Chapter twenty – Confrontation
James stormed back to the Gryffindor common room with darkened eyes and an angry expression on his handsome face. 'That slimy git. How dare he break up Remus and Sirius, he's going to pay for that' James thought to himself furiously.
James pushed the portrait open and threw himself on one of the chairs by the fire. He stared into the empty grate and wondered how he could fix all of this and get Remus and Sirius back together. However, a familiar voice snapped him out of his trance.
"Hello, are you alright, James?"
James recognised the voice as Remus'. He looked up at his friend and thought for a moment that he'd tell him everything he had just heard but then something stopped him. 'I'll wait' he thought. 'Until I talk to Sirius'.
"Hey Moony, yeah I'm fine, just thinking about something" James replied. Remus nodded and took a seat opposite James. "How have you been? Did you enjoy your sleep?" James asked him.
"Yeah, thanks for that and I'm ok but you know…" Remus trailed off and bowed his head sadly.
"I know, but don't worry, things will get better" James said reassuringly.
"I doubt that" Remus replied solemnly.
"That's what you think" James muttered.
"What did you say?" Remus asked with innocent curiosity.
"Oh nothing important. So, what do you plan on doing today?" James asked, changing the subject.
"Oh, I thought I'd just go to the library again for the day" Remus replied.
"You spend too much time there" James said to him, worry visible in his tone.
"Yeah well it gets me away from things…" Remus replied.
"And people?" James asked, raising his eyebrows. Remus opened his mouth to reply until Sirius entered through the portrait hole. James looked at him and saw that Sirius' face seemed pale and defeated. He felt a rush of worry towards his friend but he knew he couldn't say anything yet in front of Remus.
James glanced over at Remus and saw that him and Sirius' eyes were locked and he noticed the pain in both of their eyes. An awkward silence was formed until Sirius averted his gaze and mumbled something which sounded like he was going to have a lay down.
James watched Sirius' retreating back sadly and then he returned his gaze back to Remus. "Well I'm going to the library, see you later" Remus said before he exited through the portrait hole. James took this perfect opportunity to go to his dorm room and talk to Sirius.
When he entered the room, he saw Sirius lying on his bed with a gaunt expression on his face. James noticed a lone tear trickle down his cheek and fall onto his pillow. "Sirius?" James asked cautiously. Sirius sprung up at the sound of James' voice and wiped his eyes with his sleeve.
"Hey Prongs, what's up?" Sirius asked in what he thought was a cheerful tone but James could hear his voice cracking whilst he tried to retain his pain.
"Cut the crap, Sirius. I know why you dumped Remus" James said bluntly. Sirius' eyes widened slightly and he swallowed the lump in his throat.
"You do?" He asked croakily.
"Yes, I heard you talking to Snape. How could you let him control you like that?" James asked. Sirius sighed dejectedly.
"I had no choice. I didn't want him to tell everyone Remus' secret, it would destroy him and I wouldn't be able to watch him in so much pain" Sirius replied sadly.
"He is in so much pain and do you want to know why? Because of you, Sirius, He loves you and you broke his heart, I know you had no choice but Remus doesn't know that" James replied. Sirius looked up and sighed again.
"I know and I love him too but there's no way I can fix this" Sirius said gloomily.
"Yes there is, you have to tell him" James replied firmly.
"I can't" Sirius replied bluntly.
"Come on! You're Sirius Black, since when have you given up?" James answered.
"Sirius Black… it's just a name. It doesn't make me invincible you know" Sirius replied.
"I know but if you're worried about Snape, don't worry I can take care of him" James said.
"I don't know…" Sirius trailed off uncertainly.
"Well, just think about it and let me know" James replied.
Remus walked to the library feeling even more depressed than he had earlier. Just seeing Sirius made his stomach twist into thousands of knots and the way Sirius had looked at him was unsettling, he looked almost… pained. But no, he wouldn't be. After all, he was the one who had broken up with him and that must mean he doesn't care.
