Chapter twenty two – The truth shall prevail
James lifted Sirius off of the floor and put one of his arms around his shoulders, Peter did the same. It was a difficult task but eventually, they managed to get him to the hospital wing.
"What about Remus?" Peter asked, wiping sweat off his forehead.
"There's nothing we can do. He'd kill us" James replied sadly. Peter nodded and they called for Madam Pomfrey.
"What on earth has happened to him?!" She shrieked, rushing over and making them put Sirius on a nearby bed.
"Long story" James replied to show that the subject was closed. Madam Pomfrey nodded and got to work on Sirius' wounds. Once Sirius was cut free, she slid a potion down his throat to wake him up. She then went into her office to find a potion to put Sirius into a dreamless sleep.
"Where am I?" Sirius asked groggily.
"In the hospital wing. Your cuts have gone now" Peter replied.
"Where's Remus?!" Sirius said suddenly, remembering what had happened.
"He's still in the shrieking shack" James replied quietly.
"What?!" Sirius said loudly, springing up into a sitting position. James and Peter held his arms to restrain him but they knew it wouldn't last long; Sirius was too strong for them.
"Please, Sirius. You have to calm down" James said calmly, hiding his panic.
"No! Remus is out there and he's in pain and when he hurts, I hurt" Sirius replied, still struggling against Peter and James.
"That's really sweet but you can't help him" Peter replied frantically.
"Yes I can! You just have to let me" Sirius said, tears threatening to escape.
"No, Sirius. He'll hurt you" James replied.
"I've already hurt him! I deserve it" Sirius said sadly. He relaxed so Peter and James loosened their grip, which was a huge mistake because Sirius suddenly jumped up and bolted for the door, ignoring the pain. James and Peter sprang up after him and James grabbed him around the middle.
"No, Sirius. You can't" James said sternly. Sirius continued to struggle and a voice from behind was heard.
"What is going on in here?!" Madam Pomfrey asked angrily.
"Nothing" Sirius grunted.
"It doesn't look that way to me; take your potion Mr Black" Madam Pomfrey said.
"No!" Sirius yelled.
"I'm sorry about him, I'll tell you why he's like this later but let's just say he wants to help someone but he'll get hurt in the process, again" James explained.
"Ah I see" Madam Pomfrey said, walking over to them. "I'm afraid you leave me no choice then. Atrificus totalus "Madam Pomfrey said. Sirius froze and James took him over to his bed. Madam Pomfrey cast a charm to open his mouth and poured the sleeping potion down there. Sirius looked at James and Peter and a tear trickled from his eye and down his cheek. Madam Pomfrey removed the spell and Sirius fell asleep.
"I feel terrible" James said to Peter as they made their way back to the Gryffindor common room.
"So do I but what else could we have done? Let Remus kill Sirius?" Peter asked.
"I suppose your right but it doesn't stop me feeling bad" James replied.
"Me too" Peter said sadly.
The next morning, Sirius was awakened by hushed voices talking in low whispers. "How did it happen?" He heard a female voice say.
"He attacked himself and you know about his condition" Madam Pomfrey replied.
"Poor lad, do you think he'll be ok?" Sirius now recognised the voice as Professor McGonagall.
"I'm not sure. I really hope so but you never know what might happen" Madam Pomfrey replied sadly. Sirius felt the tears prickling at the corners of his eyes. He sat up and jumped out of bed, he needed to see Remus.
"Mr Black! Get back into bed" Madam Pomfrey said when she saw him. Sirius ignored her and went over to Remus. He stifled a cry as the sight of his former lover met his eyes.
Remus was in a horrific state. His whole body was covered in cuts and scars but the only ones which could be seen were on his arms and neck. His clothes were blood stained and his eyes were closed. Even when he was badly injured, Remus still looked beautiful and it took Sirius a lot of will power not to kiss him.
"Let him stay, Poppy. You can tell how upset the boy is" McGonagall said. Sirius looked up at her in surprise, he had always thought McGonagall hated him for his cheeky antics but there she was, doing something nice for him. He gave her a small, genuine smile, which she returned. Madam Pomfrey sighed loudly but agreed to let him stay whilst she cleaned Remus up.
"Let me know how he is, Poppy" McGonagall asked.
"Of course, Minerva" Madam Pomfrey replied and then McGonagall was gone.
