They Were up to No Good

Sirius heard himself say it over and over again. 

I don’t need you, Reggie. I have a brother. His voice sounded different in the memory. Cold. Calculating. He sounded like a true Slytherin. Like a true Black. 

It was true though wasn’t it? He didn’t need Regulus. He didn’t need anyone in that wretched family. He had James, who always stood up for him, and understood him and joked around with him. He had James as a brother. He didn’t need another one. 

Then why the fuck did he feel so sick in his stomach?

“Are you alright, Sirius?” Remus asked looking up from his notes, his huge eyes, warming Sirius like a mug of hot chocolate. 

Sirius nodded. He needed to stop worrying people for no reason. It wasn’t like Remus didn’t already have enough on his mind. Sirius bounced his leg up and down restlessly, trying to focus on Slughorn. 

Reggie was there for you when no one else was. 

Sirius continued to bounce his legs. 

Reggie, your sweet brother Reggie. The one thing he could always count on when he was at home.

What had he become?

What had Sirius become?

Had they changed?

Both of them? Either of them?

Was that a good or a bad thing? 

Sirius dug his fingernails into his arm, focusing on the sting that followed. Breathe . 

Abruptly he jumped up, and his chair screeched back behind him. 

“Bathroom.” He choked out, before hurrying out of the room, and heading towards the closest bathroom he could find. He jumped inside a stall, locking the door behind him and fumbling with his pockets. For a second he thought he forgot his wand, and he was about to freak out when it slipped out of his pocket and clattered to the ground. He lunged toward it and started hurriedly undoing the button on his pants. Quickly he pressed the tip of his want towards his outer thigh. For a second he sat there listening to his heavy breathing, with his wand still pressed against his leg. He told himself he would stop. He told himself every time he did it that he would stop.

A part of him wanted to laugh. Why should he? If his parents were here they would gladly do it for him.

But they weren’t here.

Sirius growled and pressed his wand further into his leg.

You deserve it you fucker, now do it. I want to feel the pain. I want to feel the pa-

“Diffindo.” Slowly, Sirius dragged the tip of his wand along his leg, hand trembling slightly, as dark red blood slipped through the even cuts. Sirius breathed raggedly, trying to get his fingers to stop trembling. His vision blurred and he dropped his wand, letting out a stifled sob. He shouldn’t be crying. He rubbed his eyes before the tears could escape and immediately slapped his cheek. How fucking pathetic. He almost wanted to laugh at the situation, but that would’ve been too tragic. Sirius zipped up his trousers feeling worse and worse every second, but a part of him couldn't help the relief that had coursed through his veins after he’d done it. For a few more seconds Sirius just sat there breathing.

Fuck.

He buried his face in his hands.

Fuck.

I shouldn’t have done that. 

“Sirius?”

Fuck.

“Sirius are you in here?” Remus's voice asked, and the door to the bathroom echoed as it closed behind whoever had just entered. Sirius heard the footsteps as they eerily closed the distance between him and the person until he stopped right in front of the stall Sirius was sitting in. 

“Can I come in?” Remus whispered, and Sirius could almost picture his face in his mind. His big eyes, his soft lips, and his rosy cheeks. 

Sirius sat on the toilet lid focusing on his breathing. Then he outstretched his hand and unlocked the door pushing it open, slightly.

Remus crept in, giving Sirius a small smile. “Hey.” 

“Hey.” Sirius whispered, and his voice cracked slightly. He looked away, and spit harshly, “You know you didn’t have to follow me like a damn poof.” 

Remus gave a small laugh and slid down on the floor of the bathroom with his back against the wall. He patted the spot next to him wordlessly and as if in a trance, Sirius slid down next to him. Instead of teasing him, or joking around with him as Remus usually did when Sirius was in a bad mood Remus didn’t say anything. They sat for a moment staring at the blue plastic wall, opposite them. 

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Sirius said, “So you don’t even have to try to get it out of me.”

