James winced at every slight movement he made, trying to extract himself from his warm, comfortable bed. He swung his legs over the side, the hair on them prickling as the cold hit his body. He shuddered, working up the courage to stand up.

He gripped the side of the bed, one hand on either side of his torso, and heaved himself upward, letting go at the last second so he didn't topple backwards. He instinctively put his arms out as he wobbled, and his legs felt like jelly.

Regaining composure, he walked over to the window, a few bones cracking and cricking as he walked, causing him to gasp under his breath. James watched the sun rise, wondering how such a normal occurrence could make him feel just that little better.

Suddenly, as a ray threatened to burn out his irises, he remembered why he had to awaken at such a hideous hour. He walked over to his wardrobe, and scrambled through various clothing to extract a slightly worn, full trunk.

James had packed the night before, carefully choosing enough muggle clothes and robes to last him the holidays, and remembering to pack all his school robes and books. He set the overflowing trunk on the floor carefully, and then straightened up to peer back into his closet.

After rummaging through the various items of clothing he had left in his expensive closet, he chose a pair of dark muggle jeans and a t-shirt with a black coat. He sucked in a breath and then changed as quickly as he could, ignoring his stinging cuts and bruises, and the temperature of the room.

Once fully dressed and slightly warmer, James quickly stashed his pyjamas into a drawer, and then set about writing a note to his parents.

Dear Mum and Dad,

No, scratch that. He didn't deserve a mention, as childish as it sounds.

Dear Mum,

I've gone to Sirius'.

Nope, he couldn't write that either. His father would see, and try to come and get him. That wouldn't do.

Dear Mum,

I have gone away for the rest of the holidays, I need some time to think. Do not worry about me, I will be somewhere safe, and please do not look for me. I will owl you when I go back to Hogwarts.

Sorry.

James

That would have to do. Although his parents would still think he would be somewhere with Sirius, they wouldn't think he was at Sirius' house, as they had heard countless rumours about the Black's, and James didn't tend to go there. So, for the time being, he was safe.

He took one last look around the room, and then tentatively picked up his trunk again, his upper arm protesting at even that little weight. With his other hand he grabbed his broom from its leaning position against the wall, and put it under his arm, so he did not have to use too much strength.

He stopped to think for a second, wondering if he had forgotten anything, and then slowly walked towards the desk. The broom still under his arm, he used his left hand to brush papers out of the way, revealing the lighter he had been using earlier. He stared at it for a few seconds, deciding. Reaching out, he picked it up and roughly put it in his pocket, hoping he would forget he had brought it with him.

After glancing at his alarm clock, he hurriedly picked up the letter and placed it in front of his door, so that it was the first thing his parents saw.

Then, finally, he opened his window, a gust of freezing air filling his lungs. He climbed onto his broom confidently, knowing that even with his extensive injuries he would still be able to fly.

Then, without further adieu, he flew out the window into the early sunlight, balancing his trunk on his lap.

A little over an hour later, James reached Sirius' house, using the disarming charm Sirius had taught him to get past the various enchantments the grounds had to keep people out.

He hopped off his broom, his nose and fingers red from the cold conditions he had endured for the past hour. He blew on his hands, warming them up a little, and then started walking around the back of the manor, attempting to stay in the shadows.

It would not be all that great if Mr and Mrs Black found him just yet, and so he decided to keep a low profile. He reached the back of the manor and looked up to the window where Sirius' room was, hoping that he hadn't swapped rooms since the last time James had been here.

He stepped easily back onto his broom again, smoothly and gracefully flying on an almost vertical angle up to the room. He peered into the pristine clean window, and thankfully, saw Sirius' sleeping form.

He rapped on the window loudly, knowing that there were no rooms nearby that people would inhabit at this hour. There was no positive response from Sirius, instead, he turned over, his mouth open, facing James.

James laughed a little for the first time in many days, and rapped on the window again. This time there was no response at all from Sirius, and James wondered if he would wake up if their house was under attack.

He suddenly had an idea, and flew fluently down to the garden, picked up some stones, and then flew up again, balancing his trunk on his lap once again.

He flew a few metres away from the window this time, and then, with his right hand, threw a stone at the window. No Sirius came to the window, so James tried again, getting into a rhythm with the handful of stones he had.

After throwing a few, he started to get the giggles. This was just like one of those muggle movies he had seen, where a lovesick boy had thrown stones at a girl's window.

Through his giggling, he didn't see a bleary eyed Sirius open the window, and he lobbed a stone straight at his forehead.

"Fuck!" hissed Sirius, now more wide awake, as a stone had just hit his head at full force, and his best friend was hovering a few metres away on a broomstick, giggling rather girlishly.

James heard him and looked up, his mouth open at the bruise forming on Sirius' forehead. Then suddenly, he started giggling again, rather hysterically.

"Mate, what the fuck is goin on?" Sirius mumbled, loud enough for James to hear.

James simply shrugged, his eyes watering slightly, his shoulders shaking with unbridled laughter.

Sirius looked at him for a minute then moved back from the window.

"Well its bloody freezing, why don't you come in?"

At that, James started crying as well as laughing, and flew straight in on his broom, dumping his trunk on the floor.

He got off his broom and threw it next to his trunk, and then turned to look at Sirius, tears containing many emotions running down his face.

Sirius looked at him worriedly. "Mate, are you alright?" he said softly.

James suddenly wailed at Sirius' worry, and then leaned forwards, looking as if he were about to hug Sirius.

Sirius put his arms out to steady him, but at the last minute James simply crumpled to the floor, his head in his hands.

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