Chapter 2
Sirius woke up the next morning with only a few minutes to spare. He haphazardly put on his uniform, necktie lose around his neck, hair still slightly frazzled. He only just managed to grab some food before the kitchen shut.
Pulling out the crumpled piece of paper from his pocket, Sirius started to roam the school trying to find McGonagall's office. He took his time, knowing he’d get an excused note, and wanted to miss as much of the first period as he possibly could.
McGonagall’s office was warm and clean, very professional and organized but it still felt welcoming.
He shifted awkwardly under McGonagall's gaze. She was a harsh-looking woman, with a tight, slick bun and angular face.
“So Mr. Black. I requested for you to see me before you started classes to explain the reality of your situation.” She paused, waiting for Sirius to respond, acknowledge something, but he just stayed quiet. The chair he was sitting on was old and woody, every time he moved it creaked.
“Our school prides itself on its academics, our overall grade average being one of the highest in the country. And your transcripts, frankly, don’t meet our standards. I’ve arranged for a student tutor to help you with assignments, hopefully, get a hold of your marks and maintain an average befitting to this school. ”
Now Sirius had something to say. “Oh no that's not necessary, like at all.”
Sirius despised the idea of some self-righteous prick trying to explain history to him.
“Frankly, Mr. Black, it’s not your discussion to make. Hogwarts doesn't usually take students after the application deadline, and this was one of the terms made prior to your acceptance.”
Sirius had to fight hard not to roll his eyes.
Fucking brilliant.
McGonagall reached into a drawer beside her desk and handed him a piece of paper.
“The student's name is Remus Lupin, he was a perfect last year and is top of the class. It’s unusual for a student your same year to do this but Remus is exceptionally bright and has done it before. You’ll be meeting him in the library twice a week after your classes. His email is written in the form there in case you need to contact him about anything.”
“Thanks,” Sirius said as he took the form, it had another map of the school and a list of what textbooks he’d need to bring to the first session. He already knew he’d hate this person.
***
Sirius walked into the library, he smelled of old paper and the sounds of students scribbling notes filled the echoey space. Everyone was dead quiet, and a stern-looking woman behind the counter was staring at him fiercely, daring him to make a sound.
He walked over to a table by a window, as per his instructions. The curtains were open and the sun was streaming through the window, highlighting the little specks of dust floating around. At the table bathed in golden light was the most beautiful boy Sirius had ever seen. He had curly brown hair that was slightly overgrown, flopping down his forehead and almost covering his eyes. He was focusing intently on the book open in front of him, hands covered by the sleeves of his sweater, biting his bottom lip where Sirius noticed the silver covering of scar, there were a couple on his neck too. Thin scraggly lines poked out from beneath his collar. He also had freckles, everywhere, which was fucking adorable.
Sirius made his way over to the table, lightly coughing to get the boys' attention.
“Uh - are you Remus?” Sirius asked, standing over the table, gripping the strap of his bag because he was totally not nervous talking to the cute boy.
He didn’t even bother to look up, just turned to the next page in his book.
“Yeah”. Remus said.
“Remus Lupin” Sirius said again, dragging out the syllables. “Kind of a strange name? Wolf wolf?’
“You’re not one to judge, Sirius Black.” Remus raised an eyebrow and shut his book. Then he finally looked up, and all Sirius could register was his forest green eyes.
“Ah, so you know who I am,” Sirius smirked.
“Obviously.” Remus rolled his eyes and lifted up a small piece of paper. “I’m your assigned tutor.”
“Oh right.” Sirius laughed, awkwardly. He was very intrigued by this funny, blunt, curly-haired individual.
“So, transferring schools for your last year, it's going to be hard to get used to the way things work around here.” Remus looked him up and down, in an almost judgmental way. Though, he wasn’t sure. Sirius couldn’t get a read on him.
“Great,” Sirius said not so enthusiastically as he took a seat across from Remus.
“Did you do the summer reading?” Remus asked.
“Nope.” Sirius said, popping the ‘p’. “To be completely honest I didn’t know I was coming here until like a month ago.”
“Oh god, why did they even let you in.” Remus rolled his eyes. “I’ll give you the titles, try and read them before anything else.”
Sirius nodded along. He liked to read so he wasn’t worried, unless they were boring books, then he just wouldn’t bother. That's what the internet was for.
“So we’ll meet here on Tuesdays and Fridays, and go over anything you need. Assignments, notes, or studying when it's exams. Today though we can get your things sorted, starting with the books for English.” Remus spoke in an unimpressed tone. He wasn’t mean, actually quite the opposite, he just wasn’t fussed.
It was actually a very pleasant evening. As much as Sirius would hate to admit it, he was actually wrong about Remus. He wasn’t stuffy or arrogant, he didn't make Sirius feel stupid or like a nuisance. He was just kind of there. He did what McGonagall asked him to do, he gave him some advice about teachers, and classes and prepared him for this week's upcoming lessons. Some of the classes he was in Remus had already completed earlier on so he had a helpful insight. He was straightforward, not overly friendly but not rude, and sometimes he would remark on something that genuinely made Sirius laugh.
He didn’t mind spending time with Remus at all.
Maybe the next few weeks wouldn’t be so torturous after all.
***
two new messages from: reggieeeeee
so how was the first day?
join a secret poetry group in a cave in the woods?
sadly no such luck
yet
have a cute boy tutor tho
ahhhh
of course you do, ya flirt
i miss you
yeah i miss you too
not that much tho
your records have somehow found their way to my room
nooo
you can’t take my children from their home!!!
too late
playing queen as we speak
ooooh which album
a night at the opera
love it
can’t stay mad at taste
lol
goodnight, dead poet boy
goodnight, vinyl stealer