Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter characters, they belong to J.K. Rowling, I think you know that quite well by now. Don't sue!

WARNINGS: Sirius/Remus SLASH. Flee if it's not your thing. All flames dedicated to my favourite fire warriors - Sailor Mars, Tasuki, and Hikaru!

Summary: Sirius and Remus are horrified when the Lupins insist on holding an engagement party' for them. Why? Because the Lupins want to meet the Blacks.

---

-Une Soirée-

---

Chapter 1 - A Horrifying Proposal

-

Heloise Lupin bustled into her youngest son's room early one morning, humming cheerfully and marching over to the windows. She yanked the curtains open, letting sunlight flood into the room. The large lump in the bed moaned unhappily and rolled over.

Time to get up, lamb! Seven o'clock! Mrs. Lupin yanked the covers off her son, who moaned again and pulled his pillow over his head.

Porridge for breakfast! his mother sang, pulling it from his grasp.

Remus Lupin sat up, brushing his tousled hair out of his eyes. he said in exasperation, Every time you say something, it just makes me more reluctant to get out of bed!

She smiled at him. Don't be silly, dear. Get dressed. Breakfast will be ready soon, and your father and I want to talk to you.

Remus gulped as his mother left the room, shutting the door behind her. What did his parents have to talk to him about this early in the morning? He wracked his brains. He was two days into the summer holiday following his graduation from Hogwarts, so it couldn't be school-related. He had already broken the news that his boyfriend had asked him to move into his flat, and neither parent had objected. He ran a hand under his mattress. The letter from Sirius, filled with dirty talk, naughty and suggestive comments, and the usual pleas for Remus to sleep over was still there; so it couldn't be that either. Remus sighed and got out of bed.

Twenty minutes later, Remus was dressed, washed, brushed, and had applied his usual layer of light-brown eyeshadow. He headed downstairs to the kitchen and took his seat. His two elder brothers, Guillaume and Henri, and his younger sister, Serena, were already seated, looking as sleepy as Remus felt. Their father was a stream of pipe smoke hidden behind a newspaper. Occasionally, a hand would reach out, seize the coffee mug on the table, and pull it behind the paper.

A hot, blurbling bowl of porridge was waiting for Remus. He poked at it in disgust. He hated porridge with every molecule in his body.

Mrs. Lupin carried glasses and a pitcher to the table and began pouring orange juice for her children. Devereaux, put that paper down for a minute, she ordered. We have to talk.

Remus gulped. This didn't sound good.

His father folded the Daily Prophet and accepted the orange juice his wife offered him. His green eyes rested on his youngest son. Remus, your mother and I want to talk to you. About moving in with Sirius.

Wonderful. Here it came - his parents were going to tell him that they totally supported him, and they loved him even if he was a homosexual werewolf, but they didn't think it was a good idea for him to move in with his boyfriend. Remus gulped again. Or maybe - his throat closed up - they thought moving in with Sirius meant the two boys would start having sex, and the fact their son was gay would be set in stone. Remus squirmed uncomfortably. How was he supposed to tell them that he and Sirius had been having sex since the middle of their sixth year at Hogwarts?

We think it's a sweet idea, his mother said.

The young werewolf braced himself.

We want to throw you a party, Mrs. Lupin said happily.

Silence reigned. Remus stared at his parents, his mouth open. Guillaume had stopped eating with his spoon halfway to his mouth, and Henri had stopped with his spoon actually in his mouth. Serena's spoon was dripping greyish porridge onto the tablecloth. All four Lupin children goggled at their parents.

Mr. Lupin asked. What do you think?

Remus swallowed. Um - a party?

Like an engagement party, Mrs. Lupin said, beaming. After all, this is a big milestone for you boys.

Remus blushed. Serena giggled and kicked him under the table. He glared at her as she smiled sweetly up at him from under her long bangs.

Come on, Remus, it'll be fun, she said.

I'm not saying it won't, I just... Remus sipped at his juice. I'm just... surprised, is all... I mean, I guess it's okay.... what kind of party are we talking about?

We figured a barbecue in the back garden would be okay, Mr. Lupin said. Grilling the food, having an outdoor picnic... does that sound okay to you?

