Y o u r P r i d e , R e m e m b e r ?


"So everything had been a lie? Everything?"

Shocked disbelief was etched across sixteen years old Remus Lupin's face, as he stared at his now former lover. Tremors and saddened tremblings sought to be released, but he brought out his strongest defense to keep them at bay, fighting to keep them unapparent.

Sirius couldn't bring himself to tilt his bloody stupid head up, and look at Remus in the eye... //Though it very well maybe the last chance I can ever do that...// he thought sadly before croaking out the words, "Yeah. And the thing was that I have to dump you today, on Christmas Eve, so you'd be having the worst Christmas ever. Something like that. You know... just to show that Lestrange git that I have the guts to do something like that."

"So... so you're hurting me so badly, just for the sake of your pride?"

The taller boy groaned inwardly. //Oh, why can't he just let everything out? Why does he still have to sound so damn calm when I know he's shattering inside?// "...yes."

When troubled silence instead of another unbelievably calmly controlled murmuring of words reigned upon them, the animagus forced himself to lift his head up. //This is no time to save your own damned face!// he thought fiercely to himself. //Think about how Remus is feeling, think about - what?! Oh no...//

What the raven haired saw made his insides quench with guilt. Remus was standing still, head turned towards the clear glass window of the Gryffindor Sixth Year's boys dormitory. His lips were pursed - sheet white from the pressure its owner was putting on them. His hands were clenched as his eyes closed, trying to pick up what was left of his soul. No, he was not going to cry. If he did... then, then Sirius will be hung over with guilt, and he wouldn't want that. Lord, he was stupid. Even after Sirius had told him what had happened, he still loved him. Loved him enough to forgive him almost straight away, loved him enough that he didn't turn him away, yet instead tried his best to make his best friend and ex-boyfriend not feel so very terrible.

***

It was during the first week back at school for their sixth year that Sirius made the bet with Lestrange. They had gotten into a fight into each other, and, as predicted, hurled insults at each other. When Lestrange called Sirius a "pansy boy who only knows about romance and idiotic heartsy stuff", the Gryffindor had yelled, "Oh yeah? Wanna bet?"

Lastrange, never one to go back on a bet, had said, "Sure, sure. Tell you what - bet you 200 galleons you can't do what I'll be asking you to do."

"Oh yeah? I bet I can. I'm betting on my own family's honour that I'll be able to do whatever it is you name. Just say it!"

And, smirking evilly, Lastrange had replied, "I dare you to go and make that pretty little Lupin your boyfriend, and dump him on Christmas Eve. Oh, and break his heart at it."

***

So now, here was the result. Just how could Sirius do something like that to him? They were supposed to be best friends! He even knew about him being a werewolf, which meant he trusted Sirius beyond words. But, here he was, being dumped by said animagus, just for his stupid bloody pride...

But he must understand him. He must. Pride had always been Sirius' most precious possession, and he wasn't about to let him loose it, just for the word "romance". Yes, he'll understand... he'll understand...

"I understand."

Wait, where had that came from? Remus was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn't realize that he'd said it out loud. His head snapped back towards Sirius, who was wearing a befuddled and confused look on his handsome face.

"What? Understand what?"

"I... I understand why you did it. I understand. It's... okay."

It took a full minute for the meaning of the werewolf's words to sink securely into Sirius' mind. He blinked rapidly. //What?? Just like that... he forgave me??//

"Are...are you sure?"

"Yes." Then, in barely a whisper, "With my whole heart."


There! Hope you liked that! Not long, but the other chappies will be longer - gradually getting longer and longer, ya know. So... -stares pointedly at review button- Review please!!

- Wolfress

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