Author's note (12-19-2020): Minor editing for better flow. No change to story.

Chapter 3 – Consequences

"Get up."

Disoriented for a few moments, Sirius opened his eyes to see James towering over him. The first rays of sun just peeking through the clouds streamed into the Tower right on the couch Sirius had fallen asleep on. Sirius was still in his school robes from the other day; he had not returned to the dorm after returning from Headmasters office.

A nights' sleep did not seem to have softened James; he looked as humorless as he had last night. James was already dressed in his school robes and he appeared impatient, as if Sirius had slept in. "Remus will be awake soon."

Glancing at the clock above the fire place, Sirius could see it was only 6:30 am. "It's still early. He's not going to be awake," Sirius said.

James gave him a hard look.

"Fine. Can I change robes? Am I allowed to get my school bag?" Sirius asked sarcastically.

"Do it quickly. Peter's up there."

Sirius rolled his eyes; as if Peter could make him do anything. He also wanted to tell James exactly where he could shove his order, but just mumbled under his breath, "Yes, sir."

As Sirius stood up and stretched his stiff muscles – as comfortable as the couches were, they weren't meant for sleeping - two first years had ambled down to the common room. Only 11 year olds would be up this early; breakfast wouldn't be served for another half an hour.

The first years looked at them with wide innocent eyes. Sirius was pretty sure the first years knew who they were and not to mess with them.

"Mind your own business," James told them gruffly.

The two first years blanched and quickly took seats as far as possible from the fifth years. They'd learned in the short few months of being at Hogwarts that continuing to bother James would only find them in the Hospital Wing with sprouted antlers or an elephant's trunk.

Sirius felt James's eyes on him, as he took the steps two by two. Peter was pacing nervously upstairs. He stopped when he saw Sirius. If the circumstances had been different, Sirius might have found humor in the situation. It was a waste of their time to watch him so carefully; Sirius wasn't about to disobey Dumbledore's orders to see Remus this morning. He didn't know what to think of his friends' treatment, but he had other things to worry about at the moment: Remus.

Sirius threw on a clean black school robe, adjusting his tie. He didn't bother to change his clothes underneath. He swept some books and papers into his bag – his mind too focused on what he'd say to Moony to wonder if they were the right books. Peter followed him downstairs, and there were now more students in the common room.

"Ready?" James demanded tersely. The tone of his voice alerted their fellow Gryffindors that something was amiss and a few glanced curiously at the trio.

Sirius ignored the attention. He could not let this treatment go without some comment. "Come on – isn't this a little ridiculous, Prongs?"

"Don't call me that. If those names meant anything to you-" James's voice was strained.

"Let's go," Peter interjected nervously. James had gripped his wand and Sirius had followed suit. The onlookers were now watching avidly. "Everyone is watching."

James lifted his eyebrows and Sirius sighed. He turned from them and walked out. He could feel their presence behind him, but he kept his head held high. After they'd covered the distance of three hallways, Sirius came to an abrupt halt.

James gave him a push forward. "Keep moving."

Sirius swirled around, coming face to face with James and Peter. He folded his arms. "What are you two my guards?" Sirius demanded.

James kept his face impassive. Peter bit his lip.

"Well, I don't need guards! I'm perfectly capable of walking myself to the Hospital Wing," Sirius continued hotly.

There was a trio of Hufflepuff girls with their mouths gaping open a few feet away from them. Sirius frowned; maybe he should have waited to say this in an empty hallway. The way things were going - the fact they were fighting was going to be all over the school before the sun was at its highest point.

Staying calm, controlled, and still very expressionless, James replied, "Remus is going to be upset. We want to be there for him."

Sirius didn't move. He could see James's point, but still their actions were grating on his nerves. It still didn't explain why they had to walk with him; they could arrive to the Hospital Wing separately. And he didn't like this indifferent, void of emotion person James had become.

James sighed exasperatedly as if Sirius was a disobedient toddler. "Go on. We haven't got all morning."

"Or what?"

James drew his wand. "Do you really want to do this, Black?"

Sirius eyed his mate's wand. Sirius had seen this side of James before, but never directed at him. He could certainly take on James; they were evenly matched when it came to dueling. A fight right now might be the perfect release of the jumble of emotions inside of him. Then Dumbledore's warning rang in his head. He knew any further misbehavior could tip his punishment toward expulsion. Sirius took a deep breath, stuffed his hands into his pockets, and strolled ahead. The girls scattered as the three of them passed.

