James was eager to hear about his day with Hagrid. The enormous man a constant source of speculation and fun. James was slightly disappointed, therefore, to learn how Remus was just doing menial tasks all day.

"Well what did you expect?" he asked sorting through the clothes James had thrown to the floor.

"I dunno," James sighed "An importation of dragons or a rogue centaur herd. Something more interesting than hauling logs."

"Well there wasn't." He had moved onto James' trunk now. Somehow it had became messy in the one day "I'd tell you if there was," He promised.

The next day was much like the first, Hagrid had him walk his dog only this time when he came back to the cabin he was to actually chop the wood into fire logs. Hagrid showed him how big they needed to be and how to actually chop the wood before leaving him to tend to his pumpkin patch. Remus wondered why Hagrid was just giving him all the easy jobs, and they were easy. If Remus needed a break he would come over and let him take his dog out again. When the axe had started blistering his fingers Hagrid called him in for tea before sending him up to the school for supper. Two weeks later Remus didn't really want to dwell on it. The way he saw it he could have been the one to feed the grindylows.

"He likes you," James told him "He usually takes Dumbledore's words as law and if Dumbledore said you were alright then Hagrid would believe him."

He was helping James with his transfiguration homework. Sirius and Peter had taken to being out on an evening if Remus was in the vicinity.

"He shouldn't," Remus responded.

"Are you saying you're a meanie Rem? 'Cause as far as I'm concerned you haven't done anything saucy in your life," James joked.

"I know that," Remus conceded "But there's prejudice for a reason. That's wrong," He pointed to the third line.

James hauled his book over and corrected his mistake "You know more about this than I do," he muttered "And that prejudice is misplaced. If wizards spent more time helping rather than segregating werewolves there wouldn't be so many attacks. Nothing like what happened to us..." They lapsed into silence.

Hagrid had him making decorations as October fell. Streamers that were to stretch the corridors and the great hall along with fake bats that flew and slept like real ones.

Remus was hanging some in McGonagall's classroom under her stern gaze "A little higher, Potter stop sniggering," Oh, and James was there.

He was seated at the front with Sirius next to him and Peter on the next desk with the red haired girl he had talked to at the start of term. Sirius had turned a red shade front eh reprimand as James tried to stifle his giggles. They were growing steadily as Sirius' face darkened.

"Would you like some bats as well Professor?" Flitwick and Slughorn had been quite taken with them.

"No, thank you," She waved her wand so the desk he had been standing on went back to its place. "If I wish for bats I think I can make my own."

He nodded and left. Not before something hit his head. He stopped and scooped up the crumpled paper seeing his name written on it. Waiting until he was walking to the greenhouses he discovered a meeting time for him in the library. He didn't recognise the handwriting and figured James had someone else write it in case he got caught. Ever since his promotion to head boy he had been trying to stay out of obvious trouble.

Professor Sprout had her own Halloween decorations thanks to the scary plants she grew. The Defence teacher on the other hand had him put the decorations up and delayed him to his next stop by making a demonstration out of him. He made the class see the difference between a real human and a werewolf, kindly pointing out all the signs in comparison to his other volunteer Sirius' little brother. He had to promise the Runes and Arithmacy Professors he would come early to do theirs the next day since the Divination classroom was all he had time for. Hagrid was all too happy to more his dogs walk so Remus could finish his decoration. In fact he seemed relieved not to have to think of something else for Remus to do.

Five o clock was the time of the meeting and found Remus sitting at a table in the library. He had been expecting James but it wasn't he that walked through the door. The red haired girl walked in his place.

She smiled and sat, removing some books from her bag for show. "I'm glad you came, When you didn't talk to me in the corridors or the common room I figured you weren't interested."

"I thought James had written the note," He confessed. Her face fell "I don't think I'm really meant to make contact with the other students," Hoping she would understand that you just didn't make friends with werewolves.

Her face had at least lost the frown "You are. Don't worry I asked McGonagall before I thought about the meeting here."

This seemed like a lot of work for just a friendly meeting "What exactly is the reason for this meeting?"

"I thought we could get to know each other. That's okay isn't it. Only I think everyone should have a friend," She added quickly.

"I have a friend," Remus defended.

She took his hand like she was explaining something to a small child "James is your master. You said so yourself. Me on the other hand, I have no ties to you and I genuinely want to know you. Not because I was forced to accept you but because you seem nice. Friendly," She smiled. He didn't know what to say to her. She wasn't giving up on him yet though "So, what do you like to do for fun?"

He answered stiffly at first but as the time ticked he found that they had a lot in common. He'd never realised until he was arguing over the best fantasy book the strain James' and his conversations usually had. He loved James and was always eager to hear about his day just as James was about his. They never had anything to really talk about though. James had his interests and Remus his. Both of them would just listen and comment not like she and him. He spent half an hour arguing over the characters in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing and was thoroughly enjoying the different perspective she brought to the play. He had seen it through the eyes of the wizarding world whilst she saw it from the muggle. The education systems before Hogwarts took completely different approaches towards the teaching of certain literature pieces.

"Mr and Mrs Potter were open minded but they didn't have many muggle fictions in their library. I think it was the fear of going to a muggle book shop that had them stumped" he told her. They were walking back up to Gryffindor tower together.

"Are you sure it wasn't pure-blood prejudice?" She sneered.

"They weren't like that," Remus snapped. "They were the greatest parents ever. James was always their top priority even when they didn't have the time for him. They made sure he grew up knowing how privileged he was and tried to integrate him as best as they could. So whatever prejudice you have against James or pure-bloods I'd kindly ask you to keep them out of it." He stormed the rest of the castle alone until he was safe inside the boys dormitory. They weren't up yet which meant Remus could wallow alone.

Shaking all over he changed and sat heavily on his bend. Bringing up Mr and Mrs Potter had angered and upset him but telling her off was what had him shivering. He had no right to say those things to her, to use that tone when speaking to a witch.

The other three came cackling in at ten. James had complained but stuck to the early bed time Remus had installed (mostly because he enjoyed waking the other two up in the morning.) He changed and left Peter and Sirius to cower on the other side of the room.

Climbing over him James settled on Remus' pillow "Alright Rem? You didn't come back with us is all."

He nodded "Fine." James frowned but seemed to realise he wouldn't get anything from Remus that night and went to his own bed.

He woke up anticipation a horde of aurors and teachers swarming his bed. Instead there was James dropping water on Peter while jumping on Sirius. He was on edge as he changed but calmed when he spotted something on his drawers. A little chocolate cupcake was seated on top of his books. A note underneath in elegant handwriting said "Cheer Up!"

The staff didn't accost him as he went to breakfast but he still took the end seat despite Hagrid only attending the evening meals. The Owls came soaring in whilst James was in mid argument with Professor McGonagall. James had often got into an argument with her at breakfast since James spent most of his time standing opposite Remus at the staff table and picking at his plate. McGonagall was just getting into the part about House Pride when a tawny owl interrupted her sentence. It landed on McGonagall's plate and James smiled sheepishly as he took the letter addressed to him and scampered over to Remus.

"Everything alright?" James' face had drained of colour as he read the letter.

"Great," He crumpled it "Uncle Oliver's just trying to get my gold again." Mr Potter's brother had been delighted when hew was given the house and quickly turned on his nephew. The rest of James' inheritance was his next goal in life it seemed.

"Ignore him," Remus advised "The ministry said it's yours and Dumbledore's sorted it out. MR Potter's just going to have to accept it."

James cringed "Don't call him that Rem, that's what you used to call..." A swallow muted James' father's title. "Just call him what he is, Uncle Oliver. It's a bigger insult if you do and we're being anything but nice to him now," James glared at the crumpled parchment again.

"You'd better go back to your table," Remus advised. He turned his head to indicate Slughorn's arrival. Head Boy had made James even more desirable in Slughorn's eyes which made any conversation James had with the man one to ignore.

Sure enough James spotted Slughorn and scampered off to sit with Sirius and Peter. The red haired girl was further up from them and Remus was thankful that she was talking to er friends. He'd probably bolt if she looked at him.

The rest of the decorations were up by noon so Remus was spending the rest of the afternoon taking Max for a walk. Hagrid suggested a long stroll as Max's legs could use the stretch. He told Remus not to be back earlier than four.

They had taken the route that led to the forest, lots of trees to wee up and sticks abundant to throw. He had just thrown another one for Max when a black dog yanked it out of the air. He'd never seen the dog before and had assumed that Max was the only dog at Hogwarts, well, he had been. Calling Max back he grew wary when the black dog trotted over too. He was huge and all black, Fur long and silky on its young body. Two grey eyes poked out and watched as Remus took the stick back. There was something familiar about this dog and it took a while for Remus to realise it was the smell. It smelled like Sirius, perhaps the dog was his? Nevertheless the dog was waiting and since Max didn't seem to have a problem with this new dog Remus tentatively threw the stick. Max and the black dog raced to catch it first and even if he was old Max could run fast. He brought it triumphantly back and went to go sniff the bushes.

The dog stayed behind and rolled on its back when Remus stepped away. He made a whine and crawled on his stomach towards Remus. Hesitantly Remus crouched down to meet the dog and held his hand out. The dog darted forwards and put his head under Remus' hand.

"You have to understand," he told the dog scratching its ears "A dog was the one who did this to me. Granted he was bigger, hairier, more grotesque and could stand on his hind legs but still a dog. After all we're one big canine family aren't we," the dog was leaning into the strokes happily and made annoyed little growls when Remus stopped "So where did you come from? Hagrid hasn't bought another dog, at least I think he hasn't. So you're either a stray or someone's beloved pet."

