This is my first attempt at fan fiction, so any feedback would be greatly appreciated! I am a big Harry Potter fan, but sadly, all of the characters below belong to J K Rowling. Hopefully, I'll update with chapter 2 shortly. . .

Chapter 1

Remus J. Lupin stepped out of Herbology and into the cold afternoon air. It wasn't that he was avoiding his best friends, he reflected – but in fact, that is exactly what he was doing. Remus sighed heavily, pulling his cloak tighter around his body, and remembered Sirius' pleading looks from across the classroom.

"Great, now I feel even worse," he muttered to himself as he trudged through the knee-deep snow.

As if to prove him right, the world suddenly tilted and Remus was forced to grab hold of a tree in order to keep from pitching face-first onto the ground. Pressing his burning forehead against the bark, his mind traveled back to the events of the previous evening. . .

"I'll see you guys in a few days!" Peter called as he walked out of the school's main entrance.

James, Sirius and Remus, who were standing in the doorway, waved at their retreating friend. It was about 7:00 pm on a Thursday, and the three 4th years had agreed to keep Peter company while he waited for the train. Peter had received news the day before that his aunt had passed away, and was therefore headed to the funeral. He wasn't especially close to her (in point of fact, he had never even spoken to her), but his mother insisted that he be in attendance.

"C'mon, Remmie, let us take you to Madam Pomfrey, OK?" Sirius begged for the umpteenth time as they turned and headed back toward their dorm. Remus had been trying to hide his illness since yesterday, chalking it up to the impending full moon, but Sirius and James weren't fooled. Sirius in particular had taken notice of every cough, shiver and sneeze that passed through Remus' body. He also noticed that his friend's face was becoming paler by the minute.

"I'm fine, Siri, just a little tired," Remus responded, leaning heavily against Sirius' arm as though he couldn't support his own slight weight.

"Well, then you're at least going to sleep," Sirius said decisively, wrapping an arm around Remus' waist to support him as they walked.

James watched the interaction between his two friends with a mixture of amusement and concern. His concern was, of course, for Remus' health. His amusement, on the other hand, came from seeing Sirius' mother-hen instincts come out full force. Sirius Black, playboy extraordinaire – no one would ever believe he had a soft side. Then again, James reflected, his soft side only seemed to surface around Remus. It wasn't that Sirius didn't care about James and Peter, but for some time now James had noticed that Sirius and Remus seemed to have a special bond. James knew he would always be Sirius' best pal, yet there was something different about the way he treated Remus. . .

"Earth to James! Are you going to help me, or stand there looking like an arse all night?"

Sirius' impatient voice snapped James out of his reverie. He suddenly realized they were back in their room, and Sirius was attempting to situate Remus in his bed. Remus, for his part, looked like he was already asleep. James rushed over and helped Sirius arrange the blankets over their friend. Both boys then stood back, slightly perplexed.

"What now?" Sirius said, looking to James for an answer.

"Well, without Peter and Remus, we'll end up getting caught if we try to prank someone tonight. . . I guess we could go down to the common room and study?" James replied after a moment's thought.

"Study! Are you sure you're not coming down with something?" Sirius queried in an agitated tone.

"Come on, Siri, a little studying won't kill you," James said, grabbing Sirius' arm and dragging him toward the stairs.

"It just might," Sirius mumbled mournfully. Then he sighed, "Lead the way, Jamie, lead the way."