Accepting the Truth - Chapter 10
Sirius began to laugh, breaking the silence. Remus began to punch, breaking Sirius' nose.
That was how Sirius Black wound up in the Hospital Wing the second time that day.
"Nose broken, slight fracture in the skull, a bit of bruising. It'll have to be another few nights in here." Madame Pomfrey says, standing disapprovingly at Sirius' bedside. As she strides off, Sirius turns to James.
"What did he do that for?" Sirius asked.
"What do you think you dense idiot?" James replied.
"You mean he was serious?"
"Serious about you Sirius, yeah I'd think so. Love isn't exactly a throw-off-the-tongue word, especially to him."
"What do you mean? Sorry James, everything's still slightly blurry and stuff."
"Remember a couple of years ago, d'you remember her?"
Sirius out of focus eyes suddenly light up.
"Adalwolfa..." he says.
"He fell for that girl, like really, and trusted her with his world, and she broke it."
"She went to Dumbledore, told him what Remus was..."
"Yes she did Sirius, and it broke Remus. This was just after he told us, and remember how scared he was when he told us to forget what he'd said he was?"
"Yeah..."
"Do you remember what you said?"
"I do. Clear as day. 'Remus Lupin, I sir Sirius, will never betray you're confidence and will stand by you for as long as you will put up with me.' I even did a bow. He laughed then, the first laugh after the weeks of depression because of her."
"He actually knighted you if remember correctly. Sir Sirius Black, the kind hearted twat."
"That last addition was yours."
"True, but that's not the point. What happened Sirius, what made you forget what you promised him you would do."
"I promised to stand by him James, but I'm not, not one of them. He's my friend, my best friend even, and I..."
"Sirius I hate to have to do this so impromtly but I feel like I don't have a choice. Nobody will think any different of you. Hell why would any of us care if you liked dudes, well except your family but you don't give two about them."
"I'm scared James." Sirius says, his voice now low and very much scared. "I've been known my whole life here as someone who had whichever girl he wanted. For it to be a guy, and something more than simply sex, with Remus..."
"We've all noticed how you two are, except Peter maybe, but this in no way changes anything. You two have been inseparable for years, all that this would do is grow what you two have into something more."
Sirius ponders this.
"I need time to think." Is all he says, before rolling over in the sheets. Taking my cue, I leave the hospital wing and go to find Lily.
Lily and James stood before thirteen people. The thirteen they had started this with.
"I called you all back here today because I believe we have succeeded." James said, clearly to the group.
Some cheers followed.
"We're close now, so it's time to begin the final phase. A source tells me that April is planning a big party. 6th and 7th Years are invited, including Sirius. Remus didn't get one, but that doesn't mean he's not getting in. Our inside source will now speak."
A girl stood up, and addressed the room. It was Kisa.
"Guys, April is holding the party in the room of requirement. Only those with invites will see the door. We've been kindly donated an invitation by a girl with the name of Adalwolfa."
A girl in the crowd nods. James looks surprised.
'So that's her' he thinks to himself.
"Great. Adalwolfa if I could see you afterwards, that'd be fantastic." Lily says. "Continue Kisa."
"Very well. It's at this party that April intends to seduce Sirius, and it's our job to stop that. Everyone in here has an invite, so we all need to stay on watch and keep her from him. The sooner we do this," Kisa's voice falters slightly, before continuing, "the sooner Sirius Black can stop hurting every girl in Hogwarts."
"You all know what to do. One final push guys. You're dismissed, and I'll see you all at the party tonight." Lily says.
James and Lily walk to speak with Adalwolfa.
"Thank you for your invitation."
"Seriously it's nothing. I suspect James knows, I really owe Remus. This isn't much but I hope this is a start." she says.
Lily looks confused but I just make a hand gesture as if to say 'Later'.
"Well thank you Adalwolfa, it's more than you think."
THE PARTY
"Lily why would I want to go to this party. I didn't even get an invite."
"No, you did. I have it here." Lily says, extending the parchment to Remus.
"So I did, I still don't feel like going."
"Remus, please come, otherwise Peter will, ahem, he will third wheel James and I all night."
"Is he taking you? Like a date?"
"Don't change the subject. I even picked something out for you, now go put it on and meet me back here in ten."
