Not Just Best Friends

Not Just Best Friends

Not Just Best Friends

Chapter Two: Comforting Padfoot

Author: Prongs

Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns all things 'Harry Potter.'

A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed or commented on the first chapter.  I really appreciate your feedback!

A/N 2: This chapter deals with Mrs. Potter healing a lot of Sirius' wounds.  I'm making up a lot of the healing scenes-I doubt it's completely accurate, but hopefully it at least sounds okay!  The main point is that someone is taking care of poor Sirius.

~*~

"What on earth happened?" Mrs. Potter asked worriedly as she ushered James and Sirius inside.

James sighed and watched as his mother closed and locked the front door.  They were soon joined by Mr. Potter.

"What's going on?" he asked immediately.  "Sirius!  Who did this to you?"

"My father," Sirius said quietly.  

"What?" Mr. Potter asked, startled.  "How long has this been going on?"

Sirius swallowed and looked at James nervously.

"Before we talk about any of that, let me see what I can do to heal you, Sirius," Mrs. Potter said.  "Follow me, Sirius."

"What about James?" Sirius asked, not moving.  "Look at his hands!  Will you heal him first?"

"Gods, Sirius, please don't worry about my hands," James whispered.  "Please let my mum take care of you first."

Mrs. Potter nodded in agreement.  "Come here-both of you."

Sirius and James followed Mrs. Potter into the kitchen and watched as she pulled out several clothes and laid them on the table.  She then reached into her pocket and grabbed her wand.  "Would you like something to drink first?" she asked, looking at Sirius.

"Some water, please," Sirius replied.  

Mrs. Potter smiled sadly and grabbed a glass.  She quickly filled it with cold water and handed it to Sirius.  "What about you, James?"

James shook his head.  "I'm fine," he replied.

Mr. Potter sat down across from his son and worriedly studied Sirius.  He knew all about James' relationship with Sirius, and he had to admit, he was quite fond of his son's boyfriend.  It simply infuriated him to think that the Blacks had hurt their son.

"All right, Sirius," Mrs. Potter said quietly as she sat down next to him.  "Your face looked horribly bruised, so-"

"His arm," James interrupted.  "I think his right arm is broken."

Mrs. Potter turned to look at Sirius, and he numbly nodded his head.  "It hurts a lot," he admitted.

"I'll start with your arm then," James' mother agreed.  She looked thoughtful for a moment and then gently pulled up Sirius' sleeve on his right arm.  He winced, but didn't complain.  James stood up and gently ran his bloodied fingers through Sirius' hair.  He leaned forward and tenderly kissed Sirius' neck.  

James' family gulped when they saw Sirius' arm.  The bone was sticking out at a terribly odd angle and blood was everywhere.  Mrs. Potter took a deep breath and pressed the tip of her wand to Sirius' arm.  She murmured a healing spell that nobody else in the room recognized.  As soon as she uttered the spell, Sirius' bones healed themselves.

"That's bloody amazing," James murmured, still fiddling with Sirius' long locks.

Mrs. Potter smiled slightly.  "Thank you, James," she whispered.  "Could one of you hand me a cloth?"

Mr. Potter quickly grabbed one of the clothes and handed it to his wife.  She took it from him and gently started wiping away the blood on Sirius' arm.  "You'll probably want to take a warm bath later, Sirius," she said kindly.  "That way, you can clean off the rest of the blood."

Sirius nodded.  

"It still hurts, doesn't it?" James' mother asked.

"Yes, but it's much better than it was before.  Thank you," Sirius said hoarsely.

James handed Sirius his water, and Sirius gratefully drank some of it.  

"It's probably going to hurt for a while," Mrs. Potter said.  "I'm going to keep an eye on it each day."

Sirius just stared at her with hope evident in his sad eyes.  

Mrs. Potter sighed and placed her hand on Sirius' bruised face.  "You're never going back there, Sirius.  You're going to stay with us.  As far as I'm concerned, you're part of our family."

Sirius tried not to cry, but several tears fell anyway.  "Thank you," he whispered.  

"Of course," James' mother replied as she leaned forward and embraced Sirius tightly.  Sirius hugged her back immediately and closed his eyes.  He had never really known what it felt like to be loved by a mother.

