Sirius

The next day, they decided Remus didn't need the ventilator anymore. After shutting it off and determining that he could breathe fine on his own, they put him on more pain meds 

I couldn't watch as they pulled the tube out of his throat. He was gagging as they pulled the 21 centimeter tube out.

Lily sat at his side holding his hand and whispering encouraging things to him while I stood by the door, focusing on keeping my breakfast down.

James and Peter went to classes today, seeing as it's Monday. Lily and I stayed behind with Remus for the day and the other two would be joining us later.

I turned back around to see Lily handing a tearful Remus a water bottle with a straw. I walked over and sat on the other chair.

"How are you feeling? You did great."

"Heh-" he tried to talk but his voice caught and he started coughing, rubbing his throat in pain.

"I'm okay," he croaked.

Once the nurse got his nasal cannula set up, Remus scooted over and patted the space beside him. I crawled onto the hospital bed and Remus cozied into me, head on my chest.

*******

Remus was in the hospital for a week and a half in total. By the time he was able to come home, Christmas break was two days away. We were all eating supper at Remus and Lily's apartment when James brought up the topic of Christmas.

"So I've been thinking," he said.

"Here we go," Remus giggled.

James looked both shocked and offended. Remus giggled some more and then Lily couldn't help in joining in. Soon we were all laughing at James's expression.

"Anyways, I was talking to my parents and since Sirius is staying at my place for Christmas anyway, we were wondering if everyone wanted to join us?"

Remus and Lily stared. Peter beamed. He wasn't as surprised by the offer as the other two were.

"We couldn't—on Christmas? We couldn't intrude on your family time, James," Lily stuttered.

"No I insist. It'll be tons of fun, I promise. Plus my parents want to meet all of you."

Lily looked to Remus, who shrugged, a grin breaking out on his face.

Lily turned back to James. "Well, Petunia will get what she's always wanted, a Christmas without Remus and I."

"Who's Petunia?" I asked.

"She's my older sister," Lily said. "She hates the both of us. She has since we got a scholarship to Hogwarts  High School. It's like a starter version of the arts college. Petunia hasn't got a creative bone in her body, so she gets really jealous of us. And last year she married the dullest man on the planet, Vernon Dursley. She's a real pain, Petunia is."

Remus nodded along, verifying all of this information.

"Hm. Didn't know you had a sister," James said.

"Yeah well. I don't talk about her often."

After a short, awkward silence, James turns to me. "Oh, and Sirius?"

"Yeah?"

"You should invite Regulus."

My heart stopped a minute. "Really?" I whispered. "You mean it?"

James grinned. "Of course I mean it. Call him."

I stood from the table abruptly and everyone jumped. "I need to—can I...thanks for supper but I need to go," I said, running from the apartment. 

When I got to my room, I pulled out my phone and dialed Reg's number. He didn't pick up the first time so I called him again.

Finally after what seemed like forever, he picked up.

"Hello?" He asked timidly.

"Reg? It's me, Sirius."

"Sirius? Oh my god. Oh my god. Hi. I haven't heard from you in ages."

"Yeah sorry about that. How is...everything?"

Regulus was quiet for a second.

"Everything's fine, Sirius."

"Reg, don't lie to me. I lived that life, I know."

"But you left me," he said quietly.

"Huh?"

"You left me all alone with them. I know it was hell for you, Siri, and I know you had to leave, but what about me? I'm all alone."

I felt tears prickle my eyes. "Regulus, you're not all alone. I promise. You'll always have me. I'm just a phone call away, Reg. Please, if you ever need to, just call me."

Regulus sighed. "Okay. Okay, I will. Why did you call?"

"James asked me to invite you to Christmas at his place. He's having everyone over and it would really mean the world to me if you'd come. I know Mother and Father don't celebrate Christmas, so you won't be missed. Just please consider it. Plus you can meet my boyfriend."

"Ooh a new boyfriend? What's he like? He better not be another drug addict, I swear."

"Remus? Oh no. He's the sweetest thing ever. He's an art major at Hogwarts Uni and I think he's the first boyfriend I've ever had I've actually, genuinely loved."

I could almost feel Regulus smiling over the phone. "That's great, Siri, really. And I'll be there for Christmas. Thank you."

"Anytime, Reg. I love you."

"Love you too."

When I walked back into the neighboring apartment, I was beaming.

