Chapter 5
***
-Seventh Year, February 12th-
***
Sirius was in the library. Let it be known that Sirius did not like the library, but he did want to figure out a very specific spell.
However, sitting at a table in the back with only stacks of books and papers with scribbled notes for company for three hours was starting to make his eyes cross.
It shouldn’t be this hard to make a damn bracelet glow. He sighed and slammed his head down on the table. At this rate I’ll have to give it to him for his birthday. Or Christmas.
“Hey, beautiful.”
Sirius’s head shot up and he grabbed the scattered papers and quickly flipped them all over while simultaneously trying to close every single book on the table. “Hey, Moons. What brings you to the library today?” Half of the papers ended up on the floor and Sirius looked up at Remus, trying to put on an innocent smile.
Remus’s eyes were glittering with amusement. “How many of those books did you ruin while you were slamming them shut?”
“None of them. I’d never ruin a book that belonged to the great Hogwarts Library.” Sirius stacked the books he’d slammed shut. “So why are you here? Shouldn’t you be in class?”
Remus sat down across from Sirius. “How long have you been in here?”
Sirius shrugged. “Half an hour, maybe.”
“Classes ended two hours ago.”
Sirius froze. “Three and a half hours.” Why can’t I figure out this stupid spell? It shouldn’t be that hard! His stomach twisted.
“You’ve been in the library for three and a half hours?” Remus raised an eyebrow. “Are you okay?”
Sirius nodded and ducked under the table to grab the scattered papers. He stacked them and shoved them in his bag. He went to stand up and slammed his head against the table. “Shit.” He stopped and sat on the floor for a moment. His eyes filled with tears of pain and frustration. “Shit.”
“Sirius?” Sirius watched the chair Remus was sitting in scoot back and Remus walked around the table to kneel by Sirius. “Sirius, Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”
Sirius laughed, but it trailed off into a choked half-sob. “I can’t tell you.” He pulled his knees up to his chest. “I actually can’t.” He buried his head in his hands. “It’s stupid anyway.”
Remus wrapped his arms around Sirius. “I think maybe you’ll feel better after you get out of the library and get some food and water in you.”
Sirius didn’t respond but instead shifted to wrap his arms around Remus’s waist and press his face into Remus’s shoulder. Remus reached up to run his hand through Sirius’s hair. They sat like that for a while until Sirius let out a sigh and sat up, reaching to gather the papers he’d dropped again. “Thank you.” He reached over for his bag and shoved the papers in.
“You need help cleaning up?”
Sirius shook his head. “No, no.” He stood up, carefully avoiding the table, and held out his hand for Remus. “I’ve got to put these books away, then I’m done.”
“What are you doing?” Remus asked as Sirius grabbed the books, piled in a stack that went above his head, and walked away in between the shelves.
Sirius knew he was asking what he was doing with all the books, but Sirius did not want to give away what he was hoping to give Remus for Valentine's day. “Putting books away, silly.” Sirius laughed, smiling back at Remus.
Remus sighed and plucked the top book off of Sirius’s stack. “Owl-less Communication?”
Sirius balanced his stack of books against his hip and snatched the book back. “Remus, no.” The books on his hip shifted and almost toppled. “Damn it.” He righted the stack and turned down a row to put a book back.
“If I promise not to look at the titles, will you let me carry some?” Remus held out his arms.
Sirius glanced sideways at Remus. “You promise?”
“Promise.” Remus took about half of the stack without waiting for a response. “Sweetheart, you’re not doing anything illegal, right?”
“Of course not.” Sirius put two more books away and studied the next one. “Remus, the one on the top of your pile goes here.”
Remus slid the book into its spot. “Are you doing something potentially harmful to yourself?”
Sirius shook his head and shoved the rest of his pile onto a shelf. “Here, hand me your stack.”
“Are you doing something that could get you expelled?” Remus handed the books to Sirius.
“No.” Sirius stuck half of the stack onto a shelf, and the other half on a different shelf five feet away. “Honestly, Moons, who do you think I am?”
“Brilliant and insane with complete disregard for your own safety.” Remus shrugged. “I just don’t want you getting hurt.”
