Thanks to Writhen Heart for being an excellent Beta.

Also thanks to everyone for reading/following/reviewing this story or adding it to your favourites.

For anyone who has not dealt with emotional abuse before, here is a bit of information on why Remus is still with Peter and didn't up and leave at the first sign of it.

An emotionally abusive relationship is not easy to get out of. You could have all the support in the world and KNOW that it's not right, but that doesn't mean its easy to walk away from. There are those people that can pretend to be the nicest people in the world and can be so clever that you don't even realise that you are being controlled until it feels like its too late to do anything about it. Then you are trapped.

These people can manipulate you and that can even extend further. They can make you feel like YOU are the one at fault, that you've done something wrong, which justifies their behaviour. They can manipulate everything - carefully phrased sentences that you don't catch, or their mannerisms around you in company, so you look bad in front of your family and that they look like the victim in the situation... so you start to feel isolated from your family and unable to talk to them about it.

They can make you feel like there is something wrong with you, make you think that you are lucky to have them and they do this in such a way that you believe them. For Remus, that's not hard to do as he has so many self-doubts already, it would be quite easy for someone that manipulative.

Remus is not being stupid by finding this choice hard to do, in fact he's become too reliant on Peter being in his life as I haven't detailed the earlier manipulative side of Peter that Remus was blind to. Peter is his first relationship. The first person that looks past the Lycanthropy and to Remus that's extremely important. He's been really alone and he doesn't have previous relationships to compare this one to.

There are a lot of little hints at this. The engagement party for example. The only people Remus could talk to there were his parents and Lily. This was to show that he hadn't actually invited anyone else and Peter filled the place with people who would disapprove of Remus instead of a smaller party with people that were close to them.

When the group go out for a drink, we find out that Peter doesn't stand up for Remus either.

Peter removes his arm from Remus' shoulders at the Engagement Party when they walk back into the room where he knows people will be looking at him.

There are a lot of little hints that Peter doesn't treat Remus well, but Remus doesn't really notice until he meets Sirius because Sirius is the opposite of that. That's when Peter's nature becomes clear. When Remus fights back and refuses to take it, that's when Peter turns nasty. With the shouting and the hitting the wall, the threat of actual violence even if he's not hitting Remus himself.

Remus has made so many future plans with Peter and everything is suddenly falling apart. He's about to get married, and suddenly seeing his fiancée for his true colours. All his future plans seem to be going down the drain and suddenly another man who can give him what he wants shows up and Remus doesn't know how to handle the situation.

Not everyone has a Sirius Black waiting to rescue them from what they are going through. Some people have to handle it alone, but it doesn't make us weak or stupid, even if we feel like that when it's happening.

Some people are even too proud to admit to their family what's happening, choosing to pretend that everything is fine because they don't want to admit that they had screwed up.

I'm sorry about the long author's note, and I hope that clears up any confusion about emotional abuse and why Remus hasn't walked out at the first sign of it. If you have any questions, ask away.

Remus didn't emerge from his bedroom for the rest of the evening, and Hope headed upstairs to check on him. She gently told him if he needed to talk about anything, they were all downstairs, but he declined the offer.

The next day was the full moon. Remus was up early and Hope woke up to the sound of him passing her bedroom. She peeked out to see him leaving the house.

It was one of those days.

Hope headed downstairs to make Remus breakfast. He was going to be restless throughout the day, and he'd be hungry when he got back. She had about an hour, maybe two, before he returned.

She cast a spell to keep the breakfast warm for when he got back and rested her head on the table. Five am was much too early to get up, but she liked looking after her son over the full-moon. It was the only time he allowed it.

...oOo...

Remus had so much on his mind that morning. He believed it had something to do with how restless he was. In an attempt to clear his mind and work through his predicament, he hit the pavement. He tried to work out how he felt about Peter. He cared for him so much and Peter had been the first person he'd had relationship with. The first guy to really pay him attention.

As he ran through the streets, he thought back to the first time he had met Peter.

...oOo...

Remus left Hogwarts. He had just had a meeting with Dumbledore to receive updates for his assignment and he decided to make a stop in Hogsmeade before returning home. Everyone at home was out and he would be bored there by himself.

He browsed mostly, treating himself to a new book, before heading into the cafe for a hot chocolate. He was contemplating reading the first chapter of the book there before heading home.

Remus turned away from the counter, hot chocolate in hand, ready to find a seat, and immediately bumped into a man standing right behind him. The hot-chocolate fell to the floor.

"I'm so sorry," the man said, grabbing a napkin from the counter, dabbing at Remus' jumper. "I'm sorry let me -"

"It's okay, it was me, I should have been watching where I was going," Remus replied, taking the napkin from the man and wiping at his jumper. He felt a bit flustered by their close proximity, and he looked up to see the man watching him carefully. Remus felt a blush come to his face, causing the man to smile.

"No, it was my fault," the man insisted. He turned to the counter and ordered another hot chocolate for Remus.

"You don't have to do that," Remus insisted.

"Really, it was my fault. I was the one in the way. I stepped towards you so I could talk to you."

"Talk? To me?" Remus asked.

