Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Warning: musical stuff, SiRem slash, little swearing.
RRs:
Paws4life: well Kim, you see what happens when you come back to an author a month later and beg. You get an update days early than when I projected. I hope you like it.
Arabellaw: sorry my updating is so slow. As all authors know, it's a bitch to write when school is going on and your comp is slower than GW. Was that too harsh? Can't help it. I'm glad to have found a fellow cello lover. May your love overflow into the bass and viola sections.
Rekahneko: Here's a preveiw to what happen with his family: got ya! You'll have to wait and read. Just like everyone else.
Drastic diner: Not a coincidence. Thank you very much for seeing that. If you want I shall dedicate this chapter to you and Paws4life. Sorry about the joint dedication. Kim was the on that reminded me that it had be month since my last update. Heh heh, sorry.
Queen Muse: So…Much…Love…GAAAAHHH!! Kidding. It's great to feel appreciated. Rereading all of these reviews really puts a shine in my day. Thank you.
Kim: you again?! What the Hell? Oh well. I need to ask you something. What if Peter was the Finale/Sibelius guy that transposed all of their music? Maybe. I'm not sure. Let me know.
Charolette Lazarus: you're sworn to secracy now. You can only discuss those things with other cellists. Sorry, they don't kiss in this chapter. Hate to disappoint you.
Yourmomistoolazytologin: like the name. I guess their pasts are rather sad. I just never really thought so. Oh well. Their mine to torture now!
Zchocolatebunniesruleztheworld: because there was no slash or preslash. Kinda the oppostie. I'm trying not tomake it obvious, which is why it takes forever. The whole hate thing going on with the phonebook was very spur of the moment. But it's nice how it's panned out. Good luck with the cello lessons!! I've just started getting them again. I've been taking a 5 month break because my teacher moved away and I was too lazy to go find another one. Quick tip: the hand position is way different, there is such thing as high2 and low2, and vibrato is 1000x easier. Enjoy!
Kenzigirl: peter would definitely play a side role, he's not in the gang. Sirius is sweet, but unpredictable. I can't wait to see how it works out.
ProtegoNox: CELLO!! And with pride. I have mad skills. Not really. I'm working on my first concerto now: Haydn's concerto in C major. I finished Suzuki book 8 and that's mostly it. But Sirius guilt trips are fun.
Genoveve: I'm really in love with that whole phonebook thing. It'll just keep going. Wonder if I should bring it into my other Aus…not sure yet
AznRyoOhki: SIRIUS IS NOT AN ALCOHOLIC!! If you really want to know about the Everclear, pm me. LONG chapter this time, at least I hope it is.
Mortitia:like euphoniums?: ) he just seems like the little kicked puppy.
Chapter 8
Remus let himself into the Steriae. It was a relief not having to wait for Regulus. He turned on the center stage light and got the piano ready. He knew he had about fifteen minutes before Sirius was going to be there, so Remus did scales and fun little etudes. None of them were Chopin. He had had enough of that composer for a century.
With five minutes to go Remus began playing a song he had heard a long time ago. Right when he and James had started dating.
His left hand slowly plunked out the alternating A and C sharp broken chords. His right hand struck out a simple moving melody. Remus softly hummed the vocal part. He came to the chorus and his fingers suddenly jumped into movement. This song was his little pride and joy. It was the only song he had ever learned strictly by ear after hearing it once. As he grew more impassioned he opened his mouth and began to sing without words. His clear voice rang out and filled the Steriae.
As the song concluded Remus' voice drifted off and faded as his fingers continued playing.
"Very nice."
Remus stopped playing abruptly and whipped around to find Sirius leaning against the back wall staring into Remus' wide eyes. His mind finally engaged with his mouth and he spoke. "Thank you."
Sirius walked over and they began to work together. They kept at it for a while. Running through piece after piece of Liszt. Remus was surprised at how well Sirius was able to read along and turn the page just when Remus needed. Remus needed only to think of the page being turned and Sirius did it. He was much better than his brother.
