Chapter 3
After getting lost and showing up late to almost every class, Sirius had survived his first week at Hogwarts. The only thing he had left to do was see Remus at the library and then he was free to enjoy the weekend. Which he had no plans for, except to facetime Reg and listen to music, but that's beside the point.
Remus was already sitting at the same table in the back of the library. Wearing a floppy green sweater over his uniform, surrounded by a stack of books, as per usual. Except for today, he was talking to someone Sirius didn’t recognize. Another boy with unruly dark brown hair, sticking up in every direction like he forgot to brush it. He was wearing his uniform, except he was missing his tie and blazer, the sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to his elbows, and he was wearing the oldest, muddiest pair of trainers Sirius had ever seen. He had silver, round glasses and was smiling brightly, waving his hands around in conversation.
“So, you are actually going to come to the game this weekend?” He heard the boy say as he got closer.
“Of course, James. I’m not a terrible friend… And I’ll just bring a book.”
“There it is,” James said with a loud laugh. He was quickly shushed by Mrs. Pince, which Sirius had found, was the name of the librarian.
“Oh, hello.” James turned as he noticed Sirius approaching the table.
“Er, James, this is Sirius, the new student I’m helping out.”
“Hi, Sirius, nice to meet you.” James stuck out his hand with a bright smile and seemed actually genuinely happy to meet him.
“Uh, yeah. You too.” Sirius let go of his hand pretty quickly and dropped his bags on the chair beside him.
“Are you going to come to the match this weekend?” James asked Sirius now, looking at him intently.
“What match?” Sirius asked, having not the slightest idea what was going on.
“Oh, rugby! It's the first game of the year, I’m the team's captain.” James smiled, beaming with pride. Sirius didn’t have the heart to tell him that he didn't give a flying fuck about sports and had literally zero friends to attend the game with.
“Probably not. You know, I have lots of homework to catch up on.”
“Oh fair enough mate, classes here are brutal. But if you change your mind, we’d love to have you. Even Remus is coming!” He nudged Remus playfully with his elbow.
“I’ll think about it.” Sirius tightly smiled, this James boy was like a golden retriever, all bouncy sunshine. It was a bit overwhelming.
“Well, I’ll leave you two to it, hopefully, see you this weekend Sirius!” And after reminding him of the place and time for the game, James was jogging out of the library and Sirius was back to sitting across from Remus, who was still reading. He had the cover flat on the table so he couldn’t see the title, but the size looked different from the one he had at the beginning of the week. It must not be for school.
Suddenly, Sirius was fully curious as to what Remus was reading and found his thoughts spiraling. Is it some pretentious classic? Is it a reread of his favorite book? Sirius knows so little about this boy but found he wanted to figure out everything.
“Don’t feel pressure to come, James just gets very excited about rugby,'' Remus said as he pulled out a new book from the stack, some textbook for history class. His paperback quickly tucked away back in his bag.
“But you are going?” Sirius asked, resting his chin on his hand. Wanting to confirm that James wasn't just putting words in his mouth, and to also maybe hint that Sirius really wanted him to say yes.
“James already told you, yes.”
So maybe all the subtleties didn't translate, but Remus was going.
“Alright, then.” Sirius smiled to himself as he opened the textbook. Remus already changed the subject to invasions and political dynamics.
***
cute tutor boy invited me to a rugby match
you’re joking
yeah
a little bit lol
technically his friend did, but he’s going to be there sooo
not to be a downer but
maybe don’t go
what
reg?
you’re supposed to be lying low
cooling off
hiding, you mean
mother would be furious if news of you getting close to him got out
she’s watching you extra close now anyways
but then she wins
but then you’re safe
reg she can’t reach me here
im ok
not sure i believe that but -
ok
just please, be careful
dont do anything stupid
i won't
dont worry about me
just enjoy your weekend
they’re in paris, right?
yep
gone for three days
hence stealing your vinyls and blasting queen
um BORROWING
you are BORROWING my super secret super elite pristine collection of fabulous vinyl
they will be returned to their rightful home when i return
sure sure
op
cute tutor has returned with more books
got to go
you were texting me while in your session?!
i will not to be used a distraction from studying
unacceptable
***
After studying with Remus, he actually felt prepared to do well in his assignment. Back in London, Sirius tried to miss as many classes as he could, skiving off tests and generally just dicking around when he should’ve been working. A fun strategy at the time, but now he was really struggling in his lessons. Things got out of control pretty quickly and being practically absent for the entirety of the last school year did not bode well with his marks, but Remus was genuinely helpful - and he was beginning to feel in control again.