"Sirius if you don't come I swear I'll hit you on your bruises."
"OKAY JAMES! I'll come, Christ."
The decoration of the room of requirement made the word extravagent an understatement. Food and alcohol was on every table surface, the room having transformed into a mansion interior. Bedroom included.
The party was already in full swing when Remus, Lily and James arrived. One girl spilt her drink.
Whispers surrounded them as they walked in.
"James Potter, and Evans?"
"They're together."
"Is that Remus with them?"
"Yeah, I didn't realise how hot he was."
"Maybe I'll go talk to him."
"No I will."
Lily laughed at the foray of people. Seeing that the group of 3 noticed everyone staring, the party began again, harder than it had been before.
"Pretty sure that girl has more skin on show than clothing." James noted.
"Jessica. She's known for it. Remind me to tell you what happened with her and Amos Diggory."
"That girl too." Remus points out.
"Anouk!" Lily gasps. One of the thirteen has walked over.
"Hey Lily, James. And Hello Remus Lupin." the girl says.
"Uhh, Hi?" Remus asks.
Lily coughs and motions towards where April is standing, no not standing, but walking towards them.
Anouk gets the message clearly and runs over to April, yelling about party selfies and tequila.
Something else has caught Remus' eye however. Sirius Black has just entered the room. Sirius meet's Remus' gaze and walks towards him.
"What do you want?"
"To commend your ability to punch. Never knew you had it in you."
"Your bruises have faded, now if you don't leave me be I'll paint them back on, but darker."
"Remus. I'm sorry, and I want to tell you something."
"Then tell me."
"I like you."
"I like you too Sirius. You're my best friend" Remus mimicks, if rather cruelly.
Sirius just laughs. "Did James make you pre-drink."
"Maybe. But Sirius, you of all should know I don't give second chances. Maybe later, we can talk, but I don't want to talk now. "
"Remus, I like you."
"You like me. Ha, nothing on love is it. Still I hope it stings as much when I laugh."
The conversation is interrupted as something blue and blonde launches into Sirius.
"Sirius Darling!" April yells, kissing him fiercely.
Sirius chokes in surprise, and can see Remus just walking away.
The corridor outside the Room is quiet, and the steps Remus has sat on are cold.
"So he chose her" Remus says out loud to nobody.
"He didn't choose her." A voice says.
Remus looks up. "Adalwolfa?"
"Yeah. Remus I'm sorry, for everything I did. I was 15, and I was scared. I'm not here for forgiveness."
Remus stays silent, so the girl continues. "You once told me you loved me, that I was the focus of your dreams. I know who you've said that too and what he said back."
She kneels to face Remus.
"Don't let him go. He's stronger than I am, he didn't care, that you are what you are. He does care for you."
"How can you know that?"
"Lily and James set you up."
"What?"
"Everything. Sirius going yellow. They've gathered all sorts of information from people who want to see you happy, and all agree about the way he looks at you. Like he's never looked at no other girl he's taken a fancy to."
"You think?"
"I know. Now go in there and get you're man. Else I will, he has a nice ass."
Remus laughs, the first laugh in two days. Adalwolfa escorts him back into the party, but both stop at the scene before them.
"Get off him and close your legs you whore!" Lily yells, slapping April so hard she falls in a spiral and land's head first in the punchbowl.
"Did I ever say how I thought you were amazing?" James says. "How I-"
His voice is cut off as Lily kisses him. Cheering emits, nobody noticing April in the punch bowl.
"What just happened?" Remus asked.
Sirius looked at him. "After I pushed her off, and Lily told her to screw off, she started making plays at James. So Lily hit her."
"Do you think she's okay?"
"Remus she's fine. At worst a slight fractured skull, and those aren't too bad. I'd know of course."
The space between Remus and Sirius is closing as the two draw slightly closer each passing moment.
"Sirius I..."
"I love you Remus."
And Sirius kisses him.
Even more cheers erupt around. Gazing around Lily can see the thirteen. Yuni and Ayle cheering, Kisa prodding April with her foot, muttering to herself. "Serves you right. Frank was my boyfriend not yours." Lily even hears Anouk yell "SELFIE" from somewhere. But from the looks of things, Remus and Sirius only have eyes for each other.