Look at me, another update after only, what, three days! Someone's exam revision is suffering terribly...

Remus passed the start of that week in a perpetual dream. His mind was full of disturbing but not entirely unpleasant possibilities, and he yearned for Wednesday to come so he could talk to Anna. A dispassionate spectator: that's what he felt he needed. Someone to talk to. Jane would have been an option, but he felt uncomfortable at the idea of discussing these alien images in his head with a friend so close as she.

He had finished the lecture on Monday somehow, Sirius sitting smiling at him in the front row. Then he had had another lecture to deliver, so he waved goodbye to his friend and departed for another lecture theatre. He gave that in the same state of mind.

He was collecting his papers from the lectern when a familiar face peered around the door.

'Jane!' he exclaimed.

'You bugger, Remus, I haven't seen you in ages.'

'I'm sorry about that… but I do have a good excuse! An old school friend turned up in my first lecture to the newbies, and I felt obligated to show him the sights of Sheffield.' Remus felt slightly guilty dismissing the rapidly building intimacy between Sirius and he as a duty, but he was somehow reluctant to reveal just what pleasure Sirius's company gave him.

'You can't fool me,' Jane announced, coming closer. A small, slender woman with wavy, dark red hair and dancing brown eyes, she often found herself the object of unsolicited male attention. 'It's not unwelcome, per se,' she had explained once, 'I just hate to see them wasting their time on a hopeless case like me!' Remus had laughed and felt relieved that he had never found himself attracted to her. 'I know how independent you are. If you didn't like him, you wouldn't be nannying him. What's his name? Oh, let me guess… you've only told me about two friends of yours. It's not James,' her voice quiet, 'so I'd stake my money, my reputation and my soon-to-be-completed thesis on Sirius.'

'How is your thesis going?' Remus asked.

'Hey now, no slipping and dodging. It's going fine, thanks for asking, but it's Sirius, isn't it? Unless there's some mysterious individual lurking in your past.'

'No, you're right. It's Sirius. Back from the past to haunt me like some very solid and fairly attention-seeking ghost.'

'How poetic, darling. How is he? As gorgeous as when you saw him last?'

'Yes, indeed, and he's gay now!'

'Hmm,' Jane said, but didn't elaborate. 'So what have you chaps been up to?'

'He dragged me to Climax -'

Jane burst out laughing. 'Oh my dear, my dirty mind' she said between chuckles, finally regaining her self-control. 'Sorry, carry on.'

'As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted,' Remus grinned. 'I disgraced myself at Climax, if you can believe that. Pissed as a newt. He took me home and put me to bed. The next day, we drove out into the Peaks and had a wander and lunch. Then we returned and had Chinese for dinner.'

'But he didn't her arrive a while ago – you said yourself you saw him at the first lecture?'

'I did indeed. We just had coffee – had a chat.'

'Did he have anything to do with you phoning and asking me to set you up?'

'Yes, indeed. Sirius always made me do things of questionable sensibility.'

'Hey, now! I think it was a great idea. Anna told me you guys didn't click though, but you're going out again, am I right?'

'You are, on both counts. She's lovely but, well, I don't know. I suppose I'm not cut out for love – I'll be a dry and dusty academic before I'm forty.'

'Oh I don't believe that,' Jane said with a glint in her eyes. 'Anna told me -'

'Oh, you weaselled it out of her, didn't you, you interfering old bat!' Remus teased.

'I did, as matter of fact. The poor girl was quite downcast by your rejection of her advances.'

'Oh, I'm sorry,' Remus cried, looking distressed.

'Ah, it's okay. I told her you're not really as sweet and lovely as you seem.'

Remus raised his eyebrows.

'She told me – actually, she told me something quite interesting, all the more so because it was the first I'd caught wind of it. She said that you have a mystery crush!'

Remus blushed.

'Ahhh, how fetching. Now stop blushing and tell me who! And I'll tell you if you're, er, barking up the wrong tree, as it were.'

'You mean you'll tell me if you've slept with them?'

'Cheeky so-and-so! But yes, that's what I meant. Either that, or I've heard of her on the grapevine, you know?'

'The infamous Sheffield lesbian network?'

'Indeed.'

'Of which you are the Queen Bee?'

'The very same. But, Remus dear, who is she?'

'If you wouldn't mind, Janey,' Remus said gently, 'I need a couple more days to think about it.'

'You're going to tell Anna before me! But why all this cloak and dagger commotion? Who's so bad that you can't tell your Auntie Jane?'

'Nothing bad – just, I've never really been in this sort of state before, least, not since I left puberty. Completely confused, that's me.'

