𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 - 𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐱 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 6

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"Sirius?" James opened the door, "What are you doing out on the rain? Did something happen?"

Sirius nodded, his cheeks going red in embarrassment. "I- Can I stay here? Just for tonight."

James nodded and quickly gestured his friend to come in. Sirius was soaking, his black hair and clothes dripping. "James? Who was it?" A woman's voice called out from the kitchen.

"Uh, yeah mom. Wait a minute," James turned to look at Sirius. "Ill explain it to her, meanwhile you can go to my room and take a shower, you'll catch a cold. Its the second room after you turn left."

James walked towards the kitchen while Sirius started to walk up the stairs as fast as he could, hating the way the floor got wet.

Truth to be told, it had been an impulsive decision to go to James' house. Sirius had nowhere else to go, and both Peter and Remus lived way too far away. Sirius got rid of his wet clothes, folding them neatly on top of the sink.

He turned on the shower, warm water instantly coming out of it. Meanwhile, James was trying to convince his parents, Fleamont and Euphemia. It wasn't hard to do so, as both individuals were kind and understanding.

"He says that it's just for tonight, but he has his trunk and everything." James said, "Would it be possible for him to stay longer? I will take care of his expenses, and the two of us can do chores around the house, and- and-"

"Its alright, James. He can stay." Fleamont said.

"If he had to leave his house, I'm sure it was for a good reason." Euphemia smiled.

"Thank you." James grinned and stood up to help his mom prepare dinner. Everyone having dinner together was like a tradition in the Potter household.

Upstairs, Sirius had just finished changing into dry clothes, and was currently drying them with the hot air spell. Words could not describe how grateful he was.

The moment he came out of James' room, a delicious scent hit him. It smelt like an actual dinner, something he hadn't had the privilege to enjoy for a long time.

Just as the smell, the different environment hit him like a brick. James' house was filled with light and beige colors, and he could hear faint laughter coming from the kitchen.

He swallowed his own embarrassment, cleared his throat and entered the kitchen. Instantly, all eyes turned and settled on his figure.

"Sirius!" James stood up to gesture Sirius to sit down in the empty seat next to where he had been moments ago. "Sit down, sit down. We were just about to have dinner."

Sirius nodded and sat down, James sitting next to him. The rest of the night went by smoothly, James' parents were nothing but welcoming and their warm smiles made Sirius feel less ashamed.

That was the first night since winter vacations that he went to sleep with a smile on his face.

• • • • • • •

What was supposed to be just one night became one day, then one week, and then what remained of summer vacations. Sirius tried paying James and his parents' rent (a bag full of galleons was between the things that he took from his house), but they refused, so instead the two teenagers helped to clean the house and do chores. Sometimes, they even prepared lunch (it burned most of the time, but it's the thought that counts).

"James, Sirius! Come downstairs, it's time to go!" Euphemia called as she served breakfast.

Both boys came running down, playfully pushing each other. After they finished eating, the whole family, Sirius included, went to Diagon Alley to buy their supplies for the rest of the year, as James had lost most of his quills and parchments already.