When Remus next awoke, it was with a much clearer head and lighter body than before. The fever was long gone, leaving him feeling more like himself, though there was still a lingering heaviness in his sinuses and lungs. He coughed softly, the gunk that had settled there making its presence known, but it wasn't nearly as bad as it had been. This, he knew, was the tail end of things—just a matter of clearing everything out now. Even if it might take a couple of days.
As he slowly sat up, he realised Sirius wasn't there. The familiar weight of his friend keeping vigil by the bedside was missing, and Remus felt a pang of curiosity. He shrugged on a house robe over his pyjamas, feeling steady enough to get up, and padded out of the room in search of Sirius.
It didn't take him long to find him. The kitchen was dimly lit, with the soft clink of a spoon against a mug guiding Remus to the doorway. There, sitting at the kitchen table with a steaming cup of tea, was Sirius.
The sight made Remus pause. Sirius looked… exhausted. Dark circles clung under his eyes, his hair tousled and unkempt, his posture slouched with weariness. It wasn't hard to see that he hadn't slept properly for days. Between keeping watch over Remus's fever and being trapped in Grimmauld Place—a house Sirius had always loathed—it was no wonder he looked so run-down.
Remus stood there, watching him for a moment, feeling the weight of guilt settle on his chest. He hadn't asked Sirius to keep vigil, but of course, he had. That was who Sirius was—loyal, protective, to a fault. And now, Remus could see just how much it had cost him.
A sneeze crept up on Remus, unexpected and sudden, and before he could stifle it, it burst out.
"Hh… hh'TCHH!"
Sirius's head snapped up at the sound, his eyes widening slightly before he realised it was just Remus. He blinked, setting his tea down and looking more alert than he had moments before.
"Moony?" Sirius asked, his voice low and raspy with fatigue. He stood up, concern flickering across his features despite his obvious exhaustion. "You shouldn't be up—are you alright?"
Remus sniffed, rubbing his nose with the back of his hand as he stepped into the kitchen. "I'm fine," he said, his voice still a bit rough but much stronger than before. "A lot better, actually." He gave Sirius a soft smile. "I think I'm finally on the mend."
Sirius's shoulders sagged in relief, though the dark circles under his eyes remained a stark reminder of just how much he'd been through these last few days. He slumped back into his chair, looking at Remus carefully, as if still unsure whether to believe him.
"That's good," Sirius muttered, his voice softer now. "I was starting to think I'd have to drag you to St. Mungo's."
Remus chuckled, stepping closer to the table and leaning against it. "No need for that, I promise. You've done enough." He glanced at the tea in Sirius's hands, his brow furrowing. "You, on the other hand, look like you've barely slept in days."
Sirius waved a hand dismissively, trying to play it off. "I've slept," he said, though the truth was evident in the dark circles beneath his eyes. "Just… not much, I suppose."
Remus gave him a knowing look. "Sirius…"
Sirius shrugged, avoiding Remus's gaze. "You were sick. I wasn't going to leave you alone, was I?" His voice was defensive but also gentle as if explaining something obvious.
Remus sighed, stepping around the table and placing a hand on Sirius's shoulder. "I appreciate it, I do. But now that I'm better, it's time for you to rest."
Sirius opened his mouth to argue, but Remus cut him off. "No. You need it. Go upstairs and get some proper sleep. I'll be fine."
For a moment, Sirius hesitated, his eyes searching Remus's face as if weighing whether to trust him. Remus's gaze remained steady, warm, and insistent, offering the kind of reassurance that could cut through Sirius's usual stubbornness. But before Sirius could finally agree, the very thing he had been trying to keep hidden made itself known.
Without warning, a forceful sneeze tore its way out of him.
"Hh'RSHHoo!"
It caught him so off guard that he barely had time to turn and angle it toward the floor, his hands still occupied by his tea mug, leaving no way to cover it properly. He sniffed, blinking in the aftermath, trying to act as though nothing had happened.
Remus raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by Sirius's effort to hide the situation. "And here I was thinking I was the only one under the weather," Remus said, his voice laced with dry amusement, but there was concern too.
Sirius sniffed again, rubbing his nose on his shoulder, trying to look as nonchalant as possible. "I'm fine," he muttered, though the congestion creeping into his voice betrayed him. He set the tea down on the table, but Remus was already watching him with a knowing look.
"You've probably caught this cold from me," Remus said, his brow furrowing with guilt as the realisation hit him. He hadn't even thought about the fact that Sirius, who had been at his side the entire time, was likely exposed to his germs.
Sirius opened his mouth to argue, to brush it off, but something in Remus's expression stopped him. Instead, he shrugged, his usual bravado muted by the obvious fatigue. "Nah, it's nothing," he said lightly. "Probably just a bit of bad luck."
