My registration came through! I am officially a nurse! Wooo!

Anyhow! Enjoy this chapter :P Non-depressing for a change! I shall reply to reviews soon!

Sirius tossed feverishly in the bed. He could feel the dementors all around him. He could see Remus writhing in agony, could hear mocking voices, the moment he had been sentenced to Azkaban. The icy cold sweeping through him made him moan.

"Sirius!" A voice called to him. The dementors hovered above him and James lying there, dead, eyes wide open…

"Sirius!" Lily, thrown like a discarded doll.

"Sirius! Wake up!" Remus, bleeding everywhere, the cruel silver bars pressing on his skin.

"Sirius, wake up!" A pair of hands urgently shook his shoulders and Sirius was on his feet shoving the person against the wall, his wand pointed at the intruders throat.

"Sirius, it's me." The hoarse, strained note in Remus' voice snapped Sirius back to the present. He stumbled back and Remus relaxed with a grateful sigh.

"Moony! Merlin! I am so sorry!"

"Lumos." Remus lit the room. "You alright?"

"I could have killed you." Sirius crumpled down onto the bed. He looked at his friend through tired eyes. "I hurt you."

Remus settled beside his friends and shook his head.

"Liar. Your shoulder. I got the silver didn't I?"

Remus shifted under the scrutinising glare. "It's fine. Do you want any hot chocolate?"

A tired laugh. "Your answer to everything. Yes if you have some with me."

Remus rose and pulled Sirius to his feet. "Come."

They paused by the door to Harry's room and both smiled. It was barely a week since Harry had finally accepted Remus but already the house seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. The little boy's energy seemed to be endless and both his uncles were of the belief they were more exhausted than Harry at the end of the day.

"You shoulder?"

"I wish you would leave it." Remus glared at Sirius before moving down the stairs.

"Well I wish you would tell me how bad it is."

"I do and you don't believe me." Remus poured milk into a small pan and began to heat it on the muggle stove that he and Sirius had installed. They both had decided it was important to raise Harry linked into the worlds of both his parents.

"Only because I can tell you are lying. When you lie your hand trembles a little more than usual and you look down and to the left."

Remus turned to glare at the animagus but there was a glint of humour in his blue eyes. "Is that so?"

"Yep. James and I worked it out in second year."

Remus added chocolate to the milk and slowly stirred it. "It burns." He acknowledged softly.

"When?"

"Constantly."

"Merlin, Moony. How bad?"

Remus switched the stove off and poured the warmed milk into two mugs. He settled into a chair opposite his friend.

"Remus. How bad is it?"

"Remember when you burnt yourself in fourth year and Lily made you put your hand under cold water?"

Sirius grimaced. A Slytherin had ensured that his cauldron had been heated before Sirius had picked it up; the burn had caused blisters to rise across his hand. "I remember."

"Feels like that."

Sirius closed his eyes. He could still feel Lily shoving his hand under the cold stream of water that he had rebelled against, the cold against the burning flesh creating what he had called and 'icy numb burn'. He had never forgiven her for that.

"What was your dream about?" Remus effortlessly changed the subject.

Sirius swallowed. "Azkaban."

"Tell me."

"I can still feel them. The dementors. They made everything so… so cold." His eyes searched Remus' desperately. "It was always cold, Moony. And they could find the worst in me and there was more of that than good."

Remus was shaking his head. "No, you have so much good in you, Sirius, they stole that, and you need to remember it."

"Why?" There was a bitter note in Sirius' voice. "Why should I? It's my fault everything is like this. I am a failure."

"It wasn't a failure that saved my life, or has cared for me in the past few months. Without you I would have been dead, a horrible death. It wasn't a failure that rescued Harry and it wasn't a failure that Harry finally let touch him after four years of not knowing kindness. Don't let the dementors of your dreams hurt what you have done, Sirius. You are a good man, you always were. You made mistakes, yes, plenty of them, but you are human. James and Lily made mistakes to. I make a plethora of them on a daily basis… But it doesn't change the fact that you are a good person and you can't let them take that away from you."

