A/N: I'd just like to say thanks to all my reviewers (ems25, scarlet dreamer, c3markh, Harmony'sSake, C K Brook, the Jersey girl next door, ctc and autumnlover) you guys are fabulous and I love you loads! A particularly big thank you to Harmony'sSake who's reviewed five chapters in a row; this one's dedicated to you! Just so you know thanks to all you guys I've decided to continue this fic but with school starting (which means my 'oh so glorious' GCSE's) updates are going to get less frequent. But whilst the holidays still last I am going to write as much as possible (the whole story should be 20 chapters then I might do a prequel).

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters you recognise (as much as I would love to own Sirius)

Chapter 7

" BLOODY HELL SIRIUS! IT'S REMUS AND TONKS!" yelled the voice of a young boy.

But before Remus got the chance to even lecture his world blacked out with a final shot of relief.

Harry James Potter dropped to his knees in front of the two casualties, his broom landing with a loud 'clunk' behind him.

" Remus," he whispered, "Tonks," shaking each of them lightly in turn. Of course since the couple were long since unconscious, the boy received no answer. Panicking slightly Harry pulled his wand out of his jeans pocket and muttered "enervate, enervate." But once again there was no answer.

By now the initial wave of joy inside the eighteen year old when he first saw his guardian again had evaporated and his mind was now filled with morbid thoughts (judging by his past who could blame him.) What if they were dead, what if their bodies had been planted here on purpose as part of Voldemort's schemes?

There was still no answer from Sirius. Harry knew his godfather was in the house; since Remus' kidnapping it took a lot of persuasion from the boy to even let him fly in his own back garden alone, let alone be alone at home.

" SIRI, SIRIUS. I NEED YOU. IT'S REMUS AND TONKS. PLEASE COME!" he tried hollering once again.

However when the second attempt turned out to be just about as good as the first, Harry loudly cursed silencing charms (for the purpose of this story I'm assuming that silencing charms work both ways. So that others can't hear you and you can't here others.) The young adult knew that he'd physically have to go in the house and get his godfather, yet at the same time he didn't want to leave Remus and Tonks alone; what if someone tries to kidnap them again. But he knew that if the couple were alive they'd need medical attention urgently, something which Harry couldn't give them. Deciding on the spur of the moment, he sprinted toward the house as fast as he could, feeling for the first time thankful to Professor Severus Snape, all the punishment laps during his auror training had certainly made him a lot faster.

Sirius Orion Black was lying stomach down on his bed wallowing in his own grief. He had stopped being miserable in public because he saw how much it effected his godson; but now inside his own room with a silencing charm around it there was nothing to stop the tears of sorrow pouring uncontrollably down his face.

An open photo album lay on the pillow besides the head auror- the marauders photo album. There were photos of the four of them laughing and waving at the camera. Then there were pictures of Lily and James curled up under a large oak tree, taken not long after they started going on. But most of them were pictures of the marauders in the Griffindor common room planning out their next plan, or working out how to get revenge on Snivellus.

Everyone in the photos were laughing or grinning, from the marauders to Lily and Gemini, all so carefree and happy; the biggest worry being whether they would get detention with Professor McGonagall.

Sirius slammed a fist down on to the photos, his vision blinded with fresh tears. Why didn't those innocent people in the photos understand what their life would soon become? How could they keep laughing? How?

They were the marauders; they were supposed to stay like the photos forever. Lily and James were supposed to be alive and bring up Harry themselves, perhaps even have more miniature Lily and James'. Peter was supposed to stay their friend for life. Remus was supposed to become Hogwarts' best ever professor, not die at the hands of Lord Voldemort. And Sirius himself; Sirius was supposed to be happy. He was supposed to still have his friends around him…his family around him.

The present day Sirius Black buried his head deep into his pillow and lay there trembling. Slowly he spoke into the pillow, his voice muffled and cracked, " James, mate. Where are you James? I need you now, more then ever. Prongs, you said you'll always be there fore me whenever I needed it, so where are you? James I need your help, I need you so bad. The marauders are collapsing mate, I'm the only one left. You've gone, so has Moony probably, and Peter turned his back on us. What ever happened to once a marauder always a marauder? James why did you leave me, why? I need you here; you and Remus."

Sirius looked up briefly to see another picture in the photo album, one which he thought he destroyed as soon as Moony went missing. It was a photo of his and Gemini's first kiss; a dare from James all the way back in their first year.

" James, I never said it whilst you were still alive, but now I admit it. Yes, mate you were right I loved her James. I even used to dream about marring her and having a little daughter. I never admitted it to you all those years ago because I didn't want to loose that 10 galleon bet that we made. But I've said it now; if you come back to me you can have the money I owe you. You can have all my money if that's what it takes.

