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 10: The Approach to Valentines Day
The weather was muggy and miserable, but the snow had stopped falling and the promised rain had not yet hit. The grounds were still damp with the hail that had been falling along with the snow the past few weeks, and the sun was hidden behind grey clouds. James and Sirius were sitting beneath a tree by the frozen lake, watching the birds landing on the ice and looking remarkably startled at the realisation that they were sitting on something solid rather than liquid. James sat on the soggy ground using Sirius's jacket as a groundsheet. Sirius noticed after a few minutes and groaned.
"James, that is my jacket you're sitting on."
James looked at the thick, warm fabric he was sitting on and then looked up at Sirius again, completely unconcerned and unmoved by Sirius pointing out this obvious fact. "Yeah, I know that."
Sirius shook his head and went back to tracing a twig through a tiny patch of mud beside him. He was sitting on the ground without anything to protect his arse, so he could feel the unpleasant cold sogginess beginning to soak through his trousers, but he was so frustrated with himself that he didn't really care.
Valentines Day was fast approaching, and while Sirius wanted to do something special for Remus, he couldn't think of anything. And nor could he think of a way to reveal to Remus that he fancied him.
It wasn't that he couldn't think of a way, really. It was more that he was just too much of a chicken. And it was driving him completely mad.
"What are you doing for Moony for Valentines then?" asked James.
Sirius blinked, momentarily scared silly at the thought of James being able to somehow read his mind before remembering that Valentine's would be at the top of James's mind since Lily began acting so strange. "What?" James always astounded him with his ability to make even the strangest of subjects as easy to talk about as what to have for dinner. It was a rare quality that made James so good with people.
James looked up once again, frowning. "I'm pretty sure you understood that, but I'll repeat it anyway. Are you doing anything special for Moony on Valentine's Day?"
Sirius shrugged. "I've been thinking about it, but nothing really springs to mind." He stopped drawing with the twig for a moment and raised an eyebrow at James. "What about you? Thought of anything to do that might woo your precious Lily?"
James shrugged and sighed theatrically. "It's hopeless. She's never going to fall for the Potter charm. It's such a bugger, but there's nothing I can do to make her see that I'm the one she should be with."
Sirius rolled his eyes. "Oh, god, don't get all girly on me. Lily Evans is nothing more than a challenge. She's not better than you, and she is certainly not … whats the word? … unattainable? Yeah, that's the one. Look, just figure out something sweet and romantic to do. She's a chick."
James nodded miserably. "That's the point. They're so bloody confusing." He looked up at Sirius again and poked a leaf in his direction. "You're lucky you fancy a guy. At least you can understand pretty much what they're thinking!"
Sirius froze for a moment and looked around, terrified that someone might have heard. "For god's sake, Prongs! Keep your damn voice down!"
James shrugged. "I don't know why you're making such a big deal out of it, frankly. It's not that big a thing."
Sirius sighed sadly. "Not to you, thankfully. But to other people, it is a big deal. I'll be avoided by vast numbers of the male population of Hogwarts if people find out, James. Homosexuality isn't as widely accepted yet as we'd like. It's still somewhat taboo. Don't forget what they used to do to homosexual wizards back when capital punishment was still in."
James bit his lip thoughtfully. "But it's not all the other people you worry about. You couldn't care less if they knew, Sirius. The thought of the male population avoiding you isn't as scary as you pretend, because the only people you really care about are the people that are all for this kind of thing. And the only person you really want to be accepting of it is Remus – who is the kindest bloke you'll ever meet."
Sirius smiled. "Yeah, I guess."
"Then why are you worrying so much?"
Sirius shrugged. "I honestly don't know. I just know that for now, I'd really rather it was only between you and I. I just don't think I could cope with the weirdness."
James nodded. "Well, whatever you think is necessary."
