The morning brought tense silence throughout the house. Those that had been drunk were able to remember best what they had done when inebriated and glance guiltily at each other and Snape for most of the day. Severus was quiet and elusive, not in itself out of character, but normally he had at least one barb for each of them.

For two days, slowly they returned to a semblance of normalcy. Severus was once again speaking to them--in biting sarcasm--and both Gryffindors had gotten over their embarrassment and returned cordial. It was as though the past couple of weeks of Hell and pain had not happened and they were all once again known to each other as; Snivellus, Lupin and the Mutt.

It bothered Remus the most of all of them. He wasn't sure what had happened so drastically that could have caused such a dramatic change. Sure, the oddity of his newfound infatuation with all things Snape hadn't helped, but Severus had been taking it all in stride well enough. The only thing that stuck out in his mind was the tense face he had seen hovering over the bed those nights ago. Had he alienated Severus? Did Snape think that Remus was only playing with him?

Regardless of how much he thought and how often he attempted to breach the gap that had returned between them, Severus was unresponsive to anything he did. The only times the potions master bothered to speak more than a necessary sentence was if Remus had a question about his progress.

His health was another oddity. His shoulder was pulling together nicely, not knit entirely yet, but still was visibly healing. Severus was adamant that he was not finished with him. Remus was confused and Sirius watched it all with a mild anger.

It had been two weeks of routine. Sirius and Remus waking in the morning to find Severus at his cauldron's working studiously and grunting his welcome. They didn't speak much, Severus didn't eat with them, and the potions master would return to his rooms to read and brood for much of the day until hunger or his potions needed tending.

Therefore, one particularly dull grey morning when Remus yawned his way to the kitchen, the fact that Severus was not in the kitchen as well took him by surprise. He heard Sirius trundling down the stairs and turned to wait expectantly.

The animagus turned into the kitchen, rubbing one eye and stopped abruptly in the kitchen entry. "Where's Snape?"

The smallest of smiles touched Remus face, "I was just wondering that myself."

Sirius shrugged and moved beyond, gathering a hunk of bread and jar of jam together. He walked past Remus to the den. "Who knows with that git? He's probably sulking."

Remus followed, sighing heavily and sat down across from Sirius, accepting a slab of jam smeared bread. "It's just out of routine, isn't it? It's rather creepy."

"Creepy," Sirius snorted, taking a large bite out of his breakfast. "He's probably already finished with them this morning, just run off to his room so he wouldn't have to see us."

"Maybe," Remus pouted at the truth of the statement.

They ate in silence until a cauldron exploded with a sharp bang. Ears ringing, Remus had lept to his feet and pulled his wand at once. His heart was thumping wildly in his chest. Sirius was shouting over the ringing, motioning toward the kitchen and Remus followed obediently.

Smoke and sludge had been thrown the length of the kitchen. Bubbling ooze streaked down the cabinets, slowly peeling the paint away and reeking of sulfur. They gaped at the mess, clearing away patches at a time with their wands.

"Where in the hell is Snape?" Sirius snarled, clearing a spot along the ceiling.

"He has to be here," Remus mumbled. But that wasn't entirely true. Severus hadn't been quarantined in the house with them, just sent from Hogwart's until he knew for sure if he had been infected. "Maybe he's gone out?"

Sirius shrugged. "I would think so. Snape wouldn't let one of his precious potions get ruined. And if he heard that, he would have run screaming down here by now."

Remus nodded in agreement.

They soon had the kitchen cleared of slop, but there were still pitted spots in the paint where the thickest smears had lain. They eyed the second bubbling cauldron warily as they approached it. The contents were not familiar and Snape hadn't exactly shared the information. They had two options, leave it until Severus dealt with it, or remove it from the fire before it too ate part of the kitchen.

Sirius made the decision for them and blew the flame out. He met Remus' vaguely worried gaze and rolled his eyes, "He'll get over it, yea? I don't want a repeat performance of this." He waved idly at the kitchen, sighing as he touched a spot of peeling paint.

Grumbling about idiots and their cauldrons, Sirius started back upstairs to shower. Remus watched him go with a frown. It wasn't like Severus to leave his potions unattended. If he were leaving, even for a small amount of time, he would have made sure what he was creating wasn't explosive, or would have made sure someone would keep an eye on it.

"Remus!"

The wolf jumped and started for the stairs. Sirius was leaning over the balcony railing, hair flying about his face and waving ecstatically with one arm. "What's the matter?"

