Title: Delicate Treasures
Author: Stardrops
Genre: Romance
Rating: PG 13 (For slash and occasional swearing, precautions only)
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I don't own anything to do with Harry Potter. I do, however, own the plot. I am very proud. But the rest belongs to our creative genius, J K Rowling.
Chapter Six: Christmas
Christmas Eve had rolled around before long. Remus, Sirius and James sat around the fire in the common room long after everyone else went to bed.
Their Secret Santa had been drawn a week earlier. James had got Sirius, Sirius picked out Remus, Remus had chosen Peter, and Peter had obviously been left with James. Sirius had gone through a great deal of thinking about what he could give Remus, seeing as how Remus didn't yet know that Sirius was in love with him, because he didn't want to give away anything until the timing was right to tell Remus exactly how he felt.
"I sent Lily a bunch of flowers through the house elves in the kitchens," James informed them. "She'll get them first thing in the morning."
"James, you realize as soon as she sees you, she's probably going to slap you for being so persistent." Sirius lazily flicked a page of his book.
"Probably," James replied in dreamy unconcern. He stretched out over the couch. "I dunno about you guys, but I'm dead. You coming?"
Remus nodded, and Sirius reluctantly followed his two friends to their dormitory. James lay on his bed, fully clothed, and was asleep within minutes. Peter hadn't yet returned from his night time stroll with his girlfriend.
Remus sat on his bed and noticed Sirius sitting nonchalantly and reading. "Aren't you tired?" he asked in surprise.
Sirius thought for a moment and then shook his head. "Nope, not really. Why, are you?"
Remus grinned. "Yes, actually."
"I'll light my wand so I don't disturb you, if you want," Sirius offered, lighting it up as he spoke.
Remus gave him a grateful smile. "Thanks, man. I'm completely exhausted. Someone should stop the duties of Prefects going so late into the night and early into the morning – my sleeping pattern is totally stuffed up. I'll see you in the morning, okay?"
Sirius nodded and continued reading, occasionally flicking a glance at Remus, who'd not bothered pulling the curtains around the four poster bed.
Remus's eyes closed slowly and his breathing deepened. Sirius watched his sleeping friend and smiled softly. He put down his book and for a moment was completely content to simply sit and watch the boy's slumber. Outside, snowflakes were twirling down to the earth and settling into the white wonderland illuminated by clouded moonlight. He reached out a gentle hand and stroked back Remus's hair.
"Sweet dreams," he whispered softly. He kissed his fingers and lightly pressed them to Remus's exposed cheek.
He got back into bed and pulled the covers over him. Suddenly, he didn't feel like reading, so he shut off the light from his wand and settled into the covers.
Remus sighed in his sleep, and his hand rested on his cheek, covering the spot where Sirius had kissed him.
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The next morning, sunshine shone brightly through the window, waking Remus abruptly. He groaned and rolled over, immediately wishing that he'd pulled the curtains around so he wouldn't be so rudely woken. Trying half- heartedly to open his eyes, Remus noticed the big pile of presents at the foot of his bed.
Forget sleep.
He rose immediately, and punched James to wake him. Sirius wasn't in the room, and neither was Peter.
James yawned and rolled over. "It's a Saturday. Get lost."
Remus chuckled. "James, it's Christmas morning, and Santa was good to you. But fine – sleep if you feel the need to."
That got James moving, and Remus went down to the common room to find Sirius and Remus. He caught sight of Sirius, sitting in an armchair by the fire. Peter was asleep on the couch.
"Good morning," Remus said cheerfully. Sirius jumped, clearly startled.
"Uh – Merry Christmas," he said. "Where's James?"
"Still sleeping, I presume."
"No, James is here right now. Someone wake Peter," James ordered, stepping down the staircase towards them.
"And here was me thinking that wild horses couldn't get him out of bed earlier than midday on Christmas morning," mused Sirius in mock disbelief. James threw him an evil glare.
