Chapter 3 – I just Wanted to Feel Normal

Sirius and Regulus' parents came home from their business trip the following Tuesday. Mr. Black looked around the house as he took off his jacket. "Well, I see that you didn't burn down the house while we were gone."

"Where is Regulus?" asked Mrs. Black. "Did he cause any problems while we were gone?"

Sirius shook his head, thinking it was best not to bring up Regulus' school problems.

"Well, where is he, then? REGULUS!" she called, her shrill voice ringing through the large house.

Regulus, sitting in his room, considered for a minute to ignore his mother's call but then decided against it. He knew she would not let it go if she thought he was doing it on purpose. He waited a moment longer just to make sure she meant business and when she called again he went downstairs.

"Ah, there you are," she said, her eyes scanning him as she stepped up to him. "Have you caused any problems while we were gone?"

"I just told you he didn't," snapped Sirius. "If you don't believe me, why did you ask?"

"Don't be smart with your mother, young man," growled Mr. Black.

Regulus took a few step backwards, putting a little distance between himself and his mother. It made him very uncomfortable when people got so close to him. In fact, he would prefer if everybody stayed outside a two meter radius from him at all times. It would make his life a million times easier. But most people had no sense of tact.

Mrs. Black sent him a disapproving look but then moved back to stand by her husband.

"I see that you're still as abnormal as when we left," said Orion to Regulus. "Even your own mother can't get close to you."

"Is that a way to greet your parents when they have been away for two weeks?" said Walburga, giving both boys a disapproving look.

Regulus gulped and glanced at his brother. Sirius always knew best how to deal with their parents.

"We came down to greet you, didn't we?" said Sirius. "What else do you want us to do? It's not as if you want a hug or anything."

"Some respect would be in order," said Orion coldly. "Your fiasco of a brother is one thing, but you have responsibilities. You must learn to conduct yourself in a dignified manner if you are to take over the company one day."

Sirius rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "Why should Regulus and I show you respect when you never show us any?"

Mr. Black clenched his teeth and glared at his oldest son. "You ungrateful brat. You're spoiled rotten, is what you are. You better shape up and start taking some responsibility!"

"I don't see what the problem is," snapped Sirius. "I'm already kissing the clients' arses whenever you throw a fancy party, so I'm doing my part for your company."

"Watch your mouth!" said Orion, pointing a finger at Sirius. "Kissing clients' arses, as you so crudely put it, is not enough to drive a successful company. You need to have respect for what you're doing and for those smarter and more experienced than you. Otherwise you will never learn how to carry the weight of the responsibility being the head of a large company is."

"Well maybe I don't want to be the head of a large company and leave my kids behind for weeks and weeks at a time," Sirius snorted.

Orion's face turned purple and he stepped up to Sirius. "You insolent brat! Your mother and I work like dogs so you and your brother can live like royalty and have everything you want!"

Regulus quietly backed away towards the door. He did not want to be in the middle of a fight. He wanted to get out of there, escape to his room or outside, but he needed to know how Sirius handled the situation.

"Did you ever consider that perhaps we would like a couple of parents instead of all this fancy stuff?" said Sirius, standing his ground. "You just escape off to work so you don't have to deal with us. Maybe if you had paid more attention to us we wouldn't be so disrespectful!"

Regulus gasped. This was not good and he was not surprised when Orion backhanded his brother, nearly knocking him off balance. Then he and his wife marched off, leaving Sirius standing with a very red cheek.

Regulus took a couple of steps in his brother's direction. "Are you okay?"

Sirius looked after his father, his breath a little shaky. "Yeah, I'm alright." He turned to Regulus, trying to smile. "At least they didn't have a go at you this time," he said and put a hand on his brother's shoulder, but then removed it again, remembering that Regulus didn't like to be touched.

"Why did you say those things? I like it best when they're away. It would suit me perfectly if they were never here."

"Me too," sighed Sirius. "But I don't want them to think we're in debt to them for giving us everything money can buy. They make it sound like they're mother and father of the year, and someone needs to give them a reality check."

