Sirius stared for a moment. "You looked sort of pained there. Just wondering if you're okay." James set the tray on the mahogany coffee table. Sirius realized that in his concentration he must have been making a really horrible face. He relaxed a little, letting the heavy creases in his face un-furrow themselves. He directed his attention to James who was dragging another armchair like his across the rug towards him. James fell heavy into the chair then began scooting the coffee table along so it sat a little closer to the pair.

James raised his eyes to Sirius face and smiled again. Sirius didn't speak, so James busied himself with pouring the tea into the cups and putting a couple cakes on the saucer along with a small stirring spoon.

Then it hit him. The silence was what had unnerved him, but it was much more than that. Sirius could never remember spending a silent moment in the Potter's home. THAT WAS IT! It was the Potter's home!

"Say James…" Sirius sat up very quickly and spoke with the enthusiasm of a small child calling his mother. James lifted his head slowly from arranging the little cakes on the plate and met Sirius' gaze with look of distant foreboding in his eyes, but Sirius ignored it and plowed on. "Where's Lily?"

DUN DUN Dunnn! Tune in next year when we find out where Lily is!

Actually, I've already begun the next chapter. I just decided to break it up this part and the next part for the sake of updating and for dramatic value. REVIEW PLZ! OMG!