He checked for a collar and figured the dog must have lost it when he ran off. There was no way something as well fed and groomed could be a stray. He stood up and thought about taking the dog to Hagrid when someone called his name.

"Remus!" he turned and there was the red haired girl coming towards him.

"Oh no," He breathed and turned to the dog. "Wait!" He called as it darted into the bushes. She must have spooked him. He thought about going after the dog but if was walking around Hogwarts someone else was bound to find him. Besides the girl had caught up to him now.

"Remus I'm sorry," She flicked her hair back where it had fallen in her sprint "I should have been more sensitive. I mean of course the Potters were nice, I just let my feelings with other wizarding families cloud what I knew. Please forgive me, I'd hate to lose you before we've even had a chance."

Taken aback by her apology Remus nodded. "I'm sorry for snapping at you. It was out of line."

"What? No it wasn't, I was in the wrong and you had every right to say that to me," She insisted. Pulling Remus towards her discarded bag she changed the subject "I have a present for you now that we've made up?" Remus nodded. "Okay so I read this over the summer and I remembered what you said about not reading many muggle fictions so I thought it'd be a good idea for you to read it. I thought it could be a thing between us. We recommend books to each other and meet up to discuss them, a little book club with just us. What do you think?"

"I love it," He really did. Evenings were always fraught with boredom when James was on his rounds "Pince never lets me lend books out so this'll be great," She frowned at the treatment the librarian gave him and he wondered what she had against James. They were almost perfect for each other.

"Here's the book," She handed over while Remus recommended one for her.

He arched his eyebrow at the name An Interview with a Vampire was just the thing you gave to a werewolf. He promised to give it a go anyway and waved at her as the bell went for her last class. Calling Max back over he skimmed the book while looking for any trace of the black dog on the fields.

James noticed his good mood that night and asked about the abrupt change. Remus held the book up "One of the Gryffindor girls leant me it. I know it looks a bit," 'Girly' hung in the air between them "But it's nice I've got something new to read."

James kept his comments to himself and just lazed as Remus read the first three chapters to him. Sirius and Peter entered the dorm which halted Remus' reading. He sniffed the air as Sirius passed making Peter shoot him a disgusted look behind James' back. The dog definitely had Sirius' scent on him.

Peter and Sirius had been to the kitchen on late raid and laid their feast out on the floor for consumption. Remus knew better than to ask for something. James would comply but Peter would refuse to eat anything else that had been stolen.

"Did you finish the decorations? The others ones look great," James told him.

Remus sighed looking up his book. He should have know better than to think James' good behaviour from before would last. He did this every time Remus got a new book. "Yes but Hagrid's preparing me for the pumpkin carving. We have to do that later so they don't go off."

"What!" James appeared at the end of his bed "You get to carve the pumpkins?

"Yes."

"That's so unfair," James whined "Every year I ask if I can do one and they say no. Apparently they have a system that can't be tampered with. Bollocks to that," Remus glared and pointed to the swear jar he had made for James. It was already half full of sickles. James sighed but dropped another one in "Don't see why we have this," He pouted.

"If you want a wife then don't swear. And as for the pumpkins there is a a system, I'm having to learn about it in the next few days. But I guess I could ask Hagrid if you can help gut them," James beamed and hugged him quickly.

He had just turned back to reading his book when James remarked "I can't believe he just has you walking his dog all day. I'd much rather that to potions."

"It's pretty boring sometimes. Except today," He looked over at Sirius as he told James about the dog he saw. "Do you think it belongs to someone in Hogsmeade. That's what Hagrid thinks. Do you know who he belongs to Sirius?"

Sirius looked up sharply "Why would I?"

"Well he kind of smells like you. I thought you'd been feeding it or something. Maybe knew where it came from," A funny look had overcame James before he asked for a private word with Sirius.

Remus managed to finish the girls book the day before his second full moon at Hogwarts. Vowing to give it back when he was well he made his way to the shrieking shack on the outskirts of Hogsmeade. For all of Dumbledore's generosity the shack made him long more than ever for his cellar back home.

He had spent the minutes last month before the full moon crying about the unfairness of his life and this time was no different. The shack had a way of making him yearn for all that he had lost and a life he would never lead. James had tried to make him feel better before he left by telling him he was going to be telling ghost stories to the first years and asked Remus to howl extra loud to scare them. Chuckling at the absurdity of the situation Remus was glad that James was left in his life, he didn't know what he would have done if he hadn't.

He was lying on the bed upstairs waiting for his bones to start shifting when he hear snuffling come from under the bed. Nervous he figured it had to be a rat and ignored until his jaw snapped.

He woke up on the same bed he had last night. It wasn't splintered like he thought it would be which was quite odd. Tired and a little achy he sat up surveying his injuries. Some kind of miracle must have happened, not one long cut or missing limb. Sure there were scratches here and there but that was the height of his injuries. Something licked his leg making him jump.

The black dog from earlier that week grinned toothily up at him. Panic flared as Remus felt over the dog "Please don't be hurt!" he'd hate himself if he had injured a defenceless animal. The dog wagged his tail happily at Remus' petting and woofed a little at him. "How did you find me in here? Is this where you live?" A lick was his answer. The smell of Sirius was fresh on the dogs fur, he would have to ask about the dog again when he went back. Tell Sirius not to leave it in the shack on the full moon.

A bang sounded downstairs as the trapdoor was opened. The dog scurried off and under the bed with a last lick at Remus' thigh. Madame Pomphrey came bustling in now long after.

"Remus," She seemed as startled as he was that he was awake. "Well this is a good surprise."

Later in the hospital wing he told James all about his great transformation and the dog in the shack. He grew worried when Remus speculated the dog being there all night and Remus shared his concerns. He made sure the reassure James that the dog was alright before suggesting that Sirius move it next full moon as the boy in question and Peter came to collect James for Herbology. Sirius was grinning at James and looking rather tired whilst he did so. Story time with the first years must have kept them up late. James gathered his bags while Sirius acknowledged Remus by chucking some chocolate frogs at him. James must have thought it rude though and dragged Sirius by the scruff, shouting and hissing as they walked out of the hospital wing.

Madame Pomphrey let him go after a nap so he stayed the rest of the day at Hagrids helping him move the pumpkins into the great hall for the celebration feast. That evening he spotted the red haired girl and gave her book back organising a meeting whilst he did so. By the time he had sat down to eat he was happier than he had ever been after a full moon.

The next day he met up with the girl again in the library. She turned up enthusiastic and happy to see him. They shared their views for a few hours on the books they had read before moving onto other topics. Again Remus found himself engaging in an animated discussion and was pleased with the challenge she posed with her views.

The topic of the November Hogsmeade trip was brought up as she thought about "Getting my Christmas shopping done now so I won't have to venture out when it gets cold. Besides NEWTs will have me revising at that point."

"Christmas," Remus sighed "I'd forgotten about that."

"Oh God," she covered her mouth "I completely forgot. This is going to be your first Christmas without them isn't it?"

He nodded "James is... well, I don't know what he's going to be like. Things haven't been okay for a while now and Christmas might be too much," He confessed. She was easy to talk to and somehow telling someone about what he was going through was helping him sort out his own head. "We don't even talk about them, every time they're brought up it just becomes too painful. And it's not like the rest of his family is supportive. Mr Potters brother took our home and he's trying to take the rest of James' inheritance. Then there's Mrs Potter's family, they've never like me and James barely tolerated them before. I mean her brother has two kids of his own so he doesn't really want to get involved in case James thinks he can go to him when there's trouble which just shows what kind of man he is. Then there's her sister, she seems to think she can use James to bring back the family's credibility as a pure-blood activist back. He refused obviously to be used like that but it's their fault that we have nothing. It's their fault we had to move in with Sirius over the summer," He sniffed fighting off tears "I just want to go home."

warm arms enveloped him in a hug "I'm sorry." Pulling back she asked "If there's anything I can do don't hesitate to ask." He smiled his thanks. She sat back in her seat while she suggested "How about going to Hogsmeade with me. We can pick out a present for him if you like."

"I don't have any money," She cut off his arguments.

"Ask James. No, I'll do it. Come on we'll ask him now," She pulled him up as she gathered her things together.

They checked the common room when Remus suggested he might be in the dorm. She agreed but refused to stay downstairs as he went up to check and climbed the stairs to the boys dormitory.

Remus trailed behind her as she entered their room "It's actually not that bad," She muttered looking around the room.

James was sitting straighter than Remus had ever seem him. He had his broom in his lap that Remus Remus hastily removed when he saw the white knuckled grip James had on it. "Evans! What the-"

"I'm taking Remus to Hogsmeade at the weekend so he's going to need some money," She told him. James looked to be in shock "Potter!" She snapped.

"Sure," James agreed coming back to life.

Nodding "Good," she turned to him "The carriages leave at eleven and I asked so you are allowed to go. So, I'll see you Saturday," She grinned and cast a small smile at James as she left.

Remus arched an eyebrow at James who was gaping after the girl "James?"

"How do you know Evans?" It was said with a hint of caution like he wasn't going to appreciate Remus' response.

"She's the girl who leant me that book. I've told you about her," he informed.

"You didn't say it was Evans," Clearly he was missing something.

"I didn't know her names and after a while it became weird to ask. Besides I haven't heard you go on about Evans before. It's usually Lily that's the subject of your devotion."

James ran a hand through his hair in frustration "That was Lily! Her name is Lily Evans," Lily Evans. So much had finally become clear.

"I didn't know," He whined.

"I know," James sighed. They sat down on James' bed deflated "How's you end up going to Hogsmeade with her?"

"Dunno," Remus shrugged "She just asked when we were in the library. Said she wanted to do some shopping and invited me."

