Written for:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - Transfiguration: Task: write about a person who unnecessarily worries too much about a certain situation that turns out fine in the end. (Genre) fluff. (James worrying about Sirius throughout).

Fishing Challenge - Prompts: Virtual World!AU and Library!AU

OTP Prompt Swap List - Librarian!AU

Writing Club: AU of the Week: Virtual World/Reality/Game!AU

Out of This World challenge: Pluto - (AU) Virtual World/Reality, (Word) Galaxy, (Dialogue) "Want an out of this world experience?"

Ultimate AU Promptathon - Librarian!AU

Romance Awareness Challenge - A potion or blood ritual reveals your soulmate. (song) Wherever You Will Go - The Calling

I have no idea what I've just written... but I have to admit I love this story and want to keep writing it.

This is dedicated to Raybe because she helped so much!

N-P-Crush

"Want an out of this world experience?" a bored member of staff asked, not even bothering to look up from the book she was reading.

"I do!" Sirius replied, excitedly, clinging desperately to James' arm. "We both do."

The woman barely looked at them before slipping two sheets of paper across the desk. "Fill these out. Terms and conditions, rules… agreement on opening an account."

Sirius pushed them back. "I got some from here last week. We've already done the paperwork." He handed the sheets over, causing the woman to finally set her book aside.

The pair waited impatiently as she entered the information into the system. "Okay, room 7B is empty," she said. "Go in there and plug in. There will be a member of staff there to assist you."

"Thank you," James said as Sirius took the membership cards and attempted to drag him away. "Is there…"

He trailed off as Sirius forced him from the counter.

"What are you waiting for, James?" Sirius snapped as they headed towards the lift. "A phone number? She wasn't interested. I've heard that people have found their soulmates in this game. We need to get hooked up!"

"It's a game. Soulmates don't exist there. Just people pretending—"

"I heard from Frank that there is someone in there that can help you. I'm not sure how yet, because he's not sure. He's going to let me know."

James rolled his eyes but didn't reply as they headed to the seventh floor. It didn't take long to find the room and the pair went in, finding two beds.

Sirius turned and locked the door behind them before laying down on one of the beds. A scanner ran over him as he wiggled so his head was touching a soft pad at the top. His fingers pressed against the sides, into the special grooves.

"See you in there," Sirius said.

~o~

Run away with my heart

Run away with my love

~o~

Sirius impatiently worked his way through a bunch of newbie missions until he was released from the boringness of learning to play. He wanted to explore the place and do missions.

There were a lot of game options and a lot of worlds. Fantasy, medieval, sci-fi, but Sirius wanted to learn with the normal world, maybe visit places he had only dreamed of visiting.

Well, that was until he stepped out of his tiny box-flat. His thoughts were on getting a bigger place by earning gold, but that was until he spotted a handsome man in a cardigan on the other side of the street, heading into the library.

He ran straight after the man, James on his heels, calling after him.

"Look, isn't he beautiful. Do you think he'll become my in-game boyfriend?"

"This is crazy, even for you," James hissed.

Sirius ignored him and began to approach the man. The man ignored him, typing away at the computer at the desk.

"Hello," Sirius said.

"He looks like an NPC," James said, grabbing Sirius' arm. "Let's leave him."

"No!" Sirius declared. "NPCs deserve love too. Besides, he might have a quest for us. We're staying here."

The sound of the man's fingers against the keyboard halted and Sirius turned to look at him. The man was looking back.

Sirius agreed he had to be an NPC because there was no way anyone could be as beautiful. The man's eyes were the most amazing shade of amber Sirius had ever seen, a shade that couldn't ever be real. He was wearing the dorkiest cardigan ever made too, which made it even better. It was probably an game purchase because he was certain shops didn't sell cardigans like that anymore. An NPC shouldn't have such kissable lips or hair that really needed Sirius' fingers in it.

"How do we ask if he has a quest for us?" James murmured, nudging Sirius.

"We could ask him."

"Hey. Do you… do you have anything for us to do?" James asked.

The man's gaze remained on Sirius. He looked a little awestruck, his eyes not moving away from him. Finally James sighed.

"You ask. Maybe because you spoke to him first, he's waiting for you to finish?" James suggested.

"Hey sexy," Sirius said, moving forward and offering the NPC his best smouldering look. "Want us to do anything? I'm here to do whatever you ask." He shot the character a wink.

"Hello, library visitors, I... I'm Remus."

"Yes, a name," Sirius whispered, pleased with his progress. "So, do you come here often?" He leaned on the counter, trying his best to look enticing.

"I took over from the previous librarian when Madam Pince retired. It's a hard job, sometimes, with so little money, but I love it. Are you new to town?"

"He wants to know about me," Sirius hissed to his friend before turning a wide smile on the NPC.

