Remus lay in bed, sleeping soundly on the morning of February 14th. He smiled in his sleep and rolled over, curling up closer to the pillow and pulling the blankets to his chin. As he was just about to fall back into his deep sleep after waking to change his position, the curtains around his bed flew open, causing him to open his eyes wide.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOONY!"

Remus began to hyperventilate slightly from the rude awakening, and soon his wide eyes traveled to the boy who had ripped open the curtains. "Go AWAY James..."

"But it's your 18th birthday! I shant leave!" James smiled happily, pulling the curtains all the way open. "Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!"

"No... go away."

"Remus John Lupin! Get UP!"

"BAH!" Remus pulled the blanket over his head and scowled as the darkness surrounded him. "Don't use my middle name."

"Why? Don't like it?" James had by this time pulled the blankets back down again, receiving a growl from Remus. "Come on, get up. It's nearly time to get up anyway."

Remus groaned as he sat up, raising one side of his lips slightly like Elvis as he did so. He shot a glare to James before rubbing his hands down his face. "I hate birthdays..."

"Pish posh, get up."

Remus swung his legs over the side of the bed, and promptly had his face grabbed and yanked to the side, a kiss planted on his lips. When he was released, Remus fell back slightly – his legs flying in the air as his hands smacked down on the mattress.

Remus let out a very irritated breath. "I really hate birthdays."

James merely smiled as he walked over to wake Sirius up. Remus yawned widely, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He paid no attention to his hands – which were violently shaking. His hands always shook, all the time to some degree – but in the mornings it was a very pronounced shaking. No one had yet figured out why his hands shook so much all the time. It had become a part of who Remus was – shaking hands Remus. He soon heard the noises of Sirius waking up, and stifled another yawn as he turned to grab his hoody from the other side of the bed beside his pillow. Remus stood and stretched, groaning at the cracks in his back and neck. He then fit his arms through the sleeves of the sweater and fit it over his head.

"If I have to get up, you have to get up too, Sirius. Now get a moaaahhhh..." Remus waited for his yawn to finish before he continued, and cleared his throat before speaking. "move on."

"Auugh..." Sirius sat up and furrowed his eyebrows. "What time is it?"

"6:30!"

"AM?!"

"Yyyup!" James smiled as he threw Sirius sweater over to him, snickering when it hit his head and fell to a pile beside him. "I'll meet you guys downstairs!"

"I hate morning people..." Sirius yawned again, his jaw cracking. "OW! Fuck..."

Remus laughed slightly at his boyfriends discomfort and crossed his arms, waiting for Sirius to walk up beside him. A shiver ran through Remus' body as he stood there. He hunched his shoulders up and looked down at his feet. His socks were sagging slightly – the ends of the sock some 5 inches away from Remus' actual toes. Remus smiled slightly as he wiggled his toes – trying to get the blood in his body flowing.

Sirius stood up and walked towards his boyfriend, wrapping his arms around Remus shoulders. "Happy birthday."

"Mmm..." Remus smiled and lent into Sirius warm body. "Thank-you."

Sirius smiled and kissed Remus' lips quickly before lumbering off in the direction of the door, Remus right behind him. The couple went to the washroom and brushed their teeth, quickly followed by Peter. Sirius and Remus had finished, and the two boys then began to stumble down the stairs, Remus' arms still crossed, one of Sirius hands on the railing to keep him from tumbling down and breaking his nose. They emerged a few seconds later, Remus making for the closest chair, Sirius – moving to lie down on the couch.

Remus sat in the large armchair, still leaving enough room for another person to sit beside him. He crossed his legs as always, hooking his right foot behind his left shin.

"How can you sit like that without crushing your nuts?"

Remus looked up in James' direction, and from the corner of his eye saw Sirius laugh slightly as he rest his forearm across his forehead. "...It doesn't crush anything..."

"Why... are you really small?"

At this, Sirius sat up and laughed. "Oh God no, he's definitely not small. Trust me."

Remus shot Sirius a glare. "Sirius!"

"Just defending your manhood, darling."

"Yeah, you 'defend' it, and then proceed to call me 'darling'?" Remus sulked as he sat back, bringing his legs up and sitting sideways cross-legged on the chair. Remus couldn't help but laugh as he watched Sirius hang his head and pout. Remus yawned once more before speaking again. "Thank-you Sirius, for defending my manhood."

Sirius lips shifted into a smile. "Your welcome."

"Right! Well... We'll wait for Lily and then get started. She should be here in a minute..."

"...Get started...?" Remus frowned. "You had better not b-"

"HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY REMUS!!"

"Oh shit..." Remus bowed his head and uncrossed his arms, bringing his hands up to cover his head and groaned rather loudly at Lily's announcement.

"What was that?"

Remus lift his head up and flashed a fake smile. "Thank-you."