But Remus's frown deepened, guilt settling in. "Sirius, I—" He sighed, looking away briefly. "I didn't mean for you to catch this. You've been taking care of me, and now…"
Sirius rolled his eyes, though there was no real irritation in the gesture. "Moony, don't start. It's a cold. It happens. You needed me, and I wasn't going to leave you to fend for yourself."
Remus still looked troubled, but Sirius, ever determined to avoid being fussed over, stood up from his chair, trying to deflect the attention back to Remus. "You're the one who was burning up with fever a few hours ago, remember?" he said, his tone teasing despite the lingering congestion in his voice. "Don't worry about me."
But Remus wasn't letting it go that easily. He stepped closer, concern etched into his features as he looked at Sirius's tired face and the dark circles under his eyes. "You're exhausted, and now you're sick too. You need to rest."
Sirius tried to brush it off with a wave of his hand. "I've slept worse off. Besides, I'm fine—"
"Sirius," Remus interrupted, his voice firm but gentle. "You've been looking after me, but now it's time for you to look after yourself. You need rest. Proper rest."
Sirius hesitated, his reluctance to admit how unwell he truly felt etched across his face. But when his eyes met Remus's, saw the genuine guilt and concern there, the defences he'd been holding up began to crumble. The exhaustion, the illness, and the weight of everything finally bore down on him, leaving him too tired to argue any further.
He swallowed thickly, the irritation in his throat unmistakable, and when he spoke, his voice was rougher than before, both from the congestion and something deeper. "I... I don't think I know how..." He paused, the vulnerability in his voice startling even himself. "Alone, I mean."
Remus frowned, his eyes softening further as he saw just how much Sirius had been struggling, even beyond the physical illness. It wasn't just about feeling sick; there was something more to it—something that had been gnawing at Sirius ever since they'd been cooped up in Grimmauld Place.
Sirius took a shaky breath, his eyes lowering as he continued, almost as if he wasn't sure he should be saying the words out loud. "I just… I can't sleep alone."
The words hung in the air between them, quiet but heavy, filled with an honesty Sirius rarely let anyone see. Remus knew all too well what Sirius was hinting at—the isolation, the ghosts of Grimmauld Place, and the weight of all the memories that haunted these walls. Being alone in this house was unbearable for Sirius, a reminder of all the darkness he had tried to leave behind.
Remus felt a pang in his chest, not just from the lingering effects of his own illness, but from the clear pain Sirius was carrying. Without a second thought, Remus stepped closer, placing a hand on Sirius's arm. His touch was steady, offering a quiet reassurance.
"You don't have to be alone," Remus said softly, his voice firm but gentle. "I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere."
Sirius's lips twitched in a small, tired smile, though his eyes were still weighed down by exhaustion. "You sure you want to share a bed with someone who's sneezing all over the place?" he asked, trying for a bit of humour to cover the raw vulnerability he had just exposed.
Remus chuckled softly, though it quickly turned into a small cough. "Well, considering you probably caught this cold from me, I think we're past worrying about that, don't you?"
Sirius let out a low laugh, though it was more of a quiet exhale, his body slumping slightly as the tension finally began to ease. "Yeah… guess we are."
Remus gave his arm a gentle squeeze, then tilted his head toward the stairs. "Come on. You'll rest better if we're both not trying to tough it out alone."
Sirius hesitated for only a moment before nodding. His body felt heavy, weighed down by both the illness and the emotional toll of it all. But with Remus by his side, it felt a little more bearable.
Together, they made their way upstairs, Sirius leaning slightly on Remus as they climbed, though neither of them would mention it. Once they reached the room, Remus helped Sirius into bed, and without a word, Sirius shifted over to make space.
Remus climbed in beside him, settling in as comfortably as he could manage. They lay there in silence for a moment, the room dimly lit by the soft glow of the lamp on the nightstand. Sirius stared up at the ceiling, his breathing still slightly congested, but for the first time in days, he felt like he might actually be able to sleep.
"Thanks," Sirius murmured, his voice hoarse but sincere.
Remus, already half-asleep, gave a soft hum in response, his body finally relaxing into the warmth of the blankets and the presence of his friend beside him.
And as they both drifted off, the quiet of Grimmauld Place felt a little less oppressive, the weight of their shared struggles lighter now that they didn't have to bear them alone.
Life wasn't simple, and it became glaringly obvious that as Remus felt better, Sirius seemed to feel worse. His sneezes were becoming more frequent and harsh, and the congestion was getting worse by the hour. At least Sirius had admitted to being sick, making Remus's life a little easier. More importantly, Sirius could take Pepper-Up Potion, a luxury Remus didn't have.
For Remus, the potion was a no-go, its aconite content making it dangerous for him in large enough doses to be effective. He couldn't risk it. But Sirius could—and Remus was determined to find some for him.
