Disclaimers: See the first chapter.

Snippets From the Potterverse

Chapter 53 - Snuffles Has the Sniffles

Sniff.

Love, stop sniffing it back in. Blow it out.

Sniff.

With an exasperated sigh, Remus yanked a tissue from the box and held it under Sirius' nose.

Sirius blew, Remus making a disgusted face as the tissue became soggier and soggier. He dropped it in the wastebasket and mopped Sirius up with another fistful of tissues before running to the bathroom and washing his hands.

Sirius had the sniffles. He was horrible; even such a minor thing made him whimper and whine for pity, and it was amazing how a runny nose could turn a thirty-six-year old man into a great big baby in less than a day. And Remus, as his mate and the only one in the Order with sufficient patience to do so, was taking care of him. Luckily Sirius got sick very rarely; he was nearly unbearable when he was.

Oh, Remmie... I don't feel so good, Sirius groaned.

I know you don't, love, Remus said, brushing Sirius' sweaty hair away from his forehead.

I want some chicken soup, the Animagus whimpered pathetically.

Yes, yes, sighed Remus, going to fetch it.

And orange juice.Yes, yes.And chewable morphine.That doesn't exist, and you know it! Remus huffed, leaving the room. He hastened to the kitchen and dug the leftover chicken soup from the icebox. He gave it a tap with his wand, heating it instantly, and poured a tall glass of juice. Then he brought it up to Sirius.

His lover took a bite. Ahh!!! Too hot!! he choked, draining his juice in one gulp. Remmie.... I need more juice.Of course, love, Remus said, ignoring the way his left eye was beginning to twitch.

I need another blanket, too. I'm cold.Yes, love....

It went on like this for a week. Sirius was in misery, and so was Remus. Waiting on Sirius hand and foot was driving him mad. It drove the rest of the Order mad, too. Sirius hated being left out of meetings, and to keep him from complaining, he was allowed to attend the latest one, bundled up in several blankets with copious amounts of Vicks' Vapo-Rub smeared on his chest and a box of tissues by his hand. He annoyed everyone by sniffling, snuffling, coughing, and sneezing all through the meeting. The Order members hurried out of Grimmauld Place as fast as they could once Dumbledore dismissed them.

I don't want to catch Black's diseases, Snape snarled.

I just hate having a runny nose, Tonks said.

I always get nosebleeds when I'm sick. I'd like to avoid that, Kingsley agreed.

So they all bailed out on poor Remus.

A few days later, Sirius awoke feeling much, much better. He beamed and pulled the blankets off Remus. Look, Remmie! I'm all better! And it's all thanks to your love and care!! .....Remmie? Remus moaned. He sniffled and pulled the blankets back up over his shivering body. I dobt feel good, Siri.I think I'b sick.You sure look it. Guess you caught my cold. Don't worry. I'll take care of you.Thank you, lub.Poor baby.

But it was worse than Sirius could imagine, as he found out when the next Order meeting came up. Every single member of the Order, even Dumbledore, had caught the cold. Sirius was forced to sit with a roomful of sneezing, sniffling, miserable people.

he wailed.