Remus was carrying James as if he didn't weigh anything. But that was also what could come out of werewolf strength.
Most people would think, because of reading myths, that animagi and werewolves would be….well, lacking clothing, when they change back to their normal form, but it's mostly untrue. The person will have their clothes on still, but the clothing may be a little stretched or torn. But Remus, the Marauders, Tammy, and Laria didn't mind at the present moment. They were too worried about James.
Anyway, back to the real world.
The sun was just starting to rise, giving the Grounds a soft glow. The small sun rays glinted against the dew littering the blades of grass. But running shoes disrupted the peacefulness and the mood of the surrounding area immediately changed.
Remus was in the front, carrying James's body in his arms. James looked horrible, with gashes all over him and his leg still bent at an odd angle. They hoped to Merlin that Madam Pomfrey would be able to help.
Sirius, Tammy, and Laria were running close behind them. Laria and Tammy were virtually untouched, except for some small cuts from flying wood. Sirius had a cute across his cheek and he seemed to be limping a little bit, but he was too anxious to notice it seemed.
Peter was behind all of them, running in his waddling way. He was breathing hard, his arms pumping at his sides so he wouldn't get left behind. He wasn't the best runner out of them, that was for sure. "Guys, wait up!" he called, but no one answered him and they kept up their running. They weren't going to let James die right here.
Remus was the first to reach the large, oak doors and he stood still for a second, his breathing quick. Sirius rushed forward and opened the door, allowing everyone to go in without stopping. He ran in after them, catching back up with Tammy and Laria. The doors slammed behind them and they all secretly hoped it didn't wake any of the Professors up.
They sprinted up the Grand Staircase and, luckily, they never got stuck because the flights of stairs never decided to move right then and there. Thank Merlin.
The Marauders, Tammy, and Laria practically skidded into the Hospital Wing, their eyes all wide with panic and their breathing hard and panting. Particularly Peter. Remus hurried over to one of the beds, followed by the Marauders, and layed James down on it gently, pulling the curtain around the bed for privacy. Tammy and Laria ran towards the other end of the Hospital Wing and banged on the doors with their fists, trying to get Madam Pomfrey's attention. The nurse finally opened the door and her pupils dilated when she saw the state of the two girls in front of her.
"Oh my, girls, what's wro-" But she was cut off.
"James Potter, he needs help. Now." Tammy demanded, turning and pointing at the curtains that were pulled around one of the beds. The authority in Tammy's voice immediately sent Madam Pomfrey over to the bed and she pulled the curtains back, hurriedly. The Marauders were crowded around the bed and James couldn't be seen at all.
"Move, boys! Give the boy some room to breathe!" she practically screamed at the Marauders, flailing her arms a bit. The Marauders moved out of her way immediately and backed up from the white bed, allowing her full access to helping James.
At the sight of James's broken body, the nurse gasped as if on cue. Her eyes widened and it seemed that tears burned at the back of her eyes. "Oh my. This'll take some work." she said, looking around helplessly for a moment. Luckily, she seemed to get her thoughts in order and she hustled back into her office, coming back carrying a rack with vials stored in it. She hurried over and the Marauders, Laria, and Tammy seated themselves on the neighboring beds, waiting with bated breath. Madam Pomfrey put the potion rack on the desk next to James's bed and started picking each vial up individually, muttering things to herself and seeming to think deeply about each vial's contents.
Sirius bounced nervously, sitting on his hands and biting his lip so hard that Tammy and Laria were sure it had to hurt. Madam Pomfrey whipped her wand out of her cloak and popped the cork off of one of the vials. She waved her wand and some of the purplish liquid came out, floating in the air. She led it over towards James and then lowered it over him, gently placing it on his forehead where the biggest gash was. The liquid layed softly on his skin and Madam Pomfrey brought her wand away, bring it back and waving it. As soon as she waved it, the liquid disappeared and the cut seemed to heal all by itself, leaving just a small mark.
She proceeded to do this will the rest of James's cuts, leaving James looking much better, and more like himself, by the time she was done. And that wasn't even half of the work she had to do. She started searching the vials again and Remus, Sirius, Peter, Tammy, and Laria were still watching, their gaze fixed on Madam Pomfrey and James. The nurse turned to James again and pointed her wand at the patient's clothing.
"Reparo." she muttered, barely audible and his clothes sewed themselves back together in an instant. She turned to the potion rack and pulled out a small vial with a calm, blue liquid inside. She pulled the cork out and tipped the potion into James's mouth, forcing him to swallow it.
Madam Pomfrey turned to the Marauders, Tammy, and Laria. "All right, you all look in pretty bad shape. I hope you know that." she said, smiling to try and lighten the mood.
Nobody smiled back.
Her smile faded and she turned back to the potion rack, pulling out five small vials filled with a emerald green liquid. "I gave your friend here a draught that will help him sleep and heal faster. I gave you," she said, referring to them generally, "a potion that will help your injuries heal faster. It's best that you leave now, but you can come tomorrow afternoon. He'll be awake then." she said, smiling. And this time, a few of them smiled back, drinking the potions in unison.
The Marauders and the girls gazed at James sadly and then stood, starting to leave. Madam Pomfrey pulled Remus aside for a moment, her expression stern as she spoke to him for a few moments. Then Remus stepped back over to the others and they all exited the Hospital Wing.
They all walked calmly now to the Gryffindor Common Room, feeling the effects of the potion already. It made them feel like there was a calm, pleasant air swirling around in their heads, healing their wounds from the night.
They reached the Fat Lady portrait and Remus muttered the password. The painting swung open and they all climbed in, walking peacefully into the Common Room. They all took seats around the fireplace and slumped in exhaustion. They sat there in silence for quite awhile, but Sirius finally spoke.
"Hey, Moony?" he said and everyone looked over at him.
"Yeah?"
"What was Madam Pomfrey talking to you about?" Everyone's gaze turned over to Remus. He was slumped in his chair still and his eyes were closed peacefully, his breathing calm. The potion Madam Pomfrey had given them was definitely working.
"She was telling me that I need to be more careful in my transformations. And she was wondering, since you guys came with me to the Hospital Wing, if you guys knew."
"Knew what?" Peter asked.
"About my furry little problem." Remus replied, disguising his answer just in case any other Gryffindors were listening.
"Oh," Peter said in realization.
"What did you say?" Sirius blurted out.
"I said that nobody else knew. And that you guys only came with me because you saw your friend hurt and you got a little cut up on the way here." Remus replied softly.
There was an unnerving silence where it seemed that everyone would suddenly start screaming.
"Thanks, Moony."
Remus's head turned to look at Sirius and he smiled at him. Laria, Tammy, and Peter looked kindly at the two friends.
"No problem, Pads."
The rest of the day passed uneventfully. They had all had their first class together, but on the way there Madam Pomfrey had met them on the Grand Staircase, telling them that she had excused them from all of their classes for the day.
Thank Merlin.
Therefore, they returned back to the Common Room and stayed sitting around the fireplace, playing Chess or telling funny stories to each other. Remus stayed quiet for most of the day, feeling horrible about what he had done to his best mate. He could've killed him if Sirius, Peter, Tammy, and Laria weren't there. If James hadn't been so strong, he would've been dead.
And a small part in Remus remembered that.
