A/N: This is a fic I first started a long time ago, and since getting back into writing fanfiction I have been wanting to finish it. So here is the first of the new parts – and as I don't have far too much on my plate at the moment I will finish it this time. As a side note this was started before OotP was released - some of the things within the story might not match entirely with canon.

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Sirius felt more than a little strange walking down the street in human form. Remus obviously hadn't been lying when he said that the village was quiet – in the past five minutes he had only seen one other person. And his dog. The tranquil atmosphere did little to calm Sirius' nerves, however, after all it only took one person to recognise him and he'd be dragged back to Azkaban.

Sirius remembered the wand currently residing in his waistband – maybe he could have a fighting chance. He was pretty sure he could remember how to do a basic memory charm. The blonde woman who came out from a side street nearly became an experimental case – Sirius' reflexes saved her memory. He shook his head almost imperceptibly.

"Morning," said the blonde woman.

"Uh… morning," replied Sirius. Sirius knew that the terror in his heart at being acknowledged by another person was a little ridiculous. The wizarding population of Britain wasn't big enough that there was much of a chance of him being recognised in a village in the middle of nowhere.

Remus wouldn't have let him leave the B&B if there were any other wizards around here. At least Sirius didn't think his… friend was that eager to get rid of him.

Sirius wondered if he should just turn back. Chocolate wasn't that important after all. The decision was pretty much taken out of Sirius' hands – he had already reached the village shops. There wasn't much point in turning back now.

There was not a lot of choice when it came to shopping venues; the village basically consisted of the post office, a newsagent, a bakery, and a supermarket. And possibly a pub – Sirius remembered seeing one on the way into the village. It was the kind of place he could imagine Remus loving – he didn't exactly dislike it himself.

Sirius headed towards the supermarket. Despite the miniscule size of the shop (compared to those which had surrounded his London flat of over fifteen years ago) there was still more choice in food than Sirius had experienced in quite a while. Conscious of the fact the only money he had was the fiver Remus had given him Sirius set to the task of picking himself a treat.

After five minutes of intense scrutiny he decided on a sherbet fountain, and the box of After Eights he had originally requested. He handed the note over to the shopkeeper before leaving. The shopkeeper wished him goodbye as he left – ridiculously friendly village – had no right making him jump.

Sirius left the shop and was going to head straight back to the bed and breakfast – at least that was the plan. His attention had been captured by a chocolate cake in the bakery opposite. Sirius knew that a could make a perfect peace offering for Remus; after the way Sirius had behaved in the past couple of days, well, Remus deserved it.

Five minutes later, and after some embarrassing confusion with Muggle money, Sirius began the short walk back to Remus' house. And hopefully some serious relationship repairs.

#-#-#

Sirius reached Remus' place without any more terrifying encounters with the local populace, and unlike before there were no people in the kitchen who could ask him questions. Sirius took the stairs up to Remus' room two at a time – a small thud from within the cake box he was carrying told Sirius that it may not have been among his better ideas to do so. As he had already arrived at Remus' flat the thought was useless.

"I'm back." Sirius called into the lat. He couldn't see Remus – but the television was on suggesting that the other man was not far away.

Something proven seconds later when Remus appeared from the kitchen holding a teapot. "I've just boiled some water – would you like a cup?"

"Perfect. I even brought cake to go with it." Sirius lifted the bag to show Remus. "It's chocolate."

"I was convinced at cake. Bring it through – I'll get some plates."

Five minutes later Sirius and Remus were sat on opposite sides of the small dining table in Remus' kitchen. Each had a cup of tea and a slightly battered piece of cake in front of them. An awkward silence had descended simply because neither man knew what to say.

Sirius could barely keep himself from staring at Remus, and he was only trying not to stare because the last thing this situation needed was an additional source of discomfort. "The tea's good." Sirius recognised his attempt at breaking the silence for the pathetic chit-chat that it was.

Remus took the bait. "The cake is nice. It was a good idea."

Well, that was that topic pretty much exhausted.

"Sirius-"

"Remus-"

They had spoken simultaneously – and both stopped to allow the other to finish. Remus gestured for Sirius to begin. Sirius felt hundreds of different words bubble up inside his throat – each desperate to get out, and none the perfect words for the situation.

Remus was waiting. Sirius said what he thought was most important. "I'm sorry."

"So am I." Remus' reply was brief; others may have been disappointed but the fact they were talking about it at all lifted Sirius' spirits immensely.

"I shouldn't have presumed that you would… that you would still – well, still want me." Sirius' words were slow and carefully considered – something which he hoped would prevent Remus from getting angry again.

"Twelve years is a long time, Sirius." Remus' voice was filled with emotions that Sirius had never possessed the ability to fully comprehend – let alone after such a long time apart. "People change."

"You or me?" Sirius wished that he could tell without asking – or at least deduce it using common sense – but everything about Remus was vague and secretive. He never used to be like that.

"You or me – it makes it sound too simple. We've both changed. It would be strange if we hadn't changed. I mean what with…"

Remus' reasons were left unspoken – but Azkaban and misattributed betrayal hung in the air like a bad smell anyway.

"I didn't say nothing had changed, I-" Sirius didn't know how to finish; 'I just acted that way', 'I didn't want us to change', 'I just needed you' – all sounded a little pathetic.

"I did miss you, you know?" Remus' question was something of a surprise. "But-"

"'But' what?" Sirius was pleased that the focus of the conversation had moved to Remus. He only hoped that his response wasn't too aggressive.

"I know it sounds strange… but it's too soon."

Sirius didn't think it sounded that strange. Besides, something in Remus' words gave him hope; he had to ask. "If it's too soon now… does that mean at some point it won't be?"

"Let's wait and see what happens." Remus' words were neutral – but the small nod of his head that accompanied them warmed Sirius' heart.

Sirius smiled slightly, as the two of them finished their tea and cake.