Sirius stared at Remus for a long minute before smiling. "That's the most you have talked in one sitting since… Well… since you moved in."

"Since 1981 would be more accurate." Remus shrugged. "I never had things to say before."

"I'm glad you do now." Sirius sighed. "I… I should never have trusted that rat."

Remus reached out and gently squeezed Sirius' arm. There was nothing he could say to change their past.

Harry was playing a loud game of quidditch with Sirius in the middle of the living room floor. Sirius, who was being trounced by Harry's team, was not impressed.

"Come on, you idiots!" He yelped as a Beater from Harry's team knocked his Keeper to the ground. "Play harder!"

"Sirius." Remus low, pleading murmur made the animagus glance up contritely.

"Sorry, Moony."

"What wrong with Uncle Remus?" Harry whispered loudly as Sirius cast a muffling charm over them.

Sirius sighed softly and looked into the worried green eyes. "He isn't well, Harry, and he has a headache… I was being too noisy for him."

Harry glanced over to where Remus sat, his usual place by the window abandoned, sitting in a darkened corner as if the glare of the sun would make his headache worse.

"Hey, why don't you go make him feel better while I get some lunch together? Just remember to be nice and quiet." Sirius smiled down into the worried face.

Harry crept across the room and stopped beside Remus' chair. He frowned; even he could tell Uncle Moony was paler than usual.

"Uncle Remus?" The whisper made Remus' eyes open and as they lit upon Harry a small smile lifted the unmarked corner of his mouth.

Remus reached out and gently brushed thick black hair out of Harry's face.

"Are you sick?"

Remus frowned. "Is that what Uncle Sirius said?" His voice was hoarse.

Harry nodded and his lips trembled. He had just begun to love Uncle Remus, and now what if he went missing like Mummy and Daddy?

"I am a little sick, laddie, but nothing to worry about."

"You won't go to heaven like Mummy and Daddy?"

"Oh, Harry." Remus' voice cracked. "Come here?" He opened his arms to the small boy and Harry hesitated for a moment before scrambling onto Remus' knee. Remus gently enfolded the little boy in his arms and rubbed the stiff back until Harry relaxed against him.

"No, cub, I won't go to heaven. Not for a long time." Remus murmured.

Harry clutched at Remus' shirt. He had never allowed either man to hug him before but now… As he clung to Remus in desperate fear, he allowed himself to think that this was nice, being held in tight, loving arms.

"P-promise?" Harry whispered.

Remus shifted the boy in his arms and gently tipped his chin up so he could look at Harry's face. Green eyes faltered before bravely meeting Remus' blue orbs.

"I promise." He said very gently.

Harry frowned for a moment longer before nodding and nestling back against Remus, his head against the werewolf's chest where he could feel the steady thud of Remus' heart.

"Uncle Moony?"

"Mmm."

"Why does your arm shiver?"

Remus almost smiled at the odd choice of words. He sighed softly, he had been hoping this conversation would not come up yet but it shouldn't surprise him really, with the approach of the full moon the burn became worse and slight tremors ran the length of his injured arm.

"It was hurt a long time ago."

"Will it get better?"

"No."

"Oh." Harry frowned. "Does it still hurt?"

Remus was quiet for a long moment before replying very softly. "A little bit."

"Oh." Harry twisted and frowned up at Remus. "I don't like them." He stated.

"Who?"

"The bad men that hurted you."

"Ah. No Uncle Sirius isn't too fond of them either."

"Who am I not…. My word." Sirius stared in delighted shock at the sight of Harry cuddled in Remus' arms. "Well, this might have made my day!"

Harry looked confused.

"Ignore him, laddie." Remus consoled. "He never made much sense!" His eyes warned his friend not to make a fuss but his small smile mirrored Sirius' grin.

