Written for:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - Assignment 12 - Muggle History - Task 2 - Write about someone defending someone else's honor, reputation, etc.

Also written for: Quidditch League - Round Five - Montrose Magpies - Chaser 3

Chaser 3: Baby Jane Hudson (Whatever Happened to Baby Jane) - Write about someone who lashes out because of jealousy.

[item] cigarette

[dialogue] "It isn't that simple."

[word] unforgettable

Something to Tell Our Children

WolfStar

Sirius drops the butt of his cigarette on the ground as he approaches the door, before pressing the heel of his shoe into it. Alice moves ahead to press the buzzer for Remus' flat.

"Hello?" James' voice comes through the speaker, crackled and distorted, a moment later.

"James, it's us," Sirius says. "Buzz us in."

"You forgot the code again?" James sighs. "Yeah, come on up." There's a click and a buzz and Sirius pulls the heavy door open, nodding for Alice to head in.

The heavy door slams behind them and they start up the stone staircase, their steps echoing through the stairwell, up to Remus' front door.

"I've never been here before," Alice says, glancing around, taking in the damp in the stairwell, before pulling her shawl tighter as a draft brushes over her arms. The handrails are chipped and rusty and Sirius resists defending the place. It's horrible out here, but Remus keeps his flat in a much better state than the outside.

"He wouldn't live with me and James," Sirius replies, a soft sigh escaping his lips as he utters the words. He's tried and tried and tried to get Remus to live with them, but Remus has this need to prove himself that Sirius understands. Still, he hasn't given up hope. He strides up to the door and knocks. "James took my key from me," he explains to Alice. "Apparently it's bad manners just walking into Remus' flat whenever I want. Remus doesn't mind of course."

"I'm sure," Alice murmurs.

The door swings open before Sirius can think of a clever retort. He walks in, mentally telling Alice that she's lucky — if he had more time, it'd have been an amazing comeback, but he's quickly distracted by Remus.

He's used to his friend looking deliciously dishevelled — mostly because Remus tends to lose track of time, so he rushes to get ready and out of the house. His hair tends to be sticking up from where he's been resting his head against the chair, and often, his cardigan is buttoned wrong. It's adorable.

Tonight, Remus' hair is tidy, he's wearing a shirt and there's no cardigan in sight, and his Converse are nowhere to be seen. He's wearing smart shoes. Sirius can't really comment on the last one — James ordered him to dress up for the night too.

These aren't Remus' work shoes, and Remus never wears shoes otherwise. Though he looks good all dressed up like this, Sirius prefers his disheveled Remus who makes every excuse under the sun rather than just admit that he got too comfortable on the sofa with his book.

"Remus, luv, how are you?" Sirius throws his arms around Remus. "I haven't seen you in so long!"

"It's been about ten days," Remus says, laughing softly. "I spoke to you on the phone nine times in the last week."

"Is that all?" Sirius replies coolly. "I used to see you every day."

"We shared a dorm," Remus points out, reaching for Alice's jacket and hanging it up.

Sirius resists pointing out that they used to see him daily until stupid Nick came onto the scene. Stupid Nick who is so bloody perfect — or so Remus says. Who is so accepting. Sirius can just picture his stupid smug face (even though he's never seen him) and the image makes him want to punch the guy.

James insists that they need to be nice. Sirius promised that he'll try. He slips his arms out of his own jacket and hangs it up, barely paying attention to Remus greeting Alice and asking after Frank. He wants to meet Nick the Dick and make sure he's worthy of Remus. (Of that, Nick has no chance).

~o~

Nick's late. Strike one through four in Sirius' book. This is Remus' first ever dinner-party, and if Sirius had been Remus' date to it, he'd have been here helping Remus set up, cooking with him, stealing kisses as they cooked a meal for their friends together. It clearly shows that Nick is not a decent guy after all. He's inconsiderate, unreliable, uncaring and most likely shagging someone else. How dare he do this to Remus?

Remus' excuse that Nick left work late is clearly false. Nick is probably having an affair with someone and playing Remus. Well, it's a good thing that Sirius is here to reveal the truth and Remus will fall into his waiting arms in gratitude. It'll be a story they tell their children and grandchildren when asked many years in the future.

Sirius follows Remus into the kitchen, eager to help when he sees Remus getting the plates out to set the table. He takes the plates from Remus' hands and starts to bring things through, setting the table as best he can whilst Remus takes the food from the oven.