You know Gemini's a death eater now, a member of the same group that took you and Remus away from me. So why do I hate her but still love her at the same time?"

The head auror was interrupted from his 'talk' with his best friend when the door of his room burst open and a raven-haired boy stumbled in. Hastily Sirius wiped his bloodshot eyes and ran over to the boy and caught him before he fell right to the floor.

" Hey, hey, hey. Ja…Harry," he corrected himself hastily, " What happened? Are you alright?"

"IwasplayingquidditchintheyardwhenRemusandTonksappearedandIdon'tknowwhethertheyarestillalivebutyounnedtocomeandsee," said Harry at the speed of light without pausing to take a breath.

Sirius wrapped two strong arms around his godson's waist and dragged him gently on to the bed. "Harry," he said coaxingly, " I need you to calm down and say that all again slower so that I can actually understand what you are trying to tell me." "Catch your breath first," he added as Harry began to speak inaudibly between gasps of breath.

Harry ignored him. " I was playing quidditch in the yard when I heard a noise. Then Remus and Tonks appeared out of nowhere. But they're not responding to 'enervate'. And yeah, you have to come Sirius," he finished lamely.

Sirius Black didn't need telling twice. Harry's words brought a new sparkle to his eyes- hope. Perhaps this was not the end of the marauders after all. Before the boy had even finished speaking, the head auror was already jumping on the balls of his feet, and within seconds he was already sprinting out of the room. At first it looked like he's forgotten all about the young boy standing in his room, but at the very last minute he thrust his arm behind him grabbing his godsons' wrist and dragged him behind.

"Oh my god, it's really you Moony, and you Tonks," exclaimed Sirius the moment he laid eyes on the couple. Then drawing his wand he muttered a spell releasing violet smoke, before heaving a sigh of relief. " Well mate," he said turning round to an anxious Harry standing behind him, " Looks like they're both alive. Unconscious, but alive."

But as quickly as it appeared, Sirius' smile vaporised, as he properly saw all the scars and bruises covering his cousin and friend. Reaching out a trembling arm the head auror traced a long scar running from Remus' forehead to his chin with his index finger.

" What did they do to you two?"

Completely lost in his own world Sirius jumped as he heard Harry's voice from behind him. " Siri, we need to take them to the hospital, now!"

"Sorry Har. You're absolutely right," he whispered gently lifting each of their wrists in one of his hands. "I'll apparate them to St. Mungos. I'm guessing you'll want to come right?"

"Sirius please," begged Harry, "Don't send them to St. Mungos. Can't we take them to the infirmary in Hogwarts? Madam Pomfey said that the Hospital Wing would be open throughout the summer in case we needed it. It would be better for Remus and Tonks too because it will be less daunting for them. Please Sirius."

The animagus sighed deeply. Truth be told Sirius felt more comfortable leaving his friend at St. Mungos than with a school nurse, however those emerald green eyes staring back at him were not those of someone open to debate. Besides the boy did have a good point, Tonks being accident prone and Remus being a werewolf, the two of them had grown to be quite accustomed to finding themselves in the hospital wing.

" Fine, you win," he said to Harry, "We'll take them to Hogwarts. Besides that way I'll be able to talk to the headmaster as well then. Okay, so I'll apparate these two and will you be all right to get to outside the grounds on your own."

Harry gave a nod of confirmation, but just as he was able to apparate away Sirius stopped him by throwing an arm across his waste. "Oh and Harry, please concentrate so you don't splinch yourself. I think I have enough casualties to deal with at the moment."

After throwing a mock insulted look at his godfather the young adult turned and disappeared, followed almost instantly by Sirius clutching the unconscious couple.

As per usual when apparating, within seconds all four of them were standing outside Hogwart's main gate, the arch shaped metal one with golden figurines. Ok, so Sirius was standing and had even managed to get Remus and Tonks into an upright position lolling against him. The former Griffindor seeker was lying on his back still recovering from post apparation syndrome, as Sirius called it.

Although Harry had been apparating for a whole year now he had never got used to the whole feeling of toothpaste being squeezed out of a tube. Sirius had always said that this was a trait he'd inherited from his mother. If there was one thing that Lily Potter could not do perfectly like her usual graceful self, it was apparating. Like Harry she'd fall over practically every time; something which the marauders loved using to their personal advantage.

With a groan frustration Harry pushed his weight on to his arms and got to his feet. Looking to his right he found Sirius looking at him with a week smile on his face.

