Ice

The locker room was silent. Today was a gruesome day of training. McGonagall had absolutely no mercy for them, but in the end, it made them all better players so the team didn’t care.

Out of the corner of his eye, Remus saw Sirius staring at him as he got changed. This had been happening nearly every day the last couple of weeks. Remus didn’t mind though, and he tried not to bring it up to spare Sirius the embarrassment.

James elbowed Sirius in the ribs to get him to stop looking and he finally did. Remus was a little disappointed by that fact though. It made his heart give a little flutter, though it was probably just because he enjoyed the attention.

“Lupin!” Coach McGonagall's voice echoed through the locker room. It was loud and stern, but not altogether unkind. It did startle a few of the players though. Like Sirius who jumped a little at the sound of her voice.

“Yes, Coach?”

“Albus wants to see you in his office in 10 minutes!”

“Okay, I’ll be there!” Remus called out, only to turn to Sirius and mouth ‘Who’s Albus?’ at him.

Sirius laughed. “Albus Dumbledore?”

Right. That new guy.

Technically he was Remus’ ‘superior’ but he honestly could care less about him.

-

“Ah, Remus. Have a seat.” Albus gestured to the seat in front of his desk.

He had a surprisingly large office for a new hire and it was full of strange objects.

“Get around to wearing that one much?” Remus asks him sarcastically, gesturing to a big brown hat in the corner. Its folds and creases made it look like it had a face.

Dumbledore smiled genially. “Not as much as one would think.”

Remus just raised his eyebrows, hoping they conveyed his message of ‘no fucking shit’.
Dumbledore nodded to the empty chair in front of him again, and Remus took his seat.

“So, Remus Lupin.” He started.

Remus had quite the urge to say ‘No that’s not me, but I could go get him’ but he seemed like he was ramping up to something, so Remus bit his tongue.

“Star goalie of the Marauders team. You have quite the interest surrounding you.”

As if I haven’t noticed.

“Although you’ve probably noticed.”

Goddamnit. Can he read minds now?

“You bring quite the following to our games and you’re overall a mysterious figure on the ice. People, myself included, would adore the opportunity to get to know you better.”

Remus knew where this was heading, and he already despised it.

“So, I have given us all that opportunity and done you the favor of arranging an interview with The Daily Print. Of course you have the option to refuse if you don’t want to do this.”

No matter how much he wanted to or not, Remus knew he didn’t truly have the option to refuse.

“Sounds wonderful. When is it?”

“Tomorrow. Eleven o'clock sharp.”

“Great.” Remus was lying through his teeth.

“I’ll also be there. To meet everyone.” Dumbledore added.

“Naturally.”

Both men sat there, staring at each other for a little. Remus didn’t know if he was allowed to leave or if Dumbledore had anything else to say.

“May I… leave?”

“Well, I’m not holding you hostage, now am I?” Dumbledore said with a smile and a gesture to the door.”

Remus left the office, and when he looked back to close the door, Dumbledore was still looking at him, though his smile had dropped into a pensive look. Like he was being examined. Studied.

He just shook his head, and left. Ignoring the uneasy knot growing in his stomach.

-

“Cheers, mate!”

The loud thud of drinks clashing against each other and then the table rung in Remus’ ears.

They were all at Remus’ flat, finishing off whatever alcohol he had left. Tomorrow was a day off for them, so they celebrated by trying to get blind drunk.

“Remus?” James asked, seeing Remus hadn’t raised his glass.

“Ah, right. Cheers.” Remus raised his glass and downed it in one chug.

“Remus? You okay, mate?” Now Peter asked, sharing confused glances with James and Sirius.

“Never better, Pete.” Another drink already in hand, he asked, “What do you guys think of the new hire? Albus…-” Remus finished his sentence by vaguely waving his hand.

“Oh, Dumbledore, you mean? I haven’t gotten to know him yet, but he doesn’t seem bad at all.” James said, with his typical optimism. Which normally, was refreshing, but now it was just pissing Remus off.

“I don’t like him. Something’s off.” Sirius concluded.

“See! Thank you!” Remus said, as if vindicated by this statement.

“Why? Did he do something?” Pete asked.

“Not specifically, but he acts like some sort of bloody genius or something.” Remus cleared his throat. “And he made me take an interview tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? What time?”

“Eleven.”

“With what paper?”

“The Daily Print.”

Remus looked over to Sirius and saw his reaction. His whole face darkened and morphed into a scowl.

Of course Remus knew about Sirius’ trouble with that paper. They all did. They knew about how he and his family were front page for weeks after “The Scandal”.

Sirius got disowned by his family and banned from his father’s ice rink and his team. The entire “legacy” was passed down to his younger sister. Good riddance, if you asked Remus, but it was still difficult for Sirius. And that paper blaring it all over the news certainly didn’t help him either.

“Who?” Sirius broke the silence by asking.

“Who what?”

“Who’s doing the interview?”

“I’m not sure. Albus didn’t say.”

