A/N: Me, Mum and Grandma went on a short trip to Sweden today. I wrote the second chapter, plus half of chapter three, on the five hour drive (put together). I'm really on a roll - I've practically got this whole story planned out in my head, and it's so easy to write! Plus, when I've finished my project about Lebanon, I have no schoolwork left this term, leaving me with loads of free time. So maybe I'll be able to finish my first long fic! I've actually read through the chapter this time, and corrected the mistakes I could find. And hahaha, I'll come up with chapter titles eventually. :p
None of the characters belong to me, they are property of J.K. Rowling. Warnings? Boys snogging. Nothing else, I guess.
Chapter 2 - Remus' POV
I awoke the morning after with a horrible headache. I pressed a palm to my forehead and groaned audibly. Why, oh why had I drunk that much...
Grumbling to my self, I sat up - a bit too quickly. The room immediately began spinning, and I found myself toppling over, into the curtains around my bed. Panicking, I flailed and struggled against them for a couple of seconds, before I heard the sound of ripping fabric, and I landed like a rag doll on the floor.
I swore and unwrapped myself from the hangings, which fell to the floor in a heap as I stood up. The room still span, but I was able to keep my footing. I leant against one of my bedposts, waiting for it to stop.
When it did, I scanned the room for the rest of the Marauders. None of them were present. I turned to my nightstand, looking for my wand, but stopped as my stomach rumbled loudly.
Okay, food first, fixing curtains later.
I had barely sat down next to Sirius at the Gryffindor table when James screamed dramatically, dropped his toast in his tea and pointed at Sirius.
"Padfoot, did you eat his chocolate again?"
Sirius stared back, a mock look of terror etched upon his face.
"'Course I didn't! Prongs, you know I know the consequences."
"I know I know you know the consequences," James growled, scowling at him, although we all could see a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "But that hasn't stopped you before!"
Sirius opened his mouth to snap back, but I interrupted him.
"Guys."
They fell silent - half because I had silenced them, half due to shock that I hadn't smiled yet. Normally, whenever I looked grouchy, they'd strike up some stupid conversation that never failed to amuse me.
Ignoring their astonished faces, I began buttering a slice of bread. When I had dug my teeth into that simple breakfast (I doubted my stomach to hold anything more advanced), Sirius seemed to regain his voice.
"Is there something wrong, Moony?" he asked. I was pleased to hear the genuine concern in his voice. When I didn't reply and simply continued staring at James trying to get all the toast crumbles out of his tea. "Hey - I'm serious."
"And I'm Remus. Nice to meet you," I replied drily, and turned to look at him. As I met his granite eyes, I remembered everything with a bang - Sirius' face hovering close to mine, his eyes glistening in the firelight-
The flashback made me choke on my mouthful of bread.
When I had resumed regular breathing, he began asking again, but I lifted my hand to cut him off.
"Padfoot," I said, "Curiosity killed the cat."
"Too bad I'm a dog then, isn't it?" he grinned. I rolled my eyes.
"Your jokes about Lily's hair are funnier - that's saying something. I'm just not feeling too great after yesterday, okay?"
The rest of breakfast was spent listening to James complaining about his lost toast to Peter, until Lily joined us and reprimanded him for being such a lazy bastard before making him another one.
After breakfast I reluctantly joined Lily and Peter in watching the Gryffindor Quidditch team practice. As we stepped out into the grounds, a fresh November breeze swept our faces, immediately ridding me of all tiredness. A light drizzle was falling, not enough to bother anyone, but enough to make us wet if we were outside too long. Clutching our robes tighter around ourselves, we walked in silence towards the pitch. I think the reason nobody spoke was because A) I was in a bad mood, so Lily kept her questions to herself, and B) James was the only thing Peter and Lily had in common. Without him around, they were almost complete strangers.
When we finally arrived at the pitch, Lily decided to settle on an almost empty stand, far away from Sirius' and James' squealing fangirls.
Too bad Peter and Lily formed a little fanclub themselves.
None of them said anything, but stars glinted in their eyes and shone in admiration the moment they had found James' scarlet outline. They did, however, sigh and gasp whenever he scored a particularly good goal or narrowly escaped a Bludgers.
I had to admit they were annoying, but nowhere as annoying as the usual fangirls. Their silence and the wind's constant whistle in our ears gave me the peace to think, and sweep away my glum mood.
I think it needless to say that my thoughts revolved around a certain other dark-haired Quidditch player.
I couldn't find head or tail of my seemingly endless mess of thoughts and questions. Had he really enjoyed it, or had he been too drunk to even remember? Would he do it again if he-
What?
I choked for the second time this morning, this time on my own spit. Remus Lupin, I sternly scolded myself, you do not want to kiss him again.
My thoughts driftet dangerously fast to Sirius' eyes - the spark they had emitted - his eyes really are beautiful...
