***7 Years Ago***

Sirius and James walked down the path to Hogsmeade, laughing and bumping shoulders. Remus walked a little ways behind them, reading a book on lycanthropy. Peter had stayed at Hogwarts, without permission from Mrs Pettigrew.

Sirius released an extremely loud guffaw that faded into an awful choking noise. James stood to the side, trying not to laugh at Sirius's condition. Sirius's face turned red from lack of oxygen, and he clutched at his throat. The color drained from James's face.

" M-Moony!" He gasped.

Remus looked up from his book, one eyebrow raised. He was sick and tired of their ridiculous antics.

James pointed a shaking finger to Sirius, who was now crumbling to the ground, eyes wild.

Remus followed James's finger with his eyes, and gasped. Dropping his book, he ran to Sirius's side.

" Sirius? Sirius! " He said, patting his back. He turned to James, eyes wide. " James! Go get help!!"

Nodding, James turned and ran, almost tripping. Remus turned back to Sirius, who's face was losing its color.

" Come on, come on..." Remus muttered.

" Remus!" A voice called.

Remus whipped around, still keeping one eye on the choking Sirius.

James was standing there, red-faced and panting, with Professor Dumbledore.

Dumbledore's face was grave, but urgent. " Quickly, let's get him to Madam Pomfrey!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

James had left a few hours before, exhausted, but Remus had decided to stay with Sirius in the hospital wing until he woke.

Finally, Sirius's eyes fluttered open, and his gaze landed on Remus. A small smile wobbled on his face.

" Hey, Moony," He said, then did a quick scan of the room. His eyes landed on Remus hands, which were holding his own. Sirius raised an eyebrow at Remus. Remus blushed and put his hands in his lap.

" Where're the others? Peter and James?" Sirius asked.

Remus looked away. " They...left.I wanted to stay until you woke up, in case you needed an explanation."

Sirius nodded. " No, I know what happened...Laughing, choking, almost dying, blah, blah, blah. My real question...is why James didn't stay."

Remus quickly racked his brain for a good answer. " Oh, he felt really guilty for not...um...helping you quicker. So he wanted to go, think up a good apology for you."

" Oh. Well, thanks for stayin' with me, Moony."

" Sure. Anything for a friend!" Remus said cheerfully. He hoped James really did have a good apology ready...

" Question #2: Why were you holding my hand?!" Sirius asked, holding his hands up in front of himself.

Remus grinned sheepishly, heat creeping up his neck and ears. " Well, you looked disturbed...you know, in your sleep...and I didn't want you to...you know. Have...bad dreams."

Sirius smirked. " Aw, sweet little Moony loves his friends so much! Aw!"

Moony's face burned. He knew he shouldn't have touched Sirius!

" Stupid, stupid, stupid," Remus muttered to himself.

Sirius's grin softened. " Nah, you're not stupid." He whispered. Then he slowly sat up, and pulled Remus closer to him.

Remus's eyes widened.

" I'm glad you stayed, Moony." Sirius breathed, leaning in and kissing Remus.

Remus quickly wrapped his arms around Sirius, and kissed him back. Sirius opened his mouth slightly as the kiss deepened.

" Uhhhh...."

Remus and Sirius quickly tore apart. Lily stood in the doorway, jaw hanging open. She raised an eyebrow, her green eyes laughing at the two.

" I'm going to pretend I didn't just see what I clearly just saw, " Lily said, walking toward them and handing Sirius a card.

" That's from me an' James. Sorry you choked so intensely," She added, snickering. And with that she left.

Remus smiled shyly at Sirius, and Sirius smirked.

The day that changed their lives...