Sirius drew his wand, the tip already sparking. Remus almost didn't recognize him, as he growled, 'Get out,' pushing Remus behind him.

He let himself stumble, the knowledge of what James had seen, was still looking at, was too fresh for him to cope. Questions were flooding over James' face, his brows drawing in and legs still not fully comprehending the seriousness of Sirius' threat.

The wand, held aloft between the three boys sparked dangerously again, Sirius watching James mouth over his words. 'Choose your next words widely Potter.'

'But there wasn't-' was the wrong thing to say as a hex flew through the air. It was just a warning, the spell bouncing harmlessly off their wall. Nevertheless it prodded James into action, taking out his own wand.

Remus could tell it was merely for protection, James was still working through his eyes were telling him. But Sirius had been taut the moment he spotted James' wand, and could only think of one reason why his friend had pulled it. The fight broke out with flashes of light bombarding everywhere.

Remus took cover behind the bathroom door, hearing the moment where Peter woke up in the warzone. He wasn't surprised when Peter came crawling next to him, needing shelter from the gradual dangerous spells that were working their way into the duel.

There was just one little problem with that, the usual want to help his friend gone in the wake of this fresh pain James had stirred. He recalled all those instances of Peter trying to out him, to kill him, and panicked at the thought of him too coming to the same conclusions James had.

It was survival instinct that had him wrapping Peter in a full body bind curse, his friend choosing a guilt inducing picture of surprise as his frozen image. He wasn't quick enough to catch him, the thump of flesh hitting hard stone echoing to the room beyond.

The shouting stopped instantaneously, Sirius running in and taking in the two bodies. He didn't even look at Peter, instead crowding around Remus. He hadn't realised until Sirius was holding him how loud his breathing was, he couldn't even hear the soothing words being directed at him. The growing noise made him more panicked, trying to think about how to calm down and just coming up blank when his brain wouldn't work.

James went to check on Peter, a hint of caution to his movements that told Remus everything. James knew. He really knew, and he was afraid of him. His vision started getting spotty, Sirius growing more panicked in front of him before he just faded from view altogether.

He felt when drastic measures were taken, one solid ball of pain spreading from his stomach to the rest of him. Sirius had punched him, actually hit him. He was shocked enough for his brain to reboot, the bathroom coming back into focus. Despite the hurt, Remus had to admit it worked, he could hear his breathing slow to a more regular rhythm.

When he finally came back to reality properly, he was sitting in the corner of the bathroom, his limbs feeling sore but not like they were about to break and sprout fur like before. Sirius was behind him, holding him in an almost hug as he told Remus to breathe.

'I get like that sometimes too,' It sounded like one of a longer speech, the beginning having been lost in his panic. 'Reg doesn't understand because Mum's always liked him. But I know how bad you can work yourself up.'

'What's happening?' He was exhausted, hating his very existence as he caught his reflection in the old Hogwarts pipes. The room beyond was a mess of sounds, ones he couldn't figure out right now. A particularly loud one had Sirius' hands clenching around his middle.

'I don't know. James is waiting for us. He took Peter out as soon as I got you over here. He said he was going to stay in the dorm, but...' He didn't know how long that would last, hung silently between them.

'I didn't mean to.' He heard himself say, not knowing what hew as apologising for. He should be sorry for Peter, but he couldn't find it in himself to be. There was just too much bad blood on this subject between them. Really, he was sorry for Sirius. For being himself and putting his friend in this position. He shouldn't be defended or helped. He was what he was, and knew the risks when he came here.

His nose stung, the scars pulling as Sirius flicked him. 'I can practically feel the self pity. You really need to stop it. It's not you with the problem Rem, it's them.'

'Yes well, excuse me for not seeing it that way.' He sighed, pulling his knees up, he just wanted to curl up in his bed and sleep this nightmare off. 'Now, this might be my last night in Hogwarts, let me wallow if I want. I should be allowed something after all.'

