"SIRIUS!" I screamed, hopping off my broom before I even reached the ground, stumbling forward to kneel by Sirius's still form. He was pale, his arm twisted in an odd angle, and there was a trickle of blood coming from somewhere on his head, staining the snow. "No! Sirius, wake up!"

"Sirius!" Regulus wailed. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to kill you! You were always my favorite relative! I'm sorry!"

"Regulus," Lily said, after carefully checking Sirius's pulse. "Sirius isn't dead, Reg."

"But look at him!" Regulus howled. "He's dead, I know he is! I killed my brother! I didn't mean to! My poor brother, I killed him!"

"Regulus, shut it," I snapped shakily. "Sirius isn't dead," I paused, and turned towards the house. "MUM! MUM, HELP!"

Within seconds, Mum was sprinting outside, reaching us in record speed. She took one look at Sirius, and immediately went into Healer mode, conjuring a stretcher and levitating Sirius onto it. She glanced at me, shaking ad probably pale as a sheet, and conjured another stretcher.

"Hop up, James," she ordered. I shook my head, opening my mouth to protest. "No buts, James. You look about to collapse, and I wouldn't be surprised if you did."

"Did I kill James too?" Regulus cried.

"Regulus, no one is dead," Mum assured him, to no avail. She sighed. "On second thought, all three of you need help."

"Sirius!" Regulus sobbed, as Mum levitated him on a stretcher. Mum gestured to the remaining stretcher, and, figuring I'd rather be closer to Sirius, I climbed on and sat cross-legged, reaching over and grabbing my best friend's hand. Still warm, I told myself, not dead.

"James, Sirius will be fine," Mum assured me. I ignored her, desperately trying to block out the memories. Sirius, cold, pale, bleeding, dead. I clutched his hand tighter, trying to focus on the slightly ragged but still present breathing "James?"

Regulus was muttering hopelessly beside me, "He's dead. I killed him. He's dead."

I shook my head. He wasn't dead. He wouldn't die. Not this time. I wouldn't allow it.

"James?"

"Is he…?"

"He is dead."

"Oh, James, I'm so sorry."

Dead, cold, gone forever. Not Sirius. Not my brother. Not Sirius.

"Wake up, Siri! You said you'd always be there!"

He's gone, he's dead, my best friend was dead.

"Mr. Potter, are you alright?"

He was never coming back. He was dead. Gone. Lost.

Sirius was dead.

"James? Ah, good, he's waking up," I groaned, and sat up groggily, vaguely recognizing that I was on the couch. Remus and Lily were standing over me, and Regulus was asleep on a chair nearby, face tear-stained. Snape was standing off to the side, looking awkward.

"Hey," I said. "What happened?"

"You, er, fainted again," Remus replied. "Flashbacks, I guess?"

"Yeah," I sighed. "Flashbacks…"

"Fate is cruel," Lily frowned. "To have this happen, just when you were getting better. I fear you'll get worse…"

"Hmm," I glanced at Regulus. "What about Reg?"

"He passed out too," Snape declared. "No one could convince him you and Black weren't dead. At least you weren't hysterical, Potter."

"I've told you, call me James," I smiled weakly at Snape, who looked surprised. "Where's Sirius?"

"Your mum's working on him, along with a couple other Healers," Lily answered. "She didn't think you'd be too happy if she took him to St. Mungo's."

"How is he?" I asked quietly.

"I don't know," Lily replied softly. "I'm sure it isn't bad, James."

"Lily's right," I glanced up. Mum had just entered the room. "James, it's nothing too bad, and certainly nothing irreversible. Broken arm, concussion, a couple broken ribs. He'll be absolutely fine."

I sighed in relief, slumping back into the couch. "Thank goodness you're a Healer, Mum."

"Yes, or I wouldn't have had the common sense to put you on a stretcher," Mum said, giving me a cross look. "Otherwise Sirius wouldn't be the only one with a concussion."

"Yeah, yeah," I chuckled half-heartedly. "Next time I'll listen right away."

Mum's face softened. "How are you, Jamie?"

"Fine," I replied, automatically blocking off my face. "As good as I'll ever be, considering exactly what seeing him like that reminds me of."

"Should I leave?" Snape asked tactfully. Mum smiled at him, and nodded. Snape nodded tightly, and left the room, followed immediately by Petunia, whom I hadn't noticed until now. She sent me a calculating look on the way out.

