Eveything Has Changed (and now I can't tell what matters)

The best people I know are looking out for me

Chapter 1

The best people I know are looking out for me

They threw me a whirlwind,
And I spat back the sea.
I took a battering,
But I got thicker skin,
And the best people I know are looking out for me

Get Better, Frank Turner

*W*H*

It was early August, but the summer heat had carried on to autumn. It wasn't as bad as it had been, meaning that James's t-shirts had stopped sticking to his back and chest as soon as he stepped outside. But it was still warm enough to warrant an ice-cream, which is why he had organised their meet-up at Florean's.

There were several reasons they were meeting up. The most obvious was that they were friends. And while, as Euphemia would point out, they had seen each other not two weeks previous, they were never apart from each other for long; co-dependent, Euphemia would tease with a twinkle in her eye. The second was that their Sixth Year was starting in September and they needed new books for the coming school year. The third was a slightly darker reason; in times like these, when people didn't know who to trust and who they could turn to, it was important to check in on those you cared about.

But James was resolute in his decision to enjoy the day. He loved Diagon Alley, though it had grown significantly worse as the tensions increased, and he was determined to spend a nice day with his friends- well, most of them anyway.

James was determined not to worry, but he knew that when you're around Remus Lupin and Sirius Black, you couldn't help but worry. Not only were they particularly mischievous, the former in particular, though that may surprise most people, but they were also both particularly stubborn. Which, James admitted, he was too. But Remus and Sirius were too stubborn to admit when they needed help, no matter how badly they needed it.

*W*H*

Remus and Sirius were already at the ice-cream parlour when James arrived, sipping on glasses of water. He had split from his parents after their visit to Gringotts, his pockets significantly heavier.

"Well, it's about time," Remus said sarcastically, as James entered. Despite the potentially insulting words, he couldn't help but grin.

"Is Wormy coming?" Sirius asked, kicking out the chair that his feet had been resting on.

"Nah. Lucky idiot is on holidays," James replied, dropping into the chair and stretching out his long legs.

"What? Where?" Sirius asked.

"Italy," James replied, picking up the menu.

"That's not fair," Sirius said, pouting. "I never get to go on holidays."

"How are the family, by the way?" James asked, glancing at Sirius over the top of his menu.

"Oh you know. As darling as ever," Sirius said, with an air of sarcasm. At James's pointed glare, he huffed and rolled his eyes. "I'm fine Prongs. Chill, would you?"

James raised a suspicious eyebrow, but turned back to his menu. "How are you Moony?"

"I'm fine, mother dear," Remus replied, smirking at his friend.

"Hilarious," James replied, deadpanned. He put down his menu, using his middle finger to pushed his glasses back up his nose, before staring at Remus.

Remus squirmed uncomfortably. "I hate when you do that."

"Do what?" James asked innocently, but not relenting on his stare.