SOFT SUNLIGHT
Summary: Set in 1973, the Hogwarts' Marauders' third year, this multi-chaptered fiction develops and expands upon the framework of what we are told happens at this part of history… and what we aren't.
Warnings: Adult language, Homosexual relationship, Heterosexual relationship,
Main Pairing: Sirius/Remus
Other Characters: James, Peter, Lily/Severus, Andromeda, Bellatrix/Rudolphus, Lucius/Narcissa.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the twisted imagination and the ridiculously slow laptop I am typing this onto.
A/N: This was my first attempt at writing slash. It isn't amazing, but I am proud of it, and I would appreciate constructive criticism if it is truly helpful and not abusive.
Chapter 9: Whomping Willow, Raging Wolf, Eagle And The Last Paragraph
The Marauders made their way round to the Whomping Willow, only three years old but ferocious all the same. Remus pulled up a nearby stick and it flew neatly towards a knot at the base of the tree, which froze.
"This way, quick."
They squeezed into the tree, and James suggested that two should wait here while Remus and someone else went further in for the full moon to come out, because they were unsure how the werewolf would react to other animals.
"I'm too small, and Prongs is too big." Peter was listened to with much more respect since his outpouring, and thrived on it.
Sirius nodded, and followed Remus silently up the tunnel.
The silence became oppressive.
***
"You should change into a dog."
"Moons, I'm…"
"No."
Sirius held back tears and pointed his wand at his heart. Two minutes later, a red mist descended and Padfoot appeared. Remus checked the skies.
"Moon's almost up."
He watched the dog's tail wag twice in agreement, and sighed. He ought to talk to Sirius, but something kept the barriers up. He should wait. It would be fine… in the end.
A single tear slid down his cheek, but before it could fall he howled, and fell to the ground. The moon was out.
Padfoot watched sadly as his friend, yes Remus is still my friend, went through the painful transformation into a wolf. After about five minutes of agony, a wolf that was barely recognisable as Remus reared up and howled again, then turned to the watching dog.
Padfoot barked, and the werewolf decided he wasn't a threat. The dog bounded down the tunnel, and soon returned with a rat on its back and a stag beside it. They looked at the wolf with hesitation, but eventually all settled down to a companionable silence, broken a few minutes later when a familiar eagle swooped through the tunnel and checked to a halt in the middle of the four. She flew once around the wolf, who calmed down immediately and started a complicated howling that rose and fell like waves in a sea.
***
"The wolf part is concerned about you three, but won't attack because Prongs is too big," she reported, and then added, "and I think it'll be fine with me here, because I've been helping him for a year and he knows me."
Wormtail squeaked questioningly, and Anni turned to explain. "About a year ago, I was flying during the night, and I heard howling so I investigated. Since then, I've been coming most full moons, but I've only ever seen him as a werewolf."
Prongs tossed his head, and Padfoot growled softly; that would account for the look on Remus' face when Anni transformed. The wolf, mistaking this for a threat, started to rear, but Anni wove in front of it, and it started the strange howling again, to which they all listened but only Anni with comprehension.
"He…wants…to be…free…he's tired…of being…up, no, trapped, and he wants…to explore somewhere…and he says…he's…decided…you three…are not a threat," she translated, and the three amazed animals looked at each other, until Padfoot lifted his paw and put it down firmly.
"No, because…he is dangerous?" Padfoot nodded his head violently and almost dislodged Wormtail, who squeaked shrilly and climbed further onto the middle of the dog's back.
"I agree. Possibly with planning we could explore somewhere, but not tonight. Remember he doesn't particularly trust any of you." But Padfoot repeated his action, lifting his paw then placing it down firmly.
"No, not ever?" Warned by what had happened last time, this nod of the head was slowly done, and the rat kept on.
***
The hours passed quickly, despite the lack of things to do. Remus was calmed by their presence, and slept for an hour, the first dreamless sleep he had had for a while. Even Padfoot was happier as the night stretched out, and then ended.
"I'd better leave, everyone in my dorm wakes early." They all agreed, and Anni performed the curious swooping movement again, before leaving the four. Padfoot made signs, and eventually all the Animagi were in agreement. Wormtail scrabbled onto Prongs' back, and the two walked back to the entrance, for two and two would be less conspicuous than all four together.
Padfoot looked at the half asleep werewolf, and sighed, revealing his sadness.
The wolf jumped to his feet and howled, and the dog checked the moon. It was sinking.
He watched sadly as the violent curse took over, and the naked form of Remus Lupin came into sight. He lay there for a long time, not seeming to notice Padfoot, barely seeming to be conscious. Padfoot moved slightly, and he jumped and curled into a ball. Holding them in his mouth in the fashion of dogs, Padfoot brought the clothes and watched as the boy got into them. He was still topless, however, when Padfoot sat up and the now-familiar reddish mist descended over him. Well it wasn't so much red as ochre, thought Remus, pausing in his dressing to admire this.
***
He had forgotten what came next, and was watching as the mist cleared to show Sirius, clothes in shreds.
Oh…he looks so…lovely.
Remus' mind could not even find words, and he wondered how he could heal the rift between them. He watched as the black haired boy repaired his clothes, and pulled them on. Sirius had picked up his shirt when he heard, barely above a whisper; "Sirius?" He turned to Remus, and anything he was going to say was lost with that.
"I'm…sorry. I…I shouldn't have…I just didn't…I thought…"
"It's okay. It's my fault for asking."
"Why did you ask?" Remus couldn't stop himself, and his cheeks flushed deeply as Sirius stared at him, wondering how to tell him.
"I…I'm gay. I wanted to know…"
"Oh." Relief coursed through Remus. Relief… and disappointment. "I'm bi, if that makes you feel better." And I love you, but I can't tell you. At least there's a chance now, he told himself. There's a chance. He therefore failed to notice the change of expression on Sirius' face as he found out.
"There's more. I love…someone…and that's why I got angry. I don't know how to tell them, but I…I…love…" His voice faded again, and he stared helplessly at Remus' exposed chest, debating how to tell him. The brown haired boy realised his top half was bare, and made to finish dressing, but Sirius' hands on his checked him in his actions.
***
"I love you."
Remus' eyes widened in shock, but his hands were released when the other boy turned away.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't be doing this."
The werewolf looked at him, and reaching for his hands again pulled Sirius round to look at him. The dark eyes were filled with tears as the grey ones locked onto them, but instead of a reply, he felt lips brushing his own, tracing the contours.
It was his turn to be shocked, as the boy he loved kissed him, but his shock didn't stop him returning the kiss, gently pushing Remus' lips apart with his tongue. The passion coursing through both of them slowly subsided, and they stayed in each others arms for what seemed like ages, until a shaft of light came through a gap in the roof, falling across them.
They broke apart reluctantly, and pulled on their shirts.
"Prongs took the Cloak, didn't he?"
"Yeah, he said he would."
"Thanks for being there last night, by the way."
His only reply was a gentle kiss on the cheek as they walked back along the tunnel, to emerge into soft sunlight.
**THE**END**