Disclaimer: J.K.'s
A/N: I just put out a chapter today and I'm already writing the next. Hopefully, it'll be up by Saturday. I had some inspiration, a song actually. Oh, it's perfect for OotP. It's sung by Wynonna, and it's called "What the World Needs." It was written for our world, but it goes with the Harry Potter world…it's just perfect. Pure inspiration.
It's Saturday now, and I'm afraid the next chapter will be pushed back to Wednesday. I went to a couple flea markets, and my friend wanted me to come over, and I always stay there a couple days…Oh, and I was helping Secret Pleasures with her fic, and I'm supposed to put a shameless plug here from her, for her fic Child's Play, but mentioning the name is enough. She was rushing the relationship, I helped her write a scene worthy of SAH. I did NOT include the slash part of the fic in the bit I wrote. So, sorry. Been busy.
Guess what? It's Friday, and still no chapter. Sorry. And I'm afraid that I may have to push this back to NEXT Saturday. I need time to write. And why am I leaving all of this? Just so you can all see how much I procrastinate.
Guess what else? It's Saturday, and I will have a chap out. And tomorrow's my birthday! ::dances around:: I can't wait--I'll finally be ____ years old! And I'll be the same age as all my friends! And I still love Harry Potter--going on five years! Anyway--on with it!
"Sirius! Pay attention!" James yelled. Remus had just swooped across the field to hit a Bludger Sirius could easily have hit without moving three feet.
It was two days before the Quidditch match, and James had been holding practices for at least two hours each night since Remus had joined the team. It had taken only five days to teach Remus all the moves James had designed, and only one day for him to master the moves already in existence. Now it was just the matter of practicing.
Sirius sighed. He didn't want to admit it, but he was feeling a little jealous. He had always been pretty much the best on the team. Now he was shunted to the side, and he knew that everyone's attention would be on Remus instead of him. He tried not to feel jealous, but he couldn't help it. Everyone had their own little talents, and his had been Quidditch. Now he wasn't the best anymore and he no longer shone at anything. James was everything. He was popular, and Head Boy. He was the top of the year, and was good at nearly everything. Peter…well, he wasn't really good at anything, but that was why he was so well known. Remus' talent had been being such a great friend, but know it was Quidditch. And Sirius had nothing. Sure, he was smart, but then so were all the Ravenclaws. Sure, he played pranks, but so did the rest of his friends. He had been the best at Quidditch, but now…he was just like everyone else, but different. Everyone else's parents were loving, caring. His were…Corvus and Ursa. That was the only word for it. Sirius was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn't see the Bludger heading straight for him.
"Sirius!" Remus yelled.
Sirius raised the club and swung, just in time. Then he sunk back into his thoughts. He flew around the field in a sort of stupor, occasionally hitting the Bludgers, more often than not glaring in Remus' direction. Once, after Remus hit a Bludger with the one move Sirius had never been able to master, and the rest of the team cheered, Sirius hit the Bludger as hard as he could away from James and towards Remus. Remus did the Sloth Grip Roll and easily avoided it. Sirius flew away angrily.
When James called an end to the practice, he turned to Sirius looking livid. "SIRIUS, WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU, WE NEED TWO FULLY FUNCTIONAL BEATERS, NOT ONE DOING A GREAT JOB AND ONE DAYDREAMING! IF YOU DON'T SMARTEN UP, I MAY JUST KICK YOU OFF THE TEAM AND REPLACE YOU! AS IT IS, REMUS IS DOING ALL THE WORK! THERE ARE TWO BEATERS FOR A REASON! IF THERE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ONE BEATER, THERE WOULD BE ONE BEATER! THE GAME IS IN TWO DAYS, AND YOU'VE BEEN PLAYING HORRIBLY FOR THE PAST WEEK! I'VE HAD IT UP TO HERE WITH YOU SIRIUS, AND DON'T THINK JUST BECAUSE I'M YOUR BEST FRIEND I'M GOING TO CUT YOU ANY SLACK! I'VE GIVEN YOU PLENTY OF WARNINGS, SO GET WITH IT!"
Sirius nodded silently, fighting the urge to cover his head. James isn't going to hurt you, don't be an idiot, Sirius told himself.
As he walked back from the pitch, Sirius avoided James and Remus. He sighed. "Remind me why I insisted Remus try out when he said he wasn't sure?"
"Maybe because that's what friends are for Padfoot. To encourage their friends when they believe in them," someone said, catching up with Sirius.
Without turning around, Sirius said with a malice filled voice, "Look, it's the new Quidditch star. I expect James will be getting rid of me soon, since you're so much better."
"I'm not, Sirius," Remus replied.
Sirius laughed a humorless laugh. "You are. Don't try to make me feel better. It won't work, and besides, you probably don't even consider me a friend anymore, just someone who wants to be like you. There are a bunch of people like that. Five so far, soon to be thousands."
"What do you mean?" Remus asked, and Sirius knew he was on the verge of tears. Sirius was surprised to find he didn't care.
