A big black shaggy dog could be seen trotting into the Leaky Caldron, that is if you could see the Leaky Caldron itself. Tom the inn keeper, who knew of Sirius's innocence because he was an older member of The Order Of The Phoenix, smiled softly. He led Sirius up to a large room, with a fire burning and crackling in the corner. 'You're safe here, Sirius. No one even knows about this room except myself and Mr. Lupin. Well Pettigrew, too.I designed it just for you four, because you needed a special one.' Tom trailed off. 'Thank you Tom.' Sirius said hoarsely, having transformed. He leaned against the wall, weary. Sirius had been right in coming here for the night, because Remus's house or manor, was a hundred miles away and he hadn't eaten in a week. He couldn't even go straight to Remus's, he still had to stop by Arabella's house and warn her. Pain surged in his leg and he groaned, closing his eyes. 'Oh gosh, Sirius.' Tom whispered. 'I'll get you some food and drink. Just go lay down.' He helped the man onto the bed and ran to get said food and drink. Sirius felt guilty about stopping but his leg really, really hurt and he didn't know why. He curled up in the soft warm blankets, letting his eyes droop for the first time in weeks. Tom came back not only with food and drink, but with robes as well. 'Dumbledore said you might stop by.' Tom explained as he helped Sirius into the robes. 'So I bought these, they might be a bit big.' He added, looking as Sirius who was nearly drowning in the fabric. 'I can change that, though.' Tom flicked his wand and the robes suddenly fit Sirius. He smiled. 'Eat something, and if you want more of anything at all ring that little bell and say what you want. Please, Sirius, you need it.' He tried to keep smiling but it faltered. He had known all the Marauders when they were younger and was one of the few shop owners anywhere that put up with all their pranks and he missed them sorely. 'Thank you, Tom.' Sirius whispered and drank half his cup of pumpkin juice. Tom nodded and exited, glad he had given Sirius two jugs of juice, and turned out for the night. Sirius ate some soup and drank a bit more but he soon felt a great weariness growing on him and collapsed into the soft sheets and blankets. ====== When he awoke he was shocked to see someone in the rocking chair in the corner. It wasn't Tom, because he could hear Tom talking faintly below. Sirius nearly choked on his tongue and guessed someone discovered the room, and tried to make a quiet exit but when his left foot touched the ground it collapsed. Sirius cried out in pain, because his leg hurt horribly. His vision, he realized, was blurry and his head was spinning while his stomach churned. He didn't know what to do, because he obviously had to leave but he couldn't even stand. Sirius reached for the bell to tell Tom he needed help but a soft, worn hand closed over his. 'Shh, Padfoot, and climb back into the bed.' Remus's voice soothed. 'You're sick, very, very sick so Tom called me, knowing I'd want to be here before any nurse.' Sirius fell into Remus's strong arms as they lifted him back into the warm bed. Remus smoothed the shocks of black hair falling over Sirius's forehead. 'I cut your hair, I couldn't stand to see it all ratted and tangled. It's a little above the tip of your ear, like you had it at Hogwarts, but its still messy.' Remus explained, watching Sirius's expression. 'You've been asleep for three days.' Sirius tried to speak but it hurt. Remus nodded. 'You're sick.. Your leg is broken, that's why it hurt so much. But I promise you I won't let this happen to you again.its not good for you.' Remus shook his head, blinking back tears. 'I'm sorry, Sirius, I should have checked on you.' Sirius snuggled up to Remus's lap and closed his eyes, head pressing softly into his friends thigh. Remus gently stroked Sirius's hair, the sun light picking out the bluish tints. He remembered stroking Sirius's hair years ago, when Sirius had fallen out of the sky on his broom during a Quidditch match in third year. He remembered running to him before James because James was fifty feet up, but doing a swan dive towards the ground and Sirius, and Peter stuffing his head in Hagrid's coat because Sirius wasn't moving.

'Sirius, Sirius' Remus had whimpered. 'Please move, please breath.' James reached the ground and threw his broom aside, the panic showing in the brown pools that were his eyes. Remus felt hot tears spring into his eyes as James kneeled down to take Sirius's pulse, and screamed.

