“You know this is called kidnapping, right? It’s a crime.”
It was a sunny, hot Saturday morning when Remus found himself being blindfolded, dragged from his apartment in London and shoved in the front seat of a car by no one other than one of his absolutely crazy best friends, James Potter.
“Chill out, will you, Moony?” James answered, and although Remus couldn’t see it, he could practically sense the mischievous smile on the other’s face, “I told you, you will not regret this.”
“He’s right,” Peter’s voice came from the backseat behind him, startling Remus so much he banged his head on the sealing.
“Ouch! That hurt, you know?” Remus huffed, “Where the hell did you come from?”
“Not my fault you’re such a giant,” Peter answered as Remus simply scowled and James laughed at his expense, “Anyway, I’m going with you guys.”
“I don’t even know where we’re going. And where’s Padfoot?”
“Oh he’s…uh…he’s um…”
“It’s a surprise,” James interrupted Peter’s nervous ramble.
“You should know by now I’m always scared of your surprises, Prongs,” Remus said.
James laughed and started the car, that made an awfully loud sound as it came to life, “Don’t worry, mate, I promise you this is a good one.”
“We’ll see about that,” Remus mumbled, low enough so that only he could hear it.
The ride to…well, wherever the hell they were going, lasted only about twenty minutes, and Remus sighed in relief when James announced they had arrived. Remus completely trusted his two friends, of course, but he couldn’t deny that he was a bit nervous (he had been blindfolded for the last half an hour, after all) and he knew for a fact that he would be calmer if Sirius was there with him.
As soon as they parked the car, Peter jumped out of the back seat and opened the front door for Remus to get out, holding his arm to support him.
“Thanks, Pete,” Remus smiled at his friend, “Now, are you two telling me where are we or what?”
“Patience, my friend,” James said as he locked the car and then grabbed Remus’ other arm, starting to pull him in for a fast walk, “Come on, we need to hurry up, it’s almost time.”
“Time for what?” Remus demanded, almost tripping on his own feet, the graceful fellow, “You’re not planning on murdering me and getting rid of my body, are you?”
“Not today,” James said over his shoulder.
Remus simply rolled his eyes, though he couldn’t contain the small smile on his face, and continued following James, trusting him to not let him fall or hit anything.
It was about a minute later that Remus’ ears and werewolf senses started picking up on the sounds. First he heard distant laughter and music, then as they continued walking the sounds of many different voices and conversations began to distinguish themselves. Wherever they were going, it seemed crowded.
Sure enough, it didn’t take long before James stopped on his tracks and let go of Remus’ arm, “Okay, Moony, here we are. It’s probably best if I take these off now, we don’t want you bumping into everyone.”
Remus nodded gratefully and braced himself for the sunlight. The first thing he saw, after blinking a few times to get used to the clarity, was that they were at a large park, with what was probably hundreds of people crowding the space between where they were standing and the middle of the park, where a stall and a microphone were installed.
“Uh, James? What’s going on?”
“You’ll see,” James beamed, “Come on, Lily is already in the front, she’s saving us a spot.”
Eyebrows frowned in confusion, Remus followed James and Peter, struggling to pass through the dense crowd. A few minutes later and after having his feet stepped on multiple times, Remus found himself right at the front of the giant mass of people, only a few meters away from the stall.
“Remus!”
He looked to his right and barely managed to catch a glimpse of red hair before Lily threw herself in his arms, enveloping him in a hug.
“Hey, Lils,” Remus squeezed her right back and smiled as she stepped back.
“Those two idiots didn’t spoil the surprise, did they?” she raised her eyebrow.
“Hey!” James and Peter echoed indignantly at the same time, making Remus and Lily cackle.
“No, I still have no clue what’s going on,” he answered, laughter still in his voice.
“Well, it’s best to see for yourself, isn’t it?” Lily beamed and observed him excitedly, “Take a look around.”
Remus turned his back to the stall and took a step backwards, searching the crowd with his eyes. Once again, he saw that there were probably hundreds of people there, and this time he noticed that a lot of them were carrying signs, so whatever that was, it was definitely a big deal.
He was about to turn back to his friends and ask for an explanation when his eyes caught the words written on one of the signs closer to him, and his heart almost leaped out of his throat.
In big, bold letters, written on a white cardboard that was being held by a woman who looked a bit older than him, it read ‘WE WILL FIGHT FOR WEREWOLVES’ RIGHTS’.
