Title: Least Expected
Authors: DemonessOfPunishment and The Demonic Duo
Rating: R
Disclaimer: We do not own Harry Potter.
Summary: Sirius leaves home for an all boys school, returning later to reunite with past friends and notices an unexpected change with one Remus Lupin. It seems that the librarian's tired of being "proper" and "prudish." AU, SLASH. SBRL.
Note: Anonymous reviews are now excepted.
"H'lo?" He mumbled sleepily, already pushing his feet out of his bed. He knew he would have to call the movers soon, and possibly ask James to help him unpack. He also had to give his friends, and even Peter, the gifts he ordered in return for the package they sent away with him. Peter had given him a collection of stamps he never saw before, beautiful places around the world. He wondered briefly where Peter had gotten them but figured he wouldn't ask. Leave the mystery. James had given him a photo album that showcased various embarassing photos. He loved them, he showed everyone that he cared about. Remus had given him something small and delicate but also fierce. The silver necklace that held a brilliant shark tooth for display. It meant a lot to Sirius, since it once was Remus's favorite belonging. He wore it as often as possible. "I'm up."
Sirius hung up, stood and padded towards the bathroom, his vision blurry. He nearly ran into the table, causing himself to become only slightly more alert. Grumbling, he felt his way along the walls, eventually finding the bathroom. Turning on the florescent light, he shielded his eyes until they adjusted. Finally, he walked over to the bath tub and turned on the shower, fixing the temperature to his liking.
Stripping out of his boxers, which were the only things he usually slept in, he pulled back the curtain and stepped inside the ceramic tub. Luke warm water washed over his skin, slowly wakening his sleep-dulled senses. Grabbing the shampoo presented by the hotel, he emptied the contents onto his head. Running the gooey liquid throughout his hair, he lathered it up, collecting all of his hair and cleaning it.
Stepping back under the stream of water, all the dirt and grim, from the day and night before, was washed down the drain with the bubbly shampoo. Sirius didn't bother with the conditioner. All it ever seemed to do was make his hair greasy and stringy looking. He didn't like that. He used the offered soap to wash his body, muscles tensing and relaxing under the pressure of his hands. When he was completely cleaned off, he ceased the faucet's water and grabbed the towel, wrapping it around his waist before stepping out onto the carpet presented there. His hair dripped down his abdomen, disappearing into the plush towel along with other droplets that were compelled by the power of gravity.
Sirius made his way back into the bedroom, removing the towel from his waist and placing it onto the comforter. He reluctantly changed into the clothes from yesterday, chagrined that the movers were a day late with his belongings. He straightened his shirt and jeans out, using the towel to dry his hair, gently. He combed his fingers through the damp, raven locks, not at all concerned about a brush. One bad hair day wouldn't harm anybody. Sirius figured his hair was long enough not to stick in too many odd directions, so he left it at that.
He rolled the sleeves up to his elbows, pleased that it somehow looked like a different shirt. After the final appraisal, Sirius picked up his wallet and keys. He left the room as it was, knowing that a misplaced towel and a messy bed wouldn't perturb the cleaning staff.
Sirius closed the door, taking the stairs to the lobby and quickly paying the fee for the night. He walked out of the building, straight for his car. As he was about to unlock the door, he noticed a thin and silver-white mark leading from the door to the end of the car.
"Somebody keyed my car!" He exclaimed angrily. Scowling, he unlocked his door and got in, slamming the door shut in the process. He knew that wouldn't help the situation, or his car, but he couldn't help but feel childishly mad. Someone keyed his precious, very expensive toy, and he didn't know who it was.
Sirius turned on his baby and pulled out of the parking lot at top speed, still peeved over the damage to his car. He was already thinking of the new paint job, and the cost. He growled, increasing the gas as he headed to the other side of town. He needed clothes incase the movers wouldn't be there, and needed food as well.
