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Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns all, but not the plot.

I leave them for one minute. ONE MINUTE!

Okay, more like twenty but still...

I come back from the great hall, dragging Peter with me (but with Lily willingly by my side - wonders never cease) - feeling far more relaxed, refreshed and optimistic than before. And why shouldn't I? Lily was treating me like a human being and had convinced me everything was going to be all right while actually sitting beside me and having a decent conversation at the Gryffindor table.

Now I'm not so sure.

I've never seen anything like it. They were both having a fit or something. Lying there, stiff and clearly in pain. All the while muttering the occasional word.

I could make out the words "Nightmare... Child... Scream..." from Remus. And the occasional whimper from Sirius that sounded like "Rem" and "Stop".

Pomfrey, McGonagall and Dumbledore were tending to them, chanting soothing words as Lily held me back in the doorway. I know there was nothing I could do, but I needed to help, had to do something.

It seems the Professors (and Matron) disagreed. All three of us were ordered out of the room in such ferocity that even I could not argue. But seeing them like that... I slide down against the doors and bury my face in my arms.

"D'you think they'll take them to Saint Mungo's?" Peter's worried question disrupts my thoughts. I look up and see with appreciation that he and Lily are now sitting either side me.

"I think they should but..." She sighs, "The way Dumbledore was arguing with them. He seems to think they don't need to."

"He's stupid then," I cut in coldly.

Lily looks shocked, "James..."

"Didn't you see them?" I shout. At least she has the decency to look away guiltily, "They need Healers, REAL Healers. And he won't... He won't let them leave!" I spit out that last part bitterly, thumping my fist against the floor.

There's a long pause, "He must know what he's doing. Dumbledore I mean." Peter pipes up quietly. "I mean, they call him the greatest wizard of hmm..." He trails off lamely upon my look.

"He could be killing them." I shout in frustration, now on my feet and pacing, "Keeping them here. And for what? A hunch?"

Lily stands up defiantly beside me, hands on hips, frowning slightly (that's more like it), "Cool it James!"

I run my hands through my tangled hair and laugh humourlessly, "Cool it? Oh! Why didn't I think of that? My best mates could be dying but never mind, I should just cool it!"

"Shut up Potter!" She shouts sternly as Peter sulks in the corner, "I'm fed up of your whining. If you're just gonna stand around feeling sorry for yourself I'm sure that's a great help to them!"

"Well what else can I do?" I yell back, "Do you have any idea what this feels like? Why are you even here anyway?"

Suddenly, she squares right up to me, frowning meanly. Even at a time like this, she still surprises (and scares...) and fascinates me, "Don't make the mistake of thinking you're the only one who cares about them." She says darkly. "Now sit down - and try to keep calm."

Normally I'd say bite me! But seeing as there really is nothing else I can do, I actually listen to her.

"Fine then Evans, put the claws away..."

"I've just thought of something," Peter pipes up - I'd almost forgotten he was there. "Has anyone told Regulus?"

--

He slowly raises his head from my embrace, eyes searching our new surroundings with wonder.

"W-Where are we?"

We are outdoors and although it's still night time, the moon is now a shining, smiling crescent, surrounded by thousands of glittering stars in the midnight blue sky.
We sit on a tall hill surrounded and covered by a field made of thick, luscious grass. But this grass is different. It feels soft and silky - relaxing, and is a smoky, dark purple that reaches above my ankles. It stretches on for miles around, a soft unfelt breeze making it ripple. In the distance, a silver lake glows peacefully, surrounded by red reeds and lilies that you can just about see from our eye line.

"It's beautiful..." Gasps Remus, still recovering.

I can see what he means. It's so peaceful and calming. Warm, but not too warm. Dark, but not too dark as we're illuminated by those magical stars. It's perfect. Too perfect. My childhood sanctuary.

We sit in the serenity, allowing the place to work its magic. Calming us both down with ease. Remus sinks until he is lying on back. I lie next to him and we remain this way for god knows how long. Side by side. Feels so good. I allow my hands to run across the cool grass that is so familiar and my hand accidentally connects with Remus's. I feel him silently link his fingers through mine as we gaze at the blanket of stars above us. I suddenly feel much warmer.

"Sirius..." Lost in my thoughts, I almost regret having to switch my mind back on again to process what he's saying.

"Hmmm?"

"Why are we here?" Damn! I knew he'd start questioning me. Way to break the spell...