" So how exactly are we going to get these two to the hospital wing, Siri?" Asked Harry indignantly, brushing the dirt of his clothes.

Ignoring his godson completely the head auror looked out into the distance at a large figure gradually getting nearer and nearer. "Hey Hagrid over here mate," he called out waving an arm in a waving gesture.

Within a few minutes the four of them were joined by a looming bearded giant, and a booming vice.

" Oh, it's you Sirius!" he exclaimed lowering himself down to the man's level. " I thought we 'ad trespassers I did. Oh look you've brought young 'arry with yuh. How are you 'arry?"

"Hagrid!" exclaimed Sirius firmly, cutting the giant off in his friendly mannerisms. As much as he loved Hagrid and how he never gave the marauders detention during the numerous times he caught them in the forbidden forest, now was really not the time for tea and rock cakes.

" Hagrid. It's Remus and Tonks they're back but they're hurt; long story. We need to get them to hospital wing, can you help us?"

"My, my, of course I'll carry 'em to the 'ospital." "Come on 'hen," he added gently lifting the two members of the order with ease, and cradling them firmly in his arms.

Saying that they began striding towards the castle and it's infirmary. Well Hagrid strode, and with his long legs you know what that means. Sirius and Harry were practically sprinting alongside.

They arrived in the Hospital Wing with a big clutter, causing a startled Madame Pomfey to peek out of her office, whilst Hagrid lay the two casualties down on a bed.

"What on Earth have we got here?" said Madam Pomfey firmly as she walked over to see what the commotion was.

" The summer's barely started. You can't have had an accident already can you? Then again knowing you two, Mr Potter and Mr Black…my, my, my," her voice immediately became soft and more caring as she laid eyes on her two casualties for the first time; but became normal almost instantly as she turned to Sirius. " How long have they been back for?"

" About 5 minutes, Madam Pomfey," answered Sirius causing the matron to almost drop her wand in shock. Never before had the notorious Sirius Black called her Madam Pomfey; she had always got an infuriating 'Poppy dear' from him. That if nothing else showed the woman how much the lad cared for the friend in front him. The nurse's heart melted for he boy who she had always had a secret soft spot for. Thankfully for the sake of her patients, she recovered from the shock quite quickly and instantly started waving her arms round in frustration, motioning for the three visitors to move aside so that she could examine her patients.

After a few long and tense moments for Sirius and Harry, Madam Pomfey stopped waving her wand across Remus and Tonks' bodies in a way which only she understood, and turned round to face the three anxious faces awaiting feedback (not that she could actually face Hagrid).

" Well," she said, "It seems that they both have been tortured quite severely. They both have severe concussion and deep cuts and bruises, not to mention numerous broken bones. I should be able to fix everything so that Miss Tonks makes a full recovery in a few days." She paused uncertain of how to continue.

"And Remus?" asked Sirius cautiously almost dreading the answer.

Madam Pomfey sighed, " I'm afraid to say that your friend has severe internal bleeding which to heal stretches the skills of any medi-witch. I don't know how long the process will take or whether he'll even make it. However I will do my best."

At her words Hagrid broke out into loud howls, causing Madam Pomfey to shush him harshly. However Sirius just fell into the chair in between the two beds. He was glad that his cousin was going to be fine, he really was but fear over his best friend life took over. 'What am I going to do if he dies?' Thought Sirius. However the other part of his brain argued furiously, 'No he is not going to die. Remus is tough; he will make it through all of this. I know he will the way he always does.'

Looking up the head auror saw that his godson's screwed up face probably mirrored his own. Opening his arms wide he motioned for the boy to come to him before enveloping him in a hug. Harry sat on Sirius' lap (he was still quite small and light for his age) and buried his face in Sirius' neck, as his godfather rubbed his back soothingly.

The two of them sat like that for a long time whilst Madam Pomfey began dishing out many different coloured potions and injections. Albus Dumbledore even came and silently took a seat on the other side of Remus; no one bothered asking how he knew they were there. Nothing else mattered until Remus and Tonks were safe and well.

Yes both them, Sirius knew Remus could do it as well. He is a marauder after all!

A/N: Sorry that chapter was pretty crappy I know. I was going to combine this chapter and the next chapter as one, but I did it this way instead so that I could post quicker. Sorry this chapter took so long, it was my little brother's birthday yesterday so preparations for that kind of disturbed my writing time. However I've been planning out the next chapter in my head long before I actually started writing, so it should be up really soon. If I get 5 reviews or more I'll even put it up for Friday (promise). So is that a fair deal?

I'm gonna start writing chap.8 now anyway, lol

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