Silver Linings

It wasn’t long until the lingering remnants of summer were carried away by the chill autumn winds. The trees had turned lovely shades of burnt orange, littered with specks of red that soon fell to the ground and covered the grass in a thick blanket of golden leaves.

Hogwarts looked marvellous at all times of the year; bright and fresh in the spring or clean and white in the winter. But for Remus, autumn was undoubtedly the most stunning.

He observed it now, the softness that the season brought as he stood next to Dorcas, each of them with a cigarette in hand, huddled together against the cold that swept in from the lake.

Barty and Evan were skipping stones across the inky surface, competing to see who could get the most bounces. Cheering loudly whenever a large tentacle rose from the surface to swat away one of their pebbles as if it were a fly.

Regulus was a little further down the shore from them, occasionally bending down to pick up a stone. He would examine it closely, Remus could almost picture to furrow of his brow as he inspected it, and then either drop it back down to the floor or place it in his coat pocket before moving on. 

“I bought my dress.” Dorcas said after blowing out a cloud of smoke and watching it disperse into the sky.

“for what?” Remus asked around the cigarette placed firmly between his lips, hands deep inside his pockets.

Dorcas looked at him with a small smile, “for the ball.”

“what fucking ball?”

“the Halloween ball.” She said calmly, gaze focused on Barty and Evan who had now given up on skimming stones and were playing a new game of ‘trying to hit the giant squid’.

“what are you talking about?” Remus grumbled, he had no such recollection of any ball being mentioned.

“Dumbledore announced it two weeks ago Remus,” she tutted, “honestly your memory is shit.”

Remus twisted his lips around the cigarette, fumbling in his pockets to find his lighter to relight it after the wind had put it out. Dorcas didn’t hesitate and was lighting it for him before he had even grasped hold of his own lighter, he muttered a thanks and brought his fingers up to steady it. He desperately tried to recount this announcement but came up empty, he often zoned out when Dumbledore began to talk, allowing the old mans steady voice to become background noise for his more exhilarating thoughts.

“fuck sake.” He sighed, “when is it?”

“on Friday.”

That was only four days away.

“I don’t have any dress robes.”

“I’m sure one of the boys will have a spare set, God knows they have enough money.”

“oh yeah, because we all have such compatible clothing sizes.” Remus muttered sarcastically making Dorcas let out a small huff of laughter.

Remus was with no competition, the tallest of them all. Barty wasn’t even a contender- only just coming up to meet Remus’ shoulder, and Regulus was only a few inches taller than Barty. A fact he resented very much whenever Remus used his elegant shoulders as an armrest (which was rather often).

Evan was the closest in height, but he had the body of a Greek God, which was something Remus lacked. His shoulders (in contrast to Regulus’) were broad and strong, with muscles rippling under his bronze skin. He was an Apollonian lookalike, golden blond hair and a sturdy build harvested from years of quidditch practice and routine runs around the castles grounds.

He was handsome, in a more general sense, the girls often fawned over him (when he didn’t have jam in his hair or pumpkin juice on his chin), and his smile was undeniably charming. His looks were different to Regulus’ elegant aristocratic beauty, sharp angles and high cheekbones, or Barty’s cheeky school boy charm, all winks and mischievous grins. Remus too, knew he was handsome, not out of vanity but from the response he got from others: girls that got all flustered and red-cheeked, boys that stumbled over their words and averted their gaze when he spoke to them.

Dorcas often called him ‘rugged’, a description he took as a complement rather than an insult.

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out babe.” She assured him, linking her small arm around his and resting her head on his shoulder.

Remus looked down at her fondly and leaned his cheek on top of her head, “go on then, tell me all about this dress of yours. I know you’re dying to.”

With that Dorcas leapt into an in-depth description of her dress, rambling on about different fabrics and styles Remus had never heard of, but he listened anyway nodding his head attentively as he smoked another cigarette.

Even if Dorcas hadn’t reminded him of the ball, he was sure to have found out sooner or later. It seemed to be all anyone could talk about all week, helpful in some ways but irritating in most. He learnt from Mary and Marlene (who he sat behind in care of magical creatures) that the ball was a masquerade and that a date wasn’t required- which relived him quite a bit. He also heard all about different dresses girls were going to be wearing from charms class, and learnt from Lily in potions that there had been some ridiculous feuding in Gryffindor, because two girls had bought the same dress.