As he works, Sirius can almost pretend that it's his and Remus' dinner party, and that Nick the Dick doesn't exist. But once the table is set, and as Remus is starting to carve the roast lamb, there's a knock on the door and Sirius is reminded that his beloved Remus isn't single.

"Be nice," James reminds him.

Sirius doesn't answer. He's not going to remind James that he only promised to try being nice. The only reason he's going to try is because Remus seems happy enough with this guy, and Remus' happiness outweighs everything else.

~o~

Sirius doesn't officially get to meet Nick. The man goes into Remus' bedroom (which is overly-familiar in Sirius' opinion) for a few minutes, coming out as Remus brings the plates to the table.

Sirius glares as Nick kisses Remus and then takes a seat rather than helping out. Granted, most of the stuff is out, plus Sirius has been helping, but Nick should have made an effort.

"You're looking good today, babe," Nick tells Remus, and Sirius' glare turns into a frown. Remus hates that term of endearment, but Remus just smiles back at Nick and Sirius can't understand why he's not correcting him. "I told you that you'd look better like that."

Sirius isn't sure if it's his own jealousy twisting what's going on, or if there's something wrong with that comment. Remus doesn't 'look better'. Maybe more formal, like if he had an interview or had to go to the ministry or something. Sirius thinks Remus looks better in those cardigans his mother keeps sending him, or the jumpers that Remus tends to wear too of.

He says nothing. He reaches for his glass of wine and takes a sip.

~o~

"How did you meet?" Alice asks. The meal was amazing, which is a surprise considering Remus isn't the best cook (which is fine in Sirius' book, because that means he can seduce Remus with his amazing cooking every night for the rest of their lives).

"Well," Remus begins.

"You see, I work at the Ministry," Nick says, effectively cutting Remus off. Remus stops talking immediately. "I'm trying to promote equal rights for Werewolves and well, of course we were bound to meet eventually." He gives a little laugh at this, though Sirius fails to see what's funny about it.

"Nick was getting people to sign a petition, and of course I went over to do so and we got talking. I put my number on the sheet and Nick asked if he could call me sometime. I thought he meant to call about the petition, but the next evening, I got a call to go for coffee."

"Of course you thought that," Nick says in a tone that Sirius can only describe as patronising. He frowns a little more, looking between the dark-haired man and Remus. "You're not used to being chatted up."

"Remus gets chatted up all the time," Sirius snaps. "He's adorable."

Nick shoots Remus a pitying look before turning his attention to Sirius. Sirius glances to James, noticing that James looks a little put-out too. The smile on James' lips is forced and Lily's fingers are softly stroking across the tablecloth like she does when someone is annoying her.

"Of course, but his type doesn't tend to have long relationships. It's good that Remus met me."

"Why is it good?" Sirius finds himself asking.

"Well, Remus is great so I was happy to lower my standards to date him."

Sirius can't believe that Nick would just come out with it like that. There's a red haze over his eyes as he watches as Nick leans in, his lips pressing against Remus'.

Sirius can't fathom why Remus isn't defending himself, and without thinking about it, Sirius pushes his chair back, stands and walks around the table.

"I'll have you know that Remus is too good for you," he says angrily.

Nick stands up too. "I never said he wasn't," he says carefully, eyes narrowed.

"You said you lowered your standards to be with him. That means you think you're too good for him. Remus is a better person than you'll ever be and he deserves someone who accepts and loves every aspect of him."

"Remus has someone who is willing to overlook his condition."

"No, Remus has someone who likes to point out how amazing he is because he's willing to date a werewolf," Sirius says, raising his voice. "Remus deserves someone who loves him unconditionally. Someone who loves him, including his werewolf identity, not someone who wants to be with him despite that."

"What, and you think you're that man?" Nick snorts. "Don't think I haven't noticed you staring at my boyfriend and now you're trying to put doubts in his head. I'm a great guy, Sirius Black. I know what your family is like and how they think. People like you just use people like Remus. But he's mine."

There's a long moment of silence and Sirius tries so hard to control himself. A better man would turn away, walk away. Calm down somehow.

Sirius is not a better man. Without even thinking about his, he finds his fist smashing as hard as he can into Nick's smug, dumb face.

~o~

The next thing Sirius knows is James dragging him away from Nick. Sirius fights him, desperate to get his hands on that arsehole again, but James is holding tight.

Remus is pulling Nick back, trying to keep him calm.

"Your friend is an animal," Nick sneers. "Can't control himself. Animals attract." He lets out a little laugh at his own joke, and Sirius sees the way Remus' expression flickers to one of hurt before it quickly changes again.

