AN: This is probably my favorite fanfic I've written so far. I have more chapters in mind, but I'm not sure if they're worth writing. Tell me what you think. (I'm not fishing for compliments; I want your honest opinion.) Sorry if the flashbacks are confusing, but here's the deal: regular font is present, italic is flashback, and bold italic are the song lyrics. It's such a beautiful and poignant song, I had to do a songfic to it.

Pairing: Remus/Sirius

Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to JKR. The song "Hallelujah" belongs to Leonard Cohen.

Rating: T for now. We'll see in later chapters. (If I write them.)

Takes Place: Mid-OotP in Grimmauld Place, with various flashbacks

Warning: Romantic relationship between two males.

POV: Sirius

Feedback: Is greatly appreciated

Hallelujah…

Sirius stared out of the cold bright glass. A soft snow was coating everything outside, drifting so peacefully one might think nothing bad had ever happened.

One would be wrong.

The pureness of the snow messed with Sirius's mind. It seemed that it could blur, or even erase, the heavy and solid chasm that separated the present from the past. It made him remember another time that it had snowed like that.

"It's called a piano."

He closed his eyes as the details of that day filled his mind. He'd had no idea what was what.

"What's a pee-no?"

Remus chuckled, maybe to hide his blush.

"It's pronounced pee-an-oh, actually. And it's a musical instrument."

"What's that?" Sirius asked, unashamed of his ignorance. Remus always explained things patiently and sweetly to him. He wouldn't ever judge him for not understanding Muggle things- or anything, for that matter. There was an infinity of things Remus didn't understand, he'd told Sirius once. Sirius sincerely doubted that, but he'd just nodded.

"Well, Muggles use it to make music. You press your fingers on the keys and certain sounds come out."

Sirius said, "Wicked! Can you play it?"

Remus blushed again. "Well, I took lessons when I was younger. But I'm rubbish now."

"Play me something?" But Remus just shook his head.

"Fine, can I try?"

Sirius sat on the little bench. He pushed down a key, and much to his surprise, a little peal of sound rang out. Remus smiled pleasantly at Sirius's flabbergasted expression.

"Here, I'll show you." Remus sat on the bench next to Sirius, their knees just barely touching. Sirius felt a little shiver run up his arm as Remus entwined his hand in Sirius's. He pushed his fingers gently onto some keys. Sirius noted how his palms were impossibly soft, despite some calluses from his transformations.

I've heard there was a secret chord

That David played and it pleased the Lord

"That's a G natural," Remus said, his breath on Sirius's ear. "When you play certain notes together, that's called a chord. There are some chords that sound really nice when put together-"

"Mhmmm," Sirius murmured, a little lightheaded. Remus smelled a bit like the snow falling outside might smell: soft, mysterious, and a little sweet. Their torsos were touching now.

But you don't really care for music, do you?

"It's- it's okay if you're not interested," said Remus, a trace of hurt in his voice. "I know you're not that into music-"

"No!" Sirius cried, not wanting to hurt Remus in any way. "No. I-I want to hear the chords."

Remus tried to hide a smile. "Oh. Okay then, well, let's see if I can remember this…"

It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth

Humming under his breath, Remus moved Sirius's hands to different spots on the keyboard. A short melody started to build, and Sirius realized that Remus was right, as usual. It was a beautiful sound.

But it could have sounded like chain saws for all Sirius cared. He would still smile a little every time he thought of the dusty old piano after that day.

The minor fall, the major lift

It might have been his imagination, but it seemed to Sirius that Remus was slowing the melody down, as if to…could it be?... prolong the song? Prolong this moment?

Probably wishful thinking.

The baffled king composing hallelujah

Finally, the song ended. Reluctantly, they pulled away. Remus busied himself with something or other while Sirius stared at his hands, ears burning.

Hallelujah

"Hey, Remus," Sirius said softly as the man walked by. "Can you…talk…for a minute?"

"Sure," said Remus distractedly.

"Do you…remember that time…when I came to you house and we—you—played that song on your piano?"

Remus's breath caught in his throat.

"No," he said sharply. "I don't remember that."

Hallelujah

"Are you—really? You know, in fifth year, Christmas break, when I stayed at your house?"

"That was a long time ago. Besides, that piano was a piece of junk. I never really learned to play anyway."

"But—it sounded so nice. What you played." Sirius said, almost begging.

Hallelujah

"Maybe to you. But trust me, it was just a bunch of random chords. Didn't mean anything. Now I—I have to go," he muttered. Remus turned and left the room briskly.

Sirius looked up from his hands, out the window. The snow was still falling. He pulled the shade and turned his back.

Hallelujah…