After a week of sleeping, in Remus's room as Padfoot (with no further incidents of spontaneous human transformation, thank Merlin) it is the night before Remus leaves on his next Order mission.

I have struck up a fire in the massive fireplace and it makes the room a bit more homely. I invite Remus in and we sit and talk about Harry.

"He's a smart boy," I boast. "One of the best in his class, too. And an excellent seeker."

Remus nods. "When I taught him, he was excellent at DADA. Better than James, I would say."

"But not better than you, Remus, you are the best at DADA. Were always the best," I say giving him a nudge.

It could be the fire, but Remus looks a little red. "I am not an expert at DADA. I got the job because of Dumbledore's generosity."

"Oh shut it," I say. "You got the job because you were overqualified for it. If not for your furry little problem, you would be in demand in wizarding jobs everywhere. It's not fair really."

"You're telling me," says Remus flatly.

"I'm sorry, Remus," I say and he shrugs indicating he is done talking about the subject.

"You know, one thing about Harry," says Remus thoughtfully, "Is that he is extraordinarily modest. He's called the Chosen One and everyone in the wizarding world knows his name. But he certainly doesn't act famous. Not like James," Remus chuckles.

"James had an extraordinarily big head," I say. "That cannot be denied. Thought he was the biggest quidditch hotshot to hit Hogwarts, always grinning and winking at the girls. Or at just Lily, I suppose." I smile at the thought.

"But it was offset by his kindness," says Remus. Remus always sees the good in people.

"Yep, to match his big head, our Jamsie-boy had an equally big heart," I agree. "Remember when James tried to impress Lily with that pot roast that he accidentally transfigured into a gigantic mushroom? And when she got back, it kept growing, almost through the roof, and James was frantically poking it, trying to make it smaller?" I ask.

Remus laughs. "The best part was when he told her that everything was under control. I think she almost hexed him then, but luckily for James, she just vanished it instead."

We laugh and continued exchanging stories about James, Lily, and Harry when he was little.

Remus begins to yawn and I check the time. It's one o'clock in the morning.

I stretch and stand up. "Well, Remus. You should get to bed; it's pretty late. You have another assignment tomorrow, right?"

"Yes," Remus sighs and he stands up as well. I begin to walk towards the door, but I hear Remus's voice. "But, before I go, I have something to tell you something." I turn around and Remus looks sad.

"What is it?" I ask.

He figits with his Firewhisky. He looks old in the firelight.

"Er. I might sometimes..." he trails off. He visibly swallows and looks me in the eye. "I might sometimes see you as more than a friend. I wanted to tell you because I think it would be not right if you didn't know. I don't want to keep any more secrets. I promise you I will never act upon my feelings and I will try my best to do away with them; I just feel wrong keeping this a secret to you, seeing as you are my last true friend on earth. I especially thought I should warn you as you often sleep in my bed."

I feel lightheaded. My first thought is disbelief. "You sure about this? You aren't lying or playing some practical joke on me? Or Fred and George are?" I craned my neck around to see if I could see a flash of a smirking face or one of those blasted fleshy ears they were so fond of dangling into our Order meetings, bless their little prankster hearts.

Remus nods morosely. "I solemnly swear this is all true. I'll give you time to think about this. I'm sorry, Sirius." His shoulders were hunched as he turned away.

My heart seems to burst out of my chest. I quickly run around him so I am facing him and crash my face against his.

It is awkward. In my haste to kiss him, my teeth clank against his teeth and my nose smooshes against his cheek. I hug him tightly trapping one of his arms to his body. My heart is pounding in my chest and it feels wonderful.

But he pushes me away. "Honestly, Sirius. You don't have to pretend to like me. Forget I said anything. It's making you act weird." Remus avoids looking at me. He looks down at the floor.

"I like you a lot, Remus" I say very fast and immediately scold myself. Stop sounding like you are confessing to your first crush. You are a fully grown man.

"I mean," I say in a very manly way as I reach for his hand. "I fancy you. A lot. And I have for a while. I've just been too much of a coward to tell you so." I look at him pleadingly. He is still studying the floor like it holds the answers to his lycanthropy. "Please, Remus. Believe me."

Remus looks at me and smiles. He suddenly looks about twenty years younger. He is beautiful.

This time I take my time. I put my arms around him, as I always had longed to. I lean forward and kiss his lips delicately.

His eyes close and his eyelashes flutter against my cheek.

"Goodnight, Remus," I say holding him close.

"Goodnight, Sirius," Remus murmurs. I can feel the vibration of his voice in his chest and the brush of his breath on my neck. It causes goosebumps to race along my arms and my spine to shiver.

I kiss his cheek. "You don't know how long I've wanted to do this."

"Do what?"

I kiss him again. I can't stop myself.

We stay like that, entwined in the darkened house for a while, until I pull him back to the couch.

"Stay with me," I trace his jawline with my finger. He smiles and lies down on the couch. I flick the door closed with my wand so that Kreacher won't walk in and I lie down next to him, content at last.

I wake up to Molly's voice.

"Well it's just about time. You two were bothering me with all your lovesick staring," I crack open one eye and see Molly staring at me.

"Come on now. Get up. I don't want you scaring the children," she prods me with a finger.

Lovesick staring? She knows! My eyes open wide.

"Molly. I'm really sorry. It won't happen again. I promise you. Please, don't tell anyone," I say very fast springing away from Remus.

And Molly does the unexpected. She laughs. "Don't you worry, dear. I think you two are very sweet together." She pats Remus's check and smiles at him. Remus is still asleep.

Molly is still looking at Remus. "You make him laugh and smile, and it's about time he gets some happiness in his life." I nod. This is going better than I expected.

As if she could hear me, she suddenly looks at me, her brown eyes fierce and red hair flaming. "And if you ever hurt him, you will live to regret it, Sirius Black." Her wand is pointed at my chest and little gold sparks are flying out of it. She reminds me of Lily and I get a strong feeling of deja vu. Lily said the exact same thing when I told her I thought Remus was the traitor.

"I promise, I promise," I find myself stammering.

"Good good," she is all smiles again. "I'll go fix up some breakfast then." She leaves with a swish of her dress.

I make a mental note to myself. Never ever, come on the wrong side of Molly Weasley.

Remus is stirring. He is adorable. I smile at him as he peers sleepily at me.

"Morning, Moony," I say and kiss him on the cheek.

He grumbles at me and turns back into the couch coushin.

I smile at him and resist the urge to jump with happiness. I am in love! I am in love.

I would never hurt Remus. Never again. I'm going to miss him so fucking much when he's gone.

Please, I think. Let him be safe.