“You are whipped, mate.” Mocked James as Sirius put his books down on the bed.
“I know!” complained Sirius. “But I couldn’t helped it. He was there standing all… you know handsome and he was looking at me with that look – you know the look – and he smelled so nice-“
“He smelled nice so you got us signed into the dueling club?” asked James, throwing Sirius an unimpressed look.
“Change that face mister.” Ordered Sirius. “I joined the knitting club when you wanted to impress my bother.”
James seemed to mauled over his answer for a bit. “Fair enough.” He finally said. “So what now?”
“Well the dueling club are on Thursdays afternoon…” Sirius began vaguely.
“And you want to practice so you can impress Moony.” Finished James.
“Yes, please.”
As you may know, Sirius and James were both very good at quidditch; in fact they were the best beater and chaser, respectively, the Gryffindor team has had in years, and together they were unstoppable. Remus on the other hand, was absolute shite on a broom. But he often went to see his friends at practice and he never missed a match; even tough Sirius could tell quidditch Remus didn’t care for quidditch. And so, when Sirius found out Remus had joined the dueling club he was a bit surprised. When will Remus have time to attend? He asked himself. Between school, pranks, his study group, the book club and the full moon, Sirius was surprised that Remus could fit another club on his busy schedule.
However, the first week Remus attended to the dueling club he had returned to the dorm beaming. Everyone knew that Remus had a nice and clean wand work; he had proven that many times in charms and transfiguration, but Sirius couldn’t actually picture Remus dueling. Moony was always in control, his spells were precise and subtle, so imagining him firing spells spontaneously was an image Sirius couldn’t quite picture.
And at first it was alright. Remus came happy every Thursday, and hence Sirius was happy. He was pleased Remus had found something he was really good at; even tough Remus’s snarky remarks.
“It’s amazing to know I’m so good at dueling.” He would say. “But I still trust my hands more on a fight.”
And Sirius would laugh, cause Remus hadn’t gotten in a fight since fourth year, but boy if Sirius knew how hard Remus could punch. Still, it was evident that lately Remus preferred simple discreet hexes to throw at Snivellus, rather than punching him on the face, like ha had done on their early years.
But then, one week Remus returned with a sheepish smile on his face. And when Sirius asked his answered was:
“Oh, Frank Longbottom helped me today with a spell.” He replied as he padded to the bathroom. Naturally Sirius followed him.
“Longbottom? Year above us?”
“That’s the one.” Said Remus as he started to change into his pj’s.
Later that night Sirius crawled into James’s bed.
“This is unacceptable prongs!” he loudly complained; thank Merlin the silencing charms.
“Is just a crush.” Said James as he reached out for his glasses on his nightstand.
“I had just a crush for Moony and look at me now!” continued Sirius “What if he falls in love with Frank?”
“Frank has a girlfriend doesn’t he?” asked James.
“Well, yeah, but he could dump her for Moony.”
“Well then do something about it and let us sleep.” Answered Regulus grumpily pushing his brother with his feet.
“Prongs.” Pouted Sirius.
“Sorry mate, the king has spoken.”
“And I’m the one who’s whipped.” Muttered Sirius.
James laughed. “I never said I wasn’t.”
“But what do I do?” pressed Sirius. Regulus groaned in his pillow. “Just tell me and I’ll let you go back to your night cuddles.”
“Find something you can do with Remus. ALONE. So you can spend more time with him and woo him. It shouldn’t be that hard.” Advised Regulus.
Sirius thought about his brother advise all night; and so when Remus asked if Sirius would like to come to the next club meeting Sirius saw his chance. Fine, maybe he wasn’t completely alone with Moony but it was the perfect chance. He could impress him because of course his dearest mother had taught the heir of the Black family how to duel and on top of that he could keep an eye on Frank.
So here they were… on a cold classroom at the dungeons watching Colin Davies get his ass kicked by Molly Prewett. Sirius was bouncing on his feet as he watched Frank correcting Remus posture for the next spell.
“I don’t think Moony has a crush on Frank.” Said James. As he watched the two of them interact.
“I don’t think so, either.” Confirmed Sirius. “But then why did Moony had that lovy-dopey grin the other day?” whispered Sirius to James.
“Mate are you serious?” asked James smacking the back of Sirius’s head.
But before Sirius could make any pun or defend his argument, Professor Sprout interrupted them.
