Chapter Twenty-One: Bubbling Burning Boils

Sirius thought he had won with Remus he truly did. Throughout the majority of his birthday month, the four of them hung out making quite the team. James and Sirius gave Remus space by going to watch Quidditch practice, sometimes with Peter in tow.

They all knew, though no one else but Sirius knew why they had to be careful not to push Remus to hard. James who had been the most hesitant about Remus joining their group was now in full support of their witty roommate.

"Do you think he considers us friends?" Sirius asked James out of the blue. Well, it wasn't really out of the blue considering during this last week of November, Remus had started pulling away and Sirius didn't know why. But it was out of the blue considering they were supposed to be concentrating on potions. James looked over at the poor boy who always looked like he was going to pass out in this class, the only class he didn't keep up with Sirius, James, and….yes even Lily.

Sirius knew Severus was on that list for Potions, easily the top student, but he refused to acknowledge that. Sirius looked at Remus to having realized pretty quickly that for whatever reason Remus was out of it too much to catch him staring in potions. Not that he stared at him!

"I don't know Sirius. I mean he seems happy enough when he's with us….but…"

"But then he looks like that. What do you think is his problem?"

"An allergy? Some sort of bad reaction to something in the classroom. He also gets sick a lot…" James mused now both of their attention on their newest friend rather than the potion bubbling in front of them.

"I was actually thinking Sirius...well I think you ought to sit with him and I should sit with Peter in this class."

"What's this? My best friend is betraying me!" Sirius gasped enjoying the smirk he received from James who knew he understood what he meant.

"I think you're right...Peter isn't a bad student but he's not good enough in potions to catch his and Remus' mistakes. At this rate, he won't survive the year." Sirius laughed nervously feeling a stab of dread that his comment may be more accurate than he wanted to admit.

He couldn't help but think one day Remus would just ...vanish. He got that impression a lot. He wasn't sure why it's not like his father could just yank him out of Hogwarts. I mean "technically" he could but if Sirius' mother wouldn't even do that he was betting neither would Remus' father. He shook himself and dumped in four horned slugs into his cure for boils just in time. James took their cauldron off the fire just as Peter and Remus' pot bubbled over covering them in a hot potion that made boils erupt all over their hands.

They had successfully made a potion that did the opposite of what it was supposed to do, yet again. Peter howled in pain and jumped up and down, a proper reaction to someone who just got burned. Remus…..he just sat there his eyes glazed over in a scary sort of way that happened too often for Sirius' liking.

He glanced at Lily, who besides James and Sirius, was the only one who sometimes paid close attention to Remus. She looked horrified her eyes filled with concern for the boy. But like usual Sirius couldn't tell if she knew any more than he did. He figured she must with all the hours Remus spent alone with her "studying."

He convinced himself he wasn't jealous. So what if Remus avoided being alone with him. So what if he caught him and Lily laughing at the library table over something in a book, while he was "checking up on Remus". Sirius wasn't jealous, not even the slightest bit.

He was about to get up and shake Remus, at least move him away from the boiling potions oozing onto his hands. Slughorn hadn't seemed to notice, too preoccupied with Severus and Lily's "perfect potion." But finally, Remus seemed to realize where he was and stood up backing away from the potion.

Sirius gripped his quill so tightly it threatened to break. Unlike Peter who was cradling his hands rocking back in forth in clear pain, Remus didn't seem phased. Was his pain tolerance that high? He tried to calm down, maybe Peter was just a big baby? Yeah, he liked that idea a lot more than Remus being abused so badly he hardly felt a normal level of pain anymore. James seemed startled and Lily had finally gotten Slughorn to recognize the accident in his classroom.

"Oh goodness. Quite the spill here." He waved his wand with the resignation of a professor who expected mishaps from, particularly dumb students. Which wasn't fair because if he bothered not to be a kiss ass for ten minutes he might realize something was wrong with Remus. Something in this classroom was bothering him, that had to be it! But why wasn't he saying anything? Why the bloody hell couldn't he just say something!

"Mate…" Sirius jumped as James placed a hand on his clenched one sounding concerned. He looked down and realizing his quill had broken and ink was all over his fist.

"Bollocks." He muttered quickly letting go of the quill, his hand hurting from how hard he had gripped it. James laughed but Sirius could tell he was worried about Remus, weren't they all.

"Well Pettigrew, Lupin can escort you to the hospital wing. Go on. Why are you looking so stunned Pettigrew? No reason? Very well go on then." Professor Slughorn was as exasperated as Sirius was, but for different reasons.

Remus left helping Peter in that kind quiet manner of his. Anyone watching them probably thought like Slughorn had, that only Peter got burned. Remus' long sleeves successfully were covering his burns with the skill of one used to hiding injuries. Sirius felt sick watching them go and was glad it was a Friday because he didn't think he could focus on any more classes. About ten minutes later and Slughorn should have dismissed them but instead used the remaining time and went into another lecture on the importance of proper procedure.