"You're welcome!" She smiled widely and walked towards Remus, pulling him into a hug and kissing his cheek. "18 years old, how's it feel?"

"Ugh..."

"You know, now that you're 18 – and Sirius is only 17... that's considered rape." Peter laughed as he sat down infront of the small fire.

"Is it still rape if I enjoy it...?"

Remus laughed and stood up, walking towards Sirius. He stood and waited for Sirius to sit up before he sat down beside him, curling his knees up to himself, his arms trapped between his thighs and chest. He rest his head on Sirius shoulder as his arm came down around Remus' shoulders, his hand resting on Remus knee.

"Unfortunately – yes, it is. Sorry Sirius." Lily smiled warmly as she pulled out a small package and held it infront of Remus. "Here."

"I told you guys, I don't want any gifts." Remus groaned as he pulled one arm out and rest his elbow on his knee, his cheek on the palm of his hand.

"You can't think that your friends wouldn't get you anything, can you Remus?" James stepped forward, pulling out another box from behind the chair. Why hadn't Remus seen that when he sat down...?

"Guyss..." Remus groaned again. "I told you not to and you-"

"Here you go Moony." Peter set down another package on top of the ones already collected at Sirius' feet.

Remus sighed as he unfolded his legs, resting his feet on the floor. "You really shouldn't have done this..."

"But we wanted to." Lily smiled warmly, holding out the gift again. "Here, open mine first."

Remus' eyebrows furrowed as he hesitated before reaching out. He took the gift from her and smiled. "Thank-you Lils..."

"Your welcome... open it!"

Remus hated birthdays because everyone always stared at him as he opened the gift, and he hated being stared at. He read the little card she had attached and smiled up at her. She had written him in thanks for looking after her when she had the miscarriage. He folded the paper back up again and set it down beside him on the couch. Moving to open the packaging, he stopped for a minute, as every one in the Common Room had now looked over at him.

"Go on, hurry it up!" James smiled as he crossed his legs, holding his knees together.

Remus took another deep breath and opened the rest of the wrapping. His breath caught in his throat as he looked at the leather bound photo album. He looked from Lily to the book and back again. She smiled and motioned for him to open it. As he opened the book, the first picture that greeted him was the first picture taken on the day the four Marauders had met. Lily had taken a picture of them that first day, as she was taking a picture of all her classmates. The four young boys in the picture had turned at once, waving at the camera. Underneath the picture, the words 'The Marauders, 1971 – 1978' were scrawled in Lily's soft and elegant writing. Remus flipped through a few more pages, and each section was categorized by each year they had been there. She had filled the whole thing with pictures taken by each of the boys and herself. The last few pages of the book were still empty – signifying for Remus to fill it up with his own memories. When Remus had moved to stand up, another smaller photo album fell out from underneath it, titled 'Woes of the Moon'. Remus furrowed his eyebrows, as he looked up at Lily. Again, she motioned for him to open it up. As he did – he found a picture of himself and Sirius. The picture was taken the day in Transfigurations when Remus and Sirius were holding hands over the desk. He watched as they kissed eachother, his smile grew as he flipped through the pages. It had tons of pictures of just the two of them together – it even showed singular pictures of both of them after they had the fight, pictures documenting New Years Eve (the truth or dare game... needless to say), and when they had made up on New Years Day. Remus eyes filled with tears as he placed the books in Sirius lap and jumped up to hug Lily.

"Thank-you so much Lily... Wow...." Remus held her close and kissed her cheek.

She held him close and whispered into his ear. "You deserved it, Happy Birthday sweetie."

Remus smiled brightly as he kissed her cheek again and hugged her once more.

"Oi, get off my girlfriend!"

Remus smirked and let go of Lily, leaning back to look into James' eyes. "Why, jealous she gets to kiss me and you don't?"

"Eh... Maybe."

Remus laughed and swooped down, grabbed onto James' face between his fabric-covered hands, and kissed his temple. "There, better?"

"Uhha..." James blushed slightly as Lily crossed her arms.

"You didn't tell her, did ya Prongsie?" Sirius smirked as he watched James's cheeks turn a deeper shade of red.

"Tell me what?"

"Oh... erm..." Remus stood up and let go of James's face, a blush creeping onto his own cheeks.

James shifted slightly, bringing his legs underneath his body as he looked up at Lily. "Yeah, er... I'm kinda... umm... bisexual."

"...Are you really?"

"...Yyyees..."

"Are you bi too Peter?" Lily shot a quick look over to Peter, eyeing him suspiciously.

"What?! Eww! No!" Peter made a face and quickly offered his apologies as three of his friends shot him deadly glares. "Sorry... but no, I'm straight. Very straight."

"Alright." Lily sat down and curved her legs to the side, resting both her hands on her knees.

"You aren't mad at me are you Lils...?" James looked sheepishly over at his girlfriend, fearing the worst.

