There are some flashbacks in this chapter... Here is where they go back to: Chapter 1: The Beginning, Chapter 33: A Little Risk. Chapter 42: Distracting Padfoot, Chapter 51: Sweet Child of Mine, and finally Chapter 71: Ready

It had been over a week since Sirius had begun plotting to assist – or at least what he considered assisting – his unknowing best friend in obtaining the girl of his dreams, and so far every single one of his plans had backfired.

He had tried to slip a True Desire potion into Lily's morning tea which, had it been successful, would have made it so that she could not deny herself whatever she truly wanted. The potion itself had been quite successful and probably would have done the trick had the redhead actually been the one to ingest it however, someone had switched LIly's cup with his own at the last possible moment. Sirius didn't have to wonder who had made the switch when, just as he and James were about to run off to the Quidditch pitch to toss a quaffle around, Remus leaned in and quietly asked him if he would like to meet him in the prefect's bathroom instead and he found himself unable to even pretend to be sorry for blowing off his plans with James. Remus was really far too sneaky, though it didn't occur to Sirius to mind.

The sticking charm he had aimed at the Headbot and girl one afternoon, meant to make them literally attached to each other for twenty-four hours, had ricocheted off the charm bracelet Lily wore on her wrist and instead hit Peter who was sent to the Hospital Wing to have a jar of pickled toad detached from his hand.

The very next day he was back in the infirmary spouting some lie about why his eyebrow was singed off after Sirius dragged him into the ill-advised plot to lock James and Lily in a heated room until they had to strip down. Peter stopped helping Sirius after that, but Sirius didn't give up so easily.

"Oi, Black! Do you mind telling us why we were stuck under a charmed mistletoe for ten bloody minutes just now?" Dorcas glared pointedly at Sirius, looking rather disheveled beside an equally curious – though less annoyed – Marlene.

Sirius shrugged innocently. "I was only trying to decorate for the party tomorrow. I thought it was festive."

"It's Halloween, Sirius," Marlene deadpanned, raising one perfectly arched eyebrow.

Sirius frowned and took his wand from his back pocket, pointing it up at the mistletoe that hang above the entrance to the common room. The berries doubled in size and turned from a deep red to bright orange and with another flick of his wand, smiling jack-o-lantern faces appeared on them. "There. Now it's seasonally appropriate."

Marlene snorted and Dorcas thought smiling with amusement, rolled her eyes. "My question still stands. Why?"

"Right, like you're really so put off to have to snog each other," Sirius commented defensively. He grinned when Marlene caught his eye and winked. "I'm merely aiding out fellow Gryffindors in their lustful endeavors, Cas. Why does it have to be Christmas to begin spreading the love and joy around, eh?"

Marlene gave him a disbelieving look and shook her head. "That's not suspicious at all."

The only upside, Sirius thought, was that at least Remus wasn't having any better luck than he was.

—-

"POTTER'S IN POSSESSION OF THE QUAFFLE! HE DODGES THE BLUDGER HIT BY O'DONNELL! Yeah, that's right O'Donnel, I saw that you sneaky little twit! And don't think I've forgotten that ten galleons you owe me-"

"Black! What did I tell you about announcing personal grudges during matches?"

"Sorry, Professor. Right you are. POTTER PASSES TO MCLAGGIN AND – IT'S INTERCEPTED BY HUFFLEPUFF CHASER IMOGEN DAILEY! Quick on a broom, that one. I hear she's fast to jump on-"

"Detention, Black!"

"Oh come one, Minnie! It's my birthday, lighten up!"

"I'll bring you a cupcake while you scrub cauldrons." McGonagall rolled her eyes and sighed.

"You're too kind, Professor."

Up in the stands, Remus rolled his eyes, though he was still smiling behind the scarf he had wound tightly around his face and neck to protect him from the bitter chill of early November. He wondered what was taking Peter so long to return with the hot chocolate he had hurried off to get for them. He turned to scan the crowd for the other boy and was surprised to find not Peter standing behind him, but Lily Evans with her hands stuffed in the pockets of her warm coat and a hat fit snugly on top of her head, green-eyes looking out onto the pitch with some uncertainty.