"Professor, shouldn't you tell us this when Peter and Remus are back?" Lily dared to ask, and Sirius felt a stab of reluctant appreciation.

"What? Ah yes very well. Class dismissed." Lily had done something Sirius never would have thought possible, she successfully got class to end early. Sirius didn't need to guess why he watched her say something to Severus whose face darkened with jealousy and his general evilness. James knew what she was up to as well because Sirius didn't need to suggest they go after her. They almost had to run to catch up to the girl's long strides.

"Lily!" James finally called. Sirius didn't understand why they had to walk "with" her, he would have been fine with trailing behind her. It's not like it was a race to get to the medical ward.

"Lily come on!" James called again. "Do you know something about what's going on with Remus?" That got her to stop and Sirius realized his best friend wasn't an idiot but in fact a genius. Sirius hadn't thought to straight up asking Lily like this, that's why he needed James in his life.

"No….do you?" She asked turning to them with eyes filled with worry. She was such a girl, it was so annoying. She shouldn't be so close to tears the burns hadn't been that bad or anything. But Sirius knew he was just as worried as her if not more, but he was sure he knew more about Remus than she did. Remus wouldn't confide "that" to Lily, not when Sirius had to force it out of him. In fact, he had never even admitted it, not really.

"No….we just…...well I mean we are worried," James admitted in his rare moments of maturity. Sirius rolled his eyes as Lily seemed surprised and a bit impressed.

"Yes me too." She sighed heavily.

"Then let's get moving!" Sirius snapped fear and jealousy gripping him tightly. She better not know more than him. If anyone was Remus' closest friend it was him, followed closely by James and Peter. It wasn't nor would it ever be some girl.

"Sorry about him. He's just worried too ..."

"Yes well." She huffed in her usual Lily manner. There was an awkward silence in which Sirius stared down Lily, both of them sizing the other up, trying to guess how much they knew.

"Let's go check on him then." James agreed and off they went. They walked as quickly as they could without full out running. When they got to the medical ward Madame Pomfrey intercepted them like always. It was like the matron had it out for them or something, even Lily seemed surprised with how quickly they were stopped by the always busy Madame Pomfrey.

"You can see him later. Not now."

"Madam, please. We are just worried."

"I understand that but not now."

"What about Peter?" James asked looking around for him. Unlike with Remus, Peter and everyone else who was in the hospital wing could be seen from where they currently stood. Sure enough, Peter was sleeping in a cot looking peaceful and unhurt. His hands were bandaged but the swelling had gone down a great deal.

"You can see him later too. Out! I won't have my ward be made a zoo."

"Madam Pomfrey please," Lily whined tears in her eyes now. Madam Pomfrey softened a great deal, and Sirius swore he saw guilt in her eyes.

"I'm sorry dear. Not now. I assure you he's alright though."

"Then why can't we see him?" He yelled his intense anger over the situation reaching a breaking point. He expected Madam Pomfrey to get mad at him, but she just looked sad which made him all the more frustrated and suspicious.

"I'm sorry dears. Go run along."

"I'm not leaving!" He insisted crossing his arms over his chest. He was surprised both Lily and James followed suit, both more hesitant about doing so, but doing so all the same. Madam Pomfrey looked angry now, or perhaps stressed was a better word for it. She threw her hands in the air in exasperation, but again there was something close to guilt as she looked at the three of them. She seemed to be trying to come up with something to say to them.

Sirius had a terrible realization as he tried to make sense of her guilt. What if Remus' father was a professor? What if he could have access to Remus whenever he wanted? It explained a lot, too much. Sirius felt another wave of nausea and blinked back his own tears quickly.

"Well, then I suppose I will have to get your head of house in here." This threat was enough to make Lily look fearful, but when she saw James and Sirius didn't even flinch she held her ground. Once more Sirius had to give her some credit, even if he still thought she was too bossy and too much of a know it all to like.

"Nothing? Well then perhaps the Headmaster." Lily broke at this.

"Oh, Madame Pomfrey please don't. We just want to see our friend!" She pleaded a single tear running down her cheek. Sirius blinked back his own tears with increasing frustration. What was everybody hiding? Why couldn't they tell them?

"You called Poppy." He knew he should feel at least apprehension at the headmaster voice behind them, but at the moment all he felt was a worry for his friend and anger at the ridiculous secrecy.

"Oh, headmaster I'm sorry please don't…." Lily hurried to explain her voice two octaves higher than usual. Sirius knew James was calm, and he appreciated the way his friend could always seem to focus himself no matter what the situation was. It was damn impressive how good he was at it considering he was only eleven, but he guessed that's what happened when your mother used to be an Auror.

"Miss Evans please calm down. I assure you that you aren't in any trouble. There is nothing to be ashamed about in regard to loyalty. You are in Gryffindor for a reason my dear." Dumbledore explained successfully calming the girl down. He sounded as relaxed and amused as he often did and Sirius glowered at him with all the hostility he couldn't direct anywhere else.

