The Marauders - Order of the Phoenix Part Three

Hi Pope!

Sometimes, it doesn't matter who else holds and comforts you. Sometimes, you just need your best mate.

This was true for James that night.

Lily lay asleep beside him, the Apple Mystery novel flopped on her chest from where she'd been reading it aloud half the evening. James was wrapped in Charlus's old Gryffindor scarf, the crumbs of his mum's bacon sandwiches still clinging to his chest, and the remnants of her lipstick still smudged on his left temple where she'd kissed him repeatedly... Lily's weight pressed into his side, he was careful not to move too much and wake her as he slid the two-way mirror from under the pillow where he'd stashed it earlier when Remus gave it to him.

"Sirius?" he whispered.

The moment he spoke, the image in the other mirror moved as it was picked up and he realized it had been laying on Sirius's chest all this time. Sirius had been waiting for him. Sirius's face came into view and relief flooded James the moment he laid eyes on his best mate. 

"Hey Prongs," Sirius whispered back.

"Oh blimey am I glad to see you," James said.

"I'm glad to see you, too, you glorious bastard," Sirius answered.

"Sorry I waited so long to pick this thing up and talk to you," James apologized.

"No I figured it would be during the night we'd talk," Sirius replied. He aimed the mirror at the fireplace, where he'd stoked a warm blaze, and then at the coffee table, where his his tea cup and a small kettle sat at the ready. He turned it back to himself, "I'm prepared." He smiled.

James felt like he might cry and he smiled back. "Oh thank Merlin."

"So flick your wrist and conjure yourself some tea, you great wanker," Sirius laughed, "I'd do it for you but I'm stuck here on house arrest aren't I?" 

"I wish you weren't."

"I wish I wasn't as well, but - alas - it is what it is." Sirius paused, "Moony mentioned they had you restrained to the bed earlier and - blimey, Prongs, I must say, I've never been so knockered up as I was picturing that! Nearly had a right fit, I did... gave me quite a turn, you've no idea."

"And it isn't even Tuesday!" James lamented.

Sirius grinned. "Perhaps we could recreate the moment." 

"Sounds like a bank holiday sort of activity."

"It does, doesn't it? Perhaps to celebrate the Swan-Upping?"

James laughed quietly. The effort of it made his chest hurt and he winced and lay his head back down on the pillows. He stared Sirius in the eyes in the glass.

"Alright, Prongs?"

"Everyone keeps saying I was a hero, but I don't remember it."

Sirius said, jokingly, "You're my hero," in a silly American accent. James hummed a slight laugh and Sirius sobered, adding, "You really are, though."

"You're biased. And a dog. Dogs always have to say stuff like that about their humans."

"Are you calling yourself my master?"

"Okay, fuck this, I'm going to sleep." James pretended to put the mirror away and Sirius's barking laughter came from the mirror as he laid it face down on the pillow for a moment before picking it back up. 

"Ok, no really, though, Prongs - biased for good reason, mate. You really are my hero, that's why you're one of my people. I mean, not that you wouldn't be my person if you weren't a hero - but that you are my hero, man, and I mean it."