CLOSE TO YOU • jp + sb [1]

01.11 | TIME HEALS

CHAPTER ELEVEN

THE next morning, Sirius Black awoke with a pounding headache and a vague sense of disorientation. He squinted at the sunlight streaming through the curtains, groaning as he tried to piece together the fragments of the previous night. His memory was a hazy blur, and he couldn't recall much beyond the general revelry of James' birthday party.

As he dragged himself out of bed, James Potter entered the room, his expression a mix of anger and sadness. James' gaze was icy as he fixed Sirius with a penetrating stare. Despite the silent tension, Sirius attempted to crack a joke, hoping to lighten the mood. "Rough night, huh? Did I miss anything exciting?"

James didn't respond, his silence a heavy contrast to Sirius' casual demeanour. Sirius, feeling the weight of James' glare but too foggy to fully grasp its meaning, simply shrugged and headed to the wardrobe for fresh clothes.

Sirius was more focused on the prospect of seeing Selyna for breakfast, eager to share a moment with her and make up for his lack of memory. Little did he know, the reality of the previous night's events would soon come crashing down on him.

SIRIUS stumbled into the Gryffindor common room, his head still throbbing from the previous night's revelries. His eyes scanned the room for Selyna, eager to check on her and make up for his hazy memory. His heart sank when he spotted her sitting in front of the fire with James Potter. Selyna's head rested gently on James' shoulder, her eyes reflecting a deep sadness.

"Selyna, darling?" Sirius's voice was laced with concern as he rushed toward her, his steps quickening with each passing second. He barely registered James' presence until he was abruptly blocked from reaching Selyna. James stood firmly in front of Sirius, his expression stern and filled with an anger that Sirius had seldom seen directed at him. The tension in the room crackled like the flames in the hearth.

Sirius frowned, confused and irritated. "Mate, what's your problem this morning? Move out of the way."

"You have some nerve, mate," James replied, his voice strained. He was furious, not just because Sirius had hurt Selyna, but because Sirius' actions had led to a night of heartbreak for someone he deeply cared about. His disappointment was palpable.

Sirius' gaze shifted back to Selyna, his tone softening with concern. "Darling, just tell me what's wrong and I can help you."

"You can't help me, Sirius, not when you're the problem," Selyna's voice was steady but edged with pain.

Sirius' face fell, his confusion growing. "What are you talking about?"

Selyna, her emotions finally reaching a boiling point, stood up and faced Sirius directly. Her voice rose in frustration and anger. "How can you stand there like nothing has changed, like you didn't break my heart and ruin everything?"

Sirius' eyes widened in shock. "Selyna, I really don't know what you're talking about."

"Who was she, Sirius?" Selyna's voice trembled with hurt. "Who was the girl you ruined us for?"

Suddenly, it dawned on Sirius. The fragments of the previous night pieced together in his mind. The girl he had kissed—it wasn't Selyna. A cold wave of realization washed over him, and he could barely speak. "Selyna, darling I—"

"Just don't," Selyna cut him off, her voice breaking with the weight of her anguish. She took a deep breath, her resolve firming. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the promise ring Sirius had given her. She held it up for him to see, her eyes filled with tears.

"Guess neither of us are good at keeping promises," she said softly, handing him back the ring. Her heart felt as if it was being torn from her chest as she watched his face crumble in realization.