Marauders - Always - Part One

Only Her Legs

Remus was still trembling with worry in Sirius's arms when Frank and Alice popped into the flat to check on where they'd gone.

Frank had rapped his knuckles against the door twice, then poked his head in. "Sirius? Remus?" he called, "Everything alright up here with you blokes? The - er - partiers are about to start a formal inquiry?" 

Sirius looked up from the couch, but he didn't respond. His eyes met Frank's for a split moment, and then he looked away.

Alice pushed 'round Frank into the living room of the flat. "Sirius, what's going on? You've abandoned your own party? Are you lot getting dirty up here or what?" she demanded.

"Alice, no, of course not," Sirius said, answering instantly.

Frank sighed heavily.

"We've had a bit of a - an incident, but we're alright. Everything's fine," Sirius said. He was stroking Remus's head, and Remus shook his head and pressed his face into Sirius's shoulder. Sirius blocked Remus's face with his splayed palm, a suspicious look in his eye as he glanced at Frank again.

After all, Frank Longbottom had already proved his willingness to act by the book regardless of whether the person he was hauling into the Ministry was a friend or not, hadn't he? Sirius reasoned. No way was he about to test it to see if Frank would drag in a werewolf-slash-suspected-murderer should Remus say the wrong thing about the aconite.

"What's the matter?" Alice pressed.

"Really it's all fine," Sirius insisted. "But I won't be rejoining the party tonight. If you could, would you be a lamb and dismiss the revelers? Whenever they're ready, of course, I'm not rushing anyone. Enjoy the alley as long as you like." He waved a palm for Frank and Alice to depart.

Frank stepped closer, concern in his eyes, "Sirius, what's the matter with Remus? Honestly, you can't expect us not to see that there's clearly something the matter --"

"Alice," Sirius said, talking over Frank's voice, "Remus and I are quite alright. We are adults, both of us, and as married men we beg privacy on the matter."

Alice looked at Frank, "He's politely telling us to fuck off, love."

Frank looked frustrated, "Sirius Black, please just gods-damned talk to me, will you? For crying out loud? There's nothing I can do to change the past, mate, I can't go back in time and fix what's been done. All I can do is say I'm sorry, grovel, and repeat that I am so bloody sorry for doing my job and arresting you. I didn't have a choice in the matter, I would've lost my job if I'd not done it, and bleeding hell - we're mates! Just bloody forgive me already, please!"

Sirius stared at him, then turned away, hugging Remus. "Thank you for understanding, Alice. And happy Halloween, darling."

Alice took Frank's arm gently as he let out a frustrated growl. "C'mon Frank, honey." She practically dragged Frank out the door of the flat.

"He's so bloody stubborn," Frank said as Alice pulled the flat door closed behind them. "Why's he got to be so bloody stubborn?"

Alice sighed, "You know Sirius... he's always been stubborn, so long as we've known him..."

"It's just sooo frustrating!" Frank complained.

Alice nodded, "I don't envy you, honey." Frank swore as they went down the stairs, back to dissolve the party they'd been put in charge of.

Back inside, Remus's face was pressed into Sirius's shoulder, and Sirius sighed as the flat door closed behind Frank and Alice, then used his wand to lock it up so they wouldn't be intruded upon again - at least not until Wormtail came up and unlocked it with his key, that is. Sirius ran his palm over Remus's temple and cheek and jaw gently.