Mrs. Potter gently broke the hug and clutched her wand again.  "All right, onto your face.  What caused the deep gashes?"

"A knife," James replied through gritted teeth.

"Your father cut you with a knife?" Mr. Potter asked in disbelief.

"Yes," Sirius replied quietly.  

"I can fix it," Mrs. Potter said reassuringly.  She touched her wand to Sirius' face and murmured several spells.  The deep cuts slowly closed, but several scars remained.

"The scars should eventually go away," she explained.  "I honestly doubt they will stay there.  If they look like they're going to, then I can help you take them away.  I think they will soon disappear on their own, though.  The pain will stay for several days, I imagine.  I may be able to give you some potions to help ease the pain."

Sirius swallowed.  "Thank you."

"Sirius, darling, you don't have to keep thanking me."

Sirius nodded his head, and James gently kissed his lover again.

"Bruises are harder to deal with," Mrs. Potter explained.  "It's better to work with them after it has been twenty-four hours.  Are all of these from tonight?"

Sirius shook his head.  "He hits me every night.  But some bruises are on top of others, so I don't think you'll be able to tell which ones are older."

James' family stared at Sirius with anger burning in their eyes.  They truly hated the Blacks.  How could anyone hurt someone like Sirius?  He was such a kind, caring person, and they all loved him dearly.

James tried to calm down and wrapped his arms around Sirius' body.  "This time tomorrow you'll be able to heal them all, right?" he asked, looking up at his mother.

She nodded her head.  "Yes, James.  I should be able to."  She turned her attention to Sirius again.  "This happened every night?"

"Almost," Sirius replied quietly.  "Some nights it was bettern otn others."

Mrs. Potter sighed and grabbed another cloth.  She gently wiped away some of the blood on Sirius' face, especially near his nose.  She then touched his nose and watched his reaction.

"It's not broken, is it?" Sirius asked.

"Bruised extensively," Mrs. Potter repl &nb  "But I don't think it's really broken.  I can tell that is hurts you, though."

"I didn't think it was broken," Sirius murmured.  "Which is surprising."

"What else?" Mrs. Potter asked slowly.  "Is there anything else I should be trying to heal right now?"

Sirius paused and then shook his head.  "Thank y-"

"You don't have to keep thanking me," Mrs. Potter reminded Sirius as she ruffled his hair.  

"Where is your wand?" Mr. Potter asked thoughtfully.

Sirius looked at his lover and started to speak, but James replied instead.  "His parents took all of his stuff fhim.him.  We don't have any idea where it is."

"How could they?" Mr. Potter asked, clenching his fists tightly.

"Sirius, sweetheart, try not to think about any of that r now now.  We're going to find a way to get your things.  We'll talk about it tomorrow, all right?  We can make a list of your belongings so that we make sure we get everything."

"But how can you…"  

"We will find a way," Mrs. Potter replied warmly.  "I promise, Sirius."

"Will you fix James' hands now?" Sirius asked, worriedly.

"Of course," Mrs. Potter replied.  "Come here, honey."

James finally removed his arms from his boyfriend's waist and walked over to his mother.  Sirius started to get up, but James motioned for him to stay sitting.  

James held his hands out to his mother, and she took a cloth and wiped away the blood.  "How did you know to go and get Sirius?" she asked while she worked.

"I hadn't heard from him at all," James replied.  "I was worried and scared that something could have happened to him.  I had to find out if he was okay.  When I saw…I knew I had to get him out of there."

"How did you hurt your ha" Mr" Mr. Potter asked.

"I broke open the window with them," James answered as his mother touched her wand to her son's hands.

"It would only open a few inches," Sirius explained quietly.  "My father or brother spelled it to not open anymore than that so that I couldn't try to escape."

"And you still managed to break it open with your bare hands?" Mr. Potter asked, amazed.

James nodded his head.  "I was angry," he replied softly.

Mr. and Mrs. Potter stared at each other for a moment and then returned their attention to their son.sp;"sp;"I'm so glad you went there tonight," James' mother said.  "Your hands are slightly bruised, James.  I won't be able to completely heal them until tomorrow."

"I understand," James replied.  "Thank you, mum."

"Of course, sweetheart.  Would you like anything to eat?" she asked, looking at Sirius.