"Quick! It's Snape!"

Remus' heart skipped a beat and he ran the stairs two at a time. Sirius was standing in Snape's room, hovering over a blanket covered lump on the floor. The lump was breathing, and Remus knew it was Severus.

"What happened?"

"I don't know," Sirius shook his head, bending to help the darker wizard, but when his hand touched the bundled man, Severus let out a pain-filled moan.

Remus crossed the threshold of the door and came up short. A wave of aura prickled across his skin and made the hair at the back of his neck stand on end. "Don't touch him," Lupin whispered, pushing Sirius gently aside and dropping carefully to his knees.

"Severus?" He took a hold of the blanket and peeled the edge back. Snape's face was scrunched in pain, beads of sweat pouring down his forehead.

"Go away," the wizard groaned, trying to roll away.

"At least let us help you into bed," Sirius sounded worried. He kept his distance as Remus asked, but hovered about.

"Come on, Severus," Remus looped an arm around the man's shoulders and narrowed his gaze. Severus had a bad fever, he could feel the heat of his skin through the man's shirt. Snape hissed and grunted as he was pulled to a sitting position. The potions master leaned back against the bed frame, panting. "Severus, let me see your hand," Remus demanded.

"No," Snape grumbled, shivering violently in his wrapped blankets. He tried to glare at Remus, but felt too ill to make it.

"Now," Remus said sternly, a low growl in the back of his throat.

Sirius frowned, ready to chastise Remus for getting pushy when it was apparent that Severus was sick, but the potions master narrowed his gaze and reluctantly withdrew his arm from his blankets.

Blood coated the bandages, trailing down his forearm and dripping off of his elbow. Remus frowned deeply and pulled the bandages free as Snape whimpered. Sirius disappeared into the bathroom of his own volition, returning with a few hand towels and fresh wrap.

"Can I help?" Sirius squatted, looking between them warily. Remus' countenance had changed dramatically since his panic coming up the stairs. It was as though the werewolf were solely in charge.

"Hand me that towel, please," Remus held a hand out, quickly tying it around the bleeding hole in Snape's hand. "We're going to put you into the bed, Severus."

The potions master shook his head, trying to argue but Remus already nodded toward Sirius and the two Gryffindors situated him between them.

"Merlin, Snape, you're on fire," Sirius mumbled, lifting with his knees and carefully sitting the potions master down.

"Potions..." Severus grumbled, falling back onto his pillows with a gasp.

"Are both ruined," Remus told him gently, lifting the man's feet onto the bed and realigning his blankets. "I hope they weren't important."

Severus shook his head, trying to pull his sheet over his head. Remus stopped him and began to feel his forehead, glands and check his eyes. Severus hissed and swatted him feebly away.

"Is the light hard on your eyes?"

"Yes," Snape hissed, clamping his eyes shut. Sirius made himself useful and pulled the shades together without being asked.

"Go back to sleep," Remus said sternly, touching the back of his hand to Snape's forehead.

To Sirius' immense surprise, Snape rolled onto his side and pulled the blankets up. Remus motioned him from the doorway and the animagus quickly followed into the hall. "What is going on?" He crossed his arms over his chest and frowned as Remus checked in on Snape again then shut the door.

"He's asleep."

"That's not what I meant," Sirius grumbled. "What's wrong with him?"

Remus bit his lip and stared at his feet. "The Fever, the Change, the Curse... whatever you want to call it."

Sirius' eyes widened and his crossed arms fell limply to his sides. "So he's... he'll be..."

"I don't know," Remus croaked, fighting back a wave of emotion that rocked between pity, guilt and remorse. "The full moon is in six days. We'll see then."

"Sweet Merlin," Sirius breathed. "How do we help him?"

"You need to stay away," Remus said brusquely, images of his mother's hate filled, horror stricken face flashed into his mind. "He won't be himself."

"Like Hell," Sirius shouted. Remus stepped back in surprise. "I'm not going to let you take the burden yourself. And I'm sure as Hell not going to sit back and watch your health deteriorate because you start feeling responsible for Snape."

"Sirius, you don't understand--"

"Maybe I don't," Sirius interrupted in a much gentler voice. "But I'm here to help, and I will."

"I'll call Albus and tell him it's started," Remus mumbled, running a hand through his hair. "Keep an ear, he won't sleep long."

"Remy," Sirius called, making the lycan pause at the top of the stairs. "Why does he do what you tell him?"