"Yes, perhaps. I just hope they don't start being home more." Regulus didn't think they would, however. Their parents had never really cared about them. They were just something to show off to the outside world and, in Sirius' case, an heir to the company. Regulus was of absolutely no use, he knew that. He was not heir material and certainly not something to show off. In fact his parents were ashamed of him and liked to keep him hidden away. It suited them fine that he kept a low profile and stayed away when there were business relations around. They only forced him to attend a few of the parties, and then only because they didn't want people to get too puzzled over never seeing Regulus, since many knew that the Blacks had two sons.

"Well, I'm going to my room," mumbled Sirius. "You're welcome to join if you want," he offered, although he knew the chances were slim.

Regulus stood hesitating for a moment. "What will you be doing?"

"Just play some computer or something. I'll keep it down if you want to sit and read in my room," offered Sirius.

"Did Miss Winky clean your room yesterday?"

"Yes. Like she does all the rooms except yours every Monday."

Regulus rarely allowed anybody into his room, and he did not trust anybody to clean it for him. Who knew if they were doing a proper job? And even worse – they would be touching his things. A complete invasion of privacy. Regulus considered Sirius' offer for a moment. "Yeah, alright," he finally said and went to get a book.

o0o0o

"We can't go to my house today," moped Sirius the next day at school. "My parents came home yesterday and we had the usually welcome home fight."

Remus looked up from his notebook. "What did you fight about? Did we mess up the house at the party?"

"No, no. We had a cleaning lady fix the house. No, we just had a fight about me being obnoxious and immature, as they put it. They're keen on grooming me to take over the company when they retire, and they're not at all happy with my current attitude."

"What is it that your company does?" asked Remus and coughed a few times.

"Essentially it buys small firms and build them into bigger firms and so on. There's a lot of money in that sort of thing. To buy out the little bloke, steal his ideas and let the big boys take over. Something like that. My parents want me to hurry up and learn everything, but I don't see what the rush is. I want to enjoy my youth. Besides, I haven't decided yet if I even want to take over the company. Maybe I end up deciding on another career."

James shook his head. He had a hard time understanding why Sirius had not told his parents to forget about him taking over the company. "You hate them and think everything about them and that company is false and boring. I don't get you, mate. I mean, I get that it's good money and easy to walk directly in and take it over, but at what cost? You have to play by their rules."

"Yeah I know," sighed Sirius. "But for now I'm playing along. We'll see what time brings."

"Hey, you alright, mate?" asked James when Remus started coughing again. "You've been coughing all day."

"I'm okay," said Remus although he actually wasn't feeling too well.

"You look a little pale," said Sirius.

o0o0o

Remus' mother came home from work around five and found her son sitting on the couch watching TV, wrapped in a blanket. She immediately knew that something was wrong and rushed over to look at him. "Are you ill?" she put a hand on his forehead. "I think you're developing a fever!"

Remus leaned against her hand, which felt pleasantly cool against his forehead. "I'm... I'm just a little dizzy," he mumbled, but his teeth were chattering as he felt a shiver run though his body.

"Off to bed – now," she said, helping him up. "I knew you shouldn't have gone to that pool party." She put him in bed and stuffed the duvet around him. "Do you have a sore throat? Would you like some tea? I'll call the doctor."

Remus curled into a ball under the duvet, shivering as he tried to get warm. "S-some tea would be n-nice," he stuttered through chattering teeth.

Mrs. Lupin sat down on the edge of the bed and dialled the number for the doctor while running her fingers through her son's hair.

The doctor knew Remus all too well. He held a stethoscope to Remus' chest and asked him to cough. "Well," he said after the examination. "I think it's just a cold -"

"Just a cold?" Mrs. Lupin cut in agitatedly. "He has a fever and is shivering!"

"Yes, I know, Mrs. Lupin. I didn't mean 'just' in that way. I know that Remus gets more ill than regular people and we have to take it more seriously. But I don't think this is something we can do anything about other than give it some time."