“Don’t worry, Moons.” Sirius tucked his hand into Remus’s. “It’s nothing dangerous. Just tricky and frustrating.” Although it really shouldn’t be. I’m not even trying to carry voices. I’m trying to get a bracelet to light up. A bracelet. “I’ll figure it out eventually.”
“I know you will.” Remus squeezed Sirius’s hand. “You’re brilliant.”
***
-Seventh Year, Valentines Day-
***
1:38 am
“Yes!” Sirius shouted, watching the bracelet light up briefly before dimming again. He clapped a hand over his mouth and glanced around the deserted common room. None of the doors opened and no one came to yell at him for being loud. He let out a breath. He looked back down at the pair of bracelets on the table in front of him. He tapped one of them again and the other lit up. He tapped the other one and the first lit up.
Finally. It had only taken two weeks and countless hours at the library to figure it out.
He studied the bracelets. They were both pretty simple. One had a gold moon charm on a black cord, and the other had a gold star on a brown cord. They both had a red gem that, if pressed, would light up the other one and make the charm vibrate. Well, that’s what he was certain it could do.
He held down the gem on the moon. “Locate.” He whispered. A glowing blue arrow hovered above the bracelet and pointed at the other. He tapped the bracelets together and the arrow disappeared. He pressed down the gem on the other and, instead of tapping the bracelets together to make the arrow vanish, he whispered, “Found.” The arrow vanished.
What if he doesn’t like it? What if he thinks it’s stupid? I mean, it’s a bracelet that lights up and can locate the other. Couldn’t I think of anything better? Sirius sighed and put the star bracelet in a box. He then put that box inside a bigger box that also had some chocolate and a card in it. I guess it’s too late to turn back now. He closed the box and tied a ribbon around it. It’ll be fine. Right? He shoved his notes back into their folder and put it on top of the box. It’ll be fine. Stop stressing. He grabbed the box and the folder and headed up to the dorm. What if it doesn’t work at long distances? It would defeat the entire purpose. He ran through the spells and steps as he quietly pushed the door to the dorm open. He didn’t think anyone would be awake. He crept over to his bed and tucked the box and folder underneath. He grabbed one of James’s shirts and went to change.
“Pads?” James whispered, making Sirius jump. He was sitting on his bed with ribbon tangled around his hands. “Why are you still up?”
“Was working on—” an idea flashed through Sirius’s mind. “Hey, are you busy right now?”
James looked dejectedly down at the ribbon. “Not really.” He sighed. “I can’t tie a ribbon, apparently.”
“Okay, I’ll help you if you help me.” He tossed the shirt back onto his bed, pointed his wand at Remus’s bed, and muttered a silencing spell. “Can I borrow your broom?”
James tilted his head. “What are you going to do with it?”
Sirius grabbed one of Remus’s sweaters off of his trunk. “I need to test something.” He glanced around the room, checking to make sure Remus was asleep. His eyes landed on Peter’s bed. “Where’s Pete?”
James shrugged. “I haven’t seen him since dinner. If I had to guess, he stayed with Evan and Barty.”
Sirius nodded. “Anyway, I’m going to fly a few miles away and I need you here to check something.” He tugged on Remus’s sweater and grabbed the box from under his bed. He carefully untied the ribbon, took out Remus’s bracelet, and pulled his out of his bag. “I spent two weeks trying to figure this out.” He handed Remus’s to James. “Watch.” Sirius pressed the gem on his bracelet and the gem on the one James was holding lit up. “I just need to test it long distance.”
“And the best way to do this is fly on a broom in the freezing cold weather?” James wrinkled his nose. “Sirius, you’re going to freeze.”
Sirius put his bracelet on and ignored James’s comment. “I’m going to press the charm on mine, and if this one lights up, you press it. Okay?” He held out his hand. “Let me tie the ribbon on that box first, though.”
James blinked. “Are you insane?” He handed Sirius the box.
“I guess.” Sirius tied the ribbon neatly. “What did you get for Reg?”
