June 1975
"You're acting like a git!" Sirius said in an angry voice.
The two boys had been eating breakfast in the kitchen alone. Sirius had gotten up to clean his dirty dishes when James had nearly knocked him over trying to pass him on his way to the sink. Sirius had known it had been done on purpose. He was absolutely sure of it.
"Well you're acting like an arse!" James retorted. His voice was much louder than Sirius'.
"James Charles!" The stern voice scolded as Mr. Potter thundered into the kitchen. "Language!"
"I don't care," James replied heatedly. "He is being an arse!"
"You're acting like an idiot," Sirius responded in an annoyed voice.
"Now boys," Mr. Potter tried. "Both of you need to-"
"Oh shut it," James yelled in Sirius' face.
"You shut it," Sirius yelled back just as loudly. "You've been acting like a bloody prat for days now and-"
"Enough!" Mr. Potter yelled causing both boys to jump. Sirius looked up at the man. He somehow had forgotten he was even in the room.
"To your rooms," Mr. Potter instructed sternly. "I refuse to listen to the two of you argue."
Sirius was already heading towards the hallway when James whined. "But dad I-"
Sirius couldn't help but think that James was absolutely crazy to argue with his father. It was rare that they were sent to their rooms but when they were it was never up for negotiation.
"Now James," Mr. Potter cut him off. "I'll be up shortly and we'll talk then."
James rolled his eyes before turning on his heel and following Sirius out of the room. "This is all your fault," he said in an annoyed voice to Sirius.
"Enough James," Mr. Potter said sternly. "Another word out of you and I can arrange for you to be punished this morning in addition to being sent to your room."
James kept his mouth shut and instead resorted to throwing a rude face in Sirius' direction.
It had all started nearly a week prior. The day before they were to come home for summer holiday, they had gotten into a bit of trouble at Hogwarts. It had been James' idea and Sirius had gone along with it without hesitation. The two boys had snuck out of the castle well after curfew in hopes of exploring the Forbidden Forest. They had been caught before they had made it halfway there. Professor Dumbledore had sent word to Mr. Potter of their misbehavior.
The two boys had been sitting in the Headmaster's office when Mr. Potter had appeared at the door. Sirius had taken one look at the man who was speaking with Professor Dumbledore and turned to James.
"Shit dad is here."
The words had exited Sirius' mouth so casually. It was as if he had been referring to Mr. Potter by that title for years.
Sirius hadn't missed the look of confusion and then jealousy that had swept over his best mate's face.
To be honest his words had surprised him as well. Of course he had thought of the Potters as his parents for quite some time, but it had been the first time he had vocalized his thoughts. He hadn't expected the word to come out and the moment he saw James' face, he wished he could take it back. He had been a bit surprised by James' obvious jealously and annoyance but after he considered it for a moment he didn't blame him. His parents were brilliant and Sirius was sure that he was growing tired of sharing them.
From that moment on, their friendship had changed.
James had made about a million snide remarks in regards to Sirius' slip of words. When he wasn't making rude comments he spent most of his time alone in his room and when he wasn't alone in his room he had an attitude towards everyone which in turn caused Sirius to have an attitude in return.
They had never been scolded as much as they had in the past week.
Twice Mr. Potter had privately questioned Sirius about what was going on between them. Sirius had been adamant that he didn't know. He didn't know how to tell Mr. Potter that this was all because he had accidentally referred to him as his dad.
Sirius was comfortable enough in his relationship with Mr. and Mrs. Potter to know that they would likely welcome the idea of him calling them dad and mum. He didn't doubt for a moment that they would be pleased with how easily he felt that he could refer to them by those titles.
Clearly James felt differently.
Sirius couldn't do it if James wasn't okay with it. He owed too much of the good in his life to James and if it hurt him than Sirius wouldn't do it.
Mr. Potter sat back down in his large armchair. He picked up the days issue of The Daily Prophet that he had abandoned only moments earlier. Although he wasn't sure that it was the most efficient idea, he planned on taking advantage of the peace and quiet and finishing his morning reading.
His wife was off visiting an old friend and he was quite pleased that she wasn't there to witness the boys fighting as he just had. Over the past week she had been adamant that there was something very wrong between them. Mr. Potter had gently hushed her concerns. He was sure that the boys were just at that age. He was sure that they had just hit a hormonal point, unfortunately at the same time, and that eventually it would pass. It had been some time since he had been a teenager but he could still remember his emotions going absolutely haywire and the attitude he had sported while they did.
