For My Loved Ones
Disclaimer: Same as Chapter 1. Language Alert.
CHAPTER 4: Significant Other
"Moony here really turned me on to this." Sirius said as he took the styrofoam cartons out of a white bag with kanji printed on it that Harry put on floor. Harry, Remus, and Sirius on the way to 4 Privet Drive (now their home!) in Little Whinging from Hogwarts called a local take-away place on a pay phone. Harry assumed that they would be eating pizza or Chinese food (both sadly would be a new experience for him) but he was surprised when Remus called a quaint Japanese take-away place. He was also surprised that Remus could use a pay phone and not make a scene about it. He could just imagine how embarrassing it would be if Arthur Weasley tried to make a simple phone call. When the delivery guy arrived at the house with the goods in an hour and as Harry gave him the muggle pounds that all three had pooled together he noticed the luggage and empty house.
"Just moving in?" he asked
"Feels like it!" Harry replied cheerfully as the delivery guy left.
Remus also brought a large bottle of Pepsi on the way home and was just getting it out of the fridge that was sort of working thanks to another domestic charm which cooled things off. He then transfigured three acorns he picked up outside into proper cups even though he knew Sirius would drink it straight out of the bottle like it were whiskey. They had situated themselves in the empty dining room sitting on the floor. Harry just now thought of what the delivery guy must have thought when he saw a very grubby Sirius Black in tattered wizard robes no less pick up the food. Harry was now looking at some very strange looking food which was saying a lot since he was a wizard: sushi, yaki-soba noodles, gyoza dumplings with soy sauce, yakitori resembling shish-kabobs, and most unusal item in the random assortment of things Remus ordered-steamed meat buns. The off-white buns looked liked they would be a dessert but when Harry took a bite out of them they tasted had a delicious savory taste to them and apparently they were the favorite of Sirius as well because they had ordered a stack of twenty buns and had just one order of everything else. Basically the three sat on the floor and started to pig out. Sirius devoured the buns and had meat crumbs all over his face.
"I never, NEVER thought I would get to enjoy this again!!" Sirius roared between bites. Harry looked on at Sirius as he picked up the two liters of soda and and gulped some of it down ignoring the cups. An exasperated sigh from Remus just made Harry smile...for a little bit until he noticed something about Sirius. He was eating in the exact same manner back when he first got reunited with him back at the cave earlier in Harry's fourth year and in the teacher's lounge despite the elegant surroundings. Sirius ate every meal like it would be his last, a habit from spending thirteen years in pure hell. He was eating in a manner that was feral and desperate.
["Poor old Snuffles...he must really like you, Harry...imagine having to live off rats."] came a memory of what Ron once told him. This made Harry wince inwardly. Harry had shelter, clothes and food even if he had to endure the causal abuse from Vernon...verbal and physical. Harry thought it paled compared to being tortured and mentally raped by Dementors. Remus' voice shook Harry out of his grim thoughts.
"So what will you try first?" Remus asked as he got out the chopsticks and plastic forks. Harry snapped back to cheerful mode as he picked up the plate of yaki-soba.
"What's this?" he asked
"Yaki-soba, just think of it as Japanese spaghetti." Remus said as Harry endearingly plunged the plastic fork into the mess of noodles, chicken and ginger. "I thought this would be great for Sirius here to eat something favorite of his again."
"When did two wizards ever get the chance to eat exotic take-out?" Harry asked between bites.
"It's not really exotic when you have lots of it all the time." Sirius said after polishing off his sixth meat bun. "Remus and I used to hit this Japanese take-away place all the time in London's Asian district." He said taking another swig of soda-pop.
"When was this?"