Madam Pomfrey was displeased to see him. She'd grown warmer towards Sirius, James and Peter over the years. She took her charge of Remus's furry problem seriously and at first was annoyed by their monthly visits to the Hospital Wing the day before and after the full moon. Though after some time, she could not ignore the way Remus would light up when they visited and that they genuinely cared about his welfare. It helped that Remus had begun to fair better and she didn't have to spend hours tending to his injuries.

"Professor Dumbledore told me to speak to Remus this morning."

"I know what he said," Madam Pomfrey said crisply. "He is not awake yet, and I will not wake him up for you to only further distress him."

Sirius looked lost for a moment. "Can I wait in here?"

"You can wait outside. I will retrieve you when Mr. Lupin is ready."

"Ok," Sirius relented.

James and Peter took station on the wall opposite where Sirius stood. James ran a hand through his hair and shared a look with Peter.

Sirius was exhausted. "You don't have to wait here with me."

"We're not here for you."

He wasn't going to argue further. The seconds ticked by slowly and it was disarming to have to deal with the inner turmoil of his mind under his friends' watch. Sirius began remembering conversations they'd had with Remus – talks Sirius had even had alone with Remus. Hadn't that been Remus's greatest fear to bite one of them; to bite anyone? Inflicting on an innocent victim what another werewolf had done to Remus as a small child. Or worse taking someone's life when he had no control over himself. Snape wasn't exactly innocent but...his defense was starting to sound flat even in his own mind. What had he been thinking? Why had he only remembered now? It was easy for Sirius to forget what a terrible time the full moon was for Moony when it was filled with daring adventure for them. It was no excuse…he was beginning to see what Dumbledore and James had been trying to get at. He felt ill to his stomach realizing he'd been an idiot and then in his arrogant way he had barely apologized and showed no remorse. James had been right to shout to him about that last night. James and Peter had been whispering intently to each other oblivious to Sirius's inner revelation.

James glanced at his watch. "We're going to breakfast. Remus will be up soon."

"Fine," Sirius responded staring down at his shoes. He wasn't going to ask them to smuggle out toast or muffins. He hardly had an appetite to begin with.

It might have been five minutes after or twenty since his friends left, when Madam Pomfrey ushered him in. His stomach did an elaborate flip flop.

"Don't upset him too much," she warned. He gave her an exasperated look; that would be impossible.

Remus was lying down, his skin pale against the white sheets. An ugly bruise, deep purple in color was visible on his left side. Sirius approached the bed solemnly. Remus greeted him with a smile and appreciation, which made what he was about to say all the worse.

"Padfoot, you look worse than me," Remus joked. Sirius hadn't the most restful night of sleep.

Remus yawned. "Where are Prongs and Wormtail? I don't know what happened last night – I haven't felt this awful since, well you know."

"I've got to tell you something," Sirius said his voice hoarse.

Remus looked at him curiously, trustingly. Sirius hesitated. He opened his mouth, but the words wouldn't come immediately. That was when Remus picked up on that fact that something was terribly wrong. Remus paled further, if that was even possible, and the fear in his eyes was not something Sirius would easily forget. "No-"

"You didn't hurt anyone," Sirius said quickly.

Remus did not appear to have heard him. He was still shaking his head. Sirius stepped forward and forcefully stated, directly in his friends face, "We're all ok. No one was hurt."

"I didn't bite anyone?"

"No." Sirius cursed and took a deep breath. "I did something terribly stupid."

Remus waited.

"Snape knows."

"Knows?"

"Snape knows about the knot, how to get into the tunnel, about your secret – everything."

"He couldn't-"

"I told him."

"No. No, you wouldn't. You didn't," Remus insisted.

"I'm sorry, Remus. I'm sorry. It was all my fault. I didn't believe Snape would follow my instructions. I never believed he'd get close enough to see you."

"He saw me?"

"James ran in after…James got him out before – before you could get at him."

"Get out." He'd never heard Remus's voice so deadly quiet.

"I-"

"Get out!" Remus was now yelling. He'd sat up; the pain of betrayal clearly on his face. Sirius stepped back. "Get. Out!"

Madam Pomfrey flung herself into the room to the rescue. "Look what you've done. Please leave, Mr. Black."

Remus had turned his body. Sirius could hear him groan from the movement. Without them his transformation would have been awful. Madam Pomfrey took Sirius roughly by the arm and pushed him out of the Hospital Wing.

