Harry awoke to agony again, and once Sirius heard his startled gasp, his guardian pressed a potion to his lips.

"Drink, pup. It will remove most of the pain."

Harry obeyed, and almost as soon as the potion had passed his throat, he felt better.

"Better?" Sirius asked, taking a seat next to him, and carefully placing an arm around his shoulder.

Harry gave a tentative nod, before making an attempt at speaking. "Yeah, loads."

He was relieved to find that his voice worked easily enough.

Sirius looked wistful. "I wish I could tell you it would be as easy as taking a pain-relief potion from now on, but we have balance that out with removing the poison from the curse from your system. You understand everything Madam Pomfrey told you?"

Harry nodded. Yes, the healing matron had provided them with a detailed description of what Harry would have to undertake for the next ten days to two weeks. The potions to strengthen his body would be bad enough, Harry had assumed, but the worst of which would be the two that would slowly remove the "aftereffects," as she'd called it, of the Cruciatus Curse from his body.

She hadn't minced words, telling Harry that he'd then experience pain not unlike the curse for an hour while the potion did what it was supposed to. Spaced out twice a day, over ten days or so, and the poison would be removed from his body without (hopefully) killing him in the process.

Well, at least he'd be prepared.

He reckoned it wasn't unlike chemotherapy for cancer patients. There'd been a kid (Michael? Harry couldn't remember) in primary school who'd been out for weeks on end for that. He'd been bald when he returned, and some of the kids had teased him, but the teachers had put a stop to it. He'd end up cured, or in remission, by the end of the year, and his hair had grown back over the summer.

The following year, he'd joined Dudley's gang.

"Snape will be over in a bit to give us the first batch. In the meantime, reckon you're up for some breakfast and a tour of your new living quarters?" Sirius asked, studying Harry closely.

"I think so," he answered, truthfully.

Sirius summoned a tray of food, likely from the kitchen, and they ate without much conversation. Although they were both still in their sleeping attire, Sirius performed a charm to switch Harry's borrowed night shirt with a pair of his school robes, and then on his own. Finally, there was the tour.

Walking around wasn't hard, thanks to the relief of the potion Harry had just consumed. He expected it would have been next to impossible without it. The quarters felt cozy, and familiar. Really, it almost resembled the Gryffindor common room as far as colors and decorations. Laid out a bit like a muggle apartment, Harry entered a large living room with a bookshelf filled with titles, a slightly smaller kitchen, and two bedrooms, each with an adjoining bathroom. The living room furniture was large and comfortable-a huge couch that Harry knew he would run the risk of falling asleep the moment he let himself sink into it-and several squashy armchairs, each with a lamp on the side. A table sat in the middle of this room. It felt warm and comfortable. Sure, it was far smaller than Grimmauld Place, but there was still plenty of room and, besides, Harry and Sirius wouldn't be there forever.

"The quarters adjusted to fit our needs," Sirius explained, after giving Harry the tour and having him sit beside him on the couch in the sitting room. "It likely provided you with your own room in case you got sick of me hovering over you."

Harry shook his head. "Never."

Sirius gave his hand a gentle squeeze, then wrapped Harry up in his arms, holding him upright against him. It was familiar, reassuring. Then, his guardian turned so that he was facing Harry, and gently placed his hands on his shoulders. Harry took a deep breath, then let it out.

"I won't lie to you, pup," Sirius began, gently. "You're in for a rough couple of weeks. Malfoy's curse did more than a bit of damage, and if it were up to me..." His face darkened, and then softened. "But that's not what matters, now. Your first job is healing up."

"Starting today?"

"Starting today," Sirius confirmed.

Snape delivered the first two vials the following hour. He and Sirius shot daggers at each other, but Snape looked almost sympathetic as he handed the first of the vials to Harry.

"They only last for twenty-four hours upon brewing, so I'll return each morning to provide you with your daily dosage," Snape told Harry, studying him. "I'll bring over your pain relief potions as well, which last longer."

"Yes, sir," Harry answered.

Snape looked like he wanted to say something else, and made a motion with his hand. If Harry hadn't known better, he would have thought his teacher was going to place a hand on his shoulder. But Snape stopped, cleared his throat, and dismissed himself.

Harry downed the potion. It tasted foul, but the aftereffects immediately removed the taste from Harry's mind. It was like an ice cold fire had exploded throughout his body. He doubled down, crouching on the floor, and Sirius immediately held him, or tried to. Harry suddenly began shivering like mad, only to feel assaulted by fire. It seemed that no sooner had he registered one torment than another took its place.