"What about anti-biotics?"

"You know I can't give him anti-biotics unless I'm sure he has an infection. There's a risk he will develop immunity, and trust me, we do not want that to happen. No, I think he will get well on his own this time. But of course I will come back to check on him if it gets worse or he hasn't improved within a few days."

When Mr. Lupin came home he barely made it inside before his wife was upon him.

"Remus is ill again! The doctor was here. He says it's just a cold, but... I knew it was a bad idea letting him go to that wretched pool party!"

Mr. Lupin looked a little surprised and took off his jacket. "But the pool party was days ago, dear. I'm sure he would have gotten ill right away had it been that. It could easily be someone at school he got it from or he forgot to close his jacket on his way home on his bike. It could be many things." He sighed. "How is he?"

"The doctor thinks it's a cold, but he has a fever. Can you stay home tomorrow or do I have to call Molly? I have too many clients to cancel."

"I don't think I can. We're in the middle of construction," said Mr. Lupin. "I don't think my boss will let me take the day off for a cold. Are you sure he can't stay by himself and just call us if he gets worse?"

"I don't like it, Lyall. And I won't be able to concentrate on my clients if I'm worried about my ill son at home," she said, her hand already on the receiver.

"Fine, fine, Hope," sighed Mr. Lupin. He kicked off his shoes and walked up the stairs to Remus' room. "Hello, son," he smiled and sat down on the edge of the bed, running a hand over Remus' hair. He did not look well, but gave his father a smile anyway.

"How are you feeling?"

"C-cold," Remus mumbled.

Mr. Lupin found another blanket and put it on top of the duvet. "Your mother is calling Molly so she will look after you tomorrow while we're at work tomorrow."

o0o0o

"Remus, dear?" sounded a voice from the doorway the next afternoon. "Are you awake? There's someone on the phone for you." A short woman in her thirties with fiery red hair walked into the room, holding a phone.

Remus opened his eyes. He tried to sit up and coughed once. "Who.. who is it?"

"A gentleman calling himself James."

Remus looked at the phone for a second and then said a hoarse "Hello?"

"Hello, mate. Why weren't you at school today?" sounded James' voice.

"I'm ill," said Remus and coughed, pulling the duvet up over his shoulders.

"That blows, mate."

"Is it rabies?" sounded Sirius' voice in the background. "Ask if it's rabies!"

"You idiot, Sirius!" laughed James. "No, seriously Remus - is it bad?"

"It's just a flu or something. I've been worse. How was school?"

"The usual. Peter fell asleep in History and snored so loudly that Binns actually noticed. And Sirius had to save Regulus' arse again."

"He did?" said Remus, his interest piqued. "What happened?"

"Reggie got into a fight with a bloke called Avery," said Sirius, having put the phone on speakers. "One of those Death Eaters. He snuck up behind Reggie and put his hands on his shoulders as a prank to see how he would react. They thought it would be mighty funny, I suppose."

"And Regulus spun around and punched him in the face," continued James. "Idiot. What did he expect?"

"Blimey," said Remus. "Is he okay?"

"Apart from a black eye he's fine," said James.

"I meant Regulus..."

"A bit upset, but alright. At least McGonagall didn't call our parents," said Sirius.

"Well, Avery was kind of asking for it," said James. "But we better watch Reg's back the rest of the week. Make sure those wankers don't have another go at him. I bet Avery wasn't expecting to get a black eye. A bit embarrassing, really. I mean Regulus is small and two years younger."

"He learned from the best," said Sirius proudly. "But yeah, we better keep an eye on him so he doesn't get into more trouble with them."

"Will you be back at school soon?" asked James.

"I hope so," Remus said. "I hate to just lie here all day."

"If you're not back tomorrow we'll come visit you," Sirius said.

Remus was quiet for a minute. "I'll… I'll ask my mum if it's okay for you to come by."

"Why wouldn't she be okay with that?" asked James, confused.

