Not Just Best Friends

Not Just Best Friends

Not Just Best Friends

Chapter Four: James' Plan

Author: Prongs

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

A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed or commented on chapter three!  This story only has one more chapter to go after this one.

~*~

James scuttled down the stairs quickly and found his mother in the kitchen, cooking breakfast.

"Mum, do you have a minute?" James asked, sitting down at the table.

Mrs. Potter turned around and smiled at her son.  "Of course, James.  How is Sirius doing?"

"He slept really well," James replied.  "He's awake right now, and I'm going to go back up there in a moment, but first, I really need to talk to you about something important.  Is that okay?  I mean, do you have time right now?"

Mrs. Potter raised an eyebrow and sat down at the table across from her son.  "You almost sound nervous, James.  What's going on?"

James ran his hands through his already messy hair and grinned slightly at his mother.  "I want to ask Sirius to marry me.  What do you think he'll say?"

Mrs. Potter studied her son for several moments before replying.  "Have you thought this through, James?  I mean, you're very young, you know."

"Mum, I love him so much!  He means everything to me, and I know that I want to spend the rest of my life with him.  I can't imagine not being with him every single day.  I can't imagine not waking up beside him every morning.  I know I'm young, but I also know that I want to spend forever with Sirius."

Mrs. Potter smiled at her son.  "I know you love him, James.  Anyone who doesn't know that would have to be blind to true love.  I believe that you want to spend your life with him.  I just worry that you're going to rush into this.  You're not even finished with school yet."

James sighed.  "I know, mum.  I just…I just love him so much, and I know I want to get married…eventually at least.  I mean, couldn't we get engaged now and get married after we both graduate?  Would that make you feel better?"

"If your mind is made up on getting engaged now, I won't try to stop you," Mrs. Potter answered.  "You are young, James, but you also are very mature for your age.  Most of the time, anyway," Mrs. Potter commented wryly.

James snorted and folded his arms across his chest.

"I would feel better if you waited until after graduation to get married.  I'm not saying you'll fall out of love between now and then and that's why I want you to wait.  I just honestly think that you'll be happier if you wait until you're finished with school to get married.  And by that time, you may both decide you want to wait a few years after that, which is perfectly fine."

James opened his mouth to speak and then closed it.  He simply nodded his head instead.

"You do know that you don't have to get engaged just yet, James."

"I realize that," James replied.  "But I want to be engaged to Sirius.  I desperately want this."

"All right then," Mrs. Potter said as she stood up and returned to her cooking.  "I won't try to stop you then, James.  You're old enough to know what you're doing, I suppose."

"Two seconds ago, I was too young!" James exclaimed, grinning.  

Mrs. Potter rolled her eyes at her son.

"Mum, what do you think he'll say?  I mean, what if this blows up in my face?"

Mrs. Potter wiped some hair out of her eyes and put one hand on her hip.  "James, I would be extremely shocked and surprised if he turns you down.  Sirius loves you quite a lot.  It's obvious every time he looks at you or talks to you or talks about you.  He'll say yes."

"I hope so," James mumbled, tapping his fingers on the table.  "I really need to go upstairs and see how he's doing, but there's just one more thing I need to ask you…"

"There always is," Mrs. Potter said, winking at her son.

James ignored his mother's cnt ant and continued.  "Will you help me get a ring?  I can't propose without a ring!"

"Are you saying you want to go out and look-"

James impatiently waved his hand in the air.  "I can't go out!" he exclaimed.  "I'm not going to leave Siri alone right now."

"James, I hardly think you want me to go pick out a ring for you."

"Once again, that's not what I'm asking," James remarked.  "What about Jade?"

"My friend Jade who owns the jewelry store?"

"That's the one!" James said, grinning.  "You're good friends with her.  Do you think that maybe she could bring some rings over here later, and I could look at them and pick one out?"

"James, can you afford a ring?"

"I don't know," James answered thoughtfully.  "I have money saved up."

"I thought that was for a broom," Mrs. Potter pointed out.

"Yes, but this is more important."

"As long as you're sure you know what you're doing…"

"I'm positive.  So will you owl Jade or should I?"

"Assuming she agrees and comes over, how are you going to do this with Sirius here?"  Mrs. Potter asked.

"Carefully," James replied confidently.  "Maybe you or dad can distract him somehow!  What about while you're healing his bruises?"  James paused and shook his head.  "Nah, I want to be here for that.  What about while he's taking a nap?"

"That could possibly work."

"No," James replied quickly.  "I want to stay with him while he sleeps.  Maybe while he eats?"

"James, you really are head over heals in love with Sirius," Mrs. Potter commented.  

James blushed slightly and nodded his head.  