The Steriae is a strange place. Though musicians count immaculately, they soon lose track of time.
When the pair was finished and confident about the next Black Tree performance, it was well past sunset. The stars glittered above them. Remus wasn't sure how to depart, but Sirius took care of that for him.
"Goodnight. Let me know when you want to practice again."
Remus returned the greeting and turned to walk away. Stay in control. Stay in control. He couldn't help it. "Hey Sirius!" He turned back and saw Sirius waiting for in the same place. His mind paused. "Uh, want to, er, go grab a late dinner. Or something." Way to stay in control.
A little glow came from Sirius eyes, that or it may have been the streetlight. He smiled and nodded. Neither had the baggage of their instruments, so they were easily able to find a small out of the way Middle Eastern and African inspired restaurant.
Remus kept with his water while Sirius ordered a beer. Remus was surprised, then he remembered that he could have also gotten an alcoholic drink. God, he was so old. Remus started rubbing his forehead.
"Are you ok?" Sirius looked concerned. Remus gave him a weak smile.
"I'm fine. Just, it's been a while since I've gone on-" Remus stopped himself. He was about to say 'gone on a date'"
"What? Gone what?"
"Uh, out! Gone out. I stay cooped up for long periods of time. Not healthy at all. Really should have more of a social life." More sarcastic applause along with a 'good cover' from his little mental commentator.
Sirius gave a shy knowing smirk and amused himself with the menu. While Sirius was distracted, Remus beat himself up. How could he have almost said that? He was an idiot. A big stupid idiot who should be shot.
As Remus continued to torture himself, the waitress came by to take their orders. Sirius ordered a lamb and vegetable dish. Remus quickly covered his self-inflicted reprimand by choosing the first thing he saw on the menu. The spicy chicken and rice. Sirius gave him a look, but gave his menu to the waitress and she left them.
They each waited for the other to start talking. Remus figured since he was the last one to speak, Sirius should start the next conversation. Sirius didn't feel much in the talking mood and just preferred to watch Remus get uncomfortable under his stare.
Remus looked at everything but Sirius and began humming 'If I Was A Rich Man' in his head. The red and brown intertwine colored tablecloth became increasingly interesting as time trudged on. Not a word had been passed between the point where the food was ordered and the point where it was set on the table. The waitress looked between the two oddly, then swayed away.
Eating gave them an excuse not to look at each other or talk. Remus was actually feeling better. Then it hit him. He was out of water. And the waitress was nowhere in sight.
"Want some?"
Remus glanced up to see Sirius offering him his glass. Remus had never been one for beer, but beggars rarely get to be choosers. He took the glass and took a swig of the slightly foul smelling liquid. It took a minute for him to gag it down, but he managed. He handed back the glass. Sirius raised his eyebrow and gave an amused smirk.
"What?" Remus asked in an offended tone.
Sirius looked up at the ceiling still smiling. "Nothing."
"Think I can't hold my liquor?"
Sirius tried to keep his snort at bay. "No."
Remus looked at him incredulously. "You think I'm a prude!"
Sirius put his elbows on the table and folded his hands as he began nodding his head. "No…"
Remus' jaw dropped. "You do! You think I'm a little pussyfoot!"
Sirius' face closed and he broke eye contact with Remus. Remus realized what he had said. "I'm sorry, I… I forgot."
Sirius' eyes leapt to Remus' apologetic features. "Don't worry." His voice caused Remus to jump in his seat. "It's not like I've never heard it before."
The rest of the meal was subdued and silent. The waitress brought another glass of water and she refilled the one Remus already had. He nodded his thanks and left her a decent tip at the end of the night. They walked out together and Remus opened his mouth to apologize again.
"Goodnight." Remus' mouth slammed shut at Sirius' clipped send off. Remus hung his head and whispered his response to Sirius' retreating back.
"Goodbye."
Though he had no instrument or heavy bag, Remus still felt something weighing him down and slowing his steps as he dragged himself home.