But now studying was done and Sirius was once again, alone. He roamed the school, unsure of what to do with the rest of his afternoon. Regulus' nervous texts playing over and over again in his mind. He knew he should be playing it safe, stay away from anyone he might have any romantic interest in, and just behave the way his parents want. But all of it made him so fucking angry. And what damage could Walburga do when he was all the way out here? Send a strongly worded email? Back down from her original punishment and send him home? No way. He won't see her until the end of the school year, by then anything he did here would be hopefully forgotten.
Having not really talked to anyone at all, he had no way of getting smokes, or anything interesting to do. It was a sunny day, he changed out of his uniform to a Rolling Stones t-shirt and some jeans and wandered outside. The school grounds were massive, with rolling green hills, and old trees with cracked bark and large trunks. Birds were flying overhead and the sky was a clear, bright blue. It was all so fucking picturesque. He made his way back to the school, taking the long way through the courtyard.
Then spotted in a stone alcove, wearing John Lennon sunglasses and a worn green flannel, was Remus Lupin, reading his mysterious paperback.
Channeling all the confident flirty energy he could muster, Sirius walked over. He leaned against the wall in front of Remus, his head blocking the sun from his view got his attention.
‘What?’ Remus looked up, eyebrows scrunched.
“Well hello to you too.”
“Hello, Sirius,” Remus said reluctantly, rolling his eyes as he turned a page of his book.
“What are you reading?”
Remus closed the book and turned it towards him so Sirius could read the title. The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Why was that not surprising?
“Oh, I love that one.’ Sirius smiled.
“You’ve read it?”
“Try not to act so surprised.”
Remus laughed, light and effortless. Sirius tried to ignore the butterflies in his stomach.
“And yes I've read it, that book got me through my emo teen years,” Sirius explained.
“Aren't you still in your emo teen years?” Remus remarked, a smile twitching on his lips.
“I think I'm more in my elevated-punk-rock phase. More mentally stable and less self-obsessed.”
“Hmmh, not sure I agree with that.” Remus joked.
“That's just because you haven't gotten to know me yet,” Sirius smirked. He was crushing it at this cool thing.
“I guess so.”
Then Remus smiled and leaned forward so that Sirius could see a dimple appear on his left freckled cheek, and any cool he had exited his body.
Sirius laughed, and ran his hands through his hair, hoping the red in his cheeks could be passed off as the heat.
“So, dare I ask - are you going to the match tomorrow?” Remus questioned.
“Maybe, rugby’s not really my thing.” Sirius shrugged and looked off towards the school grounds. Why was everyone asking him about stupid rugby? It must be a big deal. Big old fancy school in the middle of nowhere doesn’t really have many options for entertainment.
“It's not mine either,” Remus said, his book still closed, thumb held between the pages to keep his place.
“But you're still going?”
‘Oh yeah, this school takes rugby very seriously, so there's a lot more than the game that goes on.” Remus leaned back on the stone and Sirius was disappointed. He found he liked seeing Remus up close.
“Oh yeah like what .” Sirius prompted, arms folded over his chest.
“Well, they have a little stand with snacks and such. Practically the whole school is there and my friends take bets to which the teacher is the first to lose their cool and go batshit on the ref. There’s always a fun afterparty too, in the greenhouses.”
“Well, that definitely sounds interesting.” Sirius smiled.
“You could come, I know you haven't been here long but we could educate you before you place your final bet.” Remus smiled again, and Sirius felt a pool of warm form at the pit of his stomach, comforting and nauseating all at the same time.
“Yeah, I might.” Sirius shrugged, trying not to be too eager. If he had no self-control, he would jump up and down screaming yes a million times. But he’s cool. So he only did that internally.
“Well I have to go, I have a study group.” Remus stood up, putting his book in his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. It was then that Sirius realized Remus was a fair few inches taller than him. He physically had to tilt his head up to meet his eyes. Sirius blinked up in slight shock.
“Maybe I'll see you tomorrow.” Remus smiled as he started to walk backward.
“Maybe.” Sirius smiled back, a proper goofy lopsided grin. God, he was an idiot.
Remus gave a small wave before turning around and disappearing behind a corner. So fucking cute.
How could he go the entire school year ignoring this boy? He was screwed.