"Don't suppose I could come?" Remus hated to quell the spark of hope in James' voice but the reason he was going fro James himself.

"Sorry. She still doesn't like you all that much," He tried. James nodded acceptingly.

"Thought so. At least she's nicer to me now," Remus through back to how she had addressed him. That had been nice? "She doesn't hex me anymore either. In fact last time we were on rounds she told me I was quite sweet," He pulled a dace and looked at Remus "What exactly have you been talking about with her?"

"I thought you'd given up on Lily," Remus countered.

"Hmm, well keep it up whatever it is you're doing," He clapped Remus on the back and fell backwards with a dazed smile on his lips.

Peter was all for hearing about Lily's trip up to the dorm when James told it to them. Sirius made a joke when James mentioned he was polishing his broomstick as she came in. Then he retired to his bed claiming boredom. It didn't stop him interrupting James through his story.

"You said you'd help," Sirius called motioning to the potions homework in front of him.

"I'm busy Padfoot. If you can't wait get Moony to help you," James choked on the end of his sentence simultaneous to Sirius throwing something off James' head.

They shared a look which Remus ignored hoping that he'd hear more about the nicknames if they thought he wasn't interested. The staring match ended when Peter muttered something quickly and James slapped him to shut him up. A hiss and he was out dragging Peter behind him. Remus waited for Sirius to follow them but three minutes later his books were dropped on Remus' bed along with Sirius not long after them.

"Don't suppose you know the formula for a drought of the living dead?! He did and talked Sirius through it wondering how long he would stay. Already he was picking at the bedding. About halfway through he realised that he should be taking notes to what Remus was saying which seemed to calm him. So much so that when Remus was finished Sirius didn't leave straight away. Instead he sat there mouthing the beginning of words for two minutes before giving up and moving to follow James in the common room.

Hogsmeade weekend saw James giving him advice on what to talk to Lily about. Mostly it was things about James himself and how perfect he would be as her future mate. Lily met him by the carriages shooing James off with a pointed look.

He'd heard all about the small wizarding village and even seen some of it when they had came in September and was quite excited when he spotted the houses and buildings coming up.

"Okay I was thinking that we hit the other shops first before heading to the Three Broomsticks and Honeydukes," Remus didn't really care and agreed with her plan.

They hopped out the carriage to be greeted by the cold November winds. It took Lily several attempts to make her hair behave as they walked past bustling students. The first shop they visited sold robes and other assortments of clothing. Lily was moving between the racks looking for something her parents would like as Remus explored the mens section. James already had lots of robes since he hadn't had a growth spurt since last Easter. Scarves and hats were plentiful in his trunk so Remus saw nothing that would make a spectacular Christmas present in that shop. Lily on the other hand had sorted out her dads present.

The shops after that still held nothing that screamed out at him to buy for James which made him slightly disappointed with the village. He would have thought there would be something James would like. They continued through the village before he saw something that would definitely hold James' present.

"Can we go in there?" He pointed towards a shop that James, Sirius and Peter were strolling out of.

Lily cringed slightly before agreeing. The shop was full of pranks, nose biting tea cups and dungbombs were brands he remembered James showing him on his holiday breaks. Despite that he couldn't get them for a Christmas present. It had to be something special, something that would make Christmas the one time in the year that shouldn't be remembered with misery.

Ten minutes of browsing proved that Zonko's didn't hold the answer, but it had given him an idea. One he relayed to Lily as they were sitting in the Three Broomsticks.

"I think I know what I want to get James," He started. Lily motioned for him to continue as she opened her butterbeer. "Promise you'll help first."

"I promise," Lily solemnly swore.

"I want you to kiss him for Christmas," She almost choked as he spoke. "Hear me out please," He begged stopping the beginning of her shouting. "He's wanted to kiss you for years and I thought that if you did this year it might make him forget about what happened."

"True," Lily agreed glaring "But there's one fault in your plan-"

"I know which is why I thought that if you were put in a position where you couldn't do anything but kiss him you might be more inclined to agree. That way he gets the best Christmas present ever and you don't have to say you did it because you liked him," She seemed considering now.

"What exactly are you thinking about?"

"Mistletoe. Enchanted that you have to kiss the other person or something bad happens," He proposed "Also you promised."

She rolled her eyes before musing on it. "Something like that would require advanced charmwork. It would be good revision... Alright. But he's only getting one kiss and it's only because it's Christmas."

He beamed and gathered his things as they set off for Honeydukes. Not before he tried to give back the money he had borrowed to James. He didn't need it now he had found a present but James only took half back insisting that Remus should 'go nuts' in Honeydukes since he didn't have any sweets back at the dorm.

Back at the castle Remus concluded that Honeydukes was his favourite shop in Hogsmeade. He had indeed gone nuts at the sight of all that chocolate. Not to mention Lily was loving that people were giving them lots of room to browse because they didn't want to get near him. The downside was that Lily had to pay for him since the shopkeeper refused to serve his kind but it was still a great time.

James came back late to the dorm that night having took a secret passage back. As soon as he spotted Remus he pounced and interrogated him about everything Lily had said that day. Naturally he left out he fact that they were shopping for him which meant all James got was all the gossip about the girls in Hogwarts. It was unnerving how much James was interested in the goings on of people's love lives.

November was pressing hard on Remus. NEWT mocks were approaching meaning that he had to help James revise since he didn't have time to do it on his own. Sirius would sometimes join them since Peter wasn't the dorms favourite study partner. Mostly he just sat there and turned a steady shade of red at James' whispered comments.

Hagrid had him preparing for Christmas. While Halloween had him starting the decorations two weeks before hand Christmas was a whole other affair and required two months. There was no such thing as over the top when it came to a Hogwarts Christmas he discovered when he looked at the plans. Remus agreed with everything he saw and was all for putting in his best effort. This year was both his first and James' last Christmas here so he was intent on making it memorable.

Hagrid showed him the trees he was growing and had him shovelling snow as it started to fall. Other than that his duties hadn't changed for the time being. The real work would begin when the faeries migrated over.

Usually on his walks of the grounds he would see the black dog. Sirius refused to comment on the dog when Remus asked and usually sprinted off the as soon as he could. Remus had started to notice a pattern after three weeks and a full moon waking up to the dog. It would appear on Wednesday afternoons between two and half three and again on Friday between twelve and half one. Snuffles was the name Remus christened him with when the dog growled when Remus suggested it and he was very well behaved when he did appear. He would usually walk alongside Remus and always demanded a cuddle. Usually whining and putting his head under Remus' hand if he didn't comply. Remus would be lying if he hadn't started structuring his walks around the dogs visits.

At the tend of the month Lily presented him with two mistletoe twigs. "They're done so use them wisely," She warned walking off afterwards to catch up with her disapproving friends.

"Thank you," he called.

He stashed them on his bed the first night wondering what evil concoction Lily had thought up to keep her and James underneath them. He thought it might present itself if he looked at it a certain way but all it did was make him tired. Eventually they found a home amongst Remus' socks while he looked for wrapping paper.

Hagrid had him helping with the trees in December. He argued that Remus' superior strength would let him drag the trees up the hill to the castle without Hagrids help whilst the Giant set up the ones he had hauled up in the great hall. Lily appeared along with her friends half way through his trials to urge him on as she talked to her friends. He was slightly glad that she turned up to see him, it showed that she was still his friend despite the fact he was going to make her kiss her nemesis in twelve days.

As he was pulling the last tree up he noticed James, Sirius and Peter had joined Lily's entourage and James even helped him pull the last one through the doors. But he thought it was more for Lily's benefit than helping Remus.

"You'll never guess what," James told him when he handed the tree off "Lily's only went and offered to look over apartments over the Christmas for us. She said that she's usually bored at her parents and thought it might be nice if she spent it more productively this year."

Remus was ecstatic "That's great!"

"I know. She'll be giving us her short-list when she comes back," James grinned.

Remus made sure to thank her as he went back to Hagrids cabin to start pulling the rest of the decorations in. A thought came to him when he was carrying the trapped faeries into the castle. Lily was going home? Then how was Remus supposed to give James his present.

He confronted her in the common room after ushering her away from her friends. "You're leaving for Christmas."

"Yeah, my parents want me home for my last year since I'm moving out when I go home. My sister's just got engaged as well so..." she finally realised what had him upset "Oh, right the present. Look, give him it early and I'll do it before I leave. I'm sure it won't spoil Christmas if he has it early Remus," she comforted. Reluctantly he agreed.

That night he waited for James to come up to the dorm. He was late since Peter insisted they take an unscheduled trip to Hogsmeade since he had forgotten to get his parents anything for Christmas. Thankfully James came back sober and laden with sweets that he dumped on Remus' bed.

"Thought you might like these," He handed over three bars of Honeydukes melted chocolate. It wasn't all melted, just the middle and it oozed warm in your mouth as you ate it.

Remus reached into his drawer "I have something for you too. Circumstances have made it so you get your present early this year," He handed the small package over watching James' eyes grow wide.

"Rem, you didn't have to get me anything," He insisted trying to hand it back.

"No, don't worry I didn't spend anything and I think you'll really like it," He urged.

James pulled a face that quickly left as he unwrapped his present. Two twigs of mistletoe dropped into James lap which he pulled to the light "Are you trying to tell me something?" He asked coyly.

"I thought you could use it on Lily. They're special ones that mean the two standing under it have to kiss or something bad happens to them. This way Lily will have to kiss you," Remus grinned.

James looked awestruck at the power Remus had given him and fell off the bed to go plot with Sirius about how best to use it. He quickly came back to give Remus a brief hug muttering "You're the best!"