"Suddenly a sports fan, Lily?" Remus asked, his eyebrow arching knowingly as he saw her catch a glimpse of James flying by.

Lily shrugged, trying to seem as apathetic as possible. "I finished my homework and everyone else is out there. I don't hate Quidditch, you know. I figured I'd come out and support the Gryffindor team."

"POTTER SCORES FOR GRYFFINDOR!"

The crowd screamed and Lily did an involuntary jump of excitement.

Remus chuckled and nodded. "Right. The Team. No one specific."

Lily glared and shook her head. "That doesn't mean anything. He's a talented player."

"He is," Remus agreed. Looking back out at the pitch as James flew passed them, grinning proudly and egging the cheering students on. "And that uniform suits his ass rather well."

Lily nodded, humming in agreement until she caught herself, eyes widening and she punched Remus in the arm. "Don't you dare tell him I said that, Remus Lupin!"

Remus held up his gloved hands in surrender. "Not a word, I promise." He watched as she relaxed and went back to watching the game. "I don't see why you're still trying so hard to deny it, though."

"Remus…"

"Must be exhausting."

"Not as exhausting as it would be to date James Potter."

"So you've thought about it, then?"

"You are infuriating, you know," Lily huffed.

"A quality I've picked up from James and Sirius, no doubt," Remus smirked behind his scarf as Lily rolled her eyes and folded her arms. Remus let out a sigh and put an arm around her. "Sorry. I was only teasing you, Lily. I understand it's not so simple given the history you and James have and everything. It just seems like-"

"It's the point of the thing, Remus," Lily said, sounding a mix of agitated and defeated. "What if I finally agree to it and I've been right all along and it's a bloody disaster and all I've done is make his ego inflate even more?"

Remus shook his head. "Impossible. If it inflated anymore it would explode and then he'd cease to exist and this wouldn't be an issue."

Lily allowed herself to laugh at that. Then she sighed. "And what if it does work out? And suddenly I'm some idiot in love with James Potter?"

"You would never be "some idiot" Lily Evans," Remus smiled softly. "And you'll never know unless you try."

"I can't. Not… not yet…"

Remus frowned. "What? Are you waiting for some sort of sign? Divination is a joke, Lily. You aren't going to find the answer in your tea leaves."

She shook her head. "No… I suppose not."

—-

Defense Against the Dark Arts had always been Remus' favorite subject, give or take a few topics that he wished he could have skipped over rather than having to stare at his desk, ducking his head to hide his face as if the whole class would suddenly realize what he was simply from a very vague and honestly not completely factual lecture.

However, Professor Furgal, who taught Defense, was far from Remus' favorite professor.

He wasn't a bad teacher by any means. He was knowledgeable enough, very attentive, and willing to give students any extra help they may need. Of course, there had been that time when they were discussing Remus' least favorite topic in class when the professor blurted out his personal opinion that struck a chord with the Gryffindor. He had argued about basic human rights with the older man, who countered back that werewolves weren't necessarily qualified under human, and then, before Remus could stand to march out of the class, Sirius set off a triple-strength dungbomb under the table and the class had to be dismissed early.

Political views aside, there was something else that bothered Remus about Professor Furgal. He was very noticeably good-looking for an older man and nothing entertained Sirius more than to haro in that fact and get under the professor's skin. Furgal was a strict teacher, who although favored Sirius and James for their talent and intelligence, was not one for nonsense and was quick to put it to an end immediately.

Remus sighed as he watched his boyfriend drop his school bag on the floor by his desk before flaunting up to the front of the room and perching himself on Furgal's desk with a cocky smirk.

"Afternoon, Furgy. You're looking rather fit lately. Been working out?"