"Just… um... she's a little overprotective of me," said Remus. His mother was, in fact, close to hysterical about any contamination sources getting near Remus when he was ill. Also, Remus was not keen on having to explain his condition to his new friends. He wanted to feel normal and be treated normally, not like something fragile, which people would barely touch out of fear of breaking it.

"Just let me have a talk with her," said James. "No lady can resist my charm."

"Except Evans," commented Sirius.

o0o0o

Next day after school the three boys came to Remus' house unannounced, wanting to surprise him. It was Mrs. Weasley who opened the door.

"Hello, Mrs. Lupin," said James. "We're Remus' friends."

The woman eyed the three boys and smiled. "I'm not Mrs. Lupin. I'm Mrs. Weasley, Remus' nurse."

The three looked at each other and then at her.

"Nurse? How ill is he?" asked Sirius a little concerned.

"Oh, he's been worse," said Molly and found a bottle of hand sanitizer. "Here you go. Just disinfect your hands before going in."

All three stared at the gel. "Did we pick the wrong house?" James asked Sirius. "Is it Regulus we're visiting?"

Remus was sitting with a book, looking as pale as ever, when they came into the room. He looked a little startled and put the book down when he saw them. "H-hey," he said. "I didn't know you lads were coming over."

Sirius pulled up a chair and sat down. "How're you feeling? You got a nurse and everything? Just how ill are you? "

"I just got a cold."

"Awful lot of trouble for a cold." James crossed his arms. "You weren't kidding when you said your mum was overprotective."

Remus bit his lip, debating with himself whether or not to tell them. "I just... I get ill easily and when I do, I get really ill."

"Yeah, you've just been ill for like a month. Why do you get so ill?"

"I... I have an immune system dysfunction," said Remus, looking down at his hands. "I have to be very careful around possible sources of contamination, and even then I often catch something." He sighed and looked up. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you lads, but I just wanted to forget it and feel normal for once..."

"Why would you keep that a secret?" asked James. "Did you think we wouldn't want to be friends with you or something?"

"Well... It's just that most of the friends I've had have withdrawn from me when they found out."

"Why would they do that?" asked James, nonplussed. "It isn't as if it's a nasty disease…"

"I guess they didn't know what to make of it, or something. Maybe they thought it was a bother to be extra careful around me. You know, washing their hands often and disinfecting them."

"Do you want us to do that? Also when you're not ill? You should have told us," said James.

"I just wanted to feel normal…"

"But we also want you to be well," said Sirius and leaned forward in his seat. "If you need us to wash our hands and disinfect them, we won't mind. I'm used to being told to do so by my brother all the time. And unlike him, you actually have a good reason," he grinned. "Do you want us to bring your homework over after school?"

"My mum has already taken care of that," said Remus. "But I wouldn't mind company once in a while. It gets kind of boring just lying here all day…"

"Since when have you been so interested in homework?" James asked Sirius.

"I'm not. I just thought that Remus was," grinned Sirius. "He seems like the bookworm type." He looked around the room. There were bookshelves filled to the breaking point with books and by the window stood an easel with an unfinished painting on it. "I didn't know you could paint!"

"It's just something I've been working on. Nothing special," mumbled Remus.

"Nothing special?" said Sirius in disbelief. "It's brilliant!"

"Do you do more?" asked Peter, watching the painting in admiration. "Can we see your other stuff?"

"Sure," said Remus and got out of bed, careful not to make too much noise so Molly would come and check on him. She would hurl his bum back to bed in an instance if she saw him. He found a sketchbook and went back to bed, handing the book to Peter. "Just a few drawings I did."

"This is bloody brilliant," said Sirius and flipped through the papers. "How did you get this good?"

"Practice," said Remus and smiled.

"That's Hogwarts," said James, pointing at a page. He turned another page to reveal a howling wolf.

"Wicked!" said Sirius. "That's bloody good, that is. Could you draw Padfoot like that?"

