RUB A DUB

Chapter 4

The next day, when Sirius woke up, Remus wasn't in his bed anymore. He went to breakfast hoping he'd be there and that he could talk to him right after, but Remus was nowhere to be seen. The day went by and Remus didn't show up to class. Later, Sirius went to the library, finding Marlene and Dorcas there, but they hadn't seen him either. He thought that maybe he felt sick again and went to the hospital wing, but Madam Pomfrey said she hadn't seen him since the day before. Sirius went back to the Gryffindor common room, defeated. At least, he wasn't the only person Remus was avoiding.
He figured Remus would come back to their dorm eventually, so he waited for him on his bed. The others two went to bed a couple hours later, and shut the light down. Sirius wasn't used to stay up anymore as he hadn't seen Mary at night since the start of the holidays, and he fell asleep before Remus came back.

Remus had spent the day outside reading and was now trying to convince himself that he could also sleep outside despite the cold making his body shake since the sun went down. It was nearly one in the morning, the sun would be shining in a few hours he thought. It was just a tough time to go through. And even if he got sick, he'd just spent more time in the hospital wing, meaning more time not seeing Sirius. He found a corner sheltered from the wind and closed his eyes.
He woke up before the sun rises. His body was aching and he felt as if he hadn't slept in weeks, every muscle sore from shaking the whole night. He decided it was time he'd go back to his dorm. Maybe he could get a few more hours of sleep, in his bed this time. Sirius was always the last one up anyway.
He came back in the Gryffindor tower, trying not to wake up anyone. He didn't want to get caught, but must of all he didn't wanna have to explain why he had spent the night out. When he arrived in his dorm he noticed Sirius curtain's bed were open, and the bed was empty. He stopped in his tracks, confused, then looked over at his own bed. The curtains were shut. He approached it and took a peek behind the curtains. Sirius was there, laying on his bed, fast asleep. What the fuck? Why did he sleep in his bed? Had he been sleepwalking? But his bed wasn't even undone?
Remus stood there for a good ten minutes, wondering where his life had gone wrong.
Sirius was sleeping in his bed. And he had spent the night out to avoid him. Because he has a crush on his best friend and he thought it would have helped. But now he was even more confused. What if Sirius liked him too? What if it was why they had asked him to do a threesome with them? But that was some weird twisted scheme if it was. And why would Sirius be sleeping in his bed anyway? No he was making things up. He should just dress up and go to the library. It was 5:30am now it would be open soon.
So he did. He read for an hour then went for breakfast at 7 am, James being the only other this early because he wanted to practice for quidditch. They had a quick chat, then Remus went for a walk around the castle, alone, trying to clear his mind once again.

He had to go to class eventually. He arrived late even tho he had nothing else to do, and tried to not be noticed while he made his way to the chair next to Lily. He was almost there when he sneezed so loudly the professor stopped talking to look at him.
"And why are you late Lupin?" Kettleburn asked.
"I'm sorry. I'm a bit sick, I went to the hospital wing before class and it lasted longer than I thought it would." He improvised. It was true he had felt sick since he woke up that night though.
The care of magical creature teacher turned and continued his class. Remus sat down next to Lily, when she asked "Are you even sick or were you just trying to avoid him again?"
"Hum, no I'm sick. I think I caught a cold or something."
"How?"
"Sleeping outside?"
"Remus! Seriously?" she hissed.
The teacher stopped talking again, glaring at them.
"Yeah, I know, that was stupid. Anyway. I found him in my bed when I came back."
"What? What was he doing there?"
"I have no idea. Now can we stop talking about this please?"
"Okay..."

Remus spent the morning having a hard time to concentrate properly. He knew it was stupid but he couldn't help but hope Sirius liked him too. Why else would he've been sleeping in his bed otherwise. Maybe Lily was right and he should talk to Sirius. Not now though, he still had to work out the courage to face him beforehand.