"No." She noticed how uncomfortable James was and moved to sit beside him, kissing his cheek. "I'm not mad about something you can't control."

James sighed in relief and kissed her cheek back before shoving the gift infront of him towards Remus – who had sat down cross-legged on the ground between Sirius' legs. He was currently receiving a gentle massage. "Here, mine next..."

"...Umm... Okay." Remus smiled as he lent forward and took the box in his hands. Sirius merely stopped the movement of his hands, but hadn't let them leave Remus's shoulders.

Remus read the card and thanked James, setting it aside gently. He then started to work on the wrappings, and as soon as he had gotten to the box it was concealed in, he took a deep breath. Upon opening the box, he was greeted with the collective works of William Shakespeare, each of them in mint condition, and in order in the years they were released. Remus's face brightened as he looked up at James.

"Oh wow... Thank–you so much!" He got onto his hands and knees and crawled towards James, planting a kiss on his cheek. "Thank-you!"

"You're welcome, I didn't really know if you liked Shakespeare or not, but Sirius helped me there."

"You did?" Remus turned and crawled back to Sirius, kneeling infront of him – his hands on Sirius' knees.

"Yeah, you recite his sonnets all the time – so I relayed that to James..."

Remus smiled warmly and lent forward, kissing Sirius gently on the lips. "Thank-you to you too then."

"Yeah... if it wasn't for him you would have gotten a big pile of exploding snaps or something." James ran a nervous hand through his hair as he watched Remus adjust himself and sit down in-between Sirius' legs again.

"That wouldn't have gone over too well, would it?" Sirius smirked, resting his hands on Remus' shoulders again.

"...No, I don't imagine it would have." Lily smiled, looking over at Peter. "Your turn! Hand your gift to Remus."

"Yeah, alright." Peter lent over and handed Remus the package he had been holding. "I hope it's alright... I didn't really know what to get you."

Remus smiled warmly as he took the package from Peter's hands. "Thank-you, I'm sure it's wonderful – whatever it is."

Peter smiled in return and watched as Remus read the card. He smiled again in an answer to Remus's smile when he was finished, and continued to watch his friend as he delicately unwrapped the package he was holding. Remus smiled widely when the contents tumbled out onto his hands. Peter had gotten him a new quill, the small flowing feather was that of a peacock – and a new refill (and very intricate) container of ink sat on a new supply of parchment.

"Wow!" Remus looked over at Peter and there was no mistake the gratitude that hung on Remus' face. "I really was in desperate need of all these things, Thank-you so much!" Knowing how uneasy Peter was about physical contact, Remus merely reached over and extended his hand.

"Yeah, you're welcome, Remus." He took a hold of the hand offered and smiled warmly – glad that Remus had at least enough sense to realize his problem with any human contact, really.

"Wow... that's a really nice container..." James raised his eyebrows. "Amazing gift mate, really amazing."

Peter smiled nervously as he sat back. "Thanks."

Sirius lent down and whispered into Remus ear, his warm breath washing across Remus' cheek – causing him to shiver slightly. "I've got your gift, but you'll have to wait for tonight to get it." He then placed a kiss to the shell of Remus' ear. "Okay?"

Remus merely nodded and looked up at Sirius – incapable, no, not trusting himself to speak as the simple gesture from his boyfriend left him feeling slightly more randy than he had been a few moments before. Sirius chuckled under his breath as he felt Remus stiffen slightly below the belt through the bond. Leaning forwards a bit more to meet Remus' lips; he kissed him a few times before leaning back again - holding each kiss for a few seconds. Remus smiled nervously again, looking at his friends.

He cleared his throat before speaking. "Thank-you all so, so much for these lovely gifts... I really do appreciate it." Remus looked over at Peter when he finished speaking. "I really did."

They all smiled and nodded in response, and engaging one another in conversation before the time came to get ready and go to breakfast. The boys helped Remus carry his gifts upstairs, made their way back up to the dorm and were dressed within 15 minutes, and had then went downstairs and sat around talking with eachother while waiting in the Common Room for Lily. It was only now that the Marauders had noticed that the Common Room had been decorated with fluttering hearts and banners, and other Valentines Day memorabilia.

"Man... how didn't we notice the jungle of pink before?"

"I would have to imagine that we were still to damn tired to notice it all, Prongsie. Waking us up at bloody 6:30am? What is wrong with you?!" Sirius yawned again as he finished speaking.

"Ah come on, you would have had to wake up that early anyway. And it's only 7:02am now, so what's the big deal?"

"The big deal is that I'd rather wake up to an alarm bird than you shaking me." Sirius growled slightly at first, soon righting his voice when Remus shot him a look.

"Ahh... alright – lets get going." Lily appeared at the stairwell, smiling. "Ohh! Wow! It's so lovely in here, don't you think? I can't wait to see what the rest of the school looks like!"

