Stronger (or, what Remus did in 4th year)
The first time Remus tried firewhisky, he hated it. It was stronger than he expected, and within half an hour he was good and tipsy, and tipsy Remus liked to talk.
James, equally tipsy, found this fascinating. He was so used to Remus holding himself back. It was like getting to see a whole new side of him, and it was so endearing.
“What are we doing for Hogsmeade next week? I need to go to Honeydukes. Need.” Remus said, lying on his bed with his eyes closed. Pete had gone to throw up, and Sirius had been dared to sit on Marlene’s lap for fifteen minutes, half an hour ago.
“You not going with Em?” James was propped against his trunk, grinning.
Remus laughed softly, “No, I’m not.”
“Is she busy?” James asked. “Too busy for you?”
“Nah.” Remus paused, “We broke up.”
“You what?!” James yelled. “When did this happen?”
“About two hours ago.” Remus wanted to curl up into a ball, roll off the bed and roll away into the distance where James wasn’t about to interrogate him about his failed relationship.
“Moony! What the fuck?” James crawled across the room to sit next to Remus’ bed. “Are you alright?”
Remus shrugged, “Yeah, I think so. I didn’t see it coming, but I’m also… I don’t know. I thought I’d be more bothered.”
James studied his face, “So, what happened?”
“Oh, we just… drifted apart, I guess.” Remus wished he was having this conversation sober. It would be so much easier to lie sober.
“Well, that’s bullshit, because she was up here reading with you last night.” James continued to stare at him. “So what really happened?”
“She noticed something about me, and it bothered her. When she asked me about it, I didn’t deny it, so she broke up with me.”
“Is this— Moony did she— She dumped you because you’re a werewolf?”
Remus spluttered and sat up, “No, of course not! Jesus Christ, Prongs! She dumped me because I’m in love with Sirius.” James blinked at him, as the realisation of what he’d just said dawned on Remus’ face. “Oh. Oh no, no. Wait—”
“You are?” Remus didn’t know what he’d expected, but it wasn’t James looking at him like he’d just announced the birth of a child. He said nothing. “Moony?”
Remus nodded slowly, “I think so.”
“Since when?” James looked way too happy about this. Remus had so many regrets. He wondered if there was a nomadic tribe in Mongolia that would accept a werewolf. Probably not. They’d never trust a wolf around the sheep.
“Maybe since forever. I don’t really know.” Remus rolled his eyes as James let out an excited yelp. “It doesn’t bother you?”
“That you fancy Pads and not me?” James grinned, “Well, there’s no accounting for taste, mate.”
“Tosser.” He muttered, “No, that I’m … queer?”
“Oh, that? No, of course not.” James tried to stand up unsuccessfully.
“And you won’t tell him, right? You won’t tell anyone?”
“I reserve the right to tell this story on two occasions. When you start dating, and when I’m the best man at your wedding. The two of you have to duel to see who gets me.” James managed to hold onto the bedpost and was finally on his feet.
“When?”
“Pads could do a lot worse than you.” James shrugged. “And you could do a lot better than Pads.”
“Thank you?” Remus squinted at him. “Firewhisky is fucking lethal.”
At that moment, Sirius burst into the room with a purple hickey blooming on his neck. “Good evening!”
James looked at Remus sympathetically before turning to indulge Sirius in whatever bullshit he was about to announce. Remus sighed, back to pretending.