"Isn't that obvious? I'm saving you!" I say, turning my head to the side so I can savour him in the moonlight. It's such a rarity to see him in it, after all. He's still in his uniform, golden hair spread out beautifully. I'm in my navy pyjamas (what we fell asleep in?) and here we are. Sleepover on the hill!

Amber eyes widen as they search mine - I'm lost in them (but that's alright because they're nice and warm and make me feel safe) "You mean you..."

"Yeah, I brought us here. Pretty cool eh?" I reply, making my voice sound light, "thought you needed a time-out"

"I guess you weren't wrong there," He answers softly, studying me carefully, our heads inches away, "But how?"

I consider this for a second before I reply, "I just thought about it, and here we are." He looks bewildered so I simplify, "I just knew I could."

I know what he's going to ask next, and I don't want to explain. I really don't. But he shared his most painful moment with me. His darkest secret so...

"Okay... But where are we?"

I jump up (regrettably) - running my hands through my hair, avoiding his concerned gaze as he sits up. I fold my arms and take a deep breath.

"This is my made up land." I gabble before I can change my mind, "And yeah, I know it's kind of fem, but hey, I was little and this was the best I could come up with, at the time..."

He stands as well, and I see the look of surprise on his face at the lack of pain (or maybe it's over my sudden defensiveness). He raises his arms in surrender, "I didn't say anything!"

"Yeah well... I just thought I'd say," I grin and he smiles shyly back.

"So that's all this place is? Just a made up land in the mind of Sirius Black?" He knows. He wraps one arm around my shoulder and cups my face with the other, "Sirius?"

That's all he says, but it's enough. I sigh and lean against him. "Okay you win. I'll tell ya." I pull away (instant regret!) and this time I'm the one who's is pacing, only in a calmer, less freaky kind of way (I hope).

"I found a description of this place in some fantasy novel Andromeda read to me when I was little." I fake-laugh nervously though he hasn't mocked me so far. He stands there looking patient and caring. This encourages me. "Anyway... the hero in this book - a muggle! - escapes to this world through some kind of portal, cheesy I know, and he has all these adventures. He escapes from his mean family and finds a new one. He escapes..." The smile falls from my face and I look at my bare feet, "He escapes."

His eyes are now full of understanding.

"Oh..." But I'm not done.

"So I'd think of this place. Every time I felt sad, or alone or... afraid." I clear my throat, "I'd think of here whenever my brother was being particularly obnoxious or when Kreecher was being a git." I pause, "Or when my parents laid into me." I look up and see an expression of horror and sympathy on Remus's face. Not what I wanted because this almost makes me well up - but I refuse to cry. "I'd pretend that it was me who escaped when they'd yell at me. Especially when they'd try to hurt me. I'd just shut down and that way... I could take anything."

"Sirius..." He sounds truly horrified.

"It helped me to escape and feel better." I say, cutting him off, "So I thought it could do the same for you." He opens his mouth, "No Rem. I don't want you to say anything -"

"Okay, I won't." He replies unsteadily, looking like he's going to cry, which is another thing I didn't want to happen. It's also ridiculous, crying over this when he's been through so much worse.

--

The strong, confident Sirius Black has a secret. He conceals painful memories of his childhood from the world. Everyone in the world. Except for me.

How can I not love him?

Suddenly this place doesn't seem so beautiful anymore. And it isn't. It's a facade. A fake landscape where a scared little boy used to hide from the monsters of his childhood. His very own parents. Sure, it's no bloodstained bedroom of my nightmares, but the memories remain the same.

"No Rem. I don't want you to say anything -"

"Okay I won't." I hear a stranger reply shakily through my mouth. And I see him. I really see him. Past the image he holds up so incessantly. He's vulnerable and defensive, staring at the ground protectively. I suddenly remember what he said when my world was falling to pieces.

He loves me too.

HE LOVES ME TOO!!

Before I can help it, I launch myself at him and kiss him fiercely - wanting to take his pain away for a change.

Sirius staggers back and makes a shocked little gasp before melting into the kiss, surprised but in pleased kind of way (I hope!).

I finally break away, "You know I love you too right?" I ask, feeling worried as I stare into those soft, grey eyes, "Always have." I add as an after thought. His warm and sincere smile washes away any worries I may have had about confessing that.

"You'd be mad not to!" He jokes, pulling me close once more beneath the stars.

I sigh with happiness (that word doesn't do it justice!) and can't help but think that as long as we're together, there isn't anything we cannot face.

And with that final thought, the world slowly ebbs away...

--

Wake up time! Hope you enjoyed :)