"No thank you," Sirius said.  "I feel a bit sick at the moment."

"Do you still want to take a bath?" James asked.  "The warmth might make you feel better."

"I do want to if that's all right," Sirius replied.  

"Of course," James answered.  

"While you're in the bath, I'll make up a potion that should help you sleep better," Mrs. Potter said warmly.

"I really appreciate everything," Sirius replied.  

"Come on," James murmured, offering Sirius his hand.  "Follow me, love."

Sirius nodded and took his lover's hand.  He allowed James to lead him up the stairs and into a large bathroom.

"What am I going to wear?" Sirius asked, motioning to his torn clothes.

"Something of mine," James replied, kissing his boyfriend's face.  "Does it hurt when I do that?  The last thing I want to do is hurt you, love."

"You could never hurt me," Sirius said, looking at James with tired eyes.  "Thank you so fucking much, James.  You saved me."

"You don't have to thank me, Sirius.  I love you so much.  You mean the world to me.  To see you in such pain makes me feel so incredibly angry at your family."

Sirius looked down at the floor and felt tears forming in his eyes.

James gently placed his hand on Sirius' chin and forced his lover to look up.  James then carefully wiped the tears away.

"I'm sorry I keep crying so much," Sirius mumbled.

"Don't you dare apologize," James said.  "Do you want me to stay here with you?"

"Please," Sirius said immediately.  "I don't want to be alone, James.  Please don't leave me."

"You're stuck with me forever," James replied.  He walked over to the huge bathtub and turned on the water.  He made sure it was quite warm and then added in a special kind of healing bubble bath.  "This should help soothe you," James explained.

"I'm glad that your mum knows so many healing spells," Sirius said gratefully.

"You and me both," James agreed.  "When I was little, I was always getting into things and hurting myself."

"Not you!" Sirius exclaimed, smirking.

James smiled and wrapped his arms around Sirius.  "It's so good to see you smile again, love."

Sirius fell into James' embrace and just stayed there for several minutes.

"I'll help you get undressed, okay?" James asked.

Sirius nodded and started to take his boots off.  He groaned slightly when he bent his back.  

James' eyes widened, and he started to speak, but then stopped.  "Let me do it," he said.  He knelt down and quickly untied Sirius' shoes.  

"How do your hands feel?" Sirius asked worriedly.

"They're okay," James replied.  "I'm more concernboutbout you."  After removing Sirius' shoes, James carefully helped Sirius out of the rest of his clothing.  James gulped when he noticed several bruises on Sirius' chest, shoulders, and back.  He decided not to say anything at the moment and instead helped his now naked lover into the warm tub of bubbling water.

Sirius eased himself into the water and shuddered at the feeling.  "You are coming in, too, right?" he asked nervously.

"Do you want me to?" Jamesed aed apprehensively.

"Please," Sirius replied.  "I mean, is that okay?"

"Of course," James replied.  He quickly undressed and then joined his lover in the tub.  

Sirius stared at James' bare chest for a moment and smiled.  He pressed his head against James' body and cuddled up next to his boyfriend.  "I wish I had more energy," he said softly.  "I've missed you so much, James."

"And I've missed you," James replied, trying not to cry.  He hated to see his beautiful Sirius in so much pain.  "We'll have plenty of time for other things," he said with a small grin.  

"Good," Sirius replied softly.  He felt his eyes closing and tried desperately to keep them open.

"Let me wash you," James whispered.  He grabbed the soap and slowly began to wash Sirius' back and chest.  He ext extremely gentle as he massaged his hands on Sirius' bruised body.  "What happened to your back and chest?"

Sirius stared at the wall of the bathroom.  "He used to kick me and hit me."

"He kicked your back and chest?" James interrupted, feeling his anger rising.  

"Sometimes," Sirius admitted.  "Sometimes he would push me onto the floor and then kick me."

James dropped the soap and pulled Sirius towards him.  "Gods, Sirius.  Merlin, I hate your father so fucking much!  How could he hurt you like this?  How could anyone ever hurt someone as amazing as you?"  James closed his eyes and just held Sirius for a while.  Sirius leaned back into James' embrace.

"Do you think your mum can heal some of the bruises?" Sirius asked.