After a bit of a lie-in with Sirius finally dozing off, Remus slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb him. Sirius looked paler now, his breathing heavy but steady as he slept. Remus sighed softly, guilt tugging at him. He needed to get Sirius some proper relief, and Pepper-Up would do the trick.
Remus wandered the house, searching every corner and cupboard he could think of, hoping to stumble upon a forgotten stash of potions. But Grimmauld Place, always filled with unpleasant surprises, offered nothing in the way of useful wizarding remedies.
He leaned against the kitchen counter, frustration and exhaustion creeping in. Going out to get the potion wasn't impossible, but he wasn't fully recovered himself, and the idea of braving the cold and bustling streets didn't appeal to him at all. He hated the idea of leaving Sirius alone when he was clearly getting worse.
That's when he remembered Nymphadora. Of course. Why hadn't he thought of her sooner? She'd be more than willing to help—she was family, after all, and close to Sirius.
Remus quickly grabbed a piece of parchment and scribbled a note:
Nymphadora,
It's Padfoot's turn to be under the weather, and he's feeling worse by the minute. Any chance you could grab some Pepper-Up Potion for me? I can't leave him right now, and I'm still not fully back on my feet.
Thanks,Moony
After sealing the note, he attached it to the owl and sent it off, watching the bird disappear into the grey morning sky. With that done, Remus returned to the bedroom, quietly slipping back into bed beside Sirius.
Sirius stirred slightly, his brow furrowing as he sniffled, but he didn't wake. Remus watched him for a moment, the guilt returning. He still felt responsible for Sirius catching this cold, knowing full well how much Sirius had pushed himself to care for him.
"Hang in there," Remus whispered softly, settling into the covers again. With Tonks on her way to help, they just had to wait a little longer.
Remus was downstairs, carefully preparing tea, trying to be as quiet as possible so as not to disturb Sirius, who was finally getting some much-needed sleep. The kettle was just about to boil when he heard the front door creak open. A moment later, there was a familiar sound—the distinct shuffle and stumble that could only mean one thing.
Tonks.
Remus reacted instinctively, darting out of the kitchen just in time to see Tonks about to collide with the infamous troll-leg umbrella stand. She was mid-trip, her arms flailing in a desperate attempt to regain balance, but it was too late.
Without thinking, Remus lunged forward and caught her just before she could fully go down. He barely managed to stop the fall, his arm around her waist and his heart pounding as they avoided another inevitable round of Walburga Black's shrieking portrait.
"Whoa, steady there," Remus muttered, steadying her on her feet as she let out a breathless laugh.
"Merlin, thanks, Remus," Tonks said, blinking up at him with wide, startled eyes. "That bloody umbrella stand's out to get me, I swear."
Remus chuckled, but as he straightened up, a sudden wave of embarrassment washed over him. He realised, with a jolt, that he was still clad in nothing but his pyjamas and an old house robe, his hair a sweaty, greasy mess. He hadn't had the chance to shower yet after all the chaos of the past few days. The exhaustion from his cold was still lingering, and he hadn't put much thought into his appearance—until now.
And now he was standing in front of Nympadora, of all people, in this state.
Tonks, who had been kind of interested in him, as they had discussed with Sirius not too long ago. Remus felt his face heat up, a faint flush creeping up his neck. It wasn't just the dishevelled state that embarrassed him—it was the thought of her seeing him like this after everything Sirius had pointed out.
"Uh… sorry about that," Remus mumbled, suddenly very aware of how rumpled and unkempt he must look. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, avoiding her gaze. "I wasn't really expecting you to get here this early."
Tonks, of course, didn't seem to notice—or if she did, she didn't care. She gave him a lopsided grin, brushing off the near fall as if it were nothing. "No need to apologise! You saved me from crashing headfirst into that troll-leg nightmare, so I'd say we're even."
Remus forced a smile, still acutely aware of how ridiculous he must look. "Yeah, well, I guess we'll call it even."
Tonks's eyes flicked over him briefly, but if she found his appearance amusing or embarrassing, she didn't let it show. Instead, she held up the small bag in her hand, shaking it lightly. "Got the Pepper-Up Potion you asked for," she said brightly as if the near fall had never happened.
Remus exhaled in relief, grateful for the distraction. "Thanks, Nymphadora. You're a lifesaver." He reached out to take the bag of potions, trying to focus on the task at hand rather than the fact that he felt like a walking mess.
"So I've been told," Tonks chuckled since that was the same thing Sirius had said. Not that Remus knew that. "Also don't call me Nymphadora."
"I'll be sure to remember that," he chuckled.
