In the Closet
a Harry Potter story
by Tina
Remus Lupin stumbled awkwardly out of the floo and into the Potter family kitchen. He coughed slightly and tried to brush the ashes from his clothing.
"Remus," the kind voice of James' mother greeted him, offering a warm hug. "We're delighted that you've been able to come and visit after all."
"Thank you Mrs. Potter. It was so kind of you to invite me." He replied somewhat shyly. It was the first time that Remus had ever been to a friend's home to stay and he was extremely nervous. He was also wondering where in the world James and Sirius were, but didn't want to be impolite and ask.
"Well James speaks so highly of you, how could we not!" She smiled and set down a small brown bottle that she had been holding. "You must be wondering where the boys are!" Remus nodded and she continued. "James had to run to Diagon Alley for me, and well, as for Sirius, I just don't know where's he's gotten himself to."
"James had been waiting for him to wake up before he left, but he wanted to be back when you came so he decided to let him sleep in after all. Poor dear has a bit of a cold." She frowned slightly and Remus felt a twinge of guilt.
He knew how Sirius had gotten sick, it really was all his fault. The moon had been just a few days earlier. James and Sirius had wanted to come to his family's home and be with him for his transformation , but he had refused. It was much to dangerous for them to be performing the animagus transformation out and away from Hogwarts, and he also really hadn't wanted them to see the tiny shed and the rusted chains that he used to transform at home. They had argued back and forth by owl, and in the end Remus had refused to answer the last post. When his father had escorted him in to the shed, through the wild rainstorm that had suddenly blown up, he had been aware of Padfoot's smell. He couldn't see him anywhere, but he knew he was there.
He had struggled to control the panic he felt bubbling up inside him. It wasn't safe for Padfoot alone, and he could tell that he was alone. Where was James, he didn't want to hurt Sirius....
His father had noticed his building anxiety, but put it off to the moon. "It'll be all right son," he tried to offer comfort as he locked the chains onto Remus' arms and legs. "The morning will come, just like always..."
"Remus.... Dear, are you all right?" He shook his head, to clear the memories and bring himself back to Mrs. Potter. "You're looking a little pale, are you feeling ill?"
"I'm fine ma'am, I'm sorry."
"No need to be sorry dear, why don't you go up to James room and rest a bit until the boys turn up. His room is right at the top of the stairs."
"Thank you Mrs. Potter, I think I'll do that." He grabbed his bag and headed upstairs to James' room. He really was exhausted, but mostly he just wanted to find Sirius.
It had only been three days since the moon, and normally his mother would only have just let him out of bed at this point. She had staunchly refused to allow him to accept the Potter's invitation to go and stay the last week of summer break. That is until she received an owl from her mother, Remus' elderly grandfather was ill and he was demanding to see his daughter. She had stressed and fretted over what to do. She knew she needed to go, but she has so worried about Remus. She really didn't think her husband would be able to give him the care he needed, he really needed a mother's attention.
Finally it was Remus' father who suggested they accept the Potter's invitation. Mrs. Lupin had reluctantly flooed Mrs. Potter who told her that of course the invitation was still open. Mrs. Lupin told her that Remus had just gotten over being ill and that he was a very fragile boy. Mrs. Potter assured her that she would watch him closely. Remus didn't care how it came to be, he was just happy to be going to be with his friends.
He found James' bedroom and set his bag down on a chair. He looked around for moment , and then flopped himself down on one of the two beds in the room. The bed was soft and comfortable, and sleep was calling to him, but he was still worried about Sirius. Most likely he had hurried on to catch up with James in Diagon Alley, but it seemed strange that Sirius hadn't waited for him to arrive.
He had been lying on the bed for a few minutes still pondering Sirius' whereabouts when he heard a strange sound. He sat up on the edge of the bed, trying to determine the origin of the sound. After another minute he heard the sound again. He stood up and walked around the room, listening intently. After a moment he noticed the closet door previously hidden by the open bedroom door, He listened closely at the door and then heard the sound a third time. This time, it was quite clearly the sound of a sneeze, specifically the sneeze of one Sirius Black.
Slowly, he opened the closet door to see Sirius curled up with a blanket lying on the closet floor. "Bless you Padfoot." He whispered smiling slightly at the sight before him.
Sirius looked up and smiled widely, "Moony! You're here!" He sat up and his head suddenly snapped forward, "Hetsccchhhh!!!! ETCHOOOOO!!!!!" He sniffled wetly and swiped his and under his nose. "Excuse me."
"Oh Pads, I'm sorry you're sick. It's all my fault." Remus kneeled down beside his friend. And offered his handkerchief.
"I'm fine Moony. And it's not your fault!" Sirius gratefully accepted the handkerchief and swiped at his nose..
"I know you were there, when I...... I could sense you. You shouldn't have come..."
"Don't be silly, I had to come. I needed to know that you were okay." Sirius cleared his throat, sniffling again.
"But it was such a stormy night, so cold and now you're sick," he paused for a moment taking in his surroundings, "And, for some reason , hiding in a closet."
Sirius grinned, "Who said I was hiding?"
"I believe Mrs. Potter was looking for you when I came in, and you usually don't spend much time hanging out in closets.."
"It's a very comfortable closet you know..."
"Padfoot, what's going on?" Remus' tone was slightly more firm. "Is something wrong?"
"No Moony, nothing's wrong." Sirius looked slightly embarrassed.
"What is it Padfoot?" Remus persisted fearing something serious.
"I.... I um ... didn't want any Pepper Up."
Remus smiled in relief, "You're hiding from Pepper Up?"
Sirius nodded sheepishly, and the sneezed again wetly, "Hehhhhishhhhh!! Ishoooooo!!! You know how I hate it."
"Oh Padfoot, you are just too much! Give me a kiss, I was so worried ,you git!" He leaned in for a kiss, but Sirius raised him hand to stop him.
"No kisses Moony, I don't want you to catch my cold."
"I'll be fine, just one kiss, please?"
"No way! I'm not taking any chances with my Moony so close to the moon. How are you feeling?"
"I'm good, a little tired still , but that's it."
Sirius scooted over, "Well here, lie down. There's plenty of room."
"I really think you've gone daft!"
"It's a perfect lovely closet. Come on Moony."
Smiling, Remus stretched out beside Sirius who pulled the closet door shut and lie down with his mate. "S'much nicer here now though." He spread the covers over Remus and snuggled up beside him, nuzzling his chest.
"I guess, you're right," Remus yawned sleepily, his fatigue taking over, "It's a very nice closet, lovely accommodations..."
"Nothing but the best for my Moony." Sirius yawned, drifting off to sleep.
It was several hours later when James finally found them, arms and legs intertwined , blankets wrapped tightly around them. It was the sound of Sirius' congested snores that finally gave them away. James watched his friends for a minute or two before he softly closed the door and returned to the kitchen.
"You wouldn't believe it if I told you," he reported to his mother, "But they are both sleeping. Do you think it's all right to leave them until supper is ready?"
"I'm sure it's fine James. They both need the rest."
James grinned to himself, realizing that Moony and Padfoot were probably getting more rest in the closet than they would be if they were actually in bed.
Author's Notes: Written in honor of tarotgal's birthday. Last year for tg's birthday I wrote a fic with the puppies hiding in a closet, and I have decided that it must be a tradition to have puppies in a closet for tg's bday.