And There Were Always Two... - oc x r. lupin & oc x s. black

- 34 -

Sirius was awfully aware of Mavis Curron sitting at the front of his potions class. He was terrified of smelling the potion he had just brewed, not because it could be wrong but because of what it would reveal.

He knew it already.

Sirius was awfully aware of Remus sitting beside him with his eyes glued on his friend.

Mavis strutted to the front of the classroom with her cauldron, her steps were so smooth the liquid barely moved.

"Do tell us," Slughorn said, while taking notes on the potion Mavis had set on his desk. "What do you smell?"

Mavis leaned down, holding her curls back with one hand.

"Cigarette smoke, leather, and blackberry ice cream."

Sirius went deathly still.

Her voice rang through the classroom as the snooping gossipers ceased their chatter and listened in. To everyone but Sirius those words meant nothing. He tried to ignore them. They made eye contact as she walked back to her desk. Neither of them backed down till she had to sit in her chair.

Merlin, he missed her.

He pried his eyes from the back of her head and looked up at Slughorn.

"Lupin, Black," Slughorn called for the second time. Sirius hadn't heard him. "Would you mind bringing your potion up to me or do you believe you're above that?"

Black groaned and stood up.

He almost didn't breath as he stood in front of the potion, Lupin at his side.

"Tell us what you smell, if you don't mind. Lupin first."

Remus breathed it in like it was the loveliest scent in the world.

"Chocolate, honey, and books," he said, biting his lip to keep from smiling.

Sirius knew that he was thinking of Ashley. The jealousy was nearly ripping him apart but he just smirked at his friend.

"Black?"

Sirius took a whiff and wanted to die.

"Well...?" Slughorn asked expectantly, making some final notes on the boys' potion.

"Cigarettes, metal, and..." there was no way of saying blackberry ice cream without revealing to the whole class that he still hadn't gotten over Mavis. "And rain."

As the boys went back to the seats, he glanced at Mavis again. He could see it all in her eyes. Liar. And she was right.

The class dragged on after that moment. He didn't give a shit what the other students smelled in their amortentia. He just wanted to run to the quidditch field and fly on his broom so fast that he couldn't feel anything but adrenaline.

"That must've hurt," Remus said to him as they walked out. "I know Prongs' obsession with blackberry ice cream. He's crazy for it."

Sirius glanced at Remus and shrugged.

He really fucking doubted that's why she had smelled it.

"I'm gonna go-"

"-to the quidditch pitch, Padfoot? Again?"

"Shove off, Moony," Sirius growled and stalked away, but then turned around. "I don't get how you don't hate Mavis. She called you a monster, for Merlin's sake. I- I just don't understand how you're so fucking calm about it."

"Sirius, I told you. She's not the first and she's not the last."

"She hasn't even apologised," Sirius said in a low voice.

Remus took a step back.

She had. She'd poured her heart out in that apology... but she'd also made him promise not to tell anyone. He wanted to so badly. It hurt to see Sirius so remote and angry all the time. To see Ashley's eyes glisten whenever Mavis walked by. To see James stare off into the distance like he was replaying that moment to see if there was something he could have done to change the outcome. Remus, it was supposed to have been just between Remus and Mavis. No one else was supposed to be touched

So, Remus let Sirius walk away.

That afternoon, Remus sat down in the common room to write another letter to Mavis.

Hey Mav,

Intense potion class today, huh? Well, we both know Sirius lied about something there. Nevermind it. Are you still sure you don't want them to know that you're sorry? It would change everything, I know it would.

Anyway, how's life? I mean I see everyday, but I never talk to you. I feel bad. I know you don't have a lot of friends these days, so if you want to hang out sometime, I'd love to. You know what? I'll be at the Astronomy Tower, Saturday around midnight. Come by. I know it's after curfew, so just don't get caught.

So, onto your weekly update on Ashley. She's still struggling with Ancient Ruins, but don't worry I'm tutoring her. She hangs out with us most of the time, James has kind of taken her under his wing. She's brilliant, and funny, and enough of me simping over her. Umm... that's about it. I mean, I'm not about to tell you what she ate everyday this week so that's the end of my report.

Don't overwork yourself studying, although I know how hypocritical that sounds coming from me.

Sincerely,

Moony

He gave the letter to his owl and watched him flight it up to the highest levels of the girls' turret.

"Who you righting to?" Ashley asked, walking into the common room.

"My mum. She worries, you know?"

Ashley nodded with a smile.

"Your birthday's coming up, isn't it?" Remus asked as she sat down next to him on the couch. "Anything you want in particular?"

"How about nothing?" she asked.

"Oh come on, maybe something small?"

"Rem..."

He sighed.

He hated how she knew he couldn't afford anything. Between his tattered sweaters and shoes two sizes too big, he could never figure how she was still dating him.

"Fine, fine. How about a party in the common room?" he asked. "One word to James, and he'll set it up."

She cringed.

"Like the one Sirius has every year?"

"Merlin no. That abomination is reserved for only him. Something calmer. Less people."

She shrugged.

"Sounds good, I guess? Just don't over do it, 'kay?"

He nodded and kissed her temple.