Remus was woken up the next morning by James jumping on him telling him to get up. Today was the day that James was getting what he wished for since he was fourteen and just discovered girls (he was a late bloomer with Quidditch on his mind a lot). All four of them were sitting in the common room as he bargained with a girl to go and fetch Lily from her dorm.

She emerged with a slight glare at Remus and a roll of her eyes as James held the mistletoe up and explained what she already knew. Quickly James was cut off from his explanation as Lily planted a kiss on him, and what a kiss it was. James looked like he was about to fall over as Lily unwound her arms from his neck and turned back to her dorm.

He was still standing in the same position she had left him in when Sirius went to check he was still breathing. By midday Remus knew Lily had just made James' Christmas. He was practically floating when he went off to his lessons and Remus thanked Merlin that it was the last day since he was sure James would have tried the same trick twice over the Christmas if she was staying.

He left James in the dorm that night replaying and romanticising what he called his 'true loves kiss' and went to go thank Lily for what she did.

"He's so happy it's unreal," He laughed to her.

She blushed slightly as she joined in Remus' merriment. They were standing on the little bridge overlooking the fields of Hogwarts. "It wasn't so bad I guess. I know I was brilliant," She joked.

"Too right judging from the ten minutes it took to revive him," She looked questioningly over at him.

"He likes me that much?"

"I thought you knew that," he told her. "He told me he's been trying to woo you since third year."

She scoffed "Woo is a mild term for what he's done. I always thought he was joking though. I mean at first I thought he was serious but then I thought it was a matter of his pride you know?"

Remus shook his head "He's in love with you," She turned almost as red as her hair. "He tells Sirius all the time about all the imaginary kids you two will have and I'm pretty sure I got a rant about how grand your wedding would be at some point."

She bit her lip "He's never told me that he was serious."

"I would have thought you would guess," Remus turned to face her properly, telling her as sincerely as he could "He wouldn't have done everything he has, stupid or not, if he wasn't mad for you." He peered at the shocked look that had stuck on her face wondering "Are you sure he doesn't have a chance with you?"

"I- That is-," she stuttered and flicked her hair back facing away from him to calm herself.

"You don't have to say yes now. At least think about it over Christmas," Remus suggested. He saw Lily nod and told her he was heading back to the common room.

James woke him up at noon the next day telling him that they were going to the kitchens for something to eat. Remus joined them much to Peter's displeasure who practically stalked in front the whole way there.

The house elves were more than happy to serve Remus which made James laugh about the roles being reversed. It didn't make Remus laugh though as he reminded James that Remus had as much rights as the house elves by law which quickly sobered him up.

After breakfast James dragged him down to the Quidditch pitch for a ride. Sirius was the only other one in the group with a broom so Remus was left with Peter in the stands watching them. He wondered watching Sirius do a loop where the black dog was. It was below freezing these days and even though Remus had seen the dog on his walks he worried about where it was sleeping at night. Peter ignored him when he told him that he was going for a walk and kept his attention on James and Sirius.

The grounds were covered in snow so deep it was hard to walk in. He skirted the edge of the forest calling out to the nameless dog. Checking in with Hagrid the gamekeeper denied having seen it so Remus walked dejected back to the Hogwarts grounds. He didn't want to check the shack just yet. The longer he stayed away from that place the more Remus could pretend it didn't exist.

He called and looked for hours before Sirius found him. The boy was standing on the hill looking out at the grounds before running as he spotted Remus.

"James has been looking everywhere for you!" he shouted. It was the first time he had heard the boy raise his voice to him. "You don't just run off without telling anyone."

"I told Peter," He argued staring Sirius down.

The boy seemed to realise who he was talking to then and stepped back as he conceded that "I didn't know that. Peter didn't tell us anything."

"Of course he wouldn't," Remus stated obviously. Sirius scowled slightly but didn't argue with him.

"Well, James was looking for you," Sirius told him again folding his arms underneath him.

"I'm busy but I'll be back up soon," Remus turned towards the forest again and started looking in the bushes.

"What are you doing?" Sirius hadn't made his way back to the castle like Remus had hoped he would.

"Looking for the black dog," Sirius rolled his eyes smirking slightly so Remus snapped "It's winter and I'm not leaving a defenceless animal cold and homeless!"

"I'm sure it's fi-" He cut off as Remus glared at him and moved off a couple of inches again.

"I'll be back up soon," Remus growled as he prowled the forest. He heard Sirius move off and breathed easier when he was a considerable distance away. Somehow the thing with Lily and now the disappearance of the dog had made his temper short. Or maybe it was just Sirius, something in him just had him wanting to growl at the boy all the time.

He hadn't found the dog two hours later and decided he better see what James wanted. He was in the common room lying spread eagled in front of the fire. Sirius was lounging in a chair resting his feet on James while Peter played chess with him.

"You wanted to see me master," Remus drawled sitting on James' stomach and shoving Sirius' shoes off.

"Oomph, loose some weight Rem. And I didn't actually, just got worried when you up and left. I thought Hagrid had kidnapped you and decided you were to be his new pet. He loves dangerous creatures you see and I think he's taken a shine to you," James joked.

"Well considering the fact that I've been working for him I'd think he had too," Remus quipped "Sirius said you wanted to see me," He tried again "he looked pretty annoyed and worried when he found me and I thought you'd threatened him."

James arched an eyebrow "And if I had?"

"I'd be very flattered. It would also show that you had something important to discuss with me," James rolled his eyes.

"I was going to ask you something," James stalled and fiddled with Remus' jumper. He motioned for James to continue when the pause had become too long "I thought that it might be nice if Sirius moved in with us," James told him slowly.

Sirius looked like he wanted to be anywhere but in the room when Remus glanced at him. "Like we move back in with him or..."

"Or he moves in with us at our new place. I thought we might have more options if we pooled our money together and lots of people are staying with each other after school so I thought it would be a good idea. What do you think?" James was looking hopeful.

"What about Peter," The boy in question scoffed as James informed him that Peter was moving back to his parents house because his mum had taken ill.

"You'd get your own room," James bargained when Remus took a long time answering.

He didn't know what to think of James' suggestion. He didn't much like Sirius but then again James did and he had been kind to them over the summer when they had nowhere to go. It was only natural that James would want to move in with his best friend after school. They were probably already going to do it before the Potters deaths. The only difference was that Remus wouldn't be visiting James at his apartment while living with the Potters for the rest of his life. He'd be living with both James and Sirius like he had at the summer. They'd have to look for places for him to change, go through ministry regulations and even make sure that he was clothed and fed. Remus was basically a complication in an already planned step in James' future.

He couldn't say no "I don't have a problem with it," He muttered and was pulled down on top of James as the boy whooped.

"This is going to be brilliant! It'll be great Rem just wait, we'll do things properly. Get you somewhere to transform and get you a little cupboard of your own full of after moon stuff so you don't get so beat up..." James trailed imagining their new life together.

Remus looked to Sirius. The boy was gazing at Remus sharply. Remus was sure that Sirius knew he wasn't all that okay with the arrangement. He proved it later that night by finding his Gryffindor courage somewhere and slipping through Remus' curtains.

"You don't want me to move in," He declared sitting the furthest away from Remus.

"You don't want me to move in," Remus countered

"What? Of course I do," Sirius insisted a genuine frown on his face.

"You can barely sit next to me. Over the last two years you haven't held a conversation with me until now. You're definitely repulsed by my kind so obviously you don't want me to move in," He laid the facts down for Sirius to think over.

"I'm not repulsed by you, how could you even think that?" Sirius exclaimed.

"Then how else would you explain this," He gestured to the fact Sirius was almost out of Remus' bed with the space he was keeping between them.

"I don't- wait here," Sirius told him and left. Coming back minutes later he waved his wand and moved up to the head of Remus' bed, almost sitting over him to fiddle with Remus' bed hangings. "There," Sirius declared and moved more comfortably next to him.

Remus sat up fully and saw that Sirius had stolen one of James' mistletoe twigs. He barely had time to register this before Sirius descended on him.

Sirius' lips were insistent as they moved Remus' into action. For the second time in as many days he found himself being kissed and again he had no idea what to do. The fact that Sirius was even doing something like this had been pushed to the back of his mind as the rest of it was focusing on copying what Sirius was doing.

A moan came from Sirius as his hands left Remus' face and journeyed to his hips and up his back. Remus angled his head and he found Sirius taking it as initiative to move forward and swipe his tongue along Remus' upper lip. He found himself at a loss and repeated the action back at Sirius. He met Remus' tongue as he straddled Remus' lap and pushed him into his headboard.

The jolt had Sirius pulling back and pressing little kisses to Remus' lips instead, none so as insistent as before.

"Merlin I've wanted to do that since I met you," Sirius groaned peppering kisses on him still. Remus was in slight shock as to what had and was continuing to happen. "So sexy with that glare. James teases me constantly," He confessed moving in for another kiss.

The mention of James snapped Remus out of his daze. He pushed Sirius off him and tore the mistletoe down. Sirius was watching him warily "You- I don't understand," Remus told him.

Understanding dawned so Sirius chanced sitting next to him again "I like you, have for a while actually. I'm not repulsed by you, far from it actually. One conversation or a little growl directed at me has me harder than anything I can think of," Remus would never understand how some people could just declare things like that without blushing.

"But you..."

"Remus," Sirius cupped his face "I like you. I want to be with you, move in with you and Merlin do I wanna kiss you again," He growled. "Please say you'll give me a chance."

Sirius was moving in again when Remus told him "I'm a werewolf."

The boy chuckled "I'm aware."

"I don't think you're allowed to..."

