James Potter

"Keep up, Prongs,” Sirius said, slapping James on the back as he passed.

The sun lowered behind a cloud, and James tugged at his robe, shielding himself from the chill. He glanced back, keeping an eye on Peter; Wormtail was particularly twitchy tonight.

Remus had been withdrawn lately. January had found him hiding in the library beyond curfew, and sneaking into bed late to avoid conversation. Sirius had smothered all his nerves with his typical bravado, but a cold feeling had settled in James’s stomach.

Full moons like these were usually more violent.

James stood back as Sirius lurched into the Willow, disappearing beneath the branches in a blur of fur. When the tree finally stilled, the silence stifled him; he shoved the feeling down and pressed forward.

The tunnel felt smaller tonight, its air thick. Sirius led the way, his wand casting shadows against the earth. Peter trailed behind, his feet working to match their pace.

"You should've talked to him, Pads," James said, tentatively. "You know how to get through to him more than us."

Sirius's shoulders tensed before he whirled round, nearly causing a pile-up. "And say what exactly?" he bit back, prodding his wand at James's face. "Everytime he's with that–" His voice cracked, and he forced himself to take a breath. "He doesn't talk about Grant. If Moony wants to keep their problems to himself, then he can deal with it."

James didn't react, his eyes squinting against the light. But Peter's breath hitched. He transformed, squeaking softly as he scurried ahead.

Silence swallowed them, both frozen in a stalemate.

Sirius's eyes narrowed before he finally relented. He lowered his wand in a huff and returned to the tunnel. Each following step rattled James, a pressure building in his chest. He tried to relieve it.

"I'm sorry, Pads. I just don't like seeing you both so..."

"It's fine," Sirius grumbled, head bowed. "Just leave it, yeah?"

James exhaled, his jaw tensing as he kept his eyes on Sirius's posture. "Yeah. Sure, mate," he said, half-convinced. "Sure..."

The floorboard to the shack had been left askew by Peter. Sirius barely glanced back before he climbed through, leaving James in the dark.

A flutter of footsteps echoed behind him. The sound so slight, James could have imagined it. Still, he turned, hand grasping for his wand. When he finally flicked it alight, his chest tightened.

No. No, no... not now.

“{{user}}?”