Remus smirked knowingly. “Alright Black.”

Sirius wanted to be angry but for some reason, but he couldn't help but laugh a little a bit, at that. 

After a moment, and still looking straight ahead, Remus held out his hand, palm up. Sirius felt his face flush and he looked away, but out of the corner of his eye he could still see Remus’s unwavering hand. Tentatively he put his on top of the other boys and laced his fingers through Remus's.

“Boys don’t hold hands,” Sirius said venomously but he didn’t move to take his hand away. 

“Oops.” Remus replied dryly, and Sirius couldn’t help but feel almost giddy when Remus’s hand stayed right where it was, not wavering a single bit. 

_ _ _ _ 

James had just finished some light Quidditch practice with Marlene, a few days later, when he was about to take a shower in the dormitory. That wasn't going to be working though.

“Merlin's beard, what happened to you?” James gasped disbelievingly. In front of him, Sirius was sitting on his bed, with a huge red welt on his cheek, that looked like it was oozing some sort of white liquid. Beside him, Remus was holding a wet towel to his face (James secretly hoped it wasn’t his) and was flipping through a spellbook frantically. 

“Nothing,” Sirius said stiffly. 

“What do you mean nothing?” James cried. 

“I...I may have told Evans that you have a six pack.” 

“...I take it she didn’t really like that, did she?”

“No,” Sirius said gravely. 

“Sirius, I'm not finding anything,” Remus said sounding annoyed, “We have to go to the hospital wing, now .” 

“No. I’m not a weakling. I’m not a wuss. I don’t need anything.”

“Yeah? Well, a wet towel isn’t going to do much against a hex, you prat.” 

“I can’t believe Evans, hexed you…” James said, setting down his quidditch gear, “That’s so cool.” 

“Yes, it’s just great. Now let’s go.” Remus said, throwing down the towel and pulling Sirius away from the bed. 

“No, I don’t want to!”

“Tosser. Stop acting like a child!”

“Never!” 

“Don’t stand there like a dimwit and help me out, Potter.” Remus groaned. 

“Oh right.” James pushed up his glasses and hurried forward, pulling Sirius, who was now hanging onto his bedpost like his life depended on it, away. 

“Come on, Sirius.” 

“No, you can’t make me!”

“Merlin's tits, Sirius.” 

Eventually, the two of them managed to push Sirius out of the dorm room, and down the stairs where Lily, Peter, Marlene and Dorcas were all standing. Peter had apparently been telling off Lily, although none of the three girls really seemed to find him a credible source of telling off. They all stood with their hands on their hips, and their lips in defensive pouts. As soon as Sirius saw Lily he stopped struggling and glared at her. She glared back and they looked at each other for a few seconds, squinting dangerously.

“Evans.”

Lily quirked an eyebrow almost teasingly. “Black .”

“This isn’t over between you and me.”

“Good.”

“You started a rivalry that can never be reversed.” 

“Good.”

“Seriously?” Remus breathed. “Can you please not encourage him? I’ve been trying to get this child to the infirmary for the past half hour. I’m running a bit low on patience over here.” 

"Sorry, not sorry, Remus." Lily grinned. 

“Alright, alright…whatever...”

The three boys started moving away again before James stopped in his tracks looking behind his back, with a stupid look on his face. “It was true by the way. I do have a six pack.”

He winked, and grinned at Lily looking like a complete fool. 

“No, he doesn’t,” Remus said, tiredly.  

Collectively Sirius, James and Peter all groaned at the same time. “Remus !”

“Come on .”

Lily rolled her eyes,  “I wouldn't have believed you anyway…”

“Well that’s just insulting,” James murmured, pulling the others out of the room with him. 

“I have a feeling I see the four of you far too often.” Madam Pomfrey said as they dropped off Sirius at the Hospital Wing. 

“Just the healthy amount,” James said, pushing Sirius into her. Sirius was still pouting and had refused to speak to any of them, with his arms crossed. 