The other side of town consisted mostly of food and clothing stores. There were Asian markets, Mexican restaurants, Italian foods stores, and then your normal grocery store. The clothing was one big department store or a sears, neither of which Sirius minded. He just needed a place to get new clothes.
Parking his vehicle and running his finger over the scratch, Sirius sighed irritably and made his way into the clothing shop. Shopping wasn't his idea of fun, but it was a necessity. He decided on four shirts and three pairs of slacks, paying for them after he was done. Putting the bags behind his seat, he looked over at the food store and lost interest. Clothes were enough for now, maybe he could pester Lily into cooking for him or something. Maybe.
Sirius sat back in his car, closing the door with self control this time and deciding to stop at the library. He missed Remus yesterday, so he figured he could try one more time. If he happened to miss Remus again, he'd have James drag him out. Banned, or not.
The ride was of the speed limit, his anger temporarily subsided until he got the future cost of the paint repair. He knew that was going to be a bitch, and he wasn't looking forward to it.
Saving his car from further damage, he kept his mustang towards the far end of the parkinglot and walked to the library. It was empty, he realized. No more books, desks. Nothing.
"Aww, man." Sirius muttered, making his way back to the car. He realized he didn't have James's number, and would have to pester Harold and Maron Potter. First, the movers, though. Definitely had a bone to pick with the movers.
Sirius went back to his car and drove to the hotel. He shut off his precious vehicle and went into the room. He had a few hours until check out, which gave him plenty of time to call the movers and rip off a few heads if needed. And it was needed.
Once in the room, he grabbed his wallet and fished out the business card with the cell number to the driver. He took the phone and dialed the number, then redialed it when he realized he forgot to put the needed digit in front of it so it would dial.
"Hello?" came the gruff voice of the truck driver.
"Hello, this is Sirius Black, and I'd like to know where my things are," Sirius stated. He listened to the sound of the radio in the background and the laughter of more than one person. He realized that the man wasn't in the truck. "Where are you?"
"Lunch break."
Sirius rolled his eyes at the concise and worthless answer. "Alright, then how far are you?"
The phone was still for a moment, the driver having a conversation with one of the other movers. "Three hours away."
"Three hours?" Sirius repeated, his jaw twitching. "Splended, well, hurry up."
He hung the phone up, scowling. Three hours. He supposed he could stop by the Potter's home and ask for James's number. Possibly Remus's as well. He'd also ask to see if his friends would be willing to help him unpack.
Pulling the car in front of the house, he locked it and glanced at James's car that was already there. Shaking his head, Sirius walked up to the door and knocked gently. Harold came to the door, and let Sirius in, toothy grin on his face. The long haired man couldn't help but laugh at the elderly man as he walked into the house.
"I saw James' car, why is he here?" Sirius asked.
"Maron asked him to come mow the lawn." Harold stated, shaking his head. "He can never say no when she asks him to do something like that."
Both of Sirius's eyebrows went up. "Quite the mama's boy, isn't he?"
Harold cackled in amusment, not denying it and hobbling towards the kitchen. Sirius followed, after closing the door politely. He looked around the house again, getting a better look of the place and musing over all the years he missed.
"Would you like something to drink?" Maron asked jovially, startling the black haired man from his thoughts.
He grinned. "That'd be nice, thanks."
Sirius sat in a chair at the table, delighted that they were the same from when he was younger. The house hadn't changed much. New wall paper, a computer addition in the living room. Even a plasma television was hanging in the kitchen, no doubt for Maron in the morning while she sipped at her coffee to wake up. The only exception to drinks in the livingroom were for guests, otherwise Maron and Harold both kept their food and beverages in the kitchen and dining room. She handed him a small glass of rasberry and pineapple juice. Interesting combination, but not unpleasant.
His gaze moved from the kitchen to outdoors, where Sirius caught sight of his friend pushing a lawn mower across the moderately sized yard. James was wearing faded denim pants, his white shirt clinging to him from the sweat. By the looks of it, he had been working hard for a while and mowing wasn't the only chore the man was put to do.
