"Sirius," I whispered. His wide grey eyes focused on me, and for a moment, I thought he didn't recognize me. "Siri... how are you?"

"James?" Sirius asked, and I let out a sigh of relief. He knew me. "What happened? Where am I?"

"You're at St. Mungo's," I answered, smiling slightly. I had been worried. "I guess you don't remember? How much do you remember?"

"Um... Regulus got resorted," Sirius replied. "And I think we went by your place. Then it's all a blank."

He looked at me fearfully. "What's wrong with me? Why can't I remember?"

"Well," I said, biting my lip. He'd forgotten a lot more than I'd hoped. "You were being an idiot in class-"

"Go figure," Sirius snorted.

I chuckled fondly. "And then you were an even bigger idiot and tried to go with us on the full moon. And we both got hurt."

"Sorry," Sirius winced.

"It's fine," I said. "I was more worried about you. Anyways, that evening Reg got a Howler, which he ripped in half-"

Sirius let out a barking laugh. "Brilliant!"

"Um, then you and Moony and Pete went to Hogsmeade and there was an attack," I continued. Sirius paled. "Remus was taken by Bellatrix-"

"What!?" Sirius exclaimed, shooting up. "We've gotta get him back- ow!"

"Calm down, don't give yourself a headache. We have," I assured him. Sirius nodded, and laid back down, clutching his head. "You got hurt in the rescue mission- I... I don't even know what happened. Voldemort showed up; he cursed you after you teased him. You told me to go get Remus, that you'd hold him off. When I got back outside..."

I took a deep, shaky breath. "I thought I'd lost you again."

"Oh," Sirius said. "Whoops?"

"Whoops?" I repeated."Whoops? That's what you have to say? Padfoot, you could have died!"

"Yes, that seems to be a recurring theme here," Sirius replied, smiling cheekily. "If I had a quarter for every time you've told me that..."

"This is serious, Padfoot!"

"I know; I am Sirius."

"For once in your life, can you just realize that life isn't a joke!" I exclaimed. Sirius looked slightly hurt, and I immediately regretted getting angry with him. "I'm sorry, Siri, I lost my temper-"

"I don't think life is a joke," Sirius said softly, and there was an undertone to his voice I didn't really like. "I know that more than anyone, James. My parents tortured me- just because I was different! My own cousin wants to kill me! Forgive me if I have no self-preservation, but, you know, my life never really mattered to anyone until you came around! I was just there; miserable, lonely, living in the loosest sense of the word! Maybe I like to pretend life is good to keep myself going! Maybe the only thing I really have is humour! I never had a childhood; my life was always a living nightmare! Maybe I'd like it to be all sunshine and daisies for once in my life!"

I flinched, feeling absolutely horrible. "I'm sorry, Sirius. I didn't mean to say that. It's just... you're always so nonchalant when I'm worrying my head off about you."

"Well, you'd be the first person to ever do that," Sirius laughed mirthlessly.

"Regulus cares for you," I said. "And your uncle Alphard, he likes you, right? And Andromeda"

"Uncle Alphard was disowned when I was younger," Sirius replied. "And if Regulus or Andy showed any affection towards me, they were punished."

"I know I've said this before," I said. "But your parents are really messed up, mate."

"Don't I know it," Sirius sighed dramatically. Just then the door creaked open, and my mum walked in. She caught sight of me immediately.

"James Charlus Potter!" she cried. "What are you doing here! There are no visitors allowed!"

"I, for one, am glad he came," Sirius piped in. Mum fixed her gaze on him, eyes widening comically.

"Sirius!" she exclaimed. "Why, you weren't supposed to wake up for another two days at the earliest! How are you? How much do you remember, dear?"

"Er, I'm fine-"

"Which means something feels bad," I added. "Sirius, just tell Mum the truth; she's here to help."

"Oh, alright," Sirius muttered. "My whole body aches, does that help?"

"I assumed as much," Mum sighed. "Voldemort used some kind of variation of the Cruciatus on you."

"Urgh, I've had enough of that spell," Sirius groaned.

"I know you have sweetie," Mum cooed, before her eyes hardened slightly. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't hand over your medical record to the Aurors and have your parents arrested for severe child abuse."

"You can't!" Sirius exclaimed. "They're politically powerful, and they're vindictive. They could hurt you!"

Mum sighed. "I figured you'd say that. Alright," she took out a clipboard. "Alright, so we know you're sane and you remember at least up until Christmas, right?"

"Yep," Sirius said.

"He remembers up to a couple of days ago," I explained. "His sanity is still up for debate."

"Shut it, Prongs," Sirius grumbled half-heartedly.

"Bad dog," I said.

"Really? That isn't going to work on me!" Sirius exclaimed indignantly, turning away, but I could see his shoulders slump, and he glanced at Mum. "I'm not bad, right?"

Mum chuckled. "No, Sirius, you aren't bad. Well, what were you boys talking about?"

"Sirius was moaning and groaning about his life and I was awkwardly trying to shut him up?" I suggested.

"Nah, I was giving an emotional speech about my childhood, and James was trying to be optimistic for once," Sirius counter, grinning.

Mum raised an eyebrow. "Well, then... James, why don't you go and tell your friends the good news while I care for Sirius?"

"No!" Sirius cried theatrically, sitting up quickly. "Don't leave me here alone, James! Save me! Bust me out! I'd do it for you!"

"I'll bust you out when you can stand on your own," I said.

"But I can!" he declared, trying to climb out of bed. Mum pushed him back in. "Hey! Aunt Carol!"

"You're staying put," she said sternly. "No escapades for you, mister, not until you're better."

"But I am better!" Sirius protested futilely.

