COMFORT ZONE | Sirius Black [REWRITING]

35. James and Coffee

A bit later on Friday, 22nd February 1974

Quidditch practice that morning had settled James Potter into a good mood, which was his default disposition anyway, but still, there was something about the cold air hitting him hard on the face, the heat in his bones as he swung the Quaffle towards the goal hoop and the rush in his head as the stands erupted into violent cheers that elated him beyond words could describe. Although there hadn't been significant cheering during practice today, owing to the lack of spectators, the pats on the back from Wood had been enough of a morale-booster for him.

The remainder of the day had been uneventful, but that was his own fault.

Because today, James Potter sat down to think.

It had been a while since he had done this, perhaps a few weeks, so he reckoned it was high time he got around to it. He didn't know when this little ritual of his had started, but it helped him clear his head and understand events in his life much better—perhaps a bit too late sometimes, however, that was beside the point.

The dormitory was still. Pete was napping, whilst Sirius had his attention fixed on a book, absently tapping his foot along to the quiet music from the recorder.

Here was another topic to ponder over. Sirius Black.

James had registered something was off almost a week earlier, when Mads and Regulus had informed them about his breakup, which had been completely unexpected to him. Olivia was a great person to have around, and it had never seemed like the two were having any issues amongst themselves to suggest a falling out was approaching.

Well, he didn't know for sure if it was a falling out that caused all of this or not, because Sirius had refused to speak of it, which in turn meant Mads and Reg had also remained silent. So, he was none the wiser.

However, this was not the biggest cause for concern for James Potter.

What he really demanded to know was why, at least since the breakup, he had observed Sirius repeatedly glance at Mads almost every day during breakfast, lunch and dinner.

His sister didn't notice at all which had initially made him doubt himself, but after adjusting his glasses to ensure he was seeing correctly, it was clear to see that Sirius' gaze was surely and firmly set on her.

The emotion behind his friend's eyes had been familiar to him, as if it were his own. Because it was the same one that bubbled up inside him whenever he saw Lily.

There was no way.

Peter lifted an arm from his supposed nap to greet Remus, who had just shut the door behind him.

"Moony's back."

Sirius raised his head from the book and grinned.

Remus greeted the other two boys before turning to him with raised eyebrows, but James could not afford the boy the expected welcome because he was now immensely preoccupied.