"Of course," James replied.  "Definitely.  We'll talk to her about it tomorrow when she heals the bruises on your face.  Is that okay?"

"Thank you," Sirius murmured.  "I love you so much, James."

"And I love you more than you could possibly imagine," James said forcefully.  "Here," he said, grabbing the soap again.  "Let me finish washing you."

Sirius nodded and started to turn around so that he was facing his lover.

"No, I'll move," James said as he shifted his position.  He was now facing Sirius, and he started to wash his lover's face.  "How much does your nose hurt?"

"Some.  This actually feels really good, James."

"I'md. &d.  Will you close your eyes, love?  I don't want to get any soap in them."

Sirius shut his eyes and allowed James to finish massaging his face.  James' hands always felt amazing wherever they were on his body.  James Potter knew exactly what to do to make Sirius feel good.  

With Sirius' eyes still closed, James then began to wash off the soap with a warm washcloth.  When he was finished, he pressed a gentle kiss on Sirius' lips.

"You can open your eyes again, love."

Sirius smiled and opened his eyes.

"I'm going to wash the rest of you now, okay?  I never finished washing your back."
ius ius started to move, but was quickly stopped by his lover.  "I'm the one moving, remember?"

"I don't deserve you," Sirius mumbled while James continued to work.  James was using the washcloth to tenderly rinse soap off of Sirius' back, shoulders, and chest.

"Don't talk like that," James replied as he started washing Sirius' legs.  "I love you so damn much, Sirius.  I'm positive that we belong together."

"So am I," Sirius replied.  

James smiled and continued washing Sirius' legs.  He paused slightly when he reached Sirius' thighs.  His smile faded when something terrible occurred to him.  "Sirius?" James said nervously.

"Hmm?" Sirius asked.  "What is it, James?"

"Did your father…I don't know how to thisthis…did he…"

"He never raped me," Sirius said quietly.  "He never ripped off my clothes or anything like that.  He never even came close."

"Thank Merlin," James sighed with relief and embraced his lover again.  "Gods, if he had, I would kill the bastard!"

Sirius kissed James' neck one time and then took James' hands in his own.  He tenderly kissed each of James' hands.  "You're hurt, too.  I should be taking care of you."

"righright now," James said.  "My hands are perfectly fine."  

James finished washing Sirius' legs and then put the soap down.  "Do you want me to wash your hair, love?"

"Would you?"

"You know I adore your hair, Sirius."

"He threatened to cut it."

"He what?" James asked in a dangerous voice.

"He threatened to cut it a few times," Sirius explained.  "You know how I am about my hair.  I was so scared that he would actually do it.  I was afraid of what you would think, too."

"I'll always love you, Sirius.  You know that," James said, soothingly.  Inside, he was fuming.  He ran his fingers through Sirius' long locks and then looked around the bathroom.  "Be right back."

Sirius looked confused as he watchemes mes hurry out of the bathtub.  James grabbed a large, plastic cup from the counter and then returned to the tub.  Sirius smiled at his lover.  James certainly was gorgeous.  His quidditch-toned, tanned body was indeed beautiful.  Despite his tiredness and pain, Sirius still felt aroused.  

"To rinse your hair," James explained.

"We can use the shower, can't we?" Sirius asked.

"You'd have to stand," James replied.

"I can stand still," Sirius looked amused.

"Perhaps," James murmured.  "I want you to stay like this, though."  James filled the cup with water and then slowly dumped it over Sirius' raven hair.  He repeated this act several times before picking up a bottle of shampoo.  He squirted some onhe phe palm of his hand and then started to wash Sirius' hair.  James' hands massaged Sirius' scalp for nearly five minutes.

Sirius closed his eyes and leaned his head against James' chest while James continued to wash Sirius' hair.  "Your hands must hurt doing that," Sirius mumbled.

"Actually, this feels quite nice.  Very nice, in fact."

"Mmmm," Sirius mumbled.  "Feels so good.  Wonderful."

James smiled and rinsed his hands in the water.  He re-filled the cup and slowly rinsed Sirius' hair again.  He then grabbed a bottle of conditioner and smirked.  "Love, this is strawberry scented.  Is that okay with y-"

"I love strawberries," Sirius said suggestively.  

