Dance Magic Dance is by David Bowie. I blame Sam for that. Some of this was written when I was half asleep (why does that always happen to me?) after a Rocky Horror night. The rest was done when I should have been getting ready for a play. Ah well, I'm ill, what do they expect?

Some people asked where the slash was. I'm building to it, dearests. I'm attempting to do a slow burning one. It's not working, I don't have the ability. And I got told off for saying kissing girls is yucky :ducks head: so sorry for that. Damn, hope Livvey doesn't find out… she's gonna bid for me on ebay…

"Voodoo- who do?- you do- what? Remind me of the babe…" Lily hummed along to the words of the song. She wasn't allowed to sing. James had threatened to divorce her if she ever sung anything by David Bowie. He loved her dearly, but her voice murdering the great Stardust would be the worst crime she could ever commit. She doubted even adultery would be lower down on the list of offences.

With a flick of her wrist she turned the stereo up. She loved it. Remus had got it for their wedding. Found it in an old Muggle junk shop, stripped it of the internal electrics, and charmed it to work on magic. Now it lived in Lily's domain. Everyday the melodies of random songs could be heard emerging from the doors. Lily loved those times, when she could lose herself in sweet refrains.

Whirling round, she held the plate at arm's length. Just a short while ago, it had been filled with food. Remus' food. She was going to feed him until he was more than a skeleton if it took all the food in Wales. At least he now had two proper meals in him- soup the night before, and a full English breakfast earlier on. He'd eaten all the meat so quickly. Probably the wolf showing through there.

"Ding dong." Lily dropped the plate in the sink, wincing as it grinded against a fork. Ah well, it would recover. She wiped her hands on her apron and ran to the door. It was probably Sirius, which meant she didn't have to rush, but there was always the chance that it was someone else important. She didn't understand why Sirius didn't open the door himself. The gimp always rang the doorbell, despite the fact that he had owned a key to their house for several years.

She pulled the chain, whispering a swift unlocking charm, and the door swung open to reveal a black dog. It wagged its tail, looking up at her expectantly. She responded by raising one eyebrow. "Nice shape. Come on." The dog trotted past her. If he mucked up her floor, he knew what would happen. She secured the door and turned. Sirius was now stood in her hallway, long black hair tied back at his neck.

"Lily, my dearest firecracker."

"Sirius. I take it you're here to play with my son?"

He nodded, the laconical smirk which had been his trademark at school crossing his face. "I did promise the little bugger."

Lily pointed her wand at him. "Next time you use language like that in my house I will scrub your mouth out."

"Oo, Lily." He wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her tight. "Promises promises."

She beat at his back. "Oi!"

"Where's Jamesie boy?"

"Upstairs. You go into the kitchen and I'll call him."

---

Sirius didn't change. James loved these visits. For a few minutes he could go back to being a teenager, without any cares or worries. He wouldn't swap this life for anything, but without Sirius he thought he might well go mad.

Said Animagus leant over the counter, eyes twinkling as he gazed up at James. "Am I going to get a drink today?"

"What do you want?"

Sirius shrugged. "Hot. It's cold outside."

"You're such a lizard," James muttered as he set the kettle boiling. "Basking in the sunlight."

"I can't help it if I'm a natural summer person."

"Lily always used to find it hilarious."

A chair scraped across the tiled floor. "What?"

"How the Marauders were never all happy with a season. We all had our own favourite." James pulled a mug towards him, pouring out some hot water. "Autumn was mine, all the colours in the trees. Pete liked spring, for some poofy reason about 'new life'. You were the summer boy, all heat and intensity. And Remus-"

"I don't know why we still talk about him." Sirius' voice was disinterested. "He's been gone one hell of a long time, Jamie boy." James smiled as his back was turned. He knew those two had been close friends. Sirius was going to love the surprise of having his wolf back again. It must have hurt to be abandoned, but Padfoot had always been resilient.

"Ah well." James turned back and slid the drink across. He lifted his own to his lips, a strong coffee he blamed Lily for getting him addicted to. "How's work?"

"Not good. Being an Auror, collating information, you probably need a longer attention span than mine."

"Any news?"

A spoon clinked against the side of the mug as Sirius stirred in his milk. "Bad. There's some stirrings in Europe, according to our sources."

"What?"

"You know that werewolf colony over in Lithuania?" Of course, James could still remember how worked up Remus got when they were setting the place up. An isolated place, just for werewolves, with no contact with the outside world. The wolves wouldn't attack humans, and vice versa. Remus said it was just putting off the inevitable. Section people off, and they feel different. Resentful.