He grinning slightly, amused but observing his friend's backside. The jeans were fit nicely to James's mild curves, showing muscle Sirius realized he shouldn't be thinking about.
"What is wrong with me?" Sirius muttered under his breath, causing Maron's attention to drift to him.
"What's that, Sirius?" Her hands were covered with soap sudds, the wash cloth dangling from her dainty grip above the sink.
"Nothing!" He said, grinning sheepishly at her while his mind twirled the thought of James's jean-clad bum around. "God..." he murmured, putting his head down.
"HAROLD! Sirius's sick, get the thermometer!" Maron screaked, washing her hands quickly to tend to the blue eyed man. His head shot up from the table quickly, his eyes wide.
"What? No! I'm fine, just...thinking." He cleared his throat, a small blush spreading over his cheeks. Maron looked at him, her eyes narrowed in inspection.
"Are you sure, you look flushed."
Sirius nodded, putting a smile on his face. "I'm positive, it's nothing," he stated. Maron eyed him skeptically, then shrugged, returning to the dishes. Resting his head back on the table, he tried to think of something to detour his mind from James. He drifted back to all the times he watched Peter eat, and shuddered, picking something that wasn't so disgusting.
"Mother, I'm done with the lawn." James stated, walking back into the house. The white shirt he was wearing might as well not have been there, as it left nothing to the imagination. He noticed Sirius at the table, and grinned. "Good morning, Sirius!"
Sirius looked up from the table, and bit his lip to keep any strange sounds from leaving his lips. "Morning, James...." he muttered, banging his head against the table.
James stared at Sirius in bewildered silence, surprised to see his friend acting the way he was.
"Er..." He vocalized cluelessly, glancing from his mother to his father whom just entered the kitchen with the glass thermometer. James blinked. "Sirius's sick? Then why is he banging his head like that?"
Sirius glanced at James and quickly averted his eyes to Harold. "Really, I'm fine." The older man ignored his statement and obtrusively thrusted the mercury filled wand into his mouth. He stared at the man, getting a taunting wink in return.
"Traitor." Sirius mumbled around the glass tube, hardly missing Maron's reproving stare.
"Don't talk, Sirius!" She hissed, her tone motherly but not at all angry. It was more...worried.
He sighed through his nose, staring up at James. Begging for mercy. James sniggered. Sirius glared at James as Maron removed the thermometer. "Well, his temperature is normal." She stated.
"I said I was fine." Sirius retorted.
Maron nodded. "I know, but you were flushed, and banging your head on the table wasn't helping with reassuring us any."
James chuckled, sitting down next to his friend. "Mom, this is Sirius we're speaking of." He joked.
Maron nodded. "I know, but I was hoping he grew out of that phase."
"Hello! Sitting right here!" Sirius stated. The three of them glanced at each other before laughing hysterically. Maron was the first to calm down, and looked at James and Sirius. She was glad to see the two of them together again, and laughing.
"Anyways!" Sirius drawled, taking on a faux haughty tone. "Can you write down yours and Remus's number? I still need to see Remus!"
James snickered one more time, pulling a spare notebook from a random drawer. The pen following. Sirius watched as his friend wrote down their names and numbers. Even internet connections, which Sirius appreciated.
"Thanks." He said, taking the paper. He gazed down at the writing and raised both eyebrows. "Translate."
James's brows furrowed in surprise and confusion. "What?"
Sirius frowned. "What's that?" James leaned over and supplied an answer. Apparently in his opinion the scribble was an eight. "Okay...and this one?"
James glared at him, statching the paper rudely and rewriting the passages on the paper. He shoved the paper back at Sirius and was annoyed when his friend asked what something else was.
"Can't you read english?" he grumbled bluntly. Sighing, he tossed the pen at Sirius and repeated the numbers.
