The first day on fifth year Moony had returned to the train after a big growth sprout.
That should have been the first sing. Moony had been very short the first years at school. Sirius remembers his friends sitting in his chair, getting lost in all of the fabric from the cape and his feet dangling above the floor. In fourth year he had been nearly Sirius size. But now? It was a mockery of nature, Sirius was sure; because his friend was incredibly tall. Sirius didn´t even reach his eye sight anymore. And what’s more, Remus had exchange his scrawny body for a lean body that fitted the school uniform just right.
“Nice to see you haven´t grown at all pads.” He had teased as soon as the marauders were reunited.
Hell even his voice had gone kind of deep.
Sirius just scoffed. “Don´t rush me, you´ll see.”
Remus gave him a lazy laugh and walk pass him. Sirius in fact, hope that Remus wouldn’t “see” because he really liked being shorter than Moony, if that makes sense.
“Wow, Moony, look at you!” exclaimed Peter as soon as they entered their compartment on the train.
“Moons are you even going to be able to fit in your bed?!” teased James.
“Shut up.” Laughed Remus.
“No seriously, I think I saw you at the platform and I didn´t knew it was you.” Said Peter.
“C´mon lads, I just grew a bit.”
“A bit?!” exclaimed Sirius. “Moony have you seen yourself all tall and lean and tanned.”
“How did you get tanned?” asked James, he reached out to examine his friends arm as if Remus had painted his body.
“I spent the summer working at my ma´s garden, that´s all.” Answered Remus a bit cohabited.
“Well it does suit you, Moon-pie.” Said Sirius joining James in his examination.
Remus yanked his hand awkwardly. Sirius looked at him. Then he tilted his head. “Ever the over-grown puppy.” Thought Remus amused.
But then all thoughts were washed from his friend as Sirius got dangerously closer to his face. His nose were almost bumping and Remus had no space to back away. He shoot James and Peter a panicked look.
“What?” he babbled.
Sirius smiled brightly.
“Gentlemen, Moony got freckles!” he announced backing away.
They all laughed and a moment later James was inspecting his face too.
“They look good Moony, but you should really use a sun blocking charm.” Scolded James.
“We aren´t allow magic outside school genious.”
“Then put some sunscreen next time.”
“Yes mom.”
“OI!” complained James. “You know what, do whatever you want. Someday I won´t be here to tell you to put sunscreen and you are going to miss me.” He said crossing his arms over his chest and adopting that aristocratic posture of rich-kid-throwing-a-tantrum.
They all laughed and the sound filled the cabin.
“Please Prongs, as if there would be a time were you wouldn´t be around.” Said Remus.
“Moons right.” Said Sirius. “Even when we finish school we´ll move together won´t we lads?”
“Yeah!” agreed Peter excitedly.
.
The next sing was when they all change into the school robes. Remus took off his beanie and Sirius was delighted to see Moony had not cut his hair during summer holidays. Remus had never had his hair long. His mother always cut it very short. So Sirius found himself pulling the wavy honey hair just to watch it jump back into place.
“Cut it out Pads!” had warned Remus on the train. However Sirius couldn´t help himself. “I swear to merlin I´ll cut it off as soon as we arrive to the castle if you don´t stop pulling it.”
“You wouldn´t.” answered Sirius faking offence. And he kept at it.
“Try me.”
“But Moons it´s really fun to watch.” Sirius did it again as if to prove his point. “See.”
Remus snapped. He turned around suddenly and before Sirius knew what was happening his friend took a fist full of jet black hair and yanked it kind of hard.
“See! It isn´t funny.” Remus was looking him straight in the eyes.
His had voice sounded husky and deep. It surely hadn´t been funny but it had stirred something in Sirius stomach.
“Cut it out both of you!” demanded James.
“No bantering until we have unpacked, you know the rules.” Agreed Peter.
“Pads don´t bother Moony. Moony let go of Sirius hair.” But Remus didn´t let go. “Moony, Sirius is getting angry.” Said James again
“Merlin and morgana! Look at his face! He is going all red!” screamed Peter.
“Remus let go!” said James watching Sirius turn ever redder.
“Well that´s what he gets for bothering me.” Muttered Remus under his breath.
He slowly let go of Sirius´s precious hair. Peter and James were waiting for Sirius to explode. Remus, on the other hand, hadn´t break eye contact; even though his hand wasn´t restricting Sirius anymore they stayed still; noses almost touching.
Remus was scrutinizing him with a curious look and Sirius couldn´t help but feel the heat expanding from his face to his ears. It was as if Moony was looking for something in his face, in his eyes. And Sirius was the first one to back away; because maybe, just maybe, if Moony looked closely into his eyes he would find something in there. Was that something what Moony was looking for?
James and Peter gave a sing of relieve when the two other boys backed away without breaking into huge fight. Peter started a conversation about holidays in hopes to keep peace. James followed and soon the four of them found themselves laughing and sharing hilarious stories about their summer adventures. However, something weird stayed lingering on Sirius chest and stomach. Like he was hollow and all the smiles and laughed expelled from Remus mouth were deposited inside of him.
Sirius couldn´t help himself. All the ride back to Hogwarts he kept stealing glances at Remus. At some point James kicked him in the shin with a raised eyebrow and a little smirk. Sirius had just frowned and mouthed “what?” James had groaned; he knew. Of course James knew. He even knew before the man himself. “It´s going to be a looooong year.” Thought James to himself watching his idiot’s friends.
And indeed it was. It was a long term of two idiots pining hopelessly for each other and two very frustrated Peter and James trying to play matchmaking. And finally, a very unbothered Regulus shoving Remus and Sirius into a broom cupboard. But in the end it all went well, because when two people are meant to be, they´ll find each other sooner or later on any universe.