"After our graduation, James left with Lily to live at Godric's Hollow and I took a very long road trip with Remus on my bike, staying at crappy dive motels and finding places to hide during full moon, it was excellent." He then got really quiet at this. Remus knew the reason behind that road trip that lasted four months. Every one said goodbye to their friends at Hogwarts during their class graduation. A war was impending and no one knew if they would see their friends ever again. Even the Marauders the ultimate friends of Hogwarts School were parting ways with James making overtures that he was going to ask Lily to marry him. Remus and Sirius were just coming to terms with the fact that their friendship had gotten much deeper than ever. More intimate, more possessive and most tellingly they started to do things exclusively between them two without telling James, Peter or Lily. Instead of being a hyperactive prankster all the time Sirius in his final year would perform secret magic spells with Remus in a hidden corridor because Remus thought they would be interesting to cast. Instead of goading some Slytherins over a cheap house rivalry, Sirius would go to library with Remus and quietly read classical poetry some of which Sirius would make dirty comments about making Remus smile. That last week Remus felt extremely distraught that Sirius would move on.
***The night before graduation day***
They were outside the castle in the warm summer night in the new moon. James was practically the King of Gryffindor House and had hosted a huge party. Remus generally didn't like parties and had slipped just outside to a very still whomping willow that Peter had turned off for him before slipping back to the party. Remus just wanted to be alone and collect his thoughts and was preparing himself to be alone again, just like before he met up with the Marauders. Sirius had showed up right after Peter had left, not unexpectedly since the past month Sirius wouldn't leave Remus' side once even being on his best behavior so he wouldn't get detention and cut into his time with him.
"I thought you'd be 'entertaining' some girl tonight." Remus said as Sirius sat on the grass beside him. Sirius was notorious for being very fast and loose with girls and also hung out around those kind of girls.
"Not tonight, Remmie, not when there so much to lose tomorrow." Sirius said quietly. Remmie had been Sirius' private nickname for Remus. Moony was for their circle of friends to use.
"I have nothing to go home to." Remus said.
"Neither do I." Sirius came from a broken home and Remus had all been but abandoned by his parents due to the lycanthropy he had since five.
"Y..you've b..been the best this month and for all seven years we've been together...I...I'll miss..." Remus began quavering.
"Stop. I've made a decision about you." Sirius cut in emphatically. "Being alone is all fucked up. Everyone here today is scared of being alone, scared that the winds of change will destroy them after graduation. Just living day by day is hard enough when you have your friends behind you but being on your own, dealing with other people, suffering through hard times, and trying to make your way is a hell of a lot worse when you're by yourself. You of all people should know this." Remus nodded at this. Sirius then took a deep breath. "You're a very sensitive and kind person who wouldn't hurt a mouse no matter what Mr. Big Bad wants you to do." Mr. Big Bad was their private nickname for Remus' condition. "This great world will burn you alive Remmie, especially since you're different from all of them. I know because I'm usually with you when those mother-fuckers try to put you on the stake. I care about you too much to let them do that to you. Even though we all became Marauders on the same day, I met you first before James and Peter came along. This thing I feel about you it goes deeper than our little quartet. Screw traditions, I refuse to part ways with you in my life." Sirius let the words die. Seven years had come to this. Remus' instinct told him Sirius was in it for the long haul as his personal guardian.
"How long will you stay?" Remus whispered.
"We're family now. You can't get rid of me." Sirius said in the same quiet tone.
"Okay. Welcome to the Pack...but you were always in."
"I know. We'll leave on my bike tommorrow and we'll try and outrace this fucking world Remmie." Sirius said tenderly in spite the coarse language.
***4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging***
It was late afternoon after the guys finished their gloriously low- class take out feast. Harry had a quill and was writing something on a piece of parchment. It was a list of things they would need: furniture, plates, clothes, food, beds, and toiletries. Harry didn't worry about costs though as he was loaded. Sirius though was concerned.
"Look at this place, it's big." Sirius said dazed. It really wasn't that big, it just seemed that way because it was empty. "We've got to do something or Harry will go broke just furnishing this place, not to mention feed us. We've got to last through the summer, you know."
"And the rest of our lives." Remus said deep in thought. Sirius was struck by this realization. "I've got something in mind that will help with some of the burden though." He then turned to Harry. "Harry, may I borrow some Craft supplies from your trunk?"
"Sure, Remus what's the occasion?" He said not looking up from his parchment.
"Moving Day Spell, I just need four white candles."
"I'll get them." Harry had heard of the Moving Day Spell and realized Remus was going to magically transfer his things from his cabin to his new house. Harry got the candles from the trunk and also knew that they would mark the boundary for the transfer point. "How wide an area?" he asked.
