10Author: Andrea88
Rating: R for the general theme and perhaps for sex as well
Pairing: Sirius & Remus
Disclaimer: Not mine, JKR's
Summery: Sirius returns from the beyond the veil, but paid a price.
Warnings: It maybe angsty, It maybe icky. Some won't be pretty. Spoilers for Half Blood Price
Precious & Fragile Things
Chapter Two
"In reality, hope is the worst of all evils, because it prolongs man's torments."
Friedrich Nietzsche
"Madam Pomfrey," Remus shouted as soon as he and Sirius apparated into the hospital wing at Hogwarts.
"What's going on out here," Pomfrey asked as she stepped out of her office. "Remus, what in Merlin's name are you doing here?"
Her eyes widened as she saw the burden he was carrying, and rushed over, "how?"
"Hello Poppy, you look lovely as ever." Sirius said as if it were completely normal for him to be standing in front of her.
"Poppy, it's a long story, but Sirius has returned. However, he can not move his legs." Remus stated as he hauled Sirius to the nearest bed.
"Just give me some foul brew, and I'll be good as new." Sirius' demeanor was calm he knew he was in good hands. Madam Pomfrey had always taken such good care of Remus after his transformations. He had no reason to doubt her healing abilities.
"I'll do what I can Sirius, but first I need to examine you." She proceeded to pull the curtains around the bed. "Remus can you lock the door, I do not wish to be disturbed during this."
Remus went to lock the door, thankful that the hospital wing wasn't filled with inquisitive spectators. He needed to get Sirius taken care of first, and then they could deal with the others. He wasn't looking forward to that, but with Sirius by his side, he could face anything.
"Remus, would you mind helping Sirius into a hospital gown, I'll be in my office getting supplies."
"Come on Moony, help undress me." Sirius raised his eyebrows suggestively, and pulled the blanket back to allow access.
Remus felt his cheeks flush as he noticed the smile on Pomfrey's face.
Poppy smiled as she entered her office. Sirius was just as she remembered him, and he could still make Remus turn scarlet at the drop of a hat. They were such a sweet couple. She had seen their bond while they were in school. It had broken her heart to hear of Sirius' betrayal, she had worried about Remus. It was a relief to find out that Sirius was innocent, and even twelve years in Azkaban could not tear them apart. They had been through so much, and yet always managed to get back to each other.
As she returned to Sirius' bed, she was treated to the sight of Remus being snogged thoroughly. She cleared her throat, causing Remus to fly off the bed and Sirius to bark with laughter. Some things never change.
Remus sat next to the bed, and held Sirius' hand as Pomfrey examined Sirius. Poppy was muttering to herself as she cast several spells. A look of utmost concentration was on her face.
"Sirius, tell me when you can feel something." She proceeded to lightly stick Sirius with a pin, starting from his toes and working her way up.
"Ouch! Be careful with that." He saw Poppy's look of concern and turned to see Remus mirroring the same expression. This couldn't be good. The sensation had been about an inch above his belly button.
Madam Pomfrey handed Sirius a glass filled with bright green liquid. "Drink this Sirius, it will help you sleep. I need to do a more intensive examination, and it will be easier if you are not awake for it."
Sirius hesitated and looked at Remus, "it will be ok Sirius. I will be right here." Remus gripped Sirius' hand tighter as an affirmation.
Sirius drank the foul liquid. With in a minute he was fast asleep.
Remus left Madam Pomfrey to her work and headed for the kitchens. A late night snack may be just what he needed. It had been a rollercoaster of a day. He reached the painting and tickled the pear. All the times he had done this flashed before him, memories of the various Marauders sneaking in. Times were so much simpler then.
Remus entered the kitchens and was promptly surrounded by various house elves. He was so busy addressing the house elves, that he did not notice the kitchen's other occupant.
"Remus, what brings you here at this hour? Is something wrong?" Minerva asked, setting her tea cup down with a bit more force than necessary.
"Hello Minerva, I stopped by to see Poppy." He smiled warmly, he rather she didn't find out why he was here yet.
"Sit down and have a cup of tea with me." She eyed Remus quizzically. There was more to this story, and she was intent on finding out.
Remus didn't have a choice he had to sit with Minerva. If he left now, she would become suspicious. A little idle chit chat and he could take his leave, and get back to Sirius.
"It's odd being back in the kitchens after all these years." Remus sat down across from Minerva. A house elf brought him a cup of tea.
"Yes, I can imagine it is strange for you after all this time. It's so quiet and I keep expecting him to show up and ask me if I want a lemon drop." She started at her tea, trying to mask the sadness in her voice.
"I am sorry it has to be hard on you right now."
"Yes, well one has to do what one must. So is Tonks with you?" A smile crossed her lips, as she looked at Remus.
"No, she isn't, nor will she ever i be /i with me." Tea sloshed out of the cup as he stirred with a little more fervor.