“a true scandal” he scoffed sarcastically as he stirred the potion and Lily chopped up leaves of some kind beside him.

“it’s all so ridiculous” she muttered, “I mean everyone likes to dress up and go dancing-“ she paused as Remus looked over with a sour expression on his face, “-well yes Remus, of course the brooding prince of Slytherin is exempt.” She said with a teasing smile that made Remus bite back a grin. “but really, is it so necessary to get worked up about a bloody dress?!”

Remus just shrugged his shoulders in response, agreeing with her but not knowing what much he could say to add to the conversation. Fortunately, Lily didn’t really need his input and she continued.

“now I don’t mean to sound as if I’m above it all, but really is it so difficult to nip down to Hogsmeade and pick something up? I mean that’s what I did, just found a nice green dress and-“

“seafoam or emerald?” Remus interrupted, eyes still trained on the potion to make sure he didn’t mess up.

“pardon?”

“or was it sage? Chartreuse perhaps?”

“now where the fuck did you learn what chartreuse is?”

Remus laughed at her apparent astonishment and shook his head, “Dorcas is very into her fashion.”

“Remus Lupin.” She scoffed in wonder, “you are truly a wonder to behold.”

He turned away from the cauldron and shot her one of his best smiles. Her eyes flickered with amusement and let a small grin of her own spread across her lips. “so,” he continued “what shade of green will the lovely Lily Evans be dazzling the halls of Hogwarts with?”

“emerald.” She mumbled shyly, a light pink tinging her cheeks.

“you can wear my tie to match if you like.”

“piss off.”

“no, I’m serious- put it around your head, maybe wear it as a belt, or-“

His teasing was cut short as she smacked him with a wooden spoon, causing him to yelp out in such a high tone she cackled with laughter, which was soon turned into an astonished gasp as he flicked a bit of toadstool at her and it bounced off her forehead.

This erupted into a war of flicking different ingredients at each other until they had used them all up and Remus begrudgingly had to wonder back to the cupboard to collect more so they could finish the potion.

-

The night of the ball came around soon enough, and Remus found himself standing in front of the mirror in their dorm. Looking rather ridiculous in Regulus’ spare set of dress robes, that had arrived by owl that morning.

“I think they’re a bit small…” Remus said looking at his reflection.

A bit small was an understatement. Regulus’ dress robes only came down a quarter way past his legs, leaving his ankles sticking out like a sore thumb.

“oh stop complaining will you,” Regulus sighed, “Dorcas will be here soon and she’ll sort it out.”

Remus mumbled more incoherent slander at Regulus’ turned back and went down to sit on his bed. Lighting up a cigarette, and not caring if the whole room filled with smoke.

“fix your hair whilst your at it.” Regulus added, stalking past Remus in his immaculately fitted robes, looking like he was something out of a French Renaissance painting.

“what’s wrong with my hair?”

“what isn’t?” Barty called from the other side of the room, struggling to replicate the fancy knot Regulus had shown him how to do on his tie.

“fuck off Crouch.” Remus spat, “say something when you figure out how to do whatever the fuck it is your failing at so miserably.”

“stop bickering, your giving me a headache” Regulus said looking between the two of them. “Barty- just wait for me to finish with Remus, then I’ll help you.”

“I can do it on my-“ Barty protested.

“clearly not.” Remus scoffed, averting his gaze to the series on knots Barty had managed to create, which seemed to shut him up.

Regulus wordlessly picked up the comb from his bedside table, and worked his way through the unruly mess that Remus hair had become. He managed to comb it out (much to Remus’ displeasure) and return it to its former wavy curls.

Shortly after Regulus left him to attend to Barty, Dorcas burst through the door, hands over her eyes stumbling in blindly.

“cover your willies boys!”

“no one has their willy out” Barty said from behind Regulus, who was cursing under his breath and scolding his friend for the mess he’d managed to create in the space of a few minutes.

“yes. We are all perfectly decent.” Remus confirmed and Dorcas slowly removed her hands from her face as if she was waiting for a nasty surprise.

“you look nice…” she said pursing her lips as her eyes trailed down to Remus’ bare ankles.