Remus said, the shock beginning to wear off. He swallowed a mouthful of porridge. Ugh. Revolting. I think it's a good idea.

Mrs. Lupin hurried over to the counter to snag a pencil and a piece of paper. There's so much we need to do! she gushed. We need to plan what we're going to serve, when it's going to be, who should bring what... your aunt makes the most delicious lemon squares, she'll probably bring some... oh, and of course, you have to tell Sirius....

I was just going to Floo him now, Remus said, putting his bowl in the sink. I'll see what he thinks.

his mother said happily. And tell him to invite his family!

Remus stopped halfway through the door.

His family, dear, Mrs. Lupin said. We've been dying to meet Sirius' parents, you know.

Remus twitched. This was not good. Sirius' family was not the kind of people the Lupins would usually make friends with. Correction. The Lupins were not the kind of people the Blacks would usually make friends with (or even say hello to). The Blacks were an ancient, arrogant, pure-blooded wizarding family, and Sirius hated every one of them save his cousin Andromeda. Sirius' parents had hated him as well since he was very small, instead favouring his younger brother, Regulus; they saw Regulus as the last hope for the dwindling bloodline. Remus gulped. Mr. and Mrs. Black didn't know Sirius was gay; he had never told them who he was involved with. What was going to happen when they found out?

Mum, I don't think Sirius' parents -

Never mind, love. I'm sure they'll be happy to come. Now hurry along and tell Sirius.

Remus sighed, resigned to his fate, and headed into the living room. As he took the urn of Floo Powder down from the mantle, he could feel a headache coming on. Suddenly, an engagement' party seemed less than fun.

---

Sirius Black was still in bed when the call came, having a very nice dream involving his boyfriend, silk sheets, and cinnamon-scented body lotions. The lotions were not being used for their recommended purpose.



Sirius knew that voice very well. That warm, soft voice that made him think of sunshine and chocolate and tea... and sex...



With a soft sigh, Sirius opened an eye, expecting to see Remus stretched out beside him on the bed, naked and inviting. He frowned. He was alone. But still, the voice persisted.

Sirius! Get out of bed!

The raven-haired young man sat up, blinking and pushing his shoulder-length hair out of his eyes as reality came crashing down. The voice was coming from the living room. He swung his long, smoothly muscled legs out of bed and stood, stretching. He entered the living room to find his lover's head sitting in his fireplace. A smile appeared on his face, and he dropped down on one knee to speak to Remus. Morning, Remmie. Did you get my letter?

Of course I did, Remus said dryly. Then he lowered his voice and murmured in a sultry tone, And if my parents weren't in the other room, I'd be telling you just what I'd be doing to you once I get my hands on you. His voice returned to normal. Listen, Siri, Mum has a proposal for us.

What's that? Sirius tried to pay attention and not dwell on the thoughts of what he'd like Remus to do to him.

She wants to have a party for us, Remus said in a would-be-casual voice. You know, to celebrate us moving in together.

Sirius heard the cautious note in his boyfriend's voice. All right, come clean. What's the catch?

Catch? Who said there would be a catch?

D'you think I'm daft? I can tell there's something going on.

Remus sighed. She... wants you to invite your family.

A horrible feeling rose in Sirius' stomach, but he tried to laugh it off. Of course I'll invite Andromeda and Ted - your mum'll love Nymphadora -

Not just them, Siri, Remus said helplessly. Everybody. Your parents, Regulus, your cousins... everyone.

Did you try to tell her they're nothing but evil gits? Sirius asked, plopping down hard on his butt as shock made his legs go weak.

She wouldn't let me get a word in. She and Dad are determined to meet your parents, and they won't take no for an answer.

Do I really have to invite my cousins? Sirius whined.

Remus said unhappily. She wants to meet everybody.

Sirius put his face in his hands. I feel ill.

Me, too.

We can't avoid it?

No. I'm afraid not.



Tell me about it.

Sirius felt like crying. Fine... I'll invite them. I don't think they'll come, but at least I'll try, okay?

Remus looked equally unhappy. Love you.

Love you.

Remus' head disappeared with a pop!, and Sirius got up, shedding his pajamas as he headed for the bathroom to shower.

I never should have gotten out of bed.... he mumbled.

To Be Continued.