Another chuckle this one closer than the last "I've never been much of a rule follower," And captured Remus' lips in another kiss. He let him since his mind was in such a state that it couldn't function yet. He broke off "What do you say? Wanna give me a go?" The innuendo was clear in that proposition.

"I don't know," He told him truthfully. Sirius' face fell slightly so Remus explained "I've never really thought about anything like that. I- I don't know."

Sirius nodded "James said something like that too. Tell you what, how about you think about it and let me know at the end of the Christmas holidays. Oh this'll be fun," Sirius beamed "I can woo you properly." He left after that statement bouncing onto James' bed with a shout before things went quiet.

His mind was a confusion of Sirius' proposition and enlightenments. He had never thought Sirius would like him and he definitely hadn't thought Sirius thought about him like James thought about Lily. Despite going through puberty himself he hadn't really focused on the mating part that came with it. His body had been changing too much and making the wolf angrier which meant that he had other things on his mind. He'd never even contemplated having someone like that, the option never being open to him. The ministry had made sure his kind couldn't breed by removing all of the females after some of the uses Wizards kept his kind had resulted in one of the females getting pregnant. Then there was the fact that it was considered a taboo. What little thoughts Remus had entertained when he was younger were short and usually left him too scarred to try again.

But now the opportunity was open to him. Now Sirius was presenting him with the opportunity to think about whether he wanted to get involved with him.

The next morning he woke up to a completely different dorm. It wasn't obvious that something was wrong in the room since the boys acted like everything was normal. Even Remus didn't see that something wasn't right until midway through his game of chess with James. Sirius seemed to have changed over night.

Instead of the boy that shied away from Remus' touch he was leaning into it. They were sitting in front of the fire in the common room. James had taken to sprawling as close as he could to the naked flames while Remus sat opposite wiping his bow. Sirius was sat closer to James with his head almost in James' lap. His foot on the other hand was playing with the hem of Remus' trouser leg.

Looking up into the pale boys face Sirius was shooting him a heated look. The changes occurred all throughout the break. Hagrid said that he could take a break with the other kids so he spent most of his time tagging along with James. Peter wasn't too happy and often Remus heard him complain low at night about Remus being with them to the other two. Sirius had taken the added presence of Remus as an opportunity, it seems, to somehow seduce him.

Undressing looks cast from the Gryffindor table, lingering touches as he passed and there was also the fact that he actually talked to Remus now. Asking about things he liked and didn't.

"It's so much better learning this stuff first hand. James was awful when it came to remembering your favourite colour. Although I think he was just doing it to annoy me now," Sirius mused tapping his wand on his leg.

Remus didn't really know how to respond to the sudden change in Sirius' personality. He had went from the boy that feared the sight of him to the one James told him stories about. He found during the second week of their break that he didn't much mind the change all that much. It was nice to have someone else to talk to now that Lily was gone. Sirius seemed interested in his views and although he didn't like many of the things Remus did, if he mentioned something once Sirius brought it up in their next conversation with his own research thrown in.

The effort made Remus see that Sirius was genuine about his proposal. It was just like he said to Lily, no boy puts in that amount of effort if they don't care about it. So Remus found himself slowly responding to Sirius' change.

One day in the dorm he approached Sirius' bed with a magazine full of motorbikes he'd had Lily send him. "I thought you might like it, you seemed interested in the one we saw," Sirius' face had lit up at the cover and he poured over it like it was pure gold.

"Thank you," Remus shrugged and removed himself from Sirius' bed.

The full moon approached near the end of the week. The dread welled up in Remus' body on the Saturday as he recalled the cold shack and the small dog he could have mauled. He still hadn't found the dog despite all the searching he put himself through week after week.

"You're not still looking are you?" Sirius asked catching up to him at the edge of the forest again.

"I need to," Remus told him looking further into the snow covered bushes "The full moon's almost here. If the dog isn't roaming then it's back in the shack. If it's back in the shack then I'm going to have to look. But I won't, not until it's too late. And I'll probably kill the poor thing."

Sirius pulled on his arm as he tried to venture further "Remus come on, it's freezing I doubt the dog will come out even if you're here."

"The moon's tomorrow," He pressed pulling his arm out of Sirius' grasp.

"And you'll make yourself worse if you worry. The dog will be fine," Sirius took hold of him again and Remus reluctantly let himself be dragged back to the castle. He made a questioning noise when they turned away from the path to the common room. Sirius smirked slightly at him "You're all tense. I thought I'd sort that out before we went back to the dorm."

Narrowing his eyes Remus followed a bit slower "Sort me out how?"

"You'll see," Sirius replied cryptically and led him up a flight of stairs until they came to a painting of a mermaid. "Being a prefect means Pete gets all the perks," He winked and said "Mulled wine," To it.

Sirius dragged Remus in the door as it swung inwards leading him into a room with what looked like an empty Olympic swimming pool.

"What are we doing here?" Remus walked around the edge of the pool gazing in. Startling a little as water poured in.

Sirius turned out to be the culprit "It's the prefects bathroom. I thought you might like a nice soak," He offered and turned on more taps with his wand "Maybe a little massage," He murmured in Remus' ear as he walked past.

The flirting had been a new thing as well. Something that Remus was unsure he was comfortable with. The pool was filled in under five minutes and since the taps turned off themselves all there was left was for them to jump in. Sirius wasted no time in stripping himself off and jumping in. Casting a worried look over to Remus who hadn't moved since the water had been filled he swam to the side.

"I think I might go back to the dorm," Remus mumbled pointing towards the door.

"No!" Sirius slid out "Look if you're uncomfortable with me being here then I'll leave and you can enjoy the bath alone. Just please get in, you're freezing," he rubbed Remus' cold jacket.

The door was just within reach but Sirius' sorrowful blue eyes were closer and urging him to get in. Groaning a little Remus turned and slid out of his jacket. He heard a splash and saw Sirius with his back to him and wading in the deep water. It was easier to strip out of the rest of his clothes when Sirius wasn't looking. Even easier to stick his feet in the water.

The bubbles caught in his hair as the warm water played against his muscles. It was like being submerged in warmth. He felt like he was wading through sleep it was so warm and familiar to him. His legs took over his actions automatically and turned him on his back. Drifting on the water he forgot about his troubles with the dog. His confusion with Sirius and loss that plagued every moment of his life. For now there was just the water.

Sirius was true to his word that he didn't want Remus feeling uncomfortable. He kept to his own side of the bath and only came over when he received permission. The interrogation continued lazily when Sirius got a hold of his shoulders. This time he was asking about James' childhood.

"He was so tolerant when I met him. It was surreal to me that there were people in the world like that, who just accepted everyone," Sirius gave.

"Hmm, I guess. I was pretty lucky that the Potters took me. James never acted like I was some kind of burden or slave," Remus replied sinking into Sirius' calloused fingers.

"You shouldn't act like one then," Sirius muttered pressing harshly on his back.

Wincing Remus told him that "It's not like that. You saw the Potters yourself, they opened their home to you as well as me. I couldn't just stay there and feel like a burden so I decided to fulfil what they got me for. It was only right and it made sure that when they had people from the ministry over or guests I was behaving like someone of my standing should."

Sirius scoffed behind him. He turned sharply about to reprimand him but Sirius interrupted "I felt the same. I wasn't arguing about that part. It's just the part about you acting like your standing. Have you actually seen other werewolves?" He shook his head slowly. The Potters didn't really entertain to those who could afford werewolves. The McKinnons when they came around didn't bring theirs and as for the others it was mostly pure-blood supremacists that had bought the rest of his kind. "We had one, like you remember, and I don't think it could even talk. My mother made sure that it knew its place the moment we got it. It was beaten like our house elf and given scraps from the table. We weren't allowed to interact with it in case something happened. In the end it only lasted two years before the moon ended up killing it. Mum said it was a rogue claw to the chest. Though she probably was lying," Sirius contemplated. "The reason I'm saying this is that werewolves are treated like that not like how you are. People that came over probably didn't even realise you were one with how well treated you've been."

"Is that why you seemed shocked when you met me?" He remembered the look on Sirius' face when James had announced that he was 'Remus' and leaving him to clarify to Sirius what being Remus meant.

"No, well a little," He admitted sheepishly "But it was mostly because I didn't expect you to be so," Sirius gestured at him like that was the answer. "James had told me so much about you before we met and I always wondered what you looked like. To think James' Moony turned out to be so much better than the stories," he stroked down the side of Remus' arm.

"Moony?" That nicknames were back and what was worse was it seemed they had one for him.

Sirius straightened up with a gasp "James is gonna kill me."

"Moony!" He just realised the reference "Like the moon?"

Sirius made a soothing gesture "Now Remus calm down, you'll get all tense again."

"You coined my illness into a name for me? Like some dog?" He was pretty sure Sirius couldn't talk his way out of the nickname. "Wait, that time when James said 'Get Moony to do it,'" Sirius paled. He growled "How long have you been calling me this?"

"Er..."

"Sirius have you ever seen me mad. I may not be able to get my revenge like you or James but rest assured that my version of anger will leave you begging for forgiveness by tomorrow," He threatened. Sirius tried to bolt out of the bath but Remus pulled him back down.

"Alright," He conceded making sure that he was a good distance from Remus when he started speaking. "So a couple of years ago James mentions you in passing. Pete and I were like 'who's Remus' and James told us but when he did some other people overheard and realised James had a werewolf. Your name got out and people started to listen to our conversations when they heard it so we changed your name to Moony and put the word out that it was the name of James' rabbit."

"You made me a rabbit?" He didn't know whether to be amused or horrified. Sticking with amused for now he relaxed slightly as the shock of the nickname set in. "But then why do you and James have odd nicknames?"

