Disclaimer: Not my toys; just borrowing them for a bit.

A/N: Thanks so much to my reviewers and, an extra thank you to those who've added this story to either your alerts or favorites list(s). You made my day!

Chapter 3

Remus never knew how he made it through his morning lessons. As if in a trance, he somehow moved from class to class only dimly aware of where he was. Sirius seemed to be there whenever Remus tried to rouse himself enough to take notes or perform tasks.

After what seemed to be mere minutes, Remus found himself seated at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall once more. In a daze, he heard Sirius's voice commanding him to eat something. It seemed to be coming from a great distance. Remus ignored him. He could not eat. The rock that had been sitting in his stomach at breakfast seemed to have grown larger. It was now pressing on his diaphragm and restricted his breathing.

The arrival of a tawny owl woke Remus from his stupor. The owl landed directly in front of Lily. Since owls normally did not deliver mail at lunch time, several heads turned to stare. A strangely curious expression appeared on Lily's face as she untied the oblong package from the owl's leg. Remus knew the package contained James's gift of chocolates.

Remus reached for his book bag. "I can't watch this," he said, not realizing he had spoken aloud.

"Yes, you can," said Sirius quietly in his ear. "Just concentrate on breathing and don't look at either one of them."

Remus turned to look at Sirius. The sympathy in his eyes was almost too much.

"Moony," Sirius said suddenly a little more loudly than was necessary. "We'd better hurry to the library to return those books we borrowed."

Thankful for the excuse to leave the table, Remus stood and followed Sirius from the Great Hall. The two friends walked without speaking until they reached the portrait hanging outside the Gryffindor Common Room. Sirius gave the password, and the two clamored through the portrait hole. They went through the empty common room, up the stairs, and into their room, where Remus sat upon his bed with his head in his hands.

Sirius waved his wand and conjured a glass of amber liquid from thin air. He thrust the glass into Remus's hand and said, "Drink it, you'll feel better."

Mechanically, Remus lifted the glass and took a large gulp. It was like drinking liquid fire. His throat burned and Remus began coughing and sputtering. Eyes watering, he gasped croakily, "What the hell was that stuff?" In the moment before Sirius replied, Remus felt warmth spread throughout his body.

"Brandy," said Sirius quietly. "You looked as though you needed it."

Remus did not answer. Sirius, who had been standing in front of Remus the whole time, sat beside him. "Man, if you felt that way about her, why'd you tell James what to do? You could have done it yourself, you know."

Remus answered bleakly, "She's attracted to James, not me. I know it; you know it. Hell, the whole school knows it. I just want her to be happy."

Sirius nodded sympathetically. "Listen, give me your transfiguration homework, and I'll turn it in for you." At Remus's start of surprise, Sirius continued, "I'll make some excuse to the others for you. After class, I'll go down to the kitchens and get you some food. That way you don't have to watch them together at dinner. You can just stay here and …er…compose yourself. Until you can face them, I'll do my best to run interference for you."

Remus sighed softly. He appreciated Sirius's offer. "Thanks, Padfoot."

"That's what friends are for," said Sirius smiling slightly.