“What happened, then?” Madam Pomfrey asked, leading Sirius to an empty bed. 

The others followed her, “He got hexed.” 

“Which one of you was it?”

“Wish it was me,” Remus muttered. 

“Oi!” Sirius interrupted, speaking for the first time in several minutes. 

“Oi yourself, you damn hypocrite. It’s all ‘oh we care about you go to the hospital wing it’ll be fine,’ until you’re the one that has to go!”

“Oh shut up!

“If you throw a tantrum again, I will throw you. ” Remus growled. 

Sirius stuck out his tongue. 

“Well, it’s nice to see you healthy Remus.” Madam Pomfrey said fondly, her cheeks puffing out into a smile. 

“Thank you, it’s nice seeing you too.” Remus smiled politely, then he turned to Sirius again, “Also, I’m not cleaning the towel, or the blood, or the ooz, like last time!” 

“Fine!” 

“Fine.”

“Alright,” James said cheerily, “Now that that’s cleared- let’s go.” He put one hand on Remus’s shoulder and one on Peter’s shoulder. “Buh bye Sirius. We’ll be back for you.”

“You better be,” Sirius growled. 

"Be a nice boy!"

_ _ _ _

The footsteps slammed the pavement below his feet, as the boy raced through the halls of the school, the sound echoing in his wake. Sirius had just been released from the hospital wing that day and he was gripping his cheek, which was still slightly swollen from Lily’s jinx. Panting slightly he rounded a corner almost tripping, as his feet tried to adjust to the quick change in direction. He stumbled over to the Gryffindor table and slammed his palms on the top, making the plates, and cups rattle. Remus glared at him, grabbing his teacup, trying to get the liquid from spilling out. 

“And what have you been doing?” He asked passively. 

Sirius plopped down on his seat laughing maniacally. “Just jinxed Snivellous. Whenever he tries to talk he makes animal sounds. It’s hilarious.”

"Don't you have a jinxed cheek you should be tending to?" Remus growled.

"We don't speak of that Remu." 

Peter leaned, forward eyebrows raised, excitedly. “Which animal sounds?” 

“Moo, Quack, Oink, all the classics.” Sirius grinned. 

“That,” Remus pointed at Sirius with his butter knife, “Is called bullying.” 

“Well, you never stop us.” Sirius shrugged. 

“I would hope you don’t need anyone to stop you.” Remus grumbled, “Wait. Us? Where’s Potter-?”

Just then they could hear the slap of feet on pavement once again as James sprinted into the Great hall. Immediately heads turned in his wake, just like they had in Sirius’s. He threw himself into a seat next to Sirius and laughed, exposing a large array of gleaming white teeth. “That was hilarious! I just pranked Snivellous,” James said in between gasps, “I spilled some oil in his hair, while he was busy oinking something at that ugly cousin of yours Narcissa. I'm pretty sure I got some down his robes!”

“You probably couldn’t even tell a difference between when the oil was there and when it wasn't, could you?” Sirius snickered. 

“Nope.” James grinned. 

“Oh cause,” Peter said smiling slowly, “cause his hair is already so oily and greasy? Right?”

“Yes, Pete you dimwit,” Sirius said, rolling his eyes.

“Oi, piss off.” 

"You piss off!"

“Wait, you were bullying him too?” Remus exclaimed, setting down his tea, “That’s called ganging up on someone.”

“And that,” Sirius said, mocking Remus’s tone, “Is called being a smartass.”

“Ugh, you guys this is so unethical and questionable. Sure Snape isn’t exactly-”

Sirius and James looked at each other. 

“Well it's not like you ever stop us-” James started but Sirius gave him a look, kicking his shins under the table.

"-Shh, I already said that!-"

“Guys.” Remus argued resting his face in his hands, “How many times do I have to tell you? Only one of you can pick on him at a time.” 

“Oh cool it, Remus.” 

