AN- So, here's chapter 6! I hope everyone's enjoying this as much as I am. =) I've somehow managed to addict my NON-swing addict sister to this, which is why I have access to a computer to write on! So without further ado, here we go! Oh- Alex. I actually laughed when I wrote 'a record player record' because it looked funny but I couldn't think of another way to say it! Disclaimer- Not mine.
"Moony?" Sirius asked as he approached the tree.
Remus looked and gave him a soft smile, nodding his head towards the empty grass beside him.
"You like the hat." Sirius stated, noticing the hat in Remus's hands. He smiled. "I'm glad."
"The perfect gift." Remus smiled at him.
"So...why are you out here? You missed dinner you know..." Sirius began, somewhat nervous. "Would have found you sooner...But you had the map."
"Just thinking." Remus replied, looking back at the hat. Looking at Sirius just made him gain a stupid hope that Lily was right.
"Ah, Mr. Moony's favorite past time." Sirius said jokingly. "But he doesn't seem to be enjoying it today. What's wrong?" Sirius gently lifted Remus's chin with his hand. "You know you can tell me anything."
Remus winced. "Not this, not right now...But I will. I promise."
Sirius frowned, but he accepted Remus's answer. "Thinking can be dangerous for you. When I think, it tends to somehow drift back to my family. And that's never a happy thought. Especially after this summer. All hell broke lose this summer. That's why I left." He didn't really seem to be paying all that much attention to what he was saying, but he just kept talking and Remus kept listening.
"I really do love my family, I just really dislike them too. It sounds stupid, but I wish they wanted to be a part of my life. Ever since I came here, I ceased to be the 'perfect' child. It's like, I've lost all standing in their eyes because I'm not in Slytherin. I've 'tarnished' the family name. She's probably cursed me off the family tree by now."
Remus's eyes were widening in shock. He hadn't realized Sirius's life had been like this. It made being a werewolf almost sound like a walk in a park. Almost, but not even close.
"I didn't want to be 'perfect' when I was little, but I don't want to be lower than dirt like I am now. I want a happy medium. I want my mother to be a part of my life, but I don't want her to control it. She didn't understand that. She wanted to control every aspect of me. What I did, who I was friends with...what music I listened to." Sirius smirked.
"She about died when I told her I'd been listening to old muggle music. I beginning to think it would have been better to have never mentioned it. That way she never would have said those horrible things about you and I wouldn't have run away. But I'm glad to be free of it all..." Sirius's voice slowly died out.
"See? I told you thinking was dangerous. Now come on, let's get some food." Sirius stood up abruptly and offered a hand to Remus, who gladly accepted.
Remus suddenly felt the cold as he stood up. He'd been too lost in his thoughts to notice it before. He shivered slightly. "Winter's coming."
Sirius smiled and put his arm around the shorter boy's shoulders. Remus looked up at him and blushed. Sirius just smiled. Maybe James was right...
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Lily watched from the window as the two walked in. She smiled to herself. Obviously they hadn't confessed, because then there'd be at least a bit of kissing going on, but it was a step in the right direction. Now it was time for Operation Get Them Together!
She just had to figure out what it was.
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It was a week before Halloween when James and Lily finally came up with the perfect plan. Sirius had admitted to James that he'd realized he'd fallen for Remus when they danced. Now they just had to dance again. And so the idea of a Post-Halloween-Feast Party was born. It was to be held in the Gryffindor Commons Room and was open to every Gryffindor. (The teachers would have caught on if folks from other houses joined in). James and Sirius had gathered up tons of Butter Beer during the last Hogsmeade weekend and Remus had taken on the task of collecting Halloween candies. He was currently working on charming them to do unexpected things to the victim...errr...person that ate the lovely delicacy. Peter had gone to do what he was best at- talking the house elves into supplying food.
All in all, the plans were flowing smoothly. James had commandeered Sirius's record player and every record in their dorm. He promised a diverse playlist would be followed. That way, everyone's tastes would be satisfied, thought the War of Music would likely make itself public.
In the week leading up to Halloween, all of Gryffindor house was in a tizzy, mostly from being excited about the party, but also from the risk of keeping it from the teachers. The Marauders were basking in the glory of yet another scheme, quite happy to have one more minor rebellion to authority. Large rebellions were the number one offence in the 'Marauder Handbook', which consisted of only one other rule- 'Never rat out another Marauder.' Therefore, it was a success in their eyes.
Lily on the other hand, was extremely nervous. This was the first time she'd participated in the planning stages of anything like this. The stress was getting to her. Remus was a far more relaxed prefect than she ever could be, but then, that was also from his slight mischievous side.
The night of the party, the Commons Room was decorated for the occasion. Cob webs were hung everywhere with candy spiders that would scurry across from time to time. Supposedly, they were made of Honeyduke's finest chocolate, but they were rather difficult to catch in order to find out. The couches had been pushed to the side so that the floor was open and there was a long table along one wall filled with refreshments.
None of the Gryffindors stayed long at the feast.
They left slowly, in pairs or small groups, so as not to draw too much attention. Of course, the Gryffindor table was still the first on emptied, followed by the Slytherin table because they were all a bunch of party poopers anyways.
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A buzzard took a monkey for a ride in the air
The monkey thought that everything was on the square
The buzzard tried to throw the monkey off its back
The monkey grabbed his neck and said 'Now listen, Jack!'
Straighten up and fly right, straighten up and fly right, straighten up and fly right
Cool down papa, don't you blow your top.
So far, the party was going well. Many people were snacking, some were dancing. Sirius was standing on the edge of the dance floor trying to get up the nerve to ask Remus to dance with him. Remus was currently dancing with Lily, doing a modified jitterbug to suit the jazzier rhythms of Nat King Cole. The song ended and another began.