"Are you guys bitching about me as usual?" came a voice behind them. An all too familiar voice. Sirius panicked inwardly as he turned to see Remus standing behind them, half hidden behind the trunk they were both leaning against. James looked equally as shocked to see him, and looked guiltily at Sirius.
"Everything all right?" asked Remus, looking a little concerned at their guilty and panicking faces. "Did I interrupt something important?"
Sirius slowly relaxed inwardly. If Remus had heard, he surely would have been sitting down to discuss it more seriously and solemnly than he was now.
"Nah, mate. Join us," he invited, patting the wet grass beside him. Remus wrinkled his nose a little, but sat down anyway.
"So you doing anything for anyone for Valentine's then, Moony?" asked James, glancing ever so slyly at Sirius.
Remus pulled a face and slumped his shoulders. "Nah. There's no one to try and impress this year. No one really lives up to my high expectations," he joked, winking at Sirius. Sirius forced a laugh, inwardly rejoicing that Remus didn't like anyone. However, the realisation that Moony definitely didn't fancy him then was a little harsh, but he reminded himself that since he didn't even think Moony was gay, the news that he didn't fancy anyone was more encouraging for him.
"Figured out what you're going to do for Lily?" Remus asked James. Sirius stifled a yawn as James went into the exact same theatrics he'd performed for Sirius. Remus was slightly more gentlemanly in his reaction, more understanding and sympathetic, rather than Sirius's impatient reaction. He sighed.
"What about you, Padfoot?" Remus asked, nudging him. "Normally you can't shut up about the next girl you're going after. Who is it this time?"
Sirius froze, frantically searching for something to say but coming up with nothing. He must have been placing too much pressure on his hand, because the twig snapped, cracking in the expectant pause.
He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Um … I don't actually have any chicks in mind this year."
Remus looked completely disbelieving. "What do you mean? Sirius Black has finally filled his female quota?"
James sat silently, watching Sirius with what seemed even perhaps a little sadness behind his expression. He didn't like watching his best friends going through hard times. He was more observant than people gave him credit for, and he knew that Sirius was not only feeling awkward, but also angry and frustrated with himself. Any plans James had for making Sirius tell Remus earlier than he was comfortable with were completely out of the question. This was something that Sirius would have to do for himself.
Sirius opened his mouth momentarily and then shut it. He couldn't think of anything to say. Luckily at that moment, a figure came into view. It was Professor Soyle, the Herbology teacher. "Lupin!" she called. "I need a word quickly."
Remus nodded to her and got up immediately. "Sorry guys," he muttered. "See you later then."
He walked towards the teacher, who was evidently impressed with some piece of work he'd done. Remus was often asked to tutor other, younger students in Herbology as it was one of his best subjects.
Sirius watched him go, his face falling. He hung his head. James grabbed his shoulder.
"Hey, don't beat yourself up!" he urged. "You did good."
Sirius snorted and looked at the broken twig dejectedly. "I suck. I'll never be able to tell him. I mean, I will have to eventually. But that would have been a great opportunity. Why didn't I just take it?"
James patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry, man."
Sirius managed a small smile. "Thanks, Prongs." He gratefully lifted his eyes to look at James. "It means a lot to … James?" James's mouth was hanging open and his face was disbelieving and shocked. He was staring over Sirius's shoulder, so Sirius turned to see what the matter was.
Lily stood there, close to the lakes edge, happily watching the birds sliding about. She was coupled with a Ravenclaw boy called Steven. They were standing, in James's opinion, far too close together, and were apparently enjoying each others company a lot.
Sirius sucked in his breath and looked quickly at James before darting his eyes back to Lily and Steven. He was just in time to see Steven plant a quick kiss on Lily's cheek. James tensed up, and his face took on a look of determination and jealousy. He started to get up, his head held high and pain evident on his face.
"Hey! You can't go over there," Sirius hissed, grabbing James's arm and pulling him down to sit once more. "Do you want her to think you're desperate?!"
