The first week in the past passed relatively smoothly. I was slowly, but surely, getting used to Sirius again. He was just as I remembered him, so it wasn't too hard. Except that I couldn't forget how he was when he died.

Another thing, I'd continued the habit of placing silencing charms around my bed. Nightmares were still a frequent, if not nightly occurrence. I didn't need the others waking up to me screaming 'I'm sorry' over and over.

Lily made the transition easily, chatting with Severus as if nothing had ever happened. I've been civil towards him too, because once me and Lily started dating we got on friendly terms. I also made sure to be polite to Regulus as well, who'd run away from home shortly after seeing how little his parents cared about his brother's death. He was a sweet boy, quieter than Sirius had ever been. He was no substitute for Padfoot, but we'd become friends in the last few months. He'd admitted to me that, besides Severus, he'd had no real friends in Slytherin. I sincerely hoped we'd all be friends again.

The only problem was Sirius. As much as I loved him, he could be a pretty big hypocrite at times. He'd go on and on about his parents' prejudices, but he was always completely blind about his own. All Slytherins are evil. All Gryffindors are saints. That sort of stuff. Not that I didn't have prejudices too. I've always thought that all Death Eaters were idiots, and now I'm convinced that most of them are heartless too. After all, no one with a heart would hurt anyone as much as they hurt Sirius.

Classes were excruciatingly easy. Still, Lily insisted it was good for us to get a brush up on all the third year junk we were learning. The teachers were all impressed with my sudden increase in skill and maturity. I don't think I'd've ever grown up had the Attack on Hogsmeade never happened.

Dumbledore had already stopped an attack. He'd gotten a Muggle family out of their house right before the Death Eaters showed up. Then, the Aurors stationed there arrested the Death Eaters. It was a miracle.

"Hey, James, you up for a prank on Snivellus?" Sirius asked eagerly. I glanced at him, and shook my head. "Why not?"

"Because Lily wants me to be nice," I replied nonchalantly. "So I'm trying to be nice. To your brother, too."

"Reggie? Why?"

"Because, he doesn't seem to have any friends," I rolled my eyes at Sirius's dumbfounded face. "Honestly, Sirius, you could stand to be a bit nicer to him. He still really looks up to you."

"Right," Sirius said dully, focusing on his food. "No, he's been corrupted by my parents. He doesn't look up to me. I wouldn't be surprised if he hated me."

"Now, Padfoot, who could hate Hogwarts's resident puppy?"

"I am not a puppy!" Sirius exclaimed, before laughing and shoving me playfully. "You're one to talk. I heard Lily call you Bambi the other day!"

"Bambi," I scoffed. "She loves her Disney! I've told her, Bambi is a baby! I'm not a baby!"

"No, you certainly aren't," I turned, and smiled as Lily took a seat next to me. "I'm amazed, James. You're actually on time to Transfiguration."

"Transfiguration is my best class," I winked. Lily chuckled. "What?"

"I know that, Prongs," she giggled, poking me in the shoulder. "I should expect you to have an O in this class."

Sirius glanced between us, then turned to me and mouthed, 'Does she know?'

'Yes,' I mouthed back.

"Hello, Sirius," Lily smiled. "Looking mischievous as always, I see."

"Mischievous!? Me?" Sirius gasped theatrically. "Never!"

"Hmm, more like dramatic," I nodded. Sirius scowled good-naturedly at me. "It's true. Dramatic and too bloody noble for your own good."

I frowned suddenly, a flood of memories overtaking me.

"No! Don't hurt him! Do whatever you want to me, but leave James alone!"

"Sirius! Don't!"

"Ooh, baby cousin! I might just take you up on that offer!"

"No!"

"Remember- fight back and the other one dies."

"Fine."

"Crucio!"

"James! James, snap out of it!" I shook my head, to see Lily looking at me nervously, and Sirius looked about ready to run for Madam Pomfrey. Lily sighed when I smiled shakily at her. "Oh, thank goodness."

"Sorry," I mumbled, "flashback." I glanced at Sirius, and hit him half-heartedly on the shoulder. "Bloody noble git."

"Hey, what did I do!?" Sirius exclaimed defensively. Lily giggled only slightly, and put a comforting hand on my shoulder. "What was your flashback about?"

"That's none of your business, Sirius Black, so you can keep to yourself," Lily reprimanded, speaking in the same motherly tone she'd used around Sirius ever since he'd run away.

"Yes, ma'am," Sirius replied. "Whatever you say, your majesty."

"Hmm," Lily narrowed her eyes, but said nothing.

"Smart move; don't argue with Lils," I nodded, chuckling half-heartedly, still trying to block the flashback from my mind. "It'll only make things worse for you."

"You would know," Lily grinned. "Wasn't it you mother that said we fight like an old married couple."

"Yes, it was," I smirked back. "Wasn't it you who turned bright red, stuttered a bunch, and ended up just yelling 'No!' and running out of the room?"

"Yes," Lily blushed. "I suppose it was," she sent me a pointed look. "But, if I recall, someone told me I'd make a good mother several months ago, before realizing what he said and dropping his yogurt down his front. Was that you, Mr. Potter?"

"Maybe," I replied, blushing as well. Sirius was laughing full out now, which made up for my mortal embarrassment, because I had missed that laugh.

