23rd February 1978
Remus’ full moons had been getting smoother, it was a sign he’d stopped growing.
He was sitting on the windowsill in the common room, a book on his lap when Sirius came downstairs to join him, Remus heard him bouncing down the staircase and smiled. The top half of his hair was held back in a bun he’d stabbed with his wand to hold together. His hair was getting longer these days. Remus wondered if he’d just let it grow, it swept across his shoulders with ease now.
“Done staring, Moons?” Sirius leant against the bannister, a few steps still to go, smiling.
Remus put his book to one side and placed his legs on the floor. He leaned forward, letting his forearms rest on his knees.“...nearly.”
Sirius grinned and pushed himself back onto his feet. He walked over giddily, taking something out of the pocket of his leather jacket. Remus bit back a smile when the boy placed a classic Cadbury’s on the windowsill. “Thanks, wanker.” He said, glancing up through his lashes. Sirius stared down intently, grin now an endearing smile. His hand traced the scar of Remus’ nose he’d come to know so well - it gleamed like fractured silver cutting through his freckles. His fingertips began to brush over a smudge on Remus’ cheek. Sirius frowned when he flinched. Remus leaned tiredly into his hand.
“Don’t worry about it.” He said, and Sirius made a noise of discontentment.
Remus locked his hands together behind Sirius’ waist and pulled the boy forward, letting himself bask in the smell of coffee and cigarettes. He pressed his forehead into Sirius’ stomach.
“I think I’m going to join the Order.”
“...”
Remus felt his head being lifted as Sirius placed a thumb under his chin.
“...why?” Sirius whispered, voice hoarse. Remus looked up at the other boy, whose eyes were wide and shining. “We’ve got time yet, Moony. Give it a few years.”
Remus stood, and his joints ached. He lifted a hand to trace Sirius’ jaw and kissed him on the brow. “I like what you’ve been doing with your hair...suits you.”
Sirius only frowned, and his brows furrowed. “Don’t join, Remus, please.”
“Dumbledore...” Remus felt his resolve begin to melt away when tears started brimming Sirius’ waterline, “Dumbledore says they need a werewolf, he’d ask someone older but he just doesn’t know anyone... and erm...”
God’s sake Remus, just fucking tell him.
“and... he says I wouldn’t have to sign the register.”
Sirius’ breath hitched, and his gaze fell to the floor. The register was a life sentence, everyone knew it, and shamefully, Sirius had been ignoring the prospect of Remus having to sign. He shouldn’t have to sign it anyway.
“I’m sorry,” Remus said. Something harsh and violent tugged in Sirius’ chest.
“Don’t say that,” Sirius took a small step back, “please.”
“Okay, sorry.”
Sirius smiled and shoved Remus on the shoulder playfully, “I’m serious!”
Remus grinned, properly, he didn’t do that as much as he used to. “I should bloody well hope so,”
There was a spur of laughter in the common room then, it bounced from the walls and crashed up the staircase like playful waves. Remus was sure James would rush downstairs any minute now to see if the two were planning something devious without him.
“Love you,” Sirius said, looking off to the side somewhere, Remus quickly kissed the corner of his mouth.
“Love you too, idiot.”