James and Peter had returned; stomachs full and still glaring.

"Well?" James asked, leaning against the wall. Sirius wanted to punch him.

"I told him," Sirius said. "Happy?"

James frowned. "I think you should stay away from Remus for a while." They must have heard the yelling.

Sirius flushed. "Gladly."

Sirius stormed away from their disappointing gazes. He immediately regretted lashing out at James again. He could have thanked James for going after Snape. He could have explained how sorry he really was. Two things that he should have done last night and now failed to do again. Was there even a point? His friends' faces swam before his eyes. They weren't going to forgive him, were they?

Remus had spent a lonely day in the Hospital Wing. He was in pain; both physical and mental. The news Sirius had brought…just thinking about it turned his stomach. It had taken time and effort for Remus to trust his friends, and he had fully trusted them with his secret. And Sirius had gone and told the one person in the whole school who hated the lot of them. Sirius had shown thoughtlessness before, but never to this level.

Professor Dumbledore visited him late in the morning. No one else but Sirius had been allowed contact with Remus. Remus wished to speak to James and Peter, but at the same time glad to be lost in his own thoughts.

"How long do I have to clean my room out?" Remus asked hollowly. Snape would have surely told the whole school by now and even if he hadn't, surely Dumbledore now saw he was a menace to student body.

"No one is forcing you to leave, Mr. Lupin."

"But I almost killed a student!"

"You didn't," Dumbledore said kindly. "I will need your word that you were not aware of a plot to lure Severus Snape into the tunnel under the Whomping Willow?"

Remus started in shock before stumbling over his answer. "N-no sir."

"Very good. Mr. Black, insisted you had no part in it, but I needed to verify it. I know you've grown close to Potter, Black, and Pettigrew. I was aware you had told them about your condition. Perhaps, I should have made it clearer that you were not to divulge to anyone – even them – the secret of how to freeze the Whomping Willow."

"I'm sorry. I trusted them. I trusted Sirius." He threw out his friend's name with disgust. "They were so full of questions when they first found out, and I never thought...they promised never to tell anyone else. I was very grateful they hadn't abandoned me, sir."

Professor Dumbledore nodded. "I have forbidden Mr. Snape to tell anyone about your secret."

If Dumbledore hoped to reassure Remus he did not. "He won't, sir," Remus stated softly. "After I almost killed him? Why would he protect who I am?"

"I believe he will. Mr. Snape already suspected you were a werewolf before entering the tunnel." Remus stared at the Headmaster, unsure of what he meant by that. "This is the best I can do without getting anyone else involved."

So, this was his punishment for trusting his friends? Hanging over the rest of his Hogwarts career the knowledge Snape could ruin his life with one word.

"Are you expelling him?" Remus asked hollowly.

Professor Dumbledore appraised him behind his half-moon spectacles. It would have been an easy out for all of them. Remus would never have to see his friend again. He could forget this ever happened. They could remove his bed from the room, rearrange the beds; and it would be like Sirius had never been there.

"No one was actually hurt last night," Dumbledore began. "I do not expel students for what might have happened. So, no Mr. Black will not be expelled."

Remus felt odd. He felt relieved and disappointed at the same time.

"I am not taking the matter lightly. The consequences of Mr. Black's actions would have been terrible for a multitude of people if Mr. Potter had not stepped in. He will be punished accordingly." Dumbledore rose to his feet. He placed a hand reassuringly on Remus's shoulder. "Mr. Potter will be here to walk you to my office tonight at 7 pm. Mr. Black and Mr. Snape will be there, and we will decide what to do with Mr. Black then."

"Ok." Remus's stomach clenched. He didn't want to face Sirius so soon, but he didn't want the Headmaster to think he was a coward.

After Dumbledore left, Remus had a restless day. He did not know what to do with himself. He picked up a book, but could not concentrate. Eventually the physical drain of the transformation took its toll and Remus fell into a deep sleep for a few hours.

James swung by to pick him up at exactly 6:50 pm. Peter was not involved enough to be present and was waiting in Gryffindor Tower. James looked grave and only attempted a half-hearted smile.

On the walk over James explained in more detail what had exactly had happened.

"Mrs. Black was here? At the school?"

James shrugged. "I don't know details. It sounded like Professor Keenan invited her…I never got to ask him." Remus could tell how hard this was for James. James and Sirius were practically brothers – never saw one without the other; and even if he was angry at him, James would be feeling the loss of brotherhood as keenly as Remus. "He was such a thoughtless prat."