"I'm not even going to dignify that with a response," he said witheringly. He leaned over Peter and yelled suddenly and loudly right in his ear.
Peter woke with a jump. "Holy hell, what's going on?" he gasped, rubbing his ear which was now ringing. James grinned at him. "Good morning!" he said brightly. Peter grimaced.
"Come on, guys, lets start opening," James suggested. The four friends sat around the fire – for some reason, everyone else was still asleep, and so they had the room to themselves. James played the role of Santa, like they did every year where one person picked out the presents and handed them to their owners to be opened. For nearly an hour, they opened gifts, threw wrapping paper at each other, laughed and admired each other's new acquisitions.
Sirius had given Remus a beautifully bound book, extremely heavy and thick, and of course, extremely expensive. Remus ran his hands over the material bound covers lovingly.
"Thank you, Sirius." He looked up and beamed. "It's beautiful."
Sirius himself had received a large pile of Zonko's tricks, sweets from Honeydukes, and a broomstick kit from James over which he became incredibly protective.
"So that's it then?" Remus asked. "We can go down to breakfast?"
"Hey – wait!" James said, suddenly. "There's something beneath the Gryffindor Christmas tree again, like there is every year. Wonder who it's for this year!" He went over and crouched down for a look. "Oh my god, Remus, it's for you!"
He handed Remus a single red rose and a white envelope that was sitting innocently beneath the tree. Remus looked at it in shock – the rose was a deep red and absolutely perfect. No petal was out of place. He turned over the envelope and began to open it, James eagerly assisting by ripping it out of his hands when he was too slow.
Carefully and dramatically opening the envelope and unfolding the letter inside, James turned it over on both sides and shrugged. "There's nothing written here."
"Let me see." Remus held out his hand, and James gave him the note. He turned it over once and stared at it for a moment and then gently refolded it and placed it back in the envelope which bored in beautifully scripted gold letters his name.
James and Peter were cackling away with laughter. "Aw, someone fancies Remmie!" Peter howled. Sirius smirked as innocently and normally as he could, but his heart was beating wildly. He'd been the one to sneak downstairs early this morning before anyone else was awake and to place the rose and the note beneath the Gryffindor tree, knowing James would find it. There had always been a note beneath the Gryffindor tree for one of the Marauders, and James loved acting out whatever was written in the cards and then getting a complete ego boost if it was directed to him.
And though he pretended to be sarcastic and laughing about it with James, Peter and Sirius, Remus was secretly shocked but pleased. Someone liked him – no one had really fancied him before, or at least, not that he knew of. This was a completely new experience. James and Sirius often had random love letters shoved under their doors, but Remus had never once received a love letter. And though it was blank, he was going to keep it forever, as a reminder that someone loved him.
Whoever it was couldn't know about his turning into a werewolf every full moon, he thought bitterly. Still – if they never revealed themselves, he could maybe manage to fool himself into thinking that somewhere, someone wanted to spend the rest of their life with him.
--------------------------------------------
At breakfast, Lily came downstairs on her own. For once, she didn't look completely miffed when she saw James. If Sirius's eyes weren't cheating him, he believed she was even blushing slightly. Could it be that James had finally won Lily's heart? Through flowers at Christmas?
Remus noticed as well, and winked at Sirius. James was too busy watching her to see the exchange between Remus and Sirius, but he turned to them a few seconds later. "Do you think she got the flowers?" he hissed.
Remus smiled at Sirius. "Oh, I think she got them all right, James."
James nodded and returned to his stealthy spying on Lily, trying to catch bits of conversation between her and her friends in case they mentioned the flowers or even him in general. Remus and Sirius rolled their eyes at each other. Peter wasn't there again; he'd gone off to have some 'quality time' with his girlfriend.
-----------------------------------
In Herbology, Lily came marching up to Sirius. "You're James's best friend. What's the deal with the flowers?" she demanded.
"Um – well, obviously you know they're from James," he tried.