'MADAME POMFREY!' Three voices echoed, panic and fear and concern mixing. Remus ran his hands through Sirius's hair, as James rocked back and fourth and whispered encouragement, telling Sirius he wasn't allowed to die and how much James needed him and so on. Peter sunk onto the ground and sobbed. He looked up at Remus blankly, his eyes searching for something to do or say to bring his best friend back. 'Sirius.' Peter whispered. Remus held an arm out and Peter reached for it, pressing his head into Remus's side. James wasn't coherent. His big brown eyes were pained and tears were falling freely down his cheeks. He wasn't going to settle for 'Sirius will be okay' because in James mind Sirius was hurt, and James hated Sirius hurt. Remus, looking at James, remembered James pounding Snape's face to oblivion in first year for punching Sirius. Then had known each other since birth and James loved Sirius more the he loved Quidditch. Remus felt sick. He held Peter and watched. Madame Pomfrey ran up and, instead of ushering them away as she normally would, she nodded and told them to take just a step back. Remus complied and pulled Peter with him but James stayed where he was. 'Mr. Potter please-' She began. 'No.' James said firmly. 'If your doing something to Sirius you might as well do it to me too because you can't hurt my best friend.' James eyes filled with tears. 'You can't hurt him, hes my best friend and, and, and-' Dumbledore came up and wrapped an arm around James. 'NO!' James shouted and scrambled wildly to get to Sirius. 'Please.' He whispered and Remus felt himself break down. 'Please.' Sirius's and James's parents had come by Floo powder by now, because they had soot on them. James father wrapped an arm around him. 'Come on, James, Sirius will be okay.' James dad said soothingly. 'NO HE WON'T!' James screamed. 'LET ME GO SIRIUS PLEASE WAKE UP! PLEASE!' James dropped to Sirius's side, sobbing hystericly. Sirius still wasn't moving. Remus crawled forward and ran his hands through the fallen boys hair. He whimpered. This was Sirius, and he might loose him. Sirius was looking at Remus strangely. He whimpered and tried to snuggle closer, cold. Remus saw this and lay down, pulling Sirius to his chest and the blankets over them both. 'It's okay, I was just remembering the time you fell off your broom in third year. Oh, Siri, drink this it might make your throat better.' He gave Sirius a flask which Sirius gobbled up. 'Very nice.' Sirius whispered. He smiled faintly at his old friend. 'What?' Remus shook his head and stood up. 'Relax now. I already talked to Arabella, I knew she was the last person you had left. She'll be coming by soon, actually, didn't want any 'nonsense nurse hurting him anymore' and Madame Pomfrey can't leave Hogwarts, so now you have the two best nurses around.' 'Oh gee.' Sirius said. 'Does that mean you're gonna wear a little white mini skirt and white blouse, opened at the top of course, and a white hat with blond pigtails?' 'Only if it'll make you feel better' Remus said proudly. Sirius sighed. He knew what would make him feel better, and he couldn't have it. 'Look Sirius-' Remus began. 'I'll talk to Dumbledore. Term hasn't started yet, maybe I can get Harry leave from the Dursley's. It's only a month into break.maybe.' Remus sighed and leaned down to give Sirius a hug. 'I'll try, Siri. I promise.' As Remus turned he whispered 'Because obviously I'm not enough anymore.' 'I heard that you big lug.' Sirius snapped. 'And you are, you know you are.' Remus went red. 'Shut up, Sirius. Go to sleep.' 'No.' A soft growl from one, a determined glare from the other. 'Sirius don't make me.'Remus warned. 'Make you what? Realize you're my best friend?' 'That's it.' Remus marched over, grabbed Sirius and began- 'REMUS AH NO STOP THAT TICKLES!' Sirius shrieked as Remus's hands ran over him, tickling his stomach, arms, shoulders. 'Gonna go to sleep?' Remus demanded, nearly giggling himself. 'NEVER!' Sirius shouted bravely, then giggled more. 'If Tom hadn't put a silencing charm on this room every one would be able to hear you.' Dumbledore mused from the doorway. Snape stood next to him, scowling. Remus jumped, looking as though he had been caught pranking again. Sirius blushed a little and mumbled 'Its all his fault' as he pointed to Remus. 'WAS NOT!' Remus defended himself. 'You wouldn't go to sleep!' He couldn't help but smiling a little, knowing he sounded like a ten year old. 'You wouldn't stop tickling me! Dumbledore, Remus is abusive.' Sirius pouted. 'For someone who spent twelve years in Azkaban, and is currently on the run, you sure are spoilt.' Snape snapped. Sirius's face clouded at the mention of Azkaban, and he fell silent. Remus frowned and glared at Snape. 'You had to mention it, didn't you? He FINALLY perked up and you had to mention it!' 'Sirius.' Dumbledore said soothingly. 'Snape will be more sensitive to your needs.as he will be helping Remus and Arabella nurse you to health.' 'NO HE WON'T!' Remus shouted. 'HE'LL POISON HIM!' 'Will not. I can think of many more creative ways to kill Black.' Snape sneered. 'DUMBLEDORE!' Remus shouted. 'Hold your tongue, both of you!' Dumbledore roared. 'This is not, by any means, good for Sirius. Snape, Remus, I hope you can put aside your petty fights to help a COMRADE in this war. I'll check up on you later' Dumbledore turned on his heel and walked out, leaving Remus and Snape glaring at each other.