Sirius looked panicky again "I can't tell you that. It's kind of a secret project of ours." Remus nodded his head and backed up into the wall of the bath to relax. "It's not like I don't want to tell you Remus. I will as well. Just not right now," Sirius swam slowly towards him with every word.

"Fair enough," Remus shrugged and enjoyed his bath again.

He saved his anger for James until after the moon had passed. He woke up with hardly any scratches once again and therefore only had to stay in the hospital wing for a short nap until the matron said he could go.

James wormed his way into his bed back in the dorm after classes waking him up in the process. "How'd it go. You don't look too bad," He had picked up one of Remus' arms and was examining the light bandages.

"It was the same as last month. Like I just didn't want to kill myself. I thought it might have been the dog that distracted me but it wasn't there this morning. You don't suppose it's dead?" He shot up in panic and James pushed him back down.

"No, it's probably fine." James was scowling at the dormitory door "It probably went to sleep somewhere else in the house."

Nodding he calmed down and relaxed his protesting muscles. Despite not being too hurt it was always a task to turn into a wolf and back in one night. "I just hope Moony doesn't tire of its presence and kill it one moon."

James' eyes widened "Ah," He backed off slightly "You know about the name. It was Sirius' doing," He rushed out "He thought that Moony sounded cool, I personally wanted to call you something better like- like..." Remus felt like laughing at the nervous look that overtook James.

"Wolf-boy, luna, lupin even?" He arched an eyebrow at James' further panic.

"Would saying I'm sorry help?"

"Maybe," James went down on his knees at the side of the bed and then proceeded to beg forgiveness when Sirius and Peter walked in the room. "Alright you're forgive. Now fetch me cake and let me rest," He ordered and watched as James ushered Peter out with him.

Sirius came strolling over as the door closed "I thought you were just bluffing. How bad is your wrath?"

"Ask James," Remus told him turning over onto his side. The sun had decided to glare to brightly on his pillow.

Christmas was almost over, there was one day left in the break when Sirius took him down to the kitchens on the promise of chocolate cake. The house elves fulfilled their every desires and Sirius made sure to get some for James and Peter before they made their way back up the stairs. Stopping on the third floor Sirius pulled him into a tapestry that hid a secret passageway to Gryffindor tower.

"Have you thought about what I asked you then?" Sirius revealed in the dark.

Remus knew he was talking about his declaration "How exactly would our relationship change?" Remus asked instead. He was willing to try being with Sirius after all the effort he put in but didn't quite know what being with Sirius would entail.

Sirius stopped and cast his gaze back "Well, we would kiss, a lot if I have my way. Then there's other things we can do..." He trailed clearing his throat before continuing "We would spend time together with each other because we want to, go on walks or just sit in the dorm together and talk. You know, dating stuff," He shrugged and started walking again.

"Actually I don't know. Not really anyway. My experience of romance comes from novels I've read or from the things I've seen Mr and Mrs Potter do," Sirius snorted at something Remus didn't understand. "My experience is limited in any case."

Something grabbed his hand in the dark. He tried to pull away but his senses told him that it was Sirius and he relaxed "Mine isn't. I'd be more than honoured to introduce you to it if you'll let me."

Remus gripped Sirius hand back "Very well then."

He expected some kind of dramatic kiss to occur in the darkened passage, much like those he had read in novels. Sirius didn't do anything of the sort. He just held Remus' hand and led him through the passage. Pulling away when they reached the portrait of the fat lady and helping him through with all their stolen goods. Nothing romantic happened that night either and some small part of Remus was glad of it. He didn't know what to do in those situations and if Sirius had drew him into one straight away he was ashamed to admit that he probably would have thrown Sirius off him.

The next day saw students unpacking and greeting each other all around the castle. The common room was packed with first years telling about their Christmases and passionate fifth years sneaking kisses in the corners. Remus was walking towards the dorm where James had declared they were holing up until his rounds that night when he was assaulted by a blur of red.

"Remus!"

"Lily!" He grinned clutching the girl to him. She pulled back straightening his jumper as she went.

"Did you get my present?" She had gotten him a new book for Christmas. An old muggle classic of Dracula.

"I did and I'm starting to note a pattern. Have you always had a secret vampire kink," She went red and hit him playfully.

"What on earth happened to you! I go home for three weeks and come back to this cheek," He gasped mockingly and pulled her up to the boys dorm so they could talk better. The other patrons in the common room were starting to shoot dirty looks to him.

She ignored James and the others in the room heading straight for Remus' bed and pulling the curtains around it. A flick of her wand and she assured him that the others couldn't hear.

"Any reason for all this secrecy?"

She went impossibly more red "I've come to a decision about James," She told him. Judging from the look on her face James was in for the best year of his life "I wanted to ask you first though. I mean, it wouldn't be right if I started going out with him and-"

"Lily," He interrupted "You're going to make him so happy." She laughed embarrassed and played with her hair.

"I just couldn't help thinking about him over Christmas. Looking back on all the things he's done through the years and I saw what you were saying. He's still a complete prat but in his own way he was showing me how he felt, all those times when I thought he was just being spiteful and..." A misty look overcame her.

Remus couldn't help but laugh delightedly at James' luck "When are you going to ask him?"

This snapped her back down "What?"

"Well he can't," Remus informed her "He's done it for so long I think he's afraid to ask again. This time it has to be you."

She nodded slowly "I guess that makes sense." They sat there for a long time in silence. Remus enjoying the stages of anxiety playing across Lily's face. Eventually she snapped "Oh God how am I gonna do it Remus? I don't know how to ask someone out, is this what James went through every time he asked me? It's terrible if he did."

"Breathe Lily, we'll think of something," For the next half an hour they bartered idea's around until one stuck. Two hours later and a plan had been made so foolproof that James couldn't have done any better. "So I guess I'll see you Friday," He grinned showing her out. James was poking his head over the beds. She squeaked in nerves and fled when she spotted James watching them.

"What did Lily want?" James pounced on the nearest bed, cornering Remus as soon as he could.

"To say hello. We're friends it's allowed." He couldn't wait until Friday.

James pouted knowing that Remus wasn't going to reveal anything interesting to him "Did she at least say anything about the apartments she was going to look at for us?"

She hadn't "I'll ask her on Friday."

That night after James had finally stopped pestering him and went to bed Sirius scurried over and stole his way through Remus' curtains. He climbed under the covers and shoved his freezing feet between Remus' legs on the basis that since they were together it was allowed.

"I have to tell you something," Sirius confessed.

"Alright," Remus gave him his full attention.

Sirius huffed a deep breath "The nicknames you've been hearing James and I call each other, well, Peter has one too. It all started when James told us about you. We were in like second year and McGonagall had just transformed herself into a cat and back telling us that some people go on to become animagi when they're older. When James told us that you could transform into an animal we thought it was cooler than McGonagall since you're a wolf and she's just a cat." Realising he was off topic he shook his head and focused "Anyway we got this idea and it took a lot of time but, I guess it's better to show you..."

Confused Remus watched as Sirius steeled himself and then, well, Remus wasn't looking at Sirius anymore. Instead a black dog had taken his place, one that looked most definitely familiar. Sirius transformed back making a little 'ta-da' motion.

"You're snuffles?"

Sirius pulled a face "Padfoot if you please."

Remus had a hard time wrapping his head around the fact Sirius could transform himself into a dog. Not just any dog either but the one that had been stalking him for months. The one that... "Please tell me that wasn't you."

Sirius knew what he was talking about since he cringed "If it's any consolation I did a lot of research before I went in with you."

"You could have gotten yourself killed!" He bellowed shoving Sirius half out the bed "I could have killed you! What's worse is that all I would have thought was that I killed a dog, how could you?"

"James found the idea in one of the books we read about werewolves. We thought that the wolf might not attack animals since it only craves human flesh. I thought it would have been great, something useful to use my animagus on. I wanted to help," He stopped edging closer and gestured to Remus' arms "It worked too. James told me off the first time I did it but I had to know and I was right. I can help you Remus. We all can. You don't have to hurt yourself anymore," Sirius grasped his shoulders and looked to be urging Remus to see the good intentions Sirius had planned.

He didn't have to look at Sirius to know that though. Remus could see what Sirius had done for him was amazing yet still "I could have killed you."

"You didn't," Sirius confirmed holding him tighter.

Remus looked to move the topic on "So what's James and Peter's animagi?"

Smirking Sirius pointed to the closed curtains over to Peter's bed "Wormtail's a rat and Prongs is a stag. It was so funny when we first fully transformed, James was falling everywhere and it only got worse when his antlers grew in." Remus chuckled a little with him. Sirius turned and spoke to him seriously "I'm glad you know. I didn't want to keep it a secret from you."

"I'm glad you told me," Remus replied "Especially since this means I won't have to look in the snow for hours." Sirius made a guilty face.

They talked into the night about the boy's antics as animals. Sirius asked him about some of his own transformations but Remus could never remember anything so he couldn't compare them to the wonders of Sirius' own.

Classes started again meaning that Remus' little holiday was over. Hagrid had sorted it with the Care of Magical Creatures Professor that Remus would help out with her classes every now and then so Hagrid had to give him little classes about the creatures themselves. He still had to walk Max every day and enjoyed the stretch it gave his legs. Sirius still turned up as Padfoot on Wednesday and played with Max for a while before asking for a thorough cuddle. Remus was almost tempted to deny him one but Sirius was too cute as a dog to say no to.

"Now then nifflers like anything shiny," Hagrid went on showing Remus a little mole like creature. He proceeded to bury the galleon he had procured and told Remus to let the little guy go. After the first couple of go's he let Remus do it on his own. Today he was training the new batch of nifflers for the class next Monday. Some of them didn't like the idea of giving their gold up which meant that Remus had to train it out of them with bribes before they relented.