"...Yeah... I can't wait." Sirius sighed as he stood up, being pulled towards the door by Remus. "I don't want to go to school..."

"Yes you do, now lets get moving." Remus smiled as Sirius' head fell and he nearly stomped towards the door. "Your shoelaces are untied, Siri."

"Wha?" he looked down at his feet and sighed again. "Ah crap. Wait up guys!"

His friends stopped and turned, watching as Sirius bent down and began to tie his shoes. James held the portrait open for Sirius, as Remus was standing beside Lily speaking to her about the photo album.

"Oi! Come on, Pads... let's get a move on."

"Yeah! Just a rudding minute." Sirius soon stood up and flipped his head to the side, causing his hair to gently move out of his eyes. "Impatient prat."

"Indeed I am, now let's go before the Fat Lady starts to think I'm molesting her..." James spoke in an uneasy tone as he glanced up at the portrait.

Sirius laughed as he looked up. "That wouldn't be such a bad thing, would it? She could use a good shag."

With that, the portrait slammed shut – sending both Sirius and James flying to the marble floor. The Fat Lady narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms, as she looked down at them – clearly very upset at them.

"Damnit! I think I cracked my tailbone..." James whimpered as he stood up, rubbing his butt. Sirius had landed on his hip, and they all heard the crack.

"God are you alright, Siri?!" Remus dropped his bag and swiftly moved to Sirius' side, hooking his arm under Sirius and helping him to his feet.

"Yeah, I'm fine... it's gonna bruise... but I'm fine."

"You sure?"

"YeAAOWW!" Sirius had tried to take a step, but was soon rewarded with a stab of pain, as his hip had cracked and the initial stage of his body's shock at the injury had worn off. "Fucking shit OW! Holy shit that hurts...!"

Remus winced as he helped Sirius lay on the ground. "Can... Um... James can you please get your invisibility cloak for me?"

"Yeah, sure... why?"

"Just... please?"

"Er... okay..."

"Thank-you."

James nodded and pushed past the still rather upset portrait and ran towards the dorm.

"Why do you need the cloak?" Lily looked down at Sirius who was now crying from the pain of having cracked his hip.

"Nevermind..." Remus looked down at Sirius whose eye were clenched shut – tears still streaming out from underneath his long eyelashes. Remus reached down and gently smoothed the hair away from Sirius temple. "It's alright, just a few minutes more... Shh..."

Sirius merely nodded as James appeared again, holding the cloak. He was about to hand it to Remus when it was snatched from his hands. Remus quickly spread the cloak overtop himself and Sirius, Sirius' legs sticking out from underneath it – making it look as if they were merely decapitated legs laying in the middle of the hall.

"Keep an eye out, please..." Remus called to James and began work on Sirius. "Come on, lift up your hip for a moment while I undo your pants..."

"AUGH! NO! GET OFF!"

"Damnit! Either you do it Sirius or you lay in pain while I go and enjoy the day!"

"Fuckin'... Augh..."

"Why did you put on a belt?"

"I didn't think I'd be cracking my - OUCH!"

"Then lift your damn hips!"

The three friends watched as a leg lift into the air, followed by a loud groan.

"SHIT! OW!"

"Oh stop bitching, I have to pull your boxers down, lift up again."

"Hell no that hurt last time!"

"SIRIUS!"

"Auugh... fine..."

Legs lift again, followed by the same groan. The friends couldn't help but break into a grin.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?"

"You weren't the one moving... HEY! What're you – get your hands off that!" the voice paused for a moment. "Ahh... oh God... that feels so amazing..."

The smiles instantly fell from their mouths as the three friends stopped at looked at eachother, all of them havn't the faintest idea what was happening under that cloak – but didn't want to find out either.

"Just a second... stop moving!"

"I can't help it!"

"Yes you can... Now just... Oh wow... Sirius, look!"

James' face contorted into a look of disgust. "Just what the hell are you doing under there?!"

Remus' voice sounded first. "Nothing... Just a minute."

"Oh God..." Sirius panted slightly, and the trio watched as his legs moved.

"Come on... pull up your boxers and pants – I'm done."

The trio continued to watch as the legs moved again, and heard the rustling of fabric. Once Sirius had gotten his pants done up, the cloak was whipped off – revealing Sirius doing up his belt, and a red in the face Remus.

"I don't care what you were doing and it doesn't matter when it ends with you two looking like that." James laughed as he took the cloak from Remus' hands.

Sirius frowned as he thread the tongue of the belt through a loop in his pants. "Oh shut it."

Remus merely stood and held out a hand for Sirius. Sirius took it and smiled as he adjusted his clothes.

"What exactly did you do to him?" Lily tilted her head to the side, looking Remus up and down.

"Err... healed him?"