Now he sees it. Remus isn't happy at all, but Remus wants something real so he's letting someone treat him like this in hopes that things will change.

"I don't regret this," Sirius replies, eyes fixed on Nick. "I won't let anyone treat Remus like that. He's worth so much more than what he gets from you." He reaches up and wipes at his nose, noticing the blood on the back of his hand a moment later. "Fuck, that hurts."

Remus lets go of Nick and moves closer. "It's not broken is it?" he asks.

Sirius gingerly touches it before shaking his head. "I don't think so," he murmurs. "But it hurts like hell. You okay, luv? I'm sorry I ruined your dinner party."

Remus sighs. "I should have expected this," he admits quietly and Sirius thinks that he doesn't want Nick to hear, but Nick starts forward anyway.

"Come on babe, why don't you start clearing up and we call it a night? I'm sure your friends will understand why we're closing up early."

Remus turns to look at him. "Sirius is hurt," he replies.

"James can deal with that." There's a long pause. "Babe, he attacked me. You're really going to choose him over me?"

"I'm not choosing anyone over anyone," Remus tells him. "I'm looking after my friend."

Nick storms out of the room at that and Remus looks towards the door and then back at Sirius. "Don't leave," Remus says. "Let me just…" he rushes after Nick and Sirius feels guilt welling up inside of him.

He hates seeing Remus hurt or upset, and now he's caused problems. Even if his actions were justified (after all, James hasn't had a go at him yet), Remus is hurting.

~o~

Sirius has a cigarette lit as he stands on the balcony. He hurts, though it's all a blur after that first punch. He's got a bloody nose and probably will have a black eye in the morning. It's worth it though, to defend Remus.

"He's left," Remus says, walking out onto the balcony. "He said… well, he doesn't like that I want you to stay so I can… check you over."

"Are you going to try to fix things with him?" Sirius asks.

"It isn't that simple," Remus tells him. "You're too perceptive. I thought… you could see that I'm not as happy as I made out, couldn't you?"

Sirius nods. "I hate him you know."

"I worked that out," Remus chuckles softly. "I've never seen you hit anyone before."

"I've never been in a proper fight, but you're worth it."

There's a moment of silence before Remus reaches out, taking the cigarette and bringing it to his own lips for a drag. He passes it back. "Nick seems to think you're in love with me. He thinks you're jealous."

Sirius tries to laugh the comment off, but isn't sure how convincing it is. "Why does he think that?"

Remus shrugs. There's clearly an answer, but Remus doesn't seem to want to share it right now and Sirius doesn't push. He doesn't want Remus aware of his feelings, because he can't think straight when it comes to the amber-eyed werewolf. He's always fearful of messing up, of doing something to hurt his friend.

"Maybe this is sudden, especially since I was dating Nick until five minutes ago, but I… I've always had feelings for you, Sirius. I need time to get my head sorted, and it's the full moon in two weeks, but after that, maybe we could go out to dinner? Or you could come over and I'll cook for us both?"

"Like a date?" Sirius asks. "After what I did?"

Remus nods. "If you want it to be a date. I do. I think… no, I know you're different. You've never treated me differently because of my affliction."

"I'd like that very much," Sirius replies softly. "I really am sorry, you know. I mean… not sorry that I hit him. I'm sorry that I caused something that made you unhappy."

"I can forgive you for that," Remus says, a slight smile on his lips. "I must admit, I like that you stood up for me."

"I'd do it again," Sirius is quick to insist. "Was it a turn on? Did it make you hot under the collar?"

Remus tugs at the neck of his shirt. "Everything is hot under this collar. I miss my t-shirts," he admits.

"I prefer them. The t-shirts, the cardigans, the jumpers, the messy hair. Why don't you go and change and I'll start cleaning up?"

"James, Lily and Alice are doing that," Remus insists. "But thank you anyway. Thanks for your help earlier, setting up. It was nice."

"Two weeks until our date. Play your cards right and we'll be holding our own dinner party."

"You play your cards right," Remus replies.

"Oh, I intend to," Sirius insists.

"Though will it be as unforgettable as this one?"

"More so. One we'll tell our children about, and their children."

"So no pressure," Remus replies. The smile on his lips grows. "Children?"

"Marriage first," Sirius jokes. "But yeah, you're really special to me and I want something real with you. Maybe the day you break up with Nick the Dick is not the best day to discuss our future, but I want one."

"Me too," Remus admits quietly. He leans in, his lips brushing against Sirius'. "Let's go back inside, shall we?"

Sirius drops the cigarette and puts it out before taking Remus' offered hand and heading back inside.

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