James

I watch Padfoot leave, sighing. That… did not go well.

Moony rests his hand on my shoulder. "It was a good try. Thank you."

I shrug. "I guess."

"I'll talk to him later, once he's had a chance to cool off."

"Thanks Moony." I smile sadly at him.

"He's scared he's going to lose you, I imagine. Once we've graduated. At Hogwarts it's easy - everyone lives together, they hang out naturally. I think he's worried that… well, you've been avoiding him some. Not that that's wrong! You have to, of course, to get time with Lily. But maybe it'll be easier for him, once we graduate. Once he gets to see you actively trying to spend time with him."

I nod. That makes sense. It's just inconvenient - I want things to be ok with Padfoot now. But the idea everything will someday be ok again? That's a relief.

"Keep reaching out to him. Especially after you've moved in with Lily."

Yeah. I can do that.

We sit there for a while. I'm trying to collect myself; I imagine Moony is too.

"Ok. I'm going to head up to the library; I think Lily went there after breakfast. Want to come?"

We begin the trek back up towards the castle. But before we get far, something slams into me.

I turn around. "Padfoot!"

He's in his dog form. Up on his hind legs, front paws propped against my chest for balance. My face quickly becomes coated in slobber as he licks me enthusiastically.

I glance over at Moony; he looks shocked. I'm sure I do too. For a moment we just stand there.

I have no idea how to address him. He's so obviously delighted to see us. But not half an hour ago he was so upset with me.

But I don't have to decide, thank goodness - Moony steps in.

"Hey boy," he coos, petting Padfoot.

Wagging his tail like mad, he jumps up on Moony instead, freeing me.

Moony laughs and pushes on Padfoot's shoulders. "Down, boy!"

It works.

He seems to be responding well to Moony… I guess acting like nothing's wrong is the way to go.

Ok. I can do that too. I pet him.

More tail wagging. Excellent.

He flops onto his back, rolling around with his belly in the air. Moony kneels down to pet his belly.

All of a sudden, Padfoot leaps up. He grabs a stick from under the tree and drops it at our feet.

Moony laughs. "Sure!"

We misaim once, and the stick goes sailing into the lake. Padfoot runs after it anyway, wading into the shallow water by the shore. He comes out soaking wet, but triumphant, stick clasped firmly in his mouth.

As soon as he get close to us, he shakes the water off violently.

"Eugh, Padfoot!"

I fish a dry bit of shirt out from beneath my cloak, and use it to wipe off my glasses.

Padfoot is shivering from the cold lake water, but I'm sure he'll warm up soon enough, with all the exercise he's getting.

Sometimes he fights us for possession of the stick, bringing it back almost to us, dropping it half out of his mouth, but then latching on violently as soon as we move to pick it up. This time he seems to think he's done enough mischief, though - he drops it at our feet without a fight.

After that, we're more careful about where we throw the stick.

Padfoot runs out of energy before we do, but it's a close call. Even though I did much less running than him, I've long since had to remove my cloak.

We sprawl out in the grass together, staring at the sky and grinning. Well, Moony and I do. Padfoot is lying on his belly, tongue hanging out, panting.

Everything feels relaxed and easy between the three of us. The way it should be.

I have studying to do, and Lily's probably wondering what's keeping me, but I don't want to go. Moments like this have been hard to come by over the past year.