Just Like Old Times
a Harry Potter story
by Tina
Remus Lupin looked up at his friend, his oldest and best friend Sirius Black and smiled. It was just like old times with Sirius taking care of him when he was ill after his transformation. And it was so like Sirius to remember his favorite soup, and exactly how he liked his tea. He realized that this was a side of Sirius that most who knew him would never see. Sirius could be so kind and nurturing to those close to him, to the friends he loved.
He felt the tears sting his eyes as he thought of all the lost years while Sirius was at Azkaban, the years he thought that Sirius had betrayed their friends. None of it had been true, yet he had believed it and that thought made him feel so disloyal.
"Oy, Remus where are you? Come on and eat your soup then you can go back to sleep." Sirius had given him a gentle poke in the arm.
"Sorry." Remus tried to smile and discreetly wipe his tears, "I was just off remembering the old times for a minute there. How you used to take care of me then as well."
"`Course I did. That's what friends are for. Now come on, just a little soup for me Remus."
Remus nodded and accepted the bowl of soup back from Sirius. "This is wonderful Sirius, thank you." He soon started sniffling as the warm soup made his nose run. He fumbled around on the bed for his handkerchief which Sirius retrieved for him, and then blew his nose wetly after handing the soup bowl back to Sirius.
He was about to take the bowl back from Sirius when he felt his nose start tickling again. He held his hand up for Sirius to wait. "Etchhhhh!!! Heshoooooo!!!!! Ishooooooo!!!!"
Sirius looked on, watching his friend with concern."Remus, " he shook his head. "What are we going to do with you?"
Remus sniffled wetly and dabbed at his nose, "Really Sirius," he croaked. "I'm fine........it's just .....heh......eh.... the sniffles......Hershooo!!! Etchoooo!!!! Ishhhh!!!!"
"Well that was very convincing Remus, " Sirius smirked at him. "You sound healthy as a horse."
"I'm fine. " Remus tried to speak with conviction, but it was really more of a croak. He smiled weakly at Sirius. "Oh, just give me that soup please !"
"Of course," Sirius gave a small bow and handed back the soup. "I'm at your service."
Remus eagerly took the bowl back and started on the soup. Sirius gave Remus a shove in the leg "Budge over will you Remus!" He ordered sitting on the edge of the bed.. Remus scooted over in the bed making room for Sirius.
Remus stopped eating for a moment fighting another tickle. Sirius again reached over for his soup bowl and retrieved the now damp handkerchief from the bed and handed it to Remus. Remus turned away from Sirius and covered his face as completely as he could with the handkerchief. "ETCHOOOOOO!!!!! Ishhhhhh!!! I'm sorry Sirius." he apologized hoarsely. "You probably shouldn't be so close, I don't want you to catch my cold."
"Oh Remus, don't worry about me. I never did catch your colds did I?"Sirius asked with some amusement in his voice. "No matter how much you sneezed on me."
Remus tried to give him a dirty look , but smiled a little at the memories, then shook his head no while blowing his nose noisily. Thinking back he remembered all the times he had been sick and Sirius had cared for him. He couldn't remember a single time that Sirius had gotten sick. But that was years ago when Sirius was young and healthy, now after twelve years in Azkaban Remus didn't want to take any chances.
Sirius handed him back the soup once again. "You sound pretty miserable, is there anything else I can get you?" Sirius gave Remus' arm a gentle squeeze.
Remus shook his head ."No Sirius, the soup and the tea are perfect. Thank you."
The two sat in silence as a sniffling Remus finished his soup and tea. Both were lost in their own thoughts. Remus found himself remembering their days together at Hogwarts, and how Sirius had watched out for him then. He was starting to doze off when he felt Sirius taking the cup from his hands..
"Here, let me have that Remus," He gently took the mug from Remus' fingers. "Time to go back to sleep for a bit." He placed the dishes onto the tray and set it on the dresser, then he took several clean handkerchiefs from the drawer and put them on the bedside table.
Remus smiled at his thoughtfulness. He really wanted to have Sirius stay so they could talk but he just felt too exhausted to even argue the point.. He just nodded and slid back down into bed and under the covers. "Thank you Sirius," He whispered sleepily. "For.... everything."
"Your welcome Remus," Sirius once again tucked the quilt around him."I'll be back to check on you in a bit......" Remus didn't hear anything else as he drifted back off to sleep.
It was several hours later when Remus awoke, shivering with cold.. He sat up in bed trying to gather the blankets around him and found his nose starting to tickle once again. He reached over to the bedside table to grab a fresh handkerchief just in time. "Etchooooo!!!! Ishooooo!!!! AhhhhCHOOOOO!!!!" He groaned a little at the pain in his head and his throat as he tried to blow his nose. He was so congested that blowing did nothing to help clear his nose or stop his sneezing. " Heh.... hehchoooo!!! Ishhhh!!! Etchoooo!!!"
He heard a sound and looked up to see Sirius entering the room carrying the tray with tea and more soup. "Bless you Remus," He said with concern, "You sound awful."
"Thanks a lot. "Remus murmured stuffily between sneezes. "Eshoooooo!!!! Heshhhhoooo!!!"
"Oh Remus, you know what I mean. How are you feeling?" Sirius asked as he set the try down on the bedside table.
Remus debated before answering. He wanted to tell Sirius he was fine, just a sniffle, and not whine about being sick, but he felt absolutely miserable. "Sick."He finally answered, knowing there was no way Sirius would believe otherwise at this point. "And terribly cold."
