"There's no more comforting a place than in the company of an old friend."

~~~~~Remus POV~~~~~

He's back. The only person left from my past is finally safe and sound. He's been washed and well fed. (Very well fed.) He's asleep now. But I'd be lying if I said it's been like old times around here lately. It's been awkward and tense. There are so many closed up emotions in us that we just don't know where to start. I sit up late into the night. Sipping tea in the dim kitchen light. I hear Sirius come in after almost 2 hours.

"Hey." He says.

"You should be resting." I answer quietly.

"Couldn't sleep."

"Hmm. Nightmares?"

"Yeah." we're silent for a while, lost in our separate thoughts. It's now that an idea strikes me.

"I think I know a spell that can help you. Let me go look it up."



~~~~~Sirius POV~~~~~

Before I can even speak he leaves the room. I don't think it'll work. The spell, I mean. But I'm thankful anyway. I sigh sleepily - annoyed with all my jumbled thoughts. There's so much I long to say to him. Shouldn't it be a joyous reunion? No, I guess that's too much to ask for in these dark times. I look sadly around the tiny house. I always thought with his brilliant mind he'd surely do better than this. Worn scant furniture, nearly empty closet and cabinets.poor guy. He seems so . hopeless. This world has definitely taken its' toll on him. Plus the stress of the Curse. Man, I never realized before how alone he must feel.. I look up as he enters the room again. He has a large dark green tome in his hands, using his wand as a bookmark.

~~~~~Fly on the wall POV~~~~~

Remus plunked the heavy-looking book down on the table looking very happy to be of help.

"Err.Rem? I'm not sure this is gonna work out."

"I'm sure it will, don't worry. It'll be fine."

"Well, what does the spell do exactly?" Hope and curiosity were clearly heard in his voice.

"It'll take away your stresses. You'll feel much better when I'm done with you, I swear. Just give me moment to re-read the details."

"Uh, alright." A matter of minutes passed before Remus spoke again.

"Okay, I think I've got it. Now, this is an older one so you have more of a part in it. Right after I perform the spell, you have to think very hard about all the things that have been bothering, distracting, or troubling you alright?"

"Sure, whatever will get me some sleep."

"Okay then, here we go. 'Deburdenium'."

The tip of Moony's wand glowed with a pale yellow light as he placed the tip unto Siri's forehead. Black started concentrating on all his worries. 1,000 thoughts seemed to flow from his boggled mind. The result was instantaneous. Black felt a full 10 years younger. When he opened his eyes, though, he found Lupin looking exhausted, like he hadn't slept in days.

"Hey. You all right? Did it drain you?" he asked concerned.

"No, I'm fine. Do you feel better?"

"Amazingly.yeah!" Black said gleefully. His friend's tired face broke into a wide grin.

"Good. Now it's really late. Let's both get some sleep."

"Yeah." Sirius yawned. "Hey, how long does this spell last anyway?"

"As long as it's needed." Black's smile just grew hopelessly bigger.

"Thanks buddy." He said, giving Lupin's thin shoulder a squeeze.

"It's nothing. Now it's really time for bed." Said Rem, feigning a serious face.

"Yes, Mom." Laughed Black as he finally made his way to his room. Meanwhile Moony headed towards the couch he was currently sleeping on.

Remus' head ached and hands shook as he gently lay his head down on the lumpy pillow. It felt as if a great weight had been placed on his chest, keeping his breath shallow.

"Now I know why no one uses 'Deburdenium', he thought. "The spell castor takes the burden on himself - physically.but it's the least I can do after I betrayed him." So Rem fell asleep with guilty thoughts full of self- disgust.

Sirius, on the other hand was busy singing mental praises to his werewolf pal.

"First he gives me that pivotal hug in the Shrieking Shack, then he gives me a roof over my head, money for new robes, food, his soft warm bed, and now he's managed to get me to relax for the first time in recent memory. I don't even want to think of where I'd be without him. Probably in a ruddy cave floor somewhere."

And for the first time in 12 years, Sirius Black fell asleep with a smile on his face.

A/N Read? Review! ^_^ Comments are welcome but no flames please.