Chapter 2
For the past few days, Sirius has been going to the café every chance he gets. In the morning, earlier than he has ever woken up of his own volition. At lunch. He even went there for dinner one night, but Remus’ shift had ended by then.
Sirius is aware this is bordering on an obsession, and maybe even stalking, but that barista is the epitome of beauty, and he’ll be damned if he doesn’t at least try to get his attention.
He wants to strike a proper conversation with Remus, but he still cannot think coherently when he’s around.
“Flat white?” Remus asks as Sirius approaches the counter.
“Yes, please,” he replies, “with some vanilla syrup today, Remus.”
A girl with a long, black ponytail turns around behind Remus, “Sirius!”
“Emmie!” He exclaims.
She comes around the counter and they hug for an inordinate amount of time. But they are both very affectionate people, especially with the ones they care about, so it’s not awkward at all.
They eventually let go. “Look at you,” she says, running her fingers through his hair, “Your hair is so long.”
“I decided to grow it out after I left home.”
“I see. It’s been forever,” Emmeline states.
“I don’t think I’ve seen you since that final Gryffindor vs Slytherin game.”
“Yeah, I remember. You were brilliant that game.”
Sirius scoffs, “I was brilliant every game.”
Emmeline laughs, “That was one hell of a party afterwards. Didn’t you get pissed and sing Bohemian Rapsody on a table.”
“I don’t have to be drunk to do that, Emmie. Just watch-”
Emmeline reaches out to prevent Sirius from getting on a table right here, right now.
“We have to go out some time,” she distracts him. “Is James and Peter also studying here?”
“Obviously. I can’t go anywhere without my boys.”
“Obviously,” she mocks. “We all need to hang out soon.”
“Give me your phone, I'll give you my number.”
Sirius remembers all those years ago, flirting with Emmie, hoping she would flirt back, at the very least. Every time he was ruthlessly ridiculed by both James and Peter. But Sirius didn’t care if he was embarrassing himself, or that she is three years older than him. He was determined to make her like him. Until, that is, she kissed a girl at a party and brought on a major sexuality crisis for which Sirius is now grateful for. Who knows where he would be if that never happened.
Sirius feels so happy seeing his old friend, and rather bold, so after he finishes typing in his number on Emmeline’s phone, he turns to Remus and says, “Can I also have your phone? I’d love to hang out with you when you're not being paid to be polite to me.”
Remus’ surprise is evident as he looks between the two friends in front of him. He unlocks his phone and passes it to Sirius, along with the coffee he forgot he ordered. Sirius then calls himself from Remus’ phone, so he also has his number.
“Thank you,” Sirius says, his fingers brushing against Remus’ as he hands his phone back, causing goosebumps to spread all up his arm. “I hope to see more of the both of you soon.”
And he struts confidently out of the café, smiling like an idiot to himself.