“I was hoping you could fix it.” He grimaced and offered her his cigarette as compensation.

She huffed in mock indignation and pulled out her wand from her purse, waving it in a notion that indicated he should stand up. He did and she cast some sort of enlargement charm on his clothes that made sure they covered him properly, and didn’t feel so tight.

“my fairy godmother.” He sighed happily and leant forward to kiss her on the cheek in thanks.

She gave a little twirl and a curtsey in response, which lead to Remus showing her in complements about how wonderful she looked.

“where’s Evan?” she asked looking around the room as if he might be hiding behind the bed.

Remus sighed and jerked his head in the direction of the bathroom, “he’s been in there for an hour.”

She supressed a small smile and went over to the door, her heels clicking against the floor as she did. Raising her hand she knocked lightly and waited for a reply, when one didn’t come she tried again, a little harsher this time.

“fuck off you twat!” Evan’s voice shouted out from behind the door, it slightly muffled by the wood but the stressed out strain from his voice still rang clear.

“now that isn’t a very nice way to talk to a lady.” Dorcas replied in amusement.

There was a slight pause before; “sorry Cas…”

“let me in Rosier.”

“no.”

“look, unless you are taking a shit or you’re butt naked I’ll bust it open- these heels are great for that.”

Another pause. Then the lock clicked open and Dorcas turned to Remus with a triumphant smile before opening the door and walking in.

“oh Evan!” she gasped, and quickly shut the door behind her.

Remus could hear the desperate voice of Evan pleading Dorcas to help him. He could also hear her loud laughter, which she apparently had no shame in hiding.

“it’s okay, its alright” she giggled in a somewhat unconventional attempt to comfort him, “don’t worry, I’ll fix it.”

“thank you.” Came Evans muffled reply.

Having had enough of listening in on whatever the fuck was going in the bathroom, Remus turned back to face the other two. Regulus had finally managed to sort out Barty’s tie and was now helping him with his cufflinks, holding his wrist delicately between his fingers as he pressed the silver snake charms into the cuffs of his jacket.

“well aren’t you two sweet.” Remus cooed, taking out yet another cigarette and lighting it.

“stop smoking out the room Remus.” Regulus said coolly in response, not taking his focus away from Barty’s wrists.

The other boy just used his free hand to flip Remus off with two fingers, mouthing “wanker” as he did.

Remus scoffed and rolled over to his bedside table, turning on Dorcas’ little radio (that seemed to permanently reside in their room rather than hers), and dialled up the sound.

He rested back into his pillows and smoked as he listened to the familiar sounds of muggle music flow through the dorm room.

He had introduced his dorm mates to the wonderful sounds of rock and roll halfway through his third year. At first they were hesitant, having only heard classical music or old wizard folk songs. But pretty soon all four of them were getting drunk and head smashing, air-guitar playing and jumping up and down until the head boy at the time stormed in and gave them a weeks detention.

Fair enough, it was rather late. However,  they didn’t feel disgruntled about the punishment but rather thrilled by it. Evan had found it hilarious and laughed right in his face whilst Barty had drunkenly announced; “it’s just rock and roll man”. Which lead to the rest of them cackling like a bunch of hyenas.

By the time Dorcas managed to drag Evan out of the bathroom, apparently having fixed whatever problem he was fretting about, they were running late. Dorcas handed them all a black mask from her purse which seemed to be magically enchanted to fit an entire wardrobe in, and they set off.

The masks only covered their eyes, which Remus thought made them look like some sort of super villain squad from a comic book. But he didn’t say anything, especially not after seeing most other students had gone for the same thing.

Although they were running late, the hallways were still littered with people who watched as the five of them strolled down the corridor together.

Dorcas in front, of course, and the four of them trailing along behind her like a pack of dogs. She looked stunning, as she usually did, her dress was black with silver accents running up from the hem and the back was cut low in a V shape showing almost all of her back. Of course, she had described the dress to Remus, but no description could compare to seeing it in real life.

She had hold him she’d made a few changes herself (like the silver) but it also seemed to be enchanted in some way; fluttering as she walked and leaving a trail of silver stardust that dispersed into the air as she went. The rest of them looked rather bland compared to her, even Regulus (a star himself) was outshined by her glamour, not that he minded.