Gaping, Remus looked around and started to read the signs surrounding them.
‘JUSTICE FOR WEREWOLVES’
‘WEREWOLVES ARE PEOPLE! WE DEMAND RESPECT!’
‘NO TO THE MINISTRY’S ABUSE OF POWER’
Dozens and more dozens of signs, people coming together to support and demand werewolves’ rights, *his* rights. The scene before Remus brought tears to his eyes and made his heart swell in the most wonderful way. Never in his twenty years of life and sixteen years as a werewolf did Remus think he would get to see that.
He probably would have just stayed there for who knew how long, gaping like a fish with widened eyes, but the sound of a voice coming from the microphone behind him startled Remus out of his trance.
“Good morning, everyone.”
Remus turned around and…his breath got caught in his throat. Because now there was someone behind the stall, standing high and proud, ready to speak in front of hundreds of people.
And that someone was Sirius.
He was wearing a yellow button up with the top few buttons opened, and his long hair was tied up in a messy bun, probably because of the heat. He looked stunningly beautiful, and Remus’ heart was beating like crazy.
Sirius’ grey eyes scanned through the crowd rapidly until they found Remus’ amber ones staring right back at him. He looked nervous, but smiled so warmly that Remus thought he was going to die from a heart attack, even when Sirius broke eye contact to speak.
“First of all, I want to thank all of you for coming. I believe that, in order to change the world, every single person and action matter,” Sirius’ voice echoed loudly through the park, that now was silently listening to his words, “As most of you may already know, I’m here today to talk about something that we really shouldn’t have the need to discuss at this point. It’s extremely sad that we’ve come so far as a society but still have improved so little when it comes to certain things.”
“And that’s why it’s so important that we’re all gathered here today to talk about the discrimination towards the werewolf population in the wizarding world,” Sirius spoke determinately.
The crowd immediately came to life again, many people shouting their agreements and raising their signs, but Remus could do nothing but stare at Sirius in utter awe.
“I come from a very traditional family, with all that ‘pure-blood’ shit, so since a very young age I heard my parents talk about how werewolves, as well as muggle-borns, half-bloods, squibs and so many more, are an abomination and shouldn’t belong in the wizarding world,” Sirius paused for a moment, giving time for the crowd to process his words, before smirking proudly, “So I’m very proud to say that they disowned me when I was fifteen.”
There was a shocked silence for a few seconds before the people started laughing and loudly cheering Sirius on, who dramatically bowed and smiled widely. Remus
watched all of that with shiny eyes and a fond smile on his face, shaking his head in amusement by the ridiculous man standing before him. A ridiculous man he was so, so in love with.
Soon after, though, Sirius’ face gained a more serious look once again. On cue, the loud noises gradually died down.
“I always kind of knew that a lot of things my parents said was bullshit, but it was when I first got to Hogwarts that I really started to see how wrong all of their believes were. I met so many great people there, people who I knew had become my true family. And amongst them…,” at that moment, Sirius’ cheeks turned a dark shade of pink and a soft, loving smile reached his face, “…I met the most amazing, kindhearted, incredible person that I know. He’s one of my best friends, and I don’t know what I would do without him.”
“I know you guys are probably wondering what that part has to do with anything, right?” Sirius asked after a brief pause, “Well, in our second year, I found out that he’s a werewolf.”
Remus’ heart almost leaped out of his throat, and he began to wonder if he wasn’t actually dreaming. The incredibly sweet things Sirius had just said, the look on his face when he’d said them…How could all of that be for him?
“I remember the moment me and our friends talked to him about it. He was so sad and scared of our reaction that it broke my heart. And I just got so angry at my stupid parents, my other relatives, the Ministry and all the people whose words and actions made him feel that way, because he doesn’t deserve to live his life feeling that way. No one does.”
“Werewolves are people, just like anyone. They didn’t choose to become werewolves, they were bitten and turned, some of them were turned while still kids. Why should it be okay to punish, to discriminate, to hate people for something that happened to them and they cannot control?”
Sirius’ voice started to get louder as he carried on with his speech, as well as the crowd. Most of the people were shouting, waving their signs and jumping in agreement. There was a moment when Remus vaguely heard some protests and insults being thrown somewhere in the back, but they seemed so insignificant comparing to all that giant mass of people, people who were now filling his heart with hope and love, that he didn’t give a shit.