"Yeah, I... well, I've noticed you passing through here a few times, and wanted to talk to you before, but it's terrible. When I finally get the courage, I end up making you spill your drink and making an idiot out of myself."

"No, you haven't made an idiot out of yourself," Remus quickly assured him.

The guy smiled at him, picking up the new hot chocolate that had been made.

"Well, would you like to join me?" the guy asked, sounding extremely nervous, but looking at Remus hopefully.

"I'm a Werewolf," Remus blurted out. The guy was smiling at him in a way he wasn't used to and he thought it best to get that bit of information out there straight away.

The man's eyes widened for a moment, and there was a long pause.

"That's alright, I'd still like you to join me," the other man said, turning towards an empty table.

"I'm Remus," Remus said, sliding into the seat facing him.

"I'm Peter," the guy replied.

"Can I ask why you wanted to talk to me?" Remus asked, sipping the hot drink.

"Well, like I said... I noticed you before," Peter said with a smile. "I was actually hoping to get your number."

"My number? Why?" Remus asked.

"So I can ask you out."

...oOo...

Peter had been so sweet when they had first met, but either Peter was only showing his nice side and hiding this cruel controlling side well, or Remus was not seeing him properly when everyone else was. That could be why his family had taken a dislike to Peter.

Peter was the problem and once the full moon was done, Remus was going to have to make a choice. Could he let all the people coming to the wedding down? Was he being selfish by wanting to call it off?

He sighed as he started back home. He had run further than expected.

...oOo...

Sirius struggled to keep his mind on work that day. His phone hadn't beeped all day and Sirius had checked it every few minutes just in case Remus needed something. He was very concerned about the full moon that night. He had no idea how the transformations would go and how Remus' health would be the day after.

He resisted texting Remus. After the other night, he felt it best to give Remus a bit of space over the full moon. He would text him the day after, he decided. Just to make sure Remus was well.

During work, Sirius spotted Remus' father around the Ministry, but didn't have time to ask him about Remus. Their eyes had met though, and a passing greeting was all they managed.

Finally, the extremely long day came to an end and Sirius and James finished work and headed home. It wasn't long before Sirius was pacing around the living room, unable to take a seat or keep still for more than a couple of hours. Sirius' gaze flicked to the window occasionally, and finally,he froze, staring as the full moon appeared in the sky.

He pulled his phone out, but after a moment of thought he put it away again. It wasn't like he could text Remus and he just couldn't think of what to write in a text to Lily.

He took up pacing the room again, with the occasional glare at the moon. It was quite late by the time he felt he was going to explode with not knowing what was going on.

"What if he's hurt?" he asked James, not for the first time.

James sighed. He knew nothing would be able to take Sirius' mind off Remus. James looked back at his phone, reading Lily's reply to his text. The Floo activating startled him, and he realised that Sirius was gone.

A minute later, another text arrived from Lily.

...oOo...

The three occupants were sitting around in their pyjamas when the Floo activated, and Sirius stepped out.

"I'm really sorry," he said quickly, taking in the fact that they were all sitting around in their pyjamas. "I just... I was worried and I wasn't thinking straight, and I don't know why I'm here. I just... I'm really worried about him."

Sirius looked so lost and Hope smiled at him, patting the seat next to her. "Sit down, dear. How have you been today?" She asked.

"Worried. Is he alright? I don't know much about transformations," Sirius said. "How bad will he be tomorrow? How bad was he today?"

"Remus was quite restless today, he went out jogging for three hours this morning. Something must have been on his mind," Hope said. "Are you okay, dear?"

"Yeah, just can't stop thinking about him... I mean with the transformation and everything," Sirius said, fidgeting in his seat. "How long until he turns back?"

"Not for a few hours," John replied.

"James said you were distracted at work," Lily said. "He said you've not sat down since you got home and you haven't eaten a thing since you woke up."

"I'll make you a sandwich," Hope said, beginning to stand up.

"Thank you, but I'm not going to be able to eat it," Sirius told her. "It would be a waste."

"Sirius, Remus would be upset if he knew you weren't eating properly," Hope said sternly.

Sirius stood up. "Well, I didn't come here to put you out. I'll make it, Hope."

"Sit down, Sirius," she ordered. "You look really on edge, and you need to calm down, my dear. Let me, I need something to do rather than sit and stare into space."

Sirius sank back onto the sofa, his eyes moving from John, who gave him a half-hearted smile, to Lily, who looked as on edge as he did.

"Am I missing something?" Sirius asked.

Lily sighed. "Remus was agitated today. When he's worried and overly stressed he tends to have a worse transformation."

"It's my fault, isn't it?" Sirius said, jumping up. "I said something that may have upset him. He promised it hadn't, but -"

"It's Peter's fault. I think Peter upset him, they had a fight yesterday morning and an argument during dinner," Lily replied.

Sirius stared at her. "What about?"

Lily shrugged, not wanting to talk about it in front of John. "Just a few disagreements between them," she replied.

Hope returned to the room with a tray, and Sirius sat back down as Hope handed it to him.

"It's leftovers from dinner earlier. Shepherds Pie," she said. "I expect you to eat it all."