"You can do that?!" Peter stepped forward slightly, a disbelieving look in his eyes.

"Um... yes, but I can just heal him." Remus pointed loosely at Sirius, who at this point had picked up both his and Remus' bags.

"Wow that's really amazing!"

Sirius smirked slightly. "Indeed it is, Prongsie, indeed it is." He handed Remus his bag and kissed his cheek.

"Thanks."

"Mhm."

"Let's get to breakfast, I'm starving..." Sirius took Remus' hand and began to walk down the stairs.

The rest of the group had followed Remus and Sirius' lead down the stairs, and towards the Great Hall. The whole school was decorated in pink, red, and white. There were small cupid's floating all around, giggling as people would pass them by. Remus couldn't remember the last time the school had been fully decorated on such an occasion. Not even Christmas merited this many decorations. They had soon made it to the Great Hall, but Sirius stopped as he watched Lucius and Severus walk towards them. A smile crept onto his lips that meant nothing but trouble.

"Sirius..." Remus' voice was low with warning as the pair came closer.

"Shh..." Sirius took out his wand and lent on the doorframe, letting go of Remus' hand. "Hey there Malfoy, Snape. How're you this lovely morning?" Sirius smiled at his own ridiculous pun.

Lucius and Severus merely stopped infront of him. Lucius gaze fell from Sirius' eyes to Remus'. He held Remus' eyes for a minute, a very faint – very small smile formed on his lips. Then in a second's time, he blinked and his eyes flowed gracefully over to Sirius, his smile disappearing with the act. "What do you want, Black?"

"Not a thing." Sirius pushed off of the doorframe. "I just wanted to wish you a Happy Valentines Day is all."

Severus raised his eyebrow and scoffed. "Is that all? Then move."

Sirius' lips curved into another smile as he raised his wand. "Ah-ah-ah... Wha'd I tell you about being terse with me?" Within a heartbeat, both Slytherin boys's had scarves adorned around their necks.

Rainbow scarves - matching rainbow scarves. Matching, connected, rainbow scarves.

Seconds later after the scarves had appeared on the boys' necks; a pair of shrill girlish screams rang out through the hall. Lucius and Severus tugged madly at the scarves, desperately trying to get them off.

Sirius stood with a very amused expression on his face when the mortified features of the two Slytherin's looked up at him.

"GET THESE OFF!!"

"Can't do, Snape."

"YOU LIAR! GET THEM OFF RIGHT NOW!"

"Don't listen well, do you Malfoy?" Sirius crossed his arms and laughed as the two boys continued to pull rather violently at the scarves – Lucius had pulled so hard at one point that a choking noise sounded from Severus' throat. "They won't come off until this time tomorrow lads. Get used to each other's company."

Lucius stepped forward, his voice a very low, very menacing growl. "You poor excuse for a pureblooded wizard! You disgraceful little-"

"Now, now, Lucius... do you want me to make it two days?"

"YOU ROYAL GIT!" Severus roared as he lunged forward, only to be stopped by the scarves. The Slytherin soon found himself on the ground – with Lucius on top of him.

Sirius smirked and lent down, whispering into Lucius' ear. "Familiar position, this is... isn't it?"

With that, Sirius stepped over the mass of two bodies, took Remus' hand, and walked towards the Gryffindor table - bowing to his classmates the whole way. What the school didn't notice however, was the sly look Lucius gave Severus as they stood up and promptly left.

"What is WRONG with you?!"

"Oh come on Rem, it was just a bit of fun."

"RAINBOW?! Do you know what is going to happen to us if anyone finds out about-"

Sirius sat down, pulling Remus down beside him. "Ahh, come now, no one will find out! Don't get your knickers in a twist."

Remus let out an exasperated breath as he crashed his elbows down on the table, his head in his hands. "You never think Sirius!" Remus ran his hands through his hair, looking back up at Sirius. His voice rose with every word he spoke. "You never THINK before you act!"

"Fuckin' cool down, Rem... Geeze... it was just a prank..."

"No I am not going to 'fuckin' cool down'! You just completely risked the status of our relationship getting out! You've just risked the rest of our year at Hogwarts Black!"

Sirius face-hardened instantly as he looked at Remus; his voice was a low snarl. "Do not, I repeat – do NOT call me Black."

"I wouldn't have to resort to calling you by your last name if you used a God damned brain cell once and a bloody while!" Remus' cheeks began to fill with color the longer he sat at the table.

"Whoa, guys... just take a pill – it's alright... no one suspects anything alright? Just... calm... down, please." James interjected – holding up his hands. He spoke in a calm voice – trying his best to calm both his friends.

Remus clenched his teeth together, the muscles in his jaw flexed as he shut his eyes. He pinched the bridge of his nose as he let out a breath. Sirius opened his mouth to speak, only to be cut off by Remus holding up his hand. "Don't. Just... don't." With that, Remus looked at Sirius one last time, shaking his head as he stood up, storming away from the table.