"I will not warn you again, Mr. Black," Furgal sighed, shaking his head and not giving Sirius the satisfaction of even looking his way. "Sit down. We've got an important lesson today."

"I am sitting, Professor," Sirius quipped smartly, making several girls in the class giggle.

"Detention, Black. Go sit in your own seat."

Sirius chuckled to himself and slid off the desk. As he plopped into his own seat beside Remus he mumbled something about the Professors looks.

Remus glared. "Really, Sirius?"

"What? You've got to admit, the man's not exactly hard to look at."

Remus rolled his eyes. "He believes that werewolves should have to register and be thrown into cages overseen by the ministry to transform. Excuse me if I'm not drooling at the sight of him."

Sirius chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. 'I don't care for his politics, I just love those strong hands. Y'know he was helping me with my wand grip the other day-"

Remus grimaced.

"-I was having trouble with blocking spells."

Remus snorted and shook his head. "You're the best dueler in the school. Since when do you need help with blocking?"

"Since I found out it would make Ol' Furgy come and stand behind me with those hands on my wrist, showing me how to hold a wand properly." Sirius let out a blissful sigh and leaned back in his seat. "I should pretend to be less than perfect more often."

Remus felt his lip twitch up in a sneer, preparing to bare his teeth and growl possessively at the idea of someone touching Sirius like that. He firmly clenched his jaw and took a slow breath before allowing himself to turn his gaze back to his boyfriend. Sirius was lounging in his chair, tilted back on its hind legs. His hair was tied back and his throat was exposed.

"Why must you behave like this when I can't drag you off into a deserted classroom and deal with you properly?"

Sirius barked a laugh. "Because it makes it all the better when you finally can." He winked playfully and let the front of his chair fall back to the ground with a soft thud. He sat straight up and did a quick scan of the room to make sure no one was looking before leaning in and kissing the corner of Remus' mouth.

"You know I'm only teasing, right babe?"

"Hmmm," Remus hummed noncommittally, busing himself with taking out his textbook and the written assignment from the previous class.

Sirius pouted and tried his luck by kissing the werewolf again, this time by the ear. "Moonyyyyy…" Another kiss to the side of his neck. "I only do it because I love how hot you get when you're all possessive and jealous."

Remus sighed in defeat. "You're such a pain in the arse."

"But you love me."

"Unfortunately for me, that's correct."

The rest of the class trickled in, along with James and Peter who took their seats behind Remus and Sirius.

"Did we miss Sirius' weekly attempt to get with Furgal?" James asked, grinning at the annoyance on Remus' face.

"New record. Only took about ten seconds for him to get detention." Remus informed them. "Which of course only spurred him on."

James and Peter both let out a laugh and James shook his head, smacking Sirius on the back of the head. "You really love to see how far you can push it, don't you?"

Sirius smirked. "How could I not?"

Remus groaned, folding his arms. "It's fine. Your boyfriend isn't sitting right here or anything."

Sirius was about to respond, undoubtedly with more apologies and promises to make it up to Remus later on, when Professor Furgal finally took his place at the front of the class and cleared his throat.

"Settle down now, settle down." He gave Sirius a pointed look, to which the boy feigned an innocent look and nodded for the teacher to carry on. "Now then, I do hope you all remember last week's assignment, as it is of utmost importance to today's lesson. Everyone, please take out your assignments. No, Miss Evans, you won't have to pass it in to me, you may hold onto it.

"Now then, your assignment was to write down, in as much detail as possible, three of your most happy memories. Simple enough, yes?"

The class murmured in agreement, everyone looking around at their neighbor with the slightest hint of confusion.

"It's odd of course," Furgal went on, clapping his hands together. "That such a simple assignment would be so important to this lesson, which I assure you will be one of the hardest and most crucial things you have ever or will ever learn as a wizard. Would anyone like to venture a guess at what this may be?"

The class was silent, contemplating. Out of the corner of his eye, Remus could see that Lily was debating whether or not to make a guess.

