Shadows of Darkness

Memories

"Oi, Padfoot!" James called out, nudging him with his elbow. "Penny for your thoughts?
Sirius blinked and shook his head slightly, but the longing in his gaze remained, fixed on the Slytherin table where Regulus and the Crouch twins sat, their laughter echoing like distant thunder.
Remus, ever perceptive, exchanged glances with Peter, who was busy munching on a baked potato. "Sirius, are you alright?" Remus asked softly, concern lacing his voice. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Sirius finally tore his gaze away from the twins and forced a smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'm fine. Just—just thinking about old times is all."
"Old times?" James raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "What times are those? Back when you weren't in Gryffindor, or what?"

Sirius sighed, a deep, melancholic sound that drew the attention of his friends. "I was really close to Barry and Oakley. We were inseparable before Hogwarts. You'd think we were siblings."
"Crouch twins?" Peter said, confusion settling in his features. "You mean the Slytherins? I thought you hated Slytherins!"
"It's not that simple," Sirius replied sharply, then softened his tone. "We grew up together. Our families moved in similar circles, and my mother was fond of their father's ambition. For a while, we practically ruled the playground. But then they were sorted into Slytherin, and everything changed."
James leaned back, intrigued. A shadow fell over Sirius's face, his memories surfacing.
He turned his gaze back to the group sitting at the slytherin table , who were now mocking a Hufflepuff student, the laughter sharp and condescending, echoing in the hall. "I can't help but wonder what it would have been like if they hadn't turned out like that."
Peter, always the eager listener, chimed in, "But they wouldn't be your friends now, right? If they've gone dark, why would you still care?"
"Because they were once my friends," Sirius snapped, his voice low but intense. "I can't just forget the good times we had." He rubbed the back of his neck, uncomfortable.  "There was a time when we were just kids, laughing and causing trouble without a care in the world."
"I get it," Remus said gently. "It's hard to lose people you once cared about. But you have us now, Sirius. We're your friends. We're your family."