"Sorry, Pads," I said. "But I better go."

Sirius pouted, and I just smiled at him and left the room, listening to his futile arguments of, "I'm fine" to my mother.

"There you are James!" Regulus exclaimed as soon as I entered the dorm. "How's Sirius?"

"Stubborn as ever," I declared. "He woke up while I was there; shame, he forgot your destruction of the Howler. But he remembers up until a little time after you became a lion."

"He's okay!" Regulus shouted gleefully, drawing the attention of Remus, who was reading a book on the other. "Sirius is okay! My big brother's okay! He remembers use! He's sane!"

"If he's anything like usual, that's up for debate," Remus said, closing his book. "So he's awake?"

"Yep," I beamed. "Mum said he wasn't supposed to be awake yet- I, er, snuck back there. Visitors aren't allowed."

"Oh," Regulus's face dropped slightly. "At least he's alright!"

"Yes, thank goodness," I said, dropping onto my bed. "I couldn't bear to lose him again... that scared me so bad... walking out there and seeing him on the ground like that- I thought- I thought he was..."

"Dead," Remus completed hollowly. "I know; it scared me too."

"I'm glad I wasn't there," Regulus shivered. "Seeing that scene in your pensieve was plenty, thank you very much."

"I agree," I sighed. "That day was possibly the worst day of my life. Of course, at this rate, that might change; it's like Sirius is trying to get himself killed."

"You don't think," Remus said slowly. "He actually is trying to get himself killed, do you?"

Regulus and I stared at him.

"No way!" I exclaimed.

Regulus shook his head adamantly. "No, Siri wouldn't do that."

"It was just an idea," Remus shrugged. "I'm sure he wouldn't. But he is pretty reckless when it comes to his own safety."

"Yeah, he explained that to me," I said softly. "He grew up with no one- except Reg, of course, and Andromeda- caring about him. I guess he doesn't think his life is worth as much."

"It isn't," Regulus declared. "It's worth more."

"I completely agree," I smiled. "But I guess that's to us."

"I wish we could help," Regulus muttered.

Remus smiled warmly at us. "But you are helping. You care about him. That has to help, right?"

"Yeah," I agreed. I leaned back in my bed, thinking deeply. "What if I can't save him?"

"You will," Regulus said. "Quit doubting yourself."

"It's like the universe is doing everything it can to stop me though," I sighed in frustration. "I mean he keeps coming this close to dying! I don't get it! He never got hurt this many times in my timeline! It's like my being here has ultimately made his life worse!"

"You haven't," Regulus said. "When did Sirius escape Grimmauld Place in your timeline?"

"Well, not until before fifth year-"

"And he hasn't died yet," Remus pointed out. "No matter how close he's come, he's still here."

"Well, yes, but-"

"And you've made a difference in other's lives," Regulus continued. "Mine for one; did I ever escape from my parents and become a Gryffindor?"

"Not until after Sirius died-"

"See, it's a good thing you came back," Remus smiled reassuringly. "Don't sell yourself short, mate."

"Alright, if it'll get you lot off my back," I grinned slightly. "Do you think Sirius is going to miss exams?"

"Is he going to be out by next week?" Remus asked. I shrugged. "Well, if he isn't, he'll be glad to know he'll be missing exams."

"Oh, don't tell him," I groaned. "He'll play it up- or worse, do something stupid and make himself worse!"

"I wouldn't put it past him to go ahead and do that on his own," Remus chuckled.

"Is James back- oh, hullo, James!" I smiled; Lily had just walked in. "How's Sirius?"

"Alive, sane," I beamed. "And he remembers us!"

"That's wonderful!" Lily exclaimed. "How long until he's out?"

"Knowing my mum, she'll try to keep him there for the rest of the year," I snickered. "And that will partially be Sirius's fault, too, if he tries another jailbreak."

"That's probably exactly what he'll do, too," Regulus added. "But I doubt he'll be able to without Jamie's help."

"Thank goodness," I said. "We certainly don't need a repeat of what happened last time. Besides, it's my mum. She can take good care at him, and she won't treat him like- how did he put it?- a medical miracle."

"At least there's that," Remus smiled. "I hate hospitals."

"Don't we all," I sighed. "At least Sirius will be okay. It seems like he's always in the hospital for some reason or another."

"That's just how Sirius is," Regulus sniggered. "Accident-prone. Trust me, I know."

"That's the understatement of the century," I said.

"No, the understatement of the century is Sirius's patented 'I'm fine'," Remus corrected.

"And James's," Lily added. "What is it with you two and fine?"

"It's a useful word," I shrugged. "Wish Sirius wouldn't use it so often; we'll never know if he's hurt or not."

We sat there in silence for a moment; my mind drifted. Sirius really did need to quit saying he was fine, especially when he wasn't. Which was pretty often. Then again, I tended to use that word too. Especially when I was upset, and when I put up my mask.

Suddenly, McGonagall burst into the room. I raised an eyebrow.

"Potter, I heard you went to St. Mungo's?" she asked. I nodded, somewhat guiltily. "Well. How was he?"

"Sirius?" I asked dumbly. "Oh. He woke up; he remembers us all, and he's sane too."

"Thank goodness," McGonagall sighed. "Do you think he'll be back anytime soon?"

"Knowing Mrs. Potter?" Lily laughed. "Not anytime soon."

A/N: Hullo! Sirius is okay! See? I wouldn't take away what's left of his sanity. :P Poor Sirius, i haven't been very nice to him, have I? Big thanks to my reviewers, sk8boards4ever, jeremiah123, and Lady Loophole. I can't think of anything to 'give' you this time. :P Hope you all enjoyed!

I really will never own Harry Potter.