He was certain that the boys were going through something quite similar and that in no time at all they would be back to their normal selves.
The door above him slammed so loudly that the house around him shook.
"Get out," he heard Sirius say loudly.
Mr. Potter was on his feet, his paper abandoned once more.
"No!" James yelled back. "I know you took it!"
Mr. Potter was taking the steps two at a time. He could handle the boys having a bit of an attitude problem but he wouldn't stand for this constant yelling and fighting.
"I didn't," Sirius replied vehemently.
"Yes you did you git," James bellowed as Mr. Potter stepped onto the second floor.
"I didn't!" Sirius insisted in an angry voice. "Your room is a mess; you probably lost it in there."
"You stupid arse," James retorted. "I know you took it you-"
His words were ended as his father grabbed a hold of his upper arm and without warning delivered a swift, hard smack to his backside.
James acted completely out of character as he pulled himself from his father's grip.
It wasn't the first time that James had been punished in front of Sirius and he was sure it wouldn't be the last, but he couldn't help but feel personally offended by his father's actions given the circumstances.
"James Charles," Mr. Potter said sternly. "That is quite enough!"
James shot his father a horrid look before he turned and headed towards his room.
He knew he was digging his own grave but he didn't care. His feelings towards the whole situation with Sirius were clouding his thoughts far too much to allow him to think about his actions.
He could sense that his father was only a step or two behind him but before the man could do anything he stepped into his bedroom and slammed the door loudly behind him.
Mr. Potter opened James' bedroom door absolutely astounded by the mess he saw. Despite the fact that he did not know what the boys were arguing about he found himself inclined to agree with Sirius, if his son cleaned his room he would likely find whatever it was he was looking for.
Mr. Potter refrained from scolding his son about his messy room and instead concentrated on James' attitude and utter disrespect. He resisted the urge to tan his son's hide and instead took several deep breaths.
"I will be back in just a moment," Mr. Potter promised as James threw him an annoyed look. "We will discuss your atrocious behavior then."
Slowly he walked back down the hall to Sirius' room. He stood in the doorway, watching the young boy who was now tossing his shoes into his trunk.
"What are you doing Love?" Mr. Potter asked although it was fairly obvious to him that Sirius was packing.
"I'm sorry," Sirius offered in a small voice. "I really don't have his snitch."
Mr. Potter looked over at the boy. He was standing next to his bed. For the first time since this whole shift in the boy's friendship had started, Mr. Potter noticed that Sirius looked hurt. He looked as though he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Mr. Potter suddenly realized that his wife had been right.
This was much more than just the normal teenage angst.
"What exactly is going on Sirius?" Mr. Potter asked. He hoped his voice left little room for debate on this subject.
Sirius shrugged. "I don't know."
"You mean to tell me that you don't have any idea as to why you and James have been fighting for the past week?"
Sirius shrugged silently as he sat down on his bed. His eyes were downcast.
"I happen to think that you know exactly what is going on," Mr. Potter continued.
Sirius instantly noticed that although the man's voice was quite stern, he could detect a hint of concern in it. Slowly he looked up at him. "I think I should move out." He could feel the large lump in the back of his throat and he swallowed hard trying to keep it at bay. The last thing he wanted was to start sobbing.
Mr. Potter's face was now a sea of concern as he quickly crossed the room and sat next to Sirius. "Why on Earth would you say such a thing?"
Sirius shrugged once more. He could feel the back of his eyes burning. "He doesn't want me here."
"Two weeks ago the two of you were as thick as thieves," Mr. Potter observed in a gentle voice. "Surely something must have happened to change that."
Sirius shrugged for a third time. He didn't trust himself to speak. He was sure that if he did his tears would start pouring from his eyes. He blinked several times.
"Let me ask you Sirius. Are you afraid to tell me what has happened because you think you will be in trouble if you do?"
Sirius shook his head. "No Sir," he said softly.
Mr. Potter mulled over the boy's reply for a moment. He had been sure that their argument had something to do with their attempt to sneak into the Forbidden Forest. He had been sure that there was more to the story. Perhaps something that they hadn't gotten caught doing.
"I have to pack," Sirius muttered. As the last word left his mouth the first tear slowly made its way down his cheek.
"Mrs. Potter and I do not want you to leave," Mr. Potter said softly. "Surely there is another way."
Sirius shook his head as he tried to wipe the few stray tears off of his face. "I messed everything up."
"In what way?" Mr. Potter tried once more. He was beginning to become frustrated with the young teenager's refusal to share his thoughts. He didn't want to lose his patience with Sirius, but he was starting to think that doing so might be the only way to get answers.
