Chapter two. Understanding.

Author's note: Ok, ok I know it's not as good as the previous chapter but I wanted to continue the story although it doesn't have a very structured plot.
If anyone has any ideas on how I can further the plot or continue with a different idea please email me or catch me on aim at LostinDaMoment.

Please continue to submit reviews because I have no idea if I'm doing it right or not. Your help is much appreciated.

James looked curiously at Peter over the top of his History of Magic essay, a thought beginning to dawn on him.

"Er, Wormtail, where is Sirius? It's not like him to get lost on his way to the kitchen."

Peter shrugged his shoulders absently, continuing to stare into the fire, mesmorised by the shapes that the coals took on. He spoke in an offhanded way, "Oh, he stopped to talk to his brother, you know, what's his name? Reg ... Regul ..."

Remus and James both leapt to their feet, "WHAT!" they shouted in unsion.

Peter looked slightly abashed, "What's wrong with that?" he asked in a confused tone.

James set of immediatley towards the portrait hole, shrugging quickly into his cloak. Remus called after him, "Prongs, I'm comming with you. You don't know what he's done."

James halted, turning to face Remus, then shook his head slowly, "no, I think it would be better if I went alone." He fingered his wand carefully in his pocket, it quivered with the rage that James felt.

Remus nodded and looked deflated. James knew that at times he felt left out, but Sirius wouldn't want a crowd and Remus wasn't suppose to know. The portrait hole swung shut after James and he sprinted down the corridor, he halted at the bottom of the stairs in the entrance hall and looked left and right. He pulled out his wand on instinct. There was no way he wanted to face Regulus Black empty handed.

"Think" James willed himself, "The kitchen's. The dungeons. First left, Second right. Why didn't I bring the map? Damn my memory." he muttered as he hurried down the corridors that led to the kitchens, checking each classroom along the way. Each were empty. Finally he reached his charms classroom, he turned the door. it was locked. "Alohamora" he muttered pointing his wand at the lock. The door swung open and there across the room, lying in a crumpled heap was his best friend. James could hear soft sobs comming from his shaking body. He closed the door softly behind him and walked to Sirius' side, pocketing his wand and bending down next to Sirius.

"Are you ok?" James asked cautiously.

Sirius moved his head very slightly to eye James and whispered in a sarcastic voice, "Bloody Brilliant."

"Right!" James declared "I'll be off then!" and with that rose to his feet.

"Stop being a wanker Prongs and help me up" Sirius murmered and James saw he was attempting a grin.

James nealt back beside him and said in a casual voice, "it's good to see that you can still call me a wanker after you have just had a run in with Reject Regulus!"

Sirius made a noise which sounded like something between a sob and a laugh. James placed a hand on his shoulder, feeling Sirius' shuddering body beneath his hand. then pulled him carefully to his feet. He wrapped his arms around him and supported his heavy weight.

Sirius muttered "thanks" and buried his head into James' shoulder. James felt his tears through his cloak and hated Regulus. They stayed like that for a while, James letting Sirius cry.

It was the early hours of the morning when James heaved Sirius through the portrait hole. The room was empty except for Remus who was asleep in his chair by the fire, a book open in his lap.

Sirius fell into a chair and James creeped towards Remus, "BOO!" he yelled into his ear.

Remus' eyes flew open, the book he was reading was thrown across the room as he leapt out of his chair. He then noticed James and Sirius' presence, let out a low "shit" and slumped back into the chair, emitting a large yawn. He looked across to where Sirius lay, his eyebrows slightly raised and a look of genuine concern upon his face. "That's the last time I leave you alone with Wormtail," he commented, "I might as well feed you to the dragons for all the good it causes."

Sirius managed a small laugh then clasped his lungs in pain.

Remus moved over and crouched next to Sirius, producing a small bottle a thick yellow substance. "Pompfrey gives me this to take for the pain. I read up about it and it, and it is meant to be good for those suffering the results of the crutacious curse. Some say the pain is more severe than a werewolf transformation. Others disagree. It tastes foul so I would take this after it if I were you." He pulled a large can of butterbeer from behind his back and placed it next to Sirius.

"Thanks Moony, I hope Pomp doesn't think your overdosing if I gulp the whole bottle." he smiled. Remus lay an understanding hand on Sirius' shoulder, he knew they would do the same for him. In fact they did the same for him every month.