"Lunch is ready." Sirius fought for normalcy.

Remus nodded. "Come on, Harry, ready to jump off?"

A small shake of the black head. "I like it here."

Sirius crouched down in front of the chair. "How about I give you a piggyback to the dining room and Uncle Remus can follow us and after lunch you can snuggle up with him again." He lowered his voice conspiratorially. "This way we can make sure we can look after him properly."

Remus sighed and rolled his eyes causing Harry to giggle. The little boy nodded and Sirius swivelled so his back was to Harry.

"You climb on Uncle Sirius back, Harry. Wrap your arms around his neck, make sure you choke him."

Harry giggled.

"And then wrap your legs around his stomach."

Sirius' arms snaked around to hold Harry in place. "Ready, kiddo?"

"Uh Hu."

He stood and Harry shrieked with surprise.

"It's ok. I won't drop you." Sirius reassured hastily. "Ready."

"Yes." Harry smiled and cautiously kicked his heels against Sirius' ribs.

"Oh! I see what we are doing!" Sirius was laughing. "Ready? Steady? Charge!" He took off in a gallop, once around the room and then jogged out the room, Harry's squeals of laughter filling the house with joy.

Sirius was back in the room less than a minute later. "I have been charged with the chore of making sure you come. Apparently our sharp-eyed marauder notices you skip meals at times." He offered his hand and Remus accepted it. Pulling the werewolf to his feet Sirius frowned.

"You ok?"

"Tired." Remus smiled wanly. "This is better than last month."

"Maybe, but I still don't like it."

"I've been like this my whole life, Sirius." They walked slowly, side by side, out to the kitchen.

"Never said I liked it at school either." He paused Remus at the door. "Are you going to tell?" He glanced swiftly at Harry who was driving a toy car around on the placemat.

Remus shook his head swiftly. "He is too young." Pain seeped into the blue eyes. "And he only just got over being terrified."

Sirius sighed. "You have to tell him eventually."

"I know."

"Uncle Moony?" Harry had made sure Remus was settled before running to his side and pleading for another hug. Four years of not receiving any, he was making up for lost time.

"Yes, laddie?"

"What happened to your face?" Harry was studying the damaged flesh closely and small fingers crept towards it.

"No, Harry!" Sirius spoke swiftly and the hand hastily dropped. Green eyes filled with tears at the unexpected rebuke.

Remus tightened his arms around his 'nephew'. "It's fine, Sirius. Be gentle, Harry."

"It hurts?"

Remus couldn't meet the innocent green eyes.

Harry's small fingers carefully touched Remus' cheek. "It's cold!" He frowned. "Uncle Moony? Why are you sad?"

Remus glanced at Sirius helplessly. He couldn't deal with this, not so close to the full moon.

"Uncle Moony is just remembering how he got hurt on his face." Sirius' voice caught. "It's not a very nice memory."

"Oh." Harry wrapped his arms around Remus' neck and peered into his uncle's face. "It's ok, Uncle Moony. You don't have to be sad anymore, you have me and Uncle Sirius."

Both men laughed at the words that Harry had stolen from Sirius, the words that had been spoken again and again. 'You will never be hurt again, Harry. You have me and Uncle Moony. We won't let you ever be hurt again'.

Sirius stared up at the full moon. The third since he had dragged Remus from the hell that had been his life. He sighed softly. He wanted to be down there, Padfoot would have been able to help, to reduce the wounds that the wolf inflicted on the body that was still recovering from four years of torture, but there was Harry now. Harry needed him more than Remus did. Sirius glanced down at the bed where the little boy lay sleeping, blissfully unaware that in the basement Remus was wreaking havoc on his own body. He sighed and gently pulled the curtains across the window. He wouldn't sleep tonight.