A bitter smile curdled Remus' face. "Because for the next few days, I'm his alpha."

Sirius blinked and watched, numbed as Remus disappeared downstairs. The truth of the statement stung. For the first time in a very long time, Sirius felt actual pity for his friend. It wasn't fair for Remus, as much as it wasn't fair for Snape.

Moans started from behind Severus' door. Moony had been right about that too. Sirius knuckled the door lightly as he went in. "Snape?" A grunt from the bed answered him.

"Hot," Severus mumbled, muffled severely through his blankets.

Sirius snorted and began to pull the covers back. "That's easy to remedy." Slowly Snape's head and shoulders were uncovered and the potions master lay panting and sweating in his sheets.

"Where's Lupin?" Severus grumbled, struggling to sit up and relenting in the fight after a few seconds.

"Contacting Albus," Sirius frowned. "Do you want me to get him?"

"No," Snape all but barked, eyes widening. An awkward silence fell as Sirius stood startled and Snape flushed. "What's wrong with me?"

Sirius didn't meet Snape's gaze. "Maybe Remus ought to tell you."

Snape stopped breathing for a moment. "It's starting."

The animagus nodded and looked back up at Severus. The potions master's eyes were unfocused and he was breathing erratically. "Easy, Snape," Sirius put a hand on the man's shoulder. It wouldn't due to have Remus return to find Severus hyperventilating. "You're still hot," Sirius frowned.

He set his palm on Snape's forehead and cocked an eyebrow as Severus turned his face into his touch. The potions master's eyes were shut and he sighed until Sirius withdrew. The heat of his body increased and he moaned pitifully and writhed as his body screamed for cooler temperatures.

Sirius watched in growing panic as Snape got worse when he drew away. In a moment of worry, he put his palm back and watched in awe as the potions master quieted.

"Having fun?" Remus asked quietly from behind.

Sirius jumped, blushing and motioned between himself and Snape, "I don't know what's going on."

A pointed, knowing look flashed across Remus' face. "He craves the touch. Right now, you're body temperature is cooler than his. I'll get a cloth."

"Right..." Sirius furrowed his brows and watched Snape as Remus ran a towel under water in Snape's bathroom.

"Here," Remus folded the cloth in his hands and laid it across Severus' forehead. The potions master sighed in rapture and mewled. Remus touched the man's face and smoothed his hair. "This is only the beginning. I'm afraid it's only going to get worse."

Severus opened one bleary eye and snorted weakly. "Since when has my life ever been easy."

Remus smiled sadly and checked his bandages. The blood was spreading across the palm again but was not bad enough to change. "Are you hungry?"

"No," Severus shook his head, wincing as his skull began to throb.

"Thirsty?"

Snape nodded, wishing he could sleep. He was so fatigued he doubted he could crawl to the bathroom to take a piss.

"Here," Remus helped him up, propping his head in the crook of his elbow. "Small sips."

Severus tried to sneer, but gave up on it in lieu of drinking his cup of water. He choked on a bit and scowled as Remus gave him an 'I told you so' look.

"Get some rest," Lupin told him. "Call if you need anything."

"Shut up," Snape yawned at him, sneering weakly and falling asleep right before their eyes.

Remus pet Severus' hair away from his face for a while, wiping the sweat from the wizard's face and neck with a clean cloth. "I wish I could stop this," he whispered, glancing worriedly at Sirius.

The animagus squeezed his friend's shoulder. "Me too."

"I'll be fine letting you help, Padfoot," Remus admitted haltingly. He turned a stern gaze up, "But in a couple of days, I won't let you. And I don't want you to fight me."

"Why not?" Sirius bristled slightly, trying not to. He knew Remus had first hand knowledge on what was happening, but this new commanding tone Remus had was rubbing him the wrong way.

"Because then, he won't be able to think of anything but the pain, and he'll hurt you." Remus' eyes filled with an ancient hurt so deep Sirius felt his eyes water.

"Alright, Moony," Sirius nodded. "Alright." He left then, before he could ask any questions that would cause more harm than good.

Remus watched him leave, feeling thankful that with all of his faults, Sirius was always very good at reading him. As soon as Snape's door shut, Remus sat down beside Severus and wept silently.

...oOo...

Nymphadora Tonks arrived around noon, looking piqued and tired. Even the usual vibrant pink of her hair was dulled and weak. The house was abnormally quiet when she entered, and the odd smell of charred metal and smoke clung to the air just enough to make her wrinkle her nose.