"To play it safe put one in each corner of the living room."
"That's it?" the living room was a large place but the spell was meant for an entire house of things. Harry put one candle in each corner and Remus lit them with the tip of his wand. Harry and Sirius stood in the dining room as Remus recited the incantation:
{ I bring my possessions upon this place, throughout all time and space }
{ They follow me without the urge to roam, because this place is my home }
"MIGRARE!!" Remus said with authority as a swirl of white sparks spins through the living room. All of Remus Lupin's items from the cabin show up in the living room...all of them. His pots, pans, dishes, couch, bed and two trunks full of precious books and Craft supplies fit very neatly into the living room.
"Hey, Moony let me use your energy trail again." said Sirius
"Okay, just let me get my things out of here." He then went into the dining room while Harry and Sirius went on the stairs. "Accio, possessions." Remus chanted as all of his items floated from the dining room from the living room without knocking over the candles. Harry noticed how strong Remus was magically if he could summon all of his things with just one Accio. Remus then gave Sirius his wand. "What do you have anyway?" Remus asked. This was a valid question because Sirius was on the run and couldn't stay in one place.
"Just a little something I kept for the day I would stop and stay at a place for more than a year." Sirius said. "Migrare." He chanted simply. Another swirl of white sparks spun through the living room. A large wooden chest appeared. Remus smiled at this. It was Sirius' prank chest. This was where Sirius kept all the things he bought from the joke shops in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, while staying at Hogwarts. It was also where he kept his porno magazines and his personal bong complete with the weed. He was so bad back then.
"You kept those things?" Remus said with a smile as he extingushed the candles and put them away.
"Well, the chest." Sirius said as Remus gave him a curious look. He wanted to know what that meant.
"What's in there?" Harry asked.
"Take a look." Sirius said a little too quietly for Remus' taste as he opened it. The next sight made Harry excited and Remus absolutely cringe.
It was filled with weapons. Swords, knives, mace, morningstar, iron chains and a battle axe. What was once used to house merriment was now used to house objects that kill.
"Whoa...Mr. Padfoot you are quite the bad ass!" Harry said very impressed. Remus didn't like it at all though especially seeing one of the knives as pure silver.
"Just an insurance policy." Sirius said with a sad smile. Both Remus and Harry realized he was stocking up for an attack by either Death-eaters or dark creatures, magical protection over the house or not.
"Well, let's get situated." Remus said with a noticeable tension in his voice. It was nighttime when they got the house in decent shape. They put Harry's luggage in his room again and the kitchen items in the kitchen. Remus then drafted an intresting living arrangement. Sirius and he would stay in the master bedroom together so they could convert Dudley's bedroom into a Spellcraft study where the house's Craft supplies and books could be stored. Harry noticed Sirius getting a little red in the face but not by much. Sirius stored the War Chest in the cupboard under the stairs which Harry assumed was left there to remind him of the Dursley's treatment of him. Sirius wondered why Harry wouldn't go near the cupboard at all but didn't say anything. Then the three decided to turn in early so they could get an early start of tomorrow's activities...mainly shopping. Harry was tucked in bed by Sirius like a five-year old...and he reveled in it.
"I hope this will work out. You're still a fugitive you know." Harry said quietly.
"I'll worry about that, you just rest okay?" "You earned it." He then kissed Harry's scar and stood up.
"Love you, Sirius."
"I love you too, poppet, always." As his godfather left the bedroom, questions hammered into Harry's mind, money being a major one. He had a fortune but could it last as long as it needed to? Could they all get along for the long haul? What was in his mother's Book of Shadows? Would Voldemort attempt to kill him here? Sirius seemed to think so even with the protection spells covering the house.
Did Sirius just call him poppet??
In the master bedroom Remus and Sirius were in the same bed for the first time in over thirteen years. They were on Remus' ragged twin sized bed under the covers. If you lit a candle it could ignite all the tension in the room. They didn't touch each other at all but...
" I love you, Sirius."
"I love you too, Remmie, always."
The pair still had a lot of intimacy issues to overcome however.