Sirius slammed his fist down on the table, causing everyone around him to jump. "FUCK!" He quickly pushed out from behind the table, and stood to follow Remus.

"...Oh dear..." Lily let out a low breath as she watched Sirius storm after his boyfriend. "This is not a good day."

"You said it..." James sighed, running a hand through his hair.

Still fuming, Remus had gotten it to the stairs, making his way to the Transfiguration classroom. He took the steps up two at a time, holding loosely onto the railing as he went. Sirius had seen him from the corner of his eye, and ran to catch up with him. He took the stairs three at a time as he followed Remus.

"Remus!"

"Fuck off!" Remus screamed over his shoulder as he kept going, walking swiftly on the marble floor.

Sirius finally caught up to his boyfriend, and, reaching out, he grabbed onto Remus' forearm – pulling him around. "No."

"Let go of my arm."

"No."

Remus spoke through clenched teeth, his eyes taking a slight yellow tinge. "Sirius let go."

"No."

Remus took a deep breath, clenching his jaw. His eyes hardened as he stared back at Sirius, his face set in a very heated expression, his lip curled up slightly as he stared into Sirius eyes.

Sirius looked off to the side slightly before returning his gaze to his boyfriend. "Listen, I'm sorry – okay?"

"No... not okay. Do you have any idea what you'v-"

"Yes I know what I did Remus! You reminded me! Twice! We're now working on the third time!"

Remus tilted his head to the side slightly, very unappreciative of Sirius attitude. "If you knew what the consequences would be – why'd you do it then? And pure idiocy on your part does not count as an acceptable answer."

Sirius looked down and softened his features, still not letting go of Remus' arm. "I don't know why I did. I thought it would be funny."

"Clearly you havn't grown up as much as I originally thought you had."

"Am I no longer allowed to act like a teenager anymore? Do you keep forgetting that I'm only 17, and that part of growing up includes acting childish sometimes? Do I always have to act like an adult around you? God, Remus!" Sirius let out a breath and let go of his arm. "Why do you always expect me to act like you? I'm not you; Remus... and I'll never BE you. Have you ever stopped to think about the fact that I don't want to grow up right now, and that I want to have as much fun as possible before I'm forced to be an adult?"

"No, Sirius – I havn't thought about that." Remus' face still hadn't lost its angry edge, and neither had his voice.

Sirius shook his head and looked down, crossing his arms. He spoke as his bangs fell over his eyes. "...Maybe we should spend some time apart from eachother then."

"...What?" Remus voice, and prior anger broke.

"We've clearly changed into different people, Remus. Maybe it's the best thing for us to go through."

Remus' head began to feel light as he shifted it slightly, looking around the hall. His nose began to burn as tears began to fill his eyes. He furrowed his eyebrows as he looked back to Sirius. "You-" Remus began to feel as if he was floating – and his stomach began to twist and knot together. "You can't mean that?"

Sirius looked up, his heart started to pound more furiously. He said nothing.

Remus looked into Sirius eyes for a moment longer before letting his head fall to look at the marble tiles. He watched as a tear fell from his eye and broke on the floor. He took a deep breath and looked back up again. Remus closed his eyes briefly before stepping forward, snaking his hand around Sirius' neck – pulling him into a kiss. What he thought was going to be a fierce kiss ended up being soft and slow. Sirius had responded immediately, meeting Remus' lips with his own, he wrapped one arm around Remus' waist, the other coming to rest on his cheek. Remus ended the kiss, resting his forehead against Sirius. A thought flashed through Remus' mind – this had the potential to be their last kiss.

Sirius spoke softly, his voice little more than a barley perceptible whisper. "I'm sorry."

"Why did you..."

"...I-I thought that was what you wanted."

"Is it what you wanted?"

Sirius let go of Remus and stood back, running a hand through his hair. He looked up as his bangs fell over his eyes – feathered lightly and softly around his eyes. "...No."

"Then... why would you..."

"Because I'm an idiot."

Remus crossed his arms and looked down at the same spot his tear had fallen. He moved his foot slightly and placed it over the wet tile. "Where does this leave us...?"

"In the hall standing infront of each other – each of us at respectable distances of one another... not sure if we're together or apart."

Remus nodded slightly looking up. His eyes flashed slightly before he smiled shortly before biting down on his lip. "I don't want to be there..."

Sirius nodded and took in a shaking breath. To his sides, his hands began to noticeably shake, so he stuffed them into the pockets of his pants. He cleared his throat slightly before answering. "Neither do I."

Remus furrowed his eyebrows slightly before speaking. "Why'd you do it? The prank..."

