Forgotten Readings
He read because it made him feel human.
His friends always asked him why he didn't read anything “funny” and instead focused on classics or novels without fantasy elements in between.
Why would he want that when he had enough trouble struggling with being a werewolf?
For this same reason, when Sirius gave his twelfth birthday present to him, a book with a wolf on the cover, he thanked with some apprehension.
He examined the cover and pretended to smile — of those with which he had so much experience— because it was his best friend, but he didn't read that book until many decades later. Everyone forgot about the gift, including himself. Remus decided to enjoy the party, the sweets, and the smiles.
He picked up the dusty book from under the shelf, and looked it over carefully: was muggle reading, Lupin knew the author, thanks to the books his mother used to buy him. He wondered how Sirius (twelve) was able to purchase it without getting into trouble.
Well, not so much trouble, because he was always getting into some trouble.
He smiled and cleaned the text, then sat down on his couch, with his freshly served cup of coffee and his reading glasses. It was too late for coffee, but too early to go to bed. He waited for Sirius to return, always at those hours, because now that Harry had returned to Hogwarts, it was his turn to wait alone for Sirius.
Reading was fast and smooth. The author didn't focus on the smallest details and moved on to the action. Lupin, in less than an hour, reached the middle of the book, an ideal time to get up and go refill his cup, now with tea.
He heard the door open as he missed the last chapter. He looked up to see Sirius arriving exhausted, with several bags in his hands and an indelible smile on his face. Likewise, he returned his eyes to the book, trying to pretend to be indifferent.
Sirius dropped the bags in the doorway, and without regard for the order of the house — that Lupin was trying to keep— ran to greet Remus, wrapping both arms around his neck and interrupting his reading by sitting on his lap, in search of craved attention.
“Hello! I'm here!” Sirius shouted close to her ear “Did you hear me? I came home!”
Frustrated, because the conclusion of the book was not heading in the line Lupin desired, he looked angrily at Sirius, who shut his mouth and stayed that way, until Lupin finished the text, feeling a great empty feeling in his stomach.
“Hello”
Pouting, Sirius picked up the book and narrowed his eyes. He took off Lupin's glasses and stroked his fingers through Remus's hair.
“What happened? Did someone die? Did the wolf die?”
Lupin looked at him and licked his lips, not answering anything. Sirius kissed him, anxiously and felt Lupin nod, as he thought something was slipping his mind, but he couldn't remember. It wasn't until he accidentally dropped the book and out of the corner of his eye, noticed the dedication. She instantly stopped kissing Lupin and grabbed the text again.
“So, with a dedication?” Sirius questioned, putting his hand on top of Lupin who wanted to say something. “Was it one of your students from last year? Maybe… Let's take a look at the young girl in love behind this love letter.”
Behind Sirius's hand, Lupin began to laugh loudly as he watched Sirius's face begin to color as his eyes watered. When he finished reading the dedication, he hid in Lupin's chest muttering only one thing: “Liar, you told me you had read it….”
«Dear Remus:
You are very boring or dull, or some word that is synonymous with and that you know of. James and I agree on the same thing, so I think you could use some fresh air. I bought this book from you because I thought the cover was very cool. The sales lady was nice, in every sense of the word, and told me it was interesting. I don't remember her name, it was something charming like Linda or Lisa, either way you would like her, because you like everybody.
Dedications are shorter than this, sorry, I'm not good at muggle stuff. Not only that, but I asked Lily, and she said this would make a pleasant gift. (When she's not with Quejicus, she's a lot of fun!) So, I hope you like this book, so you'll stop reading those soooooo old books! (If only for a while).
Sirius B.»
『 °*• ღ •*°』
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