"I take it went well, then?" James asked with a laugh.

"Regulus is coming to Christmas!" I said.

*******

"But I'm going to miss youuuuu," I whined, trying to cling to Remus as he struggled to get into Lily's car.

Remus laughed. "Sirius, it'll be a week. Just a week of Christmas break before we'll be at James's place for Christmas. Just a week."

I hugged him tighter. "Doesn't mean I won't still miss you."

Remus sighed, hugging me back. "I'll miss you too, Sirius. But we've gotta go."

Remus kissed me. "I'll call you later, alright love?"

I nodded. "Love you," I said.

He smiled. "Love you too."

Then he got into the passenger's side of Lily's car and they drove off. I turned around to see James and Peter leaving against James's van, both packed and ready to go.

"Alright, alright, I'm coming."

After driving for two hours, we finally arrived at the Potter house. I call it a house, but it could be a manor. The Potter's have got money, that's for sure. I mean, so did I before I was cut out of my finances.

I ran to the door, leaving James and Peter to grab the bags. I dug the key out from under a rock and swung open the door.

"Mum! Dad! It is I! I have returned!"

Euphemia Potter turned the corner. "Sirius!" She ran forward and enveloped me in a hug. When Mum was done with me, Fleamont gave me a hug too, patting me hard on the back.

"How's University going, Sirius?" Dad asked.

"University is going swimmingly," I said with a grin.

James and Peter stomped in the door next, bogged down with all my bags. Plus theirs.

"Good lord, Sirius. What all did you pack?"

I smiled sheepishly and went to grab my bags from James and bring them up to my room.

Later that night, after supper, we all sat in the living room. Peter had gone home for a few days, though he would be joining us for Christmas.

"So?" Mum asked. "James, you've got a girlfriend coming over and Sirius's got a boyfriend? Do tell!"

"Ma..." James complained, blushing.

"Tell us about the lady, son," Dad said with a grin.

"If you don't, I will," I threatened and James finally gave in.

"Alright, so her name's Lily Evans and she's brilliant."

"Elaborate, please," Mum giggled.

"Fine. I'll do it," I volunteered. "Lily's pretty fucking hot." Euphemia gave me a look. "And she's super smart and caring. Love her to death. Jamesie really scored on this one. Plus she's like a literal doctor."

"A doctor, huh? Is that her major?" Fleamont asked.

"No, no, she's majoring in photography," James said. "She just has to be medically informed seeing who her best friend is," James explained, pushing the topic back over to me.

Both Mum and Dad were giving me confused looks.

"Lily's best friend is my boyfriend. His name is Remus Lupin."

"Is he a drug addict?" Mum asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh my god. Why does everyone keep asking me if he's a drug addict? Do you really think so lowly of me?"

"Oh honey, you know we don't. It's just that you've made poor choices in the past is all."

"Well he's definitely not a drug addict. He's super sweet and he paints and he's shorter than me. He's super fucking adorable and I love him."

"Wow okay. That's great sweetheart. And he is coming over for Christmas? We'll get to meet him?" Mum asked.

I nodded. "So why does Ms. Evans have to be a doctor for Mr. Lupin, then?" Dad asked.

"Well Remus is...sick," I said, looking at James for help but he just shrugged.

"Okay well, it's...uh. He won't want you to make a big deal of it when he gets here, so I guess I'll just give you the run down on what to expect. Remus has got Cystic Fibrosis, which is a genetic thing. Basically, his body produces way to much mucus and it starts to affect all his organs. His lungs are the worst off. He's got a nasal cannula and oxygen to help him breathe better and stuff. Uh...he's also got treatments he's got to do and stuff so just so you're prepared for that."

Mum and Dad nodded along.

"Now that I think about it, we should disinfect the house," James said.

I cringed. I know Remus hates it when people go to great lengths to do stuff for him, but James is right. It couldn't hurt.

"Disinfect—why exactly?" Dad asked.

"He can't get sick. If he does he could die. And he just got out of the hospital two days ago. We can't risk it."

"Oh okay. So this is really serious," Mum said.

"It is. But don't mention it please. He doesn't like to be pitied."

"Wouldn't dream of it, son," Mr. Potter said.

I grinned. "You'll love him. He's amazing."

Mrs. Potter smiled. "I'm sure we will. Now you boys get to bed. Love you both, goodnight."