“Because I swear to God, if it’s Rita fucking Skeeter, I will come with you, rip her tongue out of her mouth, and shove it back down her throat until she chokes.”

Silence.

“Right… well.” James cleared his throat, trying to break the tension. “How about Pads doesn’t go to the interview?”

“Sounds great to-” Remus was about to finish his thought, when he got interrupted by a glass exploding and shards flying everywhere.

Everyone ducked underneath the table as best they could, despite not fitting very well.

James poked his head uptop to check if it was safe, and what had happened.

“Sirius, what the fuck?”

“Sorry! Sorry! I just got lost in thought!” Sirius was stammering over his words, trying to explain. “It just slipped!”

“It didn’t slip. You broke the glass with your hand. That’s pretty impressive if you ask me.” Peter said with a cheeky grin, clearly making Sirius feel a little bit better.

“Sirius-” Remus started. He didn’t realize he had raised his voice a little until he saw Sirius flinch.

“I’m so so sorry, Remus. Truly. I’ll go and clean it up right now. I’m so sorry.” He got up and started moving around the flat.

“Sirius, sit.” Remus tried to make his voice sound authoritative but gentle at the same time. “You know none of us would ever hurt you, right?”

Sirius nodded meekly, keeping his head down.

“Sirius.”

He raised his head to look at Remus.

“I know, I know. Old habits die hard I guess.”

Sirius never talked about his past, but they could all draw their own conclusions. Walburga and Orion Black were fucked up parents, and Remus knew if they ever crossed paths, they would be fucked up in more ways than one.

“Sirius, you’re safe here. You’re safe with us.” Remus reached out to touch Sirius’ shoulder, and Sirius seemed to melt into even the lightest touch. “And plus, it was a shoddy old glass anyways. I would’ve gotten rid of it sooner or later.”

Sirius nodded, seeming fully relaxed again.

“Stay here. I’ll clean it up and get you another drink.”

Remus did just that, and the others started up their lively chatter again. Remus watched him from his kitchen island while he was pouring Sirius’ new drink.

Sirius looked over in his direction and they made eye contact. Sirius gave a little smile; a wordless Thank you. Remus nodded. You’re Welcome. Then Sirius winked and Remus felt his face get hot and turn red, so he quickly looked away. He heard Sirius bark a laugh before returning to his conversation.

When Remus returned from cleaning up the mess and refilling Sirius’ drink (along with his own), he set the glass down in front of Sirius.

“R.J.L.?” Sirius asked, reading off the letters on the glass with a mocking voice, then looking up at Remus inquisitively.

“Shut up. They’re my initials, shit head.”

“Woah! No need for the language! I’m just reading!”

Remus rolled his eyes.

“I didn’t know you could do that.”

“Hmmm… Remus what Lupin?”

“You’re not going to start guessing are you?” Remus asked. “Wait, that was a stupid question. Of course you will.” He contradicted himself.

“Remus Jeffrey Lupin?”

Remus sighed and resigned himself to his fate.

“Remus Jackson Lupin?”

“Remus Joy Lupin?”

“Remus Jessica Lupin?”

Remus had to purse his lips in an effort not to laugh, unlike James and Peter who were roaring with laughter.

“Remus Jocelyn Lupin?”

“No! I got it!” Sirius exclaimed. “Remus Joanna Lupin. That’s it. Your middle name is Joanna.”

“Aww Joanna! So fitting.” James cooed. Pete genuinely looked like he was dying from laughter.

“Fuck you all.”

While James and Peter responded with the usual “Please don’t” or “Gods no.”, Sirius kept quiet.

“What’s the silence for, Sirius? Want me to go over there?”

“Oh, no. Noo. No. I’m not- You’re a- I’m not. No-” Sirius was turning bright red and could not seem to stop himself.

James and Peter burst out into even more laughter while Remus just raised an eyebrow at Sirius.

“I mean, if you’re offering…” Remus decided to try and mess with Sirius a little more.

Sirius looked Remus up and down and licked his lips. Then he seemed to realize what he was doing and stop himself.
“I- Remus- No- I-”

“Pads, calm down. I was just joking.”

Sirius visibly exhaled and proceeded to throw a pillow at James, Remus, and Peter respectively when he saw how hard they were all laughing at him.

That only ended in all the pillows getting thrown back, and more drinks being consumed.

-
“Ooooh- how Suffragette City!”

It was one in the morning, and all four marauders were standing on tables, counters, couches, whatever they could find in Remus’ flat and screaming the lyrics to Suffragette City (by David Bowie, of course.)

“Ooooooh- how! Suffragette City!”

They were each using different household objects as microphones. Sirius was using a random hairbrush that Remus hadn’t seen in months, Remus was using a whisk, James found a telly remote and was singing into that, and Pete was using a whole lamp.

“OHHHHH WHAM BAM THANK YOU MA’AM!!!”

They were screaming at the top of their lungs.

-

It was now two in the morning, and after getting through the entirety of ‘The Rise and Fall Of Ziggy Stardust’, they were exhausted, incredibly drunk, and had hoarse throats.