"Do you think he meant for Snape to be killed? Bitten?" His voice broke slightly. "By me."

James deliberated the question. "I don't think he thought...at all. He didn't think past Snape entering the tunnel." There was a silence with only the sound of the clicking of their shoes. "Doesn't excuse what he did."

"No, it doesn't," Remus agreed. "Dumbledore isn't expelling him."

"I didn't think he would," James confided. "I mean if he was going to be expelled…I figured it would have happened already."

Remus nodded, and it occurred to Remus that neither of them had said Sirius's name yet; everything was still all too fresh in their mind.

James ran a hand through his hair. "That's – well not good, but - he wouldn't survive you know – living at home-"

"I know," Remus replied softly. If Sirius's parents didn't murder their heir because of the expulsion, there was a good chance Sirius would take care of it for them. But it was hard – even knowing this – for Remus to care about Sirius's predicament. Expulsion would still be a better outcome than Remus would have faced if James hadn't stepped in. "Do they know...about you being Animagi?"

Dumbledore hadn't mentioned it, but Remus needed to be sure. James and Peter didn't deserve to be carted to Azkaban for helping him. And Sirius...Remus didn't know what was a justifiable punishment for a betrayal as great as his.

"No. He kept his mouth shut about that at least."

"That's a relief."

James did not answer, and they did not speak again before their arrival in front of Dumbledore's office. Sirius was slouched in a chair under Professor McGonagall's watch. James cleared his throat loudly and Sirius jerked his body up. Remus froze; thinking about Sirius was painful and looking at him was unbearable. It was far too soon with the betrayal so fresh. Why couldn't this all be handled without his presence? Remus wasn't sure he'd be able to control himself if Sirius did speak to him directly. He didn't want to hear excuses or apologies. James sensing there was trouble, even a possibility of violence; tugged at his shirt. It broke the spell, and they took the two chairs farthest from their former friend. This left the last seat for Snape, which under the best of circumstances would have been dangerous.

Professor Slughorn and Snape arrived shortly after. Snape sneered at Sirius, then he stopped. Snape had a look of utter revulsion as he neared Remus. "Werewolf!" he hissed.

Remus winced at the word; as Sirius and James tensed simultaneously. They had always been so in-tune with the other, and now their friendship was broken. Remus felt incredibly sad at the thought.

"I'm sorry about last night," Remus managed.

"Why are you apologizing?" Sirius asked. He was glaring at Snape as he spoke.

"Because you haven't! Have you?" Remus accused.

"Boys! That is enough," Professor McGonagall stated. "No one will speak until Professor Dumbledore calls us into his office, and you will only speak then, when addressed."

"Thank you, Minerva."

Professor McGonagall gasped, placing a hand over her heart.

Professor Dumbledore stood at the top of the steps to his office. His blue eyes missing their usual twinkle lingered on Sirius for a second. "I am ready for you. Please join me in my office."

They filtered into the Headmasters office slowly, Professor McGonagall bringing up the rear after Sirius. Though Remus didn't believe it was done on purpose, Sirius's chair was situated slightly apart from all the others. Remus felt shaky and nervous, and he noticed Sirius was neither. It wasn't fair, Remus thought angrily. Sirius should be as sick and distressed as he felt. Instead, Sirius exuded his usual defiant, cool demeanor. It wasn't an easy feat with Dumbledore, McGonagall, Slughorn, Snape, and James all glaring down at him.

"I suppose we better get to it," Professor Dumbledore said, his voice grave. "Mr. Black will not be expelled."

Snape was on his feet. "He tried to kill me, sir!"

Slughorn sent him a warning look, McGonagall pursed her lips. Oddly, Sirius did not jump to his own defense. Sirius was watching Snape coolly, in a detached manner.

"Please sit back down, Mr. Snape," Dumbledore stated. Snape did not immediately comply, and it wasn't until Dumbledore turned his full gaze on him, did he return to his seat, curling his fists in frustration as he sat. Dumbledore continued, "I do not usually need to justify the punishment of another student with his peers, but given the circumstances, I will explain my reasoning."

"It's Gryffindor favoritism," muttered Snape, his black eyes menacing.

"It was your own two feet that brought you into that tunnel, Mr. Snape," Dumbledore said sternly. "And I ask you do not interrupt me again."

