James woke up the next morning to Remus shaking him hurriedly, claiming that breakfast had already started and that they needed to get up now or they would be late for their first class, History of Magic and James silently thanked Merlin they had that first so they could catch up on their sleep while Binns droned on about Goblin Wars. Of course, Remus would poke him to try and keep him awake every five minutes, but James reckoned he could get used to it and ignore him.

So he got up, without a complaint, the opposite of Sirius, he got up and got dressed. Remus was rather surprised but didn't say anything.

Ten minutes later, they were in History at the back of classroom, attempting to stay awake.

'Hey Remus.'

James looked to his left to see that Sirius was nudging Remus repeatedly.

'What?' Remus groaned, giving up on taking notes and ignoring Sirius, 5 minutes later.

'James and I need to ask you something.' Remus raised his eyebrows, trying to look disinterested but failing.

James knowing that Sirius was asking him the question from last night, he glanced around to see if anyone was looking at them or listening into the conversation. He hadn't needed to have worried; most of the class were either doodling or sleeping except for a select few, like Lily Evans and Severus Snape, who were both taking notes hurriedly next to each other.

James frowned and turned back and saw that Sirius had leaned closer to Remus. James did the same, making them right next to Remus, either side of him.

'What is it?' he finally asked, looking between the two suspiciously.

'We wanted to,' James looked at Sirius who nodded, and James carried out whispering. 'Ask you if it was obvious that we each fancied anyone.'

'You both fancy someone?'

The three of them nearly fell out of their seats. Peter, had leaned in as well, and heard the conversation.

Sirius sighed in frustration.

'Yes,' he said and looked at Remus again. 'So?'

Remus snorted. 'It isn't obvious to anyone that doesn't know you properly. We've had only been here a couple of days but I think that we are quite good friends, including Peter as well of course,'

Remus smiled at Peter, who beamed, like his was the luckiest boy in the world.

'But,' Remus leaned forwards smirking. 'I did happen to notice a certain Mr Potter staring at a certain Miss Evans in Defence against the Dark Arts the other day after reading the introduction.'

Sirius and Peter stifled their laughter as James turned away from them and stared out of the window for a bit. When he thought that he couldn't hear their chuckles anymore, he turned back around to face them.

'So it's obvious?' he asked.

'I repeat, only to those who know you well.' Remus smiled reassuringly.

'James said he was going to ask her out in about a week so he can 'get to know her properly' or something.' Sirius said.

'That's very mature James,' Remus said, nodding approvingly. 'From what I gather she is a very smart and kind person.'

'She looks smart and nerdy. And, she hangs out with Snivellus, I wonder why she, or anyone else would want to go closer than ten feet from him. What if they fell on all the grease coming from his hair?' Sirius sniggered.

'Don't call her nerdy Sirius. Who cares if she's smart? I personally find it more attractive.' James muttered.

'Sirius to be honest you really don't have to right to say things about James's crush. How would you feel if he started saying things about Gracie?'

'What? How- how did you-'

'Find out? Sirius you talk in your sleep. Last night, I woke up and heard you muttering. Oh… Gracie!' Remus mocked.

Now it was Sirius's to look away as James, Peter and Remus laughed at him.

'I don't talk in my sleep!' he protested.

'Hmm…'

'Oh shut up! At least I'm not planning on giving her chocolate and roses!' Sirius said.

'What? It was your idea! And I think she would like them! Increasing my chances! Actually, now that I think about it, I think I should get Lilies instead. You know because her name is Lily…' James trailed off.

'James you're whipped. Already.' Sirius said plainly.

Peter nodded along with Remus.

'So. Remember you said you would ask Gracie out after I ask Lily out? Or you have to dress up as a girl.'

'I forgot about that.' Sirius whispered.

'Well this is surprising news. I actually really hope you bottle it and don't ask her. You know what, if he does, we have to take a picture for future blackmail.' Remus mused.

'Ooh… welcome to the dark side, Remus.' James grinned and high-fived Remus.

'You're joking… you HAVE to be joking…' Sirius said repeatedly to himself. Then, out of nowhere, he grinned.

'Actually, James, if I remember correctly, I only have to ask Gracie out or dress as a girl, if Lily says yes to you.'

'I forgot that.' James said, shoulders slumping in disappointment.

'It still might happen. She WILL say yes.' James said firmly as the bell rang, making their fellow classmates jump and gather their belongings quickly, ready to leave the classroom as fast as they could.

