Nothing belongs to me o' course. 'Cept the plot.

Contains- Slash.

Chapter 1- The Train Ride to Hogwarts: 5th Year

Sirius black stumbled onto the train lugging his trunk behind him. He already has his school robes on, unlike everyone else. Although everyone else didn't have to hide the bruises either. He made his way through the crowded hallways and when he came upon the last room on the left he walked in slamming the door shut. Inside three bodies jumped, but Sirius barely noticed. He threw his trunk up on the empty rail space and sat down beside the window.

The compartment was silent for a moment but soon carried on with conversation of the summer. The other three, James, Remus and Peter were used to Sirius' summer mood changes. It happened everytime he went home. What they didn't know was that each trip since their third year had gotten steadily worse. Sirius leaned his aching head against the cool window. Now his father had taken to beating him. At first it had only been his mother, but somehow he had pissed off his father. Now they both took turns.

Sirius felt Remus gently insert his fingers into Sirius' hand. Sirius squeezed them, a little sign that he didn't want to talk right now. Instead of squeezing back as he usually did Remus leaned on him.

"We saw what your father did, Sirius. Hell, the whole train station saw it."

Sirius turned toward Remus. Blue stormy eyes held brown honeyed ones until Sirius took his hood off. Remus carefully brushed the already bruised skin of Sirius' right cheek. James looked at the bruise and his face took an angered expression.

"I can't believe no one did or said anything," James said disgusted, "They have no right."

"What happened to make him do this?" Remus asked.

"I..don't know," Sirius answered truthfully, "I was going to get on the train when he pulled me toward him and smacked the crap out of me. He goes through so many moods toward me. One day he'll tolerate me the next he'll hate me."

Sirius swallowed painfully. His throat was sore and he coughed. The door slid opened and Lily Evans stood there.

"Remus did you forget? We have duties," She said giving James a smile. He had won her heart over the summer.

Remus gave a sheepish smile and stood up. He gave Sirius a small kiss on the forehead and followed Lily out. James leaned back on the seat, clearly in a state of pure love. Sirius rolled his eyes and laid down. The light was hurting his eyes and he closed them.

"Don't forget to wake me up when the train stops. After all, we don't want a recap of fourth year."

James grinned. "I was pulling out gray hair from my ears for weeks. Don't worry we'll wake you."

Sirius turned over, pulling his robe over him tighter. He wanted to ask if it was cold in here or just him, but the movement of the train pulled him into a heavy sleep.

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Remus shook Sirius' shoulder hard. Sirius was an extraordinarly hard sleeper which caused problems most of the time. Especially when they got hold of some firewhiskey. Then when morning came it was even harder to get the animagus awake.

"Siri, wake up! We're at school," Remus said.

Sirius sat up and blinked trying to force his eyes open. Remus pulled him out of the compartment and off the train. Sirius finally woke up enough to get into the carriages by himself. Sirius noticed his throat was still sore, if not even worse than before. His head was also pounding. He shivered as a chill made its way through his body. The carriages made their way to the castle and for once the conversation inside the maruaders' carriage was quiet and calm. Remus leaned toward Sirius.

"Are you okay? You look pale and flushed."

Sirius looked over. "I think I'm getting sick," Sirius replied softly. He brought his hand covering a well timed cough.

Remus pulled Sirius closer to him and Sirius was grateful for the warmth. The cold rain outside was an unwelcomed wake up call. Sirius almost fell asleep again but the carriage came to a stop and they walked the short walk to the castle and into the Great Hall. The marauders sat in their usual spots and Lily sooned joined them, taking her seat. James grabbed her hands, blowing on them.

"James I'm ok. It's not that cold out there."

"I don't want you getting sick, like ol' Padfoot here," James motioned with his and her hands.

Lily looked over there at Sirius, whose head was down on the table. Remus was holding a whispered conversation with him and when Remus picked his head up, Lily could see Remus was worried and a bit annoyed. He caught her eye and Remus shook his head. Lily knew that Sirius hated going to Madam Pomfrey and wouldn't unless it was life or death.

The rest of the meal passed by with rather quickly in James' opinion and they headed up to the dorms. Remus was grateful when Lily said she could do their duties by herself. It left him to stay with Sirius, who still refused to go to the hospital wing. Remus dragged Sirius out of the crowd and up a different route to the Fat Lady. They arrived before anyone else and since Sirius was a Prefect he already knew the password.

"Firewhiskey."

Sirius gave a small smile. "I love that password."

"I thought you would," Remus answered softly.

Remus made Sirius sit on the bed and bent down ready to take off his shoes. Sirius grabbed his hands.

"I'm sick, not dying nor invalid," Sirius replied, "But I thank you anyway."

Remus sat up beside Sirius on the bed. Sirius gave a fake smile and looked forward. Remus watched Sirius' eyes get red and a few tears fall.

"I'm sorry Sirius," Remus whispered pulling Sirius into a hug. Sirius clutched Remus tightly, trying not to give into the sob that wanted out. It was no use though. Thinking about how much had happened over the summer and the love that Remus gave unconditionally, Sirius lost control.