"I am," Sirius said. "It'd be nice if you'd show me around. Be my private guide, just you and me."

"Hey!" James exclaimed from behind him.

"If you're looking for information on the town, I have a lot of maps and books. Would you like to see now or later?"

"How about tonight, over dinner?" Sirius asked.

"You've chosen… later. If you are busy, come back soon."

"Hey! No, wait. Come back! What did I do wrong?" Sirius said urgently. Remus returned to his computer and Sirius spun around. "James, help me!"

"It's an NPC,"James said, losing patience. "Sirius, we've got worlds to explore and we've been standing around in the library wasting time."

"The love of my life is not a time-waster," Sirius snapped. "Let's try this again." He turned back to the librarian.

"Remus, my love, most beautiful librarian in the universe. Please send me on a quest so I can win your love."

"Sometimes the older books smell like chocolate. It makes me hungry for knowledge."

"So you like chocolate. What else?"

"Be careful by the lake. I hear there's a squid who… uh, never mind. Just don't go in there naked."

"No lake, got that too. Tell me more about yourself."

"Lily looks pretty today. I wonder i she wants some cheese?"

"Lily? Who is Lily? Are you cheating on me?" Sirius demanded. He pushed James' arm away when James tried to pull him away. "Remus, why are you doing this to me?"

The man blinked a few times. "Cheating is prohibited in the game. Would you like to make a complaint about a player cheating?"

"No, but I'd like to make a complaint about you breaking my heart! How can I please you?" Sirius asked, pouting. "Do you like flowers?"

"I'd prefer chocolate, myself. But this is a poor town. Say, would you get me some? I'll trade you—"

"A quest!" James interrupted, relieved. "Finally!"

"Of course, my love!" Sirius shouted over him, excited to do something for his moonpie. "We'll be back with chocolate."

"Let's go and find some chocolate," James said, using it as a reason to drag Sirius away. "Just let's do anything that doesn't involve standing in a library. Maybe along the way, we can pick up other quests?"

"No. We get the chocolate and go straight back," Sirius insisted, frowning at James.

James looked like he wanted to cry.

"It's where Remus is, and there's nowhere else I'd rather be."

~o~

If I could make you mine

I'll go wherever you will go

~o~

Unfortunately, they had to take up a few little quests around the small town they were in to get enough money to purchase the chocolate. James had been eyeing up a sword for their money, but Sirius' pleading eyes convinced him to hand his share of their gold over.

Sirius bought six of the best chocolate bars he could find before rushing back to the library.

"We're back!"

There was a flash of surprise in the NPC's eyes and they both stared at him.

"You have returned from your quest."

Sirius handed over the bars and Remus took one. "Thank you. As promised, I will trade you this random piece of loot from our lost property box."

He placed the chocolate under the counter and retrieved a beautiful compass. "This marauder compass will help you find quests quicker."

"That looks expensive," James said, his eyes widening. "Any other quests? Do you want us to bring you anything else?"

"I'd enjoy chocolate, but this is a poor town. Say, would you get me some? I'll trade you a random item from the lost property box."

James grabbed a bar from Sirius' hand and passed it to Remus. He retrieved an item from under the counter, handing over a rucksack.

"This marauder rucksack will allow you to carry 10 additional items. It can be upgraded."

"Well done, Sirius. You found us the most useful NPC in the game."

"Don't treat him like he's an NPC," Sirius muttered. "And no flirting. I'm watching you, Potter. He's mine."

The third bar was handed over and in return, they received a charmed hair-clip which Sirius quickly pushed into his hair. James didn't look surprised. He was at the point where nothing surprised him anymore.

The last two items they received were a special map to go with the rucksack and compass, called the Marauder's map, and a silver egg.

"Maybe it's some in-game pet," James said, examining the egg closely whilst Sirius fluttered his eyelashes at the NPC. He had decided to give up stopping whatever this was. It made more sense to let Sirius' infatuation run its course.

~o~

In your heart, in your mind

I'll stay with you for all of time

~o~

Their agreed time of an hour after work each day, with an afternoon on the weekend became two hours per day and both afternoons, after dinner with James' parents of course.

Sirius didn't give up on Remus, constantly bringing Remus chocolates every day even though half of what Remus gave was utter rubbish. One day he gave Sirius a leaf. A leaf which Sirius decided to keep for some reason.

James left him to it, choosing to do his own quests whilst Sirius lusted after a game character.

Until one day, James waited at their meeting point in the library for Sirius to turn up, and, for the first time, Sirius was late.

"One of the people I was talking to told me about a character that is so high in potions skills, that he's surpassed even the game creators. He can make any potion," Sirius said, rushing in and almost crashing into James in his haste.

"Yeah, so?"

