A/n: Hey! Here's another chapter! It's continues right from where the last one left off. Right after Dumbledore's line.

shanepryde13: Yes, well, it's okay if you don't like Stacey, she's not important to the story; she's just a... secondary, outside, small character. The story is about Sirius/Remus, and not Stacey. You'll have to read the rest of the story to know. You can just ignore Stacey if you don't like her.

Sky: Yes, I know, but I could only stall and delay so long, not to mention the fact that I was getting bored, so I quickened up the pace a bit. I'm not the kind that likes to take things slow when I write. Slow is boring. Fast is fun. * grins * so that's what I did. Sardonic grin? Good. I like that kind of response. Yes, Chapter 12 made my friend cry as well when I read it to her. I asked her what she thought and she said it had made her cry. * sighs * Can you tell I'm an old-fashioned romantic? I love all this fluffy stuff. Not to mention I love details. * grins *

Gohan Hugger: I'm glad you Remus/Sirius angst and slash so much. Tears? Well, as much as I want to answer that question, you'll just have to read and find out. Slash? Well, naturally, but if you're looking for romance in this chapter… * zips her lips* No, you're going to find out for yourself. But if you want angst, you've come to the right place, 'cause angst is one of the things I do best. (And I don't think there's anything wrong with answering that.)

Fluffy lover3: Thank you.

Artemis Astralstar: I say in the summary that it doesn't go by OOTP. I wrote most of this story before OOTP came out, and I didn't want to go back and change it, so I didn't bother.

Master of Cynicism: Thank you for your review. Too much fluff? Aw… I like fluff! Unintentional cheating? Lusting after other men? Uh… I don't think so. Not getting into that. I'm glad you think it's well written, though, I appreciate it. Oh, and yes, as far as I know, you are the first guy to review this story. Oh, and btw, you might want to read the rest of what I've gotten written so far. 'Cause I'm just getting started.

Tracy_Lou: Thank you so much! I really do appreciate! I try to keep it on the sweet side, but I do have fun with the evil stuff. Yes, it was Sirius' fault, but he's still upset because Remus is going to be mad at him, and of course, James and Peter saying (well, I know James does, but I'm not sure about Peter) that he doesn't deserve Remus. Yes, I had way too much fun with that last chapter. I'm also having way too much fun with chapter as well. Oh, Remus won't get angry, he'll get furious. You haven't seen anyone mad 'till you've seen Remus mad * grins and laughs evilly* I'm not going to divulge, you'll just have to wait and see… Oh, I'm having way too much fun with this!

Davey-boy: I'm glad you like my story so much, and here's the reaction. Thank you for your review.

LadyLilyPotter: I know I do. I really do. I'm trying to get this chapter out as soon as possible.

Lou: I will try to get this chapter out as soon as possible. Thank you. I'm glad you like my story.

^.^: I will update as soon as possible. I'm so glad you like my story. Thank you.

Chapter 15

Severus was in a state of shock. Dumbledore thought that Black had done it on his own! Impossible! Black never did anything without his "friends", and Severus knew it. How could Dumbledore possibly think that Black did it all by himself? "Headmaster," Severus said, getting Dumbledore's attention. "You honestly think that Black did it by himself?"

Dumbledore switched his gaze from the desk to Severus. "Yes, Severus, I do." He said. "I have no reason to believe them."

Severus felt his face flush again as Dumbledore referred to him by him first name. "But, Headmaster-"

Dumbledore put one of his hands to silence him. "Now, now, Severus. I know you have no reason to believe that, but it's true."

"It-" Severus began again, but Dumbledore cut him off again.

"Now, no arguing." Dumbledore said sternly, but kindly.

Severus crossed his arms over his chest, and looked away.

Dumbledore switched his gaze to Sirius. "I cannot believe that something like this could happen. You should've known the risks that came with that. Severus could've gotten killed easily, or even bitten. I expect no further actions like this from you in the future, understand?"

"Yes, Professor," said Sirius.

"Do regret what you did?" Asked Professor Dumbledore.

"No." Sirius said flatly.

Severus, James, and Peter looked at Sirius in amazement.

"You don't?" Dumbledore asked again, amazed.

"No." Sirius said again. "I think he deserved it."

James, Severus, and Peter's jaws dropped. "Deserved it?!" Severus cried. "I deserved it?!"

"Severus, please." Dumbledore said, halting him.