"You two really do act like an old married couple!" Sirius gasped between spurts of laughter. "Jamie, already thinking about kids? What would your mum say?"

"If I know Mrs. P, she'd say, 'Ooh, grandchildren! Now, Jamie, not now, but when you grow up I expect lots of grandkids to spoil and send back to you,'" Lily declared, beaming. "And then James would turn red, mutter incoherently, and drop whatever food he was holding into his lap."

"Oh, be quiet," I scowled, but I think I ruined it when my lips twitched up and I started giggling. No. Not giggling, because guys don't giggle. I started chuckling. Manly chuckles.

"Anyone care to tell me why it sounds like James swallowed a balloon?" Remus asked, sitting down across from me. I immediately closed my mouth and held my breath to stop giggling- no, chuckling! "Prongs, you're turning blue."

"Sorry," I muttered, blushing. "I didn't swallow a balloon."

"Nah," Sirius laughed. "He swallowed a chipmunk!"

I scowled, this time refraining from giggling- chuckling- any more. I was fifteen years old. I didn't giggle.

"Well, don't suffocate yourself to save your reputation, Mr. Giggles-Aren't-Manly," Lily smirked. I swear sometimes she can read my mind. "Anyways, how are you, Remus?"

"I'm good, Lily," Remus smiled. "And you?"

"Wonderful," Lily beamed, glancing at me. I snorted. "Oh, James! Honestly, I was just poking fun at you."

"I know you were, Lils," I chuckled. "But Moony doesn't. He wasn't here," Sirius opened his mouth, probably to repeat what Lily had said earlier. "And don't say anything, Sirius!"

Sirius pouted.

"Well, I suppose since you won't tell me, I'm to guess it was rather embarrassing?" Remus grinned deviously. "So I should ask Lily or Sirius later?"

I groaned, and dropped my head onto the table. "Great. Just great."

I looked around my unfamiliar surroundings. No. Wait. I knew this place.

"Hullo, James," said a cold voice. I spun around to face the speaker. It was Sirius… except… it wasn't. He was covered in blood and his eyes were cold and dull. He walked towards me. "Surprised to see me? You should be. It was your fault I died."

"No," I exclaimed. "No. I tried, Sirius, I really did-"

"Of course you did," Sirius drawled lazily. "I suppose you didn't care enough to heal me, then?"

"Sirius, I- I didn't know how!" I cried. "I tried, I really did! Please, I didn't want-"

"Hmm, it's no wonder your parents can't stand you," I flinched. "They know what a no good, worthless scum you really are. Pity I didn't see it sooner."

"No, Sirius! Please, I tried," I exclaimed. Sirius sneered. "I tried…"

"You didn't try hard enough," he replied coldly. Suddenly, he started fading. I reached out to grab him, but my hand went straight through him. He was still looking at me with cold eyes as he disappeared.

Suddenly, the area was filled with screams. Lily, Remus, Peter, and Regulus were all being tortured, much in the same manner Sirius had been.

"James! Help us!" Lily cried. I tried to move, but couldn't. "James!"

"Please! Help!" Regulus shouted.

"James… up…"

"James, do something!" Remus yelled. "Can't you see we're in pain? Do something!"

"I can't!" I cried desperately. "I'm sorry, I can't!"

"C'mon, James, help us!" Peter whimpered.

"Wake… James…"

"James!"

"Make it stop, James!"

"I'm sorry!"

"Do something, Jamie!"

"Wake up…"

"James! Please!"

"JAMES!"

"I'm sorry, please, I'm sorry!"

"James! James, wake up!" I shot up in my bed, looking around wildly. Sirius, Remus, and Peter were all huddled around me, looking quite worried. I sighed. Of course. Another nightmare.

My silencing charms! I forgot!

"James, are you okay?" Remus asked anxiously. I nodded. "You sure?"

"You're white and shaking, mate," Sirius said unsteadily. "Gave us a bit of a fright."

"You were yelling," Peter added. "You were saying you were sorry for something."

"It was just a nightmare, guys," I insisted. "No reason for alarm. It's normal."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Remus prompted. I shook my head, unconsciously glancing at Sirius. No blood. Bright eyes. Alive.

"No," I whispered. "I want to forget."

"Then," Peter started, looking innocently confused. "Why don't you?"

"You can't forget some things, Pete," I replied softly, glancing at Sirius again. "Sometimes that's a good thing, but it can also be a bad thing. And no matter how hard I try, I don't think I'll ever forget."

Peter nodded, seeming to understand. I doubt he did though. Remus was eying me suspiciously, also glancing towards Sirius with narrowed eyes. Sirius just gave me a sad smile.

"If you can't forget," he said after a moment. "Turn it into something positive. There's always a bright side, a silver lining. Think of it that way, okay?"

That was such a Sirius thing to say that I just stared at him blankly. He'd said something similar to me, right before… right before he died. I smiled at him, blinking back tears. Sirius, Remus, and Peter seemed to think the trouble was over, and headed back to bed. I closed my curtains, and put up silencing charms.

I cried myself back to sleep.

A/N: Hullo! Thank you to krikanalo, Accalia Silvermoon, guest, N.E. Person, and potterhead934 for reviewing! Accalia Silvermoon and guest, you both guessed correctly! Free virtual cookies for you! Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Poor Jamie. This was mostly just a filler. Next chapter should have more action.

I still don't own Harry Potter.