As she entered the kitchen, she saw Sirius standing by the stove, stirring a small pot. A sweat stain at the small of his back and ringing his armpits. She grinned a little and sidled up behind him.

"Whacha doin'?"

Sirius startled smartly, dropping his spoon and clutching his chest. He didn't smile like Tonks expected him too. Instead he frowned a bit, "Oh, Tonks."

Discomfited at the greeting, Tonks leaned next to him and looked into his pot. "Yea, Tonks. You seem out of sorts. Is everything alright?"

"Hmm? Oh, it's... complicated." Sirius' eyebrows furrowed and he took the pot from the stove.

Tonks followed him, watching as he poured a thin broth soup into a heavy bowl. "Complicated?" She parroted, reaching to dip her finger in--as she had done to Sirius' food many a time--but Sirius swatted her hand away.

"Don't," He snapped. He saw the scowl on Tonks' face and he breathed a deep sigh. "I'm sorry. It's not mine. And it's been a long morning."

They were interrupted as Remus came in the kitchen, soaked in sweat and rubbing his eyes. "Hey, Padfoot, do we have any dreamless sleep?" When he lowered his hands, he blinked at Tonks and nodded to her absently, "Afternoon."

Tonks put her hands on her hips and frowned deeply. "What is going on? Is one of you sick?"

Remus and Sirius shared a look, "Not one of us..." Remus told her, accepting the tray with the bowl of soup and service-wear. He backed out of the room, shooting Sirius a sympathetic look as he left.

Sirius fanned himself with a pot lid and dropped tiredly into a chair. He motioned to another for Tonks and gave her a half-assed grin as she sat down across from him. "Snape is sick, not me or Remus."

"Snape? He's still here?" Tonks looked surprised, but he was unsure whether it was because of Snape's stay, or the fact that Sirius was cooking for him.

"Yea, he's still here." Sirius unbuttoned his shirt and whistled. "Merlin, is it hot in here?"

"No," Tonks eyed him oddly. "Why are you both so sweaty?"

Sirius laughed, "Snape's got a horrible temperature but he won't keep his blankets on so we've had to charm his bedroom."

"Is there anything I can do?" Tonks leaned forward, looking suitably worried.

"I don't think so," Sirius smiled at her. "But thanks for the offer."

"Padfoot!"

Sirius grinned weakly at the exasperated call from upstairs. "That's my cue." He excused himself and started up the stairs, not really noticing that Tonks came up behind.

Severus was throwing a fit. Remus was across the room, holding half a bowl of soup and covered in a good part of what was spilled.

"Good Lord, what are you two doing?" Sirius sighed.

"What are you trying to pull, mutt?" Severus scowled at him, sweat pouring down his face.

"What?" Sirius grumbled. He eyed Remus and fought a laugh at the wide-eyed gape on his face. "You might as well take that off, Remy. It isn't going to clean itself if you stare at it."

"The soup you imbecile, I refuse to eat anything you cook," Snape croaked as Remus began to untuck his shirt from his trousers.

"Then you won't eat," Sirius snarled.

Severus sneered at him, fingers curling into loose fists and sweat beading on his upper lip.

"Could I make you something, Professor Snape?"

All three male heads turned to the doorway. Tonks was shifting from one foot to the other.

"What is she--" Severus began to rant.

"That's quite alright," Remus cut him off, talking loudly over him. "Because Severus will eat this."

"I refuse," Snape snarled, wriggling angrily against his propped up pillows.

Remus carried the bowl and spoon back toward Severus, this time without a shirt. Sirius stood back out of range and watched with a keen eye. "Severus," Remus spoke in a clipped tone. Snape winced and scowled. "Open your mouth."

Growling and reluctant, Snape opened his mouth and Remus shoved a spoonful of soup in. "Now swallow it."

Severus made a face as he did and Remus rolled his eyes.

Tonks watched in awe from the doorway as Remus spoon-fed Snape another three times. Each time Severus made a horrified face as he swallowed. She watched in further surprise, bordering on shock, as Remus rolled his eyes and ate a bite himself--off of the same spoon! she thought--to appease Snape. Remus made a little face himself.

Sirius of course, took great offense. "It's not that bad!"

"It's fine, Padfoot, honest," Remus stirred the soup idly. "It's just a bit spicy. And with Severus'--" he stopped short as his gaze landed on Tonks, still loitering. "It's a bit spicy."