Happiest memory… difficult and most crucial magic…

"Is it…" Remus hesitated. "It is the Patronus Charm, sir?"

Furgal gave a pleased smile and nodded. "Very good, Mr. Lupin, yes. Ten points to Gryffindor."

An excited chatter broke out around the class. This was the lesson most young witches and wizards had been waiting for since first year, maybe even longer. Furgal waited for everyone to simmer down again before he continued to explain the logistics behind the Patronus Charm as every student sat eagerly on the edge of their seats to listen.

"The Patronus Charm is the most famous and one of the most powerful defensive Charms known to Wizardkind. It is an immensely complicated and extremely difficult spell that evokes a partially tangible positive energy force known as a Patronus, also known in some parts of the world as a spirit guardian. It is the primary protection against Dementors and Lethifolds, against which there are no other means of defense. There are two different forms a Patronus can take. Does anyone know what they are? Yes, Miss Evans?"

"Corporeal and Uncorporeal," Lily answered swiftly as she lowered her hand and sat up a little straighter. "A Corporeal Patronus takes the form of an animal, supposedly the animal representation of a witch or wizard's soul. An Uncorporeal Patronus doesn't take a shape at all and it's significantly less effective most of the time."

"Excellent, Miss Evans. Perfect. Ten points to you as well. The Patronus represents that which is hidden, and unknown but necessary within the personality. When a human is confronted with inhuman evil, such as a Dementor, they must draw upon resources he or she may never have needed, and the Patronus is the awakened secret self that lies dormant until needed, but which must now be brought to light. Patronuses take forms that their casters might not expect, for which they have never felt a particular affinity, or (in rare cases) even recognize. Now, before we go getting carried away, I want to remind you all that much like with wands, it's not the size of your patronus that matters-"

Sirius snorted. Remus elbowed him in the rib.

"There have been many accounts of Wizards who produce small animals as their Patronus that were far more powerful than someone whose patronus took the form of an Ox. Mr. Black, did you have a question?" He fixed Sirius with a warning stare and Sirius had to take a deep breath to control the fit of giggles that was threatening to escape. He cleared his throat.

"Er, yes. I was just wondering how big your Patronus was, Professor?"

A few students snickered. James turned a laugh into a coughing fit and Peter snorted. Remus sunk down in his seat and gave Sirius a look that read I'm going to slaughter you.

Sirius gave him a sheepish look.

Much to everyone's surprise, Furgal did not take away points or tack on an extra detention to Sirius' quickly filling schedule. Instead, he gave a cocky smirk that would match Sirius' own any day, drew his wand, and cleared his throat before saying, with absolute clear annunciation, "Expecto Patronum!"

Blinding silver light shot out from the Professor's wand. It took a moment for their eyes to adjust to make out its form, but it was quite massive. The whole class let out a gasp as a powerful, sturdy, yet graceful silver Clydesdale Stallion reared back on its hind legs and galloped a lap around the classroom before disappearing back into the wands from which it came. After a moment of stunned silence, the students erupted into applause.

"That was wicked, Professor!"

"Did you see? It was beautiful!"

"I want to try!"

"Yes, we're all going to have a chance to try. Just keep in mind that this is exceptionally difficult magic. Don't be put off if you can't master it right away, most cannot. Some witches and wizards never master this spell, but you'll never know without a proper try. Alright, Potter, Black, help me move these desks out of the way, then."

The first day of Patronus lessons was a considerable disappointment. Most students got frustrated after the first few tries when not even a puff of smoke was produced from their wands. By the end of the class, it was Sirius who managed to get anything at all to happen, and even then it was barely a bit of silvery mist and a depressingly dry coughing sound.

"Don't be discouraged," Professor Furgal told them once again as they packed their belongings at the end of class, each student looking more defeated than the next. "You made great progress whether you know it or not. Really think about those happy memories before the next class. Dig deep into your mind and find the happiest there is."

