Amour

Vingt-cinque

Heads up- I don't know chess for the life of me

A lot had gone down the previous day. Pamplemousse had flown off, Sirius and James had clung onto each other as they cried and bid farewells to the bird. It turns out a lot of people had been attached to her as dinner that evening was quiet and solemn, Frank Longbottom even managed to snap his fork when the news was announced.

But now, as James and Sirius consoled each other in the dormitory--Lily had found an excuse last minute--Remus and Peter sat by the fire with a chess board open in front of them.

"So, how've you been Pete?" Remus asked as he moved a knight forward.

Peter, normally very quick witted, hesitated. "Alright, I suppose."

Remus looked up, "What's wrong?"

"Nothings-"

"Peter, I've known you for almost six years now-" Remus silenced him, "You can tell me."

"Ugh, emotions, I hate this," He took in a deep breath, "Well you know how James wants to shag girls and you want to shag girls and guys and Sirius wants to just shag guys."

"Yes?" Remus grinned, typical Peter being blunt as ever.

"Well-" He faltered.

"This wont leave the common room if you don't want it to." Remus nodded encouragingly.

"IdontthinkIwanttoshaganyone." He said all in one breathe, immediately looking up with wide eyes.

"You don't want to shag anyone?"

"Yeah...I was with Sophie Heatem, you know in Hufflepuff, and she took her shirt off but nothing happened. I didn't want anything to happen, but like, I'd still want to go out with her, just not...that part, fuck this is so confusing sorry."

"Okay."

"Wh- Okay?" He looked astonished.

"It doesn't change anything Pete, you're still you for Merlins sake, not some alien."

"What's an ali- off topic, sorry. But, really, thanks Remus. I would have told you sooner but with everything going on and-"

"I get it."

Peter let out a deep breath, "I feel like Hagrid just sat on me."

"Have some water then move the fucking chess piece before my Queen can destroy you."

"My king will chop up your knights and eat them on a hand-painted buffet plate for BRUNCH!"

"Fucking hell."

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Now, seeing as it was Hogsmede weekend, a bit of hyperactivity was to be expected, but this one was full fledged chaos. People had been waiting and saving for this day, ever since Dumbledore announced the Yule Ball, for it was outfit shopping hours.

Some people had already been sent their dress robes by parents or carers, the Durmstrang students had all received matching ones for some bizarre reason. They were black with a deep red stitching along the collar, Sirius thought--despite himself--that they were actually rather fashionable.

The four boys were lounging around in the common room that morning, galleons firmly stored in their inner jacket pockets. Remus hadn't planned on joining, money didn't come to him as leisurely as the rest of them, but after his little lake jump he'd got just enough to scrape a decent dress robe and maybe some chocolate. Fuck, he wanted chocolate so bad.