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What was he expecting, really? Unnatural paleness? Bruises perhaps, or outright wounds? Yeah, something like that.

But Remus looks quite normal against the sheets, sleeping with his face pressed into the pillow. And for a second, a completely wild second Sirius thinks that nothing's happened, that it was all just a dream, and now it's morning, and Remus is fine, and Sirius hasn't betrayed. For a wild second Sirius thinks that everything will be all right.

Remus stirs and the illusion is gone — almost, and Sirius prays for him not to open his eyes. But Remus doesn't hear his prayer.