Chapter 4 Counseling Comrade

Sirius, James, and Peter were eating dinner in the Great Hall when Remus dejectedly ambled in. Sirius patted a seat next to him on the bench he had saved. Remus bestowed him with a grateful smile and Sirius felt his stomach do the familiar flip Remus' smiles invariably caused. He told himself it was natural to be glad when your friends were happy, yet he never experienced quite the same feeling when James or Peter were pleased and he could not explain the reason why.

"So, what did Old Sluggy want?" prompted James.

"I have to be tutored in Potions on Tuesdays and Fridays," Remus muttered and looked back down at his plate making his light brown hair fall in front of his face.

Sirius reached over and tucked Remus' hair behind his ear. He saw naught unusual about the gesture, so he did not comprehend why Remus blushed and James' hazel eyes twinkled knowingly in a Dumbledore-like way.

Peter had no reaction as he asked, "Isn't today Friday?"

The others nodded.

"Your first tutoring session is today then. Who's your tutor?" Peter wondered.

"I don't know; Slughorn didn't say."

James gasped, "Then it could be anyone. It could even b-be-" He seemed unable to voice the horror that was running through his mind. Believe me, the horror got tired from all of that running.

"It's okay, you can say it. I've already considered almost every possibility," said Remus grimly, thinking of Snape.

James covered his face with his hands and whispered, "Evans. You would get to spend time with her when I don't."

Remus did not have the heart to say he hoped it was Lily rather than possible alternatives.

"Maybe Remus can tell Evans how great you are?" suggested Peter.

"Good idea!" James cried, making Peter beam with pride. "You will, won't you, Remus?"

"I'd better go before I'm late." Remus returned to the dungeons to avoid responding and the others went up to the dorm.

Sirius was lying on his bed with his head where his feet should have been, staring at the ceiling as if lost in thought.

"Pete, go to the library and get us more books on animagi," ordered James.

Eager to please, Peter immediately departed.

Now that they were alone James questioned Sirius, "Are you thinking about Remus?"

"Yeah, how'd you know?"

"Lucky guess," shrugged James casually. "So what are you thinking about him?"

"How I tucked back his hair; it's so soft. Don't smirk!"

"Sorry," he said, still smirking.

"No, you're not."

"I know."

"Why did you smirk anyway?"

"Well, haven't you noticed how much you touch Remus?"

"What do you mean?"

"You and me give each other high-fives after we pull a prank, and when Pete is being a dolt you smack him in the head. That's it. But you play with Remus' hair every chance you get, you hug him after full moons, and you put your arm around him all the time."

Sirius mulled over his best friend's words. "I guess I do that."

"You do," agreed James firmly. "Do you know why?"

A few minutes passed before Sirius replied slowly, "I know dealing with being a werewolf and the prejudices that go with it show he's strong, but I wish he didn't have to be strong. I want to always be there for him to protect him and make him smile. Also, regardless of his strength, he looks…delicate." Sirius' voice had grown wistful at the end of his answer.

James speculated Sirius was visualizing Remus beaming as he said it. "Did you ever think you might fancy him?"