"I called you my dad," Sirius said in a quiet voice. Despite the fact that he was angry with James, he still felt horrible telling the truth behind his back. He didn't want to give his best mate any other reason to be mad at him.
"Orion?" Mr. Potter questioned. He felt a panic take over his body. He thought back to a week prior when he had brought the boys home from Hogwarts a night early. He had been furious at their carelessness. He had lectured them together and then sent them to their own separate rooms. He had paid them each a visit but he hadn't lectured anymore; he had let his old slipper do all the talking. He knew he had been hard on them, possibly harder than ever before but he certainly didn't think he had been abusive. He hadn't been on the receiving end either though. "Sirius I never meant to-"
"No," Sirius quickly shook his head as more quiet tears fell. "I mean I called you dad – I referred to you as my dad."
The panic that had filled Mr. Potter's body vanished as quickly as it had appeared. He was overcome with a new feeling, one of affection for the young teenager sitting next to him. "I am failing to see why your doing so would cause such a row," he said in a perplexed voice.
"Because you aren't," Sirius answered in a hoarse voice. "James is mad that I said it."
Mr. Potter was silent as he digested these words.
"I get it," Sirius continued through his tears. "I never should have said it out loud. I didn't mean to though, it just came out and –"
"Alright just calm down Love," Mr. Potter cut him off as he wrapped an arm around the boy. "You are absolutely not in the wrong here."
Sirius looked up at him. His eyes were full of worry and confusion.
"You heard me correctly. "
"But James-"
"James and I are going to have a little talk," Mr. Potter said softly. "I am sure he is not thinking clearly."
Sirius shrugged at these words. He was sure that Mr. Potter was wrong. James had every right to be cross with him. They were his parents after all and Sirius had no right claiming them as his own.
"Did you finish your breakfast before you were sent up here?"
Sirius nodded in reply.
"Alright then perhaps you should entertain yourself in here for a bit, while I go have a talk with my son."
Another nod as Mr. Potter stood.
He took three steps towards the door before he stopped. "I want you to know that I would be honored if you were to call me dad Sirius, as I know my wife would be if you were to call her mum. However the choice is yours. We certainly wouldn't want to you to feel awkward doing so."
Sirius shrugged unsure of what to say. He didn't know how to explain that he couldn't do it if James wasn't fully okay with it.
"Well we'll see then," Mr. Potter replied kindly.
James was sitting on his bed. The snitch that he had accused Sirius of taking was in his hands. To his surprise, he had found it on his bedroom floor half under his bed.
The gentle knock on his bedroom door caused him to look up but he didn't respond to it. He knew that he didn't have to. Regardless of whether or not he acknowledged it his dad would come in.
Seconds later the door opened just as James had known it would.
He had expected his dad to retrieve his desk chair. If the smack he had received a quarter of an hour ago was any indication of what was to follow, James was sure he would need a cushioning charm to make it through lunch. His dad surprised him though and instead walked across the room and sat next to him on his bed.
"For the past week I have been absolutely convinced that the attitude you have adopted was simply due to hormones. Of course your mother was insistent that there was more going on. It appears she was right this time wasn't she?"
James didn't answer. He instead chose to concentrate on the snitch in his hands, softly rolling it across his fingers from one hand to the other.
"I see you found your snitch."
Silence.
"Perhaps you should apologize to Sirius for accusing him of taking it," Mr. Potter suggested in a calm voice.
James shrugged at these words, but refused to speak.
Mr. Potter worked hard to keep his temper under control. When Sirius had confessed James' behavior to him, his first thought was to turn his son over his knee for treating Sirius so poorly. He quickly thought better of it though. He didn't want James to feel as though he had to be kind to Sirius to escape punishment. He wanted James to understand how Sirius must be feeling. He wanted his son to decide to do the right thing on his own without the help of the old slipper.
"I suppose if you don't want to that's fine as well," Mr. Potter continued. "Chances are Sirius won't be living here much longer as it is. I hardly think that a little apology over a snitch will be worth much."
Just as Mr. Potter had hoped his words had struck a chord with his son; James was now looking up at him. His face was a sea of confusion and concern.
"It appears that Sirius feels quite unwelcome here these days. He expressed his desire to move out. Of course I told him that wasn't what any of us wanted, but I'm not so sure he is convinced. You don't want him to move out do you?"
James quietly shook his head.
"You know Sirius hasn't always been as fortunate as you are. Given what you know of his past – of his parents – I would have expected you to react much differently at his desire to share your mum and me."
