Running in the dark

Chapter 30

OWLs came and went and after two panic attacks from Remus, Lily sobbing over herbology practice questions and Marlene kicking two doors in frustration, it was over.

James, Sirius, Marlene and Regulus still had the upcoming quidditch match to worry about but everyone else was finally able to relax.

It seemed every day the four were at practices leaving early in the morning or right after classes and returning covered in sweat flopping down on the closest bed or couch they could find.

Remus had been reading a book on his bed one evening, a few days before the match, when Sirius walked in with his broom in hand and he dropped it onto his bed with his quidditch robes leaving him in his quidditch shirt and he came over to Remus flopping down on top on his resting his head on Remus' chest.

Remus placed his book to the side and began to run his hands through Sirius' hair. "Was practice alright?" Remus asked him.

"Yeah it was alright, James is with Reg," he replied.

"Alright," Remus replied and it was silent for a few seconds, it was not awkward, it was peaceful.

Sirius wrapped his around Remus's waist and softly said "I love you moony,"

It took Remus a few seconds to let the words sink in and he felt as if he may explode, "What?" He sputtered.

"I love you, Remus," Sirius replied, it wasn't something that had accidentally slipped, he truly meant it.

"I love you too," Remus replied letting the words indent into his brain, Sirius loved him and he loved Sirius.

Sirius then moved to rest his head on Remus' shoulder and look up at him. "You're blushing," he teased and for once Remus didn't have anything to say back he just chuckled and ducked down to kiss Sirius on the cheek.

The match came and Peter came with Remus to the commentary box, soon enough the players walked onto the pitch and were then up in the air.

"The quidditch final today is going to mean a lot for Gryffindor captain Longbottom, his final match before he leaves," Remus began and then the balls were thrown into the air.

"Gryffindor chaser potter has the quaffle and Slytherin seeker black is circling the field looking for the snitch, and Potter goes in for the score and there, ten-point to Gryffindor less than two minutes in," Remus spoke and the Gryffindors broke out into a cheer.

The match went on and it was now 70-60 to Slytherin. A bludger went straight to a Slytherin beater and he completely missed hitting it with his bat letting it go straight past him.

"Fucking hell, Slytherin's beater needs to learn how to hit the ball, I'd be better than that," Remus said, he didn't mean the words as offence but it was what came to his head, but he still got roars of laughter.

The bludgers are meant to only target players but after that comment, it dived straight towards Remus hitting the stands as he and Peter dove away, his head was bleeding and there were gasps, it was spelt to do that, most obviously by a Slytherin but Remus stood back up and McGonagall gave him a concerned look but he kept talking.

"Someone wasn't happy, but it seems the Gryffindor seeker has spotted the snitch, Black is tailing him, but yes fucking yes! He's done it, Gryffindors won!" Remus yelled and the Gryffindors broke into screams of joy but then once again the bludger seemed to set its way towards Remus and he was struck again in the face.

"Lupin are you alright," McGonagall asked as Peter pulled him up. His mouth was bleeding and his jaw felt unhinged, it was dislocated but he gave a thumbs up.

"Pettigrew, take him to the hospital wing," McGonagall ordered but Remus was already gone heading towards Sirius and James.

They stood in the field beside Frank who held the quidditch cup in the air with one hand and had his other arm around his girlfriend Alice Fortescue.

Remus came over and as soon as Sirius saw him he ducked past the people around them and wrapped his arms around Remus in joy.

"Remus, come on McGonagall wants you in the hospital wing," someone said and they turned to see Lily beside Peter waiting.

"Why does he need to," Sirius began and he looked to see Remus with blood coming from his head and mouth and his jaw at an unnatural angle.

"Bludger," Peter replied.

"Come on, we'll meet you in the common room, Sirius," Lily said grabbing Remus's arm to pull him towards the hospital wing, expecting Sirius to want to stay with the team but he walked with them holding Remus' hand to the hospital wing.

Madam Pomfrey fixed his jaw and the cut on his head and got rid of the blood and complained the whole time about how dangerous quidditch was getting and then soon let him go.

Lily and Peter had left halfway through after Remus said it was alright but Sirius waited until Remus could leave too and began to walk with him up to the tower.

"Well done on winning," Remus said taking Sirius' hand in his.

"Well done on your amazing commentary, and if I find out who did that to you, I'll kill them alright moony, I'll make sure of it," Sirius said.

"You don't need to do that," Remus chuckled.

"Yes I do," Sirius replied.

Remus then moved to press Sirius up against the nearby wall, the hallway was empty. "No you don't," he said and then he connected his lips with Sirius' curing an arm around his back.

When they broke apart Sirius' cheeks were bright red and he was grinning "Alright I don't," he smiled.

They walked to the tower where they were met with loud blaring music, food, drinks, happy Gryffindors, very drunk James and Marlene and a grumpy Regulus and an annoyed Dorcas.