“The spell will wear off soon, and it's not like he can’t wash his hair. Although this is Snivellus we’re talking about. He might not know how to, considering what his hair usually looks like- oh shit.” 

Sirius looked somewhere past James’s shoulder, his eyes widening. James, Remus and Peter all looked over too and saw none other than Lily Evans angrily stomping towards them. 

“Rem!” Sirius spun towards him, “Do something. Please.”

“This is what you deserve. Oh and this time I'm not taking care of you after Lily jinxes your sorry butt.”

“I’ll get you chocolate! I’ll do your homework for a week! I’ll….I’ll-”

But before he could finish Lily was right there in front of them. “Sirius Black, who do you think you are? ” 

Sirius turned towards her slowly, grimacing, “Uh….heir of House Black?”

Lily glared at him fuming. 

“You’re right not really. Wait let me try again….Um….Funniest and most handsome guy in Gryffindor?”

Lily continued to glare at him. 

“....please don’t kill me?”

“ Undo the spell! ” Lily stepped closer to them. 

“What spell-ow! No need to hit me jeez!”

“Undo the spell, now Black!”

“No! It’s funny!”

“Oh so bullying people is funny now, Black?”

“Yeah, Sirius,” James said laughing. “Come on.” 

Lily rounded on him, and James instantly paled. “Don’t even get me started on you, you disgraceful-”

“Ouch.”

“-disgusting-

“Oof.”

“-annoying-”

“Hey!”

“ -Bully !”

“Well-”

“What did you think you were doing Potter? ” 

James shrugged, “Well- ”

“You do realise he’s human too right? He has feelings! And emotions! And thoughts! And you keep hurting him for no reason!”

“I mean I wouldn’t say no reason but-”

“How can you just continue hurting someone with absolutely no remorse or guilt or anything! How can anyone be such a horrible person!”

“Evans-”

“Don’t Evans me right now, Potter!” Lily yelled. “I jinxed Black once and I'll happily do it again. I haven’t jinxed you yet but don’t think I won’t!”

“See?” James said rather calmly, “I jinxed you’re best friend and you jinxed mine. Maybe this is our love language.”

Lily almost seemed at a loss for words, “...You disgust me, Potter.” 

“Shouldn’t you be helping Snivellous or something, Evans?” Sirius asked cooly. Lily glared at him before turning on her heel and stomping out of the Great Hall without another word. 

James and Sirius had been prepared for revenge. In fact, they had expected it. When they entered the Potions classroom in the dungeons that evening they both had their hands curled around their wands on the inside of their pockets and were watching Snape with a quiet intensity warning him that they knew what he had planned.

Except that they didn’t know.

Because Snape didn’t attack them, in fact, he had been quite civil. Later they had realised that the greasy haired boy knew they wouldn’t care about anything he did to them. 

So he didn't target them. 

He targeted someone they would actually care about. He targeted a fellow marauder. 

It was warm in the dungeons that day, as they were experimenting with heating potions that could be used as a safer alternative to fire. Students were sweating and had started taking off their robes, piling them in two corners of the room, right for the Gryffindors and left for the Slytherins. At one point James had just been grinding his volcanic rocks, and was about to mix them into his potion, when a loud yell starteled him. He looked up and pushed his glasses up his nose, which slipped down in the action. 

He along with all the other students noticed Snape holding Remus’s arm up towards the ceiling. For a moment James was just plain confused before he realised Remus’s sleeves had been rolled up and revealed the boy's bare arms which were covered in scars. James could feel his eyes widen, as he dropped the metal spoon he had been stirring with onto the table. This was bad. 

James had never seen Remus's scars before. Sure sometimes, he would see a corner peeking out from his ankle or torso when Remus was sleeping, and he had heard Remus mention an accident he was in a few times last year, but one thing he knew was that Remus never showed his scars to anyone. And one thing he didn't know was how many scars Remus really had. 