Padding barefoot down the stairs Sirius settled onto the carpet before the hearth and lit a fire. He stared at it for a long time before lifting the pile of newspapers that sat beside him. One by one he began to feed them into the fire. Each one was the same. 'No trace of the Boy Who Lived' 'Fears that werewolf has mauled Boy Who Lived' 'Dumbledore appeals to Werewolf to 'find his heart' and return Harry Potter' 'Traitor god-father refuses to give Harry Potter up'.

Articles that had been read mocked and discarded. Articles that cut both men to the heart. Sirius sighed and stared at the flames that licked at moving faces. Their fearless leader, the headmaster of Hogwarts, the wizard who had defeated Grindelwald, Albus Dumbledore. He sighed wearily. The old man's betrayal had wounded him, Remus more-so and Sirius doubted that he would ever forgive the wizard for letting the werewolf rot in a containment facility that was inhumane, cruel and something that no man should endure.

Sirius gave the fire a viscous poke. Remus had done every mission asked, every cruel, dangerous mission. He would stumble into the Potter's living room exhausted, near collapse and not once had he complained. Sirius clenched his hands into fists. The months he had thought Remus was the traitor the man had been working undercover missions. And the moment that Voldemort was gone, the moment that Greyback wreaked havoc, the moment the ministry was able Remus had been thrown into a place where torture was routine, where cruelty was an everyday occurrence. Another viscous poke to the fire. Dumbledore hadn't even tried to remove Remus from that place and Sirius knew that he would never forgive the old wizard for that.

He sighed softly and added another newspaper to the fire. Azkaban was forgivable. No one had known that they had switched Secret Keepers. No one. Harry was not. His lips thinned and the fire received another angry poke. There was no way James and Lily would have permitted their son to go to her muggle family. Her wizard-hating muggle family. He should have gone to people who would love him. He should never have been afraid of being touched, being hugged. Harry should never have been frightened of being burned or of 'monsters' he should have been happy.

Sirius watched as the last of the paper burned quickly. They would forge a family of their own. A family that Lily and James would have been proud of. A smile crept across his face. Family. Something that for four long years had been absent from three lives.

"Uncle Sirius?" A bleary eyed Harry stood in the doorway of Remus' bedroom.

"Harry!" Sirius straightened and swiftly pulled the blankets over the freshly bandaged Remus. "Come in, kiddo. Remus?"

"Uncle Moony sick?" Harry ran to Sirius and held his arms up demanding to be lifted.

"A little." Sirius sighed and held Harry tightly. "I am getting him a cup of tea. Would you like to sit with him on the bed? You have to be very careful."

"He hurt?" Harry looked down at the ashen faced man anxiously.

"Yes, he is."

Small lips drooped and Harry carefully reached for Remus as Sirius placed him on the bed.

A soft moan broke from Remus and his eyes flicked open. "Sirius?"

"I'm here."

Remus relaxed and a tiny smile crept onto his scratched face as a small boy loomed over him. "Harry." His voice was hoarse and he swallowed trying to rid himself of the burning of a throat made raw by howling.

"Uncle Moony?" Harry sounded frightened. "You hurt!"

"Shh." Remus lifted his hand weakly and cupped Harry's cheek. "I'm… ok."

Harry carefully brushed hair of Remus' damp forehead. "You'll get better?"

"Of… course…" Remus struggled to keep his eyes open.

"Harry, leave Uncle Remus now. We will let him sleep. We have some shopping to do."

"Sirius!" Remus struggled into a sitting position, his eyes wide with panic.

"Shush, Moony. We will be fine. We are only going to the muggle village. We will be back before lunch and you will sleep."

"Sirius. Not. Safe."

"Glamour charms, old man. Now, sleep!"

Harry carefully placed a kiss on Remus' cheek and the drowsy smile that crossed the exhausted features made Sirius wonder if this would be Remus' swiftest recovery from the full moon.

"Come on, Harry. Let Uncle Remus sleep. You and I have a game to play!"

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