‘How are you feeling, Moony?’
‘I’m fine, Wormtail,' Remus replied, stopping himself from rolling his eyes at the question. 'Just like I was this morning when you asked.’
Peter smiled ruefully. ‘Sorry.’
‘It’s alright,' Remus said, giving him a grateful smile. 'Better you care too much than not enough.’
‘I guess,' Peter said with a shrug then his gaze fell upon a welcome distraction. 'Chess, Moony?’
‘Sure.’
It was a Saturday evening and they'd been back at Hogwarts for two weeks. The Gryffindor students had been especially solicitous to Remus, who was appreciative of their support, but was growing weary of constantly reassuring people that he wasn’t suicidal. He was still missing his mother dreadfully, but he was starting to emerge from the fog that had been surrounding him since he had watched her take last breath.
Being back at school helped.
Being around his friends helped.
Being with Sirius helped.
Peter and James had been hovering around he and Sirius lately; James putting the long-coveted-and-finally-won Lily to the side in favour of his Marauder buddies. The unusual attentiveness made it difficult for Remus to find time with Sirius...anytime they managed to snatch a moment alone, Peter or James would interrupt at the most inopportune moment.
Remus had noticed a particularly edgy Peter sticking close to him today and gave up hope that he'd be able to lure Sirius into a quiet cupboard for a quick fumble. As the werewolf followed the blonde to a deserted corner of the common room, he hoped the other boys would settle down soon - their stalker-like behavious had Remus squirming in sexual frustration.
He and Peter soon became engrossed in the game. Sirius and James watched them for a while, but the energetic duo soon became bored. James, standing and stretching, suggested going up to the dorm to plan their traditional end of year prank and Sirius readily agreed, shooting Remus a little wink before he climbed the stairs after his friend.
‘It’ll have to be something big this time, Prongs,' Sirius declared as they dodged tiny First Years on the way to their dorm. 'It’s our last chance to humiliate them. Gods, this will be fantastic! We haven’t pranked the Slytherins in ages...bloody Evans is a bad influence on you.’
James made a harrumphing noise as they entered the dorm then he threw himself down on Sirius’ bed, his expression grave when he looked at Sirius.
‘Lily is a wonderful influence on me and I’m not the only one who’s whipped these days.’
Sirius froze for a second as he lowered himself to the bed then decided to ignore the comment in the hopes of avoiding the conversation he still wasn't sure he was ready for.
‘So? Ideas? Did you have something in mind already, or...?’
‘Sirius…’
‘I think the Slytherins need a final farewell from us befitting their repulsiveness…’
‘I know about you and Remus.’
Sirius stared at his friend with wide, slightly fearful eyes, then closed them as he sighed and leaned back against the headboard. He and Remus had intended to tell their friends about their relationship when they came back from holidays, but found themselves putting it off, unsure as to how the others would take the change in the dynamics of the group. But it seemed the moment had arrived and Sirius let out a long breath, cursing Remus' absence, before he opened his eyes.