Snape crossed his arms, but he stayed silent. Remus noted Snape was ignoring Professor Slughorn who was watching his student apprehensively. Dumbledore repeated mostly the words he had spoken to Remus only hours before. Adding only, "Any expulsion must be reviewed by the Board of Governors. And this would inevitably result in Mr. Lupin's expulsion and I think we all agree Mr. Lupin is the most innocent party in all of this. It is in all our interests that they are not involved."

"Not my interests! I'm as much of a victim as Lupin!"

"Even yours, Mr. Snape. We can discuss this later privately if you wish."

Snape looked furious, but he said nothing. Remus was too preoccupied to think any further about it.

Dumbledore placed his hands together on his desk. "Mr. Lupin you have been cleared of all wrongdoings. I do not see a reason to punish you for something you had no control over. Mr. Potter, you showed immense bravery last night, and I am awarding Gryffindor 50 points."

James looked faint with surprise. Snape was looking rather livid, but he didn't choose that moment to argue with Professor Dumbledore.

"Mr. Snape, you broke several rules last night as well. I have overlooked everyone being out after curfew, but I cannot overlook your approach to the Whomping Willow tree. It was made quite clear to the student body that under no circumstance was anyone to go near the tree. 25 points off Slytherin."

"Potter gets rewarded for getting cold feet, while I get punished?" Snape asked clearly unable to stay quiet any longer.

"There is no proof that Mr. Potter was any more involved in the planning than Mr. Lupin," Dumbledore stated.

"Give Potter Veritaserum. Give them all Veritaserum. You will get the truth then, sir."

Remus's anxiety spiked. If Dumbledore gave any of them Veritaserum, their other secret was likely to be uncovered. The Headmaster would know he'd led his three friends to become unregistered Animagi and they were now running around with a werewolf every full moon.

Before Remus could worry any further, Professor Slughorn intervened. "I am in agreement with the Headmaster on your punishment. You knew very well that Whomping Willow was out of bounds."

Snape closed his mouth, but did not apologize. Snape's deference to his Head of House was unexpected. Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Lastly we have Mr. Black."

Sirius looked at Dumbledore pointedly; waiting to hear his sentence.

"We only have a week before term ends. In this week you will be in in-school suspension. During this time, you will not be attending classes. Instead, your days will be spent alone under the supervision of a teacher or prefect. Assignments will be handed to you each day, so you do not fall behind. After dinner you will be escorted straight to Gryffindor Tower. You are not allowed to leave the dormitory until the following morning. We will rely on the prefects to let us know if you do not follow this." There was no reaction from Sirius. "Do you understand so far Mr. Black?"

"Yes, sir," Sirius muttered; speaking for the first time since entering the Headmaster's office.

"Next, your request to stay over break has been denied-"

"What?" Sirius spluttered.

"Mr. Snape has also requested to stay over break and under the circumstances we do not think it would be wise to have you both here."

"You're making me go home?" Sirius asked, and they could all hear how upset he was by the news. Under other circumstances, Remus would have felt sorry for Sirius, but he felt a vindictive pleasure in seeing a reaction – any reaction - from his friend.

"Yes-"

"What if I stayed in Gryffindor Tower?" Sirius countered quickly. "I swear, sir, I wouldn't leave the dormitory-"

A smirk was forming on Snape's mouth and Remus knew it must be difficult for Sirius to admit his distress in returning home in front of Snape.

"This is non-negotiable."

A myriad of emotions flashed across Sirius's face and then it was gone. With impressively detached acceptance Sirius said, "My parents will not be pleased."

"An inconvenience they will deal with Mr. Black. They will no doubt be more displeased about the reason behind it than the issue itself."

Remus thought he heard Sirius mutter 'I doubt that', but when he chanced a look, Sirius was sitting resoundingly silent.

"Now when you return, you will serve nightly detentions for first three weeks. The detentions will be at least one hour and no more than two. It will up to the discretion of the staff member monitoring you. Saturday will be all day detention. You will have a break on Sunday. Then for six additional weeks you will have continue to have all day Saturday detentions. You have lost all extracurricular privileges; this includes Hogsmeade visits, Quidditch games, clubs and anything else that comes up. A hundred points will be deducted from Gryffindor, but it will only reflect 50 points after adding Mr. Potter's earnings quietly."

A few moments of silence passed as everyone digested the punishment.

"What are you going to tell my parents?" Sirius asked suddenly. "You don't want them knowing that Remus is-" Sirius met Remus's eyes and looked away. "Trust me you don't want them knowing what Remus is, and they aren't going to believe I suddenly want to spend the Holidays at home."