His arm which had been held up by Snape was almost completely covered in them, one around his elbow, one long straight gash on his forearm, a small one near his wrist. James felt like throwing up. 

“Hey look everyone,” Snape drawled, “I’ve found Frankenstein!”

Remus tried to pull his arm back but the small boy was too skinny and weak and he ended up accidentally just pulling his sleeve even further up, which revealed the corner of another scar. Snape laughed and let go of Remus who stumbled back and pulled his sleeve down hurriedly. For a second James was afraid Remus would faint, as he swayed on his feet, but before anyone had even really processed what was happening Remus sprinted out of the room. 

“Mr. Snape!” Slughorn scolded, “I can not tolera-”

Sirius pushed through a crowd of students and whipped out his wand grabbing Snape by the collar, and stabbing the point of his wand underneath the other boy's chin.

The room collectively gasped. 

James went cold and he could feel his whole body shudder with fear. Sirius was about to do something insane, and James wouldn’t be able to stop him. He had feared this- he had feared something like this happening. Some day Sirius would go out of control, and James was the only one who had control over him. And on that day James wouldn't be able to control him.

Everyone in the room knew it, everyone in the room could sense it. Sirius hadn’t said a word, not even to threaten Snape, he just stared at him his eyes squinting, and dark and glinting dangerously, his teeth gritted in anger that gave James goosebumps. 

“M-Mr. Black, put down that wand!” Slughorn's voice shook slightly and it seemed that everyone in the room was holding their breath. 

“Sirius,” James breathed. Slowly but surely Sirius lowered his wand, and let go of Snape’s collar. 

“Mr. Black I’m going to have to ask you to-” But before Slughorn could finish his sentence Sirius turned around and left the classroom. Everyone watched him then turned to Slughorn who blinked. James turned and looked at Peter for the first time that lesson and he saw that Peter didn’t look scared, or shocked, or uncertain.

Peter looked in awe.

The small, blonde, boy was still watching the doorframe where Sirius had just disappeared to, and his eyes were wide, his lips slightly parted and curled upwardly. James couldn’t explain it but when he looked at Peter in that moment a small part of him recoiled, and told him, run. James turned away and tried to ignore the unsettling feeling of deja vu as though something out there was trying to warn him. 

“Sev.” Everyone’s attention snapped over to where Lily stepped closer to Severus. “Fuck you.” And with that, she reached her hand back and slammed her fist into Snape’s mouth. James and the rest of the class gasped once again and he stepped back, almost bumping into Peter, who didn't seem to notice. Uneasily he stepped away from the smaller boy. 

Did he really know his friends? 

Remus, who he thought he knew like he knew the back of his hand, had unexplainable scars and disappearances. An accident? A sickness?

Sirius, who he thought of as a brother, could become unrecognizable because of his temper.

And Peter, who he could always count on for a laugh, sometimes acted in ways that were completely out of character. 

Severus let out a loud yelp and brought a hand to his face where his lip was bleeding. Lily grabbed a cauldron and handed it to Slughorn, whose puffy face had turned a wine red, “I’m done with my Potion sir.” 

At least Evans really was as badass as she let on. 

_ _ _ _ 

It was bound to happen. People were always going to find out about his scars eventually. But Remus had really hoped that they wouldn’t find out like this. He had hoped that maybe after a while he would be able to open up to his close friends about it. He thought maybe he could show the marauders one or two and tell them he was in an accident. He had already mentioned it once or twice so it wouldn't be completely out of the blue. Maybe they would believe him. Maybe he could even tell Lily and explain to her how he was in a car crash of some sort. But he had never thought or dared to let himself think that all at once, all of the Gryffindor and Slytherin second years would know. 

“Remus,” A voice whispered from behind him. Remus didn’t have to turn around in order to know it was Sirius making his way over to him, his footsteps eerily quiet in the damp grass.  

He sat down next to Remus, “Hey.” 