"Because I live to make their lives hell – as I'm sure it's the same way around with them. Yeah, granted – I should have chosen a better color than rainbow, maybe a soft periwinkle would have been better..."

Remus laughed slightly before drawing his lip into his mouth again, pressing his teeth to the soft skin. "Rightfully, I shouldn't speak to you again."

"You have that choice available to you..."

"I can't yet." Remus looked up into Sirius' eyes – and for the first time, noticed they were slightly gray.

"...Yet?"

Remus lent forward, resting his hand on Sirius' cheek, marveling at the soft skin underneath his hand. "I can't leave. I owe you my life."

Sirius furrowed his eyebrows, speaking slowly. "What do you mean?"

"If you hadn't have brought me back last week – I would have ended up dead within 24 hours..."

Sirius stared into Remus eyes for a short moment before leaning down, kissing Remus again. Remus smiled against his lips and kissed back, slowly working Sirius' lips open. Their tongues rolled against one another with seasoned ease, soon falling into a slow – established and familiar rhythm. Remus lightly bit onto Sirius bottom lip before letting go, running his hand down Sirius' arm slightly before letting it travel back up again – wrapping both his arms around Sirius' neck.

"Next time you pull that – I'm gone, Sirius. Life debt or not – one more mistake like that and I'm gone. Permanently."

Sirius nodded against Remus' shoulder, taking in a slow breath. "That's fair."

Remus smiled and turned his head slightly to rest his cheek on Sirius's shoulder – his breath falling on Sirius' neck. Sirius tightened his grip around Remus' waist, pulling him closer. Remus spoke softly, nearly whispering into Sirius' ear. "I love you."

Sirius pulled Remus closer still, resting his forehead on Remus' shoulders. "I love you too."

Remus held the embrace for a moment longer before leaning back. He kissed Sirius gently on the lips before running his hands down Sirius' arms, taking one of his hands. They both walked in silence towards the classroom.

"Are we okay now...?" Remus snickered slightly as they stood outside the door, he allowed Sirius to push him against the wall.

Sirius placed his hands on either side of Remus' shoulders, leaning in. "Yes."

"You promise?"

Sirius paused for a moment before speaking. "Mhm..."

Sirius closed the small space between their lips, smiling slightly when he felt hands travel up his torso and curl around his shirt collar – pulling him closer. He moaned lightly as his hips fell against Remus' body.

"Well, that's money for me – hand it over, Peter." James smiled as he stepped up beside his friends, who hadn't noticed he had spoken.

"...Shit. That was my last 10 galleon's..." Peter cursed again as he fished the money out of his pocket and handed it to James. "Oi! Stop sucking face and pay attention! McGonagall will be opening the door's any minute."

The two ended the kiss and looked over at Peter and James. Their cheeks were flushed slightly, their lips - larger and red. Remus smirked as he pulled Sirius in again, mumbling against his lips. "5 more minutes..." As soon as he had finished speaking – his tongue had found it's way into Sirius' mouth.

"It's lovely that you're both gay – and that your in love with eachother and all that hoo-haw... but come on - have a little decency." James raised his eyebrow and let out a quick breath through his nose.

"Mmm... jealous, Jamie?" Remus smiled against Sirius' lips before kissing him once more quickly and ducking out from underneath his arm. "Care to join in?"

James smirked as the door opened. He waited until Sirius had moved to stand next to Remus before leaning in and kissing Sirius' cheek. "Maybe later." He winked before walking into the classroom.

"Oi... is that a promise Prongsie?" Sirius called after him as he readjusted the bag strap on his shoulder.

James turned around and smiled widely. "We'll see!"

"That's disgusting." Peter wrinkled his nose and made a gagging noise as he began to walk into the classroom.

"Homophobe." Sirius lent forward and spoke into Peter's ear as he followed him into the classroom.

"Slag!" Peter frowned as he sat down next to James, second row from the back.

"Virgin."

"Prat."

Just as Sirius was about to respond, James cut in. "For Christ's sake, just shut-up!" James hauled out his book and sat down, glaring at Peter and Sirius.

Remus rolled his eyes and said what he was about to before Sirius and Peter had begun to insult eachother. "He's not a slag anymore Peter." Remus smirked as he lightly propped his bag on the tabletop – taking out his textbooks and the gifts that Peter had given him that morning.

"He may as well be, considering the amount of times you two have been caught near humping eachother on the spot. Not to mention every time it's been in public." James lent back on his chair, balancing on the two back legs. He reached his arms back and hit Remus on the head.

Remus cursed and smacked at James's hands, causing him to fall forward on the chair – the front legs slamming down on the stone floor. A very undelightful shock went thought his body – causing him to curse... and very loudly at that.

"Excuse me, Mr. Potter?"

"Oh... um... Nothing Professor. I'm sorry."

"10 Points for the use of fowl language in my class." Professor McGonagall frowned slightly as she turned around. "Open your texts to page 986, please."