Professor Dumbledore unfolded his hands carefully. "We will explain to them that the animosity between Mr. Snape and yourself has been escalating to a point that keeping you both here over the break will be too much of inconvenience for the teachers. Last altercation between the two of you was your fault, Mr. Black, which is why you are the one to be sent home. I will have to come up with something if they request more information. There will be no need to bring Mr. Lupin into any of it."

Sirius nodded.

"Mr. Black, I would like to add that if you are involved in any further major disciplinary actions, expulsion will be on the table. I expect exemplary behavior in your classes. I will receive weekly reports of your behavior. I also expect your grades to be kept up. With your free time so limited, I would suggest you stay on top of all assignments. Do you understand, Mr. Black?"

"I understand, sir." Sirius's voice wavered with the words.

Professor McGonagall rose to her feet; her mouth a thin line. "I shall escort Mr. Black back to Gryffindor common room." It was clear Sirius's every action would be carefully watched, and should he step a toe out of line there would be grave consequences.

Sirius stood up. He kept his head high; eyes dark.

"Wait-" Remus voiced. Everyone turned to him, but Remus only looked directly at one person in the room. "Sirius should apologize to Snape."

Sirius looked back at him with disbelief. Remus stared back – he needed to stay strong. His heart was beating quickly; he'd rarely stood up to his friends. It was about time he did.

"Well Mr. Black," Professor McGonagall chided. She looked eager to get this whole business done with. Snape wasn't hiding his smirk and Remus ignored the guilt he was feeling. This wasn't about Snape. This was about Sirius and his friend learning to take responsibility. Knowing Sirius – this would make more of an impression than weeks of detention.

"Sorry," Sirius muttered.

"Was that satisfactory?" Remus asked politely. It took a moment for Snape to realize Remus was addressing him.

"No," Snape stated crossing his arms, enjoying the humiliating position Sirius was in.

Sirius gave Remus a glaring look and then looking directly at Snape, cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, Snape. I apologize for my actions." Sirius spoke each word with deliberate carefulness, his face turning red with each word in embarrassment.

Remus looked at Snape again, who shrugged. "I suppose that was satisfactory."

Professor Dumbledore gave Remus a nod of approval. Professor McGonagall smiled at Remus and her face turned grim as she turned her attention to her charge. Sirius had his hands in his pockets and he was led away.

Professor Slughorn met Dumbledore's eyes and said, "Glad that messy business is done with. Boys these days…"

"Well, that is all, Horace. Mr. Snape is free to leave as well," Dumbledore stated, though he still looked troubled.

"Good night, then." Slughorn stood up and Snape followed his Head of House out.

"Mr. Potter, would you escort Mr. Lupin back to the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey wishes to keep you there another day. I insisted you be let out for this. I felt it was important this be dealt with swiftly."

"Yes – of course, sir," James agreed.

The whole meeting had really tired Remus. The tension in the meeting had helped him ignore his discomfort. He wasn't used to such terrible transformations. He suddenly felt really cold and his arm burned painfully. Remus supposed he'd have to get used to them again. There would be no more Animagi joining him; Sirius had seen to that.

Their walk back to hospital wing was done in silence. James looked uneasy and Remus didn't know what to say to him.

"Why would Dumbledore send him home?" James blurted.

Remus shrugged.

"It isn't as if he's going to start fights with Snape. I am pretty sure he'll be avoiding him…it doesn't make sense."

"He doesn't like being at home."

"How would Dumbledore know that though?"

"I'm sure even the teachers know he doesn't get along with his family."

James shook his head. "I don't know…I understand the points and detentions. He deserves that, but-"

"I don't think it's necessarily a punishment, James. Professor Dumbledore is taking away all his privileges, including that one."

"I suppose. I don't even know how to act towards him…"

"I can't talk about this right now," Remus said suddenly. He was having a hard enough time concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other. Thinking about Sirius only made him feel worse. "I can't deal with him right now."

James nodded. "Ok." It was obvious James still wanted to speak more about it.

Remus bade goodbye to James and let Madam Pomfrey fuss over him. For once he was glad for his affliction. Tonight, he wouldn't have to face Sirius. He wouldn't have to sleep in the dorm that held so many fond memories of the four of them. Remus gulped down the potion beside his bed; eager to fall into a dreamless sleep.

Author's note: Thanks for reading! Recent studies have shown that people who review fanfiction live longer, happier lives! ;)