Remus didn’t say anything. He wasn’t in the mood. Subconsciously he let his hand graze over his sweater sleeve, the one that had been pulled up by Severus. 

“I...saw what Snape did.” Sirius continued. 

“Everyone saw,” Remus muttered.

“That awful git. I might just kill him one day.” 

Again Remus didn’t say anything. He honestly didn’t doubt it. 

“You know, it wasn’t so bad-”

“What? ” Remus snarled. 

“No! No that’s not what I meant-”

“It wasn’t so bad? It’s not so bad having your scars brandished in front of the whole world like a fucking art gallery? It’s not so bad letting everyone, your worst enemies and your best friends see the fucking monstrosity that you are-?”

“You’re not a monstrosity-”

“Well it doesn’t matter because I guess it’s not so bad-! ”

“I was just going to say that most people don’t really know who Frankenstein is anyway,” Sirius murmured. “It’s just a stupid muggle story.”

Remus laughed, but only because if he didn’t laugh he would cry and he didn’t want that.

Sirius let out a breath. “I’m sorry everyone saw that.”

Remus looked at Sirius and saw an intensity in his dark grey eyes. Something was telling him that Sirius was about to say something that would change everything. 

“I know how you got those scars.” 

Remus stiffened immediately. His whole body tensed up and he felt once more how his hands shook in cold tremors. Remus thought he may faint, or hurl, as his vision blurred and he felt sweat start to build on his hands and forehead.

No

No 

No

No

No.

Breath, Remus goddamn it breathe.

Sirius who was oblivious to exactly how uncomfortable he was making Remus feel scooted a little closer. Not too close though which Remus was grateful for, as he was sure if Sirius got any closer he might hyperventilate. 

“I...” Sirius took a deep breath and said the last part all in one quick go as if to make sure he wouldn’t lose the courage. “...I know you hurt yourself. Because I do it too.”

Remus was too shocked to say anything. He just turned his head towards Sirius slowly. 

“Wha?” He managed to choke out after an uncomfortable silence. 

Sirius licked his lips and slowly started to roll up his sleeves revealing his bare forearms. Remus tried not to make a sound as he studied the small criss-crosses of scars along his friend’s arms. His breathing was starting to quicken again. No. No. No. 

Sirius rolled down his sleeves again. 

“I have some on my legs too. You don’t have to show me yours,” he said quietly, “I just wanted you to know you’re not alone.” 

Remus closed his mouth, which he had just realised was parted slightly. “Sirius…” He hated how rough his voice sounded. It reminded him of how sore it was after a full moon.

“And also..” Sirius looked away for the first time his perfectly pale skin, starting to blush on the tip of his cheekbones, “I wanted you to know there’s no reason for you to...you know. To...self harm. You’re the most perfect person I know.” 

Remus could hear a small sad smile in the last part of the sentence. Remus didn’t know what to say, or do. He wasn’t perfect. He wasn’t perfect. HE WAS NOT PERFECT. He was a werewolf, and he was skinny, and small, and he couldn’t stand up for himself and he was not confrontational, and he sometimes went hours without speaking a single word, and he was always sweaty, and cold, and shaky-

“You too,” he finally muttered quietly. 

Sirius smiled bitterly. “I’m...there’s something wrong with me.” 

Remus nodded jumping on that opportunity, “Me too.” 

But Sirius just shook his head. “No. You wouldn’t understand, Remus. You-”

“Sirius,” Remus felt a sudden intensity he couldn’t explain. He was scared but for once it wasn’t for himself. He was so scared. He could feel his heart racing in his chest and slamming against his ribcage.

“...Don’t hurt yourself anymore. Promise me you won’t.” 

“I won’t if you don’t.” Sirius said, smiling a little, the corner of his eyebrows lifting up. Remus thought his heart might stop. Sirius was acting as if it was a challenge. Or a game. 

“ No. I’m not kidding, Sirius.” 

“Me neither.” 

