2:Promise
Daybreak's light filtered through the cracks in the Shrieking Shack's walls, wakening Remus from his troubled sleep. He bolted up right; had he dreamt that James and Sirius had been there? He jumped as he noticed the cloak covering the lower half of his body. His brows knotted. What had happened once he'd transformed? He looked around; in a shadowy corner furthest from him and his bindings, sat Sirius, his head on his chest. James lay curled at Sirius's feet.
I didn't harm them, Remus thought with relief. He untied the ropes, now that he had human fingers to do so, and dressed quickly. Just as he was knotting his laces, Sirius stirred.
"I didn't think I'd be able to keep my secret from you three for long..." Remus spoke once Sirius was fully awake and had noticed him. "Well, do you think me a horrible monster? Did you stick around so you could be the first to inform me how hideous I am?" Remus asked bitterly.
Sirius scowled and stood, creeping past the sleeping James and kneeling before Remus. "First off, you're not horrible, hideous, a monster or any other negative thing you might choose to say you are." Growled Sirius.
Remus stared at him in guilty silence. He shouldn't have lost his temper, especially at Sirius.
"Reem, we followed you because we care. We used James' invisibility cloak to see where Pomfrey was taking you. And we stuck around to make sure you were okay."
Remus still didn't speak but nodded a little, his eyes returning to rest on Sirius' face. "Sorry."
Sirius shrugged.
The two sat in silence for a moment.
"It looks bloody painful." Sirius commented. "How long have you been a werewolf?"
"I was bitten when I was six." Replied Remus with slight indifference.
"You didn't make a whole lot of friends I suppose."
"You suppose right." Remus nodded, "Even if they were accepting like you, by hanging around with me it's only a matter of time before I hurt someone."
Sirius chuckled, "You wouldn't hurt me."
Remus smiled sadly, "I would never intentionally hurt you but when I transform I lose myself, I'm likely to kill anything that crosses my path."
Uncharacteristically Sirius wrapped his arms around Remus' neck in a hug.
Remus' eyes widened.
"Don't worry Reem, we'll find a way to help."
I wish you could. Remus thought sadly.
"We'll be with you." They weren't just words of comfort, he meant them whole heartedly.
Remus relaxed and rested his chin on Sirius' shoulder, closing his eyes and returning the embrace.
