"That was the best detention I've ever had Professor."

Professor McGonagall smiled a little before shooing him out of the room. He'd spent an afternoon doing extra-credit transfiguration project. He'd enjoyed every bit of it. Some how he figured she knew it. Not just that he liked transfiguration necessarily but about him taking the blow for Remus. Though Remus had berated him for it ("James you really didn't have to, you know I can look after myself") he didn't mind and was glad. He had no regrets.

He made his way to dorm where Remus was already fast asleep and Peter was dozing over his homework. Sirius was the only one who was actually writing furiously all over parchment.

"Never knew you liked doing homework so much." Said James.

"It's for Remus." Replied Sirius. "He feel asleep as soon as we stepped in the room, Peter did the other half. I'm doing my bit."

"I see I have inspired you all towards a greater cause."

"Shove it James!"

James chuckled and opened his own textbooks hastily doing some of his own. Before he put it aside and got ready for bed. Soon they were all fast asleep and Sirius felt himself drifting into a dream. The dream started off brightly enough. He was with his brother, racing across the green meadow, the sunlight catching the dew, illuminating the bright field with thousands of day stars. That was until the two brothers crashed into them. Dispersing the dew, shattering it till it was nought but a wet trickle in their trousers.

But they were laughing, blabbering pretend curses at the each other.

It was one of the happiest memories of his life. But the meadow became darker, the soft grass cold stone and wood. Instead of Regulus's face grinning up at him, his mother's cold harsh glare pierced through him. Then she smiled. But it did nothing for her cruel face. It merely twisted it in a more venomous way.

"Disgusting filthy blood-traitor!" Walburga hissed, in a way that made the sweat on his body turn backwards. "Your brother is a fool to love you. How could you do this."

She leaned over her face close to his. "You don't deserve our love."

He was trembling now. He stood glued to the spot.

"Come over here!" She demanded practically screeching. He wanted to cry out for his father to help. But he had long locked himself in his office. He always did whenever his mother was like this. He wasn't going to come out now.

So he meekly went over over.

"The world deserves to know you are are blood traitor."

The pain, a thousand million knives gouged into his skin, jolted him awake. His body was dripping with cold sweat. His hands went to his back where the words blood traitor were carved into his back. He didn't want anyone to see them and he finally understood why Remus hid his. It was midnight and he wanted Regulus. Regulus's presence always comforted him. But he wasn't here. He was in Slytherin.

He didn't know what made him do it but he went up to James's bed and shook him awake.

"Can I sleep with you?" He asked the bleary eyed boy. "I had a bad dream."

James regarded him for a moment.

"Sure thing." He said before scooting over to make room for Sirius. Awkwardly Sirius slid under the covers. He didn't know what to do now? Usually hugging Reg gave him comfort. But Reg was his brother. So would it be weird if he hugged James?

His doubts were dispelled as James languidly placed his arm around Sirius and brought him closer.

"Sweet dreams." Murmured James in the pillow

Sirius relaxed and reminded himself that his mother had cleaned his wounds and bought him a brand new broom the next day.

His mother loved him, even if she did hit him.

~~~

The next day the boys flew through day with a nervous James by their side. They perfected their Skurge charms. Professor Smith taught them the tickling charm. Needless to say the Defense Against the dark arts classroom had never been so full of laughter. They also managed to wrangle the screaming mandrakes into their pots while Professor Sprout shouted the usefulness of Mandrakes in potions.

Finally it was time for James's quidditch trials. He clutched his broom nervously as he made his way to the pitch with Remus, Sirius, Peter and Regulus pouring out their encouragement.

"Shut up James!" Exclaimed Sirius. "You'll be fine."

"You'll do great." Said Regulus. Face flushed despite the biting wind. "They still talk about how you gave Lucius a run for his money. He's chaser you know."

That seemed to subside James's nerves somewhat. The grip on his broom lightened.

They finally arrived at the pitch where the four boys left James to sit in the stands.

A fifth year, Lester Poulopoulos, the now newly appointed Quidditch captain greeted him. He was tall, and would have been quite pretty if it weren't for the acne. With dark skin and green eyes and a stylish mess of black curls on his head he could have taken the crown as Gryffindor's heartthrob. Unfortunately the lay with Nathan Lin another fifth year and Gryffindor's keeper who stood beside his best mate. Lester was a close second.

"Sup James." Greeted Nathan.

James flushed a little. "Am I early?"

"You're on time actually." Said Lester. "Everyone else is late."

"Wotcher!" Came a voice from behind.

It was Simran Kaur, the fourth year and legendary Gryffindor seeker. Her thick black hair was wound in a plait that hung at her hips. She walked up to them with all the confidence of a lioness. He wouldn't have been surprised if she ended up joining the Holyhead Harpies or even went to the world cup after she graduated.

Soon more people arrived. There was Selene Heinlein and Clarisse Foyle, fourth year beaters. There were hopeful third years, an handful of fourth years and two sixth years.

They started with drills and warmups. Then they went on to a mock match which James (after letting go of his nerves) managed to score a record number of goals with his friends cheering him on. Feeling proud and lightheaded they went back their dorm with Sirius chanting a ridiculous song that didn't even rhyme.

~~~