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Remus grunted, holding onto the staircase railing for support. Of course, Sirius and James were at Quidditch practice, Regulus had left to hang out with Pandora, and Peter had disappeared earlier in the day with an ominous mention of a new crush. The rain beat hard against the windows as he walked past, the sky a dark shade of grey.
He sighed heavily as he finally made it to the top of the landing. He attempted to shuffle towards the portrait, taking as much weight off his left leg as possible.
“Purple spiney dragonfruit.” He grunted to the Fat Ladylady in the portrait. She huffed in indignation before swinging open, allowing him entrance to the common room.
He made his way in slowly, the step over the entrance feeling much harder than normal. He groaned loudly as he finally collapsed onto the burgundy couch.
“Accio cane.” Remus said, lazily twirling his wand in the direction of his dorm. Moments later his cane came whizzing down the stairs, halting in front of his outstretched hand.
He brought it in front of him, laying it across his lap as he stretched out. He closed his eyes, taking in the sounds of harsh rain pattering against the glass, the fire crackling in the hearth.
“That Starfish and Stick was bloody amazing! You need to teach me that sometime!” Sirius’ voice rang out.
Remus startled, the cane rolling off his lap and into the floor. He squinted out of the window; the sky was still a dark grey, the rain just as heavy as before. He must’ve fallen asleep though, as James and Sirius weren’t supposed to be back for an hour.
“Maybe, think you can handle it?” James laughed, knocking his shoulder against his best friends. Regulus attempted to hide his laugh behind a hand, but ultimately gave up and let it out.
“Hey Rem! Want to go get lunch?” Regulus asked, sliding onto the couch beside him, lifting his ankles and resting Remus’ feet on his lap.
“I’m pretty sure that’s my job. James, your boyfriend is stealing my boyfriend!” Sirius whined, slumping against James.
James rolled his eyes and flopped into the chair, dragging Sirius onto his lap. “He’s also your brother, you know.”
“Not if he keeps trying to steal my boyfriend.”
Remus bright his hands up slowly, rubbing at his eyes. “Lunch?”
Sirius groaned, “Is that really all you got from that entire conversation?”
Remus nodded, slowly moving into a sitting position. He winced in pain as his hip shifted.
“Oh,” was all Sirius said, finally noticing the state Remus was in. He hopped out of James’ lap, swiftly scooping the cane up.
He thought for a moment. “I can carry you down, or James can. Look at those arms, he could do it.”
James nodded enthusiastically, a smile forming on his face.
Remus shook his head, stretching his hand out. Sirius frowned but placed the cane in his outstretched palm anyways.
“You sure we can’t do anything?” Regulus mumbled.
Remus nodded, pulling his legs from the younger Black’s lap. He stepped them in front of him, and managed to get up with only a small grimace.
“C’mon, lunch.” He breathed. It has been awhile since he had last used the cane. Typically he just pushed through, gritting his teeth and staying off his leg as much as possible. Sometimes though, it was just too much and he needed the extra assistance.
While it was sweet that Sirius always offered himself (or James) to carry him, he always refused. After all, it was far more embarrassing to be carried into the Great Hall than to walk in with a cane.
Sirius grinned and walked next to him as they exited the common room. James walked behind them, clasping Regulus’ hand in his own. They thought he didn’t notice their “genius” tactics of making sure he was able to walk down the stairs safely, but he always did. Sirius would walk closely on his left, always there to catch him if he fell. James in back to grab him if need be. Peter usually walked in front, walking down the stairs backwards so they had the excuse to walk slowly.
It was all rather endearing, even if it was completely unnecessary. He smiled at the thought of all his friends talking so much care to keep him safe, even if it wasn’t immediately obvious to anyone else.