Another flick had him shielding his nose from more violence. 'It's not your last night.' He sounded so sure. Sure enough that Remus feared what was going through his head.

He unwound himself from Sirius' grasp, looking at his stormy face. 'Don't do anything stupid over me.'

Those dark brows drew closer together, Remus completely missing the flick this time. 'When will you understand that I'm your friend?'

'I do.'

Sirius shook his head. 'If you did you wouldn't be this...' he struggled for the right word, his hands venturing from scar to scar. 'afraid,' he settled on. 'I'm not deserting you, and I'm not letting you leave. We're going to sort this out.'

'How?' He really wanted to know too. He couldn't come up with anything himself.

Sirius didn't look to know either, mouthing something indistinguishable before helping Remus up. He caught his face again in the mirror, his reflection cringing before him.

'We're sorting that out too,' Sirius said, glaring at the mirror like it had personally offended him. He retrieved his wand, twirling it between his fingers before going out first. Remus heard him muttering under his breath, preparing a rather nasty hex they had learnt before they broke up.

Their dorm was chaos. A trunk was on its side, Sirius' things strewn everywhere. Remus' stuffed wolf was hanging from one of the bed frames, a noose of curtains keeping it swaying. He could see the drops of silver flaking from the fur, as could Sirius who turned even more thunderous than he was before.

The lamps were all lit, the room soft in reds and gold, the colours Remus would miss when he went home. James was at the door, his arms and legs splayed wide as he blocked Peter from escaping.

'I'm not afraid of you,' Peter said, the crack in his voice betraying his words. 'I swear James, I'll hex you if you don't move.'

'Then do it,' James challenged, not moving an inch from his stance. 'Go on Pete, lose all your friends.'

Harsh words, and they had their intended effect in halting Peter momentarily. At least until he spotted Sirius and Remus. The wand was back up before he finished blinking, Sirius taking a similar stance.

Remus almost felt sorry for Peter for doing that. Peter was drawing his more out of fright and defence, he knew the boy wasn't able to actually fire a spell off. He was the one who always refereed their duelling matches, his own reaction time not up to speed yet. Sirius on the other hand had already proved that night he wasn't afraid to fire against his friends. He would hex before Peter even flicked his wand if provoked.

'Put the wand down Peter.' He saw Peter look over to him, Sirius following the gaze. ' You even think about hurting him and I'll petrify you. Now tell me which beds you've laced.'

Peter didn't even try to deny it, shaking from fear as his head twitched to Remus' bed.

'He got your pillow too,' James informed them. 'And a bit of the floor. He was lacing the wolf over your trunk by the time I managed to stop him.'

Sirius scourgified his bed- a spell he said he learnt from his mother- five times before leading Remus to sit on it. 'You'll excuse me if I don't believe you Potter.' He hovered for a while, just watching Remus sit there. 'Tell me if anything starts burning,' he said before moving on to the rest of the room.

James stayed by the door as Sirius cleaned. His limbs had relaxed into a more comfortable pose, watching the room be set to right. Every now and then Remus watched that careful gaze slip from Sirius to him, the unabashed curiosity plain on his face.

Peter in comparison was like a trapped rat. His eyes everywhere and hands twitching, shaking so much it was a wonder he was still standing. It didn't help that every so often Sirius would question him about other things he might have tainted, little threats mixed in with his queries.

By the time Sirius was finished Peter was back on his bed, Sirius' destroyed silver clasp turning over his hands.

A spell was set to the door, the lock clanging loudly and finally in the room. James seemed to think it safe enough to leave his post, his wand heavy in his hand as he seated himself at the bottom of Sirius' bed. Or tried to. As soon as he sat down Sirius had his wand at James' throat, forcing the boy up and a good bed away. He also took his wand, going for Peter's and the clasp before finally settling down next to Remus.