“Imagine if it was you who got turned. Imagine if it was your partner, your family, or your best friend,” Sirius continued, the emotion in his voice reaching the rows of people like waves, “Because it could be. It could happen to any of us.”
“The Ministry of Magic, whose job is to protect and care for the witches and wizards in our world, should make sure that werewolves have a safe place for their monthly transformations, as well as guarantee that they all have worker rights and are respected in those environments. But no, they don’t bother doing that, so they want you to think that werewolves are an abomination, a danger to society. That they are monsters. They force werewolves to register themselves and then leave them at mercy of society’s hate and prejudice.”
“Well, it’s past the time these things change,” Sirius gave one last loud shout that drove the crowd wild, as well as Remus’ heart. It took almost a minute until people had calmed down enough so that Sirius could speak again, calmly this time.
“Like I said at the very beginning of this, in order to change the world, every action matters. I don’t have a lot of money, but the few that I have I’m using to bring to life this organization I’ve been planning for these last few months and that already means the world to me, Moony’s Organization for Werewolves’ Rights,” Remus gasped audibly, “If any of you want to donate to help the organization, no matter the amount, it will be so much appreciated. Also, another great way of helping is by sharing this movement with your friends, family, neighbors, everyone you know. Because I’m sure that, step by step, we can come together and make the world a better place.”
Sirius made another brief pause as the audience cheered, and Remus could hear James’, Lily’s and Peter’s shouts of encouragement and support as they jumped and clapped next to him.
“If anyone has any doubts about the organization, the donations or anything at all, I’ll be next to the park’s entrance in about half an hour,” Sirius continued, gesturing over his shoulder to the spot he would be waiting, “Feel free to come talk, and I’ll answer all the questions you might have. I couldn’t be more greatful for everyone’s presence today, you guys make the whole difference. Thank you very much!”
Remus watched as Sirius waved to the crowd, that was still clapping and cheering (some even crying), and finally got off the stand. And suddenly, it was all too much. Because Sirius was there, trying to make his way to their group and beaming like he was the sun, and Remus loved him so very much, and the whole situation was so overwhelming that Remus just…panicked.
He turned around and hurriedly tried to make his way out of the crowd, ignoring his friends’ calls and almost knocking some people over in the process. With his heartbeat echoing in his ears like drums, Remus practically ran towards the exit and left the park. He stopped outside for a moment, not quite knowing where to go, until he spotted an alley on the left, mostly empty except for a few dumpsters.
He unceremoniously slumped himself in the wall across from the dumpsters as his mind tried to process everything that had happened and the flood of emotions he was feeling. He couldn’t believe that Sirius had done all of that for him.
Scratch that, of course he could. Because Sirius was just wonderful like that.
“Moony! Thank Merlin I found you, are you okay?” Sirius appeared from his left, running into the alley and scaring the shit out of Remus.
Remus turned to look at him in surprise, the moisture in his eyes very visible from where Sirius was standing, and he saw the other man starting to panic.
“Fuck. Was all of that too much? I’m so sorry, Moony, I didn’t mean…,” Sirius swallowed nervously, “I’ve been planning this for a few months now and I so wanted to tell you, but Lily and the guys thought it would be a nice surprise. I guess I shouldn’t have listened to them, it was a stupid idea, I—.”
Sirius stopped rambling when Remus suddenly threw his arms around the shorter man and squeezed him in a tight, warm embrace, resting his face against the crook of Sirius’ neck and breathing his familiar scent. Remus knew that a few tears were managing to escape his eyes, and he also knew that Sirius was no doubtfully feeling them in his neck, but he didn’t care. His heart was almost bursting out of his chest.
“Padfoot,” The name sounded like a prayer in Remus’ lips, “I love you.”
Sirius’ body immediately relaxed and he enveloped Remus tightly in his arms, caressing his back and laughing in utter relief, “Thank Merlin. I love you too, Moony.”
“No, that’s not what I meant,” Remus took a step back, and at seeing Sirius’ look of pure confusion, he laughed nervously, “Fuck, I can’t believe I’m about to tell you this. I thought I’d take it to the grave with me.”
“Moony, what—?”