As Remus supported himself on the closed door of his apartment, he had to hold back the urge to cry. He had to stay in control. He clenched his hands as he took shaky breaths. He. Had. To. Stay. In. Control.
Remus hadn't seen Sirius since that night. All of the Aesti members separated for some time. Remus knew that Sera and Andy were probably working with James wherever they lived. Sirius was doing God knows what, and he, Remus, was going to the Steriae everyday to prepare for his Liszt performance at the Black Tree. He had hoped to meet him and try to receive his forgiveness, but he knew it was a long, nonexistent shot.
It was another Saturday night gig, so Remus crashed out on the couch giving himself his self-prescribed pre-performance treatment, lying immobile on the couch with both hands in hot water. What a wonderful Friday night it was. Remus stared blankly at the TV and gave up trying to distract himself. He pushed his sedentary body up and turned on his stereo instead. A vast assortment of different music genres lulled him to sleep.
As Remus walked up to the main entrance of the Black Tree Hotel he saw Sirius standing by the door waiting for him. Remus looked at him warily. "Hello."
Sirius merely gave a nod in return.
He was dress for the occasion. His long hair was held back in a plain black ribbon. A silver steel tie with an intertwining vine like black pattern lay in-between a stark white pressed shirt and simple black jacket. It enhanced his eyes and made it hard for Remus to look at him. He self-hatingly thought that that was why Sirius had worn it.
Remus himself chose a dark gold tie with a matching gold and brown Victorian inspired vest, also with a white shirt and black suit.
Sirius gestured for Remus to enter and he did. Remus had the feeling this was going to be a very long night.
Remus' hands jumped and leapt in delight as he played Liszt. It was fast and complicated like Chopin, but so much more fun to play. Especially when he had a page-turner that seemed to be dancing in his head. Remus could see it.
When Sirius held his hands in front of him, his fingers twitched with the rhythm and appeared to rebel against the hold Sirius had on them. It made Remus want to laugh and he fell into his music with more fervor and abandon.
Music was an escape. Any tension or agitation that the two had experienced quickly dissipated. All that was left was what was heard and played.
But Remus knew he had an unspoken job. As he played, he kept an eye on Regulus. He alerted Sirius of his movements by going back and forth between the two. Sirius would take the hint and move subtly so his back was always to his younger brother.
Remus' first break of the evening arrived and he was at a loss of what to do. Regulus was no where in sight so he led Sirius over to the bar. The bartender looked back and forth between the two. His gaze lingered on Sirius for a second.
"What are you desiring this evening?"
"A shot of Vodka, with lime."
"A water." As the bartender went to prepare their drinks, Remus took a quick glance over at Sirius. At first appearances he would seem bored, but Remus could see that he was very tense and alert. His seemingly uninterested gazes across the guests were really keeping an eye out for a familiar face and a check on clear exits. Remus could almost see him as a zebra in a lion's den while all the big cats were asleep, but the cubs were about and one sound from them would wake the beasts.
He suddenly regretted bringing Sirius here. What had he been expecting? That Sirius would be welcomed back with open arms? That he and his brother could put the past behind them and move on?
"Hello Remus."
Remus saw Sirius flinch as he turned to see Regulus. "Hello. How are you?"
Regulus gave a slight laugh. "I was going to ask you the same thing. I suppose I couldn't complain. Father was very pleased with your last little concert here. And he was wondering when the Aesti Quartet would be ready to continue their performances."
Sirius shifted uneasily but Remus ignored him, trying with all of his might to keep Regulus focused on him. "I can't give an exact date, but I can say that I won't have to play solo here again."
Regulus smiled and bid Remus a good evening as he left to go back and talk with his father's guests.
Sirius' sighed was almost undetectable, but all good musicians were trained to not let one sound escape them.
Remus had learned his lesson. He had a number of napkins around his glass to keep from freezing his joints. He felt Sirius' gaze on him. Sirius scoffed.
"You look foolish doing that. If it really is that big of a deal, I hold it."