'Confused…' Jane repeated thoughtfully. Suddenly she drew in a sharp breath and looked at Remus differently. Her analytical brain had drawn its conclusion, and the evidence all fit. Spending hours with his prodigal, handsome, gay friend – suddenly wanting to date a woman, then rejecting his perfect partner – getting dreadfully, out-of-characterly drunk – confusion – unwillingness to disclose details – needing someone to talk to…

'Oh Remus,' she said gently. 'You've fallen for this Sirius, haven't you?'

Remus's jaw dropped.

'Please, don't tell anyone,' he begged. 'I'm still not sure – I'm going to give Anna all the facts and see what she thinks. See if this is – the real thing – and not just loneliness and desperation to be loved. See if she thinks I have a chance, any chance.'

He said no more. His lips were trembling; in fact, his whole body shook as though the room was chill. Jane enveloped him in a warm, comforting hug, which lasted almost a minute before she spoke.

'Hey, sweetheart, it's okay. Don't worry. It'll be okay.'

The next couple of days passed uneventfully. Remus met Sirius a few times in his flat, where they sat talking about books and foreign lands. He said nothing of his innermost thoughts, but imbued every gesture, every word and deed of Sirius with private meanings, scrutinizing them exhaustively. He was both nervous and excited when Wednesday came around. Finally, he could openly discuss what had been occupying all his contemplations with someone who would be sure to be as honest as she could. "But what would Anna say?" he wondered nervously.

Remus thought back to Jane's response as he waited in the Green Room for Anna to arrive. He was nervous, but he felt warm as he remembered Jane's hug, and how obviously she cared about him.

'Hello,' came a quiet voice behind him, and he started.

'Oh, Anna, hi,' he greeted her, standing up and kissing her on the cheek. 'Thank you for coming.'

'You're very welcome,' she smiled.

'I'm so sorry about – last time,' Remus began awkwardly, but she waved his apologies aside.

'Me too. But I'm glad I met you. I hope we can be friends?'

'I hope so too.'

'Well then, that's settled,' she smiled. 'Drink?'

'I'll have – oh, double whisky, please.'

'Hard drinker eh? Nothing wrong with that! Be right back.'

The bar was quiet still; a few couples sat chatting at the small tables. The room was dim, but fairy lights twinkled around the large front windows. Music played softly in the background. Remus slumped in his chair and started to think about how he was going to voice what he had come here to discuss.

In what seemed like no time at all, Jane returned with their drinks.

'Cheers,' she said, and held up her glass for him to clink his against.

'Cheers,' Remus repeated, and took a big gulp. The whisky burned slightly as it hit the back of his throat.

'So…' Anna began uncertainly.

Remus bit his lip til it bled.

'Thanks again for coming,' he said, and took another drink.

'You're welcome, again. But really Remus, why do you need me?'

'It's hard to explain… I've never been in this position before. I've never felt like – this. And it's a little strange. I don't know if it's – love. I was wondering if you could tell me.'

'Don't know if it's love? Remus, I don't think I can -'

'I'm just afraid that I've been alone for so long that all of a sudden I'll just fall into the arms of the first person who shows me a bit of affection.'

'You didn't fall into my arms,' Anna pointed out, and Remus considered that.

'You're right,' he replied at last. 'I didn't.'

'And you knew I was – interested. How could you not have! And unless I'm much mistaken, you don't even know if this woman is thinking about you like this.'

'Er, there's something else. The person in question is a -' he took a deep breath but his courage failed him. 'A student.'

'Hmm.'

'They're my age, it's not like it's some eighteen-year old kid…'

'I'm pretty sure there are still rules against it – but Remus, she won't be a student forever. If you think you can keep things secret for long enough, then go for it. If she's your age – if you're sure she won't feel coerced by you being their professor…'

'To be honest, I'm not too concerned about that, but, well, there's something else I should tell you…' "Come on Remus, you coward!" he thought. 'It's not a woman I'm talking about.'

He was startled by her response – uncontrollable laughter.

'That bloody Jane,' she said. 'She bloody knew, didn't she! She kept saying the weirdest things earlier – kept calling me a queer Mother Confessor or something – I thought she was talking about her! Oh gosh Remus, I'm sorry,' she said quickly.

Remus's face was fairly mystified at first, but soon he let out a giggle and Anna began to laugh again.

'I'm a thirty-something year old virgin who's just decided he's gay!' he gasped, and started laughing again.

'I'm a thirty-something year old who's so desperate she'll try and seduce you!' Anna replied, her shoulders shaking with laughter.

'Lord, we're a fine pair,' Remus commented, calming down somewhat. 'Ah, I need that… thanks!'

