When Black Met Blue (Marauder Fanfic)

Chapter 27 *Edited*

Sirius woke up, staring blearily around. His head was throbbing and he was squashed up against the wall. Remus was dozing in a chair on his left, and Prongs had nuzzled under Sirius’ arm and was breathing loudly, taking up most of the bed. Sirius laughed quietly and shoved the stag off the bed. There was a yelp, and a moment later, James sat up, looking disgruntled. ‘That was rude,’ he said.

‘Where’d the stag go?!’ Sirius said in alarm. ‘There was a stag, right there and then I pushed it and now you’re there! You weren’t there before!’

‘Paddy?’ James asked, his face falling. ‘You don’t remember?’

‘Remember what?’ Sirius asked, being careful to hide his smile.

‘Anything?!’ James said, sounding hysterical. ‘The Healer said- Moony, wake up!’ James smacked the side of Remus’ head.

‘The Healer said that?’ Sirius asked, bemused, as Remus blinked himself awake, scowling at James.

‘No, the Healer said that you’d remember!’

‘You don’t?’ Remus asked, smothering a yawn as he fixed Sirius with a concerned look.

James plastered a wide-eyed look of worry on his face, one he knew his friends would buy. ‘Don’t what?’ James’ face fell completely. Sirius didn’t think he’d looked so miserable since his parents had died. Guilt nibbled on Sirius’ insides. ‘I’m teasing, Jamie. I remember.’ Next thing Sirius knew, he had an armful of James, and swore something wet landed on his face. ‘James, are you crying?’

‘He is,’ Remus laughed, his own voice sounding thick. ‘Move, Prongs.’ And then Remus hugged Sirius.

‘You’re a git!’ James said loudly. ‘I thought you didn’t remember and then-’ James didn’t seem to have words for whatever he was feeling, so Sirius let him rant wordlessly. Finally, James pulled himself together long enough to bring out his wand. ‘Accio,’ James huffed. Sirius’ pillow flew out from under him and he slipped, smacking his head on the headboard with a yelp. James pocketed his wand with a smirk. Scowling, Sirius sat upright again, rubbing the back of his head. 

‘Prongs,’ Remus said exasperatedly, after making sure Sirius was all right, ‘He’s already injured enough without you giving him a concussion!’

‘Oh, hush, Moony,’ James said, tossing the pillow at him. Sirius laughed.

‘Don’t worry about it,’ Sirius said brightly. ‘I already had one.’ James’ mouth fell open and he snatched the pillow back from Remus, and pushed it under a laughing Sirius’ head, plumping the corners. 

‘Mother hen,’ Remus coughed.

James glowered at him. ‘I heard that,’ he said over Sirius’ laughter.

‘Oh, Jaimie!’ Remus said, his eyes widening in an expression of false surprise that made Sirius laugh harder. ‘I had no idea you were listening!’

‘So, what does Pete’s Acrophobia have to do with him not being here?’ Sirius asked once they’d all settled down.

‘Security’s tight at school after what happened,’ Remus said. ‘Students aren’t allowed to go anywhere alone. Everyone has to be in their Common Rooms by eight.’ Sirius gaped at them, waiting for someone to announce the whole thing was a joke. ‘Teachers are escorting everyone to and from class. All the Common Rooms are guarded and so are the teachers’ offices. Aurors, Security Trolls, things like that.’

‘Minnie confiscated our brooms,’ James grumbled. He grinned suddenly. ‘For some reason, she seemed to think we’d break out and come visit you.’