WOLFSTAR (AND HARRY POTTER) STORIES!!!

30 PART 11

"I'm really not in the mood for this, Padfoot," sighed Remus. Sirius hooked his arm through Remus' and pulled him closer.

"You always get a bit jittery before a social event. You'll be fine once you get in there," he assured him. "A couple Firewhiskys wouldn't go amiss, either. That'll loosen you up."

"This isn't social anxiety, I'm just not in the mood to talk to anyone," he argued. Remus and Sirius walked through the quiet village of Godric's Hollow, two chocolate fruitcakes, as promised, and a large bag of presents in tow. After the shock of losing his job the previous day, it came as no surprise that Remus was in a less than celebratory mood. Sirius had managed to talk him into attending the annual Christmas party at the Potter's on the promise that they would go home whenever he was ready, regardless of how early it was. However, the closer they got to their intended destination, Remus' reservations about attending grew. His pace slowed as they approached the house, as though hoping if he walked slowly enough he might never arrive. Sirius sighed and stopped dead in his tracks.

"Do you really want to go home?" he asked gently.

"Yes and no," Remus replied honestly, shuffling awkwardly from one foot to the other before shrugging. "I don't know..."

Sirius dropped the large bag he was carrying onto the ground and pulled Remus into a tight hug, which he gladly returned. He felt the tension in his body ease and he let out a long, weary sigh, melting into Sirius' arms. It was funny how something so small as a hug could make him feel so much better.

"Do you require another distraction?" Sirius joked. Remus chuckled.

"As much as I'd love another distraction, I don't fancy doing it outside."

"Fair enough." Sirius rubbed their cold noses together and pressed a tender kiss to his lips. "We could always go home and distract ourselves then come back to the party later?"

"You're determined to shag me, aren't you?"

"You say that like it's a bad thing," he smirked. "Seriously though, if you're not feeling up to it, we can go home."

Remus considered the offer for a moment before shaking his head, "No, I'll muster my Gryffindor bravery and stay for at least one drink. I'll see how I feel after that."

"Sounds good," Sirius smiled warmly, his eyes fixed on Remus' lips. Remus cupped his cheek and kissed him again, relishing the heat of Sirius' hot mouth as the cold air nipped his bare cheeks. Funny how a kiss could make him feel so much better than a hug.

"Oi! Get a room, you two!" called a familiar, jovial voice. Remus and Sirius broke their kiss and turned towards the small man with mousy brown hair standing behind them, grinning broadly. "Wotcher, Padfoot. Moony."

"Wormtail!" cried Sirius cheerfully, pulling his friend into a tight hug before lifting him off of the ground and spinning him on the spot. "How the bloody hell are you?"

Peter Pettigrew yelled and laughed as his arms and legs flailed wildly before Sirius placed him roughly back onto the ground, his feet slipping a little on the wet snow. He looked a little dazed, but happy, as his gaze, slightly cross-eyed, turned to Remus. "Better now I'm back on solid ground. How are you two getting on?"

Remus stepped forward and gave him a quick hug. "We're doing well, thanks. How's life treating you at Gringotts?"

Peter's watery blue eyes sparkled. "Ahh, life at the bank has improved immensely since we last spoke! I found a treasure there greater than anything goblin made! Here, I'd like you to meet someone..." he turned and beckoned a woman forward that Sirius and Remus hadn't noticed had been standing quietly off to the side as the three friends had gotten reacquainted. She was a willowy-looking woman at least a head taller than Peter, with frizzy brown hair and a thick woollen shawl wrapped around her slim frame. She looked a little nervous as she stepped closer to them.