As he turned back toward the kitchen, he caught a glimpse of himself in the reflection of the hallway mirror, and his heart sank a little. It was as bad as he had feared. His hair was sticking up in odd directions, his robe was loose and rumpled, and there was no denying how haggard he looked. He winced inwardly, hoping Tonks hadn't noticed how worn out he was—or worse, hadn't noticed too much after their recent conversation.
"You alright, Remus?" Tonks's voice broke through his thoughts, her tone light but laced with concern.
Remus cleared his throat, giving her a sheepish smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just… still getting over this cold. Sirius has been keeping me busy," he added, trying to divert attention away from himself.
Tonks nodded sympathetically, her gaze softening. "I figured as much. How's he doing?"
"Not great," Remus admitted, his face growing more serious. "Probably not worse than I was, but I'm hoping the Pepper-Up will help him turn a corner faster than I did."
Tonks smiled, though there was a hint of affection in her eyes. "I'm sure it will. You're a good nurse, you know."
Remus chuckled weakly, still feeling a little off-balance. "Well, I've had plenty of practice." He paused, then added quickly, "I should probably get this up to him before he wakes up and starts feeling worse."
Tonks nodded, stepping aside to let him pass. "I'll let you get back to it, then. If you need anything else, just owl me."
Remus gave her a grateful smile, clutching the potion to his chest. "Thanks, Dora. I appreciate it."
It felt weird calling her by her last name to her face, and when she made no objection to the shortened form of her name, he mentally adjusted to use that from now on.
As he hurried back up the stairs, still feeling self-conscious but grateful for her help, Remus couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt mixed with a strange flutter of something else. He didn't know how to handle Tonks's affections—especially not when he felt so… dishevelled, inside and out. But for now, his focus had to be on Sirius.
The rest could wait.
When Remus made his way back upstairs, tea and Pepper-Up Potion in hand, he found Sirius sitting up in bed, finishing an impressively loud nose blow into a handkerchief. Sirius looked utterly miserable, his hair a tangled mess, eyes puffy, and his face pale except for the feverish flush high on his cheeks. But when he spotted Remus holding the potion, his face lit up, and despite his congestion, he grinned.
"You're Merlin's gift to wizardkind," Sirius declared dramatically, his voice muffled but clearly grateful as he eyed the Pepper-Up like it was a lifeline.
Remus smirked, setting the tea down on the bedside table before holding up the potion. "I figured you could use it."
Sirius, still looking a bit out of it, reached for the potion eagerly, but then, just as he was about to take it, a flicker of concern crossed his face. His hand hesitated mid-reach as he glanced at Remus with a furrowed brow.
"Please tell me you didn't go out to get it," Sirius said, his voice low but serious. His eyes scanned Remus quickly, searching for any sign of strain.
Remus blinked, momentarily thrown off by the question, but he quickly shook his head. "No, I didn't," he reassured, though he couldn't help feeling a little touched that Sirius had been worried. "I asked Dora to pick it up for me."
Sirius visibly relaxed, letting out a long breath as he leaned back against the pillows. "Good," he muttered, taking the potion from Remus's hands. "Last thing I need is for you to run yourself ragged just to get me a bottle of Pepper-Up."
It spoke volumes of how he was feeling, if Sirius didn't even comment on the new nickname Remus had come up for Tonks.
Remus chuckled softly as he sat on the edge of the bed, watching Sirius uncork the bottle of Pepper-Up Potion. "I wouldn't have gone out anyway," he said, a playful glint in his eyes. "Can't leave you here without supervision. I'd expect the house to burn down by the time I came back."
Sirius, mid-sip of the potion, lowered the bottle and shot Remus an indignant look. "Hey, I resent that!" he exclaimed, though the playful spark in his eyes matched Remus's. "Although," he added with a smirk, "with this being Grimmauld Place, you're probably not far off. Barely tolerate this bloody house on a good day, let alone when I'm sick."
Remus laughed, shaking his head. "You and me both."
Sirius sighed dramatically, setting the empty potion bottle down on the nightstand. "Honestly, I don't know what's worse—being stuck in this miserable place or being stuck here while coughing up a lung."
Remus smiled softly, settling into the chair beside the bed. "At least now you've got some help. Hopefully, that Pepper-Up will work its magic soon, and you'll be feeling like yourself again."
Sirius leaned back against the pillows, closing his eyes as he felt the warmth of the potion slowly start to ease his symptoms, ears slightly steaming. "Thanks, Moony," he muttered, his voice quieter now. "You're a better nurse than I deserve."
Remus rolled his eyes fondly, though his smile remained. "Just get some sleep, Pads. We'll both be better off once you've rested."
Sirius gave a tired nod, his breathing already starting to even out as the potion did its work. As he drifted off, Remus stayed by his side, content to watch over him for now, knowing that the worst was finally behind them.