Severus just sat there, utterly amazed, and seething with anger.

"You think he deserved it?" Dumbledore said.

"Yes," said Sirius. "He deserved it for trying to find out where Remus went every month."

"You noticed that?" Dumbledore asked Severus.

"Yes, I did." Severus said. "I'm not stupid." Sirius cleared his throat, not wanting to say anything in front of Dumbledore.

"Being stupid has nothing to do with it." Dumbledore said. "You don't have to be stupid to not notice that. Some intelligent people would never have noticed."

Severus nodded in agreement, not saying anything.

"As for you, James," said Dumbledore. "Although I respect your actions in saving Severus' life, you should not have done that. You were endangering your own life; you could easily have gotten yourself killed as well."

"I realize that, sir." James said.

"You did it even though you knew you could be killed?" Dumbledore asked, quite amazed at James' bravery. "I know you and Severus aren't on the best of terms." Sirius stifled a laugh. "Why did you do it?" Dumbledore asked.

"Because no one should have to go through with what could've happened." James answered.

"Do you mean getting killed by a werewolf or the after effects of getting bitten?"

"Both," said James. "Not to mention what it would've done to Remus."

"Yes, I imagine he would be quite distressed if he had done anything to Severus." Dumbledore agreed, and James nodded.

Severus was quite amazed at this. "He would?" He asked.

Dumbledore turned to Severus and said, "Yes, he would. That's his worst fear, hurting someone, even if it's someone he doesn't like. He knows that no one should have to go through the pain of getting killed by a werewolf, or have to go through with what he goes through."

Severus was quite amazed, but not convinced. He still believed that Lupin had something to do with the "prank". There was no other explanation. Surely Black wasn't that stupid? Well, Severus had doubts sometimes, but surely no one was that stupid.

Dumbledore sighed. "Severus, I must press upon you the seriousness of what you have found out tonight. You must not tell anyone, no one. You must be sworn to silence. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I understand, Headmaster." Severus said.

"Do you swear, do you promise, not to tell anyone about Remus Lupin?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes, I swear, and yes, I promise." Severus said. "You have my word I will not tell a soul."

Dumbledore nodded, and Sirius, James, and Peter stared at Dumbledore in amazement. He actually believed him? Sure, Snape gave Dumbledore his word, but what was that worth?

"You are all dismissed," said Dumbledore. "Sirius, James, and Peter, I will be speaking to Professor McGonagall in the morning, and she will determine what the proper punishment for you should be, and Severus, the same goes for Professor Morano."

"I am getting punished as well?" Severus asked.

"Yes," Dumbledore said. "You were out after hours."

Severus sat back in his chair, slid down, and got up and left, and then James, Peter, and Sirius left as well.

"Well, that went better than expected." Sirius said lightheartedly.

James and Peter glared at Sirius.

"What?" He asked.

"I can't believe you." James hissed. "How can you joke at a time like this?"

"I can joke at anytime," said Sirius.

James just continued glaring. "I can't imagine what Remus is going to say when he finds out."

"He's going to find out?" Sirius asked.

"Yes." James said. "I intend to tell him as soon as I see him."

"Can't it wait?" Asked Sirius.

"No." James answered. "Sooner rather than later."

Sirius lowered his head.

"Why don't you want to tell him sooner?" James asked.

"Because I'd rather it not be so soon." Sirius answered.

"Well, it's going to be sooner." James said smartly. "I still can't believe you did that." Sirius was about to say something, but James stopped him before he could. "I don't want to hear your reasons. I don't care what they are, and I know Remus won't either when he finds out."

"Why do you keep bringing him into this?" Sirius asked, somewhat annoyed.

"Because it's all about him," James said, "and he's important to you. You love him, don't you?"

"Of course I do." Sirius said, like that wasn't even a question.

"Then that's all that matters." James said.

James, Peter, and Sirius then arrived at Gryffindor Tower. They said the password, and went in. They went straight up to their dormitory, and went straight to sleep. No one slept well that night.

The next day, they woke up, and went to breakfast, and then retreated back to their dormitory. Remus would be coming up soon and this discussion was better left in private.

Remus came up the dormitory around eleven or so. He greeted them cheerfully, "Hi! How are you? What are you all doing up here? I'd expect you to be outside or something by now."

"We wanted to be here when you came up," said Sirius sweetly, and he ran a hand through his hair, a sure sign that he was nervous, and asked, "How are you feeling?" Trying to say something – anything – to stall James from telling Remus.