"Where's Pete?" I glanced around. Peter was nowhere to be seen.

"Peter is helping in the kitchen," Remus snickered. "Because Blinky promised he could lick the bowl."

"That's Peter, alright."

"James," Mum said seriously. "Really, don't block me out. I know that shook you, reminded you of Sirius's death in your timeline."

"You think?" I snapped. "Maybe, seeing him so pale and bleeding on the ground reminded me of exactly how he looked that night? Maybe my mind immediately went to his face, eyes staring at me- but he was dead! Dead!"

"James," Lily put a comforting hand on mine. "It's okay to talk about it."

"I know," I sighed heavily. "This sucks. Now the memories are back, and worse than ever!"

"Oh, Jamie," Mum smiled sadly. "I wish there was something I could do. Try putting your memories in the Penseive, it might dim them."

"I don't think anything could dim those memories," I said darkly. "I'll never forget."

"It's worth a shot," Remus pointed out.

"It is," I admitted. "And if someone looks in the Penseive?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it," Lily said. Just then, I heard a moan from across the room.

"What happened? Where's Sirius?" It seemed Regulus had woken up. "Where's James?"

"Over here, Reg," I called. He hopped up, and rushed over, hugging me tightly.

"James!" he cried. "You're alive! I didn't kill you!"

"Nope, you can't off me that easily," I laughed lightly. "Oi, Reg, you're suffocating me."

"Sorry," Regulus blushed, pulling away and looking around. "Where's Sirius!? Oh no! I did kill him! I killed my brother!"

"Regulus, relax," Mum shook her head, chuckling. "Sirius will be perfectly fine. Merlin, you are just like James."

I opened my mouth to protest.

"No, James, he is," I shut my mouth, and scowled half-heartedly. "You both overreacted."

"I'd hardly say I overreacted, all things considered," I defended myself. "Reggie is overreacting. We told him Sirius wasn't dead."

"He looked pretty dead," Regulus shuddered. "I never want to see something like that again."

"Neither do I," I whispered. Regulus had been one of the first besides me to see Sirius after his death. He'd been just as distraught as I was.

"Can we go see him?" Regulus asked. Mum rose and eyebrow.

"He's still unconscious," she declared. "Going to see him would be about as useful as trying to tear James away from Quidditch."

"I'm not that Quidditch obsessed."

"Really? Was it not you who said, and I quote, 'It isn't a sport! It's a way of life!'?" Lily teased, poking me in the shoulder. "You and Sirius live and breathe Quidditch, I swear."

"No we don't!" I protested. "At least, I don't. There are more important things like… friends and family."

"True," Lily chuckled.

"I want to see my brother," Regulus said determinedly. "I don't care if he's awake or not."

"I'd like to see him too," I agreed. "Just to reassure myself he's alive."

"You were scared, too?" Regulus gasped.

"Course I was, Reg," I smiled. "What, did you think I was emotionless?"

"No… it's just," Regulus seemed to be trying to find the words. "You're Gryffindor! Gryffindor's aren't scared of anything! They're brave!"

"Being brave doesn't mean you aren't afraid," I told him. "Being brave means facing your fears. Being brave means not giving up when you're scared. Being brave means always doing what's right, no matter the consequence."

"…Oh," Regulus said, looking thoughtful. "James…?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you think I'd make a good Gryffindor?" he asked. "Or am I just a coward?"

"You aren't a coward," I assured him. "I'm sure you'd make a great Gryffindor."

"Thanks, James," Regulus smiled. "Well, Mrs. Potter, lead the way."

"Of course," said Mum. "And, Regulus, do call me Aunt Carol."

"You're sure he's not dead?" Regulus asked the moment he saw Sirius. I nodded, walking over to sit behind my friend. "He looks pretty dead."

"No, look," I said, pointing towards Sirius. "He's breathing. I think he's just asleep."

"Yeah… he's not dead, then," Regulus replied, smiling. "Look, I wonder what those bandages are for?"

"On his chest? I dunno," I shrugged. "Mum says Healers do that."

"You think he'll wake up soon?" Regulus asked. "Cause he still looks dead."

"Regulus, do you even know what a dead person looks like?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Er… no," Regulus blushed. "I don't. But you don't either, I bet!"

"Actually," I said, lowering my eyes. "I do."

"I don't doubt that, Prongs," My head shot up so fast I swore I head a snap. Sirius was awake, and grinning weakly at us. "Hullo, you two."