"Sorry, James, but you have horrible...writing." Sirius laughed. "Now that I think about it, you've always had chicken scratch."
James grinned. "That's why I'd make a great doctor!" he stated.
Sirius rolled his eyes then chuckled. "Now that you mention it, you would make a great doctor. I can't read a real doctors handwriting either."
James glared at his friend. "My hand writing isn't that bad!"
Sirius held up the card and pointed to one of the numbers. "James, that looks like secret code for aliens."
"It's a four!!" James exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air.
Sirius shrugged. "If you say so." He stood up, finishing off the drink Maron handed him before and handing the empty dish to her. "Can I use your bathroom to change in? The movers didn't come with my stuff, so I bought some clothes to change into."
James nodded. "Get your stuff and change, then!"
Sirius gave him a bemused look, sauntering past his messy-haired friend and out to his car. He grabbed the bag and made his way quickly to the bathroom of the house.
Stripping from the soiled clothing, Sirius pulled on sinfully thin orange tank top that was a size too small. It clung to his skin comfortably soft, so he didn't change it. Next, a pair of dark blue jeans were slipped up his legs and buttoned snugly around his hips. The majority of the article was baggy, but comfortably so and that's what mattered most. The outfit, Sirius noted, looked decent and went marvelously with the shark tooth necklace. He fingered the piece of jewelry, smiling softly.
Sirius put his dirty clothes in the bag with the new, uncaring. He left the bathroom silently, entering the kitchen and placing the plastic bag onto the chair he was in earlier.
James turned to him, staring at the bright orange shirt and grinning. "Your nipples are showing through."
Sirius's eyebrows rose, his blue eyes trained on his friend in surprise. "Why, like that?" He made a move as if to touch them, and James punched him in the shoulder. Hard.
"Ow! What in the hell was that for?!" Sirius demanded, reaching up and rubbing his shoulder. James hit hard, considering he was pretty scrawny looking.
"Sirius! Watch your language!" Maron chided.
"Sorry, Mrs. Potter!" Sirius said, blushing sheepishly before punching James back. James retaliated painfully, and before they could start an all out wrestling match, Sirius put his hands up. "I'll take no further abuse from you, you...tosser! I'm going back to the hotel."
James grinned victoriously. "Alright, you whiner."
Sirius pouted, wiping away an invisibly shed tear. "Sticks and stones."
James shook his head. "At least you didn't say whips and chains." he muttered.
"What?!" Sirius exclaimed.
James sighed. "Just something Remus said once... don't ask."
Sirius blinked a few times. "I'll just go ask him." he muttered, grabbing his bag and leaving the house. "Later, James!"
"Bye, Sirius!" James called with a wave. Sirius got into his car and headed back to the hotel. It was a quick trip and he parked away from the rest of the cars and went to his room, intending to call Remus.
He closed the door, dropping the bag fecklessly and striding meaningfully towards the phone. He dug the card from his pocket, reading Remus number to himself and dialing it quickly. It rang three times before he heard the audible click of someone picking up. He held his breath excitedly, his heart hammering...and his world crashing in surprise as a woman answered.
"Hello?" Her voice inquired politely.
"Aah, hello." Sirius chewed on his lip, sighing softly. "Is Remus there?"
She giggled quietly. "Just a moment." And she was gone, the phone clattering gently on a table. Sirius sat still, blinking. Remus had a girlfriend? He knew he shouldn't have been surprised. Remus was intelligent and charming when he last saw him, no doubt more-so now.
"This is Remus." Came a beautiful voice from the other end, and Sirius had to swallow nervously.
"Missed you, Puppy." Sirius cooed teasingly. He had been the only one to call Remus "Puppy." His friend was playful, and during their friendly wrestling matches he'd whine and growl like a puppy. It was endearing, cute.
The silence on the other end stretched pregnantly. "...Sirius?"
TBC.