"Yeah."

"They're on the move. Something happened to them, and now word is they're coming here."

"Anyone know why?"

Sirius shook his head. "Not yet. Leastways, no one's saying."

James considered. This could be bad news. If they were moving… they were up to something. Something bad. "Are we prepared?"

"Are we hell as like." Sirius took a sip of his drink, wincing as the hot liquid hit his tongue. "The others all think we can beat them back by waving silver in the air. That we'll be able to tell who they are just by looking."

"Idiots."

"Yup. Anyway, what's the news on your end?"

"There's this guy we're tracking. Albus thinks he'll go to ground somewhere in Wales, so I get the lovely job of watching out for him." James pulled a stool over, resting his legs as he sat. "How's your love life?"

The grey eyes turned cociky. "Sane old. She's all over me. Wants to move in with me."

"Getting serious?"

"I suppose."

"I never thought I'd see the day. Sirius Black, the studmuffin of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, tied to one woman."

Sirius smiled softly, staring down at his fingers. "I should settle down. I want this." He gestured around.

James raised an eyebrow. "A kitchen?"

"No, your life. Someone you love, a house, a kid… a family."

"Do you actually love her?"

Sirius shrugged. "Who cares? I could come to love her."

"That's not exactly the best foundation for a relationship."

Grey eyes flashed dangerously, and James knew he would probably end up being punched, but the inevitable confrontation was disturbed by a small voice.

"Siri!"

Sirius beamed as the boy came running in, sweeping him up and off the floor. "Harry baba!"

James smiled at the giggles emanating from his child. He looked safe in his godfather's arms, and there was no denying that Sirius was good with kids. He had always wanted them, but James hated to see his best friend with someone he didn't love. Sirius had never fallen in love, so he didn't know what it was like, but James knew that he could never be truly happy unless he found someone.

"Take me into the living room."

Sirius raised an eyebrow at the imperious tone. "Yes, master Harold."

"Ew, that's an icky name!"

Sirius laughed, but obeyed, running full pelt into the room. James dumped the mugs into the sink with only a slight pang of guilt. He knew he should do more chores. He knew it. It was just so easy to get distracted. And after all, Lily wouldn't exactly want Sirius to play with Harry unattended. Last time, they'd managed to turn the room a noxious shade of pink, Transfigure the lamp into a palm tree, and turn Harry's hair the Gryffindor colours.

By the time he reached the living room, Harry was playing with his toys and Sirius was sat on the floor watching him. James collapsed onto the sofa and watched them.

"Something's happened," Harry said, pushing the train along, "but Mummy and Daddy said I'm not allowed to tell you." James smiled at his son. He was a true Marauder, not looking at Sirius and therefore avoiding the puppy dog eyes that could break the strongest resistance.

Said eyes were now staring at him. "Have you knocked Lily up again?"

"No. And if she hears you talking that way in front of Harry she'll castrate you. With no anaesthetic." James flicked his wrist, calling an apple to him. "It's a nice surprise."

"Ooh!" Sirius clapped his hands excitedly. "Did you get me that poster of the '75 cup final you promised me a couple of years ago?"

"I was drunk at the time, so no. This is much better."

Sirius pouted. "Tell me James, I hate surprises."

The footsteps on the stairs halted their conversation. "James, these jeans are miles too big." Sirius stood at the voice. Even though he couldn't see who it was, James knew that he'd recognised the tone at once. His face was disbelieving, eyes wide with hope.

The wooden door swung open, revealing Remus. His hair was still wet from the shower, hanging around his face in soft curls. The clothes really were too big for him, making him look about ten years younger and adding to the air of vulnerability hanging around him. His face was focused on his waistband and the hand he had holding the trousers up.

"Rem?" Remus looked up and froze when their eyes connected. Sirius had no such qualms. He ran forward, catching the smaller man in a hug. James watched them. Sirius was clinging on as though Remus might disappear with any less pressure. He kept on murmuring, "Rem, oh Merlin, Rem, I thought you'd gone forever…"

Remus was different. He stood stiffly in the embrace, making no attempt to move his arms around his friend. There was no discernible expression in his amber eyes, but James knew that meant he was angry.

It lasted all of five seconds. Remus stepped away, shrugging the arms off. "There's belts in your drawer, right?" James nodded. The werewolf left, leaving Sirius to stand alone.

I feel so bad. My throat hurts! And I've been in this play where I have to sing. Not good.