A/N:  Ok, I didn't really realize how short these chapters were when I wrote them, which was a long time ago.  Oh well, reading won't take long, so you can spend extra time on reviews!

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Chapter 6:  Can't think of title



The next morning the other three insisted that Sirius go to Madam Pomfrey. They accompanied him, thinking he wouldn't really go, and they were probably right. She fixed it up, along with a healing potion because the wound had gotten infected. It had obviously been there a number of days.

Sirius told Madam Pomfrey, "A prank on my brother went awry, and I didn't want to tell my parents," with his signature Sirius Black grin. She believed him immediately, knowing his track record for dangerous stunts.

"I still think you should tell someone about this," muttered James angrily.

Sirius was touched that the anger was directed at his family, not him, on his behalf.
"Calm down, Prongs. It's all find now, see?" He showed James his healed shoulder, which was now raw red with new skin.

The rest of the day passed unusually quietly for the four boys. Sirius tried making forced conversation with the three, but they just responded in one word answers or grumbles from James. Remus seemed to understand somewhat, but couldn't find the words to talk to him.

By supper, Sirius's temper was at the surface, as he wolfed down his food and went straight to his dormitory. He thought someone (maybe it was Lily?) may have asked what was wrong, but he brushed her off easily.

Sirius was angry at his family, at his friends, but mostly at himself. Why did I tell them? Why didn't I just make something up? Maybe they'd believe it was just a bad joke. Could I convince them? Why was I so stupid to tell them?

He heard voices outside the door, so he pulled his hanging around his bed and feigned sleep. They checked that he was sleeping before continuing the conversation in hushed tones. Sirius listened carefully, wondering if they would ever talk to him instead of about him again.

"James," said Remus in a soft tone that nevertheless said 'listen or else', "He obviously doesn't want to talk about it, and he doesn't want us to treat him any differently. He's feeling ashamed, as I did when you found out my secret. Please, give him time. Don't be so irritated with him. It seems he gets enough undeserved anger at home, he doesn't need it here. We've got to treat him like usual. Someday, he'll open up."

"Merlin, I just hate to think what he's gone though. He's closer than a brother. I'd do anything for him. How do I just let him go through this?"

"You be his friend and brother. Play a prank on Snape or something."

Sirius snorted in spite of himself, "Moony, you're suggesting pranks now?" He fake yawned, "When did you get here?" He didn't want them to know he'd heard everything.

"Padfoot, you're up!" said Remus with a smile. His knowing eyes told Sirius that Remus knew he hadn't been sleeping.

"Prongs, Moony, Wormtail – I'm having an idea…" Sirius knew his grin was slightly evil. The sentence and mischievous look on Sirius's face got James' attention.

"You've got a plan for Snivellus?" said James in half evil, half delighted tones.

They spent the rest of the night planning their prank on Snape. The tension noticeably thinned, which resulted in Peter stopping his squeaking. None of them had noticed the squeaks until they stopped abruptly. They all laughed about the coming misery of Snape.

The next morning they were all ready at breakfast. Peter bumped into Snape in the Entrance Hall.

"I'm sorry," said Peter squeakily. Snapes eyes narrowed and he made to grab Peter. Instead soapy water fell onto him from above.

"We thought it might help your grease problem, Snivellus!" shouted Sirius into the laughs that had exploded around him.

Snape turned with his wand and managed to utter a spell before Sirius, James, or Remus saw through their laugh-teared eyes. Sirius was hit with a curse just above his right eye. Peter disarmed Snape as James and Remus checked on Sirius. As he fell backward, Sirius's head hit a marble step and the light went black.

Sirius opened his eyes to a bright, white room. The hospital wing. He knew this place well, due to the types of stunts he pulled on a regular basis. He saw three familiar faces hovering over him.

"Prongs, Moony, Wormtail! Hey, you didn't get hit with anything? I'll have to change that!" said Sirius followed by his bark-like laugh.

They laughed, but not heartily. Sirius could tell by their worried faces that something was wrong, but he didn't feel that bad, so he didn't have a clue what it could be.

"What's up? You all look like you just lost Peter's toad."

"Padfoot, did you hear anything Snape said after you were hit?" asked Remus; James looked too angry to speak – not a good sign. Something was definitely not right. Sirius shook his head and Remus continued, "Well, he said – he said that he heard that curse was one of your mother's favorites. Did he mean…?"

Sirius closed his eyes again; the right one felt like it would pop out any second. He took a deep breath to calm himself, "Did anyone else hear him?"

"We don't think so. Besides, they wouldn't understand, would they?" said Peter.

"Good. Then forget it. It's just Snape's comments."

"Padfoot… Sirius?" James couldn't get the right words out. Sirius knew he didn't want to believe Snape, but he did. Sirius also knew James was frustrated because he felt helpless. I was the same feeling Sirius had for Remus every month.

"James, I'm telling you, it's just idle chatter from Snivellus. He got lucky once, but never again. I hope he enjoys it." Sirius smiled and fought the wince of pain from his injuries. James didn't notice the wince and smiled back, apparently accepting what Sirius said. However, Remus seemed to pick up on everything, especially pain, but didn't say anything.