Changes

Chapter Eighteen

Sirius Black

Remus had gone again, he'd gone the afternoon before his birthday and when Sirius woke Remus hadn't returned it was bad enough he had classes, but this wasn't giving him high hopes for Remus staying for Christmas as he said he would, Sirius took note all the same for Remus, grumpily, James and Peter tried to cheer him, but that ridiculous anger at Remus for missing his birthday stayed with him, even if he'd not blame Remus for going to see his sick mother did it have to be on his birthday. Sirius followed James and Peter blindfolded now thinking of when they'd done this for Peter, Remus had guided Peter from behind the whole time, Peter had guided Sirius into pillars, and walls and hadn't told his when he'd reached stairs, Sirius would have thought he was doing it on purpose if he didn't know Peter, James laughed ahead of then and had finally taken pity on him taking his hands to guide him, Sirius felt James's hand feeling dents and rises of smooth skin, like scars, Sirius grinned taking off his blindfold.

"Remus." Sirius grinned hugging him and they almost fell on the stairs. "You came back." 

"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Remus grinned, "We've got more surprised so you want to put that back on?" Remus looked at the blindfold in his hand.

"It ruining my hair and Peter is awful at directions, plus I know where we're going." Sirius denied.

"Okay, how about this." Remus moved behind him and covered his eyes with his hands and spoke the directions and warnings into Sirius's ear as they walked and entered the Gryffindor common room just like Peter's party Sirius had a table full of sweet presents and a cake that was white chocolate, more people had joined the party mostly for the sweets, celebration and butterbeer, but he hanged with a few of them dragging James or Remus along he was still annoyed a Peter for bruising his shins so many times on his birthday, Remus had found a spell that make giant bubbles that were impossible to pop, he tried and used them as balloons.

"Where is the music?" Sirius asked and Remus grinned.

"You should open your presents," James suggested.

"This on first." Remus pointed to the largest present and Sirius knelt next to his opening it to find a suitcase of some kind he looked at his friend with a brow raised, "Open it." Remus directed so Sirius did on the inside it was very similar to the record players he'd seen just with no visible wind or gramophone like the old one the Prewett twins used.

"It's Electic, Remus and James found a way to enchant it to play without it. You don't have to crank it between songs." Peter explained excitedly.

"It was the Prewett that got it for us apparated to the nearest city from Hogsmeade. Refused to take us with them though." James informed frowning at the last sentence.

"Open these ones next." Peter proffered a pile of the wrapped flat square Sirius could guess what they were.

"We figured you'd appreciate muggle music more." James offered and Sirius open the first one Was David Bowie's Hunky Dory, then there was Abbey Road by the Beatles, Led Zeppelin IV and the Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers.

"So how about that music," Remus suggested and Sirius had to be honest he still thought Bowie's album the best, but Remus seemed less reluctant to dance when the Beatles played so he couldn't fault them either, Zeppelin had some real headbangers and the Rolling Stones were really something, Sirius was still singing as the head up to their rooms ones James and Peter were asleep Remus crept over to his bed.

"Hi." Sirius greeted.

"Hi." Remus knelt next to his head and began stroking his hair. "Sorry, I couldn't be here for your whole birthday." 

"It's okay, you were here for the important parts and your present makes up for it." Sirius grinned teasingly and it was quiet for a moment, "How's your Mom?"

"She had a bad one, she still wasn't feeling too well when I left, but she was through the worst of it." Remus voiced still stroking his hair leaning on the side of his bed.

"Are you okay?" Sirius wondered touching Remus's other hand.

"Just a little tired, I didn't sleep." Remus voiced and Sirius paused then slid over in his bed patting his pillow, Remus stilled for a moment then climbed in resting his head on Sirius's pillow and laying down facing him then continued stroking Sirius's hair.

"Are you sure about staying for Christmas? I don't want you doing it just for me." Sirius voiced trying to be selfless even if it meant he'd be lonely for Christmas.

"It's not just for you, Sirius. Winter break it's when I'll likely get sickest and there is a trained professional on hand here, but if it was just for you, what is wrong with that, huh, my parents have each other for Christmas and you have me." Remus offered and Sirius relaxed, "Besides I'll probably see them again before Christmas anyway and we can exchange gifts then." Remus assured then smiled slightly closing his eyes.

"Good night, Remus." Sirius breathed closing his eyes.

"Good night, Sirius, Happy Birthday," Remus whispered and as he did Sirius felt saddened by the fact his family hadn't even broken their silence to wish in a happy birthday.

Remus and Sirius had come to see Peter and James off on the train, Remus, as promised, was staying with him for the Christmas holidays and also as predicted had sent his presents home for Christmas though had done so by owl so they'd arrive the day of, despite having gone to see his mother again at the beginning of the month, Remus had explained it was that his father was notorious for peeking at gifts when they were left out, the train departed the station and Remus turned to him.

"Well, Sirius, we have two weeks, just you and me, the feast tomorrow night so what do you want to do today?" Remus questioned putting his hand in his pocket and beginning to walk back towards the school.

"I can think of a few things." Sirius kneels behind Remus and pacts some snow together before quickly throwing it at the back of Remus's head. Remus turned to him snow all through his hair and his mouth opened in an O shape then he grinned bending down to make his own snowball and chasing after Sirius as he made a run for it.