Chap. 12 Shock

Further down the train sat the three remaining males of the group. Two of which were trying to bring the third out of his gloomy mood. While Severus sat on the seat opposite of him, Harry was laughing uproariously at Remus' antics.

The werewolf was currently seated on the floor with his head pushed up against Severus' knee. The older man wasn't fazed by his odd behavior as he had seen it quite often the previous summer. It was just the wolfs way of comforting a hurt packmember. Sev had in fact been on the receiving end of Lupin's comforting techniques many times. It had actually become a ritual of sorts between the two males. Remus would wait for Sev to return from meetings and then after reporting his findings the two would sit on Sev's couch and with Remus pressed against his side Severus would read while drinking tea. That was another change caused by the werewolf's presence, drinking tea after meetings instead of Firewhiskey.

Harry had finally gotten himself under control and believing the others were calm enough he started to speak. "Was it just me or did Siri seem to actually mean that threat? Normally you can tell that he's not going to really do anything but this time it almost felt like he was about to attack Sev."

Severus nodded. "You're right Harry he did seem like he was about to attack me. Even I have to admit that I've never seen Black behave that viciously not even back when we found peter. I must admit that I am even curious as to the cause of his behavior." He felt Remus move his head away from his leg and looked down at him.

"I wonder…" Remus mumbled. "I have a strange feeling that I should know what's causing his behavior, but I just can't quite…" He broke off suddenly, turning his head towards the door and listened to the sounds outside. Abruptly he shook his head and chuckled. "Siri just started snoring. I swear his snores could wake the dead."

Harry smiled. "I agree with that. Remember two summers ago when I ended up attacked by those Dementors and got stuck at headquarters. I swear he was so loud that the walls were shaking." He chuckled. "But anyway we have got to find out what's going on with him. I don't like it. What if he ends up suddenly snapping and actually tries to hurt Sev. I'm not sure I would be able to…" He trailed off hanging his head in despair.

Severus leaned forward, placed a finger under his chin and made Harry look at him. "I don't want you to think that you might have to stop him. In fact if he does snap I want you to stay out of it." Sev smiled at the young man. "He's your family Harry and no matter what happens he will always be family. Besides it's not like he'd actually be able to do anything really dangerous, you seem to have forgotten that I have had to put up with his pranks before." He smirked. "I also have faith that a bloody Potter will show up at the last moment to save me, you always do."

They both looked over at Remus as he started chuckling. "Sorry," he gasped, "I just remembered how often you guys end up saving each other and couldn't help but wonder if either of you kept count." He snickered as both males groaned and dropped their heads into their hands, or at least they tried to. However, moving at the exact same time caused them to smack into each other which in turn caused the werewolf to collapse into gales of laughter.

Harry and Severus looked at each other while rubbing their bruised foreheads. Both donned identical grins and almost as if they read each others minds, turned and pounced on their companion. The three of them spilled out into the corridor wrestling like small children. Harry and Sev had just managed to pin Remus when the look on his face abruptly changed. Both of them were pushed off as the werewolf used his superior physical build to jump to his feet and take off down the train at a run. They looked at each other and then they were running, following Remus to the only thing that could make him react like that and leaving one word hanging unsaid in the air.

'Sirius'

They came to an abrupt stop nearly bowling over the still form of Remus who was looking into the compartment. Catching their breath they asked him what was wrong.

Remus faced them, worry and fear in his eyes. "I knew that I knew what was causing him to behave like that, but I couldn't quite figure out what it was. Now I know for sure what's wrong and I can't fix it." He looked straight into Sev's eyes. "Harry and I can't do anything about it Sev. I'm afraid that you're going to have to deal with it and the only thing I ask is that you think before deciding. You'd better go in Severus." Remus stepped to the side and opened the door allowing them to peer inside.

Harry and Sev's jaws dropped as they looked in and saw Sirius Black, one of the most notorious pranksters to attend Hogwarts curled up in a ball on the floor sobbing. Remus had to push Sev into the compartment before sliding the door closed again. Reaching out he pulled the saddened teen into his arms for a hug and then both men slid to the floor shocked at what they had just seen.

A.N; Sorry it took so long but I've been having a hell of a time lately. My son turned two in July and has decided that he now has the right to destroy the house. The next chapter will probably take me a while to write simply because I don't have much time to myself anymore, and to top it off I have to start Christmas shopping. I'm ashamed to admit that I really thrive on reviews that ask me to keep writing, they encourage me to write faster. Oh the joys of praise. Next chapter will be the start of horrible, pathetic, sappy and necessary Sev/Siri bonding. Don't worry both of them are straight and will not end up as lovers.