Synopsis: Sirius Black is cool, aloof, handsome, mysterious. . .it's no wonder he's the most popular boy in Hogwarts. Kind, gentle, polite and studious, Remus Lupin can't help but find himself falling for his fellow Marauder. Remus x Sirius, fluff, slash.

Shining Star

Remus was breathing heavily. Grass bristled across his ankles and the sound of his thumping footsteps upon the cold earth resounded through the foggy night air as he ran as quickly as he could, as far away as he could. The full moon glistened overhead, bathing the copper-haired boy in its pale glow as he continued to run, as if he was frantically trying to get away from something.

'They shouldn't be able to find me here. They should be safe now. . .'

"Moony?" a familiar voice called out to him. "Hey, there you are."

'No. . .!'

"What's wrong, Moony?"

'I. . .can't. . .arrggh!'

The transformation had begun. Fingernails became claws and coarse, spiky hair sprouted from smooth skin. Bloodshot eyes glared at the three boys that stood before him as human teeth grew out into the sharp fangs of the werewolf. Against his will, the boy, now turned werewolf, raised a paw in preparation to strike.

"Moony, are you okay?"

'James. . .you've got to run! No! Please stay back!'

"Moony. . ."

'Sirius. . .please, run away quickly, before I. . ."

"Why are you running away, Moony? We're your friends."

'Stay away, Peter. . .go! Run! I can't. . ."

Everything was a blur after that. The three boys were killed almost instantly by the werewolf, who violently slashed their bodies to bits.

'No. . .James, Peter, Sirius. . .NO!'

Remus awoke in a cold sweat, panting. It was that dream again, though he knew that it could never happen for real. He would have been able to wait out the full moon in the Shrieking Shack and his fellow Marauders-his best friends, would have been safe in their animagus forms. Yet, the dream was so vivid, so horrifying and impressionable, that he was still very shaken. Sitting up in bed, Remus buried his face in his pillow and tried to calm himself down.

"Moony. . ." a gentle whisper sounded from across the room.

Remus didn't answer. He lay back down in his bed, not wanting to allow any of his friends to see him with tears in his eyes.

"Are you okay? Remus. . ."

Remus gasped. In the pitch-darkness, Sirius had crept across the room and was now kneeling by Remus's bedside.

"Padfoot, go back to bed. I'm fine," Remus struggled to speak clearly as his voice was choked with tears.

"You don't sound fine to me. What's going on?" Sirius tried to sound reassuring.

"Just a nightmare, is all. Nothing to get your britches in a knot over."

Sirius smiled knowingly, though Remus couldn't see it. The raven-haired boy knew that his close friend would have a hard time falling asleep again. He sighed, and rested his head on the edge of Remus's bed. He was about to reassure his friend further, but thought better of it. Sirius knew that such a thing would only make Remus feel embarrassed or weak, as it would be an insult to Remus's strength, or 'manliness' so to speak. Lying down next to Remus's bed, Sirius reached over the edge of the mattress and rested his hand upon Remus's.

Remus didn't move at first and lay completely still, surprised at the gesture. Then he relaxed as he found the warmth of the other boy's hand to provide some reassurance that his friend would always be there by his side. Snuggling into his blankets, Remus gently gripped Sirius's hand, who had by then fallen asleep.

"Thanks, Padfoot," Remus whispered sleepily, as he drifted back into his slumber.

By the time morning came, Remus woke up to find that James, Peter and Sirius had already gone to breakfast. He wondered if what had happened during the night with Sirius had been a dream too. His heart beat faster at the thought of Sirius holding his hand as he had fallen asleep. He gazed longingly at his right hand for a moment, and with his left, gently touched the palm to see if any vestige of warmth was left over from Sirius's reassuring grip the night before. Then he chuckled to himself. He was being silly, and he knew it.

'Ha. . .ahahaha! I get it now. Sirius. . .I think. . .all this time, I had been in love with you and had never realized it till now.'