a/n: Hello all! (for the two of you who read this fic now that it extends to 4 parts! Special thanks to Lily of Ravenclaw and Episcopal Witch!) What happened to all of you who so nicely reviewed part one? I didn’t think the sequels were that bad! (j/k). In this part, James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter come to a bit of an understanding, but not before there is a bit of discrimination and some self-pity because of it. (oh- and hello to Professor Zodiac if he ever reads this!) And just to let all those on my AA know…By the Light of the Moon is still alive…it’s just…being difficult. I should have the next part out by August. Please r/r J

Chapter 3: Of coughs, and letters, and a night under the stars

"Remus?” a voice called gently, “Wake up.”

Remus opened his eyes, fighting a horrible wave of nausea. Someone brushed his bangs off his face and kissed him lightly on the forehead. His eyes came into focus, and he gazed up dazedly at Lily who was seated beside him.

“Hi.” He managed to whisper weakly. “What’s wrong with me?”

Lily smiled. “You had a particularly ruff night the other day. You broke your leg in three places, and I suspect you had a minor concussion. Besides that, the apperating from the barn, to your house, then to mine, simply drained you. And the fact that I was in labor didn’t help you relax much.”

Remus managed to sit up and get a good look at his leg, which was supported by a pile of fluffy pillows.

“It looks better.” He said, “If I remember correctly, it was at a different angle the other day. I splinted it in an attempt to make it to my house. Then you showed up, and well…”

“All hell broke loose,” finished James, who entered the room carrying two cups of tea. “It’s nice to see you awake and responsive. How is my favorite werewolf this morning?”

Remus gave James a rather dark look and let out a frighteningly realistic growl.

“Very nice Moony,” James laughed, “If you feel anything like you look, this tea might help a bit. And you,” he said, turning to Lily, “should be in bed, flower.”

Lily stuck out her tongue at James. “It’s boring in that room, unless Harry is wailing.”

“Then rest in here.” James said, motioning to the other bed in the guest room, “Keep Moony entertained, misery loves company.”

“Better?” asked Lily, getting into the other bed and wrapping a blanket around herself.

“We’re missing a certain someone; hold on.”

James left and returned with Harry asleep in his arms, the bassinet floating magically behind. He handed Harry to Remus and set up the cradle. Remus kissed Harry gently on the head,

“He’s gorgeous, Lil.”

“He is perfect,” agreed Lily, “Everything worked out, just like you told me.”

James came over and took Harry from Remus, “Go back to sleep Moony. That leg needs another few hours of rest.”

“Thanks,” Remus said, pulling the sheets over himself and placing a pillow over his head. James went over and sat next to Lily with Harry in his arms,

"How are you feeling?”

“Better.” Lily said decidedly, “I’ve noticed you are acting more mature than Mister Padfoot, which impresses me.”

James grinned, “I’m trying my best. Sirius can be rather annoying, and convincing.”       

Remus began to cough violently in his sleep, breathing raggedly. Lily gave James a worried glance and then went over to check on him. She tucked another blanket around him and rubbed his back gently. He calmed down and curled up under the sheets again.

"He’s awfully sick this month.” James commented. “I haven’t seen him this exhausted in a long time. It also worries me that he did that to his leg. He only broke it that bad once before, and it was because he and Sirius were having a huge fight at school.”

“Probably for the same reason as last time, it’s sheer misery. I suppose Moony misses Padfoot, Prongs, and Wormtail, but I know Remus misses Sirius, James, and Peter. It’s breaking his heart, and you know it.” Lily said sadly, “He doesn’t ever talk about Sirius anymore. He knows that something is up, and it’s hurting him.”

James nodded, “I’m not saying he’s stupid, I just want to protect you and Harry. It’s nothing personal…”

“I know you are,” Lily sighed, “but ignoring him isn’t helping.”

“Voldemort is offering great things to people like Remus. I’ve heard rumors about a cure. I can’t help but be wary. Remus hates living like this. He truly wants to be normal, all the time. It can’t be fun waking up once a month feeling absolutely horrible. That’s all I’m saying.”

The rest of the afternoon passed casually. Remus and Lily managed to come down for dinner, much to James’ annoyance as neither of them cared a bit about Doctor Harrington’s orders. Halfway through dinner though, Remus was fading fast, and James sent him back to bed with some hot soup.

“Should we call Doctor Harrington?” James asked. “He should be worsening. That cough doesn’t sound too good.”

Lily agreed, and James sent a note off to the healer by owl. A reply arrived a half-hour later. James scanned it and frowned.

“Dear Mister James Potter,” he read aloud, “I regret to inform you that your regular healer, Doctor P. Harrington, is on sabbatical due to a family incident. My records for Remus Jonathan Lupin show that he is a registered werewolf (number 1486) and it is my policy not to treat such beings. If the condition is serious, you may want to try a veterinarian for Dark Creatures, listed in Embrey’s Magical Medical Directory. It is my regret that I can not help a friend of your, but a policy cannot be changed.”

