Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
RRs:
ProtegoNox: I know, isn't suspense great. I'm not sure what the whole concept of this story is, even though I am the author, but I'm glad you like it. Sorry to say, but even though chapter 6 is done, I'm not yet ready to post it. I just want to hold out that suspense.
Mortitia3: Do you play French Horn? If you do, I LOVE YOU! French Horn and trombone are the only brass instruments I can stand. Which leaves trumpet, tuba, and euphonium. It's nice to have my writing appreciated. It's also nice to have reviewers who know how to stroke the author's ego and make her do their will.
Zchocolatebunniesrulezworld: Besides the really cool name, it's nice to see an AU lover. Sorry if this seems like a little filler chapter, there will be a bit of a wait for the SiRem relationship to start, but next chapter will be huge-ish push in that direction.
Charlotte Lazarus: hey, if you like smut try Shattered Windows. My one and only 'smut' fic. I felt a little dirty after writing it. Is that a sign of a prude? But HUGE thanks for calling me a magnificent writer. As everyone knows, ego strokes make the world go round.
Kim: I now want to make that banner and put it on my wall. Never been called a god before. That's a new one. And VERY MUCH adored! You know how to work an author into doing your bidding. ; ) I like calling it Jamus, just like SiRem. I'm trying to start a trend. It's also really fun to say. Jamus Jamus Jamus! Hope I didn't kill you. You poor mortal you.
Drastic diner: it's never too late to go back to your instrument. Granted I haven't had a cello lesson since August. I like to throw in surprises like the Jamus thing. Keeps you guys on your toes about who's sleeping with who. Quick Q though, are there a lot of Jamus fics out there?
Yourmomismyheart: Sirius is just like a cat. Very, very curious. And like a reporter who just keeps prying.
AznRyoOhki: I'm not lying. I LOVED YOUR REVIEW!! I read it over and over letting the little happy feelings run through me. I actually hugged myself I was so proud. The line you quoted was one of my favorites of that chapter. Remus says what he thinks(and what I think), he just says it around proper company(I don't).
Schwanendreher: to be honest, I HAVE NO FREAKIN' CLUE WHAT REMUS IS HIDING!! (cries) I just wrote that to get some kind of mystery going but now I have to base a plot on that. Why do I screw myself like this? By the way if I could write in each of the composers' style I would cry and scream I'd be so happy. I can only think about considering dreaming about wondering if I could ever be that good. For now I'm a poor student forced to write for free in my own pathetic style.
Chapter 5
Remus worked his fingers to the bone trying to prepare for his first of many, solo performances at the Black Tree Hotel.
Friday found him like many other of his nights when he couldn't get into the Steriae to practice or move his fingers because of muscle exhaustion. Lying on the couch, staring at the TV with his hands in bowls of hot water. His telephone rang.
He cursed himself a few times for only having one phone in the apartment as he struggled to escape the plush furniture's hold on him. Eventually he got up and lifted the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey Remus." Dear God no. Not him. Not now. Remus squeezed his eyes shut as he rubbed his forehead.
"How did you get this number?"
"The phonebook." Sirius answered.
Remus began to curse the makers of the phonebook. What gave them the right to put such personal information in there like phone numbers. Why not curse Alexander Graham Bell for the telephone. Screw it! Might at well go all the way and curse Morse too.
"What do you want?" He could see Sirius' little smile as he answered Remus' question.
"Just wondering if you had plans tomorrow night."
Remus began thanking God over and over for his playing job. "Sorry, I already have an event scheduled."
"Where?"
Well, Remus could tell him right now and not have to continue talking to Sirius, or he could hold off on the knowledge of Sirius' past and still have the upper hand. Like poker, all in the strategy. Then again, Remus hated poker cause he always lost. "Nowhere."
"Just so you know, you suck at lying. I can even tell you what you're doing right now."
He really started hoping Sirius wasn't one of those stalker types that had a telescope pointed at his room. Remus began pacing around trying to avoid any windows. "Really? Then, what am I doing right now?"
A small laugh met his ears. "You are trying to hold in a little nervous laugh while you pace your living room hoping I'm not watching you from across the street with binoculars or something of the like."
