July 30th, 1976Sirius was brought back to Potter Manor after a week at St Mungo's where Healers
had closely monitored his progress. Eventually, Mia relented and left his side, but only
under the condition that a Potter be with him at all times; the family had taken rotating
shifts. When he was finally allowed to come home with them, Dorea had already converted
his original guest room into a full bedroom, complete with Gryffindor banners, a closet
full of new robes, and pictures of his friends on the walls.
Still recovering, Sirius was forced to stay in bed most of the time by an irate little
house-elf, who now politely called him "Young Master Sirius" and tucked him into bed
each night.
Mia fought tooth and nail with Tilly over helping nurse him back to full health. The
house-elf finally relented, allowing Mia to bring him his meals and to visit, so long as Tilly
was still allowed to clean his room and cook.
Remus and Peter eventually came over to see him, and Mia had to force herself to
leave the room to allow the boys time together. Sirius and the boys talked about Quidditch,
played Exploding Snap, and planned pranks for the upcoming year, but never once did
Sirius open up about what had happened to him.
However, he did have nightmares.
"I'll take care of it," Mia said one evening when she and James both woke up to the
sound of Sirius moaning in his sleep. It was the fourth time that week, and she knew Sirius
had been refusing to take the Dreamless Sleep Draught that St Mungo's sent home with
them.
James sighed irritably. "Force it down his throat if you have to," he said and then
turned around, walking back to his room while muttering, "Stubborn mutt," under his
breath.
She stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. Not wanting to wake
her parents or rouse Tilly, she put up a strong Silencing Charm around the room before
she made her way to Sirius's bed, frowning as he tossed and turned, covered in sweat with
an angry look on his face. She approached slowly, moving his wand out of his reach to
forestall any accidental hexing if she woke him too quickly. He would hate to hurt her.