“A few books he wanted and some sugar quills because those are his favorite right now.” James took the box back and looked up at Sirius. “Will he like it?”
“Yeah, he will.” Sirius grabbed James’s broom. “I think.”
“That’s not helpful, Padfoot.” James grumbled. “Okay, you’re going to fly a few miles away… Are you going out the window in the common room, or are you going to go out this one?”
“I don’t want to risk going out the one in the common room.” Sirius shrugged on his coat. “Keep an eye on that bracelet and hide it if Remus wakes up.” He yanked his shoes on and walked over to the window. “I’ll be back in a bit.” He clicked the window open and sat on the windowsill.
“Pads, I don’t think this is safe.” James glanced at the door. “The window in the common room at least has a balcony.”
Sirius shook the broom a couple times and let go. It hovered in the air a few inches under the window. “Wish me luck.”
“Padfoot—”
Sirius hopped out of the window and landed on the broom.
James shouted and a few moments later he stuck his head out of the window. “What the actual fuck, Sirius?” He hissed. “It’s like you have a death wish!”
“Chill, Prongs.” Sirius flew up so he was level with the window. “I’m fine. If Remus wakes up, don’t tell him where I am.”
“Wait.” James aimed his wand at Sirius and muttered the incantation for a warming charm. “If you die or get expelled I’m going to be so mad.”
“I won’t die.” Sirius grinned. He turned sharply in the air and flew off.
Okay, this broom at top speed can go about 130 miles an hour, so if I go top speed for about fifteen minutes I’ll be… 32 miles away? Should I have asked for the cloak? No, it would have just gotten blown off. He kicked it up to top speed.
Fifteen minutes later, he slowed down and tapped the gem on his bracelet. Moments later, his lit up. He held down the gem and whispered, “Locate.” The arrow appeared and Sirius flew back to the castle.
He flew through the open window and hopped off the broom. He held down the gem again. “Found.” The arrow disappeared.
James crossed his arms. “You’re back in one piece.”
“Don’t sound so disappointed.” Sirius propped James’s broom up on the wall. “There and back in thirty minutes.”
James handed the bracelet to Sirius. “Was that a location spell?”
“Yeah. It uses a similar concept to the map.” Sirius rewrapped the gift and put it back under his bed.
“That’s pretty neat.” James yawned. “I’m going to bed.”
Sirius nodded and went to change his clothes. He stood for a moment beside Remus’s bed. They hadn’t slept separately in months, but it was two in the morning. He pushed the curtains aside and climbed under the covers.
“You are cold.” Remus mumbled, wrapping his arms around Sirius. “Why are you so cold?”
Sirius smiled and mumbled a warming charm. Remus sighed. “Love you.”
Sirius froze. “I lo—” He choked on the words. Sirius sighed and rested his head on Remus’s chest. Why can’t I say it?
7:09 am
“—have to get up or you’re going to be late for class,” Remus’s voice said. “Come on, Sweetheart.”
Sirius groaned. “What time is it?” He mumbled.
Remus laughed and brushed his hand through Sirius’s hair. “Good morning, beautiful. You’re going to need to not mumble if you want me to know what you’re saying.”
Sirius lifted his head, his eyes still closed. “What time is it?”
“Sevenish.” Remus pressed a kiss to Sirius’s nose. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”
Sirius smiled. “I have a gift for you.”
“You’re mumbling again.”
Sirius huffed and pressed a kiss to Remus’s neck. “Sorry.”
Remus ran his hand up and down Sirius’s back. “What time did you come to bed last night?”
Sirius blinked his eyes open and rested his chin on Remus’s chest. “Two? Do you remember waking up?”
Remus shook his head. “No, did I?”
“Mhm. You said I was cold.” Sirius rolled over onto his back. “Ugh I don’t want to get up.”
“I would be totally fine with staying in bed all day.” Remus sat up. “But on the other hand, I don’t feel like having detention on Valentine’s Day.”
Sirius watched Remus for a minute. Remus stretched and his shirt shifted so Sirius could see his stomach. “You look like one of those Greek statues,” Sirius said, reaching out and touching Remus’s skin. “Like a god.”
