For the first time in what could have been years, the man in the small cottage awoke with a smile on his lips. Strange, for him, as the usual straight-faced man nearing his late 30's rarely had something to smile about. Having fallen asleep with his arm over his eyes he rolled over, face coming into contact with a piece of parchment. Letting out a laugh of embarrassment he couldn't believe he'd gone to sleep with the damned letter.
Yawning Remus pulled his hands to his face, rubbing it lightly before sitting up, eyes moving to the curtain less windows, greeting the sun full on. Nothing could dampen his spirits today, nothing. Pulling the blankets back the bare from the waist up figure placed his feet to the floor and quickly pulled them back with a soft gasp. Apparently, the floor was cold. Perhaps he needed to invest in some slippers.
Shaking his head as he sighed softly, this apparently still did not detour him as he quickly placed his feet to the floor, making his way out of the room and nearly taking the stairs two at a time. To Remus, the whole house smelled clean, a bit like lemons. That scented muggle polish he'd bought really did make the wood look newer. The bottle called it magic.
The Wing at Hogwarts always had it's own special smell, as did most places, but this was particularly distinguishable. Perhaps it was because I spent so much time here, or perhaps it's because I consider Madame Pomfrey something of my adoptive mother, and the room smelled of the soap she used so often. Regardless, waking up that afternoon, there was something different about the odor. Stag… and dog. A faint scent of rat. Taking a moment to register the voices that accompanied the smells, I figured out that they were just beside the bed. Taking caution I knew to keep my breathing steady or they'd notice I was awake.
"You slipshod, dim-witted, shitty excuse for a friend. What the bloody hell were you thinking? Do you know how fucking close he was? If I hadn't grabbed him…" James' voice was angry, to say the least. My eyes opened slightly, turning my gaze to the two people an arms reach away. James was closest, Sirius a mere step farther. The second of the two teenagers was pale in appearance, his lip bleeding nearly freely, it having dripped down across his white school shirt.
"Prongs… mate, I know I messed up, badly. Just, keep your voice down. I'd rather tell him myself," the pained look on Sirius' face almost hid the fear behind his eyes. The suspense was killing me. Reaching up, my hand came into contact with James' wrist, fingers wrapping around the appendage.
A teapot's whistle can really jar someone from his or her thoughts. Moving from his current job status as window washer, Remus grabbed a cup, pouring the hot water into the cup already filled with the powder to make the broth. Chicken flavored. Well, you take what you can get. A few cold cuts and pieces of cheese, accompanied by a slice of bread and he had his meal. Picking up the plate and cup Remus pulled the back door open with his foot, stepping out the doorway and onto the back step where he sat, plate now on his lap, taking a sip.
The warmth moving down his throat gave him a slight shudder, though the smile remained. Things were improving around here. Summer days were virtually here, the plant life was booming, and company was on its way. Glancing over his shoulder he ended up turning his entire head to glance past the make-do fence around the garden. The tomato plants appeared to look promising.
At being touched James jumped, his head turning down to me. I think that was the first time I'd ever seen him so on edge like this. Sure, scaring him when he was sleeping was one thing, but when he was clearly awake, and upset about something… Looking up at Sirius it was looking as if he were about to be sick. Entirely too curious as to what it was they were talking about, my eyes left Padfoot and moved to the boy I still had my hand on, "James? What are you talking about?"
If I was the one Sirius had been intending to speak to, he apparently was now choosing not to as his gaze was diverted, and remained that way. James pulled at his arm as if aiming to slug Sirius until my grip pulled the arm back, just now noticing the blood mark on his knuckles. James turning his gaze back to me I could almost feel his gaze softening as my own was affixed to his hand. Before I could ask, Sirius' voice broke through the silence, "Moony… last night, I made, a horrible mistake. I, I was upset still, because we couldn't run with you, or even leave the castle for that matter. When I dropped you off here for Poppy to take down to the Willow, Severus stopped me on my way to the Common Room. Before I knew it, that bloody snoop was bothering me again about where you were. So I told him that if he was so interested, that he should go prod the knot on the tree."
Looking down at feeling something wet against his finger, he moved slowly, already knowing what it was. Being out here by ones lonesome, you tend to spend more time outdoors than in, as it was a change of scenery. A rabbit that had taken advantage of Remus' hospitality was sniffing at the hand holding the slice of bread, though he didn't seem too sure if it was because of the bread or because he knew the rabbit knew that Remus had lettuce in the kitchen. Animals are smarter than most humans give them credit for being. The smile only grew as his other hand moved over to gently pet the rabbit on the back of the head.
