Sirius felt someone stroking his head. Moony. He opened an eye, and pain raced through him.

Then it all came back to him. The whispering. The taunting. Lucius.

Moony probably thinks I'm weak and lame, Sirius lamented to himself. Trying to prove his strength, Sirius struggled to sit up, but failed miserably.

"Sirius, don't do that," Remus murmured in his ear. "Don't try and sit up; you're hurt and you need to rest."

"Moony, I-I can do it." Sirius tried again, but fell back down into Remus's lap.

"No you can't, and you know it. So stop it," Remus said. "I don't want you in any more pain."

Sirius sighed. He hated being in such shape that he physically couldn't do anything for himself.

He felt Moony dab a piece of fabric on his face. As Remus pulled it away, Sirius saw that it was soaked in blood.

"How-how bad do I look?" Sirius asked, worry in his voice. Remus rolled his eyes.

"I'd say that that black eye compliments your outfit," he joked. "And I just love the bloody look."

Sirius narrowed his eyes at his boyfriend, unamused. "Why thanks, its my latest runway creation," he replied sarcastically. "No, but siriusly, how awful are the injuries?"

"Pretty bad," James replied, grinning. "Lucius got you good."

"You think that's funny?" Sirius was getting even more pissed by the second. His friends were taking this as a joke? They thought that bruises upon a beautiful face were hilarious?!

"Naw man, we're just fucking with you," James said, ruffling Sirius's hair.

"The only person I want fucking me is Moony," Sirius grumbled, trying to sink away from James's hand on his head. "And stop messing up my hair!"

James gave his best friend a pointed look. "You fuck up my hair all the time, especially when I'm about to show off to Evans," he reminded Sirius. "And now that you're unable to defend yourself, its a perfect time to get revenge. Speaking of which...Moony, have you discovered the latest doggy instinct of Padfoot here?" James reached for behind Sirius's ear, making the black haired boy try to roll away but to avail.

Before long, Sirius was panting like the dog he was ashamed scratched behind his ear. "Cut it out, Prongs!" Sirius shouted. "I am in pain here! My beautiful face has become contorted with all of your teasing! If I'm stuck like this for the rest I'd my life, I'm blaming you, Potter!"

"God damn it, Sirius, someone's a bit vain," James snickered.