“Mr. Black you know a bit of the dueling arts, I have heard.” She stated.
Sirius looked around to see if Remus was watching as he puffer his chest and answering the professor.
“I do know how to duel, professor. Some would say I’m exceptionally good.” He said proudly. James groaned beside him.
“Do you know the rictusempra spell?” asked Professor Sprout.
“Of course I know it.” Answered Sirius. It was a basic harmless spell, Remus wouldn’t be impressed to learn that Sirius knew this spell so he added “I even know the ebublio jinx.” He answered with a smug smile.
He heard a few kids from years below gasp. The jinx was a particularly difficult one and it took a lot of focus and energy to trap a whole human being inside the jinx. Sirius cast a side glance to see Remus with a lopsided smile and a skeptical look. Should he add an other spell? Remus didn’t seemed so impressed. But before Sirius could continue listing all his knowledge, professor Sprout clapped her hands.
“Perfect, you’ll be against our most talented wizard!” she announced cheerily. “This will be the perfect opportunity to show the younglings a true combat. Everybody clear the center of the room!”
Sirius grabbed his wand tightly. If he win this Moony would surely be impressed. He exchange a glance with James who nodded his head encouragingly.
“You are up Mr. Lupin.” Said Professor Sprout.
Sirius heart dropped. He threw a panicked glance at James who had the same expression as him. What should Sirius do?
“Do I let him win?” his eyes seemed to asked James.
James shook his head no.
“Don’t worry I’ll go easy on you.” Remus whispered on Sirius ear as he passed him.
It was a miracle Sirius’s legs didn’t gave in completely in that moment. This wasn’t fair.
“Remus is going to beat Sirius’s ass for sure.” Said Frank as he took a seat next to James.
“I would not be so sure.” Said James; but he, himself had doubts. He had never seen Moony duel.
“You know the rules guys, if you step out of the circle you loose. No dark magic and absolutely no unforgivable curses.” Commanded professor Sprout.
Sirius planted his feet in fight stand. Remus mirrored his position. Sirius had never fought Moony, at least not with magic. They play wrestled sometimes but they had never duel before. Sirius thought he had the higher ground; since Remus was taller he might be an easier target than Sirius himself.
“Flipendo!” said Remus instantly, taking a fast step towards Sirius.
Sirius barely had time to defent himself. “Protego!” he screamed. Follow by “Stupefy!”
But Remus, even tough he was tall was very agile. He had the same speed as if he were on the broom and it was clear to see now that he was on his element. Moony smile devilishly as he stood up to his full height, he had evaded Sirius spell effortlessly.
“Relashio!” tried Sirius.
But Remus deflected the spell with a swift motion. “Is that all you’ve got?” asked Moony tilting his head with mischief.
“Fuck impressing you.” Said Sirius. “Now I’m going to beat your ass.”
“Mr. Black, mind your language.” Scolded professor Sprout.
However Sirius could tell Remus was taken aback by the comment and he did not missed a bit. He threw Remus a babbling curse, which hit him square on hiss chest; soon enough Moony started talking non stop. But what Sirius hadn’t count on was that lately, Remus had been perfecting his non verbal spells. So after thirty seconds of the curse, Remus cast a non verbal finite on Sirius’s curse.
“Glacious!” said Remus as soon as the curse was lifted.
Sirius didn’t had time to deflect and soon his legs were stuck on ice. Remus raise his wand to cast the final spell.
“Obscuro!” casted Sirius before Remus could do anything.
“All right Padfoot!” screamed James as the spell hit Moony in the face. “I told you he was good.” Added James turning towards Frank.
“That is a complicated spell, I’ll give him that.” Said the other boy with his eyes glued to the duel.
The ice was climbing Sirius’s torso and Remus was looking around disoriented.
“Even if I can’t see you,” began Remus, searching for his wand that he had dropped when Padfoot’s spell had hit hi. “I can still smell you.” Moony picked up his wand. The obscuro spell could only be finished by the wizard who had casted it, that is why it was so difficult to use. “And you are going to have to speak to finish that ice spell.”
Moony was right if Sirius didn’t say the counter spell he would soon be buried in ice and he would loose the match.
“Finite incantatium.” Sirius whispered as low as he could.
Remus head snapped. “There you are.” He said before casting an other flipendo.
“Brachiabindo!” tried again Remus without missing a beat.