On and on it went. Harry felt his throat nearly rip open, and realized he was screaming. In the background, still struggling to hold onto him, he was aware of Sirius. His godfather was crying, saying something, perhaps murmuring words of encouragement.

And then, finally, it was over. And Sirius was holding him tightly, almost too tightly, but Harry didn't mind because it was nothing compared to what he'd been through.

He realized his face was damp.

"I am so, so, so very sorry, puppy," Sirius murmured, wiping away the tears with one finger. "You were amazing. So much better than I was. Knotty had to use Silencing charms because I made such a racket."

Harry laughed, weakly. The pain might be gone, but it was replaced by exhaustion. "I'm tired."

Sirius kissed him lightly on the top of his head, then guided him onto the couch. "I know. Close your eyes. You need a good, long rest."

Sirius summoned some blanket, which he tucked around Harry, and then leaned them both back on the couch.

"Please don't go," Harry whispered.

"I won't. Swear to Merlin."

After Harry woke up, Sirius inquired how he was doing. When Harry was able to answer truthfully that he felt better, Sirius smiled and then insisted that he have something to eat.

"You'll need all of your strength," he told him.

Harry watched as Sirius flicked his wand and a plate of food-as well as his favorite dessert-appeared on the table. He ate easily, glad that he had an appetite. After several minutes, his godfather cleared his throat.

"How'd you like to see Remus?"

Harry nodded. "When?"

"How about tomorrow, after you get some rest from your morning treatment?" Sirius asked, rather contemplatively.

"Er, all right." Harry glanced at Sirius in confusion. "Just to have a chat?"

"I'm sure he'd like to see it," Sirius began, with a smile. "But I was rather thinking that, having through those transformations every month since childhood, he might have some tips with pain management." Almost playfully, he added, "And if he says screaming and swearing is okay, I might expect it."

Harry managed a laugh. "Sure. How has Remus been?"

He realized that he hadn't heard very much from his former teacher since Christmas.

Sirius grinned. "Good. Really good, actually."

Harry nodded, waiting for more, but no further information appeared to be forthcoming.

Feeling more or less alert, Harry spent most of the remainder of the afternoon studying for the upcoming exams. They had stopped learning new material last week, with the understanding that the remainder of classes would be spent reviewing for the end of term exams.

Harry thought that his teachers were likely preoccupied with preparing the fifth and seventh years for their exams.

After Harry's concentration faded, Sirius suggested a game of Wizard's Chess, which he agreed to. Later, they had dinner, and then Harry underwent the second dosage of the potion without complaint, but certainly having dreaded it beforehand.

He wasn't sure if it was better or worse to know what would ensue. Harry only remembered the seemingly unending agony, feeling his throat about to rip open, and Sirius trying to hold him and reassure him.

And then, finally, it was over. The lack of pain-minus the soreness of his throat-felt almost wonderful. And yet, Harry had never felt so drained.

Sirius had him rest on the couch while he prepared a cup of strong tea.

"Want some help with the bath?" Sirius asked, after Harry had downed the drink and his throat no longer ached.

Harry shook his head. "I can manage on my own."

Sirius gave him an understanding look, then placed a hand on his shoulders. "I'll wait outside, just in case."

He soaked in the tub for awhile, then dried himself off and gingerly put on another on of Sirius' night shirts. After brushing his teeth, he headed into the bedroom, while Sirius was waiting.

"Fancy a back rub?" Sirius asked, after pulling Harry into a hug.

"I suppose so. I might fall asleep any minute, though," Harry admitted.

"You do rather look dead on your feet, pup, but it will help."

Nodding, Harry crawled into bed and pulled back the covers. Laying on his back, Sirius slowly began to knead at his shoulders. It felt even better than Harry would have expected. Then, moments from sleep, Sirius joined him on the bed, wrapping his arms around him and holding him close.

"Thank you," Harry whispered, nestling against his godfather's shoulders, which were softened by a pillow on top.

"You're welcome. I love you, so much, and we will get through this."

Harry woke up in pain the next morning, and he wondered if there was any point in taking a pain reliever only an hour before undergoing the one that would set his body on fire. Not that the relief wasn't welcome...still, upon seeing Snape handing Sirius the vials, he wanted to run and hide under their bed. But he didn't, just obediently downed the concoction that physically attacked his body, and eventually, the pain gave way to near exhaustion.

"Do I have time for a nap before Remus comes?" he asked.

"Of course. I'll send him my patronus to come for lunch."

Nodding, Harry collapsed onto the couch.

He rose about a half an hour before Remus arrived, and was glad he was already wearing his robes. Sirius had taken advantage of the time to give Harry a small dose of a less potion, as well as a mug of hot tea.