'Here's what's going to happen: you two are going to swear an unbreakable vow. You're not going to tell anyone what you think you know. You're going to pretend nothing is unusual, and that nothing is wrong at all. I don't care if you never speak to us again after this, but you are not going to blow Remus' cover. Is that clear?' Really, Sirius didn't need to make more of a threat than that. He was angry, had taken all their wands and was sitting cosy with a werewolf, he was probably the most terrifying thirteen year old in the world right now.

Peter was on his feet, yelling at Sirius like he was a madman. It was the things he had come to expect from basically anyone. Why was Sirius sticking up for Remus? They should turn him in. Does Dumbledore know what he let in? Why was Sirius even sitting next to him?

James was quiet throughout it all, just looking at Remus while Sirius nearly tore Peter's throat out. It was unnerving. With Peter, he was scared, sure, but he had no wand and the clasp was easily deflected with a flick of his own. James was more devious, smart, for that. He would find a way, if he wanted, to make Remus' life hell. Him being calm like this, not knowing what was going through his head, it was bringing back every nightmare he ever had since coming to Hogwarts.

When he managed to get Sirius under control, namely by sitting on his back to stop him from mauling the other two boys, he tried the civil approach himself. He asked them not to tell, begging them to give him a chance. 'You know I haven't hurt anyone. Please, if you just don't tell anyone I'll leave in the morning.'

James frowned, some clarity coming onto his face, 'Why would you be leaving?'

'Did you not hear Peter?' Quite frankly how anyone could ignore Peter was beyond him. He was sure the first and third years on the floors next to them knew what was going on tonight.

James nodded, telling him that yes, he did hear Peter. 'But that's Peter,' he said. 'He'll get over it.'

'Get over it?' Sirius stopped squirming beneath him, seeming just as put off by James' surety.

'Well, yeah. I mean, you're Remus. You've been sleeping in the bed next to us for two years. If you wanted to maul us you would have done it already.'

'Unless he's waiting to fatten us up and then eat us,' Peter piped in, his eyes hateful as they watched another of his friends turn traitor for a monster.

James cast a rather unflattering look to Peter's stomach, the thing had taken a rather stretch over the holidays. Really, with all this food and no exercise over the holidays it was no wonder the whole of Hogwarts wasn't rolling around like barrels.

'No offence Pete, but I think that time has passed. We're not getting any fatter right now.'

'He might-'

'Pete!' James snapped, sending the other boy on his butt with less than a glare. 'Seriously, think about it. This is Remus. You were happy enough to fetch him food this morning. What's really changed between then and now?'

He thought for sure he was hearing things. It sounded like James was sticking up for him. Something Sirius was more than on board with as he pushed Remus off him and rallied beside James.

'He's harmless Pete. I spent a whole week at his over the summer. We spent it camping- and his room is like the most muggle nonthreatening thing in existence. It's actually mostly filled with books, and smells like he hoards chocolate. Which is another thing, I mean, how many scary murderous creatures like chocolate Peter? I mean, really, just look at him. The only thing I find scary about him is his wand skills.'

'He's a monster!' Echoed around the room, the only thing Peter could say to them. Remus could see Sirius and James getting to him, his brain trying to argue against his instincts to get away from Remus. He didn't think his brain would win right now, but it was enlightening to know it might some day.

Sirius didn't appreciate the name calling in any case, lunging through Remus' slack hold to the small boy. Peter let out an indignant squeak and nothing else, too scared under Sirius's assault.

It took a joint effort of James and Remus to get Sirius to separate from Peter, the two of them more than awkward when grabbing him. Remus went for Sirius' arm the same time as James and they would both pull away. James was eyeing him still when they managed to coordinate Sirius back to his bed.

'Attacking him is only going to get you in trouble Sirius. If you manage to get yourself expelled too, you're the one who's going to be going home more miserable than me.' The mere hint towards his family had Sirius paling, shrinking in on himself somewhat as he relaxed into his pillows. The threat was enough to stop any further assault on Peter for now.

