Apology
Rating: G
Description: Sometimes it's harder to be forgiven.
Ships: None. Will they get together in the future? That is for another fic to decide .
Note: Ridiculously short.
"Headmaster, I really think not," murmured Madam Pomfrey, her voice muffled by the door. "He needs rest right now, you've seen him."
"I think this is of equal importance, Poppy." There was no smile in Dumbledore's voice.
"Mr. Potter has already been here to explain the situation, and let me tell you, it did nothing to improve his condition." She sighed. "Can't it wait? The poor boy doesn't need any more stress right now."
Dumbledore said something inaudible, or perhaps he had just fixed her with that unusually intense glare from behind his half-moon spectacles. Either way, Madam Pomfrey said, "I'm sure you know best, Headmaster," and the sound of her shoes clicked off.
Sirius slumped against the wall. He hadn't been sure which would be worse- to not be allowed in, or to have to go. Now he knew. He had already given a forced apology to Dumbledore, who just closed his eyes without seeming to hear it, and to Snape, who gave him an ugly smile, and to James, who shook his head in disbelief. Sirius wasn't sorry for what he did, it had all been Snape's fault anyway, but he knew it wasn't possible to fake an apology to Remus.
The door opened and Dumbledore beckoned him in. Sirius walked past the Headmaster as he left the hospital wing and closed the door against Sirius' back. Remus was lying in one of the first beds, with the sheets pulled up to his chin, and the bedside table covered with healing potions. He looked bad, pale and sleepless and heavily bandaged. Sirius exhaled heavily. Remus glanced up and winced as he moved his head, but gave a small sort of smile.
"Hi, Padfoot," he said.
"Hi, Remus," said Sirius. "You- I thought James already told you what happened?"
"Yeah, he was here earlier."
"He was really angry," said Sirius slowly.
"Don't worry," said Remus. "He'll get over it. He's your best mate, after all."
Sirius smiled nervously and Remus smiled back, but winced as he did so. There was a long gash along his cheek. "Remus," Sirius said, before he knew what he was doing. "I'm so-"
"Forget it," interrupted Remus. "It's okay."
"But-"
"It's okay," said Remus. "I understand. You just lost your temper."
"The thing is, I never meant for-"
"I know," said Remus. "It all worked out, anyway."
Sirius stared at Remus. He was forgiven, it seemed, but he still felt ill. "Aren't you even going to get mad?"
"No," said Remus. He turned over on his side, away from Sirius. "Why should I be?" He asked, his voice a whisper, winded from moving over, it seemed. "We're friends." He laughed, but it came out more like a choke or a sob.
"Merlin's beard," said Sirius. "I don't see why."
Well," said Remus shortly, "Us werewolves, we take what friends we can get." He pulled the covers over his head and didn't speak again, leaving Sirius to stand there until Madam Pomfrey came and shooed him out.