"We don't even know when the moon sets! We could be here all night and not-"
"Shh!"
"Ouch! James, get off my foot!"
"Oh, sorry, darling.""
"Jamie-pie, if you ever call me that again-"
"Likewise."
"Will you guys shut up! Just, just let's get this over with."
"Well, well, what a surprise, Peter! Weren't you the one moaning about being there all night?"
"I was, but it's obvious you're not going to get any sleep, and I'd rather be doing this than trying to sleep and wondering what your brilliant plan is."
"Alright, Sirius, can you unlock the door?"
"Alohamora." The door to the hospital wing swung open silently. There was a shuffling noise, and then the door was shut. Three boys moved into a corner and sat down on the floor. They waited.
Remus groaned as a deafening clap of thunder rolled overhead. He felt naseaus, as usual, and he seemed to have hurt his arm rather badly. Again.
"Remus?" came Madam Pomfrey's soft voice. "Are you alright?"
He couldn't form words yet, but tried to move his head in reply. The young nurse came into view with a bottle and a spoon.
"Don't try to move yet, dear. Can you open your mouth?"
The werewolf obliged, swallowing the sweet liquid gratefully. He could feel his bones mending themselves and his head felt clearer. Madam Pomfrey ran her wand over the various cuts and bruises, relieving the aches and stitching the worst scratches back together. When she was mostly satisfied, and Remus had himself a bit more collected, she handed him his pajama bottoms and wrapped a warm, soft cloak around his shoulders. The first year had been an awkward one, Remus not feeling very comfortable about waking up naked and bloody and having a pretty nurse tend to him, but as the time went by, Madam Pomfrey became one of his favorite people, and he her favorite student by far. There was nothing awkward now, even as he grew. In fact, if truth be told, he was more comfortable naked in front of the healer than even the marauders-and they did everything together. James and Sirius had once snuck into the prefects' bathroom and had a bath together. Remus had to stop thinking when Madam Pomfrey took him by the hands and pulled him up. Everything hurt. It always did. The potion Slughorn had found worked wonders for the day after, though. The young woman steadied her charge, and when the room stopped spinning, she led him back down the tunnel under the Whomping Willow. They talked about simple things like how scary thunderstorms actually were, and whether or not care of magical creatures would be cancelled or held inside the owlery. When they got to the tunnel entrance, Madam Pomfrey touched the knot and the thrashing tree froze. It was almost dawn, though you would never know it for the black of the sky. The two of them tiptoed into the castle and Madam Pomfrey whisked them through a specially made secret passage that ran straight to the hospital wing. If there were any wayward students up and this hour, there would be no questions asked and no hassle.
Sirius was just nodding off for the umpteenth time, when James hissed his name. There was a creaking by the far wall, and a section of the wood panelling swung forward. Madam Pomfrey stepped into the room, followed by a beaten Remus. She caught him around the waist as he began to teeter, and pulled the cloak off his shoulders.
"Usual bed, Remus. There's no one else here today." She supported him over to the bed closest to their hiding corner. He lowered himself into it carefully, and turned onto his back so the healer could finish her administrations. There were a few more spells whispered over the boy, and he got another dose of the sweet tasting potion. Tenderly, Madam Pomfrey pulled the duvet up to the werewolf's chest and smoothed his hair. Remus smiled up at her tiredly.
"Thanks for everything, Poppy."
Sirius and James shared a desparaging look-their friend was on first name terms with the school nurse? Oh, this was bad.
"You know I don't mind, Remus. I'll just go shower and dress now, if you're alright for now. Remember that it's good to cry."
He gave her a crooked smile and a yawn. "Have a good shower, I can't wait for mine!"
The nurse left, and Sirius couldn't help himself. He pulled the cloak off and ran over to the bed.
"Remus John Lupin! Why didn't you tell us you were a werewolf?" ignoring the strangled cry his friend made, Sirius wrapped his gangly arms around the thin shoulders and sat on the bed.