sorry about the long long long delay, but i had a severe lack of insperation!
Sirius steadied himself against the wall, breathing heavily. The task of causing a diversion whilst the other Marauders set up their latest prank had fallen to him this time, due to the fact that Remus, who usually carried out this part, still had a bad leg from the full moon two nights ago.
Though it had been nearly 2 weeks since he had decided on carrying out James' plan, Sirius still had to do anything. Not because he was afraid this time (he had accepted that he had one of three fates, either he blurt it out to Remus and risk getting rejected and broken-hearted, carry out James' plan and have Remus not feel the same way and not cooperate, or not tell Remus, and live the rest of his life regretting this, then die sad and alone, only to be found a week later half eaten by Alsatians...), the right opportunity had simply not arisen.
Smiling to himself, Sirius thought of the night of the full moon. They had been exploring the woods again. Letting Moony out was better, he was much less likely to hurt himself in the woods than in the shack. The only problem was when they made him go back, about an hour before sunrise. He had gotten aggressive, and they had had to stay outside the room. They could hear Moony hurting himself, biting his legs, but could do nothing. It tore Sirius up inside. But none of that, he thought to himself, they had a good night before that. Playing, running, chasing, it was better that way, if they let the wolf release the tension (it was quite fun for the others aswell).
Suddenly, heavy footsteps could be heard. These were distinct to Mr Filtch, the new Caretaker. Cursing how long he had stood solitary, Sirius turned to sprint up another corridor. However, before he could do this, a loud bang was heard from somewhere above them. Hearing Filtchs' footsteps grow fainter, Sirius realised that it would be wise to get back to the common room, so that he could not be blamed for the pranks.
Finally making it to the common room, he managed to throw himself onto the sofa into a comfortable position, accepting the air of someone who had been like that for hours with ease. He had done this many times after all. The portrait door opened and Sirius heart gave a little leap, afraid that McGonagall was coming to give him yet another detention. In reality, it was only James, Remus and Peter, all of whom were totally out of breath. As each of them fell quietly into a position similar to Sirius', he only scoffed for a second over the fact that Remus' leg was hurt, to which Remus smiled, whilst insisting it didn't hurt that much, and James rolled his eyes dramatically, which earned a kick from Sirius. A kick fight soon insued between the two boys on either end of the sofa.
All laughing like maniacs, they didn't even hear the portrait door swing open, revealing their fuming Head of House.
"Was it you?" She asked, her mouth thinning more than they had ever seen. Each adopting a suitably confused expression,
"Was what us?" Sirius asked as if totally innocent,
"You know, that...that prank that was just pulled on the poor Slytherin Third Years! Just ten minutes ago. Where have you all been?"
"Been here all the time Professor" James replied with a shrug,
"And can anyone vouch for that?" She asked with a contemptuous air. Now she had them. All they had now was the hope that someone would lie for them.
"Yes Professor" piped a voice in the corner. Turning to see who their saviour was, Sirius saw Frank Longbottom, a very skilled, though slightly chubby, seventh year, "They've been here for at least an hour, or however long it has taken me to do this essay."
"You're quite sure Longbottom?"
"Yeah, it's hard not to notice if they are in a room, and they defiantly were."
"Very well then, I'm sorry for assuming it was you then boys. Now I'll see you all in Transfiguration." She said, turning and striding out of the common room.
Once the portrait had shut once again, James grinned at Sirius,
"Close one mate"
"Yeah, close one." Sirius agreed wearing the same manical grin as his best friend.
"Wouldn't have been if James hadn't kept stopping every five corridors to make sure i was alright" Remus chuckled,
"Well I wouldn't have if you had just agreed to a piggyback, I mean, you almost broke your leg!" James replied in a motherly tone. Who'd have thunk it, James Potter was the mother of the group.
"Yeah, well, I have my dignity Prongs. Which reminds me," he added as a second thought, "Frank, cheers mate! We owe you one!"
"Don't mention it!" Frank shouted back, returning to his essay.
Sirius looked at James, who had been momentarily distracted by the exchange between Remus and Frank. Tackling him would be easy at the moment. He would fall off the sofa. It sounded like a good idea. Now, in Sirius world, a good idea must always be carried out, and so it was. Lunging at James, he caught him round the middle, pushing them both to the floor. This called for a play fight, and after a few elbows in eyes, Remus decided it was time to intervine. Pulling the two apart he couldn't help but laugh. Both were developing bruises even now. Bruises which would have to be healed by tomorrow. And probably by Remus.
"Come on," He said through the laughter, "Its dinner now"
That night was meant to be a boring one. By all accounts it should have been. James was in detention, Pete was getting help with Charms, and both Sirius and Remus were meant to be doing work. Only they weren't. As, though Remus had tried very hard to work, Sirius had not stopped winging. Not even when Remus had cast a silencing spell on him had he stopped bothering Remus. Finally giving in, Remus lifted the spell, and asked what was wrong.
"Eye hurts" was the only answer he was given.
"And what do you want me to do about it Pads?" Remus asked sighing slightly,
"Heal it." Came the short reply, along with a cheeky grin.
"Fine, come here" Remus said, signalling to his bed, letting Sirius sit beside him. Muttering the spell, he cast his wand around Sirius' bruised eye until it seemed healthy. Only then did he notice that he was looking into Sirius' eyes.
Sirius had to bite his lip to restrain himself from just kissing Remus then and there, looking into those amber eyes. After at least a minute (it felt like a life time) of silence, Sirius jerked his head away, looking at the floor. "Cheers Remus" he muttered, returning to his bed, and trying to finish his potions essay, though this seemed to be pointless, as he could focus no more on that than he could just stop loving Remus. Great he thought, bitterly, another sleepless night in store.
Reviews please!
