Madame Pomfrey had refused to let James in to see Remus when he got to the hospital wing.

"Please," he begged, "I have to see him. I need to talk to him about last night. Does he know what happened?"

Her face softened, but she still didn't let him inside. "He woke up feeling worse than usual and I told him that there was an incident, but that's all he knows for now. Professor Dumbledore is going to come by soon to talk to Remus about what happened. I can't let you in before then. I shouldn't even be telling you this."

James was angry, but he knew that she was just doing her job. "Just- Just make sure he knows that he didn't do anything wrong, that he didn't hurt anyone. Don't worry him with the suspense of waiting for Dumbledore, please. It's his worst fear."

Madame Pomfrey hesitated but eventually gave James a small smile. "I think I can do that, as long as you stay out until after Dumbledore leaves."

"Deal!" James said instantly. "I'll be waiting right here until then." He plopped down on the ground and sat against the wall outside of the door.

"No surprise," she muttered to herself with a smile as she walked back into the room and closed the door.

James just sat there. He figured he could probably sneak in once Madame Pomfrey went back into her office, but he didn't want to risk not being allowed in later. He wished that he had the map with him so that he could at least keep track of Dumbledore and see if he was on his way. He thought about running back to the dormitory to grab it, but he didn't want to miss him and he especially didn't want to run into Sirius.

So, James just sat there. It seemed like ages before he saw Dumbledore coming down the hallway. James sat up straighter, but Dumbledore barely even acknowledged him before walking into the hospital wing and closing the door again behind him. Not too long after the door opened again and Dumbledore left.

"He's all yours,' he said looking down at James. "I expect he will have a lot of questions for you. I filled him in on the main points, but I left the details out. Thought maybe it would be better coming from you."

"Thank you sir," James said quickly, then he practically ran into the room and up to Remus' bed. When he pulled the curtains back he stopped.

Remus looked mortified and like he could start crying any moment. James instantly felt a wave of pity wash over him as well as a wave of anger towards Sirius that he tried to keep down. Remus didn't need James' anger right now.

"What happened?" Remus croaked out. James closed the curtains and cast a Muffliato charm to ensure Madame Pomfrey couldn't eavesdrop, though he was sure that she would give them space as long as possible. Then he sat down in the chair next to the bed, looked Remus in the eye, and told him the entire story. He had tried to keep an even tone throughout the story so that he could get Remus' true opinion on the matter rather than pushing his own bias. When he was done there was a long pause. Remus was staring at his lap and James was staring at him, waiting for him to say something.

"I don't get it," Remus said softly, shaking his head. James didn't say anything, letting Remus continue processing. "How could he do that?"

"I don't know," James sad sadly, though he couldn't hide the anger in his voice anymore. "I keep asking myself the same thing."

Remus looked up. "You did a stupid thing."

"Me? I didn't – "

"You ran right into danger! What if I had hurt you?"

"Moony, I did what I had to do. I knew what I was running into; Snape didn't."

"You shouldn't have been put in the situation to begin with. I should have never – "

"No," James cut him off. He shook his head and laughed a bit. "You aren't blaming yourself for this. I'm not letting you even try going there. You're right: I shouldn't have had to be in the situation, but you didn't put me there, Sirius did."

"He didn't know what he was doing," Remus reasoned.

"He's a grown man."

"He claims to be," snorted Remus.

"He's nearly of age. If he isn't then that's on him," James continued. "We can't keep justifying his actions. You've always been responsible, and I grew up a lot this year if I may say so myself. Sirius didn't; he got left behind and he knew that so he lashed out." Remus was shaking his head. He clearly didn't want to hear what James had to say. James knew that he was still trying to come up with a way to make this whole thing his fault, but he wasn't going to let that happen. "You know it's true Moony."

"Okay," Remus nodded. James saw the spark of anger finally come to his eyes. "So what do we do about it now?"

"You were hurt the most. I'll follow your lead. Whatever you want to do."

"I can't ask you to do that. I don't think I can be around him right now, but you shouldn't be asked to give up your best friend for me."

"Come off it mate. You're just as much my friend as Sirius, and trust me, I can't be around him right now either." That wasn't entirely true. As much as James loved Remus and Peter, he was always closer with Sirius. That didn't matter though, not now.

James lightened the mood then. Everything that needed to be said had been and there was no use dwelling on it. He spent the rest of the day by Remus' side cheering him up and making sure he didn't have the chance to blame himself for any of the mess. He didn't realize how late it was until Madame Pomfrey interrupted to tell James that visiting hours were over and to look over Remus again.

"Poppy," James smirked, "you wouldn't actually kick me out, would you? Look at him! He's tip-top. I'm the best medicine around!"

Madame Pomfrey rolled her eyes. "You know visitors are not allowed to stay overnight. No exceptions." Remus smacked him upside the head and laughed. James laughed too, rubbing the back of his head where Remus hit him. "You do seem 'tip-top' Mr. Lupin. You should be good to go tomorrow morning after your last round of potions. As for you Mr. Potter," she turned to look at James, "head injuries are not to be taken lightly. I think you need to stay the night just in case you have a concussion."

James and Remus both looked at her in astonishment. She didn't say anything more, but she threw them a smile and a wink before leaving.

"I can't believe it," Remus said laughing. "I can't believe she's letting you stay. You and Sirius get away with everything I swear." He stopped; he clearly hadn't realized what he was saying until it was out.

James pushed forward, not letting the mention of Sirius ruin their good mood. "I have her wrapped around my finger, Moony. Don't you know? She wants me." James draped himself over Remus in the bed.

Remus howled with laughter and tried pushing him off. "Yes, it's obvious that she's in love with you."

"Pity, really, that I can't give her what she wants. I just can't limit myself to one bird like that!" Remus gave him a thoughtful look then. "What is it?"

"Nothing. It's just… I never would have pegged you for the 'dating around' type. That's more Sirius' scene. I'm not trying to judge, I just don't know where it came from."

James looked at his friend, trying to quickly think about what to say. He couldn't very well tell him that he had been hooking up with Lily Evans for a year before spectacularly mucking it all up and the dating around was part anger, part trying to get over her; could he?

"What the hell," James muttered to himself, and then he told Remus everything. Every detail from their first kiss to earlier that day when he told her how he felt. He left nothing out, except for the times when Remus begged him to spare him the more sordid details. They stayed up all night while James recounted the last year and a half.