Sirius opened his eyes slowly, the pain in his stomach was returning quickly and it felt as if his entire body was shaking. He felt weak and tired as he glanced around the room he was surrounded by white walls and machines that he had never seen before. He attempted to push the white blanket off only to have a pair of hands come into view and prevent the action.

"Good evening Sirius, I realize that this must be terribly uncomfortable for you but I must ask you to lie still." Dumbledore said softly.

"I'm -"

"You're quite ill Sirius, in order for you to recover, you need to rest. You have quite a road to travel to regain your health." Sirius didn't seem to understand what was being said. Dumbledore picked up a cloth from the bedside table and dipped it in a bowl of cool water,then squeezed out the excess liquid before placing it on his student's head.

Sirius tried to push it away only to find that he had something in his arm. Startled, he tried to remove it before Dumbledore stopped him.

"You need to remain calm Sirius. That little tube is giving you medication and nutrition while your stomach rests and heals."

"I-it's doing what?"Sirius asked weakly.

"Giving you everything you need to be well. I'm sorry Sirius, you were so ill that we couldn't risk apparating with you, it would only cause more pain for you and this was the closest hospital we could get you to." Sirius closed his eyes.

"Am I dying, it kind of feels like I'm -"

"Preferably not. Mr. Potter, Mr. Lupin and Mr. Pettigrew would be greatly upset by that wouldn't you say so?"

"James and Remus might not like it but Peter would be fine as long as the food holds out. Did anyone tell you what's wrong with me?"

"Yes, your appendix ruptured which led to peritonitis. That is the reason you feel so I'm afraid." Sirius sighed heavily.

"You're stable, but it's not something that should be taken lightly."

Sirius closed his eyes and moaned softly, a strong wave of nausea hit him.

"The good news is," Dumbledore continued. "that you only have one appendix and so you will not have that particular problem again. You must rest, I contacted your parents."

"they must be upset, it'll be terrible news for them to find out I'm alive." Sirius said.

" Your brother seemed concerned for you from what Professor McGonagall tells me." Sirius opened one eye.

"Regulus doesn't get concerned when it comes to me, I'm sure you're mistaking his -"

"I doubt that Sirius, regardless of the difference in opinions, the fact remains you are his brother."

"Not according to my parents."

"Sirius, he still -"

"Professor, I'm really tired, I think I just want to sleep for a while."

"Of course, I'll see you again tomorrow, I will be sure to inform your friends that you are awake."

"Thank you." Sirius closed his eyes again, Regulus didn't care,he never did,why should he now just because the doctors said he had an illness that could end his life? He drifted off not giving it a second thought.

"Do you think Padfoot's okay?" Peter whispered as Professor Mcgonagall stood before the class.

"Course he is it's Padfoot, there's no way he he won't be." James replied.

"Yeah but he was so -"

"He's fine, he'll be back before you know it. Takes more than that to stop Sirius you should know that by now." The boys sat silently for a majority of the class with James and Remus focusing on their friend.

"Now remember, your homework is to- Professor Dumbledore, what brings you here?"

"Please excuse the interruption, I was hoping I could borrow Mr. Potter, and ." He said softly.

"Certainly, boys, you are excused." The Marauders gathered their books and followed the old man in silence for most of the journey to his office.

"I don't know that I like the look on his face." Peter whispered. " think it's bad?"

"We're about to find out, whether we like the answer or not." Remus replied as they entered the room, James felt his heart drop as he and his friends were asked to sit down. It was the first time James Potter believed that everything he held dear could be altered forever.