Peter, was lack of a better word, defeated. Rumpled, tired and terrified beyond belief, he was clinging onto his bedpost, watching them with abstract horror. 'You're actually taking his side, aren't you?'

He didn't know who Peter was talking to. Sirius still glaring daggers, or James dividing his attention between sending helpless looks at Peter and staring shamelessly at Remus.

'He's our friend Pete,' Sirius said again. 'He's your friend. It shouldn't matter what he is, he's more than proved he's harmless.'

James sent one last look towards Peter, saying, 'Pete just think about it.' He stuck his hand towards Sirius, looking more serious than he'd ever been in his life. 'I'll swear a vow.'

'Really?'

Remus couldn't quite believe it. He thought for sure James would be the one to drive him out. Peter was scared, James was determined, there was a difference between the two. Not to mention all those years of pureblood propaganda the wizarding world forced down their throats about werewolves. Yet here James was, his hand out and letting Sirius bind him in an unbreakable vow.

Sirius stared at the hand for a while, looking at Peter afterwards like he was expecting a complete turn around and there actually would be two vows made tonight. When nothing happened, Sirius batted James' hand away, glancing at Remus to make sure that was okay, before making a threat more terrifying than before. He wouldn't make James swear a vow, not yet anyway. They were on probation, proving they could keep their mouth shut. If they couldn't, and they let even one word slip, Sirius would be wrapping whoever it was in James' invisibility cloak, tethering him to a branch on the whomping willow and letting them be thrashed around until he managed to smuggle Remus out.

That was directed to James. When he was finished, he didn't even bother talking to Peter. He told James that if he was serious about keeping Remus' secret he would convince Peter to keep his mouth shut. James nodded once, asking for his wand back and holding his hands up when Sirius said no. He could handle one night without it he said, and pulled Peter behind one of the curtains.

'We'll figure something out,' Sirius said, whether to himself or Remus he didn't know. He didn't care to know either. He was tired, he just wanted to sleep.

Sirius picked up on it, shuffling him back to the pillows and telling him to get some sleep. If only it was that easy.

There was still silver in the room, Sirius' clasp wasn't the only thing they owned made of it. They had cauldrons, tipped quills, books cornering their books, there was silver everywhere and it had only been the good conscience of his friends that had stopped him from being burnt before. Now, there was every chance that he could be attacked in the night. He didn't trust James. Even with an unbreakable vow it didn't prevent him from not assaulting Remus. It just meant he wouldn't tell anyone. With Sirius having locked them in, it wouldn't be too hard to make up a crime scene. They had motive, being locked in a room with a man eating monster. They had a means. They had everything, and not for the first time Remus felt more prey than predator, the thought keeping him wide awake as Sirius wound further and further over him.

Every noise had him jumping. Every hour that passed had him sinking into more and more panic. The only thing that stopped him from completely melting down again was Sirius. His breathing was kind of soothing, a monotonous motion that never stopped at his back. It helped him sync up, make sure he was keeping a pretence of calm so that if he was attacked, his friends would think he was unprepared.

Morning came with rain. Almost as soon as the sun was supposed to be up they heard the pitter patter of drops hitting their windows. The skies were grey, almost black, when they figured out breakfast was probably being served in the great hall.

Sirius was hesitant about letting them leave. He had stuck close to Remus all morning, acting like a bodyguard as he changed into his clothes. He knew it was hard for the boy to remain focused on keeping him safe. More than once while they were in the bathroom he would catch Sirius leaning to do this or that on his own, as right he should, only to remember the others brushing their teeth at the sink with Remus. It made him sick to think this might be their life from now on. All he had wanted was to come to Hogwarts, to be thought of like any other student. He had made friends, got good scores in his lessons and knew what being happy actually was for once in his life. Now all that was being taken away from him, all because of some stupid thing he had. He was making his friends lives harder, Sirius' life infinitely more so.