She threw him a sarcastic smile. "Thanks for that, but I'm not completely stupid. "Why did he send them to me?"
"Uh – lets think about this for a second Lily, shall we? Maybe – I don't know about this – but maybe it's because he likes you?" Sirius said with an extremely patronizing tone.
He was expecting her to slap him, but not for her to blush slightly and smile. "Really?" she asked, as though expecting him to take back his comment and insist it was a joke.
"Really," Sirius assured her. "I would have thought you'd have noticed – I think everyone else in Hogwarts has noticed him staring at you constantly."
She ran her fingers through her hair. "Whatever. Either way – they'd better not be for some stupid joke or I will kill him. Make sure he knows that."
She flounced off, her hair bouncing as she walked. Remus watched her leave and then joined Sirius. "So...anything new?" he asked, winking.
"I think she might like him back for the first time ever," Sirius said in wonder. "It's an incredible day in history."
--------------------------------
TBC
--------------------------------
A/N: Okay, here's the next chapter. I am aware that it has taken me forever to write the next chapter, and for that I am truly sorry. I've almost finished Chapter Seven, so you won't have to wait long for that either. Please review my story! It means so much to me. And thank you to the people who have reviewed so far – you're absolute angels. Love you all!
Lunaris: Well, then I guess it's half cute and half cliché...only one of them got the other in the Secret Santa! :D Ugh – ignore me. But yeah, I'm glad you think it's sweet! ( please keep reading and enjoying!
Nya: Oh, in my imagination, it looks absolutely swoon-worthy. swoons :D
WeasleyTwinsLover1112: Thanks! :D Here's your 'more', really sorry it took so long to update! hides and cringes Hope you still like it!
Piper13: Oh, they will! Give them a few more chapters and they will. :D And yes, James does figure it out. You're too smart for your own good. :P keep reading, and I hope you continue to like it!
Ickle Ronnie: Well thank you, my dear. I'm always glad to hear you guys like it, and thank you so much for your review! hugz ickle Ronnie
Author: Stardrops
Genre: Romance
Rating: PG 13 (For slash and occasional swearing, precautions only)
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I don't own anything to do with Harry Potter. I do, however, own the plot. I am very proud. But the rest belongs to our creative genius, J K Rowling.
Chapter Six: Christmas
Christmas Eve had rolled around before long. Remus, Sirius and James sat around the fire in the common room long after everyone else went to bed.
Their Secret Santa had been drawn a week earlier. James had got Sirius, Sirius picked out Remus, Remus had chosen Peter, and Peter had obviously been left with James. Sirius had gone through a great deal of thinking about what he could give Remus, seeing as how Remus didn't yet know that Sirius was in love with him, because he didn't want to give away anything until the timing was right to tell Remus exactly how he felt.
"I sent Lily a bunch of flowers through the house elves in the kitchens," James informed them. "She'll get them first thing in the morning."
"James, you realize as soon as she sees you, she's probably going to slap you for being so persistent." Sirius lazily flicked a page of his book.
"Probably," James replied in dreamy unconcern. He stretched out over the couch. "I dunno about you guys, but I'm dead. You coming?"
Remus nodded, and Sirius reluctantly followed his two friends to their dormitory. James lay on his bed, fully clothed, and was asleep within minutes. Peter hadn't yet returned from his night time stroll with his girlfriend.
Remus sat on his bed and noticed Sirius sitting nonchalantly and reading. "Aren't you tired?" he asked in surprise.
Sirius thought for a moment and then shook his head. "Nope, not really. Why, are you?"
Remus grinned. "Yes, actually."
"I'll light my wand so I don't disturb you, if you want," Sirius offered, lighting it up as he spoke.
Remus gave him a grateful smile. "Thanks, man. I'm completely exhausted. Someone should stop the duties of Prefects going so late into the night and early into the morning – my sleeping pattern is totally stuffed up. I'll see you in the morning, okay?"