James grinned and felt himself becoming aroused.  He squeezed the bottle of conditioner and rubbed some onto his hands.  He started to work the thick conditioner through Sirius' hair and desperately tried to think about cold showers and McGonagall naked.  Now was not the time to think about making love to Sirius.  Now was the time to heal Sirius' wounds and comfort him.  Hold him…

James finished with the conditioner and then began rinsing Sirius' locks again.  He rinsed the beautiful hair quite a few times before stopping.  "Are you ready to get out and dry off?" James asked.

"Hmmm," came the reply.

James got out of the tub and grabbed two towels.  He then helped Sirius out of the bathtub and slowly dried his lover's body.  Both wrapped a towel around their waists and walked into the hallway and towards James' room.

They entered his room and then closed the door behind them.  James immediately pulled several pairs of pajamas out of a drawer.  ich ich one do you want to wear?" he asked.

"I should have washed you," Sirius said tiredly.

"I'm clean," James replied, winking.  "Like I said before, love, I'm taking care of you right now.  And for a while.  A long while.  Don't worry about me."

"I will anyway," Sirius said and then shivered.

"How about these?" James asked, holding up a pair of solid black pajamas.

"Perfect," Sirius replied.  

"Good.  I'll dress you," James said, grinning.  He grabbed Sirius' towel and made sure lovelover's body was completely dry.  Then, he walked across the room and pulled a pair of boxers out of his chest of drawers.  He helped Sirius put them on, and then he pulled the pajama pants onto his lover's legs.  Next, James took the towel and wrapped it around Sirius' hair.  He picked up the black shirt and gently touched Sirius' right arm.  "This is probablyng tng to hurt, love.  Do you want me to do it quickly or slowly?"

"Slowly, I think," Sirius replied.  

"Gotcha," James said.  With one hand, he held onto Sirius' right arm, and with the other, he carefully pulled Sirius' arm through the sleeve of the shirt.  "You okay?"

"Yeah," Sirius gasped.  "It hurts still, but it's so much better than it was earlier."

"We'll make it feel even better soon," James murmured as he finished buttoning the shirt.  "Do you want some socks?"

"James, love, all you're wearing is a towel.  Aren't you cold?"

James shrugged his shoulders and winked at his boyfriend.  "Are your feet cold?"

"Yes," Sirius admitted.  He watched as hixy lxy lover walked across the room and grabbed some black socks.  "James?"

"Hmm?  Sit on the bed.  I'll put them on for you."

"I can do it myself."

"I'm sure you can.  I'd rather do it for you, though."

Sirius smiled and sat down on the side of James' bed.  He grinned as James pulled the warm socks onto his feet.  "Do you want to stay there while I get dressed?" James asked.

"Hmm," Sirius replied.  He watched his boyfriend pull on a pair of red pajamas and grinned.  "I alreadel sel so much better," he whispered.

"I'm glad," James replied.  He took Sirius' hand in his own and helped his lover stand up.  "Would you like something more to drink?" James asked.

"I…well, I can go and-"

"I'll go," James interrupted.  "Are you hungry?"

"Not yet," Sirius said, looking queasy at the thought of food.  

"I understand," James said as he quickly left the roonbspnbsp;He returned a few minutes later carrying two glasses of water and a small glass filled with a special healing potion.  He placed a glass of water on the bedside table and handed the other to Sirius.

Sirius drank some water and then took the potion from James' hands.  He quickly swallowed all of it and then handed the small glass back to James.  

James turned on the small light next to his bed, and then quickly strode across the room and turned off the overhead light. &n

He returned to his bed and helped Sirius get into the bed comfortably.  James then climbed in next to his lover and turned off the smaller light.

"Gods, I'm so glad I'm here with you," Sirius mumbled tiredly.  "Don't ever leave me.  I'd die without you, James."

James wrapped his arms around Sirius and gently stroked Sirius' bruised face.  "I could never leave you.  You mean the world to me.  I love you, Sirius Black," he said as he kissed his lover.  

They both settled down into each other's arms.  Within minutes, Sirius was sound asleep.  James watched his boyfriend for a while, and then he also drifted off to sleep.  

~*~

TBC (Next chapter will feature James remembering how he and Sirius got together in the first place.)