Disclaimer: Same as Chapter 1. Language Alert.
CHAPTER 4: Significant Other
"Moony here really turned me on to this." Sirius said as he took the styrofoam cartons out of a white bag with kanji printed on it that Harry put on floor. Harry, Remus, and Sirius on the way to 4 Privet Drive (now their home!) in Little Whinging from Hogwarts called a local take-away place on a pay phone. Harry assumed that they would be eating pizza or Chinese food (both sadly would be a new experience for him) but he was surprised when Remus called a quaint Japanese take-away place. He was also surprised that Remus could use a pay phone and not make a scene about it. He could just imagine how embarrassing it would be if Arthur Weasley tried to make a simple phone call. When the delivery guy arrived at the house with the goods in an hour and as Harry gave him the muggle pounds that all three had pooled together he noticed the luggage and empty house.
"Just moving in?" he asked
"Feels like it!" Harry replied cheerfully as the delivery guy left.
Remus also brought a large bottle of Pepsi on the way home and was just getting it out of the fridge that was sort of working thanks to another domestic charm which cooled things off. He then transfigured three acorns he picked up outside into proper cups even though he knew Sirius would drink it straight out of the bottle like it were whiskey. They had situated themselves in the empty dining room sitting on the floor. Harry just now thought of what the delivery guy must have thought when he saw a very grubby Sirius Black in tattered wizard robes no less pick up the food. Harry was now looking at some very strange looking food which was saying a lot since he was a wizard: sushi, yaki-soba noodles, gyoza dumplings with soy sauce, yakitori resembling shish-kabobs, and most unusal item in the random assortment of things Remus ordered-steamed meat buns. The off-white buns looked liked they would be a dessert but when Harry took a bite out of them they tasted had a delicious savory taste to them and apparently they were the favorite of Sirius as well because they had ordered a stack of twenty buns and had just one order of everything else. Basically the three sat on the floor and started to pig out. Sirius devoured the buns and had meat crumbs all over his face.
"I never, NEVER thought I would get to enjoy this again!!" Sirius roared between bites. Harry looked on at Sirius as he picked up the two liters of soda and and gulped some of it down ignoring the cups. An exasperated sigh from Remus just made Harry smile...for a little bit until he noticed something about Sirius. He was eating in the exact same manner back when he first got reunited with him back at the cave earlier in Harry's fourth year and in the teacher's lounge despite the elegant surroundings. Sirius ate every meal like it would be his last, a habit from spending thirteen years in pure hell. He was eating in a manner that was feral and desperate.
["Poor old Snuffles...he must really like you, Harry...imagine having to live off rats."] came a memory of what Ron once told him. This made Harry wince inwardly. Harry had shelter, clothes and food even if he had to endure the causal abuse from Vernon...verbal and physical. Harry thought it paled compared to being tortured and mentally raped by Dementors. Remus' voice shook Harry out of his grim thoughts.
"So what will you try first?" Remus asked as he got out the chopsticks and plastic forks. Harry snapped back to cheerful mode as he picked up the plate of yaki-soba.
"What's this?" he asked
"Yaki-soba, just think of it as Japanese spaghetti." Remus said as Harry endearingly plunged the plastic fork into the mess of noodles, chicken and ginger. "I thought this would be great for Sirius here to eat something favorite of his again."
"When did two wizards ever get the chance to eat exotic take-out?" Harry asked between bites.
"It's not really exotic when you have lots of it all the time." Sirius said after polishing off his sixth meat bun. "Remus and I used to hit this Japanese take-away place all the time in London's Asian district." He said taking another swig of soda-pop.
"When was this?"