Sirius nodded and continued reading, occasionally flicking a glance at Remus, who'd not bothered pulling the curtains around the four poster bed.
Remus's eyes closed slowly and his breathing deepened. Sirius watched his sleeping friend and smiled softly. He put down his book and for a moment was completely content to simply sit and watch the boy's slumber. Outside, snowflakes were twirling down to the earth and settling into the white wonderland illuminated by clouded moonlight. He reached out a gentle hand and stroked back Remus's hair.
"Sweet dreams," he whispered softly. He kissed his fingers and lightly pressed them to Remus's exposed cheek.
He got back into bed and pulled the covers over him. Suddenly, he didn't feel like reading, so he shut off the light from his wand and settled into the covers.
Remus sighed in his sleep, and his hand rested on his cheek, covering the spot where Sirius had kissed him.
----------------------------------
The next morning, sunshine shone brightly through the window, waking Remus abruptly. He groaned and rolled over, immediately wishing that he'd pulled the curtains around so he wouldn't be so rudely woken. Trying half- heartedly to open his eyes, Remus noticed the big pile of presents at the foot of his bed.
Forget sleep.
He rose immediately, and punched James to wake him. Sirius wasn't in the room, and neither was Peter.
James yawned and rolled over. "It's a Saturday. Get lost."
Remus chuckled. "James, it's Christmas morning, and Santa was good to you. But fine – sleep if you feel the need to."
That got James moving, and Remus went down to the common room to find Sirius and Remus. He caught sight of Sirius, sitting in an armchair by the fire. Peter was asleep on the couch.
"Good morning," Remus said cheerfully. Sirius jumped, clearly startled.
"Uh – Merry Christmas," he said. "Where's James?"
"Still sleeping, I presume."
"No, James is here right now. Someone wake Peter," James ordered, stepping down the staircase towards them.
"And here was me thinking that wild horses couldn't get him out of bed earlier than midday on Christmas morning," mused Sirius in mock disbelief. James threw him an evil glare.
"I'm not even going to dignify that with a response," he said witheringly. He leaned over Peter and yelled suddenly and loudly right in his ear.
Peter woke with a jump. "Holy hell, what's going on?" he gasped, rubbing his ear which was now ringing. James grinned at him. "Good morning!" he said brightly. Peter grimaced.
"Come on, guys, lets start opening," James suggested. The four friends sat around the fire – for some reason, everyone else was still asleep, and so they had the room to themselves. James played the role of Santa, like they did every year where one person picked out the presents and handed them to their owners to be opened. For nearly an hour, they opened gifts, threw wrapping paper at each other, laughed and admired each other's new acquisitions.
Sirius had given Remus a beautifully bound book, extremely heavy and thick, and of course, extremely expensive. Remus ran his hands over the material bound covers lovingly.
"Thank you, Sirius." He looked up and beamed. "It's beautiful."
Sirius himself had received a large pile of Zonko's tricks, sweets from Honeydukes, and a broomstick kit from James over which he became incredibly protective.
"So that's it then?" Remus asked. "We can go down to breakfast?"
"Hey – wait!" James said, suddenly. "There's something beneath the Gryffindor Christmas tree again, like there is every year. Wonder who it's for this year!" He went over and crouched down for a look. "Oh my god, Remus, it's for you!"
He handed Remus a single red rose and a white envelope that was sitting innocently beneath the tree. Remus looked at it in shock – the rose was a deep red and absolutely perfect. No petal was out of place. He turned over the envelope and began to open it, James eagerly assisting by ripping it out of his hands when he was too slow.
Carefully and dramatically opening the envelope and unfolding the letter inside, James turned it over on both sides and shrugged. "There's nothing written here."
"Let me see." Remus held out his hand, and James gave him the note. He turned it over once and stared at it for a moment and then gently refolded it and placed it back in the envelope which bored in beautifully scripted gold letters his name.
