Chapter 3:

Remus woke the next morning. His stomach roiled with a mixture of nausea and fear. One more night closer to the full moon. He had a fever. He could feel his blood heating up; preparing for the transformation. Turning over, he came face to face with a sleeping Sirius. He smiled.

"I didn't have the heart to wake him," Longbottom whispered. Remus looked to the foot of his bed. Frank was up and dressed for class. "You're not going to make class?" he asked, knowing the answer. Remus smiled weakly.

"You know me, too much excitement yesterday. I expect I'll end up in the hospital wing again."

"I'll take notes for you," he offered.

"Yes, alright. Thank-you Frank."

"See you," he waved half-heartedly as he left their room. Remus turned back to face Sirius.

"Sirius," he sang, "Wake up, now." Sirius stirred slightly but did not wake.

"Ooh," Peter came up on the other side of Remus' bed. "Don't wake him, Mooney. He's so cute sleeping there." He sighed, "If only we had a camera."

"Shove off, Wormtail," Sirius mumbled. His eyes slid open. They caught the morning sun and lit up like a stormy sky. Remus smiled at him.

"Are you my nursemaid now?" he asked.

"I was waiting for you to wake up so I could thank you for fixing my hair."

"It was nothing."

"It wasn't 'nothing', Mooney," he said rising. "But, I'll let it be." He leaned close, slowly studying Remus. "You don't look too well," he laid a hand on his friend's forehead. "You're burning up." It was feigned concern. Remus smiled at the hidden excitement in Sirius' voice.

"Tomorrow night," he replied. Sirius nodded. No further explanations were needed; not after so many months.

"Shall I stay here with you?" he asked, "I don't mind cutting class. It's not as if I'll learn anything new."

"Suit yourself, Padfoot."

"Prongs? Will you be joining us?" he asked, looking over at James.

"What? Give up a chance to talk with Evans and mess with Snivellus? Defense Against the Dark Arts is my favorite class." Sirius smirked.

"I'll go with you," Peter offered.

"Sure!" He rolled his eyes at Sirius while Peter fetched their bookbags. Soon only Remus and Sirius were left in the sunny tower room. Sirius threw himself down on his bed.

"Let me know if you need anything," he offered. Remus nodded half-heartedly.

Near lunchtime, a commotion disturbed the lazy peace of the dorm room. James stormed into the room, followed by Peter and Frank. Sirius leapt to his feet. Blood covered James' robes. He was pinching his nose with a handkerchief. He kicked his bedside table, knocking over a picture of his family. Sirius descended on him. "What happened?" He pulled James' hands from his face. James shook with fury. His eyes blazed with the heat of his anger.

The blood from his nose was slowing. One eye was puffy, half-swollen. His cheek sported two large gashes. "It was that slime ball!" Peter chimed in.

"Snape?" Remus asked. James nodded, kicking his table again.

"Sirius, wait!" Frank called. "He was sent to Dumbledore's office." Sirius stopped halfway to the door. "He attacked James in front of Professor Kettleburn."

"You're kidding?" Remus asked. Peter and Frank shook their heads, no.

"Well, the duel didn't start in front of Kettleburn, it just ended in front of him," Frank explained.

"They can't expel him," Sirius hissed. "I'm going to get him for this!"

"Don't you see?" Remus asked from his bed, "This can't go on!"

"So speaks the prefect," Sirius muttered, folding his arms over his chest. Anger filled the room. Frank and Peter beat a hasty retreat. Peter jumped up on his bed, eager for the fight. Frank also sat on his bed. With a resigned sigh, he pulled his curtains closed.

"That's right. I am the prefect," Remus said, glaring at Sirius. "Now, it ends here," he continued, voice dangerously low. "I don't like Snape any more than you. But this is out of hand. He truly hurt James! What will he do next time?"

"But he can't win!" Sirius returned, throwing his hands in the air. Remus' eyes widened and he gaped at his friend.

"Win what, Sirius? This isn't a contest!"

"Maybe not to you!" A low growl crawled from Remus' throat. His eyes shifted colors, amber

eating away the blue, drowning it.

"It ends now! Let it go!" He roared, rising from his bed. "Let the little git go home thinking he's big and brave!"

Sirius stood his ground. "Prongs?!" He turned to James, "Do you believe this? Do you hear what he's saying?!" He indicated Remus.

"Drop it, Padfoot!" James yelled, "Mooney's right!" Sirius stood gaping at him.

"I don't believe it!"

"Believe it."

"But--"

"That evil little slime attacked me in front of a teacher. He's desperate." James took a deep breath, "We could get even, but, if we leave him be, he'll spend the remainder of his time here, sweating. Waiting for us to get him." James kept an eye on Mooney. His eyes shifted back to blue as he regained control. He turned his attention to Padfoot. He could see his rage roiling just beneath the surface. Sometimes he tired of keeping his best friend's temper in check. "Scourgify," he whispered, cleaning up his robes.

Sirius glared down at him, his eyes as hard as chipped ice. His breathing slowed; his hands unclenched. At last he smiled. "Alright Prongs, Mooney, we'll try it your way." James studied him hard and then looked at Remus.

"Right. I'm off to the hospital wing," he said, rising.

"I'll come with you," Sirius offered.

James clapped him on the shoulder. "Come on."