Author's Note: What the hell, y'all deserve this. First of all, I received the most splendid review for the last chapter. However, it was anonymous! I am pleased to have drawn someone back into faith in fanfiction, and I would love to send you my most heartfelt thanks! This chapter is for you, and so is nearly every one afterwards, I think. I also think you are going to like this chapter, everyone. I would put a smiley, but FF . net is a bit of a jerk with that. So, without further ado!

Remus was alone for Christmas.

He got mail from James, Peter, even Lily. But the one letter he waited for never came.

On Christmas Eve, he pulled a heavy armchair over to the fire, curled up, and read The Hound of Baskervilles. The Common Room was empty, and dark, save for the ring of golden light pooling from the fireplace and alighting on the branches of a scrawny tree that James and others had lugged up, slightly against the rules. The thing was nearly barren and drooped weakly, but in the firelight, it managed to look rather majestic.

Remus awoke in the same chair, in the same position, his book forgotten and lying splayed across the floor by the hearth.

Once he'd managed to gain the feeling back in his legs and had cracked his spine back into shape, he noticed that the tree had a handful of presents beneath it. Only a handful of other Gryffindor students had stayed behind over the break, but Remus knew immediately that at least three of those boxes were for him.

He padded over the carpet in socked feet and grabbed exactly four packages, each with a tag which had his name scrawled across it.

It was too early for other students to wake, so he settled in next to the fading embers of the fire – on the floor this time – and tore into the boxes.

The first was from Peter. It was a small container of some ointment. On the note attached, he claimed that it would help with his pre-and-post-transformation aches. It was from plants grown in the Hogwarts greenhouse, and he'd mixed them himself.

James had sent two gifts. The first was a sweater and a scarf. They were a lovely dark mahogany with golden stripes, almost akin to the Gryffindor colors. Technically, the gift was from Mrs. Potter, who had hand-knit both articles of clothing specifically for Remus. Before he could get too sentimental, Remus opened up the second package, which was from James. Inside was a box of assorted chocolates and one large milk chocolate bar. It would easily be enough to last until summer vacation, if he used it sparingly.

Finally, but not least of all, was a small gift from Lily. It was a small tin filled with brownies. Attached was a small note. 'Because, Mr. Lupin, you are entirely too skinny. Eat them all. – Lily.'

When he'd finished unwrapping the lot, he gathered all the gifts in his arms and trudged up the stairs to his dorm, where he tucked everything carefully into his trunk. It was strange, he mused, having friends. It was something he'd never truly fathomed happening to someone like him, yet here he was with a plethora of lovely, heartfelt Christmas gifts.

The darkness outside was silent with snow. Yawning hugely, Remus lowered himself to his bed in an empty room, soon falling asleep.

Though he won't remember, he dreamt of Sirius.

When James, Peter and Sirius returned, there was a noticeable change. Sirius wasn't his same-old self, but he was much warmer towards Remus, and no longer completely ignoring him.

Within a few days, it was as if the incident in Hogsmeade had never occurred. However, to Remus, it was still painfully obvious. Still, some Sirius was better than none.

"I still don't know how you managed to transfigure that shoebox, Remus." Sirius grumbled in the hallway, James and Remus flanking him on either side. His had always seemed to come out more like a blasted turkey than the Tiffany lamp that McGonagall was going for.

"Well, Sirius, if you actually tried-"

"Oi, I do try!" Sirius interrupted, insulted. "Maybe you missed the owl, Remus, but I can transfigure my whole self any time I want to." he hissed. James promptly rammed a painful elbow into his side. Sirius jerked away with a yelp, glaring at him from beneath his bangs. "Ow, Prongs. What did I do?"

"Keep quiet, you git," James replied instantly, staring straight ahead. "You want someone to report us for illegal magic?"

Of course I don't, Sirius thought petulantly. Before he could retort, however, the crowd parted.

"Snivellus," James spat, and Sirius could feel the animosity pealing off of him in waves. Beside him, Remus gave a concerned noise and put a calming hand on James' shoulder.

"What is it Potter? What excuse do you have today to gang up on me?" Snape's voice was loud, calculated. Sirius felt anger begin to bubble in his blood. Everyone in the hallway stopped and turned at the challenge, staring expectantly between James and Snape.

"James," Remus whispered, and James began to regain himself, taking a step backward. Snape seemed to recognize this and started to walk forward, coming within centimeters of James' shoulder, as if to simply brush past him.

"An embarrassment to purebloods, Potter. Such a coward."