"I am sorry Remus, I just do not understand why you keep pushing her away. She is a very nice woman, even if she is a bit unsteady on her feet."
"Minerva, I will say this once, and once only, Tonks is not right for me." Finishing off the rest of the tea, he stood up and made to leave. "It's been a pleasure Minerva, and I hope to see you again soon."
She watched Remus leave and knew there was something strange going on. She could not think of a reason why Remus would be here, in the middle of the night, talking to Poppy. Her fingers drummed against the table as she drank her tea.
Remus entered the hospital wing and walked over to Sirius' bed. He was startled by what he saw. Sirius was still in a deep sleep, but the catheter hanging from the side of the bed worried him.
"I am sorry Remus. I have done every test, and tried every remedy I could think of, but nothing is helping." Her voice was soft and soothing. "I have not given up, but until then he will not have feeling, or use in the lower half of his body." She took a deep breath, "he will have to learn how to function, but I have every confidence he will be able to."
Remus took in this information and sank into the nearest chair. He looked over at his lover and how peaceful he looked. It didn't look like anything was wrong. His vision focused on the bright yellow fluid dripping into a bag. Sirius was not going to take this news well at all. As far as Remus was concerned, he was just happy to have Sirius back. Personally, he could care less about this, Sirius had come back. Granted, it would have been better if nothing was wrong, but it could have been so much worse.
The tabby cat hid amongst the shadows. She watched as Poppy explained the necessary things to Remus. Poppy handed Remus an extra pair of pajamas. The tabby turned her head as Remus changed, but smirked, if it was possible for cats to do such a thing, when Remus crawled into bed and held Sirius close. The tabby tilted its head, this explained i a lot.
Sirius woke to find Remus' arms wrapped around him. He couldn't help but grin. He never thought he would see Remus again. Sirius placed a gentle kiss on Remus' forehead causing him to wake. Sirius loved watching Remus wake. He thought it was the most adorable thing in the world.
"Morning luv, did you sleep well?"
Remus blinked his eyes several times. A huge smile formed as he realized it hadn't been a dream. "Of course I did, with you be my side, I sleep like a bear." He leaned forward to kiss his mate.
"Good morning, I am glad you slept well, and what a pleasant surprise to see you again Sirius."
Both men turned to face McGonagall. Remus turned a lovely shade of red, and tried to get out of the bed. Sirius tightened his hold on his lover. People had to find out sooner or later.
"Good morning Minerva, you didn't really think a ratty piece of drapery would keep me away." His eyes sparkled with amusement, "Poppy will have me fixed and good as new in no time." Remus averted his eyes, he couldn't destroy Sirius' hope.
Minerva noticed.
Sirius told McGonagall the story of his return and how he ended up in the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey had come out of her office and listened, she wished she had better news for him. She had been up most of the night doing research.
"Minerva, could you leave for a moment, I want to talk to Remus and Sirius in private."
"Of course, I will be in my office if you need anything." Minerva got up and left the hospital wing.
Pomfrey turned to face Sirius. "I am sorry Sirius I can not fix this…yet. I have not given up."
"What are you saying? I am going to be stuck like this." Sirius' forehead was tense and his voice was strained.
"For now yes, but I will not give up. I will do everything I can."
Sirius was silent.
"Is there anything special we need to do?" Remus switched to auto drive. Someone had to get the facts and remain level headed.
"Well, there will be certain equipment he will need, and procedures he will need to follow. It will take sometime to learn how to get around and perform everyday activities." She tried to sound as pleasant as possible, no need having him think the worst.
Madam Pomfrey conjured a wheelchair and demonstrated how to use it. A shower chair was also produced. She went into great detail about how Sirius would have to handle his bladder and bowels.
Sirius stared off into the distance.
Remus was soaking up all the new information, asking several questions on the various procedures.
"What about sex?" Sirius' eyes grew troubled. He knew that this wasn't permanent, but he wasn't going to go without while he waited for a cure.
"You can have a healthy sex life, but with this catheter you will lose the use of your penis." She was taken aback by the incredulous look Sirius was giving her.
"Well, give me a different one then. I am not giving up that function." Sirius scowled.
"I can give you an intermittent catheter instead. You will have more freedom during sex, but, you will have to monitor your bladder, and catheterize yourself several times a day. There is a greater risk of infection with this."
"Do it," Sirius did not hesitate to answer. "It won't be long term anyway."
Madam Pomfrey switched catheters and gave them a detailed set of instructions on the proper method of catheterization. She was worried about Sirius' attitude, he was certain she would cure him. What would happen if she couldn't?
When she was certain both Sirius and Remus understood the procedures she allowed them to leave. She would be checking up on Sirius frequently.
Remus helped Sirius into the wheelchair, and wheeled him to the front gate where a carriage was waiting for them. Madam Pomfrey would not allow them to apparate, floo, or use a portkey. She deemed it too dangerous for now.
Remus helped Sirius into the carriage and they made there way home.