One morning, in their sixth year, when Lily comes down wearing a beautiful red lipstick that matches her skin perfectly and eyeliner sharp enough to draw attention, Sirius says, “I wish I could do that.”
Remus looks up from his book and coffee to give Sirius a confused look. “Do what, Sirius?”
“Wear makeup, like Lily’s got on,” he says quietly, just so Remus, who's sitting directly across from Sirius, can hear.
Remus looks over across the table to Lily, who’s chatting with Marlene and Mary about their plans at Hogsmeade today. James, who’s sitting next to Sirius, is eating toast while listening to the girls chat. Peter, bless him, is doing homework that’s due in about forty minutes and isn’t even close to done.
“So ask her where she got hers,” Remus shrugs, and goes back to his book. Sirius turns her head to look at him so suddenly it causes a slight breeze in the Great Hall.
“I can’t just do that. I mean… I can always buy some, but it’s not like I can wear it.. out.. in public. Especially not at Hogwarts.” Sirius moves a few sausages around her plate and sighs.
“You know if anyone judges you or said anything we’d all hex them. And when I say we, I mean me, James, Peter, Lily, Marlene, Mary, and even your brother and his friends. Everyone knows how you are Sirius, and they’re too scared of what might happen if they taunted you. Not that you can’t stand up for yourself, of course,” Remus winks over his coffee cup as he takes a sip. “Buy the makeup, put it on, and simply stop giving a fuck. I promise I’ll always love you, as well as the rest of them, eh?”
Sirius looks back at Lily who’s animatedly telling James a story about something that happened in the girls dorm.
“You’re right, I’ll think about it,” Sirius smiles at their boyfriend.
After breakfast, the friends all go back to their dorm to get ready to go to Hogsmeade for their day trip. Sirius changes out of the black pants he had on at breakfast and looks over at the skirt Mary gave him after coming out.
“You should wear it today,” James says quietly after noticing Sirius’ stare. “To Hogsmeade.”
“Uh, no I don’t think so, I was just changing from these pants because I spilled orange juice on them,” Sirius coughs. James raises an eyebrow and looks at her expectantly, but Sirius says nothing as he puts on a new pair of pants.
He and James go downstairs after getting everything they need, where their friends are waiting on them. James kisses Lily hello and Remus wraps his arm and jacket over Sirius. They meet up with Dorcas so her and Marlene can go on a lunch date and all walk to Hogsmeade together.
After a few hours of shopping, and a lunch break, James and Sirius break away from the group and go to Zonkos. With Marlene and Dorcas gone together, Mary helping Peter pick out a new winter coat, it’s just Remus and Lily.
“Hey, Lily,” Remus starts, and the redhead turns to look at him with sparkling eyes and red cheeks from the cold snowy weather.
“Remus?” She smiles.
“That makeup you have on, where’d you get it? Around here? Sirius said something about it. I want to get her some.”
Lily smiles brightly at Remus before shaking her head, “unfortunately no, I brought my makeup from home. Anywhere close would probably be Diagon Alley, although my makeup is from a muggle shop. I think they make makeup the best. Maybe though, you could check that new store that just opened here in Hogsmeade, it’s a clothing store and Mary is obsessed. We could go there if you wanted? I bet the boys are going to take forever.”
“They’re probably wondering where I am,” Remus laughs. “Sure, I’d love to go.”
Lily and Remus make their way to a boutique thats a little farther to Hogwarts. A welcoming chime from a bell above the door welcomes them in, as well as a friendly young voice yelling out, “Hello!” as they walk inside.
“Hi!” Lily calls back, walking up to the counter where a pretty dark skinned girl with long beautiful braids is working. “Is this your shop?”
“Yes! I graduated from Hogwarts about three years ago. I specialize in clothing and makeup with magical touches to make things easier for disabled witches and wizards. I’ve only been open for about a month. Is there anything I can help you find?”
“Erm, a friend of mine is looking to try wearing makeup for the first time. It’s a huge step. Anything for.. beginners?” Remus asks, and the girls face lights up.
“Oh yes, absolutely! Right this way!”
They spend about twenty minutes reviewing products and what they do. After checking out, they thank the girl and carry out their bag with about five items.
James and Sirius are waiting for them outside the Joke shop when they get back. “Where the hell did you two go?!” Sirius asks, her hair in a bun and cheeks pink, either from yelling or from the snow.
“Just had to go get something, sorry we were gone long, we lost track of time.” The sun was starting to go down. “Shouldn't we head back to Hogwarts?”
“Me and Lily have Prefect duties we must attend to,” James says, kissing Lily’s cheek as he wraps an arm around her shoulders.
The group meets up again and all walk back to Hogwarts together. It’s dark when they return, and a lovely crescent moon is there to greet them. James and Lily wander off, Dorcas kisses Marlene goodbye, and the Gryffindors head to the Great Hall for dinner.
After dinner, Lily and James are back in the common room, and everyone is chatting or doing homework. Remus and Sirius are sitting on the couch by the fireplace and Sirius lays her head on Remus’ chest.
“I got you something,” Remus says, pulling out the bag full of makeup from the shop. “Today, in Hogsmeade. You don’t have to use it if you don't want to. I just thought it’d be nice to have.”
Sirius peeks into the bag and their eyes widen. “Makeup? Remus, oh my god,” he picks items out one at a time and examines them. Red lipstick, a four pan eyeshadow pallet, macara, blush, and a highlighter. “There’s no way you found this stuff in Hogsmeade,”
“Actually Lily helped me,” Remus looks up at the girl and she winks at him and goes back to studying Defense.
“Thank you, so much,” Sirius kisses Remus. Remus wraps his arms around her waist and squeezes.
The next morning, Sirius wears her skirt and her makeup around the hallway and people call her ‘she.’ She’s never felt more like themself in a longtime.