Sirius Black entered the Gryffindor dormitory carrying a large steaming mug of hot chocolate. As he entered the room he was greeted by the sound of violent sneezing from his dormmate Remus Lupin. "Etchhhhhhh!!! Ishooooooo!!! Hetcchoooooooo!!!!! Hetchooooo!!!"

He made his way over to the bed, watching his friend with sympathy and concern. He sat the mug on Remus' bedside table and sat down on the edge of his bed. "Bless you Moony, " he said softly, resting his hand gently on Remus' arm.

"Thanks," Remus uttered in a thickly congested voice and turned away from Sirius to give a long wet gurgling blow into his handkerchief. "Ughhh.... sorry Pads, that was disgusting!"

"Don't be silly Moony, you don't need to be sorry! How are you feeling, any better?" Sirius asked hopefully.

Remus shook his head, "Awful..." he managed before breaking off into a small fit of coughing.

Sirius looked worried, "You sound awful too Moony. Are you sure you don't want to go down and see what Pomfrey can do for you?"

"No!" he croaked, shaking his head. "Please, I don't want to go back to the infirmary again. I'll be fine. I can just sleep it off here." Sirius looked skeptical but nodded. He agreed that Remus was forced to spend far to much time in the infirmary due to his condition, and anything they could do to keep him out would be worth it.

Sirius suddenly remembered the hot chocolate, he had brought it up from breakfast, knowing Remus wouldn't be hungry, but hoping at least the liquid form of his favorite food would help him feel better. "Oh," Sirius picked up the mug, " I almost forgot I brought you a drink..."

Remus looked at the cup and groaned, "Oh, please Padfoot, no more tea! I've been drowning in it for days, anything but tea" He whispered hoarsely.

Sirius smiled widely at him, grateful he had chosen the hot chocolate over the tea that James had suggested. "It's not tea you git, it's hot chocolate."

A small smile came to Remus' face. "Hot chocolate, really?"

Sirius nodded, "I thought it might help you feel at least a little bit better...."

Remus nodded gratefully, "I'm sure it will. Thank you Padfoot...." He was about to reach out for the mug but then froze as he felt another impending sneeze. He held out his hand for Sirius to wait and then quickly brought the handkerchief up to his face, and turned away from his friend. "Ehhhhh.... ehhhhh... ETCHOOOOOO!!!! Ahhhchooooo!!!!! Ishoooooo!!!!! Etchoooooo!!!!!!! Ishhhhhhhhh!!!!!" He paused for a moment, trying to catch his breath as more sneezes threatened. "Etchooooooo!!!!! Ishooooooo!!!!!! Etchhhhhh!!!!!"

Sirius sat beside him feeling helpless. "You alright there Moony?" He asked trying not to sound as worried as he felt.

Remus nodded his head while blowing his nose once again. "I'm fine Pads, it's just a cold, a rotten cold, but still just a cold.

Sirius looked unconvinced, but tried to smile reassuringly at his friend. He waited as Remus positioned himself in bed, then he handed over the hot chocolate. Remus took a small sip and then closed his eyes in pleasure. "Mmmmmm." Sirius smiled approvingly as Remus slowly sipped the warm drink.

They sat in silence for several minutes until the thumping of feet was heard coming up the stairs to the dormitory. Sirius listened for a moment, "James." He stated and Remus nodded in agreement. After a few more seconds he added, "Without Peter."

At that moment James Potter burst into the room and made his way over to Remus' bed. "How're you feeling Moony?" He asked sitting on the edge of Remus' bed opposite Sirius.

"About the same James, thanks." Remus tried to clear his throat without much success. "Where's Peter?"

James shrugged, "I dunno, McGonagall called him over when we were leaving the Great Hall. Do you need anything? Is there anything I can get you that Nurse Padfoot may have forgotten?"

Remus grinned as Sirius punched James in the arm. "I think I have everything I need James." He rushed through these words and brought this handkerchief up to his face once again, as Sirius grabbed the hot chocolate and set it back on the bedside table. "Etchoooooooo!!!! Hehchooooooo!!!! Excuse me." He mumbled with some embarrassment, wiping his nose, not wanting to give a disgusting blow in front of James.

"Bless you mate. You sure you're okay Remus? Do you think you should go to hospital?" James asked, beginning to worry about his friend.

Remus shook his head, " 'Mm not going. I'm fine." He tried to sound adamant but quickly broke off into another coughing spell.

"That was very convincing mate, you definitely sound fine. Wouldn't you agree Padfoot?"

"Definitely James," Sirius played along, rubbing Remus' back. "I'd say he sounds as healthy as a horse."

"Oh just shut up you two!" Remus managed weakly, finally catching his breath. " I don't want to spend any more time there than I have to."

That put an end to the discussion, as neither boy really wanted to send Remus against his will. Sirius handed Remus back his hot chocolate and James rose to get ready for Quidditch practice. "Well, I'm off to practice, but I'll be back before lunch to check in. Feel better Remus." He ruffled Remus' hair and began to gather his Quidditch gear.

