Chapter Four: Midday

Any outside observer would have seen this: a pale and thin man (though not so thin as he had been only a month ago) driving down the road talking to himself – or perhaps to his dog, who sat on the seat next to him. If this outside observer had been able to hear what was happening inside the car, their eyes would have gone wide, for when the man spoke, the dog responded in a series of quiet barks.

"He'll be all right, Sirius, don't worry so much. Dumbledore will look after him, you know he will."

I know, but I can't help but worry.

"Do you want me to rub your back when we get home?"

God yes.

"Do you still want to stargaze on the roof?"

Of course! Let's eat dinner up there too.

Remus marveled at how romantic Sirius was. None of his former lovers (not that he called them lovers; to him they were "people he had slept with", for Sirius was his one true lover) would have ever thought of anything like that. And it was a great opportunity to –

Hermione looks so much older, don't you think?

"Yes, I did notice that. There's something really different about her face, but I can't quite place it."

Her front teeth are smaller.

"You're right! That's it. And Ron's a lot less gangly-looking than he used to be."

Sirius yawned. What do you want for dinner?

"I thought it was my night to make dinner."

Too bad. I'm making it tonight.

"Sirius, you don't have to – "

Reme, if you don't be quiet, I'll slobber on you.

"Fine. Make dinner."

Remus?

"Hmm?"

Next full moon, do you want to make love as canines?

"Where did that come from?"

I don't know, just popped into my head. Do you?

"Well, I hadn't really thought about it, but…yes."

Hey, we're home.

Once they were inside, Remus insisted on rubbing Sirius's back before he started dinner. Sirius lay down on the couch and felt Remus's gentle hands draw out the tension. "You're amazing," he murmured.

Remus kissed his earlobe. "Thanks." His tongue traced Sirius's jawline and moved down toward his neck.

Sirius moaned softly. During the week that Harry had stayed with them, they'd only made love once – early in the morning, in the shower, with a Silencing Charm. Desperately hungry for Remus, Sirius turned over so that he lay on his back and pulled his lover on top of him.

Within seconds, Remus was straddling Sirius and undulating against him, his hands on Sirius's chest and his mouth pressing hard. They kissed almost as if they were trying to devour each other. Gasping for breath, Remus began to undo the clasps on Sirius's robe.

Although Remus had seen Sirius naked many times, each time was like the first time, because of how Sirius changed as he got his health back. Their first time together, he had been so delicate-looking, although the intense passion with which they had loved each other betrayed that image. But now Sirius looked more and more every day like the boy Remus had known at Hogwarts…only older and even more handsome.

Remus sighed and closed his eyes as Sirius undressed him. Nothing in the world felt as good as Sirius's touch. "Padfoot," he moaned.

"Moony," whispered Sirius, and began to gently bite Remus's neck, pressing him closer.

Suddenly, a rustle of wind came over the room. Both men looked up and saw a snowy-white owl circling the room.

"Of all the times for the mail to come," Remus said, rolling his eyes and reaching for his clothes. Hedwig dropped the letter on the floor and then flew over to the corner, carefully averting her eyes from the couch.

Dear Sirius and Remus,

I'll bet you didn't think you'd be hearing from me this soon! I'm still on the train, but Ron's fallen asleep and Hermione's already studying, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to write.

No word on the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher yet, but I heard a rumor that it's a woman this time. Seeing as I heard it from Draco Malfoy, I have no idea if it's true. You both should be happy to know that I've avoided him so far. (I only heard about the new professor because he was shouting to Crabbe about it.)

No word yet on who the new Quidditch captain is going to be. Fred and George are hoping that both of them will get it, but Angelina Johnson wants it too. They're a bit irritated at her because she's already Head Girl.

By the way, I left the Invisibility Cloak under my bed. Could you send it? Thanks. I'd better go now – Hermione is choking on a mold-flavored Every Bean.

Harry