The rest of the class was spent quietly, the only sounds heard were the soft, lecturing voice of Professor McGonagall and the scratching of quills on parchment. 10 minutes before the end of class, the Professor had asked the students to put their things away and addressed them.

"As you all know, the Valentine Day gathering will be held tonight," The class nodded and mumbled to eachother in response to the Professor. "And as such, I have been asked by the headmaster to ask you all to go to the Great Hall after classes have ended for an important meeting. Be sure to tell your 7th year friends during the day. It is imperative that you all attend this meeting." She smiled slightly, clasping her hands gently infront of her body. "You may all leave early today – but be sure to be in your next class on time. No doddling in the hallways, and no skipping classes. If I hear anything of the sort – you will all receive detentions based on one person's mistake."

"Yes, Professor." The whole class drawled before getting up and making their way to the doors.

"Mr. Lupin – may I please speak with you for a moment before you leave?"

"...Sure." Remus smiled before turning to look at Sirius, he was about to speak when Sirius answered his question.

"I'll wait for you outside the door." With that, Sirius smiled at him and lent forward, kissing him quickly before turning to leave the classroom.

Remus walked up to the front of the classroom, depositing his bag on top of one of the desks before speaking. "What is it that you needed, Professor?"

"How are you feeling?"

"...Oh, well... fine I suppose. Why?"

"I was just wondering how you came out of Friday morning's ordeal... I havn't had the chance to speak with you about it."

"...Oh. Well I'm fine."

"Good." The Professor moved swiftly and sat down behind her desk. Lightly folding her hands infront of her before speaking once more. "I have come to the understanding that your mother contacted you this past Saturday – am I correct?"

"Yes."

"And am I also correct in the knowledge that because of the severity of your grandmother's illness, your mother has asked that you return to your grandmother's château in France when the school year terminates?"

Remus took in a shaking breath. "...Yes."

"And have you informed your friends of this?"

"No."

"May I ask why?"

"...The timing has been off." Remus spoke softly, his voice near that of a whisper.

"Now is as good as time as any, Mr. Lupin. They deserve to know."

"I know."

The two looked into each other's eyes for a moment longer before McGonagall smiled and broke the eye contact. "Just as well... You are dismissed."

"Thank-you." Remus picked up his bag and turned to leave the class.

"By the way," Remus turned to look back at the Professor. "Happy Birthday, Remus."

Remus managed a smile and responded quietly. "Thank-you Professor."

She smiled once more before looking down at her papers. Remus quickly turned and head towards the door. He grabbed onto the large doorknob and pulled it open, quickly shutting it behind him and heading towards Sirius.

"What did she want?"

"She asked me about Friday morning."

"Yeah... and?"

"...And... and that's it."

Sirius wrinkled his nose as he spoke. "That it? Well she could have done that during class."

"Well maybe she wanted to speak to me in private. I bet you that thought didn't run through your mind."

"Nah..." Sirius took Remus' hand and began to walk in the direction of their next class. "But other thoughts did."

"Such as?"

Sirius laughed slightly before rounding the corner. "Private thoughts."

Remus laughed at this, and snaked his hand out of Sirius. "Whose privates?" He quickly maneuvered his hand towards Sirius backside; resting his hand there for a moment before trailing his hand up to rest on Sirius' waist.

"Mainly yours..." Sirius wrapped his arm around Remus' shoulder. "Some thoughts consisted of James' privates, but most thoughts were dominated by yours."

"Ahh... well that's good to know." Remus smiled as he looked down, making sure to step on the tile, and not on any of the cracks. "How often do you think of James's privates, Siri?"

"Not as often as I think of yours."

"Have you ever thought of acting out on your thoughts?"

Sirius stopped abruptly, a look of shock spread across his face. "...What?"

"Just a harmless question." Remus smiled, as he stood infront of Sirius. "You can't tell me you've never thought of having both me and James in your bed at the same time."

"No... I honestly havn't... have you thought of... me and him – together, with you?"

Remus smiled as he took Sirius' hand, beginning a slow pace as they began to walk towards their next class.

Author's Notes:

Well, this chapter took a bit longer than I had originally thought it would. Smeh, no biggie. There isn't really anything going on in my mind at the moment - except for the things that will happen in the next chapter. WOOO!!! PARTY! -clears throat- ANYWAY... I'll be updating again a bit later today I suppose, by Tracey's request.

I'm too tired and caught up in Chapter 26 ideas to respond to any reveiws. THANK-YOU all for reveiwing though, means tons to me. And as always - keep doing it. -smiles-

Spoiler: They do this in the next chapter. (They being our favorite couple.) It's the title of that movie - you know the one... the one that Patrick Swayze does the nose wrinkle at the end while he's singing to her. -melts- Ohh...OH the nose wrinkle...