Then, there was Remus in the fireplace. He Vanished the soot from his robes before giving Sirius a hug. Then, carefully, Remus extended his arms to Harry, who stepped in. The hug was gentle, careful, and Harry appreciated his former teacher's care.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, and they sat down across from each other.

Sirius was, of course, next to Harry with an arm around his shoulders.

"I've been better," he admitted.

Sirius pulled him a bit closer. "Bloody Dumbledore won't expel Malfoy. Says it's up to Snape to determine his punishment, as he's underage. Have you ever heard of such rubbish?"

Remus didn't look entirely surprised. "I expect we were lucky to avoid as much during our time at Hogwarts, Padfoot."

"We never used an Unforgivable, Moony," Sirius countered.

"Severus would have been subject to incredible pain each month, as well as utter rejection from witches and wizards," Remus pointed out. "Assuming he didn't die on the spot."

Sirius sighed. "It was a rather rotten prank, in hindsight."

Remus reached forward and grasped his hand.

After a long pause, Harry's former teacher removed a roll of parchment from one of the pockets of his robes. "In light of what you told you, I have done some research on healing methods from the Cruciatus curse," he began, "and painful as it may be, what you're doing is correct."

"Madam Pomfrey knows her cures," Sirius agreed.

Harry nodded. "Sirius has been doing this for almost a full day."

Sirius squeezed his hand. "And Harry puts my reactions to Knotty's care to shame."

Harry just lowered his head. He didn't feel like he was being particularly brave. Not when he was yelling bloody murder each time.

Remus reached into his bag. "As you know, I am a believer in the restorative powers of chocolate..."

"You don't say!" Sirius mock gasped, putting a hand over his chest. "Great Merlin, Harry, did you have any idea?"

Harry snorted in spite of himself.

Giving Harry another squeeze, Sirius said, "Thanks for getting a laugh out of my pup."

Remus chuckled. "Yes, well. My research says that this is not simply important, but borderline essential."

"Very well. We'll need to add chocolate to his potions regimen," Sirius said, grinning.

Remus handed Harry a very large piece who glanced at Sirius, as though asking his permission. Sirius gave a slight nod, and Harry took a bite. Warmth filled him completely, and he let out a small sigh.

"Remus," Harry began, rather tentatively, "Sirius says you have some good news?"

Remus' face brightened. "Well, you know that I've been seeing Tonks for a bit?"

Harry swallowed a piece of chocolate. "Yeah, that's right."

"A couple of months ago, I asked her to marry me, and she said yes," Remus continued, brightening even more. "We got married right before Easter."

So that had been why Remus hadn't joined them at the cottage. Harry had wondered, but he assumed that between the transformation and all, it had been too much.

This made more sense.

"Congratulations, Remus!" Harry burst out, nearly dropping his chocolate in a race to give him a hug.

Remus accepted it and returned the hug with one of his own.

"It was just a private ceremony, nothing fancy," he explained. "Rather sudden, in fact. She's been helping to care for me after I transform, when Sirius isn't around."

"And sometimes when I am," Sirius added. "Knows a great deal about pain relieving potions and healing potions, your wife."

Remus grinned at the word. "That she does."

"So, I expect you'll no longer be living at Grimmauld Place?" Harry realized, trying not to show his disappointment.

Remus gave him a kind look of understanding. "She has a lovely house that I moved into after the wedding. You'll have to come by, sometime. The both of you. And Ron and Hermione, of course," Remus added, still smiling. "We'll have a good meal together."

"Er, you'll be doing the cooking, I take it?" Sirius asked, teasingly.

Remus chuckled. "She informed me that I would be doing all of the cooking if I wanted a happy marriage and to risk not accidentally poisoning myself. So, yes, I will be making the dinner. And dessert, of course."

"I can bring that over," Sirius offered. "Something chocolate, I expect?"

"Naturally!"

They chatted for a bit longer, and Harry finished off the chocolate bar. Before long, though, his eyes were beginning to feel heavy. Then, he felt himself wrapped up in several warm blankets, Sirius' arm still tucked around him. His free hand carded his hair, and before long, Harry fell into a deep, untroubled sleep.

Author's note:

If witches and wizards in Harry Potter definitely don't exchange rings, then I got that bit wrong. I tried to look it up online, but all I found were ideas for Harry Potter themed weddings.

I do plan on having Harry being asked to be a godfather, but Tonks isn't pregnant (so far as they know), and, well, one thing at a time! I can also promise that both Remus and Tonks will live to a very old age in this version. Not that I plan on writing that far out!

Next up: more healing, and the Quidditch finale. Also, Sirius and Remus ask a favor of Harry.