“Dorcas.” Barty grumbled, “your glitter is getting on me.”

“it’ll only make you look more fabulous darling- don’t complain” she replied without looking back.

Wisely, he didn’t, but muttered under his breath as he desperately tried to rid the glitter from his robes.

“I think it makes you look dazzling.” Evan said, shooting Barty a sweet smile.

“fuck off you poof”

“only for you.” Evan winked at him. Which did, much to Barty’s dismay, send a blush blooming on his cheeks- as stated before, Evan was handsome.

The great hall had been entirely transformed. It was decked out in brilliant decorations including floating jack-o-lanterns that glowed softly (creating a warm light throughout the room), and faux spiderwebs that drifted down from the large ceiling like wisps of silk. The music was loud and upbeat and there was a distinct smell of pumpkin juice mingled with fire-whisky (presumably snuck in).

Almost the entire school had shown up, students laughing and joking filled every inch of the hall, half sat down at the circular tables that were dotted around the room, and the other half dancing along to the music.

There was an aroma of joy that couldn’t be ignored, and everyone looked spectacular, so secret and wonderful. The girls wore gowns with elegant glittering masks, lips tinted reds and pinks, velvet gloves and heeled shoes, hair pulled up in ways that Remus could never figure out. The boys in their best robes with black masks and bright smiles, topped with an overwhelming smell of aftershave.

It was to be expected that everyone would go all out, revelling in the rare occasion that a party on this scale was being held. Parties were not rare to Hogwarts, of course there were often ones held in common rooms, that the professors tended to turn a blind eye to. But even when the room was packed so full you could hardly move, there weren’t that many students there- well not compared to this.

Remus would be lying if he said he didn’t prefer the house parties. Slytherin were notorious for being spiteful, cunning and often turning out to be dark wizards, but they were also notorious for throwing the best parties.

The dungeons had the most space and were furthest away from the main halls of the castle, far enough away from the professors quarters that they could be as loud as they pleased. The music was often so loud it made the walls shake and Remus was sometimes worried the windows would shatter and the water from the lake would rush in. But of course it never did. Being as cunning as they were, the Slytherins always found a way to get such a large stash of alcohol in that they never ran dry. Shots were served on silver platters that were later used to snort drugs off of, and the lights were turned down, allowing the green glow from the lake to stream through the windows. Everyone would get so drunk that when they woke up the next morning they forgot where they were, apart from Regulus- who almost always found himself starring into the toilet bowl as soon as he opened his eyes. Slytherin parties were extremely exclusive, but brining along a bottle or two would usually get anyone in. One time, a first year managed to wrangle his way in and they got the poor boy so drunk he had to spend two days in the hospital wing. They all found it hilarious and he is forever known as Green Gilbert- despite his name being John.

Gryffindor, admittedly were next in line for throwing the best parties, and the few Remus had attended  had made up some of the best nights of his life. They were loud and uncaring, brave enough to tempt professors into shutting the whole thing down. But the only one who ever really managed such a thing was McGonagall, of course. They supplied copious amounts of alcohol, but did often fall short because of the absurd amount of people they allowed in. Always with the mindset of ‘the more the merrier’. Because of their rambunctious nature, the Gryffindor parties almost always involved some sort of stunt- any way to show off. This involved flying around on broomsticks, setting of fireworks- inside- and more often than not, dance offs (Remus usually left as soon as those started). The primal event of the night was of course the not-so-honourable  drinking competitions. It was an absolute and immutable fact, that at least three  people always threw up at a Gryffindor party (usually the losers of said competitions). 

For Remus, personally, he held the Hufflepuff parties in such a high honour that they almost took over first place from Slytherin. The atmosphere was always soothing and calm, the common room filled with so much smoke you could hardly see beyond your outstretched hand. The unparalleled prospect of the Hufflepuff parties was however, the never ending flow of joints being passed around. These parties were small, hardly even passing for ‘parties’ as such. Usually, it was just a group of people lazing about and getting high together, paradise on earth. Remus, although perfectly happy smoking with his small group of friends, did enjoy the stimulating conversations that the Hufflepuffs provided. Along with the food, the comfort, and the spectacular weed that a select few grew themselves. The Hufflepuffs were soft hearted and kind, and very inviting to all- though there always seemed to be a lack of Gryffindors in attendance.