Sirius felt to the ground and struggle to get up as an invisible force had his arms tightly glued to his torso. He couldn’t reach his wand. Remus was getting closer to him, and the raven haired boy was running out of options. He would have to try a wandless spell.
“Stick Fast.” Sirius screamed.
And to everyone surprise Sirius in fact could cast the spell. However wandless magic was very difficult to master so the hex didn’t have the full impact Sirius had intended. Instead of making Remus’s feet stick to the ground, the taller boy just tripped over his foot and fell on top of Sirius, punching the air out of Sirius lungs; figuratively and literally speaking.
Remus touched the ground around Sirius looking for his wand, but since he still was under the obscuro charm he couldn’t see anything.
“He is done for.” Whispepred Frank.
“Sirius!” screamed James. “The secret technique! The secret technique!”
“Sirius has a secret technique?” asked Frank.
James smile smugly. “Uhum.”
Sirius looked at James, then he looked at Remus who had found his wand, and before Remus had time to stand Sirius decided this was the best occasion for his secret dueling technique.
Remus was startled when he felt Sirius lips colliding with his own. He instantly dropped his wand.
Everyone gasped and James started howling with laughter.
Sirius watched as Remus eyes went wide, and a second later he shut them tightly.
“Finite incantatium.” Whispered Sirius so Remus was released from the obscuro charm.
However Moony didn’t open his eyes, instead he chased after Sirius lips, reclining both of their bodies against the cold stone floor of the classroom. Sirius let out an embarrassing noise, close to a whimper, and professor Sprout rushed to interrupt.
“Well that was… unexpected.” She said. Then she turned to the first and second years. “Kids do not kiss your opponent on a dueling match.”
Sirius and Remus barked out a laugh.
Remus undid the binding curse on Sirius and helped him stand up.
“Yes!” said James strutting towards Sirius and Remus. “I told you Frank, Sirius secret technique never fails.”
“It surely has the element of surprise.” Agreed Frank. “That was an awesome duel you two.” Congratulated Frank.
“Wait, so you had use your secret technique before?” asked Remus.
Sirius cheeks flushed. “No but James told me it would work.”
Remus arched his brow and James shrugged. “t worked with Regulus.”
“Merlin! I did not know you had used the secret technique with my baby brother? What is wrong with you Potter.” Complained Sirius as he smacked James on the head.
“Oi! It got you Moony! Don’t sack me!” said James smacking Sirius’s head as well.
“So… the secret technique is only for me?” asked Remus crouching down with a shite eating grin on his face.
“Come on James, let’s give them a moment.” Said Frank, dragging an unwilling James behind him.
“Are you mad?” asked Sirius.
“About?” prompted Remus.
“About me beating you on the duel.”
Remus threw his head back and let a sonorous laugh scape his lips.
“Please, if you hadn’t kiss me I would had beat your ass.” Smiled Remus.
“And are you bothered by the kiss?” said Sirius.
Remus took a step towards Sirius and put a strand of loose hair behind Sirius’s ear.“If getting to kiss you means I have to duel first I will gladly become and Auror.”
“You don’t have o duel me every time.” Said Sirius sheepishly.
“Well in that case…” Remus tilted his head a bit and Sirius inhaled sharply.
“Boys, would you mind discussing this latter? We have a class to finish.” Said Professor sprout with and indulgent smile.
Remus and Sirius looked at all the students that were staring at them.
“Just kiss him and be done with it!” encouraged Molly Prewett.
Sirius yanked Remus tie and James started whooping along with a few more students. Other clapped and a few of them whispered “told you so.”
“Professor, I’m actually not feeling that well after Sirius’s disastrous spells. Maybe is some side effect.” Announced Remus with his eyes glued to Sirius’s grey gaze. “I think I’m going to go to the hospital wing.”
“I better make sure he get there, professor.” Said Sirius with a dopey smile.
They interlace their hands and excited the room. Everyone knew they weren’t going to the hospital wing but everyone indulge the pair. Later, they returned smiling to the common room, with their hair a bit disheveled. And for the weeks after Sirius would demonstrate how he beaten Remus at the dueling club; making sure, of course, to snog Remus every single time he told the story.
“Just so they have a visual representation, Moony mine.” Said Sirius smugly every time.
“I don’t think they got it.” Would answered Remus as brought Sirius in for an other kiss.