This time, I felt my cheeks flush and anger surge through me. I pinched myself, and silently growled to myself, Honestly! You shared one drunken kiss - you're not allowed to turn into some love-sick fool - especially not because of Sirius. He's a bloke, he's probably snogging six girls already, and he's your best mate. Now shut up.
I was so lost in thought that I didn't notice the Quidditch team landing in a cluster on the ground and dismount their brooms.
"Remus?" Lily asked tentatively. I snapped back to reality and met her eyes. "Are you coming?"
"Oh, yeah. One sec," I mumbled.
As we slowly made our way down the stairs, she asked again, in a low voice, "Are you feeling alright? You looked... really annoyed."
"Yeah, I'm fine," I answered truthfully and offered her a small smile - having someone care about me in a normal, non-Marauderish way felt nice. It wasn't just the influence of alcohol that had made me exclaim that they were the best friends I could have - it was honest. I hadn't ever dared dreaming of such good friends. But they could be a bit... well, they were weird, that was one thing. And they could be a bit insensitive - especially Sirius and James. They were a killer combination. Poor, gullible Peter meant no harm. He just tagged along, happy to have friends at all.
Lily smiled at me, looking very relieved.
"Hey, Moony!" a familiar voice called from behind me when we had stepped out of the pitch. I turned to find Sirius standing outside the Gryffindor changing rooms, beckoning at me.
"Just go on, I'll see you in the common room," I assured Lily and walked back to him. She looked doubtingly at me for a second, before noticing James' departure, and trotted after him instead.
"Hey," he grinned. His hair hung damp and sweaty over his slightly mischievous eyes and lay plastered against his cheeks and neck. Altogether, it gave him the impression of a school rebel (which probably was what the teachers called him, and James). It suited him.
"Hi," I replied, unable to repress a smile myself. The sulkiness from this morning had passed away.
"So, what's up with the mood swings?" he asked, his lips forming a smirk.
"Shush, you," I mumbled, punching his shoulder gently, playfully. "I woke up with the worst hangover ever, that's all."
"Pitiful, Moons," he sighed, shaking his head. "Even Lily drank more than you."
"Oi, you know I have to watch you guys, so you don't try kidnapping first-years again," I grinned at him and stuck my hands in the pockets of my robe.
"Ahh, yes," he reminisced, staring into space with glazed eyes. "Those little slime balls deserved it... Slughorn was furious, remember? My hands are still sore from the punishment. Cleaning out those damn dungeons three nights a week for two months."
"You deserved it," I said, childishly sticking my tongue out at him. "Should we head back? I'm freezing," I asked, turning towards the castle.
"No - wait, Remus-"
I felt his hand grip mine, making me turn back in surprise. The next thing I knew, his lips was on mine again. I was surprised, of course, but as he intertwined his fingers with mine and put his other hand firmly on my neck, I leant slightly closer. My eyes closed, and I stepped forwards to put my arms around his waist. He smelt like grass, wind and rain - a very mild version of the Forest I smelt during full moons. The scent was oddly familiar, and comforting. I wondered what I smelt like.
The kiss was slower, gentler, this time. And there was no tongue. Sirius did most of the kissing - he had loads of girls under his belt.
... Lots of experience with girls, that is.
His lips left mine, but his face still hovered close enough for his warm breath to ghost over my lips. The sensation made my stomach do a somersault and sent a tingle up my spine, ending in a burning heat over my cheeks. I slowly opened my eyes to find his searching my face. This close, his eyes looked like livid, grey clouds before a thunderstorm.
"Sirius," I muttered, "What-"
He cut me off with a tiny peck, before withdrawing again, and taking a step away. Cold disappointment rushed through me.
"'M sorry," he mumbled, staring fixedly at my shoulder. "Just wanted to know if it was good sober, too."
"Was it?"
He nodded, pale roses appearing in his cheeks. I took a deep breath.
"I - I liked it too, y'know. That is, I mean..."
He looked at me again from under the messy hair that covered most of his face.
"I like - kissing you and all that, but I... just don't know- I don't have any feelings for you. But the kissing is... fine."
An awkward silence followed, in which I felt his gaze burn through me as I studied the floor. He couldn't possibly... have feelings for me?
"I feel the same - it's some kind of new thrill, kissing you. 'S not the same kissing girls. It's way better. But I don't have any... deeper feelings for you."
He paused, and when I didn't reply, continued, "So, err, if you're okay with it, can't we, y'know, just... snog once in a while?"
He attempted a grin, but the awkwardness of the situation made it look more like one of Filch's grimaces. He looked so weird that I had to grin myself.
"Alright, we can give it a try," I smiled. "But only if we can return to the castle now."
Before I began to walk, I approached him again, and pecked him in return. The little flip of my stomach returned.
I did not know at the time that I was, in fact, falling for Sirius Black.