This year's Christmas had felt different to all 4 boys, the past 4 years they had spent it together at Hogwarts, or at the Potters. But this year Sirius had to go home, whilst the other 3 spent it at James' house.
Remus had been feeling it the most. Everything felt different when Sirius wasn't there, and he hadn't spoken to him since they left the train, this greatly worried Remus, even if Padfoot disappeared for a couple hours he always let the boys know, and spoke to them when he could. There is no way he'd go the entire Christmas break without contacting the boys.
"Have either of you spoke to Pads?" Remus questioned on the final day before they left for Hogwarts.
"No, not since the train" Prongs replied, Wormtail just shook his head in response. That only made Remus worry more, and James could instantly see the worry on his face muttering a "I'm sure he's fine Remus" But Remus knew, he knew that something was wrong.
Because in the 4 years the Marauders had known each other, there hadn't been a single break where they were apart that Sirius hadn't contacted them, "Don't worry so much Moony, we'll see him tomorrow" Remus just nodded.
All 3 boys woke up to Mrs Potter calling them the next morning, hurrying to get their trunks and belongings downstairs and sitting down for breakfast before leaving for the train. But Remus couldn't bring himself to eat, he was too worried about Sirius "Remus? Are you okay dear?" Mrs Potter questioned to which Remus just shrugged.
"He's worried about Pad- Sirius, nobody's heard from him" The look James' parents shared didn't go unnoticed by Remus. "I-i'm sure he's just been busy" Mrs Potter said, but she didn't even sound so sure of that herself.
Remus let out a small sigh of relief as they finally reached the station, eyes scanning around for Padfoot, finally spotting him lent against a wall. Remus pointed him out to the other two and they all rushed over to him, the Potters not too far behind.
And when Remus properly looked at him he noticed he was wearing the leather jacket he'd given him this year for Christmas "this jacket makes me look punk rock, right?" he directed the question at Remus who let out a small giggle "hella punk rock, Pads" he noticed the smile that formed on Sirius' face, but he also noticed the bruising on his face, but decided now wasn't the right time to ask him about it.
They got settled in a compartment hearing a "so, how was your Christmas?" came from the boy he'd missed so much, all of them joining in to tell him about what went on, all the shenanigans and such he'd missed out on. James asked Sirius how his Christmas was, and this time all 3 of the boys noticed how Sirius dodged the question, James and Remus sharing the same confused glance.
After half an hour of chatting Sirius looked over to notice Peter and Remus both asleep "they always fall asleep, like every time we get on the train" James nodding back
"So, how have you been" Prongs asked, Sirius just shrugged, not really answering the question "How's your parents?" he asked politely, James face grew into a smile "they're both good, they miss you though, mate" Sirius nodded back, saying he missed them too.
"How's that crush of yours going Potter?" James smirked, "she talked to me like everyday this break" James questioned the boy back "what about you, do you have a crush?" Sirius' face grew hot with a blush forming across his cheeks. "You do! You definitely do! So tell me who it is" James responded
"Promise you won't say anything?" he questioned hearing a "I solemnly swear" come from James "alright, fine, it's Moony" he said, though the last part came out as a whisper. "Who?" Prongs questioned "Remus" Sirius said almost a little too loudly, but settled as he realised both boys were still out cold. Hearing a "I knew it!" from James' mouth followed by a "Peter owes me 10 galleons" and Sirius just shakes his head, not even surprised in the slightest.