Thankfully, Sirius understood the abridged sentence. "Right. Fine." He growled, taking the bowl from Remus hands. "I'll just go see about something else than shall I?"

He stormed past Tonks and the metamorphous shuffled into the room to get out of his way. Immediately past the threshold, the heat of the room engulfed her. It was like a sauna. Remus and Severus didn't seem to notice her.

Lupin put a hand to Snape's forehead, trailing it to the man's cheek and then neck with a slight frown on his face. Severus sighed deeply and turned his face into Remus' touch. Tonks felt a small pang of jealousy in her stomach.

"I can't get the fever down, Severus. You'll have to sweat through it." Remus stood and retrieved a large, shallow bowl. He wrung out a towel and lay it against Severus throat, wrapping his neck.

"I know," Snape grunted, hissing as the cold contacted his skin.

"They say it's rougher on children," Remus leaned close to talk low. "And I managed to live through it. You're a full grown man who's faced the Dark Lord's wrath."

Snape snorted, eyes closing as he rested them.

Remus smiled softly, pushing a sweaty lock of hair from Severus' face.

"Oh," Tonks breathed softly, backing out of the room quietly. She bit her lip and turned to the stairs. She could see it, the gentleness and care radiating from Remus. She knew the werewolf was always gentle and cared for others, but he never touched them freely, and she had never seen that look on his face before.

Crestfallen, she went back to the kitchen and sat down silently at the table. Sirius was back at the stove.

"You look upset, are you alright?" Sirius asked her, peeking over his shoulder.

"Yea," Tonks said quietly, pouting a bit. "Just had a bit of an eye opener today, is all."

"Anything I can get you?" Sirius turned from his pot, taking out a teapot and cups. He turned to the cabinet of Snape's bottled potions for Remus and withdrew a slim vial of dreamless sleep.

"No thanks, I think I'll just head home. I'm beat."

"Alright," Sirius looked vaguely concerned and waved as she left, not once stumbling, dropping something or knocking anything over.

A tasteless pan of oatmeal was dumped into a clean bowl. Sirius rolled his eyes, swearing that if Severus didn't want to eat this he could damn well go without, he returned upstairs.

Remus was still seated beside Snape on the bed, eyeing the half-asleep man with worry.

"Here," Sirius said quietly, passing the bowl over.

"Where's Tonks?" Remus asked idly, spooning out a bite and tasting it himself. He shrugged as he swallowed and helped Severus sit up again.

"Gone home," Sirius said, leaning against the doorjamb. He watched in mild amusement as Remus had to strong arm Snape into the first few bites. After that, Snape snatched the bowl away and rested it on his stomach, feeding himself.

"Why don't you take a break, Moony?" Sirius told him, pushing the wolf off of the bed. "Take a shower and a nap. I'll sit in."

"I do not need to be hen-pecked and coddled," Severus grumbled between bites.

Remus swatted playfully at Snape with a half-grin and nodded to Sirius. He paused at his friend's shoulder and rested his head on it briefly before walking out. Sirius watched Remus disappear into his room with a grin before turning back to Snape.

Severus had stopped eating, staring unabashedly at Sirius with a strange gaze.

"What?" Sirius blurted, a bit unnerved.

Snape blinked, frowning and turned back to his bowl. He stirred the cold oatmeal a few times and set it aside.

"I brought this for you," Sirius stepped further in, taking the vial of dreamless sleep from his pocket. Severus scoffed and looked toward his grimy window. "Remus asked me to fetch it for you."

He watched as Snape's shoulders drooped and he reluctantly turned back. Snape held out a shaky hand for the vial, but Sirius ignored him and unstoppered it himself. He held it to Severus' lips and the potions master glared as he drank.

"Anything I can do for you?" Sirius asked in seriousness, watching Snape's eyes cloud over again.

"No," Snape grunted.

"What's the matter with you?"

Severus snorted, "I thought it was apparent."

"I mean, why are you suddenly so sullen? Is it Remus?"

Snape's eyes flashed and he sneered. "Why do you assume I want anything to do with Lupin?"

Sirius bit his cheek to keep from pointing out the obvious and tried another track. "Then you have a problem with me."

"I always have a problem with you, Black," Snape scoffed. He rolled awkwardly onto his side and breathed heavily.

"You have a problem with me and Remus. Me touching Remus." He knew he had struck a nerve when Severus stiffened. "Or is it Remus touching me?"