No sooner did Sirius think, what is he doing? Does he want to be cursed? before James had drawn his wand and shoved Snape against the railing of the hallway. Students scattered with startled gasps and shouts, but James' voice rang clear.

"Levicorpus!"

Snape's feet immediately seemed to fall out from under him, one leg jerking up as if some invisible troll had grabbed him by the ankle. He was soon completely upside down, one leg ramrod straight, like it'd been hung on a hook. For many long moments he hung there, struggling, but he was stuck well. It was a good spell.

Out of the corner of his eye, Sirius caught sight of a flash of red hair. Against himself, he cringed.

"James Potter! You let him down at once!"

"She does a decent impression of McGonagall," Sirius whispered, only just before Lily marched up to them, though she didn't seem to hear him. Her eyes were locked on James, fiery and furious.

"What, Potter, do you think you're funny?" she sneered, the expression not at all attractive. "Well, you aren't! You're just an arrogant, bullying toerag. Leave him alone."

"I will if you go out with me, Evans. Go on! Go out with me, and I'll never lay a wand on old Snivelly again." James retorted. Sirius really should have seen this coming; the volcano of SnapeandLily. Still, it was a dirty trick, especially for James.

"Not if it were a choice between you and the Giant Squid!" Lily shot back, and the entire hallway dissolved into giggles.

All at once, something changed about James. He seemed to crumple inward, shy away as if Lily's words had … hurt him.

"James, mate…" Sirius murmured, unsure of what to do. Was it possible that Lily didn't understand what a weak spot she was for James?

Before James had even recovered from the blow, Remus stepped forward and gave a majestic flick on his wand, bringing Snape down gently on his bottom. Both he and Lily rushed forward, reaching out hands to help him up, Sirius still focused on James, who seemed as if petrified by a basilisk.

"Get away from me, you filthy Mudblood!"

There was a collective gasp as Lily stumbled backwards, shock evident on her face. James gave a mighty sort-of growl, coming to life at once, stepping forward and brandishing his wand. Remus quickly stepped in, putting his body before James' wand. Sirius stood back, wondering how this had become so out of proportion so quickly. Remus lowered his wand hand, smiling placatingly.

"James, come on, enough is enough, yeah? Let's just…"

"That goes for you too, Half-Blood! I don't need help from such impurities!"

Remus' face took on a strange, confused-shocked expression, half-turned to look sideways at his accuser. Sirius' mouth twisted into an angry snarl, his own wand in hand and tucked beneath Snape's chin within a heartbeat.

"Listen here, you snobby arse-hole," he hissed, voice low and deadly, somewhat frightening to his own ears. "You leave Remus out of this, you hear me? He's only ever tried to help you, you … you greasy, sewer-dwelling scum!"

His heartbeat was roaring in his ears, a rush of adrenaline and fury seemingly having come from nothing. It was startling and overwhelming, but he couldn't stop.

Snape, for his part, looked like he'd just soiled his slacks. Something deep in Sirius crowed in pride. No one could speak of his Remus that-

Wait. His Remus? Where in Merlin's name…

There was a hand on his shoulder, pulling him away, speaking into his ear. But he couldn't … the blood was too loud, whooshing. He took a deep breath, calmed his heart rate.

"…Sirius! Mate, come on! Filch is going to be here any minute, we have to go."

Sirius lowered his wand, eyes locked on Snape's, and watched the fear waver in those dark pits. This was a warning. He didn't know how he knew, but it was. This was no longer just James and Snape and Lily. This was personal, now.

He turned, tucked his wand into his robe. James was pulling him away, the crowd walking around with their heads bowed, purposely avoiding eye contact and staying at a wide berth.

"Where's Remus?" Sirius asked, suddenly coming back to himself and whipping his head around, gazing into a sea of unfamiliar heads.

"Shite, calm down Sirius," James hissed, tugging at Sirius' elbow with more force. "He has Charms now, remember? We have to get to Muggle Studies; separate floors."

Sirius shook his head, moving as though through molasses, following James through the bustling crowd.

Hours later, sequestered in the common room studying for potions, Sirius' heart was still fast and tight in his chest, and he couldn't keep his thoughts in a smooth, organized line. Underneath the flurry of topmost thoughts were flashes of Remus; Remus in the hospital wing, pale and asleep; Remus curled naked on the floor of the shack, shivering and covered in blood.

"We never asked you to be our bloody nanny, Remus. At least every full moon you loosen up,". Sirius could remember that look of betrayal, that single tear that had tracked down his face.