We all live in a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine...
Remus laughed and left the floor. Sirius could just hear him say something about being unable to dance to THAT. Lily grabbed James and started dancing with him instead. Sirius gulped as Remus walked towards him.
"Hey Padfoot, having fun?" Remus asked as he walked over.
Sirius ginned. "Yeah, except for this crap that James calls music! Look at him and Lily over there, having a grand old time. Ten galleons they get together by the end of year."
Remus grinned, remembering his conversation with Lily not so long ago. "You're on."
"You know something I don't. I see that look in your eye." Sirius stated. Remus just grinned. "Say, while this crap is playing, would you like a drink?"
"Sure, what did you have in mind?"
"Why, Butter Beer of course!" Sirius exclaimed, faking indignation. "C'mon Moony."
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James and Lily were actually quite amused to see the two of them walk over to the refreshments together, talking and laughing. However, this was not the plan. The plan was that they dance. And that dance was obviously not going to happen while all that was playing was Beatles music. (As much as James hated to admit that.)
Therefore, they decided to take drastic measures. There was one song that they would be forced to dance to. If all went well, they would continue dancing together. Hopefully.
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It didn't take Remus and Sirius long to finish their Butter Beers and by then, 'Yellow Submarine' was ending. A familiar tune soon filled the room.
It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing
Do-wa do-wa do-wa do-wa do-wa do-wa do-wa do-wa do-waaaa...
It don't mean a thing, all you got to do is sing
Do-wa do-wa do-wa do-wa do-wa do-wa do-wa do-wa do-waaaa...
Sirius turned to Remus, grinning. He couldn't say now, he just couldn't. "Dance with me?"
Remus nodded, Sirius's heart soared. They were soon the center of attention as they danced circles around everyone else. Somehow being Swing fans, they had the upper hand against those people who were just making things up. Not to mention the fact that they were both men.
At any rate, Lily and James were holding a private celebration by the refreshments table. Peter was off chatting up a pretty brunette, trying to convince her to dance. But the merrymaking was short-lived as the portrait swung open.
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" McGonagal's voice rang out and all noise ceased except for the music.
Do-wa do-wa do-wa do-wa do-wa do-wa do-wa do-wa do-waaaa...
"Turn that off." She left no option. "Now everybody off to bed. This place will be cleaned in the morning or I'll begin giving out detentions."
James looked at Lily in dismay.
"Foiled again."
But not entirely, because there was an unbroken gaze still between everyone's favorite canines.
James turned the music off and McGonagal left in a huff. James, Peter, Remus and Sirius collected the music and record player and trudged up the stairs. James held Sirius back for a moment though.
"I can distract Peter down here if you want to finish your dance with Remus."
Sirius shook his head. "I wouldn't have the guts to ask him again."
James grinned maniacally and bolted up the stairs.
"REMUS! A word, please." He stated as he entered the dorm. Remus set down the rest of his records before turning to James. "Yes?"
"How about you and Sirius finish your dance up here? Pete and I can clear out and clean up a bit."
Remus glared at him. "You meddle too much James. But okay."
James just smiled and looked at Peter before dragging him from the room, just as Sirius entered.
Sirius groaned. "Please tell me he didn't do what I think he just did..."
"What, clear out so we can 'finish our dance'? Yeah, he did." Remus grinned. "Why, Padfoot, I don't believe I've ever seen you this...unnerved by something as simple as a dance." Remus was actually quite pleased. Lily and James were meddlesome and definitely deserved each other, but right now, all that mattered was Sirius. Who was currently fidgeting.
"Because, I uh, aw bloody hell. Shall we dance?" Sirius stumbled a bit before just asking the obvious question.
"That was the point." Remus actually quite amazed with how calm he was. Calm before the storm. That must be it. He would go nuts any minute now. "What shall we dance to then?"
"Something slower I should think. I got a bit worn out earlier, and it's late and all..."
"Alright then." Remus cut him off, he was making up excuses. "How about some of your Nat King Cole?" Remus knew that not much of his Swing music would fall under the category of 'slow'.
"Alright, I know just the song." Conversation was rather strained...until the music started. He held out his arms and Remus stepped into them. It wasn't much of dancing really, just swaying and moving slightly.
There was a boy
A very strange, enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far, very far
Over land and sea
A little shy,
and sad of eye
But very wise was he
And then one day
A magic day he passed my way
And while we spoke of many things
Fools and kings
This he said to me...
"The greatest thing, you'll ever learn, is just to love, and be loved in return". Sirius sang along with the last part. "You know, I've got that first part down. But I don't know about the second part..."
Remus smiled. His stomach was filled with butterflies. This was it. His last secret. This could very well be perfection.
"Well, depending on whom you love, that could be arranged..."
"It's you, Remus. It was always you." Sirius said softly as the line repeated before the song ended.
"Then I can definitely help with that." Remus smiled softly and pulled Sirius's face to his for a kiss. He grinned like an idiot as he pulled away. "I love you."
"I love you too." Sirius quickly pulled him close for another kiss, and another, and another...The song had long since ended and another had begun. Others started and ended without them noticing, too wrapped up in each other to care.
And yet we're not too young to know
This love will last though years may go
And then some day they may recall
We were not too young at all...
Songs about love, song about monkeys, none were noticed until Remus pulled away again.
"This is the most wonderful moment of my life except for one thing."
"Name it and it's yours." Sirius was breathing hard, but his eyes were sparkling, causing Remus to fall even more in love with him.
Remus smiled and sang softly under his breath. "It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing..."
Sirius laughed, the record was changed, and the kissing continued.
James and Peter slept on the couches.
THE END.
AN- Beg enough and you may get a sequel of like- the Potter Wedding or something. =)