When A Volcano Meets A Tornado will be finishing up soon and (before starting its sequel) I'll be taking a short break from the world of Teddy and Victoire. I've already started plans for my next chaptered fic, so before When A Volcano Meets A Tornado ends completely I want to give you all the first, small chapter of my next fic. A teaser chapter, one might call it. I'll be adding more as soon as When A Volcano Meets A Tornado is over. In the mean time, please leave a review!
Warning: Contains swearing, an eating disorder, slash, and light sex scenes. SiriusxRemus.
"You're quiet," James Potter observed, eyeing Sirius Black over the copy of the Quidditch magazine he had been reading.
Sirius, who had been sat with his boiling forehead pressed against the cool window of the Hogwarts Express, merely mumbled, "I feel a bit sick."
Remus Lupin eyed his boyfriend with concern. He leaned over to gently place a scarred hand on Sirius's head. "Jesus Sirius, you're on fire!" He observed, his amber eyes widening in alarm, "You had better go to Madam Pomfrey the moment we get in to Hogwarts."
"What, and miss the feast?" James said.
"Oh God, stop talking about food," Sirius moaned as his stomach heaved. He closed his eyes and tried to ignore his pounding headache.
"Speaking of food, I wonder when the trolley's coming round. I could murder a pumpkin pasty…" Peter Pettigrew groaned. Sirius cracked open an eye to glare at him. "Sorry," Peter mumbled, glancing down at his shoes.
"You don't need anymore more pasties, Wormtail, believe me!" James teased, jabbing Peter in his podgy stomach with the tip of his wand. Peter yelped and, not unexpectedly, the two of them dived on each other, embarking in a play fight.
"Can you two just be quiet?" Remus snapped as Sirius's head slipped down the window and he turned a worrying shade of green.
Thankfully it wasn't long before the sunset outside disappeared and was replaced by the intriguing glow of the moon. Remus stared out at it, feeling fortunate that it would remain a crescent for the next two weeks. The Marauders changed in to their Hogwarts robes, Sirius groggily so, and moments later the train had come to rest on its tracks. The sounds of compartment doors could be hear sliding open and banging shut all over the train, and the very ground seemed to shake as the stampede of Hogwarts students ran down the halls.
"You all right?" Remus asked Sirius, who by now looked absolutely awful.
"Just get me to Madame Pomfrey," Sirius ordered in a croaky voice, leaning against Remus for support as they left the train and stepped out on to Hogsmeade station. It was blessedly cooler out here than it had been on the packed train.
The Marauders clambered in to one of the self-drawn (or so they thought) carriages awaiting them outside the station. For Sirius the journey couldn't end sooner; he spent most of it trying not to vomit as he bumped from up and down whilst the carriage rode over the rocky track towards Hogwarts. It eventually arrived and the boys followed their fellow students towards the great front doors. They were welcomed inside by the stern Professor McGonagall, who took one look at Sirius and said, "Lupin, you had better take Mr Black straight to the hospital wing!"
"That's where we're headed, Professor," Remus replied.
Professor McGonagall nodded. "If he can't make it to the feast I shall ensure that some food is brought up to him."
At her words Sirius suddenly heaved and a great cascade of vomit came flying out of his mouth. It splattered on to the floor. Professor McGonagall jumped back with a grimace whilst the rest of her students cried out in disgust and delight. Wrinkling her nose, Professor McGonagall wiped the vomit from the gleaming marble floor with one flick of her wand. Remus was already dragging Sirius towards the hospital wing.
When they entered the room Madame Pomfrey was tucked away in her office, reading a thick romance novel, obviously not expecting to have any casualties this early on in the term. She looked up as Remus and Sirius bounded in. She sighed and marked her place in her book with a Honeydukes sweet wrapper before getting up to attend to her duties.
"What's happened here?" She demanded to know as she lead a trembling Sirius over to one of the beds.
"He wasn't well all through the train journey, miss. He's just been sick in the Entrance Hall," Remus explained. He was frowning in panic as he watched Sirius slump against his cushions.
Madame Pomfrey nodded. "Very well. Thank you for escorting him, Mr Lupin. You may go," She said.
"Are you sure he'll be all right?" Remus fretted.
"Mr Black will be just fine here with me," Madame Pomfrey insisted. Remus nodded and reluctantly turned to leave. As he reached the door, Madame Pomfrey called, "The first new moon is in two weeks time, is it not?"
Remus, who couldn't believe Madame Pomfrey's lack of discretion, quickly glanced around the empty halls before facing back around and quickly nodding. He entered the Great Hall five minutes later, ignoring the stares as he slipped in between James and Peter. The Sorting was nearing it's end, and James didn't speak until it was over.
"How is he?" He asked.
"Madame Pomfrey said he'll be fine," Remus assured him.
"I wonder what's wrong with him," James said.
"Probably just something he ate," Peter said, his mouth stuffed with mashed potato. James stared at his friend with a slightly revolted look before helping himself to some chicken pie. Remus, desperately hoping that Sirius wasn't suffering from anything too dire, did the same.