Standing up slowly so not to spook him, Remus picked up his empty cup and plate, stuffing the bread into his mouth before pushing the door back open, stepping into the kitchen. He'd saved some scraps from the night he made a roast, potato skins and carrot slices. He wasn't sure if the rabbit would eat the potatoes, but carrots were the typical rabbit treat, right? Plucking the plate from the counter next to the sink he stepped back outside, slowly placing it down on the ground beside his furry friend.
My eyes had gone wide, nose, flaring with each breath. I simply had to still be dreaming. This, this couldn't have happened. Sirius still wouldn't meet my gaze. It was only now that I noticed his dark brown eyes were puffy, red tinged, his tousled hair seemed messier than it should be. Merlin, it can't be true. It was only after James pulled my hand from his wrist, which I later found out was squeezing a tad too hard, that Sirius continued to speak, "He went, Remus. He got so far as to near open the door. I had gone to the Common Room, in my, typical, stupid, overly upset manner and ended up spilling it to James what I had done. James went after Severus and grabbed him, but not before you caught the scent of two people in that tunnel."
Oh Gods. Sirius' tear filled eyes moved to the bed where I was laying, the blanket half askew. I didn't even notice. In my attempt to find out what it was they had been talking about, I had completely forgotten the transformation. I didn't want to look, but I had to. If Moony had gotten scent of two men that he was unable to reach, with no animal accompaniment to calm him… they were as bad as I suspected them to be. Gash lines were apparent here and there, and it was only now that I realized I was lying on my side. A bandaged arm moved behind me to touch my back, confirming something else. The doorknob… there was circular welt imprint all across my skin. I tried to get out.
The clock in the living room striking the hour, it was nine o'clock and Remus had about an hour to finish cleaning up, should he see fit to. Abandoning the downstairs for the time being he made his way up to the bedroom closet, retrieving clean linens. Another bed had to be made up. Time had put a space between them and although the two of them had spent a while sending letters to one another, he knew there was still going to be something of an uncomfortable air for a short time. If the couch was found to be unfitting, there would always be the option of changing sleeping arrangements, or even, sharing the bed.
Pulling the blanket to his face Remus took a deep breath. More cleanliness. They always marveled back in their Hogwarts days together at how clean the beds could smell, especially after people like Severus slept in them constantly.
"Moony, I…" Whatever it was Sirius was about to say, he was cut off by a hand motion from myself. I didn't want to hear it. I didn't want to hear anything. My gaze turned up to Sirius for the last time it would that school year.
"That name is used by my friends. I suggest you leave, Black." I'd not used that particular name with him for a long time. He hated his last name, hated what it symbolized, what it stood for. Turning my back to both friends I lay on my side once again, not even tears able to escape my empty eyes. Betrayal. In it's ultimate form. This was my life. Sirius not only tried to kill Severus, but he tried to kill me. Who needed friends when you had a werewolf for a pet.
Setting the pillows and blankets down on the end of the couch, Remus glanced around the living room for any tidying that was left to be done. A few papers here and there, now being picked up and placed on the desk. Old copies of the Quibbler and Daily Prophet, also scattered muggle magazines purchased at the local country store. Well, it may serve as a bit of entertainment, should they not find anything else to do.
Looking up at a sharp knock on the front door, Remus' smile returned. A hand moved up to flatten his all too shaggy hair, a habit he's had since a teen, the other moving to straighten his robes. While upstairs grabbing the bed makings he'd managed to toss on a shirt and an older patched up robe. Turning the knob on the door, Remus blinked for a moment at the change in light before his smile widened. A slightly taller figure was quickly embracing the man in his tattered robe. Remus took a deep breath, his arms around the other. Just as he'd remembered.
"Hello, Moony," came the figures muffled greeting.
"Hello, Padfoot."
((A.N.- This chapter has been apparently neglected. I got so wrapped up in writing other things that I simply forgot all about it. My apologies to those of you who liked it. I find it much better than the last, personally. It was also written in a slightly different style, as the flashbacks have dialogue. Reviews are, as always, accepted and appreciated. How did the blood get on James' knuckle? He gave Sirius a punch to the lip. The next installment wont be having Remus quite as happy, as he's yet to be informed of the Dark Lord's rising. Why, you may ask? Because they figure it best Sirius tell him in person. Why was the gang not allowed to join Remus that night? I believe you'll have to wait until I update for that.))