Sirius nodded sympathetically and directed his wand once again to the fire which grew hotter and higher. "I've brought you some more soup and tea."
" `m not really hungry." Remus replied stuffily, trying again to clear his nose unsuccessfully with the handkerchief.
"I know, but you need to have a bit anyhow. It should help with that congestion." Sirius sat once again on the edge of the bed. He helped Remus get positioned with pillows behind him so he was sitting up comfortably and then handed him a cup of tea.
Remus was pleased to note yet again that Sirius prepared his tea exactly how he liked it. The first sip felt painful on his raw throat but then the honey started to do it's work and ease the irritation. He sipped the tea slowly savoring it's warmth and soothing qualities. As he was drinking Sirius straightened the covers and again tucked the quilt snugly around him.
He smiled his thanks to Sirius, thinking how nice it was to have someone take care of him. It was something unfamiliar to him after all the years of being alone, but with Sirius it just felt natural, like old times. Before he had time to voice his sentiments to his friend he was aware of another strong tickling sensation in his nose. He didn't want to sneeze, his head and throat hurt so much already that he was trying to fight it.
Sirius watched his facial expressions with great amusement after figuring out what Remus was trying to do." Oh Remus just sneeze and get it other with!"
"Eh.... no...... heh.... don't want ....to...heh..... head .. hurts...." Remus replied almost panting.
Sirius shook his head and patted his friend's arm. "You know it'll come anyway Remus, just relax and let it come." Remus started to shake his head but Sirius nodded yes and reached his hand up to gently stroke the bridge of Remus's nose.
Remus stopped fighting and waited for the sneezes to come. "Ehhhhhhh..... ETCHOOOO!!!!!" He pulled quickly away from Sirius, turning his head but not managing to have his handkerchief ready in time. "S.....eh....sorry!" He whispered to Sirius before being overtaken by more sneezes. "Eshoooooo!!!! Ishooooooo!!!! Etchhhhhhh!!!!!!"
"Bless you Remus, "Sirius spoke softly, his hand rested on Remus' back. "No need to be sorry."
"It...... just...... came...... too ... eh..... fast...... etchooooo!!!!!! Ishooooo!!!!! Ishhhhhh!!!!!" Remus tried to clear the tickle in his nose by blowing, but the sneezes just kept coming. "Ahhhhhchoooooo!!!! Hehchooooo!!!! Hehchooooo!!!!!!"
Finally the sneezing ceased and an exhausted Remus flopped back on the bed. Reaching for the last of the fresh handkerchiefs that Sirius had left him , he dabbed at his nose but felt too exhausted to give the good blow he knew he needed.
Sirius remained on the edge of the bed. "Are you alright Remus?" Remus just nodded, too tired to reply. "Do you think you can manage any soup for me?" Sirius asked gently, not pushing at that point.
Remus nodded, "After I rest a minute."
"Of course, take as long as you need. I'm sorry, that must have been exhausting." Sirius reassured him.
Remus again nodded, closing his eyes to rest and catch his breath. Sirius remained by his side with his hand rested on Remus' arm protectively. After a few minutes Remus opened his eyes and struggled to push himself up in bed. Sirius was quick to help him find a comfortable position. When Remus was ready he handed over the soup. Remus managed only a few spoonfuls before his eyes started to close.
"That's enough then Remus, " Sirius spoke softly to him. "I think you need the sleep more." Remus smiled weakly up at him as he rearranged the pillows and settled him back to a laying position. He was asleep before Sirius even finished tucking him in.
It was late in the night before Remus stirred again. He woke feeling very hot and somewhat disoriented. At first he didn't know where he was, but he was reassured by the sight of Sirius sitting next to the bed. He felt a cool cloth on his forehead and was vaguely aware of Sirius softly speaking reassuring words to him. He drifted back off to sleep feeling very safe and cared for.
The next morning found Remus without fever and he woke slowly feeling parched and still exhausted. He rolled over to find Sirius asleep in the chair at the bedside, his head down resting on Remus' pillow. Remus smiled at the sight of his friend, he knew that he must have been with him all night. He noticed a pitcher of water on the bedside table and though he tried to reach it without waking Sirius, he was unsuccessful.
"Remus, how are you feeling?" Sirius yawned and stretched himself awake.
"I'm alright, "his voice was barely a croak, "I need some water."
"Of course, " Sirius sprung to action pouring Remus a glass of water. "You had a really rough night, "He was interrupted by another yawn, and reached over to feel Remus' forehead. "I think your fever has at least broken now."
Remus nodded, "I don't feel like I have a fever now, I'm just so tired." He replied his voice still faint and hoarse. Sirius refilled his water glass as soon as he drained it.
"I'm sorry you had to stay here all night with me...." Remus began apologetically.
"Oh Remus don't be silly, " Sirius assured him.
"No really Sirius, it means so much to me, I want you to know that."
"I do Remus, " Sirius smiled at his friend. "It was like old times for awhile there. I am sorry you're sick, but it felt good to be able to do something to help you."
"It did feel like old times Sirius. I didn't realize how alone I had been until you came back.." The two came together in an awkward embrace before Remus pulled away to sneeze yet again. "Heshhhhooooo!!"
Sirius grinned at him, "Actually Remus it's almost exactly like old times. Bless you - again."
"Shut up Sirius!" Remus tried to sound angry but dissolved into a fit of laughter as he shoved Sirius off the bed and onto the floor.
The characters belong to the wonderfully talented JKR. I just like to play with them from time to time.
Notes: This is a sequel to my fic Old Friends. My second Remus and Sirius fic.