Disclaimer: None of the Marauders belong to me, nor does the Hogwarts Express. Also, anything else Harry Potter-ish (chocolate frogs, etc.) that's mentioned in this chapter is not mine. It's all © J. K. Rowling.

Author's Note: Yay! Sirius/Lupin! My favorite Harry Potter slash couple. This story is dedicated to my friend Mango (hugs from Tunsy, Mango!), and was inspired by loads of Sirius/Lupin fan-art I've found. Woot! And, the title of this story, Aspects of Love, is from a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Chapter One:

Seventh year. And it couldn't have come any sooner. Bristling with excitement, James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, and Sirius Black quickly boarded the Hogwarts Express to find their friend, Remus Lupin, who was always early so they would have a compartment to themselves. Also, Remus had told them all he had something wonderful to tell them.

Within a minute, the compartment was located. Remus had his back turned while his friends stored their trunks, a small smile haunting his face. At long last, Sirius spoke.

"Come out with it, then, Moony," he said. His voice was almost annoyed, yet it was obvious that his face held a grin.

"My dear Padfoot," came Remus's reply, "you never were one for patience." Slowly, he turned around with amusement sparkling in his chocolate brown eyes.

James's eyes went a bit wide, but Peter was the one to say what was being though by them all (save Lupin).

"Remus!" Peter practically squeaked. "You're ... You're Head Boy!"

Remus grinned while James spoke up.

"How could this happen?!" he asked, horrified. "One of the Marauders ... Head Boy." His head shook. "Our days of messing are over!"

"Has it ever occurred to you, Prongs, that this could work in our favor?" Voice staying even, Remus sat down. He placed his hands behind his head.

Noting James's confused expression, Sirius elaborated.

"Prongs," Sirius said, "we've got the Head Boy on our side! We can get away with loads more things!"

Seeming quite satisfied with that explanation, James excused himself and went in search of his love interest, Lilly Evans. Peter went to find some snacks, thus leaving Remus and Sirius alone.

They were quiet, not quite sure what to talk about. Neither wanted to discuss school, and they knew about each others' summers because they'd kept in touch over the holiday. So, obviously, there was nothing to do but remain silent.

Sirius, whose eyes always roved when he was bored, took in his friend, who was staring out the window at the passing scenery.

Remus's hair, which was the brilliant brown of the richest, deepest, most elegant chocolate, was highlighted naturally with streaks of golden brown (one could only see this in certain lights, though). It was shoulder length, but, at the moment, it was pulled back with a sleek black ribbon. His face, which was, at one point, perfectly round (and wonderfully cute), had angled out and was far more handsome now than it had ever been. Although Remus's face was indeed a sight to see, it showed lines of weariness and mild exhaustion; Sirius thought that this matched his friend's mature manner, and added to his looks. As mentioned before, Remus's eyes were a chocolate brown (much like his hair), and were flecked with gold here and there, especially around the pupil.

His body had finally started to fill out. He had a big growth spurt over the summer, and was no longer the shortest of the Marauders. Now, Remus could stand only three inches short of Sirius, and two of James. His arms, legs, chest, and stomach where developing and toning nicely. There was no doubt, in any of the Marauders' minds, that Moony would be a definite heartthrob this last year of school.

Remus's head seemed to snap up a bit, suddenly aware that he was being watched. His calm eyes shifted so he was looking at Sirius.

"Yes?" Remus asked him, eyebrow raised slightly.

Sirius started a bit, surprised that Remus had spoken. He quickly ridded of his surprise.

"Nothing," he sighed heavily. Sirius's voice reeked with boredom and he lied down, looking dully at his surroundings. Now it was time for Remus to take in Sirius.

Sirius's hair was just beyond shoulder-length, and resembled finely spun, blue/black silk. It shone delicately in light, and often his bangs fell across his face in a sort of rebellious way. His face was very masculine, and was, to most people, the essence of charming (Remus always believed that Sirius looked far more charming whenever he smiled his roguish smile). Much unlike the deep darkness of Moony's eyes, that always showed understanding and compassion, Padfoot's were a brilliant, frosted blue that pieced through people, as if he was trying to find something untrustworthy before words were spoken.

As for his body structure, it seemed to be developing every chance it got. Sirius had always been tall, strong, and very well toned, but now it was far more obvious than ever before. Every guy that came across Sirius was envious of his masculine look, and that just made him work on making it look even better. And, anyone who got in a fight with him never caused him – or his friends – anymore trouble. It was no surprise that girls swooned as he walked by.

Then, Sirius looked to Remus. With a slightly amused smirk, he raised an eyebrow and asked,

"Yes?"

Trying hard not to laugh, Remus sighed heavily.

"Nothing."

They both erupted into a loud laughter that easily filled the compartment, and that didn't die down until a good two minutes had passed. Rubbing the water out of their eyes, Moony and Padfoot sat back smiling.

"You know, Padfoot," Remus said, smile turning sad, "I'm going to miss this."

Sirius blinked. He hadn't expected Moony to say that.

"What do you mean?" His eyes became filled with curiosity.

"What I mean, is that I'm going to miss these train rides." Remus glanced over and saw the confusion on Sirius's face. "We always got a chance to laugh, joke, and talk – just us two – and that rarely happens at school. After all, you and James are usually joined at the hip." He tried a smile, but his face seemed to reflect a hint of jealousy.

"I'm also going to miss school," Moony continued. "We might all split up and go our separate ways. I mean, James is going to start living with Lilly –"

"Don't say such things, Remus," Sirius interjected. "We're the Marauders. Nothing will ever split us up. Never." He grinned.

To this, Remus couldn't help but smile. True, he was indeed happy that Sirius was sure about the subject, but there still sadness lingering in his eyes. It was the sadness that came with knowing that it was possible for what Sirius had said to be a lie. Sirius saw that sadness.

"Aw ... Moony ..." Padfoot watched as his friend looked down, trying to hide the tears that were filling his eyes. He took a chocolate frog out of his trunk, then sat by Remus, offering the sweet to him.

"Here ... Have this. It will make you feel better." It was hard to tell if Sirius's voice was filled with guilt or sympathy, or perhaps a sense of worry.

Remus simply nodded. Sniffing, he accepted the chocolate frog and ate it slowly. The rest of the train ride was spent in silence, as neither of them could bring themselves to speak anymore.