"After our graduation, James left with Lily to live at Godric's Hollow and I took a very long road trip with Remus on my bike, staying at crappy dive motels and finding places to hide during full moon, it was excellent." He then got really quiet at this. Remus knew the reason behind that road trip that lasted four months. Every one said goodbye to their friends at Hogwarts during their class graduation. A war was impending and no one knew if they would see their friends ever again. Even the Marauders the ultimate friends of Hogwarts School were parting ways with James making overtures that he was going to ask Lily to marry him. Remus and Sirius were just coming to terms with the fact that their friendship had gotten much deeper than ever. More intimate, more possessive and most tellingly they started to do things exclusively between them two without telling James, Peter or Lily. Instead of being a hyperactive prankster all the time Sirius in his final year would perform secret magic spells with Remus in a hidden corridor because Remus thought they would be interesting to cast. Instead of goading some Slytherins over a cheap house rivalry, Sirius would go to library with Remus and quietly read classical poetry some of which Sirius would make dirty comments about making Remus smile. That last week Remus felt extremely distraught that Sirius would move on.
***The night before graduation day***
They were outside the castle in the warm summer night in the new moon. James was practically the King of Gryffindor House and had hosted a huge party. Remus generally didn't like parties and had slipped just outside to a very still whomping willow that Peter had turned off for him before slipping back to the party. Remus just wanted to be alone and collect his thoughts and was preparing himself to be alone again, just like before he met up with the Marauders. Sirius had showed up right after Peter had left, not unexpectedly since the past month Sirius wouldn't leave Remus' side once even being on his best behavior so he wouldn't get detention and cut into his time with him.
"I thought you'd be 'entertaining' some girl tonight." Remus said as Sirius sat on the grass beside him. Sirius was notorious for being very fast and loose with girls and also hung out around those kind of girls.
"Not tonight, Remmie, not when there so much to lose tomorrow." Sirius said quietly. Remmie had been Sirius' private nickname for Remus. Moony was for their circle of friends to use.
"I have nothing to go home to." Remus said.
"Neither do I." Sirius came from a broken home and Remus had all been but abandoned by his parents due to the lycanthropy he had since five.
"Y..you've b..been the best this month and for all seven years we've been together...I...I'll miss..." Remus began quavering.
"Stop. I've made a decision about you." Sirius cut in emphatically. "Being alone is all fucked up. Everyone here today is scared of being alone, scared that the winds of change will destroy them after graduation. Just living day by day is hard enough when you have your friends behind you but being on your own, dealing with other people, suffering through hard times, and trying to make your way is a hell of a lot worse when you're by yourself. You of all people should know this." Remus nodded at this. Sirius then took a deep breath. "You're a very sensitive and kind person who wouldn't hurt a mouse no matter what Mr. Big Bad wants you to do." Mr. Big Bad was their private nickname for Remus' condition. "This great world will burn you alive Remmie, especially since you're different from all of them. I know because I'm usually with you when those mother-fuckers try to put you on the stake. I care about you too much to let them do that to you. Even though we all became Marauders on the same day, I met you first before James and Peter came along. This thing I feel about you it goes deeper than our little quartet. Screw traditions, I refuse to part ways with you in my life." Sirius let the words die. Seven years had come to this. Remus' instinct told him Sirius was in it for the long haul as his personal guardian.
"How long will you stay?" Remus whispered.
"We're family now. You can't get rid of me." Sirius said in the same quiet tone.
"Okay. Welcome to the Pack...but you were always in."
"I know. We'll leave on my bike tommorrow and we'll try and outrace this fucking world Remmie." Sirius said tenderly in spite the coarse language.
***4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging***
It was late afternoon after the guys finished their gloriously low- class take out feast. Harry had a quill and was writing something on a piece of parchment. It was a list of things they would need: furniture, plates, clothes, food, beds, and toiletries. Harry didn't worry about costs though as he was loaded. Sirius though was concerned.
"Look at this place, it's big." Sirius said dazed. It really wasn't that big, it just seemed that way because it was empty. "We've got to do something or Harry will go broke just furnishing this place, not to mention feed us. We've got to last through the summer, you know."
"And the rest of our lives." Remus said deep in thought. Sirius was struck by this realization. "I've got something in mind that will help with some of the burden though." He then turned to Harry. "Harry, may I borrow some Craft supplies from your trunk?"
"Sure, Remus what's the occasion?" He said not looking up from his parchment.
"Moving Day Spell, I just need four white candles."
"I'll get them." Harry had heard of the Moving Day Spell and realized Remus was going to magically transfer his things from his cabin to his new house. Harry got the candles from the trunk and also knew that they would mark the boundary for the transfer point. "How wide an area?" he asked.