“Why would I stop...why would I stop doing it if I knew you were still doing it?”

Remus felt sick. “No. That’s not- I don’t-... I can’t promise that I won’t...” How was he supposed to explain that he would have new scars every month? That he would never stop getting new scars. How was he supposed to protect his friend, when he couldn’t even tell him why he needed protecting?

“Even if I can’t...stop. I need you to promise me that you will.”

“You think it’s easy for me?” Sirius asked, slightly annoyed now. “I thought you of all people would understand!”

“No!” Remus shook his head, “ I do! I just...I just don’t want you to keep getting hurt.” 

Sirius didn’t say anything and the two boys just looked at each other for a few more silent moments. 

“Remus,” Sirius whispered, but it sounded heavy like he wanted to say more.

“Sirius,” Remus whispered, and he did want to say more. But he didn't know what. 

Sirius. 

Sirius Black. 

Sirius Black with a wand in his hand. Sirius black holding the tip of his wand against his forearm, shaking. Sirius Black biting his lip in pain as bright red blood wells from his skin staining the tip of his wand. 

Sirius Black. Sirius Black filling Remus’s eyes, his nose, his ears. 

“Remus, I’m ok,” Sirius whispered. Remus nodded stiffly. 

“Are you ok?” 

Remus nodded again. Sirius looked uncomfortable for a moment but then he leaned forward quickly and tentatively put his arms around Remus. 

“Is this ok?” He asked. 

“Yeah,” Remus said, sinking into the other boy's arms, and breathing in his calming scent. 

Remus didn’t really consider himself a very physically intimate person. He wasn’t a big hugger or anything like that. The only person he really hugged was Lily who was always soft and felt like hugging a cushion, and James, who hugged everyone as a result of his home life which was so warm and loving that according to Peter who visited James often since they lived so close to each other, James’s family couldn’t go very long before they had to hug each other or high five, or fist bump, or kiss on the cheek.

But it felt different hugging Sirius. He wasn’t soft like Lily, or firm like James, or warm like Peter. 

He was...Sirius.

He was strong, and protecting, and warm, and comforting. 

And Sirius. Remus liked it. 

He pulled away, but stayed close to the other boy liking how he could see every single detail on his face. “Sirius…” He said quietly, and he let his eyes wander down, where the boy in front of him bit his lip, which turned a cherry red. He glanced up again and caught Sirius watching his lips too. Their eyes lingered on each other for a moment before Remus finally spoke, “You know your cheek looks like shit.” 

Sirius laughed and they turned away from each other, whatever tension that had just been there moments ago, gone. 

“If you’d have listened to me and we’d gone to the hospital wing sooner, maybe your face wouldn’t look like a pig's backside.” Remus continued.

“I’m just trying to give you and the others the spotlight for a bit. Maybe now that I”m not strikingly handsome anymore girls will pay more attention to you, James and Pete.”

“Ha!” Remus laughed and when he felt a smile on his face it surprised him just how genuine it felt when only moments ago he’d been on the verge of a panic attack. 

“I think I might get detention,” Sirius said awkwardly, getting up and brushing his trousers with his hands. 

“What did you do?” Remus said, copying his movement. 

“Nothing. But I was going to do something.”

“Did you hurt Snape?”

“No. But I was going to.”

Remus let loose a tiny, tired sounding laugh. “Thanks, Sirius.” 

Sirius turned towards the school, “Should we go back inside?” 

“...Yeah.” 

Lily watched as the two figures got up from their spot underneath the tree and started making their way back towards the school. After punching Severus and running out here she had thought of following Remus and consoling him. She had been left with a weird, dry feeling in her mouth when she realised Sirius had beat her to it. She felt even weirder after realising that the two boys had been sitting exactly where she was sitting when she’d fantasised about laying in the grass looking up at the stars with Remus.

Although, she supposed it was less romantic when it was two boys sitting there, so really there was nothing to be jealous about.