"There's a soulmate potion, James," Sirius said, desperately. "What if Remus is my soulmate?"

A large part of James wanted to shake his best friend and tell him that NPCs weren't real. There were millions of real people in the game and yet, Sirius had eyes for someone who didn't even exist. Sirius had never acted like this over anyone, not even someone outside of the game.

James knew his friend was in love if he was hoping that the soulmate potion would match them together. Though James knew that nothing could come out of it, he couldn't bring himself to say anything. He wasn't going to be the one to break Sirius' heart.

"Sirius, please prepare yourself just in case it doesn't show Remus," James murmured.

"Why? It'll show him. It's him, I know it. I knew the moment I looked at him."

"I just don't want you to be hurt when—"

"Remus. I can feel a connection to him. How could I feel that with someone who doesn't really exist? There has to be a way. Even if I can only be with him in this game, I can do that. We're working on having a nice home here, somewhere Remus can be happy. I can write to the game-makers and get them to… to… I don't know. But if I give them a donation, they can give Remus free will and maybe I can make him fall for me too."

Sirius glanced at Remus. "Wait, he's not typing or filing books away." He turned to Remus. "Did something I say activate a quest?"

Remus stared at Sirius for a long time and Sirius stared back.

"I have a quest." Remus' voice shook slightly. "I require you to… to bring a purple leaf to Severus Snape. You will get your reward when you return."

"On it! Will the purple leaf you gave me the other day be enough?"

"It's a Eblondock leaf, whatever that is," James added.

"An Eblondock is a rare leaf, required in the most complex potions," Remus said in a monotone. "These leaves are very rare and worth a lot. In-game. They can only be found by those with high foraging skills."

"So, should we get a less valuable leaf for our quest?" Sirius asked, uncertainly.

"In game hint. An Eblondock leaf is more valuable to a potioneer. It is required in the more complex potions. The lowest in-game price is four-hundred gold and six silver, though that is in another galaxy. Be wary. Severus Snape will try and get that leaf from you for a fraction of that."

"Tell us more about Severus Snape."

Remus produced a map quickly. "He is the best potioneer in game." He turned back to his computer and Sirius turned to James.

"He's sending us to find the guy we're actually looking for. Fate?"

"Or maybe we triggered the quest by talking in front of him," James said. He looked at the Marauder's map which lit up with Snape's location. "We have a long way to travel, you know. We may have to wait until tomorrow because it's Saturday and we'll have more time."

"No, I'm doing this tonight. I don't need to sleep," Sirius insisted. He glanced back at Remus. "I don't care how long it takes. You'd do the same for someone you love. Imagine if my brother was in the game."

"Your… your brother?" James blushed. "What about your brother?"

"I'm not blind, James," Sirius replied, his arms folding. "You're my best friend, you're family and you're in love with my brother. Please do this for me. Please don't take this away from me. It might be me being stupid, but there's just something so human about him. Help me, James."

James nodded his head, not sure how he was going to handle it when Sirius' heart broke. He was scared that Sirius wouldn't give up, even if the soulmate potion revealed someone else. He was scared that Sirius would spend more and more time in the game, obsessing over someone who didn't truly exist.

~o~

Bring me back to you

~o~

"Are you Severus Snape?"

The man looked up from his cauldron, observing the pair in front of him. "Obviously," he drawled.

"I have two things I want to discuss with you. First, I want the soulmate potion. What does it take?"

"It'll cost an in-game purchase of five special gift-boxes."

"Done!" Sirius agreed.

"Hold up," James said, frowning. "Those cost real money to buy, not game money. They aren't cheap either."

"No potion," the man threatened.

"We have something to trade," James said. "Something rare. We have an Eblondock leaf." He watched Snape's reaction. Except for the slightest widening of his eyes, the man's expression didn't change.

"That does not interest me," he replied. "It is a minor ingredient in my potions. However, I will take it off your hands for a silver."

"If it doesn't interest you, I'm sure you wouldn't be offering me a silver," James pointed out. "An NPC informed us that it's worth a lot more."

"NPCs don't provide the value of items," Snape scoffed. "That is a lie."

"No, he told us that it's worth about four hundred gold," Sirius said, recalling Remus' words.

"No NPC is able to provide that information, someone is fooling you," Snape sneered.

"Well… if it's worthless, it won't matter if I tear it to shreds."

Snape's eyes widened quickly and James caught the movement. He halted his movements, a smile on his lips.

"The potion in exchange for this leaf."

"The potion is worth a lot more—"

"Take it or we'll put this leaf in our tea and see how it tastes."

The potioneer hesitated for a long time before letting out a sigh and turning to a cupboard behind him. He removed a potion that had 'soulmates' written across the front.

He handed it to Sirius and James passed over the leaf.

