Chapter 1
They like to say, “every day you learn something new”, well today the Gryffindor common room was really learning.
First lesson? Don’t slag off Sirius Black.
Second lesson? Remus Lupin knows how to throw a punch.
He was lippy, that was never a secret, but he never got physical. No one ever dared to touch the scar covered boy, no one dared to touch the Casanova of Gryffindor tower, boyfriend of the infamous Black.
It was the day after a full moon, he was aching, tired and the lingering protectiveness of Padfoot was clear in his mind. They hadn’t had a good night, the stag had chased the dog face first into a tree, leaving a dark bruise across Sirius’ face.
He was walking through the common room when he heard it, the snarky remark of a 5th year. The year below him. He didn’t even get to finish the sentence before the sound of fist connecting with skull filled the room.
Silence hit like a bomb.
The entire room was silent, it had never been this quiet before, not even when they were studying for OWLs or NEWTs. But Remus just pulled his arm back, rage filling every inch of his body as he grabbed the boy by the collar of his robes, gripping so hard his knuckles turned a paper white.
Sirius barely looked up from the book he was half-heartedly looking over, he took one glare at Remus and grinned. He always loved Remus’ protectiveness, even more so now as he towered over the 5th year, the murderous glint in his gold eyes, the ways his scars oh so perfectly decorated the skin of his arms, he was gorgeous. Yes, he probably should have stepped in or stopped him, but the sight was too good to ruin.
Remus growled under his breath, leaning over the boy and pulling him an inch from his face.
“Take his name out of your filthy fucking mouth.” He spat, the anger clearly conveying in his words, his Welsh accent taking spotlight.
The boy in his grip looked terrified, the site of contact red, already forming what will be a nasty bruise and a slight trickle of blood coming from his nose. Remus really did know how to throw a punch. As soon as the words left his mouth, a string of apologies filled the silent air, almost as if it was a mercy plea. Without a thought Remus lifted the younger off the ground, maybe an inch or two before throwing him back lightly, but just enough force to send him stumbling into his friend, who all shared a ghostly white complexion, barely managing to catch him.
Then without another word, perhaps a silent growl, he spat at their feet. Flashing a look of warning to the group and then the rest of the common room, catching Sirius’ eye in the process, the corners of his lips curling in only a way Sirius would be able to see. Then as if nothing happened Remus turned on his heel and walked out of the common room.
The adrenaline had his mind racing, fogging his thoughts. What were his plans for the day? He couldn’t remember so he just headed to the one place he knew comfort. The library.
----
Without missing a beat Remus walked through the halls, past groups of students from the other houses, plus a few Gryffindors. The castle was surprisingly alive for a Saturday morning, normally students were sleeping in or studying, or some weekends, at Hogsmeade. However, it didn’t take long for Remus to make it to the library, which was thankfully quiet and empty with only a few small study groups dotted around. Remus quickly made his way over to his favorite table, the one in the back corner just below one of the large windows. He placed his satchel down on the table, thankful he remembered to bring it down with him before he left, and pulled out his diary, a rough leather-bound book. He sighed softly and started scribbling what thoughts he could decipher. Doing this always calmed his mind, it was simple and effective.
But he didn’t get to write more than a page or two before the familiar sound of clack os a certain raven haired boy became apparent in Remus’ ears. He snapped his head up just as Sirius reached his table, a large grin spread right across his face.
“Good afternoon, trouble.” Sirius whispered, placing both his hands on the edge of the table, next to Remus.
Instantly relaxing, he placed down his quill and leaned back in his chair. “Hello Sirius.”
“So,” He moved his hands and swung himself effortlessly up onto the table, his legs not quite reaching the floor. Sirius’ ran a hair through his, in Remus’ opinion, more than perfect hair, lightly brushing a finger over the bruise that danced across his cheek and temple. “What was all that about Mister Lupin?”
God damn Sirius. The way the words rolled off his tongue was enough to make Remus fold and Sirius knew that. He was almost somewhat convinced that’s why he did it.
“He insulted that gorgeous face of yours” Remus murmured, almost sounding embarrassed now the adrenaline was wearing off.
“Oh, how I love it when my lovely Moony protects little old me.” Sirius said perhaps a little too dramatized, paired with a swoon to match.
Remus did nothing but smile more, “You are such a drama queen, Black.” He always pretended to be off put by Sirius’ dramatism but secretly he loved it. He loved everything about his boyfriend. His stupid scars, his dark, perfectly groomed and kept hair that he was far too serious about, his smile, the way his eyes were the perfect shade of grey and the way his eyes shone every time the pair made eye contact. Remus could talk for hours about the boy sat on the desk in front of him, probably endlessly if he was given the chance.
Sirius gently reaches out and takes Remus’ hand, a hand that is far larger than his own but far more gentle. Well, was gentler until he punched a fifth year. The marks of the assault showing slightly on his knuckles, almost making Sirius feel bad for the boy. He lifted the scarred hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on each of his knuckles, murmuring barely audible “I love you” ‘s before each kiss.
“We should get you back to the dormitory, Prongs and Wormtail are worried you’ve been expelled or handed over to the authorities…Because you know” He said the last part with a sigh, Sirius let go of Remus’ hand and slid off the table, grabbing the satchel from the floor and placing it where he had just been sitting.
“They worry far too much, Minnie loves me, she’d never.” Remus chuckled a little and shut his notebook, shoving it in his satchel and standing up, making sure to neatly push his chair under the desk. “But its best not to leave them worrying.” His hand snuck into Sirius’. Their hands fit perfectly together, the contrast in colour, Remus’ rough hands to Sirius’ smooth ones, it always made him warm inside, just how perfect they were for one another.
In silent unison they headed back towards the dorm that they shared with their other two best friends, James “Prongs” Potter and Peter “Wormtail” Pettigrew. However, it was foolish, wishful thinking to believe that anywhere beyond the library would be quiet for the pair. As they crossed the library, ignoring any of the common looks they got for being two boys in love, Sirius squeezed Remus hand, three times, just as they'd taught each other. They shared a secret language, their nonverbal way of affection and getting each other through the day. 3 squeezes? I love you. Sirius Black's favorite words.
Remus pushed open the library door for his boyfriend, not letting go of his hands once as Sirius dragged him out behind him, a small hop in his walk. The halls of Hogwarts never failed to be anything less than beautiful and what better than walking somewhere so outstanding, hand in hand with the love of your life. Their loving peace would quickly come to an end when the oh too familiar sound of the want to be Death Eaters.
It was if the den of snakes was waiting for them.