A few minutes later as James was ready to leave, more footsteps were heard on the stairs, these were slightly slower and heavier. "Peter" Remus and Sirius spoke simultaneously and grinned, then noted another set of footsteps.

"Who's with him I wonder?" James asked. His question was answered by the sound of a voice outside the dormitory.

"Mr Pettigrew, for goodness sakes, slow down and walk like a gentleman!"

"McGonagall?" James asked looking at Sirius and Remus who nodded with equally puzzled looks on their faces.

"What did you two do?" Remus asked hoarsely.

"Nothing!" Sirius tried to look offended to Remus who looked doubtful.

James nodded in agreement, "He's right Moony this time we're innocent.." James began as the dormitory door burst open.

Peter stumbled in, panting and looking sheepish. "Sorry Remus, I didn't mean to...."

Minerva McGonagall entered the dormitory. "Mr Lupin, I missed you at breakfast and when I asked Mr Pettigrew where you were, he said you were feeling a bit under the weather."

"I'm fine Professor," Remus began his voice faint and hoarse.

"He's just got a head cold Professor, he's not really ill." Sirius interjected and Remus shot him a grateful look.

She made her way over to the bed, examining him critically and feeling his forehead to check for fever. Sirius mentally chastised himself for not thinking to do the same.

She looked him over intently for several minutes before speaking. "Well, you don't seem to have a fever, but you're really not looking well Remus. Do you need to go and see Poppy?"

"No Professor, I'm sure that I'm alright, I'm just going to take it easy and rest today." Remus almost pleaded

"I'll be here with him Professor." Sirius added, "I'll make sure that he's alright."

"Well, as long as you promise me you'll go to the infirmary if you feel any worse...."

"I will." Remus breathed a sigh of relief.

"We'll be sure to bring him if he gets any worse Professor, " James added and Sirius and Peter nodded in agreement.

"All right then boys, thank you. Remus, I'm trusting your judgement on this. Get some rest and feel better soon" She patted his arm softly and made her way back out of the dorm. The boys called their thanks as she left.

"I'm sorry!" Peter began as soon as she was gone, " She asked where Remus was and I didn't even think, I just told her he was up here resting because he wasn't feeling well."

"Merlin Peter, you don't ever think, that's the problem..." there was anger in Sirius' voice.

A loud sneeze interrupted his scolding, "ETCHOOOOOO!!!!" the anger on his face quickly dissipated as he turned to Remus. "Sirius," Remus sniffed, "Could you please get me a fresh handkerchief, I'm afraid this one just won't do anymore." He held up the now sodden peace of cloth.

"Of course Moony, bless you." Sirius squeezed his shoulder and headed to the dresser drawer to retrieve more handkerchiefs for Remus, shooting Peter a threatening look.

Remus then turned to Peter who was looking ever grateful for the interruption."S'all right Peter. Don't worry about it." Remus reassured him.

Peter looked even more grateful. "I am sorry Moony." He glanced over warily towards Sirius who was turning back from Remus' dresser. "I need to go to the library, I'll be back to see you later Remus. Hope you feel better." He spoke as quickly as he could and then turned and ran out of the room, followed by the angry glare of Sirius Black.

"Padfoot," James shook his head, "You shouldn't be so hard on him, you know he means well." James patted Sirius on the shoulder. "Well I'm off lads, feel better Remus. I'll bring you some soup up for lunch after practice.

"Thanks James." Remus replied, wondering if he would even want any soup. The hot chocolate was the only thing that had seemed appealing for days.

He turned to Sirius as James left, "You really are too hard on him Sirius...."

Sirius returned to Remus' bed with a stack of his own handkerchiefs, embroidered with the Black family crest. "I can't help it, he's such a git sometimes! He deserves it." He placed the handkerchiefs on the table and handed one to Remus. "You were out, so I had to get you some of these horrible Black family handkerchiefs."

Remus accepted it gratefully and turned to blow his nose, noting immediately how much nicer and softer the fabric was than his own handkerchiefs. After finishing he turned back to Sirius, "He does mean well though, like James said...."

"Ok, fine, I'll be nicer next time," Sirius sighed, "It's just that McGonagall could've made you go back to hospital, and I know you want to be here. With me taking care of you instead of that old hag...."

"Sirius! Stop that she is not a hag," Remus tried to look stern but was too tired to maintain it. He was exceedingly grateful to Madame Pomfrey for her care and would never let the Marauders speak badly of her. "Besides McGonagall didn't make me go, so no harm done."

"Sorry, Moony I was just joking." Sirius grinned, though he wouldn't admit it, he too was grateful for all the care that Madame Pomfrey gave Remus, and the kind way that she always treated him, despite her awareness of his affliction. "More hot chocolate?" He held up the mug and Remus nodded.

The same faint smile returned to Remus's face as he tasted the warm drink. He sipped slowly for several minutes before speaking. "You know Padfoot, this is the first thing that has actually tasted good to me for days."

