Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
After that Remus seemed to see Sirius alone often. He also was suddenly aware of all the gossip that seemed to follow Sirius's brooding form. He returned the girl's notes after he copied them for both himself and Sirius. And then, of course, when he looked for Sirius he couldn't find him anywhere in the castle. He heard girls whispering as he passed them. "Black-he's always been a nutter." "Well who wouldn't with a family like that?" "Sure he's mad as a hatter but that's no reason to be so mean." "He is isn't he?" "Always so horrible." "And for no good reason!"
Remus ignored their conversation and kept up his search for Sirius Black, notorious bad boy. When he finally gave up the search he went to ask James and or Peter where he was. They were easy to find, sitting comfortably in the common room by the fire chatting pleasantly.
"James Potter and Peter Pettigrew?" Remus asked with his usual sweet smile.
"Yeah mate?" James asked looking up. Remus was quite certain they weren't mates but his smile never faltered.
"I'm looking for your friend Black." Remus said holding up the notes. "I have notes for him."
"Well," James laughed aloud and Peter who was looking at Remus with a dull expression was brought out of the abyss that was his mind to laugh at whatever James had been laughing at. "They don't usually give up their notes so willingly."
"The girl he took them from didn't. But he let me borrow them long enough to make myself a copy." Remus said chuckling softly.
"That explains it." James said nodding. Peter looked confused but nodded too. "Anyway, he's out by the forest." James said casually. Remus looked at the window to see the blizzard raging outside and thought it must be freezing and the snow must be shoulder deep by now. "And you probably won't catch him inside very often." James said with a dark expression that said he knew something Remus didn't. Remus was tempted to just drop the notes with James but then the thought of grey eyes occurred to his brain and he went to get his warmest clothes on.
When he finally headed out, with at least four layers in any one given place on his body he brandished his wand in front of him to make a tunnel for him to trudge through. He got to the edge of the forbidden forest and the snow on the ground became considerably less dense due to the thick branches looming far over head. He looked left and right a few times before seeing something far in the distance and trudging over to it, pleased to find Sirius.
"Black, notes." Remus said holding them out to Sirius. Sirius looked at them and then at Remus.
"Haven't you heard? I'm the terror of Hogwarts. Filling hearts with dread and fear." Sirius snarled.
"You won't be filling hearts with anything if you stay out in this cold very long." Remus laughed.
"Why didn't you just leave them with James or Peter?" Sirius asked looking suddenly suspicious.
"Because I don't very much care for James or Peter." Remus said bluntly.
"And me?" Sirius asked. Remus stepped dangerously close to Sirius as their breath formed little puffs in the limited space between them. "I don't even know your name." Sirius said wide eyed.
"If I tell you my name will you tell me why you're out here?" Remus asked stepping back and looking neutral.
"I could just ask James for it." Sirius said challengingly despite his small smile.
"But can you really trust that dollop head?" Remus asked.
"Jamesie knows everything." Sirius said.
"Oh does he now?" Remus laughed.
"Fine, deal." Sirius said caving with a blush.
"You first then." Remus said leaning back against a tree and crossing his arms. Sirius looked haggard and sad.
"I got a letter from my mum. She writes me once a month listing all my worst qualities and everything she hates about me." Sirius said.
"Must be boring." Remus said casually earning a distraught look from the usually brooding wizard. "Reading such a short letter once a month."
"She has yet to run out of new things." Sirius said sadly. He pulled out a bag and one by one removed each letter.
"Why do you keep them?" Remus asked.
"To remind myself that I'm nothing." Sirius said darkly.
"I'll tell you what, you destroy those and I'll help you prove her wrong." Remus said smiling softly.
"I still don't even know your name." Sirius argued.
"We're standing outside in a blizzard; I think we're pretty bonded. You should trust me at least moderately by now." Remus said smiling.
"How do I know your intentions? You could be some-" Sirius began to think of something truly horrible when Remus leaned in and kissed him. Hard. On the mouth. With his mouth. And Sirius forgot how to function. Remus had his hand on the back or Sirius's head to allow him to maneuver him to a more comfortable position for the both of them but not in a way that Sirius could not easily pull away if he so chose. When Remus let go he noticed how Sirius almost slid to the ground before he righted himself.
"My name is Remus Lupin." Remus said. "And now you know my intentions."