Chapter 3
One spilled bowl of cranberry sauce (Peter’s lap) and another spilled bowl of bread pudding (Marlene’s) later, the 5th year Gryffindors walked up to their common room. To avoid the first years, they took a shortcut through the corridor near the kitchens, which Peter had discovered during exams second year. They were all food-drunk, sleepy, and so very happy on full stomachs and with finally being back at Hogwarts.
Sirius had actively tried to ignore Remus during the start of term feast, hoping to just enjoy his friends' company and feel normal again, rather than deal with the anxious feeling blooming in his chest. The only time he had to say anything to him was during their introductions, during which Sirius noticed that Remus had no reaction to his last name, and tucked that piece of information away. Ignoring him had worked for the most part, but he had to forcibly turn his attention to Remus whenever James tried to loop him into the conversation.
Remus had made several non-committal hums and a couple of short answers to direct questions, but other than that had stayed quiet throughout the meal. He had explained that he was Welsh, and that he had been homeschooled for the past four years. When pressed on why, however, he just shrugged and said “Mum liked me at home.” And that was that.
***
“Blast-Ended Skrewt,” James practically shouted at the portrait of the Fat Lady, excited to see the common room again. The Fat Lady muttered a few colorful words about etiquette before swinging the door open.
Sirius couldn’t help but break into a grin. The warmth of the fire rose to meet his body, seeping into his skin and twirling around his robes. The common room looked as it always did: the large leather couch with folded blankets draped over the side, armchairs scattered around the open space, ranging in all shapes and sizes. The cozy, at-home feeling swelled in his chest for the hundredth time tonight, and Sirius was completely at ease.
Sirius turned to look at James and Peter, ready to head up to their dorms, but instead found Remus; mouth slightly open, eyes wide as he stared around the room. The dancing shadows of the fire caught on his face, accentuating his jawline and the slight crook in his nose. The warm light made his soft, amber eyes sparkle slightly as he took in the pure magic of the Gryffindor commons. Sirius found himself staring just as he had at King’s Cross Station, unable to tear his eyes away. Remus turned and caught his eye, and Sirius could feel the pink blooming at the top of his cheek bones. If Remus noticed, he didn’t show it. Sirius turned quickly and looked for James, who was talking with Peter by the new chess board set up on the table by the fire. He walked over to them in two quick strides, whispering, “Race you to the dorm!” and then spun on his heel towards the staircase. James and Peter ran after him, pulling each other's sleeves to get ahead. They stumbled and laughed into their room, breathless and smiling.
The room had four wooden beds with red curtains draped from their frames. There were two large windows along the farthest wall, where moonlight shone faintly onto the red and gold carpet on the center of the floor. A lamp on each bedside table helped light the room in a soft glow, similar to the common room fire.
James ran and starfished onto one of the beds by the back wall, yelling “I call this bed!”
Peter was close behind, rolling on to the other bed by the back wall, marking his territory by shrugging off his robe.
Sirius was annoyed that Peter picked the bed that he usually had, but he was in too good a mood to yell at him. He opted for a glare, to which Peter squeaked out a “sorry” around a mouthful of chocolate. Sirius sat down at the bed on the wall adjacent to James’, closest to the door.
James began unpacking his bag immediately, hanging his uniform and other clothes into his closet. Sirius followed his lead, although his clothes were put in the dresser somewhat haphazardly.
“You lot excited for the new term? It’s going to be our year, I can feel it,” James said, grinning.
“God, James, you are so cheesy,” Sirius laughed. “But yeah, I agree. This year feels different.” Peter dropped his stack of textbooks next to his bedside table with a groan. “I don’t know what you wankers are on about. Look at our courses! I don’t know how I’m going to manage,” Peter sighed.
James shook his head dismissively. “You’ll do great, Pete. You’ve got us every step of the way.” That was the thing about James; he was so ridiculously optimistic that he forced you to feel it, too. This wasn’t a bad thing--Sirius thought that everyone would be lucky to have a friend like James in their lives. He’d done more for Sirius than he could ever repay him for.
The door opened and Remus tentatively walked in, hands in his pockets. He glanced around the room, taking it in, before his eyes darted to the open bed.
‘Sorry mate,” James laughed, “you took too long. Last pick, I’m afraid” Remus looked at him and shook his head slightly. “Nah, it’s fine. I was totally hoping to be next to the bathroom, really a dream,” he deadpanned. James let out a surprised laugh, before turning to share a look with Sirius. Sirius, however, was resolutely ignoring Remus’ entrance, continuing to unload his trunk. He couldn’t explain why, but the guy just made him uncomfortable. Sirius decided that the best course of action was to interact with him as little as possible.
James turned back to Remus undeterred, saying, “I like you, you’re a good sport. Welcome to Gryffindor, Lupin.”
Sirius set aside the empty case, walking towards the bathroom to get ready for bed and closing the door before he heard Remus’ reply. He let out a breath he hadn’t realized he had been holding and starred in the mirror. His dark hair was messy from the train ride and dinner, so he tied his curls up quickly and began to wash his face. Sirius knew he was attractive; his aristocratic cheekbones and porcelain skin drew stares. His shoulder-length, wavy hair was far too long for Walburga’s liking, but he liked how it looked, especially when pieces came out of his bun to frame his face as it had now. Sirius wasn’t insecure about his looks, but he couldn’t say the same about the rest of him. Maybe that’s what happens when the idea that he wasn’t good enough had been threaded through his brain since he was a child. Sirius finished brushing his teeth and took one more look into the mirror, fixing his hair, before he opened the door to leave. Unfortunately, his exit was blocked by Remus, hand held up as if he was about to knock. Sirius had almost ran into him, and now he stood much too close for his liking.
Remus stepped back a bit in surprise. “Whoa, sorry, I didn’t mean to s-”
“It’s fine. Can you just move so I can get by?,” Sirius asked, a bit sharper than he intended. He was way more flustered than he should be, and being this close to Remus had thrown him. He had to get a hold of himself. What the hell was this dude holding over him for him to act like this?
Remus frowned and stepped aside. Sirius walked back to his bed, and began to clean up his stuff until he heard the bathroom door click shut.
“What was that?” James hissed, adjusting his glasses that had slid too low on his nose.
‘What was what?” Sirius replied, as nonchalant as he could (very poorly). James narrowed his eyes. “That. You’re acting weird and you know it. You’ve known this guy for all of, what, two hours? What’s he done to you that’s got your knickers in a twist already?”
“My knickers are perfectly un-twisted, thank you, and I didn’t do anything, I literally just asked him to move.” Sirius turned around, his back to James as he set his wand down on the bedside table.
“When you’re ready to stop bullshitting me, we’ll talk,” James huffed. “You know I can see right through you.”
I know, I wish you couldn’t sometimes, Sirius thought to himself. He knew he was being a dick, but he couldn’t help himself. He switched his light off and muttered a quick good night as he got under the covers. He could practically feel James and Peter exchanging a glance and shrug, before calling out a goodnight in return.