'Might James. Might.'

'Remus you don't look very well.' James observed during breakfast the next morning. .

'You look pale.' Sirius added in helpfully.

'I'm alright. Just,' Remus looked like he was searching for the right word. 'Tired.'

James, Peter and Sirius glanced at each other with raised eyebrows, but didn't say anything.

'You sure? You really don't look well Remus. What if it's something really serious? Like dragon pox? You could die.' Peter knowingly said his voice laced with concern for his friend.

'Dragon pox?' Sirius yelled alarmed.

This earned them a few curious glances from people near them.

'Dragon pox?' Sirius said more quietly and people turned away again.

'Yeah. It's dead serious. I heard that they were making a cure for it though.'

'I haven't got dragon pox you guys. I'm sure it's just a cold or something.' Remus said firmly, taking a small sip of tea.

They looked at each other again, and let the subject drop for the rest of breakfast.

By the time lunch came by, Remus had gotten worst. It was obvious to James that Remus was trying to deny his illness.

His face was nearly white; exhaustion was evident all over his face and from his posture. And for some reason, James noticed that his old scars were more noticeable.

'Stand up.' Sirius said suddenly.

He put down his fork and stood up, the look in his eye making James stand up as well. Peter stood up as well, slowly looking between the two of them.

'Why?' Remus mumbled tiredly.

Sirius took one of Remus's arms and pulled him up.

He proceeded to drag Remus out of the hall with force.

'Let go! What are you doing?' Remus yelled unhappily.

He started to wriggle out of Sirius's grip.

'Woah! Remus your strong! Peter help!'

Peter ran forwards and held onto his other arm and they started up the stairs to the hospital wing, James poking Remus in the back to keep him moving.

When they had arrived outside the hospital wing after wandering around hopelessly asking several ghosts and portraits where to go, James stood forwards and knocked on the large door 3 times.

He then stood back, next to Peter, so they were in one straight line.

'What is it? Are any of you hurt?' The woman who opened the door was quite young. She looked only to be in her late twenties and early thirties, but had the air of someone who knew what she was doing and you didn't want to annoy or mess with.

James opened his mouth to explain the situation but the Healer, who he didn't know the name of, cut him off before he could form any words.

'Why are you here? None of you look hurt in anyway. Now if you don't mind, next time don't knock and waste my time. I have people to look after.' She peered over her shoulder and James could see that there was a boy covered in boils on a bed.

She made to close the door.

Sirius stuck his foot out though and she glared at him.

'It's our friend miss. He hasn't looked right since this morning. Awfully pale and hardly ate anything. We hoped you could look at him. In case it was serious.' Sirius said charmingly, smiling nicely at the Healer.

'Alright. Where is he?' the Healer muttered.

Sirius silently pointed over at Remus, and when the Healer's attention turned to him, he shuffled uncomfortably under her stare.

Her eyes noticeably softened and she reached forwards and led Remus into the wing.

'Here take that bed and we will check over you Remus.' She shuffled away and opened up a cupboard. She grabbed some bottles and came back over. James sat with Peter and Sirius on another bed as she closed the curtain around Remus's bed, so he disappeared from their sight. They heard them speaking quietly and the clinking of bottles.

'He's gone to sleep. I gave him a potion.' She said as she opened the curtain and reappeared. They caught a glimpse of Remus sleeping like she said, before the curtain swung close again.

'Why?' Sirius asked.

'Exhausted he was. The poor boy. He'll be back in classes in a couple of days. I have to keep him over for a few nights to make sure nothing serious happens. I'm Madam Pomfrey if you didn't know, I have a feeling we'll be seeing each other a lot often.' She shook her head and sighed, leaving the room and going into another.

'Well, we'd better be off to class them. Remus wouldn't want us to miss it.' Sirius joked.

They chuckled and made their way to the Transfiguration classroom.

'I'll take notes. Remus always takes notes and he'll be upset he missed lessons. We really need to do something about that.' James said quietly as Peter opened the classroom door.

'Why are you so late?' McGonagall asked as soon as they walked in.

Peter visibly cowered under her glare. 'We- urh-'

'We just got back from the hospital wing. We had to take our friend, Remus there. He isn't well.' James spoke clearly.

McGonagall, nodded. She looked as if she knew they were telling the truth as she smiled sadly at them.

'Take your seats then.' They did so and she began talking again.

'McGonagall didn't even check if we were telling the truth,' Sirius frowned as he whispered to James. 'Why?'