Writing for Camp Potter (History Appreciation: Sirius Black), Acrostic Challenge (S: soulmate!au), and Friends Competition (TOW Phoebe's Husband)

Word Count: 1120

"Show me!" Regulus says impatiently, reaching for his brother's arm.

Sirius pulls away quickly. "Already told you, Reg," he snaps. "I don't have a soulmate. There's nothing on my wrist."

He wishes that the lie would be enough for his brother. Perhaps a normal sibling with laugh and agree that no one would ever want to be Sirius' soulmate. Unfortunately, Regulus is a little too smart for that. He can see right through Sirius.

"Of course. That's why you've suddenly decided to start wearing long sleeves," he snorts. "Let me see. Don't tell me it's Irma. As in Pince. You'd make ugly babies."

Sirius sighs. "Worse," he says grimly, lifting his sleeve up just enough for the tidy handwriting to be visible.

Remus.

Sirius isn't an expert, but he's certain that there aren't any women named Remus. Regulus stares, eyes wide. He's reached the same conclusion.

"Father will kill you if he finds out," he says quietly.

Sirius rolls his eyes. Leave it to Regulus to point out the obvious. "I figure I can keep it hidden a little while longer," he says. "Just until I get to Hogwarts. Mother has some sort of concealing potion I can use, if I can just find a way to steal a bottle."

Regulus smirks. "Are you asking me to create a diversion?"

"I could never-"

"Don't worry. I've got you."

…

Remus stares at the untidy scrawl across his wrist. Sirius. It's a nice enough name, he supposes. But he's still shaking when his father discovers it.

"Sirius?" Lyall asks. "Like the Black boy?"

Remus shrugs. He's never heard the name, but it doesn't surprise him that his father has. After all, his father seems to know everyone in the world, or, at least, the Ministry. But that word confirms it. Boy.

"Well, I don't much like the family," Lyall says. "But I suppose you can't really judge a person by their name.".

"You aren't…" Remus trails off, clearing his throat. "You aren't mad that it's a bloke?"

"If he's your soulmate, it isn't my business what else he is. As long as he's good to you whenever you finally meet him," Lyall assures him, ruffling Remus' hair. "I just want my son to be happy."

…

"You're not Remus, are you?" Sirius asks the boy with messy dark hair.

"Remus? Never heard of him. I'm James."

Sirius feels somewhat relieved and maybe a little disappointed. He's never really looked at blokes before, but this one looks like the type he'd go for. He can see the mischief in his hazel eyes and coy grin.

"This Remus bloke. Friend of yours?" James asks.

Sirius feels a flicker of panic but quickly calms himself down. It shouldn't matter that a boy's name is on his wrist now. His parents aren't around to find out. There will be no endless lectures about marriage, duty, and continuing the Black name for another generation.

He holds up his arm, showing the tidy name. "Not exactly," he laughs.

"Well, maybe we'll find him," James says, clapping Sirius on his back. "In the meantime, if you find a girl named Lily, let me know."

"Pretty name."

James swoons, a stupid smile on his face. "It is, isn't it? A flowery name. I'll bet she's as sweet and delicate as a flower."

"Well, since Remus was a wolf in the old stories, I hope his name isn't a reflection of his character," Sirius says.

James snorts, nudging Sirius with his elbow. "Mate, if you want to shag wolves, I'm not judging."

"Oi!"

…

"Black, Sirius."

Remus' attention catches at that name. He's spent months staring at his wrist, trying to imagine what his soulmate would look like. His father showed him books with portraits of the old families in it, so he isn't surprised to find a boy with pale skin, dark hair, and a regal air striding up to the stool now.

"GRYFFINDOR!" the Sorting Hat booms.

There's a heavy silence across the room, most notably at the Slytherin table. Of course. Remus remembers what his father told him. There has never been a Black in any House but Slytherin.

You can't really judge a person by their name.

His father was right. Remus can't wait to write to him and tell him the news.

He feels his cheeks grow warm at that thought. He's already invested his thoughts in this boy, yet he doesn't even know Sirius or if he would even accept that they are soulmates.

With a broad grin, Sirius returns the Sorting Hat to the stool. Remus notices his eyes flicker across the line of still waiting first years. He can't help but wonder if Sirius is searching for him too.

He shakes his head. His heart is rushing in, and, really, it has no business rushing. Not about something like this.

Still, his eyes seem stuck to the boy. Though Remus hasn't even officially met Sirius, he can't help but hope that he makes a good impression.

…

"Lupin, Remus."

Sirius looks up at the name. His thumb brushes absently across his wrist. Remus.

Honestly, he didn't think he would get so lucky. What were the odds that Remus would be starting Hogwarts the same year?

The boy stumbles forward, and Sirius smiles. Tawny hair, a serious, determined expression on his face. Remus Lupin doesn't seem like the type he'd normally go for, but Sirius isn't one to question destiny.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Sirius laughs to himself. "Better and better," he muses, his voice barely a whisper.

He moves over to offer Remus a spot. If his soulmate notices, he doesn't make any indication of it. He takes a seat next to the Evans girl- Lily, the girl who threatened to pour acid over James' name upon finally meeting him.

Sirius shrugs. He'll have plenty of time to get close to Remus. After all, they share a dormitory now.

…

"So, you're my soulmate?"

Remus nearly drops the picture of his parents at the voice. He turns to find Sirius Black standing before him, a bright smile on his lips. Remus nods, holding his arm up so that Sirius can read the name on his wrist. Sirius does the same.

Remus. There it is. His name, scribbled across the boy's wrist. It's the final confirmation that Remus needs.

"Now, I just have to figure out how to make you fall in love with me, I suppose. Although, with these good looks, what more do you need?" Sirius laughs. "Long walks on the beach? Trips to Paris? Italian dinners? Chocolate?"

"Chocolate is nice," Remus says, unsure what to make of this strange boy.

Sirius claps his hands together excitedly. "Brilliant! James, mate! Got any leftover chocolate?"