This is my first posted fanfic so advice and/or constructive criticism will be really helpful. Please review! It would make me very happy :) -- like this.

I am rather in need of a beta. Any offers? My typing is apalling and I've read through it several times but I'm pretty sure I'm just reading what I know it's meant to say now so I miss the mistakes :/

Oh yeah and any italics after these are Sirius' thoughts.

Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling and therefore do not own any of the characters in this fic.

The Waxing Moon

The waxing moon hung high in the night sky, drawing the attention of one Sirius Black who observed it from the window of his Gryffindor dormitory. The other boys had fallen asleep long ago but the moon enchanted Sirius who couldn't help but wonder how his friend Remus always felt at the sight of that silvery orb. He knew how much Remus feared the full moon, knew it was what a boggart would turn into when it faced Remus in Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons. The handsome, black haired boy chortled softly as he remembered the confusion amongst their classmates as to why Remus Lupin would be scared of crystal balls, of all things. Sirius flicked his long hair out of his eyes and, despite the fond memory, his heart twisted at the thought of what his friend had to go through once each month.

'Oh Moony,' he whispered, addressing the closed red and gold curtains of Remus' bed, 'I can't imagine what it's like to be a werewolf, can't imagine what it's like to transform each full moon.'

The curtains twitched and were flung open, revealing a slightly pale Remus Lupin, his sandy hair mussed from tossing and turning in his bed and his amber eyes shining in the glow of the moonlight coming in through the dormitory window.

'I'm glad you can't Padfood. I wouldn't wish that kind of understanding on anyone,' muttered the boy, 'but I'd rather not discuss it.'

'Sorry Rem! I thought you were asleep.'

Remus looked so… attractive? Adorable? Sirius couldn't think of the right word but he found his eyes drawn to the werewolf sitting cross-legged on the bed, clad in just his boxers, scars from the past full moons visible on his bare chest.

I shouldn't be thinking of my best friend like that! And besides, I like girls!

But a small voice in the back of his mind (a voice which sounded unnervingly like James') was saying 'But you like Remus and he isn't a girl.'

'Shut up James!' Sirius mumbled and shook his head in a vain attempt to rid his mind of thoughts of Remus.

He was torn from his reverie by a soft chuckle coming from Remus' direction and he turned to look at him quizzically.'

'You just remind me of the dog that you are when you do that Siri. It's kind of cute in a way and, by the way, James is asleep, he didn't say anything.'

Remus thinks I'm cute! Remus thinks I'm cute!

Sirius did a mental celebratory dance and replied 'Shush Moony or you'll shatter my bad boy image.' It was a poor reply and he'd just ignored his comment about James (Remus probably thought he was insane) but Remus has this inate ability to turn his brain to mush. A 'talent' which Remus was, as always, completely oblivious too but maybe that was for the best.

Another chuckle sounded in reply. Sirius loved that he could make Remus laugh so close to the full moon.

'If only all the girls of Hogwarts knew that you were a big cuddly dog at hearts Pads! Do you think they would see you as the loveable bad boy then?'

Cuddly? And loveable? I wonder if it's really the girls or my Remmie who thinks that I'm loveable, maybe there is hope for me yet. Hang on… Merlin! When did I start thinking of Remus as 'my Remmie'? I'm so glad James can't hear me now.

'Hey! Padfoot may be loveable but he's bad too! And dangerous! Just like the girls like.' And hopefully just like Remus likes too! Sirius retorted, 'Anyway, what would the girls say if they knew about Moony? Destroy your image as the innocent bookwork eh?' Sirius winked at Remus but he wasn't sure if the other boy noticed in the dim light.

Remus froze, sitting stock still on the four-poster bed.

Sirius froze too, instantly regretting his choice of words.

Oh Merlin what have I done? I mentioned the wolf! And only a night from the full moon! I know how sensitive Remus is about it but I just don't think. I'm stupid, stupid, STUPID!

'I'm sorry Rem, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean…'

'No it's okay Siri, you're right. If people knew me for the monster that I really am they would hate me.'