When he asked Amos Diggory, his favourite Hufflepuff, why this was, he had looked at him with red eyes and lazily raised his brows and said: “they’re so fucking loud man- so loud”. Remus just laughed, which made Amos laugh and then they couldn’t stop, and the whole thing was forgotten.

Now Ravenclaw, these parties were… experimental. It was often confusing when you first walked in, the lights always enchanted to flicker and send beams all over the wall, distorting the room all together. Over the years they had somehow accumulated a bunch of fireflies, which were released to hover around the room. The music was heavy, with a nice beat, but none of this was out of the ordinary. But the Ravenclaws themselves, yeah they were what was weird. They often stood alone or in small groups, just dancing lazily to the music with their heads lifted to watch the fireflies. The major giveaway that allowed everything to slot into place, was their blown out pupils. Xeno Lovegood, was Remus’ well not friend, but a close confidant who often gave him drugs at a reduced price.

Yes, okay, Xeno was his dealer, and never failed to invite him along to these, as he put it, “mind opening experiences”. They had every psychedelic under the sun, muggle and magical, they had it all. One time he legitimately thought Barty was turning into a snake. His tongue kept flicking out of his mouth, and Remus’ drug induced mind had interoperated it as forked. He had actually grabbed a hold of it right out of Barty’s mouth for further inspection, pulling his friend along with it.

But the Halloween Ball, it was different, a whole school event which included the professors was rare. The only other events like this were quidditch matches or the feast at the beginning and end of every year, neither providing the aspect of dancing or mingling with other students. And of course, as Lily had said, it appeared that everyone loved the excuse to get all dressed up in their finest glad-rags.

The five of them found a spare table and sat down. Each of them immediately pouring a glass of orange-coloured punch, then each pouring their respective stashes of contraband alcohol into their cups. They observed the other students for a while; laughing at someone’s dance moves, or engaging in hypotheses about why a girl in a pink dress had rushed off crying- followed by a small flutter of friends chasing after her. However, Remus could not pin any names to the half-covered faces that they were (admittedly) judging from afar. After enough drinks Dorcas, Barty and Evan had taken to the dance floor and unsurprisingly, Regulus had wondered off without anyone noticing.

A little drunk, and growing rather bored, Remus set off on his own to find something else to do.

After wondering around and chatting to various nameless, unrecognisable people, he accepted defeat and sat down at the nearest empty table he could find.

He grabbed a cup off the table and ladled out a large portion of the bright blue punch from the bowl that sat in the centre. He was about to pour in some alcohol from the flask hidden away in his pocket (to keep his drunken haze going), but stopped to taste it first. He didn’t have a lot to last him through the night, and didn’t want to waste any on a drink that he didn’t like.

This proved to be a wise decision.

He grimaced as he swallowed the (rather large) mouthful he had taken as a taster, and shook his head in an attempt to stop his eyes from watering. Evidently it didn’t need any more alcohol in it than it already had.

“you alright mate?” a voice came from beside him, startling him as he tried to recover from what he had just ingested.

“fine.” he managed to stifle out, sucking in a deep breath.“just wasn’t expecting that.” he laughed, shaking his head again.

“well that’s my bad-“ the boy said glancing towards the blue punch. “don’t tell anyone though, someone has to give this party a bit of life.”

Remus nodded in agreement and turned his head to face the punch-spiker. He didn’t recognise him, but then again he didn’t recognise anyone. The culprit was handsome though, from what Remus could see of his face. He had high cheek bones, which his black mask rested on, and black hair that fell down to his shoulders. His pretty lips were curled into  a small smile.

“a bit of life?” Remus scoffed, “one more sip of that and I think my days are over”.

The boy laughed loudly in response, a bright laugh that seemed to cut through the loud beat of the music. It made Remus’ heart flutter in his chest.

“what the fuck did you even put in this?” he asked, looking into his cup and taking a sniff that made his nose wrinkle, “that’s nasty stuff.”

“ah well, beggars cant be choosers” the boy shrugged and sat down on the chair next the Remus, scooting it closer and leaning down to whisper in his ear. “Esmerelda from the three broom sticks gave me all the shit they were going to throw out, half the price”.