Remus held back his gasp. How the Hell could he know all of that?
"And now you're trying not to gasp because I'm right. Oh, by the way, ribbing your forehead will give you wrinkles." He hung up.
A dial tone was all Remus had to shout at for invading his privacy. He slammed the phone down with a huff and grabbed his bowls so he could refill them with hot water. He needed his tendons loose and his fingers nimble if he wanted to impress Sirius' family.
On Saturday, Remus arrived at the Black Tree an hour before he was contracted to start. He had only his coat and tux because Mr. Black requested that he have all of his music memorized. Granted that let Remus look at his hands as he played, it still was a lot of work.
Remus decided to feature one composer for each of his performances. Tonight would be dedicated to Chopin.
He draped his coat over the back of chair that was placed near the piano. The piano was completely black. No wood grain shone through.
Remus decided to wander around for a bit before he played. There was no harm in getting lost in this hotel. He wove through the lobby and peeked his head in the dining area. There were a few stragglers finishing their dinner before going out on the town. He rode the elevators to kill time for a while.
He had to stand next to a young couple making out, a woman fighting with her husband, and a guy who looked like he had been shot in the arm. No words were exchanged.
After Remus got tired of that he got off at the lobby and walked over to the piano. He knew scales would be unappreciated so he broke right out into one of Chopin's etudes.
The notes flew by like nothing hindered their creation. This was why Remus needed very loose joints. He had to have the ability to just think of a note and then hear it echo out into the room.
It started to look like cocktail hour. People in evening dress walked about and talked to each other while enjoying specialty drinks and picking food off of trays with toothpicks. Remus felt his mouth get drier and drier. He didn't know why, but he knew he would maim for one of those drinks. He swallowed and sucked it up.
Remus ran through etude after etude after etude. He was going to save Chopin's better stuff until the end. Finally, his break was here. He gracefully ended his piece and stood up. He walked over to the bar and sat down at the counter. He was about to order when he heard a familiar voice order for him.
"He'll take a water, and I'll have the same."
He turned to scowl at Regulus.
He gave a smile in return. "You know you can't drink on the job, and I'm underage."
Remus sighed, defeated and nodded. He wasn't going to talk until he got his virgin drink.
The bartender placed two glasses of water with ice before the pair. Remus thought wryly that the bartender had just put the two little umbrellas in there for kicks. He picked his umbrella wannabe out and handed it to Regulus who seemed to be having fun opening and closing his.
Remus nearly drained the glass and made to set it down. It slipped out of his grip and hit the bar table with a thud. Remus cursed in his head, holding a cold glass was the stupidest thing he could have done. He couldn't move his hand. It was cramped with muscle fatigue and blood loss.
He quietly asked Regulus where the bathroom was. Regulus pointed it out to him then escorted Remus there.
Regulus followed Remus' orders and turned the faucets so only hot water would come out. Remus knelt on the floor and let the steaming water wash over his aching joints. He wasn't going to lie. It hurt, it burned. But he only had fifteen more minutes until he had to start playing again.
Remus tried clenching and unclenching his hands with only minimal effect. He let his hands cook for a few more minutes before he tried again. Better, but still not good enough to play with. Regulus kept checking his clock. Remus knew he had little time left.
He took his hands out then dried them. They were a bright red, but that wouldn't be noticeable as long as he kept his hands moving. The force of him hitting the key would push blood away from his fingers. He brushed off his knees and led the way out of the bathroom. He ignored Regulus' worried glances as he followed Remus back to the piano.
Only a few more hours, then he could go home and recover. He moved his hands with the necessary agility and speed for Chopin for the rest of the evening. It was by sheer will that he didn't miss a note. When he was done he stood up and picked up his coat. Regulus came over and offered to take Remus home.
Remus wondered if something in this family's genetics didn't want to let him be alone and he politely declined.
As he stumbled into his apartment he heard his phone ring. He grabbed it off the cradle after it ran a third time. He fumbled with it before he could get a secure grip on it.
"Hello?"
Kiria's maternal voice came through the speaker. "Remus, I have some, interesting news."
He waited not breathing wondering what could have happened.
She went on. "James is coming back."