When he went up to the dorm that night he was covered in mud and scratches from the unruly nifflers. James laughed whole heartedly at his tale as he applied a salve to Remus' cuts.

"It's not funny. They have sharp claws," Remus argued picking clumps of mud out his hair.

"And cute fuzzy faces," James laughed dabbing at a cut on Remus' neck. Sirius walked in then with Peter in tow. James was more than happy to relay Remus' story to them.

Sirius shoved James off the bed and took over cleaning Remus up "Thank you," He told Sirius pointedly when he refrained from laughing.

"Oh please," James groaned from the floor "The only reason he isn't laughing is because he's jealous you spent the day with another furry creature. If he was in the story somehow he'd find it hilarious."

"Or maybe he just doesn't find it funny because he doesn't have the sense of humour as a two year old," Remus shot back "Now if you'll excuse me I need a shower," He made sure to kick James on his way out thinking happily about what James' face would be like on Friday. No doubt he would be the teasing one then.

Friday came with Lily cornering him on her free period "I don't think I can do this. What if he says no?"

Remus stopped cleaning out the snow from in front of Hagrids, there had been a storm overnight. "He's going to say yes. He's been waiting for this day for years, there's literally nothing else he could say."

"But-"

"Don't worry, everything's going to be fine," He reassured her and told her to get back to the castle to prepare.

That evening Remus played his part and dragged James onto the Quidditch pitch. Sirius had grabbed his broom at the first mention of his favourite sport and helped him engage James in a two on two game.

He was a bundle of nerves as they passed the stolen Quaffle around to each other. Peter had been reluctantly delegated to his team and kept glaring stares of utmost loathing each time he let James get the quaffle.

As Sirius made his fifth goal of the night he flew over and pulled the cheering boy aside "You need to let James score," Sirius stopped mid cheer arching his eyebrow "Just let him, please. I'll let you kiss me," He offered and had Sirius zooming off before he'd finished speaking.

Under a minute later James had scored through the goal posts whilst Sirius fended Peter off. A swear shouted from Peter later and they were all looking up at the red writing that had appeared above the posts. Fancy a date Potter? And there standing in the wings was Lily waving up at the gob-smacked boy.

James turned to Remus "What is this?"

Grinning Remus pointed to Lily "Exactly what it says it is."

James was gone as soon as he blinked and down to Lily who was telling him that 'yes she meant him.'

Remus dragged Sirius from the pitch with Peter lagging behind when James had went to sit next to Lily for the rest of the evening. The other two looked to be in as much shock as James was and kept muttering their disbelief at each other.

It was only when James came striding through and confirmed that he had finally got Lily to say yes when the reality set in.

"Nice one James," Sirius clapped him on the back.

"Seven years of pining finally paid off," Peter chimed.

James looked so happy he could probably fly without a broom "I can't believe it. How long has she felt this way?" He directed at Remus.

Shrugging he said "Before Christmas. Maybe earlier, all I had to do was tell her how sincere you were and she was ready to give you a chance."

He was pulled into a hug "I should have brought you here years ago," James mumbled into his shoulder.

"Either way, you finally got your girl," James stepped back running his hand through his hair and declaring that they needed food. Tonight was to be a celebration.

Food was pilfered and they stayed up late listening to James regale them with his plans for their date. Sirius and Peter would reminisce in the back of James' romantic speeches about all the times Lily slapped or hexed him for something he had done. Remus listened to it all with a smile on his face. James was finally moving on with his life, all because of Lily. He couldn't have been more proud of James if he tried.

Eventually they all tired out and retreated with good words to bed. Saturday came with James leaving early to try and talk to Lily at breakfast with Peter going with him to make sure he didn't destroy what chance he had managed to obtain.

Remus was woken up to light kisses on his neck that ran up and down alternately. Moving onto his back he dragged his eyes open to see Sirius burrowing his head in the side of his neck.

"You promised," Sirius muttered as he chanced one on Remus' jaw.

The sleepy state he was still in had somehow relaxed any worries he had about Sirius kissing him. Turning his head he laid one of his own on Sirius' forehead. Taking it as permission Sirius swooped down and swept Remus up into a chaste kiss.

Lips moving gently over one another he lifted his arms to twine around Sirius' neck, pulling him more insistently into the kiss. Groaning Sirius moved himself over Remus, planting his hand next to Remus' head for leverage as he led him through the motions.

Sirius changed the intensity of their union and lightly pulled off. Panting he turned slightly away "We should go down for breakfast."

"Why?" Remus tried to pull Sirius back down. He had been enjoying himself.

Sirius scoffed and pressed a quick kiss to him as he moved off "I'm hungry," Was his explanation. As he moved away Remus could see it wasn't hunger that had made Sirius move, at least not for food.

As they were walking downstairs Remus ignored the looks cast in his direction and wondered if he could make Sirius turn as red as his shirt.

"You know, the merit of being a boy means that when your boyfriend gets aroused you don't have to pull off with a flimsy excuse," Sirius had stopped walking and was spluttering behind him. "Aren't you coming. I thought you were hungry," He growled.

He walked ahead and had the pleasure of Sirius stalking past him with a hissed "You're a mean little wolf," in his ear. He had to admit it was fun teasing Sirius.

James was sitting away from Lily when he walked past. Sirius joined them and laughed at whatever excuse James had given for not sitting next to her. Remus made himself stop and wait for an opening between her friends talking.

"Lily," she looked up "James was wondering if you found anything good for us apartment wise over Christmas."

She gasped "I completely forgot." She gathered her things "I have but all my stuff's upstairs. I'll go get it and meet you two in the courtyard," She called from the end of the hall. Relaying Lily's message he went to join the teachers at the staff table.

The apartments she had found were scattered around the country. James liked the looks of the London based ones on the argument that it would be closer to the ministry. Sirius hated those since they were closer to his family. Remus didn't care much about location and scanned the documents for their rooms and prices. Lily was helpful and pointed out all of those she thought were nice, having visited them over the Christmas she knew what was good.

"This one has two bedrooms and looks liveable. Come on James we're wizards if we need to go somewhere we can use floo or apparate," Sirius argued pointing to one in Liverpool.

"Two bedrooms?" Lily asked pulling the picture towards her "Where's Remus going to sleep, the floor?" James smirked as Sirius turned red and looked quickly at Remus. "Am I missing something?"

"No," Remus reassured her and pulled a better apartment towards them "This one looks nice," He pointed out its features "And the cost is ideal."

The other two were making faces at it "It's a bit..."

"Shabby," James finished.

Sighing Remus informed them "We need somewhere to live. We can always move if we find somewhere nicer but for now we need somewhere affordable until you two can find stable jobs," He argued shutting the pair up about the décor of the apartments and moving onto location again.

Lily seemed to be the only one with any realistic living choices "I think I might ask Mary to move in with me. Rent will definitely be cheaper if I do," she mused looking at one James discarded.

At the end of the day they all had different apartments they thought were ideal. The belief was that the other would slowly come around to their way of thinking by the end of the year and if not then Lily's parents were sending more apartments prospects around later in the year for them to consider.

"I don't see what James is all that fussed about. Really all he needs is a place until Lily decides to move in with him," Sirius ranted lying in Remus' bed.

"They haven't even went on one date and you're already moving them in together," Remus poked him to move aside.

"Well why not. Then it'll just be me and you," Sirius joked pulling Remus close to him.

Frowning he informed Sirius that "You know it doesn't work like that," Sirius furrowed his brow "If James and Lily move in together then I have to go with them. I'm his werewolf remember?" From the look of Sirius' face he had forgotten all about Remus' life.

"But..." Sirius groped for words next to him and turned away when he couldn't find any.

The thought of apartments left them all as James and Lily's first date loomed. Sirius sprouted advice that was sure to get James slapped while Remus tried teaching James things that Lily was interested in. When he left James was shaking so badly that it took him three tries to get his arm through his robes.

By their third date James was less shaky as he went out to meet Lily down by the lake. Their fourth and James was shaky as he came back as he announced that Lily had just kissed him. As March made way into April Remus was periodically woken up by bedsprings and soft moans courtesy of a failed silencing charm.

"You would have thought he'd have perfected it by now," Sirius mused walking with him next to the forest "Merlin knows he's had years to practice." Remus was taking Max on his daily walk and Sirius had taken to walking with him as a human this time.

"Nevertheless he should at least wait until we're out of the dorm," Remus commented throwing another stick for the elderly dog. "I can smell never mind hear what they're doing."

Sirius poked Remus' wrinkled nose playfully. The last couple of months had seen him relaxing more around Sirius. They weren't at the same place as James and Lily were but he was confident that he definitely had some romantic feelings for Sirius now.

Sirius pulled a thoughtful face "Can you always smell what people have been doing?"

"Sure," Remus agreed "It's one of the perks of being a werewolf. Heightened senses an' all," He tapped his nose much like Sirius had done.

"So," Sirius scuffed his foot "You can tell when someone's been... you know," He made a motion with his hand. Blushing Remus nodded which led Sirius to join him in his new shade of red. "Well that is certainly something I could have known before hand."

"Yeah," Remus agreed. "Cleaning spells don't really get rid of the smell either just so you know. Your best bet is to take a long shower with a bottle of smelly soap."

"Good to know," Sirius nodded and walked next to him again.

N.E.W.T.s came quickly and diverted the love birds attention to studying rather than frotting, much to Remus' relief. Sirius would spend hours with James pouring over books and looking up spells to try in the dorm for their exams. Remus helped as best he could and even offered to teach Peter some of the material. He was rebuffed naturally and ignored the comment Peter muttered to himself about how a "Half breed thinks he knows better than an actual wizard."