"I am sure I don't know what you're talking about."

"Look," Sirius went around the bed, ignoring the fact that Snape rolled away again and wrung out a towel. "Remy and I have been friends for years, it's normal. And if you're feeling irritated or," he paused with a grin, "jealous, then you have to get over it."

"Shut up," Severus snapped, shivering and sweating at once.

Sirius frowned as he watched. That was a bad sign. He forcefully rolled Snape onto his back and replaced the towel at his neck. He saw the tension and anger melt out of the potions master. Snape didn't have the energy to be this sick and angry at the same time.

Dipping the other towel, Sirius wrung it out a bit and stroked it timidly across Snape's hair. One of Snape's eyes cracked open in curiosity as Sirius wiped down through it again. Snape's hair grew damp in cool water and curled just slightly at the tips.

"Why are you doing this?" Severus mumbled.

"I figure it will help cool you off," Sirius explained, entirely missing the point.

"No you imbecile, why are you here, helping?" Severus closed his eyes, trying not to enjoy the calm, steady strokes of his hair.

Sirius paused and Snape opened his eyes again. "Well... because I should, and I can. I don't hate you, Snape." Sirius frowned deeply as though he regretted what he'd said. "It's like Remus said..." He trailed off, beginning his wipe again.

"What did Lupin say?"

Sirius smiled a little and turned back to the bowl to redip the rag. "That you deserve it. That we all deserve it." He turned back to Snape and grinned at the confused and flustered look on his sweaty face. "Understanding," he explained, "a friend, some affection."

"How utterly disgusting," Severus huffed, unconsciously helping as Sirius untucked the hair he lay on to wipe down.

"Isn't it?" Sirius said softly. He damped the whole of Snape's hair and sat with the wet towel on his lap. He had nothing else to do. He tugged the blankets straight and decided to replace the water in the bowl.

The water from the bathroom faucet was icy. Sirius refilled the bowl and set the towel inside. When he returned to Snape's bed, the potions master was asleep. He was honestly surprised that it took so long for the potion to take effect.

Remus knocked lightly on the door and stepped in. His hair was dripping on a towel he had across his shoulders. "How's he doing?"

"Asleep," Sirius stretched his neck. "He was angry."

"What for?" Remus frowned as he tucked his clean shirt into his pants.

"Mindless affection," Sirius laughed. "He doesn't show he enjoys the attention you give him, but he gets mighty touchy if you show me even a little."

A hint of color spread across Remus' cheeks and he looked oddly touched at what Sirius had said. The lycanthrope set his palm to Severus' forehead and sighed softly. "I hope it doesn't get worse. The fever anyway. He really hasn't been that bad yet."

"He hasn't?" Sirius scoffed. "Could have fooled me."

"Honestly," Remus frowned lightly, "if you can't handle it, don't try, alright."

"I'm fine, Remus," Sirius said stiffly.

"I know you are now, but if you can't then stop." Remus puffed up in slight anger.

"Shut up, both of you," Severus mumbled weakly from his pillows.

"Sorry," They both echoed.

"Shouldn't you be asleep? You took a potion..." Sirius frowned.

Snape's bleary eye glared up at him from through his hair. "It's hard to with you both bickering."

Remus brushed the hair from Snape's face with an apologetic smile. "Sorry. Go to sleep."

Severus sighed lightly and closed his eyes again. Remus moved from the room, rubbing at his hair with his towel and motioning for Sirius to leave the man alone. Sirius stuck out his tongue and stepped up to the bed. He smoothed back some of Snape's damp hair as well. It was drying quickly in the heat of the room and was unbelievably soft. He jumped as Snape's eye opened again and blinked in surprise up at him.

"Black, what are you doing?" Severus didn't sound angry, just muzzy and confused.

"Petting you," Sirius said cheekily, hand hovering an inch from Snape's hair and heart lodged somewhere in his throat from his shock of being caught.

Snape snorted softly and grunted, snuggling deeper into his blankets. Sirius snugged the blankets neatly across the man's shoulder and tucked a final lock of Snape's hair behind his ear. "We'll be downstairs," he whispered, "and we'll pop in often."

He left the room, shutting the door behind him. The air outside of Snape's room was unearthly cold. Sirius shivered and slapped himself in the forehead. He wasn't sure what it was he thought he was doing, but he didn't exactly regret what he had done. Besides, if Remus got to play nice with Snape, he should be able to as well.