"I can try," smiled Remus, watching the wolf on the page. "I could draw him jumping around if you want. That's the way I remember him best."

o0o0o

When Sirius got home he went straight to his room, feeling tired after a long day at school and then going to see Remus. He threw himself on his bed and lay for a moment, just enjoying getting his feet off the ground. Then he suddenly felt a wetness on his back and immediately sat up. "Regulus!" he yelled and jumped to his feet, darting towards his brother's room and tearing the door open. "Where's that bloody cat?"

"What are you doing, barging into my room like that?" exclaimed Regulus, jumping up from his seat at the desk. "You know I don't want you coming in without permission! Especially without knocking first!"

"Your bloody cat pissed all over my bed!" roared Sirius. "Tell me where he is so I can kick him into the pool!"

"What the hell are you talking about? If someone peed in your bed it was your bloody mutt! Cats are very clean animals!"

Sirius stomped his foot on the floor like a child throwing a tantrum. "Your cat pissed on my bed! Padfoot would never do that to me! That mental cat hates me and that's why he did it!"

"Kreacher goes outside or uses his litterbox!" maintained Regulus. "It's much more likely that it's Padfoot! Do you have any proof if was Kreacher? If not, then don't come in here making accusations!"

"I'm sure of it!" Sirius then turned on his heels and marched back to his own room, muttering something about revenge. "Telling me it's my dog when I know it was Kreacher," he growled to himself as he pulled off the wet duvet.

Regulus rushed after him. "You stay away from Kreacher, do you hear me? I don't care what he's done or what you think he's done – don't you dare hurt him!"

Sirius turned to look at his brother and threw the duvet at him. "I decide for myself if I want revenge on that bloody cat!"

Regulus let out a yelp and leapt away from the duvet as if it were soaked in acid. This made him even angrier. "If you hurt him I'll donate Padfoot to the science lab!"

"You wouldn't dare!" spat Sirius. "They would much rather do tests on Kreacher! It's a scientific mystery how something can be that ugly and still be alive!" He picked up a pillow and threw it at Regulus as well. "Apologise for your bloody cat and I'll leave him alone!"

"You apologise for insulting Kreacher!" yelled Regulus back.

"Oi, oi, what's going on here?" sounded a loud voice and two seconds later a serious looking Mrs. Harris appeared at the top of the stairs.

Sirius pointed at Regulus with a shaking finger. "His bloody cat peed all over my bed!"

"He can't prove that!" yelled Regulus, getting red in the face. "He's just covering for his own filthy mutt, making mean accusations about Kreacher!"

Mrs. Harris sighed. "Are you fighting over your pets again? Sirius - how do you know it's Kreacher?"

"Because... because! Padfoot would never do such a thing and had it been him, there would be a lot more pee since he's much bigger!"

"I thought you said there was pee all over your bed!" pointed out Regulus.

"It.. it was all over my back!" said Sirius and picked up the duvet to show Mrs. Harris. "Look! Look what he did!"

"Give me that!" ordered Mrs. Harris and yanked the duvet away from Sirius.

Regulus felt close to retching, watching her put her nose close to the wet spot and smell it.

"I'm sorry, Regulus, but this does smell like cat pee."

"That... You can't be sure of that!"

"I think you owe your brother an apology."

"I won't apologise when he's been so mean about it! Besides, it's his own fault for not closing his door to his room when he's not there. I always close mine - I even keep it locked - otherwise Padfoot would go in there and wreck my stuff!"

"No he wouldn't!" said Sirius. "Unlike Kreacher, Padfoot is a good pet that does as he's told and don't pee on people's beds!"

"May I remind you that Padfoot peed on the rug last week," said Mrs. Harris.

Sirius' lips tightened. "Well... that's not the same. No one sleeps on the rug."

"Well I'm out of here," said Regulus, turned in his heel and sprinted down the stairs before Mrs. Harris could catch him and force him to take care of the soiled bedding.

A/N: To see Zayhad's illustration to the chapter go to deviantart dot com and look up Zayhad. She has a folder in her gallery with the story's name on it.