Remus smiled at him. "Fine. A little tired, and sore, but fine." Then he noticed the looks on everyone's faces. No one looked happy. Everyone looked nervous. "What's going on? Is something wrong?"

"Kind of." James said.

"Kind of?" Remus asked, confused.

"Sirius, he-" James faltered. How was he going to tell him? This was not going to be easy…

"Sirius…" Remus said, noticing the tone in his voice. "What happened?"

"Sirius… he… did something…" James started, deciding that saying something was better than nothing.

"'Did something…'" Remus repeated. "What did he do now? Wait… It's not bad is it?"

"It's bad." James said.

"Very bad," Peter agreed.

Remus looked from Peter's somewhat scared face, to James's nervous one, to Sirius' nervous and worried one. What had happened last night? "How bad?" He asked.

"Bad." James answered, and then he sighed. This was not going to get any easier. If anything, it was only getting harder the longer he stalled. He was just going to do it. "Okay, I'm just going to go right out and say it, 'cause this is not getting any easier to wait." Sirius closed his eyes, waiting to hear Remus' reaction. James sighed, and then told Remus what had happened the night before.

Remus looked to Sirius immediately after James had told him and literally screamed, "YOU DID WHAT?" If you thought Sirius had a bad temper... you've never seen anyone mad until you've seen Remus mad. And Remus was mad – no, wait, he wasn't mad, he was livid. It took a lot to make Remus mad, and that's exactly what Sirius had done. NO one had ever seen Remus this mad before, ever, or even thought he had it in him.

Sirius' eyes snapped open the moment he heard Remus' voice. Sirius was astonished, and he showed it. He never knew Remus could get this mad. I mean, he expected him to be mad, but nothing like this. The moment Remus had screamed, everyone took a step back. James and Peter were scared – yes, scared. They slowly retreated towards the door when they saw the look in Remus' eyes. He was absolutely furious. James and Peter thought that this discussion was better left to Sirius and Remus to handle privately. They slowly retreated toward the door. Remus noticed them and James said, "We're going to leave now," and pointed to the door. Peter agreed, and they ran out, and didn't stop running until they reached the empty common room and sat down on the couch, still staring in absolute shock, as Remus's voice reverberated down from their common room.

"HOW COULD YOU DO THAT? WHAT COULD'VE POSSIBLY GONE THROUGH THAT THICK SKULL OF YOURS TO MAKE YOU DO SOMETHING SO STUPID? WHAT COULD'VE COMPELLED YOU TO SAY THAT TO HIM? WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU? HOW STUPID CAN YOU BE?" Remus yelled at Sirius, while Sirius stood there in absolute shock "WHAT THE HELL'S WRONG WITH YOU? HOW COULD YOU DO THIS? WHAT IN THE BLOODY HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"

Sirius just stood there and let Remus scream and yell at him. Sirius felt terrible. How stupid could he have been? Had he known that it would infuriate Remus this much, he wouldn't've bothered. What happened to Snape… now Sirius didn't care about that. But, Remus' reaction to it? He cared about that deeply.

"Remus, please-" Sirius began, but Remus cut him off.

"Don't even." He said, yelling. "You're so thoughtless, do you realize that? You give no thought to anyone but yourself."

"Now, that's not true!" Sirius said, his voice rising. Everything he did was for Remus, didn't he realize that? How could Remus that he didn't think of anyone but himself? That was insulting! "I do-"

"Just shut up!" Remus said, yelling. "Just-"

"Wait-"

"Don't, DON'T!" Remus yelled. He was in no mood to hear Sirius smooth talking.

In his rage, he grabbed Sirius by collar, much to his surprise. But, if Sirius thought he was surprised now… He didn't even know what the word surprise meant until Remus pushed Sirius up against a wall. And, oh, it wasn't over yet. As Sirius was about to say something, Remus cut him off before he could say anything, and yelled at him again about stupid and thoughtless and ignorant he was, and slid up the wall. Yes, slid him up that about a foot. Sirius' eyes widened. If he had been expecting anything, it most certainly had not been this. He hadn't known that Remus was this strong. This was getting serious. Remus was starting to scare him now….

James and Peter just sat down in the common room, listening to Remus' voice reverberate off the walls. This was horrible. Whatever they thought Remus's reaction might've been, it most certainly had not been this. This was even madder that Sirius got, and that was saying something. Of course, no one had ever done anything this stupid before until now.

