Disclaimer: Jo Rowling owns the HP-characters and everything I borrow from the books. Rowling et al, own the various copyrights etc. No copyright infringement is intended. The few lines with lyrics from songs I sometime use, others own. I make no profit whatsoever. This is just to entertain myself and others.

My own stories, my poetry and new characters belong to me, Smaragd1, and must not be copied in any form without my consent. :)

Several readers have asked for more, so I've decided to make this a 'three-shot'. ;)

Please bear with me, English is just my second language and I write in UK English. :)

I'm not used to writing slash, but it's rather fun and I'll do my best. Hope you enjoy!

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First chapter: The Kiss

It was his last journey to Hogwarts before the final exams. A term still lay ahead of him and many hours of relentless crouching over books, parchment, ink and quill. He'd come across seemingly endless obstacles on his way to manhood, but he really needed those top grades. Even so, it wouldn't help him much. He was still not heading toward a brilliant future and no normal relations with the opposite sex. He had no hope for real, true love. He wasn't sturdy built but wiry, tough but sensitive. He was a mixture of a lot of things, more so than most young men and even if he'd come of age he was still a bundle of confusion. Hadn't really figured him out and never would - maybe. He knew of nobody else in his position, not being a normal man all month long. He was partly a beast!

His hair was rather fair and completely impossible to 'tame' into any fashion or style. A fringe covered half his forehead. He really needed a hairpin, but how would that look? He almost grinned, imagining his fellow students and their merciless comments. He had been late for the train, jumped aboard and sat down in the very last compartment. To all bliss it had been completely empty. Weirdly enough, or understandably maybe, he was left alone for the rest of the journey. On the other hand, he'd been the only one being almost too late. He was lucky really he made it before departure. He took a couple of minutes at first to hastily scan a few compartments. In every one of them giggling couples entertained one another, telling jokes, playing games. He sighed and returned to his own haven. It was quite all right. He was tired anyway.

There had been empty seats aside Lily and James, but he didn't want to intrude. He'd be in company but still totally alone just the same. Like a fifth wheel under de wagon, he would be staring out the window, watch the snow flakes whirling by and feeling doubly alone. Besides, Lily and James were totally snogging one another. The thought of smouldering kisses from soft lips was so far from him. He was a marked man, so to speak, but quite used to it. So he merely passed them by and they wouldn't have noticed him anyhow, since they only had eyes for each other. He went back to his solitude, his very own space in time and drew the curtains tightly so they covered the door. Maybe the window curtains, too? He needed a nap, felt exceedingly tired, he was hollow-eyed. Not really a pretty sight.

The days and nights around full moon during this last month he'd felt so sick, so utterly abandoned and lonely---well, before and after his shifting. He felt better now, although his bodily strength hadn't fully returned. Thoughts were passing by rapidly and he startled when the door suddenly was pushed open by Sirius. He looked around and then entered resolutely, his stroll leisurely slow, until he tossed himself down on the settee opposite. He scrutinized his friend carefully.
"I'll stay on if it's all right with you? To sit completely alone in another compartment doesn't seem very tempting or the height of joy", he chuckled. "It's just a gathering for couples - and a snoggle time for boys and girls- to say the least. Is every one else in love on this journey, I wonder?" He glanced at Remus with a worried look. "How are you, Moony? You seem a bit pale. Full moon problems, exhaustion, pain?"
"You might say that!"
Sirius tossed him a bottle of Butterbeer and then uncorked his own. He watched Remus with a huge amount of tenderness. After all, they were old mates and the best of friends. Things had changed a bit. No fun hanging around James any more, since HIS one and only interest of late, seemed to be a certain girl whose name started with the twelfth letter of the alphabet. James had become more and more obsessed it seemed, and spent ALL his spare time in her company.

"Hey, Padfoot! I don't know how I would have survived without you, especially you?" Remus spurted out. "Well, the others have been there for me too, but you've been special. You're going to leave an empty space in my heart when we all go our different ways this summer. You've had to put up with my clawing, biting and trashing throughout the years and always endured everything without complaints. I appreciate you for more than this of course. I'll sincerely miss you, even if we'll keep in contact in the future. You'll leave a beautiful imprint in my soul, Sirius."
"Don't go soft on me now, Moody! You know I'll do anything for you"
Lupin gave him a surprised look.
"Haven't you felt it?" Sirius watched him a little hesitantly. "You know what I mean? If you really search deep within? Haven't you glanced at me in a special way too when you thought I didn't notice? Here, have another beer. By coincidence I happen to have a few pumpkin pies and some pastries." He smiled full heartedly.

Lupin nearly started sobbing, but managed to master his feelings at once. No inappropriate sound could be heard to his great relief. This uninspected consideration, even tenderness and intimacy, was almost too much. He wasn't accustomed to it. Nobody else used to care about HIM or his feelings in this way. Lily of course, and James at times, but male intimacy, it didn't really happen. And now Sirius. He didn't really know what to say. It was a bit awkward, but he realized that he felt something very special when it came to Sirius. More so than for just a friend. He really didn't want to dwell on the subject. It seemed very inappropriate, didn't it?
"I guess I've made you a little embarrassed?" Sirius had a teasing expression in his eyes and a smile for his friend. Lupin cheeks almost reddened, his entire face turned a little pinkish.

Sirius moved over to his side and handed Remus a pastry and they chewed without saying anything, but glanced at one another, drank a little beer. "Lupin, have you ever wondered, at any point, although never wanting to admit it even to yourself, have you ever thought of how it would feel to kiss another man"
Remus draw his breath, then swallowed hard and felt his heart almost go amok in his chest. He almost forgot how to breathe. He had no words, but waited.
Sirius caressed his right cheek and his hair, pulled a curl straight, the one hiding Remus's right eye.
"You ought to stop this, Padfoot!" Remus whispered half choking, but without an overly convincing tone. "You sincerely mean, you even suggest... that we should try? That you are willing to...?

"Trying something at least once doesn't kill you, now does it? We're of age" said Sirius with a glimpse in his beautiful eyes. "Maybe we'll hate it. Or else we like it. Who knows? But this way we'll definitely find out"
He lowered himself over Remus and licked his lips, then kissed him gently. Stopped and awaited his reaction.
"How did it feel?" It wasn't a proper kiss, but a start. Did you enjoy it?"
"Well, yes, it wasn't unpleasant, but a bit different. We'd better go on trying, don't you think?"
Sirius laughed silently and draw himself up to his full length. Pulled Remus up with him and pushed him close to his body. Remus didn't move away and they continued. Remus coaxed his tongue into Sirius's mouth, which opened readily. Their tongues slithered and played and Sirius nibbled a little.
Remus felt nothing cogent in the kiss. It was a bit more powerful than kissing a girl, but as nice. It was different and tantalizing. The pleasure made him sigh a little and he felt Sirius swelling against his leg. He thought he was going to faint and was just...

The door was abruptly swung open and in the doorway stood... Severus Snape. Staring, incredulous with gaping mouth for a few seconds, so big was his surprise. A huge grin started to spread. Then his mouth curved in disgust. His eyebrows went up. "Well, well, well, Gentlemen! What have we here?" he uttered with a satisfied and very insolent smirk before he shut the door. This would give him a peaceful term...or else.

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Comments please.;) Remember that English is just my second language and I use UK English. This became so popular, not many have reviewed it, so I decided to make it a three-shot.