"You're such a good Beater. You're the best on the team, on all the teams. All the others wish they could be like you, and soon so will the rest of the school. Luscious Lupin, that'll be what the girls will call you. But I prefer Loony Loopy Lupin myself. Fits you better."
Remus stood in front of Sirius. Sirius was taller, he glared down at him. But Remus held his gaze, obviously angry by now. The two circled each other, neither looking away.
"Don't make me fight you Sirius," Remus warned.
Sirius laughed. "You wouldn't win."
"Want to bet on it?" Remus replied, advancing closer.
"Sure, why not?" Sirius replied casually.
Remus leapt on Sirius and they began to fight. Seconds later, James pulled them apart.
"What is up Sirius?" James demanded.
"Fine, go ahead, assume it was me," Sirius said, pretending to be angry, but really he was hurt. "I don't care. It always is, isn't it." He turned away and ran towards the castle, tears spilling onto his cheeks.
Remus' anger disappeared in a nanosecond. "Oh God…he's upset isn't he, that I'm on the team. And he feels like…Quidditch was always his thing, the thing he got to be good at. And then I took that away…I've got to go after him."
But Sirius had already reached the castle and was nearly to the Gryffindor common room. He ran even faster than he had been, hoping no one else would see him, since he was crying. He reached the Fat Lady and said the password.
But the Fat Lady didn't let him in. "I'm sorry, the password's changed. Didn't you know?"
Sirius groaned. I'm a Prefect, shouldn't I know? Then he remembered. "V-venomous Tentacula."
The portrait opened and Sirius went inside, then ran up to the dormitory. He leapt onto his bed, put a Sticking Charm on his hangings so they wouldn't separate, then a sound charm around his whole bed and began to sob.
Why does everything happen to me? First my parents, then Remus…and now Remus hates me, because I was so stupid…and James prefers Remus over me now because he's a better flier…I didn't think it would bother me, but it does. And I don't even know why I'm acting like this, I'm not usually like this.
He was interrupted by Remus' voice giving the counter charm for the Sticking Charm.
"Damn," Sirius whispered, trying to stop crying to no avail.
Remus carefully sat at the end of Sirius' bed. "Look, Sirius, I know you're upset."
"I know too, and I don't know why!" Sirius exclaimed. "Look, Remus, I'm really sorry about what I said…I didn't really mean it."
"Yes, you did," Remus said. "And I don't blame you. Quidditch was your thing…and then I joined the team."
Sirius nodded. "Yeah, I guess…but that doesn't excuse what I did."
"Maybe not Sirius, but it's all right. I understand. I've told James I'm resigning," Remus replied.
"WHAT?! Remus, you can't!"
Remus looked at Sirius in a don't-try-to-change-my-mind sort of way. "I can and I did. You're much more important to me than Quidditch, Sirius. If me being on the team makes you upset, then I'll resign. James wasn't exactly happy, but he agreed. He didn't have much choice. I'm going to play in the game, then I'm off the team."
"But Remus--"
Remus' voice was hard. "Sirius, I've made up my mind." Remus' voice became softer. "Look, I know you act like you want me to keep playing, but do you really?"
Sirius' lip trembled. "No…but Remus, I'm being childish. I don't know why I'm being so childish, but I am. Don't listen to me."
"Sirius, you are not being childish. You've been mistreated far too long. That's why you feel you need to be good at something. And if you don't tell Dumbledore about your parents soon…I will," Remus replied.
"How did we get onto the subject of my parents?" Sirius demanded, glaring at Remus.
Remus looked back at him. "Very easily. Sirius, you need to tell Dumbledore. People like your parents shouldn't be allowed to do what they do."
Sirius, near tears again, said quietly, "Can we not talk about my parents Remus? Please, I don't like discussing them."
Remus nodded. "I understand."
They sat in silence for a moment, then Remus cleared his throat nervously.
"What?" Sirius asked.
"Well, I was just wondering--where do you plan to go after Hogwarts?"
"You know I want to be an Auror," Sirius replied.
Remus shook his head. "No, no, where do you plan to go?"
"Home…" Sirius replied vaguely.
"Elaborate," Remus replied.
Sirius sighed. "I'll go home, get all my stuff, and then get a flat or something. I don't know."
"How are you going to pay for a flat?" Remus asked.
Sirius looked indignant. "I do have money you know."
"How much?" Remus asked.
"A couple hundred pounds," Sirius replied off-handedly.
Remus smiled a tiny smile. "Sirius, that'll last you all of three months rent."
Sirius' eyes widened. "Hey, you're right. Well then, I'll…I'll…"
"…Listen to me," Remus finished. "Sirius, you know how my parents left their house to me in their will?"
"Yes," said Sirius, clearly not knowing what Remus was getting at.
"Well, I can hardly handle such a big house on my own…"
"Go on," Sirius prompted.