'No, that's not true at all Remus!' Sirius cried, making a point of not calling the boy Moony now.

'Yes it is, if they knew Sirius, if they knew I was a monster they… they wouldn't want anything to do with me.'

Oh crap, how could I make this better? How could I convince Remus that he's as human as all of us? Except maybe Snivelly…damnit shut up Sirius! You're supposed to be making Remus feel better after the stupid thing you just said!

Sirius leaped down from his position on the window ledge and rushed over to Remus' bed, drawing the werewolf into a close embrace. Remus seemed to fit so well against his body, it was so easy to hold him in his arms and never even contemplate letting him go.

'Rem, you are not a monster, that's not what I meant. You are a kind, warm hearted, generous person. The ones that judge you on what you are on one day in thirty one are the monsters. I just meant… I meant you are so brave Remus, for going though what you do. If they knew then they'd know you're not the person they think you are, they'd see that Gryffindor courage in you stronger than in any of them!' he said, trying to undo what he had implied.

Remus shook in the animagus' arms as the tears began to flow steadily from his eyes. Sirius felt awful and his heart ached thinking that it was he who had reduced his friend to his current state. How dare he try and fix things when it was he who had broken them? But he had to try… he had to.

'Thanks Siri,' Remus sniffed, 'it means a lot to me you know, your friendship I mean. And Prongs and Wormtail's.' he added, almost as an afterthought.

No, he cares for me I know but only as a friend. Only equally as much as he cares for James or Peter.

Sirius realised that Remus was still speaking. 'I just wish…other people felt the same way as you do about my lyc… about my condition. You help you know, at the full moons, you, James and Peter. I…I don't hurt myself anywhere near as much and I can even remember bits and pieces. I'm more human than when I had to cope with the transformations alone.'

He was still speaking through sobs but Sirius could sense the ghost of a smile in his voice at the reminiscing about the adventures of Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs under the light of the full moon. It warmed Sirius' heart more than he cared to admit that the anamagi helped Remus keep the wolf at bay.

Especially Padfoot, he's closest to Moony I know he is. Padfoot and Moony, the dog and the wolf, the two canines.

Right now though, Sirius had to stop fantasising and talk to Remus. 'Other people do feel the same Rem.' He stated, 'There's Lily, she's been really supportive and treats you just the same since she found out, James' parents don't care because they know who you really are Remus. There'd be others too if only you gave them a chance and didn't let the prejudices of a few affect you.

'I know Siri, I know and I'm eternally grateful for the people that allow my actions to define me and not the wolf. You can't avoid the fact that I turn into a dangerous wolf once a month though. And these scars,' he said, pointing vaguely at himself, 'they're disgusting.'

Sirius held Remus close and said, indignantly in his ear.

'Hey! Don't insult my best friend! My best friend who happens to be one of the kindest and funnest guys to be around! And Moony,' it felt safe to use the nickname now, 'the scars are beautiful to me.'

This time Remus really did smile and said,

'Most fun Siri. I'm the most fun guy to be around.'

That's the Remmie I know back. He must be okay if he's correcting me again.

Sirius laughed.

'I know you are. I'm glad you agree with me.' He was rewarded with another laugh from Remus. The warm feeling from being able to make Remus happy so close to the full moon blossomed again inside Sirius. 'Everything is going to be okay.'

'Don't be so cliché Pads. But seriously, I know things will be okay because I've got you guys, the Marauders.'

Sirius looked down at the boy in his arms and saw Remus gazing up at him, those alluring, amber eyes still shining with tears but a smile spreading across his face. He hated seeing Remus upset but he was always slightly on edge this close to the full moon. Sirius traced the scars on Remus' back absentmindedly with his finger and Remus shivered under the touch but did not pull away from the animagus.

The two fell asleep not long after, Sirius still holding Remus tightly as they lay on Remus' bed, the curtains still flung open and their two entwined bodies bathed in the silvery light of the waxing moon.