Was it Betrayal, Or Just Stupidity?

Chapter 6

Dumbledore spun around in surprise and pulled me up out of the burning fire. He sent a Patronus to Professor McGonagall, and one to Madam Pomfrey, informing them of my... unexpected arrival. They both came rushing in, both with looks of immense concern on their faces. McGonagall leant over me.

"Oh, Sirius..."

Heya Minnie." I croaked, coughing as I did. I attempted to flash her my trademark Sirius Black grin, but it probably came across as more of a painful grimace. Madam Pomfrey had conjured me onto a stretcher and went back through the floo to the hospital wing. I'm not sure how I was still conscious at this point, but I know that promptly after I had been laid in a bed in the hospital wing, I passed out. Thinking about it, Pomfrey probably drugged me, it did seem like good timing.

When I awoke, I was greeted by the apprehensive and timid stares of my friends.

"What are you guys doing here?" I croaked, my voice still raw from the amount of smoke I inhaled.

"We're worried about you, Padfoot," James replied.

"But I thought you guys hated me!"

"Well, I mean... umm," James faltered, evidently not sure what to say.

"Hate is a strong word, Sirius." Remus continued,

"We were angry," James stated, "Because of what you did. But, after this..." He made a vague gesture in my direction "We decided that, well, Moony decided that we were being ridiculous."

"We were really scared, Sirius." Peter squeaked.

At that moment, Madam Pomfrey came out of her office and ushered the others out. She gave me another dose of dreamless sleep potion, muttering something about how I wasn't supposed to be awake. I wasn't listening. I was too busy thinking about my friends' words. They struck like a hammer. But a good type of hammer. It felt good, to know they cared.