"No, Sirius. I get it. The moody Prefect werewolf is getting to be a bit much. It's alright. It's natural, really. Purebreds aren't meant with mix with mutts."

Sirius' hand tightened dangerously around his quill. How could Remus have thought that? Sirius, of all people, he would never.

"That goes for you too, Half-Blood!"

Studying forgotten, Sirius shoved his scroll of parchment into his bag. He was only on the first step of the stairwell towards the dorms when the Fat Lady swung open, a tired Remus wandering in. Sirius swallowed. He wanted to turn away, avoid catching Remus' eye, to avoid the tinder and flint of his current wildfire thoughts. But he was stuck, frozen and unable to move. Remus soon noticed him, his pale face changing from a carefree smile to a determined stare.

"Sirius, wait a moment, will you?"

What was there for Sirius to say, other than "Of course Rem," and he put on a dazzling grin. Remus made his way over, a good head shorter than Sirius thanks to the stairwell.

"If, well, if you're not too tired, mate, do you mind…" Remus scratched at his elbow, eyes flitting across the room, occasionally looking back at Sirius before darting away. "Fancy a walk?"

When both boys had put their schoolwork down in the dorm, Remus lead the way down the stairs and out of the common room. He hadn't really thought this through very well, he realized as he gazed down the corridor at the sleeping or nodding-off portraits.

"Where to, Rem?" Sirius asked, very quietly, from behind.

"The lake," Remus blurted out, his face going crimson. The lake? Last he'd checked there'd been snow falling outside. It was after eight at night; the temperature was probably nearing freezing.

"Alright," Sirius agreed, pulling ahead and moving towards the stairs. Remus quickly scrambled to catch up, surprised that the idea hadn't been outright rejected.

They walked to the front door – which was still open and guarded by a twitchy Ms. Norris – in a perfectly companionable silence . Neither of them spoke, but there wasn't a need to, the way it used to be. As they passed through the doors, Sirius turned round and stuck his tongue out at Ms. Norris, to which Remus responded by punching him solidly on the arm.

Snow had fallen in a light blanket across the grounds, crunching heavily under their winter boots as they walked around the castle and came upon the lake. Near the shores, the water had frozen very thinly at top, though great mists rose from the dark center.

"I wonder if the squid is frozen," Sirius murmured, and Remus was jarringly reminded.

"Sirius," he started, tucking his exposed hands into his armpits and watching the white plume of breath dissolve into the dark.

"Yeah?" Sirius prompted, hunching his shoulders against a quick, biting wind. Remus mentally scolded himself for suggesting a walk outside in this weather, but it was too late now.

"Earlier, with Snape. Why did you—It's nothing I haven't heard before, you know," Remus exhaled in a rush, his cheeks growing hot. Beside him, Sirius was silent, though his shoulders gradually drooped and he took on the refined posture that, seeing it now, Remus realized had been shed slowly over the years. It was startling and, though an inexperienced eye may not have seen it, to Remus, Sirius looked like a different person.

"I don't know," Sirius sighed, running a hand back through his long hair. "I don't… But … Snape, he doesn't know…" It was as if he were speaking to himself, until his head suddenly turned and their eyes connected. Remus was at a loss for breath, momentarily, seeing those grey eyes turn quicksilver bright in the moonlight off the water.

"Remus, you know, what I said…" Sirius had turned his whole body now, eyes wide and eager. "That day, about you, and what I said, and you…" His voice faltered for a moment, and those brilliant metallic eyes were tightly closed as he seemed to reclaim himself. "I didn't mean it. I mean. What Snape said today… I would never… If… If I've ever even made you think that…"

Sirius was talking so quickly, his face half obscured by steam that billowed around him and seemed to hover near him, not wanting to leave. His eyes were intense and thin, angry, gaze thrown sideways and down as if staring as some disgusting piece of garbage.

"I don't think of you that way, you know that, right mate?" Those eyes again, this time wet and open and begging. "So what Snape said, he doesn't know you, and all you've ever tried to do is be nice to that git. And the last thing you need is him on your back. James, he's a bloody idiot, and he's asking for it. But you?" His eyes change, again, and Remus thinks that it's amazing for one person's eyes to be so expressive.

There's a look in Sirius' eyes that Remus doesn't know, mentally, but his stomach is tightening and he can't really swallow or breathe, so he must recognize it, on some level. He and Sirius are very close together, now that he thinks about it, and he can feel the distant warmth of Sirius' body peeling off and hitting his own.

Sirius ducks his head forward, and slightly down, and then there's a warm sensation against Remus' forehead.

"Merry Christmas, Rem."