A Moment

Chapter Three

It was late the next morning when Sirius woke, still on the floor of the bathroom. Tears stained his face, and he looked around, bleary eyed, to find the source of the noise that had woken him. Someone was banging on the bathroom door, shouting something unintelligible.

He pulled himself to his feet and stumbled towards the door. There he unlocked it and pulled it open. His three roommates stood their, looking rather disgruntled. Without a word Sirius pushed past them and made his way to his bed. He crawled in and pulled the curtains shut behind him, before curling up to return to sleep, glad that it was Sunday.

James, Remus and Peter stared at the bed for a moment, and then moved on into the bathroom. Remus lingered for a bit longer, but thought better of it. He followed the other two into the bathroom, proceeding to wash his face and brush his teeth. Peter left quickly, hurrying downstairs in the hope of catching breakfast.

James looked over to Remus, "Feeling any better today?" He asked quietly.

Remus nodded, "Yes." It was abrupt, and James knew it to be a lie. But he let it go. Remus would talk when he was ready.

They left soon for breakfast, heading straight for the kitchens, sure to meet Peter along the way.

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It was well after five when Sirius left the dormitory, dressed and ready to face the common room. That didn't make him ready to face everything, or everyone, just yet. His first instinct was to run, but he knew that was unfair. Calmly he approached Mara.

She sat with the same group in which Sirius had been accepted into recently. He sat down with them, putting his arm round her. It had taken him all morning, but he'd made a decision. He would stay with her, for as long as he still felt something for her, for as long as he wanted.

Deep down Sirius still loved Remus, deny it or not, it was the truth. However, what he also knew to be true was that he just didn't deserve Remus. He wasn't good enough for him. But Remus knew that, that was why he continued to ignore him, to hurt him. Sirius needed to be punished before he could be forgiven.

He mumbled hello to Mara, giving her a quick peck on the nose.

She grinned back at him, settling happily into his arms.

Yes, Sirius would date her, maybe even come to love her; he hadn't thought that far ahead. He hoped that she would be able to change him. If he was more similar to Remus, he would deserve him more. Yes, it didn't matter what James thought, Sirius was doing this Remus.

He watched as she pulled a book out of her bag, fazing out her friends in pursuit of knowledge. Leaning closer so he could read her book, he kissed her neck, and asked, "What are you reading?"

She looked up at him, bright eyed, shock showing clearly on her face, "It's Hogwarts, A History, quite a fascinating read actually."

He nodded, agreeing with her, "What's it about then?"

She looked slightly suspicious, but also happy to have someone to share her knowledge with, as she began to explain the book. Sirius actually listened, and understood. She was very like Remus now. Her eyes lit up as she spoke, and she made Sirius understand. She was just like Remus that way.

"Can I borrow it sometime?" He asked. A genuine interest prompting him.

She nodded, "You can have it now. I've read it a thousand times." She handed him the book, pulling another out of her bag.

Sirius sat back, with Mara on his lap, his arm around her. He slowly opened the book and began to read.

He was surprised by how quickly he finished it, drinking in the words, easily remembering everything he had read. Gently he closed the book, and handed it back to his rather shocked girlfriend. Gingerly, he climbed off the sofa, careful not to hurt her.

He stretched his hand towards hers, "Like to go for a walk?"

She nodded, placing a bookmark in her book, and talking his hand. They left the common room together, hand in hand, and walked towards the lake. Both talking quickly, surprisingly, about books.

&&

Remus sat in the corner of the library, far from the hustle and bustle of the doors. Beside him sat James and Peter. All three working diligently on their transfiguration essays, Remus' being that bit better.

James yawned loudly, getting bored. "Well guys, I think I've just about destroyed every useful brain cell I have. Let's take a break for dinner."

Peter couldn't have waited any longer. He dropped his quill and climbed to his feet, ready to go, before James had finished stretching. Remus took that bit longer, hesitant to leave his essay so near to completion, yet still unfinished.

"It's ok," he said, "We'll save you a seat, and some food." He hurried after Peter, who had already left, desperate to reach the great hall.

Remus returned to his essay. It didn't take long to finish, though he lingered over it. Not sure why, he was reluctant to leave, to go to the great hall. Afraid of what he might see, but at the same time, afraid of what he might not see.

Eventually he pulled himself together and left. He entered the great hall with his head down, not looking around. Sitting down beside James he smiled hello before eating the ham sandwich James had saved for him. Peter grinned hello through a mouthful of ice cream.

"Mother-Fucking Bastard!" James exclaimed all of a sudden, and, seemingly, for no reason. Remus followed his eyes, as did many of the people surrounding them, to land on one Sirius Black. Sirius Black with his arms around Mara. Sirius Black laughing with Mara and her friends. Sirius Black, HIS SIRIUS BLACK, kissing Mara.

Remus saw red, the wolf coming out. He clutched at the edge of the table, trying to control it. More than anything he wanted to hurt her. Pull her off Sirius. Claim Sirius for his own.

He looked away, and the world came back to him. James was staring at him intently, while Peter still stared dimwittedly at Sirius, trying to work out the problem.

"You're hands are bleeding." James pointed out.

Remus nodded, clutching them to him. James helped him up, and they left the hall together, James holding a rather broken Remus up.

Sirius's eyes followed them briefly, wondering whether he had made the right decision.

&&

I am now immensely proud of myself. Three chapters, in three days! That's record, for me anyway! I'll try to update soon