Whilst Madam Pomfrey cleaned Remus up, Sirius held his hand and stroked his light brown hair softly. Once she was finished, she turned to him.
"I think he is going to be ok but he might not wake up for another couple of hours. I suggest you go and have something to eat, you're free to go".
"I'll stay a little while longer, if that's ok" Sirius replied. Madam Pomfrey nodded and left him.
Once she was out of sight, Sirius kissed Remus' forehead gently. "Hey, Remus. I'm sorry I couldn't rescue you, I was held back. It was the worst thing in the world, seeing you hurt yourself; I don't think I've ever felt so terrible, knowing it was my fault. If I could, I'd have you back, but that's impossible and I doubt you'd want me now you have Snape" Sirius brushed away the tears before he continued.
"The truth is, Remus. I never wanted to give you up but I had to, I had no choice. But I want you to know, no matter what happens" Sirius stopped and kissed Remus lightly on the lips.
"I will always love you".
"How do you think Sirius and Remus are?" Peter asked James on their way to the hospital wing.
"I'm sure Sirius is fine but I'm not too sure about Remus" James replied. Peter sighed sadly and opened the hospital wing door. The sight that met their eyes broke their hearts. Sirius sat there, holding Remus' hand, crying softly to himself. He looked defeated. James had never seen Sirius like that before. So weak, so depressed.
"Sirius?" James asked timidly. Sirius looked up and saw his friends. He hastily wiped away his tears and smiled weakly.
"Hey" He said quietly. They both walked in and took a seat next to Remus' bed.
"We're sorry about yesterday" Peter said quietly, avoiding Sirius' gaze. Sirius waved the apology aside.
"It's ok, you were just trying to stop me getting hurt, I understand that" Sirius replied, looking at Remus sadly.
"I wish he knew" James said quietly.
"Knew what?" Sirius asked, confused.
"The truth about why you broke up with him" James replied.
"What good would that do? He's with Snape now isn't he?" Sirius asked.
"No, he's not" James replied.
"How do you know?" Sirius asked sadly.
"He told me" James replied. Sirius looked up, surprised.
"When?" Sirius asked.
"Before you arrived outside the shrieking shack" James replied. (A/N: I know I didn't write that part but it was before the part I actually wrote with them by the shrieking shack)
"Oh… But what was that kiss about then?" Sirius asked.
"They didn't kiss, well, they almost did but Remus said it was only because he was remembering your first kiss and he sort of leaned in without meaning to, surely you can understand that" James said.
"I guess so. I'm still not with him though so things aren't that much better" Sirius said sadly.
"Why don't you tell him?" James asked.
"There's no point. Please don't start all of this again now, not here" Sirius pleaded. James nodded in understanding. Madam Pomfrey came in and looked at the three boys around Remus' bed.
"You three had better go for a while, you need to eat" Madam Pomfrey said. They all nodded and Sirius reluctantly let go of Remus' hand.
"I'll be back soon" Sirius whispered to him.
For the rest of the day, the three of them took it in turns to stay with Remus whilst the others did their homework and various other jobs. Sirius spent the most time there though. Talking to Remus even though he couldn't hear him.
James and Sirius sat together in the common room whilst Peter was visiting Remus. Sirius was squirming though; it was obvious he would rather be there himself.
"Sirius, you'll see him later don't worry" James said, noticing his friends discomfort.
"I know but I miss him already. I can actually say to him all of the things I've been wanting to say for weeks, without getting into trouble" Sirius explained.
"I know but you should be allowed to do that whilst he's awake. You have to tell him the truth" James said sternly.
"I can't" Sirius stated.
"You can!" James protested.
"No, I won't have Remus' secret spread through the school by Snape" Sirius said firmly.
"Don't worry about Snape, I'll take care of him" James said.
"You keep saying that but you can't!" Sirius objected.
"I can and I will" James replied. Sirius was about to reply until Peter came through the portrait hole, out of breath.
"What's happened?!" Sirius squeaked nervously.
"Remus… He's awake!" Peter replied. James looked at Sirius' happy and relieved face.
"Are you going to tell him now?" James asked.
"No" Sirius replied bluntly.
"Fine, if you won't tell him then I will" James replied, going through the portrait hole with Peter and Sirius rushing behind him.
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A/N: Oooh cliff-hanger! Only one more chapter left. Please review and tell me what you think.