Remus set down his glass to see Sirius' extended hand. He put the glass in his page turner's hand. He felt really awkward having Sirius helping him drink. His eyes began to wander and he spotted a familiar face. Remus almost spit into the glass. Sirius saw this and took it away.
"Your dad. I saw your dad."
Sirius' eyes went wide. They soon turned focused. "What do you want me to do?"
Remus tried to think quickly. "Go to the bathroom."
Sirius looked incredulous.
"Go to the bathroom. Trust me, he won't find you in there. Any high-ranking businessman never gives the impression that he…er…excretes. Stay there until I have to play again. I'll go talk to him until then. Trust me, your name won't be brought up."
Sirius gave him one last stare before leaving.
Remus left the bar and walked over to Mr. Black.
Cane Black glanced up from some Japanese man he was speaking with. His gaze went back to the man and he politely excused himself.
"Please pardon me Ryota, I have a subject of up most importance to speak to this man about."
The bowed his head with a smile and Auriga quickly picked up the conversation with him in flawless Japanese.
Cane took Remus slightly aside. "I have something to ask you."
Remus put up his hands. "I know. Regulus already told me. Aesti will be ready to perform very soon. We intend to have a debut concert next Friday night.
He smiled. "Any chance you can tell me who the mystery cellist is?"
Remus shook his head. "Sorry. We agreed to keep it a surprise." Not a truthful lie, but a good one.
Cane looked slightly disappointed, but seemed to understand. "I will be guaranteed front seats correct?"
Remus imagined Sirius' face seeing his father right up close. It wasn't pretty. But neither was Cane's for that matter. "I will make sure to put in a word for you with Kiria."
Cane smiled his contentment and bid Remus off. But before he departed he bent down and whispered into Remus' ear. "Be careful. My son is a cellist and he may be looking for a job. If you see him, be sure to let me know."
Remus' throat was sealed by fear and he only managed to nod his promise.
Cane shook his hand and left to rejoin his wife and Ryota.
Remus sat down at the piano. Tremors seized through his hands making it near impossible to play. He only had to wait a fraction of a thought before Sirius was at his side, back turned on his father.
Remus kept up his silent warnings to Sirius about the location of his family members. Between pieces he was able to relay parts of the conversation he had with Sirius' father.
"He wants front row seats."
Sirius silently scoffed. "Never could make him understand that those were the worst seats in the house."
Remus played another piece, nearly missing a few notes as his thoughts clashed and clouded. He ended almost with the wrong chord. "Aren't you concerned that he's going to be watching you like a hawk?"
Sirius removed the old piece and set down the new music mechanically. "Not really. What's done is done. I can't back out now."
Remus pretended to be moving the music around to the right spot and flattening the pages. "But he'll be wanting to declare you a traitor and demand that you come home."
"Play," Sirius hissed under his breath.
Remus refused to obey. "You know he will."
Sirius glared. "He won't. Trust me."
Remus mimicked Sirius' expression. "How do you know he won't?"
Sirius refused to answer and Remus refused to play. The two stared at each other. Remus became increasingly aware of the glances they were receiving. He bit his tongue and began to play.
He finished his contracted time with no pauses to speak to Sirius. As they gathered the music Sirius quietly answered. "He has too much pride and dignity to have such a public fight with his disowned son."
Remus silently pondered this as they left. They were about to depart when he opened his mouth. "Do you want to go get somethi-"
"I have to go home and practice." Sirius' closed eyes kept Remus from invading his mind. They opened again when he turned his back on the violist, but kept talking to him. "If I am expected to be ready for the Aesti's debut, I had better be at my top performance level."
It sounded so rehearsed and scripted that Remus didn't have the heart to fight Sirius. Despite the lifeless and emotionless tone, Remus couldn't help feeling rejected. It was as if Sirius had anticipated Remus' question and practiced his response while turning the pages. A claw had torn a small hole in his chest and he could feel it bleeding out. Remus felt pathetic. He couldn't even muster a reply as Sirius walked away.