It was signed, “Dr. K. Asher, M.M.H.” (a/n: stands for Magical Medical Healer)

“That’s horrible!” Lily cried, “An animal! He’s nothing of the sort.”

“I’m sending this to Sirius!” James replied. He attached a note reading, ‘Can you believe this?’

Lily fed Harry and then handed him to James. “I’m going to check on Remus.”

“Alright, but you should go to bed afterwards. It’s getting late.”

Lily went upstairs and peeked into the guest room. Remus was seated on the bed, dressed in one of James’ robes. He was re-bandaging his leg as tears rolled down his face. He sneezed violently, and blew his nose, still crying.

“Moony…?”    Lily whispered. Remus recoiled at the sound and hastily wiped away his tears.

“Don’t try,” he said angrily, “I’m going home.”  

“Remus!” Lily said, sitting down next to him. “Please stay. Look at you, you’re a mess. You’re sick, you’re tired, just lie down.”

“No!” Remus shouted, causing Lily to fright. “I can take care of myself! I don’t need you babying me all the time. I’ve been sick every month, for the past seventeen years! Oh, and if I need vet, I’m perfectly capable of getting one! Tell James to shut the windows next time he sends for help, because I have excellent hearing thanks to ‘animal’ instinct.”

“Don’t say that!” snapped Lily.

“It’s true!” Remus countered. “I’m not that dim. I actually listened to a nice bit of conversation between Sirius and James while they thought I was asleep. Sirius was telling your husband all about how you fuss over me. It’s not like I’ve never been through this before.”

Lily swore aloud, “How can you say that! I care about you! It’s not as if I’m trying to shelter you or anything!”

Remus look away, and then collapsed into Lily’s embrace. “I’m sorry…I just…”

“It’s a scary time for all of us,” said Lily, hugging him tightly.

“Thanks.” Remus said softly.

“Yeah, well anymore burst of self-pity like that and you will be going home!” Lily joked.

Remus laughed, “I’ll try my best.”

“I think Sirius might visit. Why don’t you come downstairs? If he decides to be a prat, then James will keep you company.”

Remus agreed, and followed Lily out onto the lawn where James was stretched out on the grass with both Sirius and Peter. Sirius had Harry resting on his chest.

“Hello all” Lily said pleasantly, sitting between Sirius and Remus. She took Harry and kissed him lightly, “Harry and I are rather tired, so I think we’ll be headed off to bed. Take care of Moony for me; he’s not one-hundred percent today.”

Once she was gone, Peter broke the silence saying, “I remember the last time we all lay like this. We were out by the Great Lake, and it was close to summer holiday. Padfoot wanted a suntan to impress some girl.”     

Sirius laughed, “But James and Remus got so burnt.”

“I fondly remember spending two whole days in the hospital with you Moony,” said James, “We were covered in that nasty green burn goo.”       

“That was so gross.” Remus laughed, “I remember being stuck to the sheets.”

“And remember when we found out about you Remus?” asked James.

“You refused to talk to us for two whole days!” exclaimed Peter.

“But remember the day we became Animagi?” Sirius whispered.

“That was amazing.” Remus sighed.

“I’m sorry.” Sirius said suddenly. “I’ve been such a mess lately. I haven’t been feeling myself for months. I’m stressed, and I’m tired, and I’ve been taking it out on you guys.”

“I’m sorry for spending so much time at work.” Peter added timidly.

“I’m truly apologetic for simple being a prat lately.” James sighed.

“And I’m sorry for wallowing in my self-pity.” Remus finished.

“You are always wallowing in your self-pity.” Sirius laughed, “Oh, look at me, I’m simply dieing here. I’ll never get out of bed again, and I bruised my knee, and I hurt my…”

Remus cut him off, cuffing him lightly in the arm. “That’s not what I meant! Come off it.”

“Watch it Moony,” Sirius said, grinning dangerously, “I could break your scrawny bones with one good punch.”

“Yeah?” countered Remus, “Well, at least I’d know how to heal them so I could walk!”

Sirius transformed and pounced on Remus, licking his face. Remus dissolved into a fit of coughs and giggles.

“Get off!” he gasped, laughing hysterically and pushing the dog’s ruff tongue off his face, “And get your paw off my leg! It’s already injured enough! It doesn’t need anymore damage!”

James stretched out on the cool grass, shaking with laughter. This was how it was supposed to be…if only it could stay this way for more then just one summer evening, under the stars.

a/n: Hope you liked it! Please review J

Oh- and I hope all you Yankees had a good 4^th… I had a pretty good one! But to all my Canucks up North, Happy 2^nd! It was Canada Day! (I live in the US, born in Canada! **hugs to my two homes