'Perhaps he never cared at all… Maybe he never did love me' Remus pushed these thoughts away as his eyes were beginning to burn with the tears which wanted to escape. He sat down at his usual table in the library and began to read his transfiguration book for some help on his homework.
But every time he started to write, his mind wandered back to Sirius. The way he used to hold him, kiss him, treasure him and most importantly love him. But was it all just a game? Did Sirius not love him at all? Was it all a lie? Remus wasn't sure but he prayed that the answers to all of those questions was no.
Sirius sat on his bed contemplating everything James had said. Maybe he could tell Remus and everything could go back to normal. But what if Remus was too hurt to take him back? Sirius would hate it if everything was revealed for nothing. He didn't think his heart could handle being broken again. The other issue which filled his mind constantly was what to do about…
Severus walked along the corridor with a smug smile on his face. Everything was falling into place and in his favour. Remus and Sirius were apart leaving Severus free to pick up the pieces for himself. Today was the right day to collect the pieces and do something he had wanted to do for a long time.
He knew where Remus would be, he was always there now a days. So Severus made his way to the library, still smiling widely. He only dropped his smile when he entered the library and made his expression seem concerned. Then he walked over to Remus' table and began to work his charm.
"Look Sirius, I can handle Snape. I have stuff on him that he really wouldn't want to be revealed. You have to tell Remus the truth, leave old Snivellus to me" James said to his friend.
"You're right, James. Why should I let that slime deprive me of my Remus?" Sirius replied, standing up.
"Exactly!" James agreed.
"Right! So, where is Remus?" Sirius asked.
"The library" James replied.
"Thanks mate. I really appreciate all of this you know" Sirius said, standing by the door.
"I know, now go on! Go get your Remus back!" James replied with a smile. Sirius returned the smile before leaving out the door.
"Hello Remus" Severus greeted him politely.
"Hi Severus" Remus replied gloomily.
"What's wrong?" Severus asked, faking concern and taking a seat next to Remus.
"Well, me and Sirius broke up and I'm feeling really down about it" Remus replied sadly.
"Oh I didn't know that, I'm really sorry, Remus" Severus lied.
"Thanks, but I never thought we would break up" Remus said, tears starting to spill down his cheeks.
"Come here, Remus" Severus said, enveloping Remus into a warm hug.
"Thank you, Severus. You're a good friend" Remus sniffled into Severus' shoulder.
"I could be more than that" Severus said softly. Remus pulled away and looked at Severus confusedly.
"What do you mean?" Remus asked.
"I could be more than a friend, I love you, Remus" Severus said.
Remus thought back to the first time Sirius had said that to him.
"I love you"
Remus was startled but smiled sweetly. "I love you too, Sirius". Remus brought him closer for another kiss but this one was deeper and more passionate.
At the same time in the present, Remus felt himself leaning forwards for a kiss, wanting to kiss Sirius again after such wonderful words were said…
But then a door being slammed jerked Remus back to reality. It wasn't Sirius he was leaning in to kiss, it was Severus. Remus jumped up quickly and Severus looked at him in surprise.
"I… I'm sorry Severus, I have to go" Remus said quickly, collecting his books before he left the library.
Sirius stormed back into the common room and saw James waiting there for him.
"What happened?" James asked worriedly.
"I went to the library, like you said and what did I see? Remus leaning into a kiss with Snape" Sirius said angrily.
"What?! You saw Remus kiss Snape?!" James asked in complete shock.
"Well no, I ran away through the door and slammed it before I saw it happen" Sirius replied. He sat down in one of the chairs and ran his fingers through his hair and fought back the tears.
"What does this mean, Sirius?" James asked, already guessing what the answer was going to be.
"It means, James that I am not going to tell Remus the truth. It's over. We're over… for good"
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A/N: I'm really sorry about that but don't worry I still have about two or three chapters left so anything can happen! Please review and tell me what you thought.