For Hogwarts

Honeycomb (Police Officer!au)

Love in Motion (RemusSirius)

Television Show of the Month, VeronicaCheryl Mars (Dick Casablancas: Sirius Black, getting drunk, waves)

960 words

"Excuse me… Officer Black?"

Sirius and James exchange glances as the young man approaches them. James pointedly clears his throat, offering Sirius a grin. "I, uh… I'm sure I have paperwork or something to do," he says with a wink before dashing off.

When the man gets closer, Sirius recognizes him. "Lupin," he says. "Out of the hospital, then?"

The young man owned a sweet shop that got broken into a few weeks back. Lupin had been in the shop when the perp made his move. Sirius and James found him, a mess of bruises and cuts all over his body, nodding in and out of consciousness.

"Call me Remus," the man says, a warm smile brightening his amber eyes. "Please."

"Okay, Remus. What can I do for you?"

"I, uh… I wanted to give you this. To say thank you," Remus says, holding up a pink and white striped box. "It's for your partner too, I guess."

Sirius opens the box curiously. Chocolate stars are nestled in thin paper that matches the box.

"My special recipe," Remus adds. "Sea salt and caramel for some. Vanilla fudge. Just… Thank you."

Sirius stares at the chocolate in confusion. It isn't the first someone has offered them a gift to express their gratitude, but this feels different somehow. He shifts his attention back to Remus, jaw slack as he tries to remember how to say thank you.

Remus pats Sirius' shoulder, a dusty pink warming his cheeks. "Thank you for your service, Officer Black."

Before Sirius can respond, Remus hurries away. Curiously, Sirius plucks a chocolate from the box, popping it into his mouth with a small moan. "So good."

"Well? When's the wedding?" James asks, returning. He reaches into the box, grabbing a sweet and nibbling it. "From his shop?"

"There's no wedding. He was just saying thank you," Sirius grumbles.

"To you… Even though we were both on the scene," James says with a smirk.

Sirius rolls his eyes. Maybe James has a point, but he isn't willing to admit it aloud. "Don't you have something else to do? Maybe go pester Shacklebolt?"

"Nah. He's scary. Last time, he put me on traffic duty for a week."

Sirius grins, nudging his partner and best friend. "Come on. It's time to go, anyway."

…

"You know what?" Sirius says, drinking deeply from the bottle. It's his third or fourth for the night… Maybe it's his fifth. Everything blurs, and he can't keep up. "I'm gonna go right up to Sugar Moon, and I'm gonna… I'm gonna tell Remus Lupin that he has pretty eyes."

James snorts. "Sure, mate. And I'm going to marry the Queen."

"You think I won't?"

"I think your 'brilliant' ideas come in waves. They seem good until they sort of crash over you, and you realize you've made a mistake."

"I will!" Sirius insists, downing the dregs of his beer with a belch. "Just you wait, Potter."

…

Sirius' head still pounds as he and James begin patrol the following morning. "Why do I keep drinking?" he groans, rubbing his temples. "You're a terrible friend for letting me."

"Oh, it's hilarious. I'll film you next time."

Sirius frowns in confusion as James turns. They're supposed to be going back to the station. Not… wherever they are. Sirius leans back, relaxing. Maybe James is taking the scenic route.

"Well, mate. Money where your mouth is."

Sirius jerks his head up as they come to a stop outside Sugar Moon. "I… What? You… Oh."

The memories come in waves, little snippets that blur and swirl.

I'm gonna tell Remus Lupin that he has pretty eyes.

"We really should get back to the station," Sirius says sheepishly. "You can't hold me to things I say when I'm drunk."

James looks at him, a broad grin on his lips. The bastard is enjoying himself more than he should. "It'll teach you to keep your mouth shut when you drink. Go on, Officer Black."

Grudgingly, Sirius releases his seat belt. James is too stubborn to give in. If Sirius doesn't do what's expected of him, they'll be there all day, and, undoubtedly, Kingsley will fire them. "Fine," he says sharply, opening his door and climbing out. "Think I'm scared?"

"Yes."

Sirius scowls at that. He's a police officer; this isn't the scariest thing he's ever had to face. So why does his heart race painfully in his chest?

…

Remus looks up when Sirius enters the shop. There's no denying it; he looks pleased to see Sirius. Sirius feels his confidence soar. He puffs out his chest, swaggering over.

"Officer Black, good to see you," Remus says, adjusting the buttons of his pastel yellow cardigan. "Is this a follow up? Have you-"

"This isn't police business," Sirius says. "I just…"

This isn't fair. Why can't he say what he feels? He's always been so smooth and eloquent, but Remus makes him feel so flustered.

"You have lovely eyes," he manages at last. "Thought you should know."

Remus' face lights up, a hint of pink creeping into his cheeks. "I… Thank you."

"Would you maybe like to go out sometime? Tonight? When I'm off duty?"

"I'd like that."

"You bring the chocolate. I'll bring the handcuffs."

There it is. There's the old Sirius. The confident Sirius who flirts as easily as he breathes.

"Officer Black, you're quite forward."

"Sirius. Call me Sirius," he says. "Is that a problem?"

"Not at all. I'll see you tonight."

Smiling like a fool, Sirius offers him a quick bow of his head before walking out. He climbs back into the patrol car with a smirk. "I have a date," he says proudly.

"I'll be damned," James laughs. "It worked?"

"It worked," Sirius laughs. "I'm bringing the handcuffs."