Besides, if Remus' father was abusing him and was a professor, then it was directly the headmaster's fault. The only thing stopping him from accusing Dumbledore publically was knowing how much Remus would hate him for spilling his secret, as much as Sirius would hate him if he did the same.

"Now you three how about we retire to my office to talk?" Lily seemed terrified at the notion but James and Sirius had already been in the headmaster's office. Dumbledore said he'd wait for them then was gone, leaving James and Sirius plenty of time to convince Lily that Dumbledore's office was something akin to a torture chamber.

She did her best not to outwardly show she believed them. But Sirius personally found great pleasure in the way she trembled upon entering the office with them several minutes later. Of course, she soon realized James and Sirius were lying and shot them nasty looks, but Dumbledore put a stop to it with a stern look at him and James.

"Now then. What seems to be the problem?" The three of them all attempted to launch into an explanation about Remus.

"One at a time, please. Mr. Potter why don't you start us off."

"Certainly sir," James said with respect towards the headmaster that Sirius didn't think he deserved.

Sirius listened to James, quite accurate, description of Remus and their concerns about him, with growing impatience. Lily went pale after hearing just how many days Remus had been missing or sick, or at least feeling unwell. Dumbledore listened to them the whole time with an expression that showed he was taking them seriously.

Sirius still suspected he was in on "it" though, whatever "it" was.

"Miss Evans, have you anything to add?"

"Only that Remus is a very attentive student and I can't imagine he'd miss school without a good reason. I thought it was due to Sirius bullying him sir...but that's no longer the case."

"Professor or Headmaster will do just fine Miss Evans. And I assure you that is no longer the case." Lily nodded encouraged by the headmaster's kind tone.

"Well, sometimes when we are studying...he...well there are days where he seems to be in a great deal of pain sir. He moves stiffly and...and…" Lily stopped and glanced at Sirius and James judging whether to say something or not.

"He has this scar I saw on his wrist…..Professor someone is bullying him or something…" She finished rather lamely, face flushed with concern and embarrassment. Sirius felt the color drain from him. A scar? There were few things that could leave lasting scars like that, each more dreadful than the next. Either Remus' scar was very recent or it was caused by one of those things. Sirius wasn't sure which was worse.

"Mr. Black, have you anything to add?"

Dumbledore was watching him sadly as if he could guess Sirius' thoughts, or at least suspect how angry he was at him.

"No, sir." He ground out through clenched teeth. James looked at him surprised but he shook his head slightly and twitched his left thumb. This meant "later" in the language they were beginning to create in order to talk in the many detentions they'd been getting for innocent pranks.

"Are you sure Mr. Black?" He narrowed his eyes at the Headmaster trying to gauge how much he knew. But attempting to read Dumbledore was like attempting to catch a moonbeam, without magic.

"Only that if Remus is being hurt on school property it's your responsibility….sir." He added with mock respect. Lily gasped and James flicked his pointer finger three times signaling "stop it!" Dumbledore neither seemed offended or upset. He nodded looking serious and offered them all a piece of candy. James and Lily both took one but Sirius refused, couldn't they see the headmaster was stalling!

"I would like to remind you three that Mr. Lupins' personal business is his own. I cannot disclose any personal information of my students without their permission. However I understand your concern, I will inform you that Mr. Lupin is not being bullied. I assure you he isn't being hurt by any staff either at Hogwarts and that Madam Pomfrey is working with him closely to help with any illness he may experience." Sirius didn't want to believe Dumbledore because that meant he was back to square one, but the headmaster was sincere and Sirius had to admit he felt he was telling the truth.

"I must instill in you the importance of leaving Mr. Lupin be. If you question him about this he may avoid you three altogether and that would be a great tragedy." Dumbledore considered them sadly.

"I know that you three care for him deeply and also Mr. Pettigrew, who you may inform of this once he is feeling better himself. If you do care for Mr. Lupin I stress you let this matter be. You may find Mr. Lupin will tell you more in the years to come, but it needs to be on his own time when he feels comfortable enough to do so. Am I understood?" Lily and James nodded, both looking relieved.

"Mr. Black?" He clenched his fists together knowing Dumbledore was right, after all, he had already pushed Remus so much he wouldn't be alone with him. He didn't want to lose his friend, but he had to know Remus wasn't in danger outside of Hogwarts also.

"Could I actually speak to you alone Headmaster?" It took a lot out of him to sound as respectful as he did. But he didn't want to risk Dumbledore saying no. He ignored James indignant and bewildered look feeling rather self-conscious.

"Of course. Miss. Evans and Mr. Potter would you mind stepping out of the office. Thank you for stopping by. Good luck with your Charms exam next week." Dumbledore dismissed them cheerfully as if they had stopped by for a social call. Their headmaster was definitely a strange one. He ignored another pointed look from James again, then Lily and James left, and he was alone with Dumbledore