YAY! DOUBLE UPDATES! Sorry about the lateness by the way, it's been a horrendous school week. Pumpkin pie for all the people who reviewed! My Internet wasn't working as I wrote this so I can't put up your Screen Names. BUT YOU ALL KNOW WHO YOU ARE! Now, the almost-fluffy chapter! I promise that they'll get together over the next few chapters! READ ON!

Chapter 6: Almost Close

Weeks came and went for the Marauders. Even if they were packed with assignment after assignment, the days seemed like hours for the werewolf. Then, one evening in early December, Prongs and Wormtail sat in the common room talking about the Quidditch game tomorrow. Moony stood alone in the dormitory, slipping the buttons through his shirt holes with on hand, loosening his tie with the other, and reading the book that lay open on his bed. Reading and multitasking always made the werewolf feel better. Being momentarily lost in another world, a different story, always held its advantages in the werewolf's soul. Regardless of the ending being happy of tragic.

Remus was skinnier than most boys. A bit smaller too, and the most generous person any of the three Marauders knew. For Christmas the previous year, Remus had purchased a silver stag pendant, a gold rat pendant, and a platinum dog pendant for the others. Each was hand made and hung on a leather thong to be worn as a necklace.

While Prongs and Padfoot talked with him as a distraction, Wormtail snuck around in Remus' trunk for the receipt (which he undoubtedly found, being the rat he was). When Remus left for the library, Peter showed the slip of paper to the two. 3 galleons and 10 sickles each was what they sold for and after some quick calculations the trio came to a grand total of 10 galleons and 13 sickles.

It was more money than Remus made in a year, clearly showing that he had been saving. The Marauders felt guilty and overly flattered. Was it possible to be too generous for Remus J. Lupin?

The young werewolf flopped on his bed, pulling his overly big pajama top on. It had been Randal's and still was huge on Remus, but it was cozy and warm. He took the book up in his hand and began reading again; taking a handful of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. After eating grapefruit, dirt, toast, gravy, sushi, and a clear on the boy swore was water, he brushed his teeth, settled down in his bed and blew out his candle. Only 30 seconds later he was disturbed by a thump, crash, and the sound of shattering glass, all followed by a stifled curse.

"Lumos." The tired werewolf mumbled as he looked around in the light his wand emitted. On the ground lay Sirius Black, his hand bleeding and what was left of a rememberall scattered around the floor. As Padfoot scrambled to get up, he winced from pain when he leaned on his gushing hand, leaving a bloodstain on the ground. Apparently he had tripped over James' trunk and fallen with his hand on his rememberall.

"Padfoot you nearly gave me a heart attack!" Remus exclaimed, crawling out of bed and blushing wildly as he scurried to steady Sirius. The lights turned on as Sirius forced a smile.

"Sorry, I can't see in the dark too well, unlike you."

Remus hexed the last of the glass away and took Sirius' hand, his face burning. "H-here. Let me see you hand." The ground was cold but it wasn't that which sent shivers up his spine. He pointed his wand to the cut.

"Don't fuss Re, it's fine."

After it had healed, Moony gazed up at Sirius' eyes, still holding his hand, and mumbled, "What did you call me?"

"Re…" Padfoot whispered, his gaze softening and grin growing. Damn that grin, Moony told himself as he felt his knees turn to jelly. The grin was so roguish and sweet that it filled the werewolf's heart with butterflies. It was a prefect moment to tell him… but tell him what? What could Remus ever say to Sirius? But, for some unfathomable reason, the werewolf smiled back.

It wasn't a smile with just his mouth or his face; he smiled with his eyes. As Sirius looked into the amber eyes, he could tell that Remus really was happy. For once in both lives, something felt right. The two of them, there, together, so close and quiet, nothing mattering at all, except each other. But, (alas!) as all moments do, this one had to end. And end it did as Peter barged into the room.

"Remus are you sure that you-…sorry, was I interrupting?"

"No." Remus answered, shrinking away from Sirius' gaze as his smile faded, along with his hope. Hope was dangerous, especially about someone who you aren't meant to be with, he thought, returning to his bed and laying down, turning so he wouldn't see the other two. "You should go to bed soon, same with James. You all have a Quidditch match in the morning."

"…That we do." Sirius said, looking out the window. Peter eyed the two boys as Sirius echoed, "That we do."

How'd you like it? Sorry about the lateness. Double updates!