A.N. Year six.
"Is he okay?"
James sighed and looked at Sirius with something akin to disgust in his eyes. "Madam Pomfrey said that's the closest he's come to killing himself while at Hogwarts. Apparently the smell of humans made him go wild…"
Sirius turned away so as to avoid the blame he knew lay in James's eyes. "But he's going to be okay, right? He'll recover, won't he James?" The last bit held such a desperate ring to it that James felt his anger dissipating slightly.
"He'll live."
Sirius sighed in relief, and then sank back against the wall, eyes closed. "Thank Merlin."
"Thank James more like it," Peter cut in, disgust clearly shown across his face. "What the hell were you thinking?"
Sirius's voice cracked as he choked out, "I don't know, Snivellus just made me so mad and-"
"Sirius, shut up!" James's voice rang though the hallway for a moment, harsh and cold. Sirius looked at him, startled. "Just shut up, please," James continued, "you nearly got him killed. Snape was nearly bitten.-"
"He deserved it! Do you know what he said about-"
"I don't care! They would have killed Remus if Snape had gotten hurt. Killed him, Sirius. Is that what you wanted? How could you betray him like that?"
"I-I just," Sirius collapsed into sobs. "I didn't mean to!" he wailed.
"The fact remains," Peter said bluntly, "you did."
"And now Snape knows Remus's secret. Fortunately, Dumbledore made him swear not to spread it around or Remus would have to leave Hogwarts..."
"And Azkaban would investigate, or at the very least the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures…"
"And-" James paused and glanced down at the sobbing form of his best friend, his brother in all but blood. Something inside him melted and he chose not to continue.
"I'm sorry; I'm so sorry. I don't know what I was thinking," Sirius moaned.
"That's the point, you weren't thinking," Peter snapped.
"And it's not us you have to apologize to, it's Remus. After all, he's the one you- the one most affected."
"I don't know how to face him. Dumbledore wants me to explain what happened- what I did to him. I'd rather go to Azkaban!" Sirius declared passionately.
James smiled and attempted a joke. "Don't worry Sirius, at this rate I'm sure you'll manage to get yourself a life sentence before your 30."
"James, this is Sirius we're talking about," Peter grinned, "he'll manage that before he's 25."
Sirius's tears turned into watery chuckles and he thanked Merlin that his friends could find it in them to forgive him. Their friendship was unbreakable by anyone, even a stupid Marauder who betrayed the love of his life. He stood, ready to face Remus and explain what he'd done. He just hoped Remus could be as forgiving.