James and Peter were cackling away with laughter. "Aw, someone fancies Remmie!" Peter howled. Sirius smirked as innocently and normally as he could, but his heart was beating wildly. He'd been the one to sneak downstairs early this morning before anyone else was awake and to place the rose and the note beneath the Gryffindor tree, knowing James would find it. There had always been a note beneath the Gryffindor tree for one of the Marauders, and James loved acting out whatever was written in the cards and then getting a complete ego boost if it was directed to him.
And though he pretended to be sarcastic and laughing about it with James, Peter and Sirius, Remus was secretly shocked but pleased. Someone liked him – no one had really fancied him before, or at least, not that he knew of. This was a completely new experience. James and Sirius often had random love letters shoved under their doors, but Remus had never once received a love letter. And though it was blank, he was going to keep it forever, as a reminder that someone loved him.
Whoever it was couldn't know about his turning into a werewolf every full moon, he thought bitterly. Still – if they never revealed themselves, he could maybe manage to fool himself into thinking that somewhere, someone wanted to spend the rest of their life with him.
--------------------------------------------
At breakfast, Lily came downstairs on her own. For once, she didn't look completely miffed when she saw James. If Sirius's eyes weren't cheating him, he believed she was even blushing slightly. Could it be that James had finally won Lily's heart? Through flowers at Christmas?
Remus noticed as well, and winked at Sirius. James was too busy watching her to see the exchange between Remus and Sirius, but he turned to them a few seconds later. "Do you think she got the flowers?" he hissed.
Remus smiled at Sirius. "Oh, I think she got them all right, James."
James nodded and returned to his stealthy spying on Lily, trying to catch bits of conversation between her and her friends in case they mentioned the flowers or even him in general. Remus and Sirius rolled their eyes at each other. Peter wasn't there again; he'd gone off to have some 'quality time' with his girlfriend.
-----------------------------------
In Herbology, Lily came marching up to Sirius. "You're James's best friend. What's the deal with the flowers?" she demanded.
"Um – well, obviously you know they're from James," he tried.
She threw him a sarcastic smile. "Thanks for that, but I'm not completely stupid. "Why did he send them to me?"
"Uh – lets think about this for a second Lily, shall we? Maybe – I don't know about this – but maybe it's because he likes you?" Sirius said with an extremely patronizing tone.
He was expecting her to slap him, but not for her to blush slightly and smile. "Really?" she asked, as though expecting him to take back his comment and insist it was a joke.
"Really," Sirius assured her. "I would have thought you'd have noticed – I think everyone else in Hogwarts has noticed him staring at you constantly."
She ran her fingers through her hair. "Whatever. Either way – they'd better not be for some stupid joke or I will kill him. Make sure he knows that."
She flounced off, her hair bouncing as she walked. Remus watched her leave and then joined Sirius. "So...anything new?" he asked, winking.
"I think she might like him back for the first time ever," Sirius said in wonder. "It's an incredible day in history."
--------------------------------
TBC
--------------------------------
A/N: Okay, here's the next chapter. I am aware that it has taken me forever to write the next chapter, and for that I am truly sorry. I've almost finished Chapter Seven, so you won't have to wait long for that either. Please review my story! It means so much to me. And thank you to the people who have reviewed so far – you're absolute angels. Love you all!
Lunaris: Well, then I guess it's half cute and half cliché...only one of them got the other in the Secret Santa! :D Ugh – ignore me. But yeah, I'm glad you think it's sweet! ( please keep reading and enjoying!
Nya: Oh, in my imagination, it looks absolutely swoon-worthy. swoons :D
WeasleyTwinsLover1112: Thanks! :D Here's your 'more', really sorry it took so long to update! hides and cringes Hope you still like it!
Piper13: Oh, they will! Give them a few more chapters and they will. :D And yes, James does figure it out. You're too smart for your own good. :P keep reading, and I hope you continue to like it!
Ickle Ronnie: Well thank you, my dear. I'm always glad to hear you guys like it, and thank you so much for your review! hugz ickle Ronnie