Shadows of Loyalty

Chapter 10

James woke the next morning to the dull throb of a headache pounding behind his eyes. The remnants of sleep clung to him like a heavy blanket, and he couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that settled in his chest. As he blinked against the early morning light streaming through the curtains, he realized with a sinking feeling that he was not going to enjoy this day.

He shifted slightly, trying to find a comfortable position in bed, but the throbbing only intensified. Luna, his golden retriever, was already at his side, her comforting presence grounding him as she nuzzled against his hand. Liesel and Zora, the protective Malinois, were flanking the bed, alert and watchful, sensing their handler’s discomfort.

With a heavy sigh, James carefully sat up, the room spinning slightly as he did. He reached for the biothane harness attached to Luna, using it to steady himself as he stood. The mobility harness was designed to give him balance and support, and he clutched the counterbalance handle tightly as he slowly made his way to the kitchen.

Each step felt like a monumental effort, the dull ache in his head amplifying with every movement. He focused on breathing steadily, grateful for Luna’s steady presence beside him. She walked closely, her body brushing against his leg as if to remind him he wasn’t alone in this.

Finally, James reached the kitchen, where the soft light illuminated the space, creating a stark contrast to the storm brewing in his head. He slumped down onto one of the chairs at the table, exhaling slowly as he rested his arms on the surface, his forehead resting against them.

The sound of laughter broke through his haze, and he looked up to see Sirius and Regulus enter the room, their faces filled with morning energy. Sirius’s usual carefree demeanor seemed to shine even brighter in the sunlight, while Regulus appeared slightly more reserved but still in high spirits.

“Hey, James! You okay?” Sirius asked, his voice laced with genuine concern as he approached the table, his eyes narrowing as he assessed James’s condition.

James lifted his head slightly, managing a weak smile. “Just feeling like crap,” he admitted, his voice hoarse. “Headache’s killing me.”

Regulus immediately moved to James’s side, his brow furrowing with worry. “Have you eaten? Drunk any water? Sometimes that helps with a headache.”

James shook his head slowly, not wanting to admit how long he’d been feeling off. “I... I don’t think I could keep anything down right now.”

“Brilliant,” Sirius said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. “You’ve turned into a real health nut overnight, haven’t you?”

James shot him a playful glare, though it lacked the usual fire. “Very funny, Sirius.”

Sirius leaned against the table, crossing his arms and studying James carefully. “Alright, let’s get you some water at least. You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“More like a whole graveyard,” James replied, managing a weak chuckle despite his discomfort.

Regulus moved toward the sink and filled a glass with cold water, then returned to hand it to James. “Here, take small sips. That should help.”

James accepted the glass gratefully, taking a cautious sip and letting the cool liquid soothe his dry throat. “Thanks, Reg.”

Luna, sensing the commotion, moved closer to James, her eyes filled with concern. He reached down to pat her head, finding comfort in her presence. “You’re the best, Luna,” he murmured, feeling the gentle warmth radiate from her.

“Maybe you need to take it easy today,” Regulus suggested, his tone gentle. “We can handle whatever it is you had planned.”

Sirius nodded, his expression softening. “Yeah, mate. We’ve got your back. Just let us know if you need anything.”