Maybe it was best if he slipped away and told Dumbledore he wanted to go home. It would only take a few months before Sirius forgot all about him. Maybe less than that for James and Peter to forgive the betrayal. They could go back to causing mischief like before. All it would take would be to get Remus out of the equation.

It was a herculean effort for Sirius to hand back the wands. More so to unlock their door. He couldn't help stopping James and Peter before they went out and threatening them one last time, his wand showing how serious he was with his words.

'No one. You understand?'

James nodded, elbowing Peter to do the same. Remus had heard the hushed whispers last night. He didn't know what James had said specifically to Peter, but he did know that there were no harsh glares or mumbled threats when they interacted that morning. Peter looked to be pretending Remus didn't exist. It was something he could live with, a better alternative to the other.

Sirius caught his arm on his way out too, linking it with his and dragging his other hand over the lines on Remus' nose. 'We'll say you fell off your broom head first into the forbidden forest. A stray hippogriff got you. It should make you more respected in any case.'

'A hippogriff?' He didn't even know where to begin on that backstory, but Sirius seemed happier with his question, maybe the tone of it, since he smirked and led them practically skipping to the great hall.

'They're fierce-some creatures. And I know Hagrid has a herd of them somewhere.'

'Which is all the more reason for us not to blame them. I'm not having something killed just because I was stupid enough to get scratched last week.' Which it would be. Creatures, any creatures really, that harmed a wizard were usually put down so they wouldn't strike again. He didn't want that on his conscience. Not to mention there would have to be an inquiry. If Peter actually managed to keep his mouth shut, he didn't want all that blown because he was being investigated for a supposed creature attack.

'See, this is why it's just unfair,' Sirius huffed, his skip slowing until they were a good few paces behind James and Peter. 'Anyone else would be happy to blame a hippogriff. But you, with your heart of fluffy gold, doesn't want to in case they put the poor thing down. It shouldn't have been you.'

'But it is, now keep your voice down.' They were already getting a few odd looks. Nothing too bad, just a few curious first years. Actually most of the students didn't seem to care. They were too wrapped up in welcoming their friends back from the winter holidays to look at a banged up second year.

They made it to their usual spot, James pulling faces at the crowd around him. They really had grown used to having the castle to themselves. Remus didn't know whether to be angry or touched that Sirius was trying to shield him. He was like a meerkat, perching up at every noise or lingering look their way and hovering in front of him.

In any case the added attention Sirius was giving him was getting people to look over at him. Most of them second years, and most of them too busy again with their friends to give a care about Remus. Until Lily.

She came walking in with Snape, the two of them talking about something or other. Or, Lily had been, Snape had seen Sirius scowling around and seemed to be ignoring Lily in favour of staring at them instead. A few hissed words later and Lily was storming away from him and over to Remus.

'What happened to your face?' She demanded, looking back to where Snape was trying, and failing, to look like he wasn't listening.

'An accident,' Remus said, trying to think up a good lie. he had never been good at them, it was why he had been happy Sirius was.

'None of your business,' Sirius piped in as expected.

Lily ignored him. 'What accident?'

He couldn't think. Sirius' story from before came to mind, blaming it on an animal. It would be so easy. But his conscience was adamant he wouldn't be able to live with that. He tried to think of another way he could get scratches. He could have fell, or-

'He got whacked by the willow.' James was outright glaring at her with a similar expression on Sirius.

'The willow?' She looked dubious, but with the assault of James and Sirius silently telling her to drop it, she was looking more uncomfortable to be there.

'Yes, the willow,' James said. 'And it's going to scar, so you can see why he doesn't want to talk about it.'

She got the hint, mumbling an apology before stalking back over to Snape.

'The willow?' Sirius asked.

James shrugged, 'It has branches that could do that.'

Sirius squinted for a while, all over breakfast actually, trying to suss James out. Remus didn't blame him, he felt the same. James had just made up an excuse for him instead of outing him. It was a start he supposed. Not to mention Peter didn't say anything either. Maybe he really was serious about keeping his secret. Time would only tell.