The feeling of his lips on the shell of Remus’ ear sent goose bumps all over his skin, and a pleasant shiver down his spine. He swallowed and nodded- unsettled with how flustered he had become. The boy hovered close to his neck for a beat longer and then pulled away, a small, smug grin on his face.

Remus straightened up and cleared his throat, “you not enjoying yourself then?”.

The boy shrugged, “its not awful I suppose, a bit different, I just hate wearing dress robes” he shifted uncomfortably in his chair as if to prove his point.

“why?”

“lets just say I have a bad history with wizarding balls” he sighed and undid the top button on his collar, exposing his Adams apple which Remus had an overwhelming urge to bite.

“I see.” He mumbled, eyes trained on the exposed skin of the boys neck.

The boy raised his eyebrows, a pleased smile twisting and his lips as he hooked a finger into his shirt collar and pulled it away from his neck. Rolling his head back slightly in apparent relief. Remus mouth went dry and he had to force his gaze away.

“However” the boy carried on as if he hadn’t just made Remus internally combust, “I am hoping to see Flitwick get sloshed, look.” He said with a mischievous grin, pointing towards where the small professor was sat, legs dangling off his chair and a bright green glass of punch in his hand.

“exactly how many of the punch bowls have you infected?” Remus asked raising an inquisitive eyebrow.

The boy smiled.

“well,” he sighed, “so I moved from over there” he pointed to the far right side of the great hall (the complete opposite direction from where Remus had come from) “and then worked my way through the tables, one by one. Until you of course.”

“me?” Remus’ mouth had gone dry again.

“yes. You.” The boy replied almost fondly, tipping his head to the side, “I was just about to move on, and then I saw you.”

“and did you like what you saw?”

“I did. Until of course you looked like you were about to be sick all over your shoes.” The boy laughed and Remus swatted him on the arm.

“fuck off. That was no ones fault but your own.” He grumbled. “I mean if you’re going to sneak in alcohol you might as well attempt to make a nice drink.”

“I’m sorry- didn’t know I was talking to the forbidden alcohol connoisseur. Go on then, show me how it’s done.”

“alright.” Remus smiled, straitening up in his chair and squaring his shoulders.

“I have some stuff left hid under a table over there.”

Remus didn’t even bother to look in the direction the boy had nodded to. “I’m not using that shit- I’ve got my own.” He peeled open the side of his jacket to reveal his silver hipflask, a gift from Regulus, and smiled triumphantly at the impressed look on the boys face.

“come on then, make me a drink love.”

Remus heart stuttered a little at the nickname and he was all at once overwhelmed by the immense attraction he had towards this boy.

This lovely, charming, nameless- unrecognisable boy.

He wanted to kiss him, like he hadn’t kissed anyone else. He had of course kissed other people, Evan was his first kiss- although that had been entirely accidental and it wasn’t so much of a kiss, more just their lips meeting as Evan tripped up and quite literally fell on top of Remus.

There had been others, none with much meaning, apart from Kingsley- a Ravenclaw boy who was a year older than him. At the time Remus had liked the idea of being with someone he thought matched his maturity and intellect (he had an even larger ego back then if you could believe it). But it didn’t work out. Kingsley was calm and kind, he was very smart and made jokes that even Remus struggled to understand at times. Let alone his friends who were often very out of the loop. Despite all this there was just no intensity, no passion. Remus enjoyed his company but never found himself longing for Kingsley, and he wasn’t going to force something that would never make it. So they broke up- in a mature and mutual manner, they still smile at each other in passing and sometime chat at parties. But not tonight, no, tonight Remus only had eyes for the mysterious boy standing in front of him. Whose lips seems to be constantly twitching, always at the cusp of a smile.

“what is your name?” he asked suddenly, becoming stricken with fear over the idea of loosing him entirely once the night was over- he must know who he is.

“I couldn’t tell you that if I wanted to.” The boy replied easily.

“what do you mean? Why not?” Remus felt his indignance rise at the boy's secrecy.

“are you a muggle born?”

“I’m a half-blood, raised by a muggle- but that- that doesn’t have anything to do with this.”

“oh love, it has everything to do with this.” The boy grinned, “this ball, is masquerade- in the wizarding world that doesn’t just mean pretty dresses and masks, but of course, enchantments.”