The following class wasn't much better. Sirius nearly threw his wand across the room when he couldn't even get the sad cough and mist to happen again, but this time some sort of molten silver liquid poured out of Lily's wand and onto the floor causing Bellatrix to slip and fall when she walked through it in the middle of a dramatic storm off from the frustration of not yet being successful at her own attempt at the charm.

Sirius barked a laugh. "Hey Lily look, yours really did fen off an evil creature!"

Lily bit back her own giggle and winked at him. "I consider that a success, then."

Remus nearly fell over when a steady stream of mist erupted from his wand on the third day.

"Very good, Mr. Lupin!" Frugal clapped him on the back. "Excellent progress. See everyone? Concentration and practice. Really thinking about those memories. It has to be a strong one!"

Sirius and James let out a loud "GO MOONY!" and Sirius beamed proudly at him making his face grow warm.

—-

My happiest memory… Sirius thought to himself, eyes screwed shut in concentration and tongue poking out from his lips as he clutched his wand tightly in his hand. It was surprisingly not hard for him to recall the times he had been the happiest. When the assignment had first been given, Sirius had felt a pang of anxiety in his stomach. His childhood had been dark and dismal and his mind was full of awful recollections of being shouted at, cursed, and disowned by his own family. However, he realized as he lay in bed that very night with his head on Remus' chest, listening to the other boy's soft snores, it was because of how miserable his past had been that those few happy memories seemed to stick out, shining brightly among the darkness.

My happiest memory

"Black, Sirius!"

There was a murmur throughout the Great Hall as some students craned their necks or even stood to get a look at the Heir to the infamous Black Fortune. Throwing his shoulders back and swallowing hard past the lump in his throat, Sirius walked up, sat on the stool, and risked a look over at the Slytherin table where his cousins were scooting over to leave room for him. His stomach dropped as Professor McGonagall lowered the hat onto his head.

Unlike Bellatrix, the hat did not immediately call out a house assignment. Instead, Sirius heard a voice coming from deep inside his head

Well now, another Black. I'd have thought you'd be as easily placed as your cousins.

I'm nothing like my cousins, Sirius thought fiercely.

Well, I wouldn't go that far. Said the voice. I see a lot of ambition and you're certainly very cunning, Mister Black. You'd be a star pupil for Slytherin.

NO! Sirius gritted his teeth so that he wouldn't accidentally say it out loud. Not Slytherin. I'll leave. I'll run. You can't make me stay. I refuse.

Rather hot-headed, aren't you? But I see loyalty in you, Sirius Black. And bravery. Yes… Well then, I think I'll put you in, "GRYFFINDOR!"

There was a loud gasp throughout the entire hall followed by a deathly silence and Sirius could feel the piercing cold glares of his cousins as he slid off the stool and headed to the table at the opposite end of the room. His footsteps seemed to echo in the shocked silence until;

"YEAH SIRIUS!" Shouted James Potter from the crowd. "YOU DID IT MATE!" And with that, the room erupted with cheers as they had for the other students. Grinning from ear to ear, Sirius slumped down with a great sigh of relief at the Gryffindor table and the sorting continued.

Being sorted into Gryffindor, away from his cousins, being officially told he wasn't like his family. His heart sang and he felt his confidence boost.

"Expecto Patronum!"

Another bout of silver mist, but this time it was at least a little stronger as it puffed out of his wand. Alright, getting closer…

"-And you deserve someone who is going to love every single part of you, including the wolf! So just stop telling yourself that no one's ever going to love you because, for Merlin's sake, I love you! I've loved you for as long as I can remember but you're too full of self-pity to even notice-"

"Sirius…" Remus breathed, his eyes wide in shock, but Sirius continued to rant.

"And I've tried! I've tried so bloody hard to make those feelings go away but-"

"Sirius!" Remus stood.

"They won't! So you can go ahead and hate me for this, but I-'' Sirius gasped as Remus grabbed his face with both hands and crushed their mouths together. Time stopped. They both froze in shock and after a moment, Remus pulled away looking completely horrified at what he had just done.