It seemed like the stress was going to be their undoing until it wasn't N.E.W.T.s was over in a matter of weeks and left the students in a zombie like state. Tired, starving and dishevelled they wandered the halls of Hogwarts trying to get energy so they could enjoy their last days. The same couldn't be said for James and Sirius. Peter spent his first two days much like the rest of the seventh year population while James and Sirius sprung back to life in a matter of hours.

"I can spend all my hours with you now," Sirius commented trailing his lips along Remus' jaw.

"Or you could spend it looking for an apartment. We still haven't got one," He mentioned loud enough for James to hear from his bed.

Sirius sat up looking thoughtful "I think I'd rather look at you than an apartment though."

"Well tough," Remus grabbed the short-list they had created. "Pick one you like and make your case tomorrow," he shooed Sirius out of his bed and joined James on his.

"I think I might ask Lily to move in with us," James commented. It wasn't something new they had talked about and James knew that Remus was alright with any arrangement so long as he had a roof over his head.

"Then ask her."

"Hmm, maybe I'll do it tomorrow," James put off staring off into space.

"Or ask her now. Better yet why don't I do it," He got up and was abruptly stopped by James running in front of him. Gesturing to the door Remus made a 'do it now' face and watched James leave.

Something was held in front of his face "This one," Arms came around his middle "Now can we get back to making puppies."

Scoffing Remus relented leading Sirius to his own bed "You realise neither of us can have puppies."

"True," Sirius mused and leant into Remus' attention on his neck "But we can at least try."

Biting gently Remus worked his way down to Sirius' collarbone and moved the shirt away from the pale flesh it revealed. Sirius grasped the edge of Remus' shirt and pulled it over his head. The first time he had done so had left Remus flinching at the embarrassment his scars caused him. Twenty times later and he was no longer phased by such an inconvenient emotion.

Yanking Sirius' off as well Remus straddled Sirius' hips and bit his way down Sirius' chest. Stopping at the waistband of his trousers Remus licked a stripe back up to his nipple. Circling his tongue and biting pulling gently until Sirius was bucking up into him. Smirking he wormed his way down Sirius' chest again making sure to brush his cock on every slide his body made.

"You're not fair," Sirius pouted, panting into his pillow.

"You don't want me to be," Remus commented sucking a bruise into his hip.

He dragged Sirius' trousers down a bit further exposing more of the little trail of hair that led downwards. He rubbed Sirius' thighs as he sucked kisses along his stomach. Trailing his hands higher he chanced something he'd never done before and mouthed at Sirius' erection through the cloth. Moving back when Sirius bucked abruptly he was pulled back onto Sirius' lap as the boy went for Remus' cock. Palming it through his pants Remus panted into Sirius' neck.

He couldn't help but ask "Did you just-"

"Leave it," Sirius bit out stroking harder through the fabric.

Remus twined his arms along Sirius' shoulders for leverage as he moved with his hand. Burrowing his neck in Sirius' he groaned his way towards his completion.

Until he wasn't. On his back his limbs felt stiff and painful from where he landed. Ears ringing it took a while to listen to the arguing voices.

"He was biting you!" One called.

"And I was enjoying it!" Another shot back. Remus remembered that this voice belonged to Sirius.

"You could be infected," Blurry images appeared at the edges of his vision as someone paced.

"It doesn't work like that and you know it. I can't believe you just did that Peter," He heard a growl and Sirius appeared in his line of vision. His limbs didn't seem as stiff when Sirius was near. In fact he could move his fingers if he tried. "Just wait until James gets back."

"Oh I will. Then he'll know what you've been doing with his werewolf," Sirius scoffed. Turning his head Remus could make out Peter with his wand drawn and sending a hateful look in his direction "I don't even know why you were doing that with him Sirius. It's bestiality's what it is."

Faster than Remus could keep up Sirius had his wand to Peter's throat "Take it back. Take it back now Pete!"

"I'm not taking back something that's right," Peter all but spat back.

Remus didn't want Sirius doing anything he was going to regret later so he made a bigger deal out of his injury than it was "Sirius," He moaned "I think I've bruised something. Could you help me up?"

The wand halted and wavered for a second before Remus was being helped to his feet. "Let's get you cleaned up," Sirius led him to the bathroom, shooting looks behind him that no doubt warned Peter not to follow. "Bastard," Sirius muttered taking Remus' face in his hands and examining him for injuries. "Tell me where it hurts."

"My back mostly," Remus told him moving out from Sirius' arms to start a shower "I did just fall on it." Sighing when the water was hot enough he turned back to Sirius "Don't hex him or curse him Sirius. He's entitled to his own opinion, one shared by the vast majority of the population actually."

Sirius huffed and stripped his trousers off starting his own shower "He shouldn't have said it."

"Everyone would say it if they knew," He stepped into the warming water feeling the sweat from their previous activity wash away.

"He still shouldn't have said it," He heard Sirius mutter.

"Just ignore him," Remus advised.

Sirius butted into Remus' shower. His hair dripping and eyes blazing "I can't Remus. He's my friend I'm going to see him all the time. I don't know why he would think that way when he knows just like I do that you're human. He was there same as me when James told us about you, he's been there all along and still he thinks of you as nothing but an animal. But I know that people can't control how they think and I'm not angry about that. I'm angry that he had the nerve to call what we have bestiality to my face. He may not like you but he's still my friend and friends don't say things like that to each other."

"Don't lose his friendship over me," He made Sirius promise. It seemed like such a trivial thing to him but if being with Sirius had taught him anything it was that Sirius was devoted to everything he thought deserved his time. Peter was one of those and to lose his friendship because he believed what everyone else did seemed ridiculous. So he made Sirius promise.

James came back that night after three failed attempts to sneak into the girls dormitory. It seemed they had introduced new traps now the girls had discovered and reported James' broom being left in their staircase.

"Damn Minnie," He cursed waving his fist to the sky "It's the last few weeks I'll get to spend with my darling and she's making it more difficult than it has to be." He flopped on Remus' bed pulling on his leg to climb more securely on it "Hey Rem."

"Hey." He wondered how James had completely missed the cold war in the room. Sirius and Peter were on opposite ends of the room meticulously packing the beginnings of their things with fever. "So how did Lily respond to you asking her to move in with us?"

James perked up "Brilliantly. She was so happy not to have to move in with her parents or Mary and said that this could be the best thing that ever happened to us. I mean living together really proves if you can stand the test of time. If we do..." The dreamy look was back transporting James to a land with Lily and thirteen small messy haired red heads.

"So where exactly are we going to move?" Remus approached the topic again hoping James would be more enthusiastic.

"I like the one in Northumberland," James proposed. Remus had a sneaking suspicion that Lily liked that flat too.

"And why's that?"

"Well," James pieced his argument together "It's near enough the lakes for you to romp on, now we know Padfoot can keep you happy. Then there's the cheap living expenses and the fact that it's away from Sirius' family. All in all it seems like the ideal place."

Remus turned to Sirius "What do you think?"

His black hair bounced as he looked up from his trunk and asked Remus to repeat the question "Oh, er yeah. Sounds good."

"Great!" James grinned "I'll owl them our deposit tomorrow." How on earth could James ignore them. They were practically ripping each other apart with their eyes.

"I take it Remus will be sleeping on the settee," Peter said to James though his eyes never left Sirius.

"No, he's getting his own bed. I did promise him after all," James playfully ruffled Remus' hair. It was only when Remus didn't bat him off that he turned and looked into the rest of the room. "Alright what's going on?"

Peter took his wand out, Remus noted, as he approached the middle of the room "Are you aware that Sirius has been shagging your werewolf?"

James swung his legs and pursed his lips "Yes. Why?"

Peter scowled "You're actually condoning what they're doing?"

"I don't understand," James turned to Sirius to see if he would be any more helpful.

Drawing his own wand Sirius took his approach to James over the beds until he was cuddled close to Remus "Peter caught us earlier," Sirius started.

James didn't need to hear more and cringed good naturedly "Urgh, I can see why you'd be upset then Pete. Sirius' arse is nothing pleasant to look at." The expected quip James was expecting never came and he was left with his laughter falling flat in the room.

"Actually my arse never came into the conversation. It seems that Pete has more of an issue that I'm committing... how did you put it Pete, ah yes, bestiality with Remus," Sirius let it hang in the room, edging Remus behind him unnoticeable to the other two.

"What? Why would Peter say that?" James turned to the boy as if he couldn't believe he would say such a thing. Remus thought he was expecting too much, but then maybe James hadn't been witness to half the vile looks Remus had been given all year.

"Because he's a werewolf," Peter declared like that was the answer to everything.

"Remus get out," James ordered. Obeying instantly he scampered out of the dorm and into the common room.

There were no shouts to be heard meaning that they must have cast a silencing charm. The effort James was making seemed useless to Remus. He appreciated it sure but like Sirius it was pointless to try and enforce their beliefs onto someone who didn't want to hear it.

It was hours before someone came down from the dorm and even then it wasn't who he was hoping to see. Sirius had a split lip and a bruise forming on his jaw as he collapsed into the chair next to him.

Fingering the bruise lightly he asked "What's James like?"

"Better than me," Sirius huffed leaning into Remus' fingers until he was carding his hands through Sirius' dark hair. "I think we'll be down here for the night."

"I hope you haven't done something you'll regret. Both of you," He pulled the locks out of Sirius' eyes.

Blue eyes bored into his "Believe me, I'll never regret it," He knew Sirius wasn't just talking about the fight upstairs now.

"Neither will I."

AN: Thank you to all that commented on this story.