"Yes mum," he teased, picking up the fork. "Thank you," he added, glancing at her and getting a smile in return.

The food was delicious and Sirius hadn't realised just how hungry he was. He insisted on washing his own plate in the sink, not wanting to put the Lupins out any more than he already had. He returned to the living room and saw that Hope and Lily had swapped seats and he hesitated. He wasn't sure if he should go home or not, but Lily patted the seat and he thankfully sat down.

He knew he should leave, but he couldn't bring himself to go. Not when he was so worried about Remus.

Lily took his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze and she leaned against him.

The four of them turned their attention to a movie that Hope put on the television, but Sirius couldn't stop thinking about Remus and how he was coping.

Finally, the movie came to an end and Lily let out a massive yawn.

"Lily, bed," Hope said, looking at the girl she had practically raised as her own, who was falling asleep against Sirius. Her gaze moved to Sirius who was looking towards the Floo with a frown on his face.

"Sirius, you can sleep on the sofa, dear," Hope decided. She couldn't bring herself to send him home, because she had a feeling that Sirius would be up all night, worrying. She also knew that he'd just turn up first thing in the morning, exhausted from lack of sleep.

It was best for him to stay, so she could make sure that he slept and ate breakfast the next day... plus, Remus would be happy to see someone cared enough to come and check on him. For the hundredth time, Hope wished it was Sirius that was marrying her son. It was obvious how Sirius felt about him.

"Are you sure?" Sirius asked hopefully.

John nodded. "I think Remus would like to see you here when he wakes up."

"If you're sure..." Sirius began, and Lily grabbed his arm.

"Come on, you can borrow some of Remus' pyjamas," she said, leading the way to Remus' room.

Sirius looked about in interest as Lily grabbed a clean pair of pyjama bottoms and a t-shirt and passed them to him. She closed the door, leaving Sirius to get changed.

...oOo...

Sirius took a moment to look around. Bookcases took up most of the space and they were bursting with books. There was a double bed in the corner and a small TV with a DVD player.

Sirius glanced at the photos that were out. He saw a picture of Remus and Lily next to the TV and one of Remus, Lily and the Lupins next to the bed. Part of him was glad that there was no picture of Remus and Peter in the room. Sirius resisted snooping further and quickly got changed into the pyjamas. The top was tighter than he was used to, but he didn't mind. Sirius folded his clothes and picked them up, his wand and phone in his other hand as he headed downstairs.

The sofa had been enlarged and had covers and a pillow on it. Sirius smiled at Hope, gave her a kiss on the cheek and said goodnight to both her and John as they headed upstairs.

It was just Lily left and she stared at him with a smile on her face. Not her usual smile, it was one that unguarded.

"Remus will get through this transformation fine," she told him.

"I know," Sirius said. "But knowing doesn't make it any easier. I just needed to see that he's okay. I need to make sure that he heals right."

"You really love him, don't you?" She said.

"What makes you say that?" Sirius asked, with a nervous laugh.

"Because Peter's never once come over around the full-moon, and here you are, acting like the rest of us do. We're used to the transformation evenings where Hope forces us to eat and we pretend to watch a movie, but we're all just thinking about Remus. It's hard to sit still. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten like you are - so worked up that Hope has to talk me into taking a calming potion. We do this every month, Sirius," Lily said.

"So what does this mean?" Sirius whispered.

"I'm not going to tell him that you're in love with him, it's not my place. I'm just really glad you're part of his life. It's wonderful that you look past the lycanthropy. That you accept it and still love him."

"Peter's marrying him, he's looked past the lycanthropy too," Sirius said.

"But Peter doesn't love Remus and Remus doesn't love him. There is still a week, Sirius, and you mean so much to him. Don't give up hope on him because I think... I think that Remus isn't that sure about the commitment he's going to make."

Sirius nodded his head.

"You're family now," she said, with a smile.

"Am I?" He asked, his eyebrows raising.

"You sat with us during the full moon," she replied. "It's like a family tradition, really. So you're family now. I'm glad Remus met you."

"Thank you. I'm glad that James met you," Sirius replied with a smile.

Lily grinned for a moment, the most she could do whilst Remus' transformation was happening. "Goodnight, Sirius."

"Night Lily," he said.

Lily went upstairs and Sirius heard the sound of her door shutting. He pulled the covers back, smiling as he slid his legs under the duvet. It was lovely and warm. Hope had cast a warming charm on the covers.

He rolled onto his side and pushed one arm under the pillow. The covers were pulled up to his neck and he tried to sleep.

...oOo...

Sirius woke up to the sound of the basement door banging shut. He listened carefully and after fifteen minutes, John and Remus made their way through the living room.

Remus noticed Sirius, and their eyes met, but neither said a word. They just shared a tired smile, eyes staying locked until Remus left the room.

Remus couldn't help the smile which upturned his lips as he realised that Sirius was there for him. To make sure he was okay.

He couldn't wait until he woke up later that morning to see Sirius again.

Review Please :)

Sorry this chapter is a bit shorter than usual.

I'll see you next Sunday with the next chapter :D