"I…" he licked his lips. "I'm sorry… I shouldn't have-"

Sirius swallowed thickly, grey eyes searching gold before he reached up grabbing fistfuls of Remus' hair, and closing the distance between their mouths again. This time they were ready. Remus' hands fell from Sirius' face and slowly traveled down to rest on his hips, pulling him closer as their lips moved against each other.

They sank to the ground without breaking apart. Sirius was surprised as Remus, in an uncharacteristically bold manner, straddled his legs, and gently pushed him onto his back, deepening the kiss. Sirius could feel his heart racing as his senses were completely overwhelmed. The scent of parchment and fire and forest and the taste of chocolate and peppermint tea.

They finally broke apart, both panting heavily and staring into each other's eyes.

"You…" Remus licked his lips. "You love me?"

Sirius nodded. "I think I always have, Moony…" he reached up to brush the fringe of Remus' hair out of his eyes.

Remus half laughed, half choked. "I love you too, Sirius."

It was everything he had hoped and dreamed for. He had spent years secretly pining over his friend, his beautiful, sweet, strong Moony who he never thought could ever return his feelings. After all, Sirius didn't deserve someone as unfailingly kind and wonderful as Remus. But Remus had kissed him. Remus had told him he loved him as well…

"Expecto Patronum!"

"Ow," Sirius winced.

"Wuss," muttered James, dropping the knife on the counter. He sighed and locked eyes with Sirius, raising the hand that still held his wrist. "Your blood," he held up his own slit hand. "My blood," he pressed their palms together firmly. "Our blood. You're my brother, Sirius. Forever. No matter what happens. It's me and you. Got it? So I don't want to hear any more about your stupid family or evil being in your veins, because as far as I'm concerned, whatever runs through yours is in mine as well. We have the same blood. Understand?"

James was his brother. He would never be going back to Grimmauld Place.

"Expecto Patronum!"

"He certainly will be returning home," she agreed and for a moment Sirius felt like his heart was going to pound right out of his chest. "With me, Fleamont, and James. Where he belongs." She took a step closer to Walburga, who looked positively livid. "Mrs. Black, Sirius is a wonderful, kind, intelligent young man and I love him like he's my own. He won't be returning to The House of Black, I'm afraid-" Walburga made a sound as if to argue but Euphemia cut her off. "And if I were you, dear, I wouldn't try anything further on the subject. I doubt the Ministry has the same ideas as you seem to have on how to 'discipline' a child… one may even consider your actions unforgivable."

Walburga's eyes widened and the color drained from her face at what Effie was suggesting. Euphemia's lips tugged into a smug smile as she saw realization and defeat wash over the other woman. "Now then, take your hand off of my son, Walburga." Sirius gasped, his head snapping to look back at Effie. It was one thing to say that to other people, as she had before, but to say it to Sirius' own mother.

He had a family who loved him and didn't think he was a disappointment.

Remus' breath was shaky and heavy. He licked his lips, staring down at the other boy. He had never wanted anything as badly as he wanted this right now.

He nodded. "I'm ready."

Sirius pushed himself up to press their lips together. "Then I'm yours."

He had Remus' love and trust. He truly belonged to someone.

They both laughed, turning their heads to look at each other, too tired to move much else. Remus' eyes lingered on the bite, dark and red against Sirius' pale, flawless skin. He smiled and lifted his hand to trace it with his fingertip.

"You're mine…" he whispered.

Sirius caught his wrist and brought his hand to his lips to kiss it. "I've always been yours, Remus."

Family. His family. Remus, James, Peter, Mr. and Mrs. Potter…

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

AHHHHH! I love this chapter. You guys aren't ready for the next part. Come back in two weeks to see how it pans out :D

You can find me on Instagram at Via889Fanfiction or my podcast at themaraudersoliviasversion. Enjoy!