“enchantments?” Remus repeated, confusion overriding his frustration.

“yes. It’s intended that you are only able to recognise those who you arrived with, it messes with your brain so that everyone else is… is lost to your memory. You cant recognise them, even if you have known the person for years- the magic is stronger. And in this case, its Dumbledore’s magic, so its bound to be unbreakable, well that is until the ball ends.”

“but what about the professors?” Remus asked, spinning around and immediately naming a handful of professors who had dotted themselves about the room, keeping a watchful eye.

“no masks.” The boy explained simply, “the enchantments are activated by the mask, if you come in without one then you aren’t affected.”

“well surely I could just take this off then” Remus replied, reaching up to tug at his mask, to find it still firmly attached to his face.

“yes, because no one has ever thought of doing that before.” He laughed, “and I cant tell you my name, because I physically can’t- it doesn’t work to spell it out or write it down either, before you suggest that.”

Remus was struck dumbfounded, he always fell short in underestimating the powers of magic.

“but I could give you clues- my house, my friends, surely you could work out who I am from that?” he pressed, desperately trying for a loophole.

“I’m sure I could.” The boy nodded, “but I don’t want to- I rather like the mystery of it all, don’t you?”

Remus considered this for a moment, and then shook his head. “it’s.. yes I can see the allure of it all, but to be quite honest, I’ll be rather disappointed if I never found out who you were.”

The boy smiled- again. It was as if he was unable to stop, and Remus wasn’t sure he ever wanted him to. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a quill, one that was self-inking and passed it to Remus.

“what the fuck am I meant to do with this?”

“give me a mark, anything, here on my hand.” He reached out his hand and Remus caught it, feeling the smooth skin beneath the pads of his fingers, “that way, you’ll know me when you see me- if you’re looking hard enough.”

Oh I will. I wont stop searching until I’ve found you.

This is what Remus wanted to say, but he bit his tongue and nodded, moving the quill to the back of the boys hand and drawing the first thing that came to mind. A mark entirely his own, one that he would recognise anywhere- one he was haunted by.

The boy pulled back and inspected his hand, and then he smiled, fingers lightly brushing over the crescent moon that Remus had drawn on the back of his hand. Placed in the soft spot just under where thumb met forefinger. He looked up at Remus and his smile grew wider.

“Moony”

Remus laughed brightly, feeling his cheeks go pink and he pursed his lips. “am I branded with that name forever now?”

“yes you are, Moony- now, how about that drink?”

“show me a bowl that you haven’t contaminated with your devils juice.”

Without hesitation the boy grabbed him by the hand and led him over to the other side of the room. Remus was sure they had passed plenty of tables that the boy hadn’t got to yet but didn’t complain, instead he just looked down at the way their hands were intertwined and for the fist time in his life, smiled at the sight of the moon.

The boy was impressed by the drink Remus had made, and insisted on another, and then another. Remus complied and drank along with him until his flask was empty and they were both silly and drunk. The boy led him over to the dance floor and Remus went without complaint, and they danced. They danced and it was brilliant, it was fun and new and Remus wished it would last all night.

When the band began to play muggle music the crowd quite literally went wild, and so did Remus, and so did the mysterious, lovely boy.

“you know this song?” Remus asked loudly over the music.

“know it?! I love this song!” the boy laughed, “who doesn’t- its David fucking Bowie!”

Remus felt like he had struck gold.

This boy was like a flame that just kept growing, refusing to be extinguished. Just offering more and more, making Remus feel warmer and warmer, until he couldn’t withstand the heat.

Without thinking twice Remus reached forwards and grabbed the boy by the front of his robes, and tugged. He tugged him right into his lips and kissed him, kissed like he had never before. The boy complied, letting Remus pull him closer, running his hands up to his hair and holding him steady. His mouth was sweet and warm, tasting like the drinks Remus had made for him as he deepened the kiss and slid his hands down from Remus’ hair to cup his face. Remus could die like this and be rather happy about it. He would allow himself to suffocate in this kiss, this wonderful, lovely kiss with this wonderful, lovely boy. He wanted to never come up for air, to just breathe through him, use him as a source of life, him and him and only him.