Remus took a deep breath. "Would you like to move in with me, into my family's house? Once we've left school and you've got your things? It's in Edinburgh--haven't you always wanted to live there?"
Sirius was shocked. Yes, he had always wanted to live there, and Remus was actually willing to let Sirius live with him. But then he thought of the imposition it would be. The Lupins hadn't been the richest people in the world, and surely it would be hard enough for Remus to provide for himself.
"Remus, I appreciate the offer, more than you'll ever know, but I couldn't," Sirius said, truly sorry.
"All right then. But if you change your mind, the offer still stands. Always will," Remus replied quietly.
Sirius nodded. "Remus, it's nothing personal, all right? I just…"
"It's all right. Don't worry about it," Remus said, still in a quiet voice.
Sirius sighed. "Remus…don't resign from the team."
"Sirius--"
"Because I don't want you to," Sirius continued in a rush. "I can handle not being the best. I was being childish, but now I see things clearly."
Remus hesitated. "Well…if you're sure…I'll stick around a little longer. But if you start being upset, I'll resign."
Sirius bit his lip. I guess that's as good as Remus is going to get. So… "Good."
~*~
The day of the Quidditch match dawned sunny and clear. James woke Sirius, Remus and Gus early, then somehow managed to rouse the others. They all went to the Great Hall together, where James forced them to eat breakfast.
"How do you guys do this?" Remus asked James in a soft and scared sounding voice.
"Do what?" James asked.
"Play Quidditch."
Sirius patted Remus' shoulder reassuringly. "Hey Remie, don't worry about it. You're awesome, just ignore the crowd, focus on the game and you'll be fine."
Remus nodded, still looking a bit frightened.
"Oh, lighten up Remus," Gus said impatiently.
The team sat on the benches in the changing room and listened to James' pep talk.
"Okay team, remember this match will decide whether we play for the Cup or not. We're so far undefeated, but then, so is Slytherin. If we lose, we may be out of the running, depending on how much Ravenclaw wins or loses by when they play Slytherin if Slytherin wins. Since Hufflepuff lost to Slytherin by one hundred fifty points, and Hufflepuff lost to us by one hundred points and only won against Ravenclaw by fifty, they're out of the running, so we don't have to worry about them, they're out of the running. So it's only Slytherin and Ravenclaw we're worried about, but Ravenclaw has lost once, so we're more worried about Slytherin, because Ravenclaw has lost once." James said all this without taking a breath. "And I hope with you on the team, Remus, we can surprise the Slytherins with your Beating ability. They don't think much of it, from what I've heard, so I hope we can surprise them."
Sirius grinned.
"What do you find so funny Sirius?" Remus asked as they walked out to the field.
"Ever noticed how James repeats himself when he's nervous?" Sirius asked in response.
"It's not proper to respond to a question with a question you know," Remus said, just before Madam Hooch told them to mount their brooms.
"Okay, and it looks like Potter has found a replacement for his girlfriend Starr, it's Remus Lupin, wonder how good he is, he looks pretty weak--not at all the build for a Beater. Of course, had I been in Gryffindor, I would have gotten the position, no doubt about it--Hufflepuff captain said so himself--"
"Bagman, are you commentating or complimenting yourself! Get back to the match!" McGonagall shouted.
"Of course Professor. So, Potter has the Quaffle, he's going to the hoops, he's going to sc--no, he's hit by a Bludger from Slytherin, tough luck there, and on of the Slytherin chasers get the Quaffle--oh, I say!"
The crowd let out a collective gasp, then they all cheered wildly.
"Well, it seems Lupin is a good Beater, fantastic in fact--Looks like Black isn't the best anymore!"
The match went on for perhaps thirty more minutes. Neither team scored. Gus was looking wildly around for the Snitch, then--
"Gus! Hoops, our side!" Remus said, flying past him.
Gus sped toward the golden hoops at the Gryffindor end and grabbed the Snitch. They had won.
"Remus, you were amazing!" Sirius yelled, landing next to him with a THUD. Simply amazing, you should be a Seeker too!"
Gus grinned. "Thanks mate," he said, "I owe you one."
Remus just shrugged.
The team got changed, and James, Sirius and Remus met Peter outside of the changing rooms.
As the four Marauders trudged up to the castle, they overheard some girls from Ravenclaw talking.
One girl, a tall blonde said, "He's a really good Beater, and he's cute too."
"Yeah, why haven't I ever noticed him?" her friend sighed.
A third girl spoke up, "I wish he would be my boyfriend."
The first girl sighed. "But he'll never notice us. We'll just admire him from afar. Luscious Lupin."
"Yeah, Luscious Lupin," the others sighed.
Sirius grinned at Remus, who was gaping in horror.
"Told you so."
Responses!
Kristen: Hmm, I probably will.
Katie: Slash. Yuck. Not here. I missed James too. And I'm trying.
RnRForever: We'll see.
Gohan Hugger: Thanks.
Degroat Thomas :what does wow mean
Skye Gemini: Thanks! And me too. Most definitely.