the_debt_of_time

Not waiting for Peter, she rushed down the stairs, through the common room, and
out the portrait hole in a blur.
When she reached the seventh floor, she followed the shouts echoing loudly in the
otherwise silent corridor. Turning a corner, Mia spotted Sirius sitting on the ground with
his back up against the wall, his eyes dark and rimmed with red. His head hung low in what
looked like shame as a red-faced James held him at wand point.
Mia often compared James to Harry, but it was moments like this—when James
lost his temper—that Mia was able to see the difference between father and son. While
Harry had kept his Seeker's frame throughout school, James had filled out, and when he
needed to appear intimidating he had no trouble standing taller and using his larger frame
to do so.
"—should curse you right here!" James bellowed, looking close to tears himself.
"You're supposed to be better than your bloody family, Sirius!"
Cringing at the volume, Sirius shrank further against the wall.
Mia gaped at the sight in horror. She had never seen James properly angry with
Sirius. Even when the two had fought over Sirius's issues with her and Remus, James
seemed to react as though it were his brotherly duty, regardless of how he felt about Sirius.
Now, however, he looked furious with his best friend. It had been a long time since James
had used Sirius's name instead of affectionately calling him Padfoot.
"I know... I-I can't.. ." Sirius stammered, looking anguished.
"Jamie?" Mia whispered, taking a slow step toward the scene. "Jamie, where's
Remus?"
Sirius swallowed, getting to his feet and hesitantly taking a few steps toward her.
"Mia."
"He's in the room," James said, holding out his wand to block Sirius from moving
any closer. He turned his gaze on his best friend, glaring sternly before turning back to his
sister. "There was an... accident."
"No." Mia shook her head, already knowing what he was going to say. How had
she forgotten? Her eyes bore into Sirius's face, and he broke under her stare, turning away
from her.
"Mia, I'm so sorry. I can't tell you how sorry I am," Sirius choked out, clearly
grieving.