Suddenly Remus' voice no longer reverberated down into the common room. James looked at each for the first time since they were up in the dormitory. They were both thinking the same thing… Was it safe to go up? They listened… When they didn't hear Remus' voice again, they pondered it… and finally decided that maybe things had cooled down. They both got up and went up the common room. They were not prepared for the sight they saw.

Remus had Sirius up against the wall and Sirius' feet were about a foot off the ground. Their eyes widened in shock. Dear Merlin… James and Peter looked at each other in shock. No one that Remus was this strong!

Then Remus noticed them. "We're busy," was all he said, but his voice had a dangerous edge to it, that no one in the room liked. James and Peter looked at each other again, and then tore out of there, and back down to the common room.

After James and Peter left, Sirius was seriously started to get scared now. Remus was scaring him. He hadn't taken his eyes off Remus the whole time and Remus had this look in eyes that no one liked. Obviously James and Peter hadn't liked that look, because they had torn out of there like the hounds of hell were at their feet. Sirius did the only thing he could. He pleaded with Remus. "Please, let me go." He said the pleading evident in his voice. "You're starting to scare me."

Still absolutely disgusted with him, Remus just let go of him and Sirius feel to the ground, unhurt. Remus turned back toward the door, away from Sirius, and crossed his arms, as Sirius got himself up off the ground. Sirius walked and stood behind him.

"Remus-" Sirius began again, trying to talk some reason into him.

"Sirius, stop." Remus said, still upset, but the anger was no longer in his voice. "You can't smooth talk your way out of this one."

"Smooth talk? I-"

"Sirius, just don't." Remus said. "Just don't even try."

Sirius knew that Remus was no longer angry, but he did not yet know what Remus' feelings now were. He assumed he was still mad. But then he got a look at his eyes… He was crying. He was hurt. He felt betrayed. "Remus-"

"Sirius, do you have any idea what could've happened?" He said, all of his emotions pouring out in his voice. "What if I had killed Severus, or worse? I know you, and Peter and James accept me, but… The Ministry won't, and doesn't as a matter of fact. My life is not a life for someone, Sirius, I should know, I live it. What if…" Remus sighed, his voice shaking. "There are so many things you don't see, you don't understand. You're so impulsive, Sirius, you never think. If I had done anything to Severus last night, the Ministry would've been notified, and I would've been taken in custody. They don't think I'm a human being, they only see me as a werewolf." The tears started to come harder. "I would've been treated like an animal. Is that what you want for me, Sirius, huh? Is that what you want? I thought you loved me, Sirius, how could do something like that, when those are the consequences?"

Sirius was in state of shock. He had no idea. The thing he had been trying to prevent, he had almost proved! This was... This was… unbelievable. "Remus, I-" He said, reaching out a hand and touching his arm.

Remus shook off his hand, and snapped, "Don't touch me."

Remus recoiled, and his eyes widened, not in shock, but in hurt. Hurt was reflected in the blue mirrors into his soul. "Do you hate me that much?" Sirius asked, his voice now small.

"No, but when you touch me, I can't seem to say no to you." Remus admitted.

"That's what I want." Sirius said softly. He wrapped his arms around Remus and pulled him up against his chest. Remus tried to fight, but to no avail. Sirius' arms were like iron, and if he didn't want you to go, you didn't. Remus eventually up and succumbed to Sirius. Sirius kissed him sweetly on the cheek, and Remus tears started flowing down his face. "I swear I had no idea." He said, his hold on his love becoming tighter. "If I'd have known, I never would've done it." He gave him a kiss on the cheek again, although this time it was lower than before. "I'm not going to lie to you, love. I don't give a damn about what happens to Snape. But if it hurts, or does anything to you, I give a damn about that. No one does anything to you as long as I'm around, you hear?" Sirius declared, and he hugged Remus even tighter, and kissed him again.

"But what can you do, love?" Remus asked.

At least he's calling me "love" again, Sirius thought. "I don't know." He said, honestly, and gave him another kiss. "But, I'd do something." He kissed him again, and then replied very seriously, "I'd die for you if I had to."

Remus gasped. He turned his head and looked Sirius in the eyes and saw all the raw emotion and the seriousness that backed up what he had just said. Remus said nothing. Instead, he turned his back to the front, and the leaned back. Suddenly a yawn overtook him.