The door opened slowly behind Sirius and Remus saw James walk in softly. The bespectabled teen walked over there and kneeled in front of them. Sirius let go of Remus in almost a reluctant manner and faced his best friend.

"Listen, Padfoot, I've been thinking and I talked it over with my parents. They said they'd love to have you until we come of age."

Sirius sniffed and gave a weak smile. "Yeah I'd like that."

James grinned. "Good, it's set. I'll send an owl tomorrow morning. Get some rest, Sirius."

James left the room and by a strangled cry Remus thought James must have grabbed Peter as he was walking by. Remus shook his head as Sirius let out a cough. And another one. And another. And another.

"You alright?"

Sirius nodded not able to talk yet. Finally he calmed down and threw his shoes off, snuggling deep in the blankets. Remus began walking to his own bed when Sirius grabbed his hand.

"Stay with me, please? It's cold."

Remus smiled. "You know I can't resist you."

"I know it."

Remus pulled his own shoes off, getting into comfortable pajamas. He then crawled in beside Sirius taking him in his arms. Sirius was asleep in seconds. Remus on the other hand was awake. He heard James and Peter tiptoe in, get dressed and get into bed. He was awake when Peter started his heavy snoring and James slapped a pillow over the rat's face. Finally as the waning moon was dimming, Remus closed his eyes welcoming the long coming sleep.

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Remus yawned over his parchment. He almost wished that he could change places with Sirius, who was sleeping. Although it wasn't exactly peaceful sleep. Sirius was terribly clogged up and Remus thought he felt hints of a fever. Remus sighed as he turned the page of his transfiguration book. The words blurred together and Remus knew he was impossible. He would just have to do it tonight. The bell rang to change classes and Remus stood up, yawning again. James poked his shoulder.

"We have Binns' class next. I can take notes until you get there," James offered, Lily at his shoulder.

Remus smiled gratefully. "Yeah sure. I'll meet you there."

And with that he headed up to Gryffindor's tower. He entered their dorms and walked over to the empty bed. Setting his books at the end of it, Remus wondered where Sirius could be. Then he heard the sound of retching coming from the bathroom. Remus winced a bit at the sound. He waited until Sirius had stopped before joining the sick pup in the bathroom. Sirius was leaning against the toliet, his flushed face shining with a thin layer of sweat. He looked up when he heard echoed footsteps.

"Hey Moony," Sirius greeted hoarsly, "Aren't you supposed to be in Binns?"

I came to check up on you," Remus said kneeling down, "Why don't you just go to Madam Pomfrey, Siri? It's obvious you're really sick."

Sirius didn't answer. Instead he turned back to the toliet, dry heaving. Remus conjured up a wet rag and held it to Sirius' forehead. It was a few minutes before Sirius got his heaving under control.

"Are you alright to move back to the bed? I'll bring a trash can so you don't have to move again."

Sirius shook his head slightly and Remus was confused. "Sirius, there's nothing in your stomach. Surely you can't-"

But Sirius leaned over the toliet once again. Remus watched in worry. He didn't think that Sirius simply had a stomach virus, as he watched the knuckles of Sirius' hands turn white.

When Sirius had stopped Remus questioned him. "Do you think maybe your parents.."

"Poisoned me? Wouldn't be the first time," Sirius replied tonelessly. At Remus' horrified look he added hastily, "Long story, but no they couldn't have. I never once ate nor drank what they had. James sent me food and drink secretly all summer."

Remus let out a breath that he didn't know hw was holding. Then a thought came to him. "Have you ever had the flu before?"

Sirius shook his head and stood up shakily. Remus grabbed him under his arms and they made it slowly to the bed. Sirius collapsed on it, crawling in it. Every part of his body ached.

"That's it. Come on, you're going to Madam Pomfrey."

"But you should go to class.." Sirius protested weakly.

Remus grabbed Sirius back out of the bed and kept a tight arm around his shoulders. Remus only stopped to throw a blanket around Sirius and then they were marching down to the hospital wing. Remus walked in, basically pulling Sirius now. Madam Pomfrey walked over to them.

"What is it, Mr. Lupin," She asked her voice having none of its usual briskness. Sirius teased Remus endlessly on how the old nurse had a soft spot for Remus.

"Sirius is sick. I think he may have the flu."

"The flu? Hmm, w'll see, now won't we. Bring him over here and then you can report back to class."

Remus dropped Sirius off and with a sneaky kiss behind Madam Pomfrety's back walked out, ignoring Sirius' calls of "You'll pay for this!"

Remus ran all the way to Binns' class and managed to slam into his seat before the ghost turned around. James looked at him. Peter was on James' left, doodling on his paper. He looked up when James' elbow accidently hit him.

"I said I'd take notes for the beginning of class not almost half of it. Anyway, how's Padfoot?"

"With Madam Pomfrey. I think he has the flu."

James winced. "I'm glad I've already had it. Have you?"

"Yeah," Remus said taking the notes, "Now hush, I'm trying to listen."

James grinned and laid his head down. He earned this nap.