Quickly, a quest completed noise appeared and Sirius pulled out his notebook.

Quest completed. Return to Remus for a special reward.

"A special reward," Sirius murmured. "I wonder what it is?"

They turned away from the sour looking man. "Should we make this a saved point and check out for the night?"

"No," Sirius exclaimed. "I'm using my gold for a coach back to the library before I take this."

James was certain Sirius was going to be really hurt in a short time, but he said nothing. Sirius wouldn't listen to reason anyway. Or perhaps he wouldn't be hurt. Perhaps this would make him more determined to win Remus over and prove Remus was his soulmate.

Maybe he could get his father to contact the company and see if Remus was based on a real person? Maybe he could search the internet for lookalikes and somehow convince one to date Sirius? Maybe Sirius would be happy with the voice actor. He had a pleasing Welsh lilt to his voice and that could possibly be enough?

~o~

I'll go wherever you will go

Way up high or down low

I'll go wherever you will go

~o~

Sirius stood outside of the library, staring at it. He grabbed the potion and downed it.

A light shone from him, leading down the street and Sirius' smile dropped.

"Let's follow it anyway?" James suggested. Maybe Sirius would take a liking to the person at the end of the light?

Sirius nodded and they silently began walking. Fifteen minutes later, They came to a small cottage with flowers growing at the front and ivy at the side. A short woman was out front, kneeling in the dirt and digging. She looked up as the boys approached.

"Goodness, are you friends of my sons?" she asked. Her eyes fixed on the light for a long moment. "Oh, I believe he mentioned he was expecting you when he returned from work earlier. Go right in dears. I'll bring drinks and chocolate up to you."

Sirius walked silently into the house, but James hovered by the living room. "I'll stick around down here," he said.

Sirius nodded and headed up the stairs. He found a bedroom with a light and knocked before walking in.

"Look, I'm really sorry but I'm in love with someone else and… Remus?"

Remus smiled softly. "Hey."

"Oh. Am I here to turn in my mission?" He pulled out the notebook and clicked it.

When he put it away, Remus had stood up and walked over. "Your reward," he whispered, his lips quickly coming to cover Sirius'.

Sirius' hands quickly moved up, threading through Remus' hair and he felt himself being pushed back towards the bed. He fell back and Remus quickly followed, never breaking their kiss even for a second. It was the most perfect thing Sirius had ever felt and he never wanted it to end.

"I'm pretty sure that I'm in love with you," Sirius muttered.

"Well, that's good because I've been in love with you for ages," Remus said, his fingers moving under Sirius' tshirt. "I'm sorry I lied about who I was."

"You're real, right?" Sirius asked, grabbing Remus' hand and halting it.

"I am. I work on the game - I'm a programmer. I'm not really supposed to interact with people. In fact, people don't usually come and see me in the game so… my mum struggles to walk so I work in game instead of out so my mum can go in game and do all the things she loves like gardening. Also, I should tell you that the soulmate potion doesn't really work. It's an algorithm that bases compatibility on the joining questionnaires with location, age, sexuality and—"

"And it works. I only wanted you and it brought me here. As much as I want this… all of this, I can't do it. Not here. Now I know you're real, can I see you outside of the game?"

"I live in London," Remus said. "When you logout, you'll have an email from me with my address."

Sirius grinned. "Don't tell James," he said. "He's been sulking over something all day. I don't want him to be jealous that I got you."

His lips found Remus' again and they didn't stop until Remus' mum knocked on the door.

~o~

I'll stay with you for all of time

~o~

Sirius clutched the massive box of chocolates as he knocked on the door, James hovering next to him, looking slightly concerned. He hadn't met Remus the day before and Sirius didn't want to spoil the surprise.

Hope opened the door before slowly making her way back inside, the boys following her.

"Hello again dears, Remus told me to expect you."

"Remus?" JAmes asked, his mouth dropping open. He spun around, his gaze falling on the man leaning in the doorway with a smirk.

"Yeah. I've never had anyone so persistant before," he said.

Sirius quickly crossed the room and pulled Remus into his arms. "Hello again, love," he murmured.

"Sirius, are you sure? You only know him from a game and… and…"

"And he's my soulmate," Sirius insisted, his lips pressing against Remus' jaw. "What else do I need to know? I was ready to stay in the game for every moment of my free time just to be with him, but he's real, James. You're just annoyed that he had us fooled for so long."

James couldn't let himself be annoyed at the trick. Thankfully Sirius wouldn't have his heart broken and he could spend time with Remus in the game whilst James actually got on with the quests.

Maybe Regulus would want to accompany him on quests? Bonding in the game worked for Sirius and Remus. Maybe he could get his hands on one of those soulmate potions too and see if it led to Regulus?

3738 words

Review please :)