The Unfortunate Misadventures of Padfoot

Sirius stumbled up the stairs to Gryffindor Tower, still reeling with his revelation. He gave up on trying to fasten his robes and collapsed in a heap on a landing, sweating and panting from his mad rush back to his own bed. Or was the sweating from the nervousness? He couldn't be sure.

He managed to fasten his robes correctly and started back up the stairs. It was technically morning, but the sun hadn't yet begun to peek over the horizon, and he was sure he could still get caught for being out of the tower at night. He looked about nervously for Mrs. Norris--oh, no. Mrs. Norris. What a terrible thought right now. He closed his eyes and covered his face as he continued on his way.

He finally reached the door to Gryffindor Tower. He looked hesitantly at the sleeping Fat Lady. It really wouldn't do to wake her up just now, but it was either that or be possibly discovered by--ugh. Why hadn't he thought to bring the map with him? Of course, he hadn't expected anything to happen, and most certainly not anything like this. It was just going to be a bit of fun, running around as Padfoot, safe from the scrutiny of the teachers or that damnable--cat. His stomach gave a lurch at the mere thought of the word. He'd finished his Potions homework earlier in the day, and had abandoned his friends who were still hard at work with false promises of food from the kitchens. And then he'd gone out, and, oh Lord, why? Why had he done it? He had figured it for some random beast wandering around late at night like himself, and had thought it would be a funny thing to try. After all, he and Remus had done it quite often. But that had never turned out quite like this, had it?

Finally he brought himself to waking the Fat Lady and muttering a password at her. She let him in grumpily, and he collapsed on a sofa in the common room. No way he was going up those stairs tonight, no sir, wasn't happening. He gave a quiet moan, unable to tear his mind away from what he'd done. He should have suspected the animal to be something more than it appeared. He couldn't even remember entering the castle...thank God he hadn't transformed, or they'd all be discovered...He rolled over again and finally managed to sleep.

Then suddenly the room was full of sunlight and Remus was shaking him awake. "C'mon, Padfoot. Are you okay?"

"Wha...what's going on?"

Remus sat down on the edge of the sofa. "We figured you'd gotten the house-elves to let you into the firewhiskey stores and had ended up hungover. It's nearly lunchtime."

"Oh. Oh...nooo..." Sirius's memories returned to him, and he rolled over to face away from Remus. "Uh...yeah, terribly, terribly hungover. Head's throbbing something awful. I'd better get up to the dormitory and get back to sleep."

He staggered up the stairs, Remus supporting his arm. They finally reached the dormitory and he collapsed into bed. "I'd better let you alone," Remus said. "By the way, you missed a great class this morning."

"Did, did I?" He couldn't even remember what class it was.

"Oh, yeah. I've never seen McGonagall in such a good mood. She was handing out house points like candy, and she was smiling and laughing at everything...Oh, Padfoot, here, let me help you to the toilet before you...oh, too late. I'll go get a towel to clean you up."