James looked pained. "I don't care what she thinks. I just want to punch that bloody jerk in the face. What a prat! He's totally moving in on my girl!"
Sirius grabbed James's chin and forced his face away from the sight. "First, James, she's not your girl. She never has been, and if you keep acting so possessive, she never will be! Evans is not going to fall for you if you act like a father. Just – for everyone's sake – attempt to just see her as a friend instead of a potential girlfriend. If she's got a boyfriend, be glad. That way you'll look much better in her eyes when they break up, cos quite frankly, no one can be as crazy about her as you are."
James thought about this for a moment, and then brightened. "Hey, you're kind of right … I think."
He ventured to look back over, but Lily and Steven were already walking away from the lake towards the castle. James was happy to see that there was no direct contact – he wasn't holding her hand or putting his arm around her – but they were walking very closely, and he could tell that Lily was laughing by the way her head was tilted back. He frowned and looked at the ground miserably.
Sirius didn't know what to say.
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A/N: Hmmmm … this chapter was very long coming (I'm sorry!) and was entirely too short, but I thought I should at least update something. This was a little random, I didn't really plan for the story to go this way, but the chapter would otherwise have been reaaaaaally boring. I quite like putting James through all this crap with Lily. It makes everything so much more interesting.
I think there's a few of you getting impatient for some Remus/Sirius fluff, so perhaps I will put some more in. Of course, if I get lots of reviews requesting it, I shall be more inclined to put it in! ;) please review in other words!
Thanks go to all the people who reviewed the last chapter which was updated … holy crap! Last August! I'm so sorry! I'm mortified! The next chapter will be much faster, I promise!
Seraphina Pyra: Hehehehe I think he's perceptive. I'd like to think he'd be perceptive.
Miss Anonymous hp: Thank you! I really try to keep them sort of in character, but it can be difficult because they're not mentioned terribly much in the novels. However, this is my impression of them, and I'm really glad that they match yours! :D Hope you liked this new chapter.
Firesnake: I always thought Remus would be strong. He doesn't seem weak and needing. I like to think of them both as strong people who don't need others to keep them happy, but rather are with for love rather than need. It seems much more romantic. And I can't reveal anything yet, because that spoils the surprise. You'll know in due course :P
Grimy Grunhilda Grunt: Yeah, this chapter was a little lacking in action too I suppose. It's basically just a progression, sometimes you have to have boring chapters to get to the really good stuff. Besides, if it's really dramatic all the time, the drama loses its novelty! :D But I promise to speed up a little soon. Love back to you ma cherie!
Ickle Ronnie: Wow! You are awesome! :D You boost my ego like nothing else. I'm a very happy writer now. :D Updating soon just for you!
Isis Fire Dancer: Oh, Lily is going to be as mean as I can make her towards James. Not intentionally, of course, but she will give him hell before giving in. At least, if they do get together … oh that was lame wasn't it. Lol!
StolenSoul4818: Wow, a marriage proposal! How sweet! :D How many fanfic writers can say they've had them?! Hope this story continues to your standard! Hugs to you!
Eizoku: Exactly! I love the suspense it brings. Although, I suppose I can't be in suspense because I am writing it, but since I haven't written anything that's not on here, I don't know exactly what Remus is thinking either! :P
LythTaeraneth: Lol you're funny! I like you. :P
Evil Pilgrim: Stop making everything sound so complicated. This is fiction. It can be made up. That is one of the beautiful things about fiction. So there! :P Lol joking. Thanks, I shall try, but I really can't think of an ending to any of them. :S if you can, I would be happy to oblige! :P
Tiamante Salazar Tameran: Wow! Lots of reviews! Thank you! Lily was indeed being stupid, and she's being even more stupid now. It's James! He's so hot and sweet! Just kiss and make up already! … but she is determined to be stubborn. Sigh. :P
May: Well … perhaps not soon … but I did update! I'm really glad you liked it. Thanks for your review!