Remus leaned back on his elbows, his eyes studying Sirius. “Nah, that’s you. Perfect marble and a body worth worshipping.” He brushed his hand against Sirius’s jaw. “Gorgeous.”
Sirius closed his eyes. “If we both get detention, it’ll basically be a hang out, right? A date?”
“You really want to skip classes?” Remus asked.
Sirius nodded. “Yeah, kind of.” He shivered when Remus kissed his neck. “Yes. Let’s skip.”
“Mmm, as much as I’d love to—” Remus pulled away. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Sirius opened his eyes. “Fine. But I do want to give you your present.” He pushed the curtains open and swung his feet to the ground, wincing when they touched the icy stone. He stood, grabbed the box and his own bracelet, and sat back on Remus’s bed, pulling the curtains shut again. He held out the box.
Remus took it and undid the ribbon. Sirius kept his eyes trained on Remus’s face to see his expression. He’s going to hate it. I mean… I don’t know. He stifled a frustrated sigh and focused on Remus.
Remus smiled as he pulled the bracelet out of its box. “It’s gorgeous, Sweetheart.”
“Watch this.” Sirius held up his bracelet and tapped the gem, making Remus’s light up.
Remus gasped and pressed his gem, which made Sirius’s glow. “Wait, that's so cool! How did you do that?”
“Lots of research,” Sirius said, watching Remus study the bracelet with glittering eyes. “It’s so if we’re apart, we can let each other know that we’re—” Sirius didn’t get to finish his sentence because Remus leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his lips. Sirius shut his eyes and rested his hands on Remus’s neck, trying to keep him there. Remus pushed the box to the side and grabbed Sirius’s waist to pull him forward. Sirius could feel Remus’s heartbeat pick up from where his hands rested on Remus’s neck.
Remus pulled away from the kiss a bit. “I love you,” he whispered, his mouth still right next to Sirius’s.
Sirius’s head was spinning. He laughed breathlessly. “So you liked it?”
Remus shifted them both until Sirius was pressed back against the mattress and Remus was straddling his hips. Remus leaned over and kissed Sirius again.
Sirius pressed his hand against Remus’s chest. “Thought you wanted to go to class.”
“Class can wait.”
Sirius groaned at the growl in Remus’s voice and shut his eyes. “Yeah. Yeah, class can wait.”
11:34 am
Sirius was completely zoned out. Which probably wasn’t a good idea, seeing as Charms was actually pretty important, and they did have N.E.W.T.s this year.
That’s why it startled him so much when Remus leaned over and whispered “I never got to give you your present.”
Sirius rolled his eyes. “And whose fault is that?”
“Yours, for being so fucking hot.”
Sirius stared at the desk and smiled. “Pay attention.”
When class got out, Remus pulled Sirius into an empty corridor. “I want to give you your gift.”
“And we have to be alone to do that?” Sirius leaned against the wall. “What are you giving me?”
Remus held out a ring.
Sirius was pretty sure his brain short-circuited. “Are– Aren’t we a little young to be getting married?” His voice cracked on the last word. He cleared his throat.
Remus clutched the ring in his fist and dropped his arm to his side. “Yeah, a little. But this is a promise ring.” He shifted from one foot to the other. “It’s… Well my mother said it was a promise to get married someday, but it’s really just a promise to always be together.”
Sirius’s heart picked up. Forever? He wants me forever? “Are you sure?” He said before he could stop himself. “Like what if you—” He trailed off before he could say what he was thinking. What if you get tired of me? What if you start hating me? What if you don’t actually want forever?
Remus studied Sirius’s face. “Is this your head telling you something or is this you not wanting—”
“My head.” Sirius squeezed his eyes shut. “But really, what if you regret—”
“Sirius.” Remus grabbed Sirius’s hand and slid the ring on his finger. “I won’t regret it. I love you.”
I love you too. I love you I love you I love you. Sirius wrapped his arms around Remus’s waist and buried his face in Remus’s shoulder. “I lo—” The words got stuck in his throat.
Remus ran a hand through Sirius’s hair. “Come on, let’s get to class.”