"I'll owl Jade and see what we can do," Mrs. Potter promised as she grabbed a stack of plates.  "Merlin knows why I'm doing this since I don't completely agree with it."

"It's because you can't deny me anything because I'm so adorable!" James exclaimed, standing up.

"Sirius' charm has definitely been rubbing off on you."

James grinned and hurried up the stairs and into his room.

Sirius was still in bed, but he was sitting up with his back resting against the headboard.  "What on earth took you so long, James?"

James just smiled and sat down on the edge of his bed.  He leaned forward and gently kissed his boyfriend on the lips.  "I'll tell you later," he replied.  "In the meantime, are you hungry?  My mum is cooking breakfast."

Sirius looked thoughtful, "I still feel a bit nauseous, but I think my stomach needs some food, too.  I guess I will try to eat something."

"It might help you to feel better," James agreed.  "How does your face feel?  And your chest?  And your back?"

Sirius almost looked amused, but he answered James' questions immediately.  "Sore.  My back especially hurts."

"Maybe I can give you a massage later," James said lovingly.  He leaned forward and kissed Sirius again.

"James, need I remind you that your hands are bruised?" Sirius asked.  "I refuse to let you give me a massage while you're still in pain."  Sirius then grinned and wrapped his arms around his lover's body.  "I'll wait until your mum heals your hands and then I'll let you do it, all right?"

James laughed and tightly embraced his boyfriend.  "I'm so glad you're here, Siri."

"So am I," Sirius replied.  "Thank you for saving me last night, James.  I love you so damn much."

James pressed his head against Sirius' shoulder.  "You're very welcome, Siri.  "I love you so fucking much."

Sirius chuckled and pulled back to stare at his boyfriend.  "That is definitely somet I w I would say, James."

"No kidding!  I only learn from the best."

"What would everyone at Hogwarts say if they heard you implying that someone else is better than you?" Sirius asked jokingly as he raised an eyebrow.

James grinned and put his finger up to Sirius' lips.  "Just don't ever tell anyone, babe!"

Sirius smirked.  "I think I am hungry.  Can we do downstairs and eat now?"

"Of course," James replied.  He stood up and offered his hand to Sirius.

Sirius grabbed his boyfriend's hand and stood up.  The two walked down the stairs and ate a nice breakfast with James' parents.

~*~

"That was delicious," Sirius said, smiling.

"Thank you," Mrs. Potter replied.  "I'm glad that you were able to eat something this morning."

"With cooking as wonderful as yours, who could possibly refuse it?" Sirius asked.

James groaned and rolled his eyes while his parents laughed.

"How are you feeling, Sirius?" Mrs. Potter asked seriously.  "I should be able to heal those bruises tonight."

"Thank you," Sirius replied.  "It's kind of sore, but….erm…I…" he looked at James nervously.

James nodded his head encouragingly.

"My back and chest have some bruises, too.  Can you, erm, look at those, too?" Sirius asked quietly.

Mrs. Potter nodded her head sadly.  "Of course I can, Sirius.  Do you want me to take a look at them right now?"

"Maybe later?  Is that okay?"

"Sure it is, Sirius.  Just let me know when."

"I will."

Mrs. Potter smiled and got up from the table.  "I have a letter I need to get out this morning, so I'm going to go work on that right now."

James tried to hide his smirk.

"Darling, would you mind putting away the breakfast things and washing the dishes?" Mrs. Potter asked her husband.

"Mum, I can do it," James said.

"I can help," Sirius added.

"Nonsense," Mrs. Potter replied.  "You two need to spend some time relaxing.  Why don't you go into the living room and watch some television for a while?" If yIf you insist on helping, I really don't mind," James' father said while grinning.

Mrs. Potter narrowed her eyes at her husband.  

"On the hand, maybe it would be better if you two relaxed some like your mother suggested," Mr. Potter said, smiling at James.

James and Sirius laughed.  "We'll help if you want us to," Sirius said.

"Absolutely not!  Now go watch TV or whatever it is you two do."

James raised an eyebrow at his mother.

"Not that!"  Mrs. Potter said while blushing.  "Not right now, anyway."

James grinned and got up from the table.  Sirius followed him, and the two sat down on the couch in the living room.  Sirius leaned back against James' chest and rested his head is bis boyfriend's shoulder.  

After several minutes of flipping through channels, James finally left it on a ridiculous American talk show.  People were arguing with their former boyfriends and girlfriends.

Sirius laughed.  "Muggle television shows are great, babe.  If I think I'm messed up…hell at least I don't go onto national TV and spill my problems to everyone else in the world!"

James chuckled and held Sirius closer to him.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Potter was busily writing a letter to her friend, Jade.  She quickly sent it off with her loyal owl and then returned to the kitchen and to help her husband clean the dishes.

~*~

TBC