Sirius swallowed hard trying to think of what he'd done. Remus had never pulled away from him before. They had been like brothers since school, eleven years old. Even with the animosity between them during Voldemort's first uprising and the time Sirius spent in Azkaban they had never been closer. Maybe Remus was still sore about Sirius receiving his scars. Sirius knew that Remus' battles with Moony could be very intense. Was Moony perhaps trying to convince Remus he didn't deserve Sirius' friendship? Was Moony scaring Remus into thinking he'd hurt Sirius again? It had to be something like that, it was the sort of thing Moony would do. Even now it was making Sirius think that he'd done something wrong. That damn wolf!

Sirius didn't have a problem with Remus being a werewolf, he never had. What he did have a problem with, was the alter ego who'd adopted Remus' nickname, Moony, torturing Remus over things that weren't his fault. He wished he could hear Moony like Remus did, he would have a word or two to say to that wolf. Suddenly Tonks came in.

"Oh Sirius, I'm so glad your all right!" She flung her arms around his neck and he hugged her back. "When Severus said you should have woken up already I was so scared you were never going to! I thought Remus was going to have a fit after Severus left the last time."

"Really?"

"He hasn't left your side! I had to practically force feed him." Sirius smiled slightly, that was the Remus he knew. Unfortunately, he'd put himself in the perfect situation for Moony to torment him. Tonks helped Sirius up and the went down to the kitchen were Moody and Remus were talking. Moody nodded at Sirius.

"Glad to see you up and about Sirius, how do you feel?"

"Groggy, and a little sore, but other than that I'm OK." He glanced at Remus who wasn't looking at him. Tonks saw the look.

"Erm...Moody, why don't we carry on cleaning, Remus you can make Sirius some tea." Moody took the hint and followed Tonks from the room. Remus silently put the kettle on, still not looking at Sirius. Sirius wondered if Moony was talking to Remus again.

"Remus?"

"Yes?"

"Remus. Look at me." Remus slowly turned and looked at Sirius. "Remus, what's the matter? Has Moony said something."

"No." Remus said, a little too quickly. "I'm just so sorry, you could have died all because I can't keep myself under control. I can't let it happen again Sirius."

"It won't." Sirius got up an went over to Remus. "I told you. I'll transform before you and look after you. You won't attack me while I'm a dog, even before the wolfsbane potion you were more yourself when James and I transformed. We've got through worse things than this Remus. Why is it distressing you so? If Moony's upsetting you tell him to shut the hell up! Hell, I'll tell him if you want." Remus laughed a little at that.

"I'm sorry Sirius it's just...you're my best friend and I hate the thought of hurting you."

"Hey." Sirius pulled Remus into a hug. "We'll always be friends Moony." He thought he felt Remus tense a little but then dismissed it as imagination.

"Yeah I know." Remus gave him a squeeze. "Now sit down before you pull something. You're a god excuse for me to sit down and have a cup of tea before Tonks and Moody drag me off to clean again."

"You've already had a bit of a break."

"Five minutes talking to you is not a break. I've been run ragged since you've been ill." Sirius frowned, Tonks had said Remus hadn't left his side. He supposed Remus didn't want to seem over protective. Sirius had told him to stop feeling guilty, maybe he was just avoiding an argument about it.

"Well don't think I'm going to give you much of a break Remus. I may not be able to throw desks around for a couple of days but if I can work out any way to get rid of my mother's permanent sticking charms I'm going to use it."

"Yeah good luck with that. I had a chat with Moody about it and he can't think of anything. Though he says there's a boggart in the desk we moved my first day here."

"We'll have to get rid of that, we don't want one of the kids discovering it."

"I know I'll get rid of it, it only shows the moon for me it'll be easy to destroy."

"Remus it shows what we fear most it's hard for anyone. It only shows the moon, so it shows a spider to Ron and it only shows Snivellus to Neville Longbottom, or so you tell me. You don't have to be flippant about it." Remus gave Sirius a small smile but didn't say anything. There was suddenly a crash from upstairs and Mrs Black began to scream.

"FILTHY BLOOD TRAITORS! FILTHY HALF BREEDS! GET OUT! FILTHY, FILTHY TRAITORS! THIS IS THE NOBLE HOUSE OF..."

"YOU FUCKING BITCH SHUT UP!" Shouted Sirius as he struggled with the curtains. Remus rushed up to help and they concealed the portrait and the shouting stopped.

"Sorry." Tonks had appeared.

"Don't worry." Sirius sighed. He grimaced and clutched his side.

"Go sit down Sirius." Remus said gently. "You don't want a relapse." Sirius growled but allowed Remus to lead him to the kitchen and into a chair. When he was settled Remus swallowed and wondered how much of a good idea what he was about to say was. "Do you want me to keep you company?" Sirius thought for a minute.

"I wouldn't mind another cup of tea before you go help, but it's alright I'll be fine." Remus smiled and made the tea as Sirius made himself comfortable. Remus handed Sirius a cup of tea then turned to leave.

"Thank you, Moony."

"You're welcome, Padfoot."