Sirius smiled widely, glad that he had been able to do anything to help Moony feel better, but not able too resist an opening he replied, "Well, that's only because you haven't tasted me for days!"

Remus chuckled and opened his eyes. "You could be right, but I don't think I'm up for anything more than hot chocolate at this point." His face froze in a familiar expression and Sirius reached quickly for the mug, and replaced it with a handkerchief. "Ishooooooo!!!! Ehhhhchooooo!!!! Etchaaa!!! 'Scuse me." Remus mumbled, looking somewhat embarrassed, his nose buried in the handkerchief.

Sirius pushed his bangs gently back from his forehead after Remus wiped his nose. "Bless you Moony. I wish I could do something to help you feel better....." He spoke softly.

"You are helping me feel better Padfoot...." He paused, hearing once more the sound of footsteps on the stairs. He looked quizzically at Sirius.

"I dunno who that could be." Sirius replied handing Remus back the slightly less hot, hot chocolate. "Come in." He called in reply to the knock on the door.

Both looked up as Lily Evans entered the dormitory. "Remus how are you? James said that you were ill."

"Has a mouth as big as Wormtail, he does." Sirius mumbled as Remus smiled at Lily, and elbowed Sirius.

"I'm fine Lily, it's just a bit of a cold." He tried to rub discreetly at his tickling nose.

She made her way over to the bed, sitting as James had done opposite Sirius. And like Professor McGonagall she pressed her hand To Remus' forehead and to his cheeks. "Well, you don't seem to have a fever, but you really don't look well...."

"It's like she's channeling Minerva," Sirius muttered and Remus shot him a glare.

"Hmm?" Lily looked up absently towards Sirius, who just shrugged, an innocent look on his face. "Well anyway Remus, are you sure you're alright?"

"Really Lily, I'm fine," he paused raising his handkerchief for an ill timed sneeze, as Sirius once again took his mug. "Ishooooooo!!!! Excuse me." He wiped at his nose, but again refrained from blowing with anyone other than Sirius so nearby.

"Bless you," both Sirius and Lily offered with sympathetic looks on their faces, Sirius resting his hand on Remus' shoulder.

"I've already been told that you won't go the infirmary, but is there anything you need? Anything at all I can do for you?" Lily asked, rubbing Remus' arm.

"Thank you Lily, but I think I have everything I need. Sirius has been most attentive." He smiled lovingly at Sirius, who stuck his tongue out at the back of Lily's head.

"Well, alright then. I'll pop in later to see if you need anything." She turned to Sirius, "Please call me if you need any help, or want to take a break Sirius."

"Of course Lily, but I'm sure we'll be fine." Sirius replied, wishing that she would just hurry up and leave.

She leaned over, kissing the top of Remus' head. "Feel better Remus, I'll see you later."

"Right, thanks Lily," Remus replied, trying to hold of the next round of sneezing until she was out of the room.

Finally the door closed, and Sirius who had been watching his expression intently handed him an additional handkerchief grinning, "Didn't think you were going to make it until she was gone...."

Remus smiled in relief and brought the handkerchief up to his face. "ETCHOOOOOOO!!! Ishooooooo!!! Hetchooooo!!!! Ishhhhhhhh!!!!!" He paused, blowing his nose briefly, but the tickling continued. "Hetchooooo!!! Ishooooooo!!!! Hetchhhhh!!!" Finally finished he leaned back onto the pillows and closed his eyes.

"You alright Moony?" Sirius asked, looking worried.

Remus nodded, "Just tired Pads, and tired of sneezing." He sat back up and blew his nose thoroughly.

Sirius picked up the mug again, "I think it's cold chocolate by now, should I warm it for you?" Remus nodded and Sirius tapped his wand to the mug, uttering the warming charm. He handed the mug back to Remus, who accepted it gratefully.

"Are we expecting anyone else?" Sirius asked glancing at the door.

"Don't think so, "Remus responded hoarsely.

"Good," Sirius grinned, "Budge over."

"What're you doing?" Remus asked, looking up from his hot chocolate.

"What I've been trying to do since I came back from breakfast, climbing into bed to take care of you properly. The hot chocolate was only the beginning."

Remus smiled and slid over in the bed, still holding the mug, as Sirius climbed in. They sat in silence for several minutes as a sleepy Remus finished every last drop of hot chocolate, sighing contentedly. Sirius lie on his side curled up around Remus watching him intently. He took the mug as Remus finished, setting it on the table.

"How are you really feeling Moony?" Sirius asked, gently stroking Remus' hair.

"A bit better now. I think." Remus answered sleepily.

"Really?" Sirius asked

"Really."

"The hot chocolate helped then?"

"Well part of it was the hot chocolate, buts mostly I think it was you. You always know how to make me feel better Padfoot. Thank you." He snuggled into the chest of the man next to him, who embraced him tightly and smiled with relief.