"Tired, love?" Sirius asked.

"Yes," he said. "Exhausted. I was when I came up here, and then yelling at you didn't help."

"Let's lay down." He said.

Remus was too tired to argue, and then, of course, he didn't sharing a bed with Sirius. They layed down and Sirius wrapped his arms around Remus. He could still hear Remus sniffle, he was still crying. Eventually, as he lay there in Sirius' arms, the sniffling and crying stopped. He had fallen asleep in Sirius' arms. Sirius looked lovingly at Remus, and then kissed him. "Goodnight, my love." He said.

James and Peter kept listening as the quietness had reverberated around the walls. There had been no noise from their dormitory. They looked at each other and then kept listening.

"Do you think it's safe?" Peter asked James.

"I don't know…" James said. "Remus isn't yelling anymore…"

"I just hope he let Sirius down." He said. "Remus scared me. I didn't know he was that strong."

"I didn't know either." James agreed. "And he scared me, too."

They listened for a while, and then realized that it was safe. It had been too long since they had heard anything.

"I think we should go up." James said, and got up. Not knowing what else to do, Peter followed, and they walked up to their dormitory and listened.

"There's nothing." James said. "No noise, nothing. It is safe." He slowly opened the door… and there they were. Sirius and Remus were lying there, with Sirius arms around Remus, and Remus fast asleep. Sirius looked up at them as they walked in the room and shut the door behind them.

"Be quiet," Sirius said. "He's sleeping."

"He must be exhausted." James commented.

"Yeah…" Sirius agreed. There was a pause before he said, "He cried himself to sleep. There was nothing I could do."

"He forgave you then?" James asked.

"Would we be lying like this if he hadn't?"

"Good point."

There was a long pause, and then Sirius said, quietly. "I had no idea. I had no idea what could've happened until he said something. What if…" Tears were not threatening to spill from Sirius' eyes as well. "I could've lost him. All because…"

James shushed him. "It's okay. You didn't lose him, and don't you dare argue with me, Sirius Black. You have him. He's yours. You should be satisfied with that."

"I am." Sirius said.

"I'm surprised he forgave you." Peter said, finally speaking up.

"What else was he supposed to do?" Sirius said harshly, glaring at Peter. "He loves me. I love him. He can't fight me; fight us, what good would that do?"

"I just thought-" Peter began, shying away now because of Sirius' tone of voice.

"Well don't think." Sirius said harshly.

James put a comforting hand on Peter's shoulder, and said, "Losing Remus is very touchy subject. Just don't argue with him. He has him back, and he's going to be fiercely protective of him, and of what anyone says, including us."

"You damn right." Sirius said. "He's mine, and he always will be." At that, he gave Remus another kiss.

"I'm hungry." Peter said, changing the subject.

"Yeah, me, too." James agreed. "But lunch is over, isn't it?"

"Not quite." Sirius said, checking his watch. "There's a few mintues left."

"Let's go, then," said James, and he and Peter turned for the door, but realized that Sirius hadn't moved. "Aren't you coming?" James said. "You can leave his side for a few minutes, Sirius."

Sirius looked lovingly at Remus, and said, "Yeah, and I am hungry." He slowly removed his arms from Remus, and started to get off the bed, when he heard Remus whimper. "I'll be back in a little bit, love, don't worry." Sirius said, comfortingly.

Remus opened his eyes with a confused looked in them. Sirius put a finger to his lips and shushed him. "I'll be back soon."

"Where are you going?" Remus asked worriedly.

"To the Great Hall to get something to eat." Sirius said. "Why? You don't want to come, do you?"

"Oh, no," Remus said. "I was just curious. Can you bring me back something, I'm awfully hungry."

"Sure. Of course." Sirius said, smiling sweetly. He bent down and kissed him lovingly. Remus smiled up at him, and then turned over back on his side and went to sleep again. Sirius stood there smiling down at him for a moment, and then James woke up out of his stupor. "Are you coming, Sirius?"

"Huh? Oh, yes, yes, I'm coming." With one last look at the love of his life, he followed his friends out the door, and down to the Great Hall to eat.

A/n: Long awaited, I know, and I hope you like it. Another 4,000 word chapter, as well. Oh, and I hope that the angst in this chapter was enough to satisfy anyone who thought that my fic needed more of it. I'm into angst, don't worry. There will be plenty of angst. Well, may be not plenty, but it will be there. Don't worry.