“You see, I had already accepted my fate of never telling you any of this, because I knew nothing would ever happen. I was ready to be a forever lonely man with cats and grow old watching you and the others find love and happiness and create a family as I watched from the sidelines, and it was okay, because I would get to always be your friend, and I would never do anything to jeopardize our friendship, because I wouldn’t bear to not have you in my life, it’s better having you as a friend than not having you at all. But then you go and do something like *that* and I can’t—
“Moony, wait, breathe,” Sirius placed his hands on either side of Remus’ neck, who took a deep, shaky breath, “What are you saying?”
“I love you, Sirius. I’m saying I’m in love with you. I have been since we were sixteen.”
Sirius’ expression turned into one of pure shock, his eyes wide and mouth slightly parted, though he never took his hands off Remus’ neck.
“I’m sorry,” Remus placed his hands above Sirius’, squeezing them while he looked down at their feet, “I never meant for this to happen. I tried to suppress this feelings, I tried so hard, but everyday that passed I just fell even more in love with you.”
He heard a shaky breath coming from Sirius’ mouth, but didn’t lift his eyes from the ground, “I know this is probably a shock, and I’m sorry for dumping it all on you like that. I just…I couldn’t help it, I needed you to know. I needed to say it,” he paused for only a quick moment to breathe, “I understand if it’s too much for you right now, and I can just go if you—“
“Moony, you stupid, beautiful man,” Remus lifted his head so fast that his neck popped, and found Sirius beaming and staring lovingly at him, “I love you too.”
Remus’ eyes widened comically, “Wait, wha—“
His response was interrupted by Sirius moving his arms to embrace Remus’ hips and titling his head forward to gently connect their lips together in a loving kiss.
Some people say that the first kiss with someone you truly love can be like fireworks, explosion after explosion of joy, love and happiness overtaking your entire body and soul. Other people say it’s almost the opposite, like a calm breeze in a hot day of summer, bringing peace, light and a feeling of home.
For Remus, it was all of that and more.
The kiss was chaste, and after a few seconds Sirius pulled back, and Remus’ heart almost didn’t cope with the image before him. Sirius Black, flushed all over his face and neck, looking at him with his heart in his eyes and smiling the most beautiful smile Remus had ever seen.
“You’re in love with me” Remus whispered, dazed.
Sirius giggled (he GIGGLED) and nodded, bitting his bottom lip because of how hard he was smiling, “It was fifth year for me, you know? I fell in love with you when we were still kids, Remus Lupin, and since then I knew I would never be the same again. Because loving you brings out the best in me. You make me want to be good, to always keep changing in order to be the best version of myself. I love you deeply, truly and wholeheartedly, and loving you is the best thing I have ever done, and will do, forever.”
Tears were streaming down Remus’ face and suddenly he couldn’t take it. He needed more of Sirius, needed all that he could take. Needed more of his touch, of his warmth, of his embrace, of his kiss. He placed one hand on Sirius’ long dark hair, the other hand at the small of the man’s back, and bent his head to connect their lips together again. Except this time, they didn’t hold anything back.
They kissed like they were fire, consuming each other vigorously.
They kissed like there was no tomorrow, because that’s how we are all supposed to love and live, isn’t it? Love and live giving everything we have, like there will be no tomorrow.
They poured years and years of hidden love and affection into the kiss, and by the time they had to breathe (oh how they wish they didn’t have to breathe so they could keep on kissing forever), they were sweaty, red lipped, and breathing hard, but most importantly, they were the happiest they had ever been.
“I feel like I’m in a dream,” Remus laughed, “Is this really happening, is this real?”
“It’s real, Moons,” Sirius beamed, “We’re real.”
Remus beamed back at him and rested their foreheads together.
“I still can’t believe you did all this, Pads,” Remus whispered, “This is amazing.”
“I’m so happy you liked it, mon cher,” Sirius whispered back, and Remus’ knees went weak, “You deserve everything good in this whole world.”
They smiled at each other lovingly and bursting with happiness.
“Also, I forgot to tell you,” Sirius added, “but it’s not just the name that’s yours. The ownership is also yours, if you’d like.”
Remus smiled again and felt like pinching himself, because surely, a man as wonderful and amazing as Sirius Black couldn’t possibly exist. But there he was (Remus checked, he did pinch himself), right in front of him.
“How about we share it? I want you to be my partner,” Remus answered.
Sirius smiled brightly and nodded, “That’s perfect, Moony. Partners.”
“Partners.”
And that, they would always be.
Partners in the organization.
Partners in friendship.
Partners in love.
Partners in life.