He was last to get out of the class before lunch time. He went through the door, then stopped right there as he saw an anxious looking Sirius waiting for him it seemed.
"Hiya Remus." He said rubbing his neck. "I wanted to talk to you about something."
"Uh yeah? About what?" Remus breathed, his heart beating fast of the surprise and anticipation.
"Okay hum, I've noticed, we haven't talked since... you know... and I don't know if I'm making things up or whatever but I feel like maybe you're mad at me? And I just wanted to say, you're my friend and nothing will ever change that so could we like, get rid of this awkward situation and never talk about it again? Please?"
Remus almost laughed at himself. What had he been thinking? He was so delusional, of course Sirius didn't want to talk about it. They were friends. Just friends. It had always been that way and it will always stay that way.
"Hum, yeah, if you want. I'm sorry I didn't talk to you, I was kind of busy." He lied.
"Okay, great." Sirius sighed, relieved. "We should go to lunch now don't you think?"
"Yeah sure."
And that was it.

They acted as if nothing had happened for a couple of weeks. They started hanging out again with Peter and James, who were totally oblivious to the situation. They raided Honeydukes in prevision for Lily's birthday coming up at the end of the month. Remus continued complaining to Lily about the whole situation and how hard it was getting over someone so hot and so funny and so *insert any adjective he'd come up with*. Sirius started to go to Mary's room, as she didn't want to go to his since that night. They didn't fuck either, she just listened to Sirius venting about Remus and what he had said that day, or what he had done that made him feel like he'll never get over him. The girls were just so done with them both.

One evening, they were alone in their dorm, talking about Lily's birthday and the party they were trying to plan.
"You know how the boy's are always pulling pranks, I thought it would be fun to prank them for once." Marlene said.
"Yeah? Have you got any idea?" Lily asked, interested.
"Not yet, but I thought we could do it at your birthday party. It would be a good present right? To make fun of them all."
"Present! Oh god. I forgot to get you a present Lily!" Mary jolted.
"Oh, don't worry love, I don't need a present." She smiled.
"Yes, but I'd like to give you something still. Please tell me what you'd like I'll get it! I don't wanna be the only one without a present." She pleaded.
"Honestly, the only thing I can think of right now is making Remus shut up for a week. If you can do that I'd be forever grateful." She laughed.
"Remus? Why? I thought you were like, best friends?" Mary asked, confused.
"Oh, yes, we are! But he's just a bit like a broken record these days. Can't stop rambling about the same stuff every day."
"What stuff?" Marlene asked, curious.
"Well, let's say he has a bit of a crush on someone and it's kind of hard for him right now."
"Remus has a crush? Well that's a first!" Marlene exclaimed.
"Wait. Who is his crush?" Mary asked, getting suspicious.
"Uh, I don't think I can tell you."
"Yeah, of course. But, is it what I think it is?"
"What do you think it is?" Lily frowned.
"You know, before the holidays. Remus must have told you."
"Yes..."
"Is it about this?" Mary asked wide-eyed.
"I can't tell you." Lily slowly answered.
"Lily. If it is about this, tell me. Cause I have something to tell you too." She said very seriously.
Pause.
"What?" Lily asked, baffled. "Do you mean-?"
"Yes!"
"WHAT"
"YEAH"
"NO! YOU'RE LYING!"
"I AM NOT. LILY!"
They started laughing hysterically.
"Girls?" Marlene asked, absolutely lost. "Can you enlighten me maybe?"
"Yeah, sorry." Mary said, trying to calm down. "So, you know how Sirius is coming here every night?"
"Yeah, cause you fuck and his mates aren't tolerating it anymore. I must say I won't long either."
"What? I didn't know that!" Lily gasped.
"Well, yeah but no. Not anymore. Cause Sirius's got a big fat crush."
"On who?"
"Marlene!" Mary and Lily said at the same time. "Connect the dots maybe?" Lily laughed.
"Oh... OH! NO! You mean... Sirius is Remus' crush? And Remus is Sirius' crush? Is that possible?"
"It seems so yes."
"Why aren't they dating then?"
"Well, I can't get Remus to talk to him. Apparently Sirius friendzoned him or something." Lily said.
"What? No! Remus avoided Sirius for weeks, he thought he was mad at him so he apologised."
"And said he didn't want to talk about it again. When Remus was starting to consider confessing."
"He was?"
"Yeah, he told me he found Sirius sleeping in his bed when he didn't sleep in their dorm one night. He thought that could mean something."
"If only we could get them to talk to each other." Mary sighed. "But like, honestly, this time."
A few seconds passed, then Marlene said "Girls, I think I might have an idea for the prank."