When We Fell In Love

Chapter 12: Christmas 1975 - Part 1

Christmas at the Potters' had been a dream they had all shared since their first year. James always returned with the best stories, and Remus had had the pleasure of meeting Euphemia and Fleamont, and now he was feeling genuinely excited about spending two weeks in their company.

However, this also meant spending two whole weeks in very close proximity to Sirius. Remus had been good at avoiding him throughout the entire term, though Sirius had started to suspect that something was going on. Remus kept blaming the O.W.L.s, even though he knew that excuse would not last much longer.

On the train to London, he managed to pretend to sleep the entire time, aided by the excuse of the recovery from the last full moon just four days prior. His bones and muscles still ached, but there were no new scratches, which, for him, was already a victory. Madame Pomfrey had given him a potion to regain his strength and had told him to enjoy all the pampering the Potters could offer him; little did she know that the only cuddles he desired was the kind he could not have.

Sirius was ecstatic at the thought of not having to see those monsters that were his parents. For the two days before their departure, he had done nothing but bounce around the dormitory and the Common Room, obsessively emptying and repacking his trunk multiple times. He had written to Andromeda to send gifts for everyone by owl, especially for Euphemia and Fleamont — although they had reassured James in a letter saying that their company alone would be more than enough.

Remus felt indescribable joy and a deep affection in seeing Sirius happy, truly happy; the thought that he, with his stupid feelings, might ruin everything had convinced him to bury deep in his heart any emotion that went beyond friendship and to try to return to how things had been the year before. Sirius seemed even happier since he had noticed that Remus had come back to him, like a boomerang thrown too far and that had taken too long to return home. Remus had missed him too and realised that the distance had only made his crush, which had initially seemed so small, grow even more.

When they arrived at King's Cross, Sirius started walking between Euphemia and Fleamont, filling their ears with his perfect orator's chatter. They were a few metres ahead, with Peter, who was only half-listening to the unending stream of words flowing from his friend's mouth. James and Remus followed behind, amused, enjoying the adorable scene.

"James, I have a problem," Remus whispered, hoping no one would hear him. Perhaps confiding in James would help; if he could keep the secret of his furry little problem, this would just be another small secret to keep.

"Does it have anything to do with why you've been avoiding Sirius for months now ?" Remus was sure James had noticed and was grateful that he had been the one to bring it up.

"Uh... yes," Remus admitted, rubbing his free hand over his face, cheek, and head.

"Listen, Moony, you don't have to tell me anything. I know exactly how you feel. I understand." Remus' confused look made James roll his eyes. "I understand , Moony. I know what you're feeling."

"You... you... you ??" What was happening? And how was it possible that, in just four months, everything he knew about his little world was turning upside down?

"Me, Remus. Me ." James nodded energetically.

"I don't know how I'll survive these two weeks," Remus admitted.

"Remus, talk to Sirius. Trust me." He was already the second person who seemed to know something Remus did not, and he hated the feeling of being kept in the dark.

But he did not have time to investigate further, as they had reached the entrance to the underground, and everyone was crowding in to take the train that would bring them near the Leaky Cauldron, from where they could Floo to Potter Manor.