The Potter family sat together in the warm glow of the living room, laughter mingling with the crackle of the fire. Euphemia was knitting in her favorite armchair, Fleamont flipping through The Daily Prophet, while James and his younger sibling playfully argued over the rules of Exploding Snap.

"I’m telling you, you can’t just make up rules as you go!" James exclaimed, tossing down his cards in mock frustration.

"Or maybe you’re just terrible at this game," his sibling retorted, smirking.

Before James could fire back, the flames in the fireplace roared to life, a sudden whoosh that startled everyone. They all turned just as Sirius stumbled out, his usually proud posture replaced by a slumped, desperate form. His face was pale and smudged with soot, his hair wild, and his robes tattered. He took a shaky step forward before his knees buckled, collapsing onto the rug in front of them.

"Sirius!" James shouted, leaping to his feet. He was at his friend’s side in an instant, turning him over gently as Fleamont and Euphemia rushed over.

"Good heavens, what happened?" Euphemia exclaimed, kneeling beside Sirius and pressing a hand to his forehead.

"He just... he just fell through," James stammered, his usual bravado replaced with raw worry. "He hasn’t said anything."

Fleamont carefully lifted Sirius into his arms, his expression grim. "Let’s get him into the guest room. Effie, grab some potions."

Euphemia nodded, standing quickly and heading for the cupboard. She paused long enough to glance at her children. "Stay here, both of you. We’ll take care of him."

James and his sibling exchanged a worried look as their parents disappeared into the hallway with Sirius. The laughter and warmth that had filled the room only moments ago were replaced with a tense, uneasy silence.