Chapter 10: Back with the Family

I sat snuggled into Sirius's shoulder as he and Peter talked about Quidditch. We had been on the Hogwarts Express for a few hours, and exhaustion from the full moon that had just past was weighing on me. It had been a rough full moon.

It had started out normal. I met Sirius, James and Peter at the Shrieking Shack; they waited outside while I transformed; and then we ran around the forest. I remembered nuzzling my nose against Sirius's neck, but then I was suddenly on my back, Sirius on top of me growling. I played it off as a momentary lapse of control of my wolf and the boys had let it go. But it happened three more times.

The third time I managed to trap Sirius beneath me. I growled at James and Peter when they stepped closer. According to James, I acted territorial. James dealt with the situation by head butting me and knocking me out. I had woken up in the Infirmary with Sirius by my bed. They all had questions but I just didn't know. Everything they said I did, I didn't remember doing.

I had written to Alexander and explained what had happened. He had written back and said that the only thing he could think of was that my wolf was claiming Sirius as our mate. Anyone he considered a potential threat was an enemy, even though he knew who James and Peter were. He also promised we could discuss it over the break.

I nuzzled my head against Sirius and he turned to look at me. He smiled softly and leant down to kiss my head. "Are you tired?" he asked.

I nodded. "Haven't slept properly since the full moon."

He frowned. "Are you still stressing about what happened?"

I nodded again.

"Don't. Nothing bad happened. Everyone is okay. I'm okay." He squeezed my hand.

"Yeah, but what if I had hurt you. Nothing would be okay then."

He sighed.

Peter sat quietly across from us. He looked awkward as he listened.

"Would you mind giving us a minute, Pete?" asked Sirius.

Peter just nodded his head and stepped outside of the compartment.

"These 'what if' situations that you are creating in your head is what is causing all the trouble. You need to let what happened go, and just focus on your normal life."

"Yeah, but-"

"And no 'buts' either." He pecked my lips.

I frowned. He always used his lips to shut me up.

"And besides, all of your attention should be on me." He smiled.

I kissed his lips again. I slipped one hand behind his head and pulled him closer. "You have my full attention."

He nibbled on my lip. "I'm glad." His hands slid around my back and pulled me onto her lap.

My knees fell either side of him. Our groins lined up perfectly. I slipped my fingers into his hair and held a tight grip. His fingers slid around my waist, playing with the bottom of my shirt. He smiled into the kiss, and pulled back to look at me.

"Why are we stopping?" I asked.

He kissed my lips again, but softly. It wasn't a kiss full of desire, but a kiss of love. It was meant for comfort, and affection. He gently stroked my cheek. "We kicked Peter out to have a conversation. Not so we could have fun."

I pouted. "He will survive."

Sirius laughed. "Yes, and so will you."

I slipped off his lap, but kept my arms wrapped around him.

"Plus," he said, "didn't you promise me a big and comfy bed, that has lots of room for our activities."

I could help but smile. "Yes, I believe I did."

He kissed me again.

The rest of the trip back to London consisted of chit chat and exploding snap. Sirius won every game, and somehow managed to convince Peter to bet money on every game. When the train finally pulled into Kings Cross, Sirius had managed to get a rather loud amount of change.

After collecting our trunks, we climbed off the train. I spotted my father standing towards the back. His tall frame allowing me to tower over everyone else. We waved goodbye to Peter, and with a firm grip on Sirius's hand, I led him to my dad.

Dad smiled and held out his arms. "Hey there, buddy."

I wrapped my arms around him. It was always hard leaving him alone every year. Without Mum, around to take care of him, I always worried what would happen. But every year he surprised me, and every year I would come home and he would be perfectly fine.

"Hey, Dad." I pulled back, and watch as Dad turned to Sirius.

Dad held out his hand and Sirius took it. The look on Dad's face said be careful, and Sirius looked a little concerned.

"Mr Lupin," he said.

"Black," was all Dad said.

I frowned. "Dad, don't be mean."

Dad's straight face cracked and turned back into a smile. He yanked Sirius towards him and hugged him, laughing as he did. "Oh, don't be such a worry wart, the both of you." He ruffled Sirius's hair. "I was only joking."

I wanted to frown at him, but his laughter had always been infectious. And the look of surprise on Sirius's face made it that much funnier. After a moment, Sirius joined in on the laughter, and slung his arm over my shoulders. "I like your dad," he said.

I smiled and kissed his cheek.

"Alright, you two love birds. Let's get going." Dad shrunk our trunks and slipped them into his pocket.

The home I had grown up in smelled like baking as we walked through the front door. It wasn't something I had experienced since Mum had died. But as the door shut behind us Aunt Debby, my brother's older sister, came running out of the kitchen.

She smiled and squealed in delight. "Oh, Remus! Look at you!" She hugged me tightly.

Debby was an unusual woman, as were all the Lupin's. She had the sandy blood hair that ran in the family, brown eyes, and had the height. She stood only a few inches shorter than Dad, who stood at 6'4. She also had the habit of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, foot in mouth disease, was what Mum had called it.

Pulling back, she looked Sirius up and down. "Is this tall drink of water the lucky man you snatched up?"

Sirius flashed her his dashing smile. "I am. My name is Sirius Black." He reached out and took her hand, placing a kiss on it. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

Debby blushed slightly. "Charmed, truly."

I shoved Sirius shoulder and he chuckled. "I'm being friendly."

"I don't mind," said Debby. She was now fanning herself with her hand.

I grabbed Sirius by the collar, and said, "I'm going to take him upstairs before he makes her faint."

Dad nodded.

Dragging Sirius upstairs, I gave him a quick tour, before showing him my bedroom. It wasn't the largest of rooms, but over the years I had managed to squish in a double bed that sat against the wall, beside it was a side table that had a stack of books and a lamp. My walls were covered in moving pictures of my family, me and Sirius, as well as James and Peter.

Sirius sat down on my bed and smiled. "It's just how I imagined it."

I stood in front of him. "Is that so?"

He nodded. "Except, something is missing."

"What?"

He grabbed my hand and pulled me onto the bed. He kissed me, and flipped us over so he was straddling my waist. "You," he said. "Naked, beneath me."

I moaned as he kissed me.

The door to my room opened and I shot up. My forehead collided with Sirius's, and I gasped in pain. Both of us rubbed our heads.

Debby stood in the doorway with a soft smile. "Sorry," she said.

I sighed. "Was there something you wanted?"

She nodded. "I made fresh cookies." She placed the plate on the end of my bed. "Help yourself, you forgot these." She placed down the miniature trunks. With a quick wave of her wand they grew. "I'll leave you two be."

Sirius snorted with laughter.

I frowned. "Your laughing now. Wait until Friday when you are blue-balled and horny because we get interrupted."

Sirius face fell. "Seriously?"

I shrugged. "No one in this family understands the concept of knocking."

"Well, I guess they better get ready for quiet the show." He wiggled his eyebrows and kissed me again. "Because there is no way I'm going to let a few members keep me from having my way with you."

I smiled. "Is that so?"

He nodded. Another kiss. "Yes."