"To play it safe put one in each corner of the living room."
"That's it?" the living room was a large place but the spell was meant for an entire house of things. Harry put one candle in each corner and Remus lit them with the tip of his wand. Harry and Sirius stood in the dining room as Remus recited the incantation:
{ I bring my possessions upon this place, throughout all time and space }
{ They follow me without the urge to roam, because this place is my home }
"MIGRARE!!" Remus said with authority as a swirl of white sparks spins through the living room. All of Remus Lupin's items from the cabin show up in the living room...all of them. His pots, pans, dishes, couch, bed and two trunks full of precious books and Craft supplies fit very neatly into the living room.
"Hey, Moony let me use your energy trail again." said Sirius
"Okay, just let me get my things out of here." He then went into the dining room while Harry and Sirius went on the stairs. "Accio, possessions." Remus chanted as all of his items floated from the dining room from the living room without knocking over the candles. Harry noticed how strong Remus was magically if he could summon all of his things with just one Accio. Remus then gave Sirius his wand. "What do you have anyway?" Remus asked. This was a valid question because Sirius was on the run and couldn't stay in one place.
"Just a little something I kept for the day I would stop and stay at a place for more than a year." Sirius said. "Migrare." He chanted simply. Another swirl of white sparks spun through the living room. A large wooden chest appeared. Remus smiled at this. It was Sirius' prank chest. This was where Sirius kept all the things he bought from the joke shops in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, while staying at Hogwarts. It was also where he kept his porno magazines and his personal bong complete with the weed. He was so bad back then.
"You kept those things?" Remus said with a smile as he extingushed the candles and put them away.
"Well, the chest." Sirius said as Remus gave him a curious look. He wanted to know what that meant.
"What's in there?" Harry asked.
"Take a look." Sirius said a little too quietly for Remus' taste as he opened it. The next sight made Harry excited and Remus absolutely cringe.
It was filled with weapons. Swords, knives, mace, morningstar, iron chains and a battle axe. What was once used to house merriment was now used to house objects that kill.
"Whoa...Mr. Padfoot you are quite the bad ass!" Harry said very impressed. Remus didn't like it at all though especially seeing one of the knives as pure silver.
"Just an insurance policy." Sirius said with a sad smile. Both Remus and Harry realized he was stocking up for an attack by either Death-eaters or dark creatures, magical protection over the house or not.
"Well, let's get situated." Remus said with a noticeable tension in his voice. It was nighttime when they got the house in decent shape. They put Harry's luggage in his room again and the kitchen items in the kitchen. Remus then drafted an intresting living arrangement. Sirius and he would stay in the master bedroom together so they could convert Dudley's bedroom into a Spellcraft study where the house's Craft supplies and books could be stored. Harry noticed Sirius getting a little red in the face but not by much. Sirius stored the War Chest in the cupboard under the stairs which Harry assumed was left there to remind him of the Dursley's treatment of him. Sirius wondered why Harry wouldn't go near the cupboard at all but didn't say anything. Then the three decided to turn in early so they could get an early start of tomorrow's activities...mainly shopping. Harry was tucked in bed by Sirius like a five-year old...and he reveled in it.
"I hope this will work out. You're still a fugitive you know." Harry said quietly.
"I'll worry about that, you just rest okay?" "You earned it." He then kissed Harry's scar and stood up.
"Love you, Sirius."
"I love you too, poppet, always." As his godfather left the bedroom, questions hammered into Harry's mind, money being a major one. He had a fortune but could it last as long as it needed to? Could they all get along for the long haul? What was in his mother's Book of Shadows? Would Voldemort attempt to kill him here? Sirius seemed to think so even with the protection spells covering the house.
Did Sirius just call him poppet??
In the master bedroom Remus and Sirius were in the same bed for the first time in over thirteen years. They were on Remus' ragged twin sized bed under the covers. If you lit a candle it could ignite all the tension in the room. They didn't touch each other at all but...
" I love you, Sirius."
"I love you too, Remmie, always."
The pair still had a lot of intimacy issues to overcome however.