"Welcome back to the land of the living, Pads," I beamed. Regulus nodded enthusiastically. "You alright?"

"Feels like a Hippogriff ran me over," Sirius groaned, trying to sit up, before falling back onto the bed. "Merlin, didn't your mum heal me?"

"She said she did," Regulus said unsurely.

"I'd bet she isn't done yet," I shrugged, and gestured to the bandages. "Bet that's why you're all bandaged up."

"She's not gonna make me stay in bed all break?"

"It's your own fault for falling off your broom, mate," I grinned cheekily. "Nearly gave Regulus and me bloody heart attacks!"

"Oh, well. No harm, no foul," Sirius chuckled. Regulus glanced down. "Oi, Reggie, what's wrong?"

"It's my fault you fell," he muttered. "I got you hurt."

"Nah, I lost control," Sirius laughed. "Hardly your fault."

"He was hysterical," I informed Sirius, and Regulus turned red. "He was screaming about how he killed you. He fainted."

"Shut up, you fainted first," Regulus scowled good-naturedly. "Again! This is the second time this year you've fainted, James."

"Must be something wrong with you, mate," Sirius teased, but he looked uneasy. "Anyways, where's Mrs. Potter? She needs to go ahead and bloody heal me."

"Play it up," I suggested. "Oh! I could punch you in the ribs."

"Yeah, you do that," Sirius snickered. "I'd like to see you try. You wouldn't," I smirked, and raised a fist. "Bloody heck, James, I was joking! Don't actually hit me!"

"I know; I wouldn't really hurt you," I assured him.

"Hmm…. That is a good idea, though," Sirius mused. "You know, actually, punch me."

"No!" I exclaimed. "Honestly, Sirius, it was a joke."

"Well, then you fix me."

"I don't know how to heal you," I replied. "Besides, there's probably a reason you aren't healed yet. It probably takes time. Patience is a virtue, Padfoot."

"Besides, you've had worse," Regulus pointed out. Sirius scowled. "It's true."

"Whatever," Sirius muttered. "So, Prongs, what I'd like to know is where you've seen a dead body."

"That is classified," I answered, avoiding his curious grey eyes. "I'd rather not talk about it, okay?"

"I understand," Sirius smiled reassuringly. "Not many people would… can you see the Thestrals?"

"Er… I dunno," I shrugged. "I haven't looked."

"Well, you can always see when we get back," Regulus said. "Tell me what it looks like! I'd love to see them."

"No you wouldn't," I replied bluntly. "Unless you'd like to see someone die."

Regulus paled, and Sirius's eyes widened.

"You've seen someone die?" Sirius gasped. "But- when? And who?"

I took a shaky breath, and grabbed Sirius's hand. "It doesn't matter. He- he's happy right now, I know he is… It was… a bit ago. It was- it was hard."

"I'm sorry," Sirius said, squeezing my hand. I found it ironic that he was sitting here comforting me about his own death. "I know there's nothing I could say that will help. Uncle Alphard- you remember him, right?- died this summer."

"I'm sorry," I replied. I hadn't remembered that, but, yes, that had happened, hadn't it? "I didn't know."

"It's fine," Sirius smiled. "He died in his sleep. I know he's happy."

"I'm sorry, James," Regulus frowned, looking quite upset. "I shouldn't have brought it up."

"No, it's okay," I assured him. "I- a lot of things remind me," I glanced at Sirius. "You remind me a lot of him, Pads. A whole lot."

"That's why you keep freaking out around me?" Sirius's eyes lit up in realization. "Oh! No wonder. Gee, what about me reminds you of him?"

"Everything," I laughed lightly, finding the irony of the situation very, very funny. "He was… he was a great person. He saved my life, more than once. Be glad you're like him."

"Am I like anyone?" Regulus asked eagerly. I chuckled.

"You," I said, ruffling Regulus's hair. "Are just like his brother."

"He had a brother!?"

Sirius and I exchanged amused glances, then started laughing. Regulus blushed, before laughing along with us. I was glad we could all get along.

A/N: I'm back! Siri isn't dead! Or even really all that hurt (no matter how much he plays it up). Sirius and Regulus know half the truth, and the irony is crazy! Thanks to Theta-McBride, N.E. Person, icecatfire, potterhead934, weasleychick32, and peevesisawesome for reviewing! Free Reggie and Siri plushies (virtual, of course)! Hope you all liked!