Chapter 4- Cure?

"See?" James pointed to the possible causes triumphantly, as if he just proved a point he'd been making. "See? I told you Snivellus was responsible!"

"Oh," said Remus, James's logic suddenly making sense. "Because Snape can brew advanced potions it has to have been him." Remus was mocking him. James huffed indignantly.

"Fine," he sighed. "Let's just get back to work." He pulled another book over to him and began to research one of the potions on the list. It was just so hard having Sirius sick; nobody was there to be biased with him.

Remus also pulled over another book and continued researching. Luckily it was Saturday so, after James called off Quidditch practice, they had the chance to study, uninterrupted, all day.

Halfway through lunch time James made a quick trip to the kitchens because Remus looked as if he was about to faint—the poor boy had come directly from the Shrieking Shack to the library that morning.

They made progress. It was hard because they had to seriously consider everything possible situation and cause and cure, and even though there were only four possible causes, one mistake in treatment could cost Sirius his life.

Remus sighed in relief. "Doloroso muerte incubo," he whispered.

"What?" James looked up.

"That's the spell!" Remus hissed excitedly.

"So it's not a potion?" Remus shook his head. "How do you know? Are you sure?" Remus nodded. "What are we waiting for then? Moony! Let's go!" They packed up all their books really quickly and ran from the library.

"Poppy? Poppy?" James called as he burst into the infirmary, practically skipping with anticipation.

"Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey, who had been standing at the medicine cabinet, sighed resignedly as she turned to James. "What is it now?"

"Here!" Remus shoved their research under her nose. After the shock of a face full of parchment, Madam Pomfrey took a good look at what it said.

"Oh my," she whispered and then went straight to work.

--

Sirius was fixed and back to normal within five days; although he had to stay in the infirmary for another week because, as Madam Pomfrey told him, "of the severity of your condition."

On his first morning back he was met with choruses of welcome backs, as well as slaps from girls he had "been avoiding" for weeks.

"Hospital wing? Near death? Yeah right Black. I'll put you in the hospital wing!" Sybil Vane attempted to slap him but Sirius ducked right in time and skipped off with his friends.

"So, guys, any news on who did that to me yet?" he asked as Sybil yelled down the hall after him.

"Don't you run away from me Black! You're gonna get yours!"

"Nope, no word yet…but I'm betting it was Snivellus!" James whispered conspiratorially.

"James…" Remus sounded hesitant.

"Come off it Moony." Sirius then turned back to James. "What are we going to do to get him back?"

"You guys?" Peter sounded hesitant, as always. "What if it wasn't him? Are you sure we want to pick on him some more?"

"What are you saying Wormtail? Was it you?" the marauders all laughed, but Peter looked frightened.

"N-no! Of-of course not!" he stammered. He looked flustered and wiped some sweat off his brow. They had reached the portrait hole by this time. James slapped him on the back.

"Calm down, Wormtail." He laughed. "Nobody thinks you'd actually do something like that. Now," he said as they sat down in a far corner of the common room. "What do we do about Snape?" And they all leaned in to whisper and plot.

--THE END--

A/N: Thank the Lord I've got this off my conscience now. 