"I don't know why I reacted like I did," James admitted in a small voice. "I was just so shocked by it. I guess it made me pretty mad."
"I can understand your shock but why mad exactly?"
"I don't know."
Mr. Potter pinched the bridge of his nose as he closed his eyes tightly. He wondered if perhaps it could just be a case of classic only child syndrome. They had given James everything he wanted in life. He was spoiled with material objects as well as affection. Could it honestly be that he just didn't want to share that attention?
"Do you feel as though we pay less attention to you since Sirius has been here?" Mr. Potter asked.
James considered the question for a moment before shaking his head. "No. I guess I was just already mad that we were getting into trouble and then Sirius called you dad. I wasn't expecting it and when he did it annoyed me," James admitted. "I kept thinking that I should talk to him about it, but I didn't and the more I didn't the angrier I got."
"There is no time like the present to correct things," Mr. Potter suggested gently. "Go and talk to Sirius and set things right."
James set the snitch down on his bedside table before slowly sliding off of his bed. He paused as his feet hit the floor. "Am I in trouble with you?"
Mr. Potter shook his head. "While I am not happy that you would make Sirius feel so horribly about wanting to express his love for our family, I am not angry with you. I understand that it must be difficult for you as well. However, in the future I would appreciate it if you would think before you react so harshly."
"I will," James nodded in agreement.
"I will also add that if you ever slam a door in my face again, the consequence will not be pleasant."
James felt himself blush in embarrassment at his actions, "Sorry dad."
"Forgiven," Mr. Potter replied with a smile. "Now go on."
"What are you doing?" James asked.
He had walked into Sirius' room to find his best mate throwing his clothing into his trunk. He instantly noticed that Sirius had been crying. His face was red and his eyes were swollen. The look of him immediately made James feel like a monster. How could he have been so terrible?
Sirius ignored his question.
"Sirius, are you packing?" James asked with fear in his voice.
"Are you talking to me?" Sirius asked as he threw a pair of trousers into his trunk. "You didn't call me an arse so I wasn't sure."
James swallowed hard at Sirius' words. He knew he deserved it but still, he had hoped Sirius wouldn't make this so hard.
"Stop packing," James said in a soft voice.
Sirius ignored his request completely as he picked up a sweatshirt and tossed that into his trunk as well.
"Siri," James tried again. "Stop packing – please."
Sirius stopped and looked up at James.
"I'm sorry," James offered in a small voice.
Sirius held his glare for a moment before he shook his head. "No you aren't. Your dad made you come in here and say that."
James quickly shook his head. "No he didn't. I swear he didn't." James sighed softly as he sat on the edge of Sirius' bed. "Please just stop. I don't want you to go."
"The way you have been acting, you definitely don't want me to stay," Sirius retorted.
James noticed that although he hadn't moved from his spot across the room, he hadn't put anything else in his trunk either.
"I'm a git," James replied, "a huge arse even. I'm horrible."
Sirius shook his head. "No, they are your parents."
"They are our parents," James corrected him. "They have been for ages now and I was wrong to make you feel like they weren't."
Sirius was silent for a moment as he took the three steps to his bed and slowly sat down next to James. "Why did you do it?"
"I don't know," James answered honestly. "I guess you just caught me off guard. I was already mad that we got caught and that dad was going to murder us. I was just surprised by what you said."
"Don't just say what you think I want to hear," Sirius warned him. He was in no mood to be pacified by false words.
"I'm not," James quickly replied in what he hoped sounded like a sincere voice. "I promise I'm not. You're my brother Siri, you've always been. It's only normal that you would call them mum and dad too."
James watched as Sirius suppressed a small smile.
"I'm sorry for everything Siri," James continued softly. "If you want to hate me for how I was, I understand."
"I don't hate you," Sirius replied with a small smile. "You're a git but I don't hate you."
"Don't leave," James requested. "Please don't."
Sirius nodded in reply. A moment later, he raised his right leg, using his foot to push the lid of his trunk shut.
"Brothers?" James asked in a hopeful voice.
"Yeah brothers," Sirius agreed.
"And call them mum and dad," James said.
"You're sure?" Sirius questioned with a skeptical face.
"Absolutely," James nodded, "except for when you are really in trouble. When that happens you can call him daddy and it usually helps to make him less mad."
Sirius laughed softly at these words. "You really are a git."
James smiled at the sound of his best mate's laughter before quickly growing somber once more. "Siri…I really am sorry."
"It's okay," Sirius replied softly. "I forgive you."
TBC...