Authors Note: I realise that the last thing I should be doing is uploading a new story when I still have one chapter left to finish on 'A Day In The Life' but... I really don't have an excuse. Its most likely due to my lack of inspiration on ADITL... I do deserve a slap on the wrist though for being so bad about it... anyhow moving on...

This is a story inspired by the movie Immortal Beloved. Just to be clear the only thing similar to this story and Immortal beloved is that its about a tortured/genius composer... oh and my love Gary Oldman played both Beethoven in Immortal Beloved and Sirius Black in the Harry Potter movies....

Its Remus/Sirius... it's AU, circa 1700's/1800's but i'm not going to get itty gritty on it. Its a labour of love and rated for a reason... don't know what the reason is just yet... most likely its language, violence, drug-use and sex so just another day in the life... (if you excuse the shocking pun on the name of my other story...)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but a car and a puppy. Both of which I love...

Special thanks to the 2nd half of the 'slashers anonymous' duo (the other being me) 'For the love of Tea' for the brilliant beta, the encouragement and the general helpfulness that I get from her whenever its needed. Also please check out her story 'Pride Predujuce Potions and Potter' its a legendary fic that will drive the envious of you insane with... well... with envy... that you didn't write it...

Update - one or too mistakes I needed to fix on chapter 1, chapter 2 will be up sometime next week... sorry about this!

Chapter 1

On his 19th birthday, Remus Lupin found himself in his best suit in a well-to-do household who were hosting a party for their son's engagement. Remus had met James Potter only a few months previous at another party and had become a close acquaintance with him and his young bride to be, Lily. It was strange standing in his friend's house for the first time, knowing only two people in the entire room.

'Remus dear!' Lady Elizabeth Potter called to him as he stood in a corner of the room, watching his surroundings. 'Come with me, there are some people I would like you to meet.' She grabbed his arm and linked it with her own on his left hand side. In his right hand he held a sleek black cane with a silver wolf head. It clicked as he was led him from his corner around the large ballroom by the lady of the house.

Elizabeth introduced him to relatives and neighbours. She had taken him under her wing from the moment he entered her home. She knew of his recent loss and had taken it upon herself to ease the burden.

She stopped to talk with her sister, Jane and Jane's two daughters Emma and Frances. Emma was 17 and was a delightful creature with dark hair like her mother and porcelain skin with the faintest hint of blush on her high cheek bones. Frances was 11 and had similar features to that of her sister, however while Emma was lady-like and beautiful, Frances still had her youthful chubby cheeks.

Emma smiled shyly as Remus curtly nodded and Frances waved hello in a cheerful manner. After a moment of idle chit-chat, Frances was the first to mention Remus' cane and obvious limp.

'What happened to your leg?' she asked innocently enough.

'Frances!' her mother hissed angrily at her daughter, who had always had an uncanny ability to speak what everyone was thinking. 'I am so sorry Mr. Lupin.' She rushed to apologise for her daughter's directness.

Remus smiled.

'Think nothing of it.' He turned to Frances who had turned red due to her chiding. 'I was curious at your age too Miss Frances. I was shot while in the service of my country.'

'Really?' Frances asked astounded.

'No.' Remus smiled again. 'However it does sound more impressive than a childhood illness doesn't it?'

Frances smiled at him and giggled. 'I suppose it does.'

A few more moments passed where Remus chatted politely to Jane and tried his hardest to talk with Emma who seemed to be painfully shy, Remus made his excuses to leave their company.

'I do apologise but I wished to speak with James before anything formal begins.' He bowed lightly to Elizabeth, Jane and Emma and winked at Frances.

'Of course Mr. Lupin, it was a pleasure to meet you.' Jane replied with a smile.

'The pleasure was mine.' And he slowly walked away from them to another room just off the ballroom.

He had lied. He was always quite good at lying, not that he did it often. He needed to leave so he could rest his leg. A biting pain had shot its way up his leg and he knew that should he stay standing much longer he would collapse due to the constant ache. He came upon a chair in the small room and once he was sure there was no one around he sat down upon it heavily. He leaned forward and rested his head on the wolf of his cane, hissing through gritted teeth. The pain would be insufferable for the next hour. He just hoped no-one would miss him from the party.

Sirius sat in his room looking at his sheet music. He hummed the notes on the page and after a moment he threw the sheets across the room in frustration. He would never get this right. With a sigh he sat down upon the bed. The room was littered with pages of unfinished melodies. He lay back on his bed, trying to relax in the hopes that inspiration might come to him but was rudely interrupted by a knock on his door.

'Yes' he shouted harshly.

'Sirius... can I come in?' The voice was that of James Potter, the cause of Sirius frustrations at the moment.

'No. Go away.' He shouted.

Another knock on the door. Sirius growled lowly. 'I said piss off James!'

Behind the door Sirius could hear a light chuckle. Boiling with rage Sirius grabbed a shoe from the floor and hurled it at the door in temper. James laughed loudly and barged through the door, pausing for a moment to stare at Sirius, (who was looking thoroughly downtrodden) and then with a yelp he bounced beside Sirius and said with a grin. 'What is wrong with you grumpy?'

'This is your fault.' Sirius said sitting up and shoving James lightly.

'What is?' James asked confused. Although with a glance of all the papers strewn across room he guessed Sirius was frustrated with his music.

'Why did you have to go and get engaged?' Sirius asked with a frown.

'You're kidding right? You don't want me to get married because you'll have to write some music for me?'

'Exactly. A good friend would forgo his own happiness for that of his friend.' Sirius answered with half a grin.

James smiled back and they sat in silence for a few moments.

James knew the reason for Sirius anger had little to do with music and a lot to do with the thought of losing his best friend. Marriage changed things and if there was one thing James Potter knew about Sirius Black it was that he didn't like change. Change was bad.

'Come on we have to mingle a bit.' James said suddenly jumping up.

'I'm really not in the mood for mingling James. I'd much rather sit here and wallow in my own self loathing if that's ok.' He paused for a moment and then sighed. 'Who ever heard of a court musician who couldn't write music?' he laughed bitterly and shook his head.

'I've heard your music Sirius. I know what you are capable of. If I doubted you at all would I have asked this of you?' James asked as he dragged Sirius to his feet and out the door.

Sirius laughed. 'Yes. Probably.'

Authors Note: There it be, chapter 1. Read and review if you would be so kind!

I will also try (i won't promise cause i hate breaking promises) and update once a week...