Chapter 25; December 16th, 1974
He knew it was bad. He knew Walburga did horrible things to her children. But he never expected this.
He never expected to see his boyfriend falling out of the fireplace at the potters, his little brother leaning over him, trying to wake him up.
Fleamont and Euphemia did everything they could. Monty turned off their floo address and put up more protection charms than Remus knew existed. Effie was in and out of the guest room that Sirius was in constantly, not telling anyone what's going on. Some secrets are easier to keep.
Remus is the only one that knows what effie knows. She let him into the guest room a few times, either so Remus could calm down, or so he could calm Sirius down.
He was awake. He’s alive. That's something at least. This is the worst he’s ever seen him. He’s so scared that it's gonna happen again. Remus has started staying in Sirius’s room at night, just to try and limit the nightmares as much as possible.
He’s healed, and mostly recovered, now they're just waiting for the fear that that house instilled into him to go away.
James, Regulus and Peter still aren't allowed in the room, on Sirius’s request they will be, but he isn't ready for anyone else to see him like this. Especially Reg.
He won’t tell Remus what happened. All he knows is what Effie told him. Walburga tortured him. Cruciatus curse. He never expected it to go this far.
It was Christmas eve, Remus was taking out the braids he put in Sirius’s hair the night before, he missed being able to play with it while they cuddled. They've been staying quiet, only talking when it's necessary.
“Maybe I should go out tonight. At least during the party.”
“Sirius if you're not feeling up to it you don't have to.”
“If it's up to when i feel up to it i'll never leave this stupid fucking room…” He paused for a minute, playing with his necklace, the chain was old and rusty and looked like it would break any minute. “Maybe it would’ve been better if she killed me.”