Hey! I'm back! Sorry this is so short, but I have a super block right now. Any feedback would be wonderful!

When Poppy Pomfrey came out of her room to check on Remus, she was dumbfounded to see the teenage werewolf crying—sobbing-in the arms of Sirius Black. James Potter and Peter Pettigrew were kneeling beside the bed that held the two boys, looking stricken. Sirius himself was looking a little bit panicked, unsure of what to do now that one of his best friends had dissolved into tears at his hug. After a few minutes of this, Remus seemed to collect himself. He stopped the shuddering sobs, his breathing calmed down, and his shoulders relaxed. Sirius carefully released his friend, James and Peter held their breaths.

Remus laughed weakly. He scrubbed at his face with his sleeve and smiled tearfully at his scared-looking friends.

"You don't hate me?" He choked out.

"REMUS!" four exasperated voices yelled.

"Do you think we would have snuck here afterhours if we didn't want to talk to you again?" James grinned shakily.

"Probably!" Peter muttered. Poppy smiled, not doubting it.

"And do you think I would have let you cry all over my shirt if I was afraid of you?" Sirius sounded slightly strangled, but his smile was there. Remus touched the damp shirt gently.

"But I'm a monster! A werewolf! I'm a-"

"Yes, Remmie, you are a wolf! Who is were! You're also Remus Lupin, the smartest boy in all of Hogwarts!" Sirius spread his arms and beamed. Then he grabbed one of Remus's wrists and held it up so he could see the hand. "Does this look like a claw?"

"Not anymore." Remus mumbled, trying to pull his arm out of Siruis's grip.

"No, it doesn't." James overrode the blond. "Now shut up and tell us what the deal is? You really turn into a wolf every month?"

"Yes."

"Are there more?" Peter still looked a little pale.

"No, don't worry." Remus smiled at him sadly, "I'm the only one. But how—how did you find out?" This question was directed at Sirius, who was still holding his wrist, their hands resting on Remus's lap.

"Some blond kid thought your mum was...was one, and beat you up. But I saw you and Pomfrey walking toward the forest and connected it."

Remus's lips quirked up at the thought of his sweet, tiny mum turning into a werewolf. His smile dropped when James leaned forward curiously.

"Is it true that you don't remember anything when you turn? How do you get so hurt? Do you hurt yourself or do you fight with creatures in the forest? Do you really transform in the forest?"

"I think that's quite enough from you, boys." the healer decided it was time to intervene, as the wolf looked decidedly uncomfortable. "Remus needs to rest—he's had a hard night."

She had surprised the three visitors, all of whom jumped up and turned to look at her. It was as if they were expecting someone to attack Remus, the way they stood around him. When they realized it was just the young nurse Sirius and James started pleading for more time with the werewolf. Remus himself looked close to tears again and held out his arms like a child. Poppy moved over to the bed and he wrapped his arms around her waist and looked up at her imploringly.

"Dear Poppy, can my sweet, innocent little friends stay just a tiny bit longer? I promise the minute I get tired I'll send them away, and they won't get loud, and they'll be calm, and—"

"Yes, please?"

"We'll be good!"

"We won't keep him up!"

"I'll sing him a lullabye!"

"Oh, no, please, James!"

"What?"

"Hush!" Poppy smiled indulgently at the four begging boys. "You may have half and hour. Then go! And Remus," She looked down fiercely at the boy hugging her, "You need to sleep!"

After a rousing round of thanks, she left the Gryffindors to themselves. Remus smiled and lay back carefully. Sirius sat back on the bed, crossed his legs, and took Remus's hand again. Peter sat in the chair beside the bed and James lounged against Peter's legs.

"You know you don't have to stay here." Remus said softly, looking around. "I don't mind. I mean, you've got classes in the morning."

James rolled his eyes. "Remus, you couldn't make us leave if you had a wand and a spellbook. We just found out our friend is a werewolf and goes through wicked transformations every month. Sirius is holding you hand." He dodged a kick from a blushing Black and started laughing. Peter finished for him, smiling at the wolf.

"We're not going anywhere any time soon!"

"Besides," Sirius turned back to Remus, pink fading from his cheeks, "You haven't heard about James's latest stupidity. He had a piece of parchment and he was writing..."

"I was writing her name!" James looked stricken. "Over and over! I can't figure it out, Re! I just keep thinking of the red hair..."

By the end of the story, Remus was laughing and they were all yawning. When Poppy Pomfrey came out of her room to shoo the boys out, they were all asleep. She smiled and shook her head when she saw Sirius curled up on her charge's legs; they were still holding hands. Peter's head was lolling back in the chair and James had his head pillowed on Peter's lap. The healer conjured up blankets for the three and left, still smiling.

"Remus, you have such good friends. I just hope they don't scare easily."