Landslide
Remus takes a seat at a four-seater table, taking the spot next to Peter and across from Sirius. “Any opinions on this teacher?”
James smiles. “Mr. Flitwick? Everyone loves him! I don’t think you can have a soul and not love Flitwick at the same time.”
The man in question walks into the classroom, closing the door. “Welcome to your Form class! I’m happy to start this year with you all. I know we have a new student as opposed to the previous year,” he picks up a clipboard, looking down at it. “Remus Lupin?” he asks, looking at Remus.
Remus nods. “That’s me, sir.”
Flitwick smiles. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Mr. Lupin! I hope you find yourself loving this school as much as I did.”
Flitwick continues with attendance after that without an issue until someone hisses, “What kind of a name is that? Remus Lupin? It sounds so stupid,” causing Remus to stiffen and slouch down in his seat, attempting to hide himself. Not again. It hasn’t even been a day.
James notices his reaction, then he turns to the boy, seated at the table behind him, “Shut it, Snivellus!” Remus softens slightly at the defense on his behalf.
“Is there a problem, Mr. Potter?” questions Flitwick.
James faces him, “No, sir. No problem over here.” As soon as the teacher moves on, he throws a glare at the boy, Snivellus?
“Oi Black! Get your boyfriend under control. He’s starting to give me the creeps looking at me so much.”
Sirius throws an arm over James’ shoulders, placing a dramatic kiss on his cheek, “Just admit you’re jealous of what we have.”
Why did he kiss him? “You two will make me sick,” scolds the boy. There’s no way they’re actually together.
“Mr. Snape? Can you please not disrupt my attendance further.”
Snape sinks into his chair and nods, mumbling an apology. The boy next to him leans over, “Severus, don’t embarrass yourself this early in the year.”
He rolls his eyes, mumbling something he can’t hear. Remus turns his attention to James. “Thank you,” he adds before James can protest his statement, “What’s his problem?”
James shrugs, “No one knows.”
“It’s one of life’s greatest mysteries,” Sirius chimes in.
Peter turns to him, “He’s just a right wanker to everyone. He hates the three of us, those two the most in probably the whole school, but,” he shrugs, “it’s not limited to just that. Lily Evans, you remember her, right?” Remus nods, “she was best friends with him throughout all of secondary, but last year they fell out. She says he was too cruel to everyone, and she just couldn’t excuse it further.”
Sirius grimaces, “He used to be nice to only her, but he’s such a git that he couldn’t even keep that up.”
James sighs, “At least that means he won’t influence her opinion of me, anymore.”
Sirius playfully rolls his eyes, “Let me guess: This year is the year you finally win her over?”
James nods his head, his curls bouncing, a bright smile taking over his face. They’re not together! Remus knows that shouldn’t make him happy, considering he can’t do anything with the raven-haired boy anyway, he doesn’t want a repeat of the years before, but a part of him still celebrates, knowing he won’t have to feel more guilty thinking about Sirius.
Peter snorts, “I don’t know. You might have some competition now.” He looks pointedly over at Remus. “She just met him and already has taking a liking to Remus.”
Remus puts his hands up in surrender, “I’m not gonna take her from you,” he defends, “if she’ll have you, I won’t do anything to change that.”
James gives him an appreciative look, “Thanks, mate. Put in a good word for me if I’m ever brought up between you two?”
“Of course.” In the comfortable silence that follows, he hears the soft music coming from Mr. Flitwick’s desk, Fleetwood Mac’s self-titled album.
Well, I've been 'fraid of changin'
'Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I'm gettin' older, too
You’ve got to get it together. Remus has seen beautiful boys like Sirius at his previous schools. Granted, none of them were as beautiful, but they were definitely not without. They tempt him, and he can’t go through that again. He can hardly even think of that night, the one with Sam, where he thought, he was convinced he really loved him until he-
He’s broken out of his trance by none other than Sirius Black. “It’s a good song, innit?”
Remus meets his eyes, “A great one, yeah.”
“You can never go wrong with Fleetwood Mac. They’re not for everyone-Pete doesn’t like them-but it never hurts to try something at least once to see if you like it.” Remus cocks an eyebrow at him, curious if the innuendo was intended or not. Sirius offers a sly smile, “Just some life advice.”
The song is cut short, “Okay, off to the rest of your classes!” Mr. Flitwick ushers them out the door.
What A-Levels are you lot taking?” Remus asks the group.
James answers first, “I’m taking English, law, psychology, and sociology.”
“I’m taking economics, accounting, English, and business studies,” Peter adds.
Sirius is next, “I’m doing English, psychology, sociology, and art & design. What about you, Remus?”
“I’m doing English, psychology, literature, and then art & design.”
“Give me your schedule!” James reached out and took it as soon as Remus got it out, “We’ve all got English together! Sirius and I have psychology together, but you’re not with us, sadly. But you and Sirius have-“
"We have art & design together!” exclaims Sirius.
“Well, that’s where we have to head now, Sirius.” He offers James and Peter a wave, “We’ll see you in English later.”
James gives a dramatic wave as they walk away, “Byeeee boys! Take care!”
They walk side by side to their classroom, taking the stairs slowly. He doesn’t know if Sirius is doing it naturally or if it’s only to keep his pace with Remus, but either way, no one’s complaining.
“So,” starts Sirius, “what’s got you taking this course?”
Remus turns to him, “Just thought I’d enjoy it. I’ve always loved art, honestly.”
“Really? Me too! We probably have more in common than we know.”
Remus hums, “We’ll see about that. What’s your plan after school?”
Sirius smiles, some of the warmth in his face leaving, “I want to go into social work. I want to help all the fucked up kids in Britain.”
“Hm. That sounds nice. What makes you want to do that?”
Sirius looks away, “Dunno. Just sounds like a good career. What about you, Remus? What do you want to do?”
I love my name in his mouth. “I want to be a teacher.”
Sirius looks back at him, smiling smugly, “Really? I can see it. You somehow seem both nice enough as well as authoritative enough.”
“Thank you, at least I think that was a compliment?”
His smile softens, “It’s a compliment, Remus, don’t worry.”
So he’s not just handsome, he’s also sweet. Lord help me.