And here's chapter 6! I'm going to try to put up one more chapter before school starts. Once school begins, it will probably take me much longer between chapters; I'm really sorry about that. I hope everyone's enjoying our Sirius/Remus interaction here! Aren't they just adorable? And please remember to review!

Sirius groaned as a ray of sunlight burned his eyes and woke him up. He slowly opened his eyes and took a moment to get his bearings.

The windows were boarded so only a few rays of light penetrated the cracks. The floor was dusty and the furniture broken. A four poster bed lay on the side of the room.

He was lying on his stomach in the Shrieking Shack, and judging by the light, it was now dawn. He suddenly remembered what he was doing there and jumped to his feet, ignoring his screaming muscles.

He limped over to the bed and looked down to see Remus sleeping uneasily. Remus was covered in scratches and bite marks, some from Sirius and some from himself. Sirius looked down at himself and noticed the marks covering his own body. It had been a hard night; the worst full moon in a long time.

It made Sirius ache to watch his friend suffering. He wished he could take some of Remus's pain away, but he didn't know how. He was overcome with a desire to hug and protect his friend.

Instead, he reached down and gently shook Remus's shoulder.

"Hey, Moony," Sirius said softly, "it's time to go back to the castle." Remus stirred but didn't open his eyes.

"So tired," Remus mumbled. "Can't move." Sirius sat down on the edge of the bed and Remus opened one eye just a crack.

"Come on," Sirius grinned, "Madame Pomfrey will have a fit if you don't get back to the castle soon. I'll help you."

Sirius helped Remus to his feet and slowly began to lead him to the door. Every time Remus winced as one of his injuries hurt him, Sirius felt the same pain. It was an excruciating walk just to the doorway of the room.

"Where're James and Peter?" Remus asked as he weaved uncertainly.

"They went back early," Sirius said as he steadied Remus.

"I hurt them, didn't I?" Remus stated, stopping to stare with anguish at Sirius. Sirius wouldn't meet his eyes. "Tell me."

"You almost got Peter, so James jumped in the way," Sirius started hesitantly. "You scratched James up pretty badly, but Peter's okay and James should be fine. When the moon receded, they went to the Hospital Wing, and I said I would take you back."

Sirius stopped and looked anxiously at Remus, who suddenly swayed and nearly fell. With a curse, Sirius caught Remus right before he crashed to the floor. He lifted Remus with a grunt and continued down the tunnel.

Remus gasped as Sirius swept him off his feet, literally. If his own body was any indication, Sirius must be exhausted and worn out, yet he was carrying the werewolf.

Remus wanted to protest and was afraid Sirius would get more injured. But when Sirius shushed him, he could do nothing but relax his throbbing body. Besides, it was so comforting to be held in Sirius's strong arms.

But when they reached the entrance under the willow, the blast of cold air roused Remus. He could feel Sirius panting and his arms trembling, so he insisted on walking himself.

The two boys supported each other as they made their slow way to the castle. Remus sighed in relief when they finally reached the hospital wing.

"Go in first," Sirius said, surprising Remus, "I'll wait down the other hall for a few minutes then come back."

Sirius turned and began to stagger away. Remus stared in confusion, swaying and missing Sirius's support.

"What?" Remus asked dazedly. "Why aren't you coming in with me?"

"I'm not supposed to know you're a werewolf," Sirius grinned weakly. "Go on, I'll be there in a minute." Remus stared at his friend's back. He was so lucky to have such wonderful friends.

Remus pushed open the door and walked to Madam Pomfrey. The sooner he was in, the sooner Sirius could get help.

He lay on a bed as Madam Pomfrey fussed over him. He knew he looked horrible, but he was more worried about Sirius. He should have forced Sirius to go in first.

He was fighting sleep when the door suddenly burst open and a familiar voice came loudly to his ears.

"Hullo, lovely," Sirius smirked at Madam Pomfrey, "care to help a gentleman this morning?"

"Mr. Black?" Madam Pomfrey inquired as she closed the curtains around Remus's bed. Then she noticed Sirius's condition and became all business.

"Sit," she commanded as she led him to a bed. She began to clean his wounds and tsked under her breath. "What happened?"

"Ah well," Sirius began grandly, "I fell down the stairs." Madam Pomfrey raised her eyebrows unbelievingly.

"These look like scratches," Madam Pomfrey said suspiciously.

"You see," Sirius said vaguely, "one of the stairs was broken and the wood scratched me up." Madam Pomfrey nodded, not looking convinced.

"Well, you're all patched up," she said. "You look like death though. Take this sleeping draught and stay here for a bit." She handed him a vial of purple liquid and bustled off to the back room.

Sirius put the vial on the nightstand and gingerly lifted himself from the bed. He walked softly over to Remus's bed and opened the curtain.

Remus lay there, fast asleep. Sirius had to smile at the image of his friend's half open mouth and flyaway hair spread everywhere. He reached out and brushed a strand of hair from Remus's forehead.

Remus's skin was so soft. He let his finger drift down Remus's cheek bone and down to his lips. He traced a scar and wished with all his heart that he could take some of Remus's pain away.

James quietly opened the door, and just quietly backed out of the room. He left the door open a crack and peeked inside.

"Remus," Sirius whispered, leaning forward to speak into Remus's ear. Remus stirred lightly, and Sirius leaned back. Remus settled back down, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

Sirius felt his chest tighten at the carefree smile. He wished Remus would smile like that at him, a smile for him alone.

"Remus, I," Sirius paused uncertainly, "I don't know what this feeling is."

And throwing caution to the winds, he bent down and kissed Remus lightly on the forehead. With pink cheeks and fingers to his lips, Sirius walked back to his bed and took the sleeping draught.

Outside the door, James sat down and smiled to himself.