So naturally, it was the boy to break away, his lips parted and pretty as he gazed up at Remus with the biggest, most beautiful eyes that Remus was sure he knew. He recognised the feeling of looking into the ocean of those eyes and wanting to dive beneath the waves, wanting to be drowned within their depths, wanting and always wanting.

“promise you’ll find me.” The boy whispered, their heads still close together, his hands still pressed to Remus’ cheeks.  

He grabbed a hold of the boys arm, and pulled his hand to his lips, kissing it gently on the spot that would be forever marked by him. “as long as you have this.” He said softly, brushing over the moon with his fingers like a reminder, “I will find you- I promise.”

“then I’ll never wash my hands again”

Remus laughed and shook his head lightly, “it shouldn’t take me that long.”

“well in case it does.” The boy said and pulled out his wand, casting a spell over his hand. “there, permanent until I want it gone.”

“my shoddy sketch doesn’t make much of a good tattoo” Remus huffed.

“I think it’s the best tattoo I could ever wish for” he replied, and cupped his hand around the back of Remus’ neck, pulling him in for another kiss.

Remus melted into it, into the fire that this boy was, like butter in a pan. He sank so deep he almost didn’t hear to clock strike twelve, but he did. It was twelve and the ball had ended and Remus wanted to curse every divine being in the world that could offer him such a harsh fate.

But the boy just smiled, and leaned up to kiss Remus on the cheek. And then he was gone, just as he had appeared, mysterious and marvellous.

-

“where the fuck did you go?”

The question of course, came from Barty who was laid back on his bed, resting his head in Evans lap.

Remus just smiled drunkenly, “I was exploring.”

“ooo, you met someone didn’t you?” Dorcas exclaimed brightly. She was sat on the bed next to Barty’s with Regulus beside her. She had kicked off her heels and they lay discarded on the floor, her legs tucked up underneath her chin still wearing her dress.

Remus flushed, and then smile again, lopsided.

“who?!” she asked, an excited smile on her face.

“well I don’t know who- since none of you had the decency to tell me that the stupid thing was enchanted so I wouldn’t recognise anyone.” He grumbled, kicking off his shoes and joining Dorcas and Regulus on the bed.

“oops.” Evan laughed, his hands absentmindedly playing with Barty’s hair.

“yes. Oops.” Remus replied with a slight snarl.

“poor love.” Dorcas cooed and tugged on his head he rested it on her shoulder and patting it gently.

“I’m going to find him.” He replied determined.

“ooo, it’s a him” Barty grinned, “the plot thickens.”  

Remus sighed wistfully as he thought about the boy, gazing up at the canopy of the bed. Of course, this made his friends burst out in laughter and begin to tease him ruthlessly, but he didn’t care.

“did you kiss?” Dorcas asked enthusiastically.

Remus blushed and pursed his lips, his silence was obviously very telling as they all started up with their excited rambling again.

“God you lot are sad.” He laughed, “get a love life of your own.”

“a love life?” Barty grinned wickedly and promptly sat up from where he was laid in Evans lap, which made the other boy frown, “do you looove him Remus?” he crooned mockingly, “do you want to marry him, and have his babies and-“

Barty’s teasing was cut short by Remus launching a pillow directly into his face, which he threw with such vigour is made him fall back right into Evans lap. Evan grinned.

“how exactly do you plan on finding him may I ask?” Regulus said, his cheek resting on his knee and looking up at Remus.

Remus just smiled and held a finger up to his lips. In all honestly he didn’t want to tell his friends about the mark for a handful of reasons. One being that it was rather corny and he would undoubtedly be mocked for it, another being that he rather liked the secrecy of the mark- something that was only for him and the boy to know. And then of course the unsettling feeling that the boy may not be a person he wanted his friends to know personally, at least not until he found him first anyway.

“so secretive Lupin.” Regulus said squinting at him, a playful smile on his lips.

“that’s his trademark” Barty scoffed, his eyes now closed in visible relaxation as Evan began to play with his hair again.

“don’t complain Reg, you know a big enough secret of mine to last you a lifetime.”

“ugh big whoop, you’re a werewolf- we get it.” Regulus replied, rolling his eyes lightly, that playful smile still on his face.

“fuck you.”

“I think I’ll leave that to your new boyfriend thanks.”

This time it was Regulus who was hit in the face by a pillow.