'You're most welcome,' Anna smiled, still hiccupping from time to time.

'But where was I? Oh yes, a queer virgin – oh, I didn't tell you who I've fallen for… a ridiculously good-looking old schoolfriend!' He started laughing again and Anna joined in once more. 'So, Agony Aunt, what do you suggest?'

'What agony aunts always suggest. Talk to him.'

'But what if – what if it's not – you know – it?'

'The only person who can decide that is you, Remus, and you know it. Stop procrastinating, and decide. Do you smile when you think about him? Do you tingle when you see him? Do you melt when your skin touches his? Is he always on your mind? Would you like to kiss him? Does he make your life better in every way?'

'Yes. Yes to all of those.'

'Is he fit?'

They started giggling again.

'Extremely,' Remus assured Anna.

'Do you think he feels the same?' she asked, suddenly serious.

'I suppose I'll just have to find out,' Remus said, half to himself.

'Good for you,' Anna exclaimed, nonetheless looking slightly longing. She smiled with a hint of melancholy. 'He'd be mad to turn you down.'

Remus glanced at her. 'Perhaps you could tell him so yourself when I get rejected and spend the rest of my days mourning for my one lost chance.'

'Remus, you underestimate yourself,' Anna said gravely. 'If, for some reason, this man doesn't feel this way about you, there are thousands of other people who would love you – in Sheffield alone.'

'But would I love them? I don't know.'

'We'll cross that bridge when we come to it,' Anna said, suddenly becoming brisk. 'Now, I think we should go dancing!'

'Dancing?'

'Yep! Now where do thirty-somethings go to dance? The Leadmill!'

Remus groaned. 'Really?'

'Yes! And they play decent music there, stuff you can dance to – oh my goodness, I sound like my mother. You'll have to take me out and get me pissed so I can reassure myself I'm not actually her.'

Remus grinned. 'Sounds like an emergency. Guess I'd better then! Let's get out of here!'

They drank up, got their coats and went out into the clear, cool night. A short taxi ride later, they embarked outside a dingy-looking club in the industrial quarter of town. It was early so the usual drunken queue hadn't formed yet, and they were inside quickly. Anna proceeded to make a beeline for the bar, and Remus followed her.

She lined up shots on the bar and downed them all, Remus looking on slightly anxiously.

'Anna, do you -'

'Come on Remus! Let's dance!'

She dragged Remus onto the dance floor, clutching his bottle of beer and looking fairly nervous.

'C'mon, relax!' she yelled.

One of the few perks of lycanthropy, Remus reflected, was the ability to move. He was a pretty good dancer, and now he was gay, there was no need to stifle it! He grinned to himself, and Anna gave him a hug.

'You look happy!' she shouted.

'I feel it,' Remus replied truthfully. At least now he felt like a decision was made. He'd worry about implementing it later.

They danced again. A few admirers came up and danced meaningfully behind both Anna and Remus, but she put her arms around his neck and gave him a sloppy kiss on the cheek.

'Hands off ladies!' she yelled.

'Er, Anna, I think perhaps it's time to go home?'

'Oh, don't be a spoilsport, Remus!'

He smiled ruefully and surrendered. A minute later he was glad.

'Oh I love this song!' he mouthed at her.

I would go out tonight,

but I haven't got a stitch to wear

This man said 'It's gruesome that

someone so handsome should care!' (i)

Time passed quickly. The club filled up rapidly, and Anna drank more and more. Remus kept shooting her worried looks, which she chose to ignore, before she hurriedly excused herself and rushed off to the bathroom.

She returned ten minutes later, flushed and suspiciously bright-eyed.

'I think it's time to go,' she said into his ear, and he nodded gratefully.

They hailed a taxi with minimal difficulty, and Remus helped Anna in.

'Thank you,' she said as they got in. 'Ah Remus, if only you were straight.'

'I'm sorry about – all this,' he said awkwardly.

'S'alright, don't mind. At least we met, eh. And I'm glad to've been of 'ssistance to you.'

'Oh, you have, very much so.'

The taxi stopped outside Remus's flat, and he climbed out. 'You sure you've got enough money?' he asked, but handed her a fiver anyway.

He let himself in as the taxi drove off, and paused inside the open door. The night air was cold but he stared up at the stars for a minute with an otherwordly smile on his face, before closing the door and going upstairs. Meanwhile in the taxi, Anna was crying, just a little bit. It seemed that, after all, Remus was more in demand than he might think.

Sorry about all the alcoholism in this story! What can I say, I'm a student, and a medic at that!

The song is 'This Charming Man' by the Smiths, the best band in the world ever, no contest.