“Petey, I’m calling a cab to take me home. Want to come?”

“Sounds good.” Pete slurred. He was barely awake, falling asleep on James’ shoulder.

“Remus?” Sirius mumbled.

Remus hummed to show he was listening.

“I can't drive home…”

“Obviously not, Pads.”

“And the cabs won’t drive me anymore. Too many bad reviews.”

“Obviously not, Pads.”

“Sooo could I sleep here tonight?”

The thought made Remus feel warm inside. Sirius wanted to stay here with him. He chose to.

“Not to do anything, of course.” Sirius clarified, as if Remus was thinking those things anyways.

Remus chuckled at the thought. “Of course you can sleep here tonight, Pads.”

“Thank you, Moony!”

When James and Peter's cab arrived, he walked them to the door, promising to text or call, as if he would do anything different.

Remus stumbled back into his room without turning any lights on. He brushed his teeth and washed his face. He knew he would have to shower in the morning before his interview, but he put that thought out of his mind.

He practically collapsed into his bed and rolled over to find himself nose to nose with a familiar face.

“Sirius, what are you doing in my bed?”

“Sorry- I just assumed- Well. Your sofa is really uncomfortable, you know?”

“I thought when you meant sleep here you meant sleep on the sofa, not my bed.”

“I can leave if you want.”

“No it’s okay. You can stay.

Sirius hummed contendley, but they both still rolled over to the opposite sides of the bed.

-

Remus woke up to the sun peeking through his curtains. And to a raging headache. Perhaps he’d had a bit too much to drink last night. Perhaps.

He also awoke to Sirius practically in his arms. They had both moved closer to each other in the middle of the bed throughout the night and when Remus opened his eyes, he saw Sirius’ face right there.

His eyes were closed and only one of the was visible because the other was covered by a mess of black curls. His mouth hung open slack and he wasn’t quite snoring, but Remus could definitely hear him breathing.

It was all rather endearing, for some reason that Remus couldn’t quite pinpoint. Which was strange, because he’s usually good with understanding his emotions.

He looked up at the clock and squinted to see what it said. 9:50.

Shit. He’d meant to wake up at 9 to prepare for his interview.

“Shit, shit, shit!” Remus got out of bed quickly, waking Sirius.

“Mmm, Moony.” Sirius was obviously not happy.

“Sorry, Sirius. I have to get ready or I’ll be late.”

“Let me come?”

“No.”

Sirius gasped in mock offense, which was funny because his eyes weren’t even all the way open yet. “Why not?”

“Didn’t you say, and I quote, you wanted to “rip out Rita’s tongue and shove it down her throat so she cant breathe?” What if you see her?”

“Eh, I was being dramatic. I can control myself.”

“Seriously?”

“Last time I checked, yeah I was.”

Remus sighed and put his head in his hands.

“Well look at you. You’re a mess. You can’t go into that place looking like this.”

“I’ll have you know I look amazing as always.” Sirius declared, he was finally sitting up now. “But if you really want me to, I can change and clean myself up.”

“Fine. I am going to shower.”

“Fine.”

The consistency of the water hitting the tiles in Remus’ shower was soothing for him, and the cold water was helping him wake up and calm down.

At least, until he heard the door open.

“Sirius, what the fuck are you doing in my bathroom?”

“Well I need to clean myself up now, don’t I?” He responded indignantly.

“Fucking hell.” Remus murmured.

“I heard that!”

“You better not be using my toothbrush!”

There was a clatter, like someone was hurriedly trying to put something back into place.

“I’m not!”

“Good.”

“Can I at least use your mouthwash?”

“No! Gross!”

“I’ll use a shot glass from last night!”

“That defeats the whole point, Sirius.”

“That wasn’t a no!”

Remus heard the door open, footsteps pounding into the kitchen and back, and then the door closed again.

“I’m back!” Sirius said in a sing-songy voice.

“Wonderful.”

When Remus stepped out of the shower, wearing nothing but a towel around his waist, Sirius was still in there.

Remus caught Sirius’ eyes lingering downwards further and further until-

“Sirius, mate, my eyes are up here.”

“Right, sorry. Of course.”

Sirius had changed into some of Remus’ clothes, so he was now wearing baggy faded jeans and an olive green jumper, admittedly one of Remus’ favorites.

It was a strange contrast to how Sirius normally looked, with his beat up leather jacket, band t-shirts, and ripped jeans. He still looked good of course.

“You don’t happen to have any eyeliner, do you?”

“Oh, yeah, it’s right next to my bracelets with spikes and my closet of black combat boots.”

“Great, I’ll go-” Sirius cut off when he saw Remus laughing at him. “Prick”

“I’m sure someone has eyeliner at the news station. It’s a televised interview as well, you know.”

“As if I’d accept anything from those snobs.”

“Suit yourself, lad. Now leave so I can get ready.”

-

Remus (and Sirius) arrived at The Daily Print and 10:55 am, just enough time to spare. If it would’ve been up to Sirius they would’ve gotten there at 2:00. Or maybe just not gone at all.

“Hi, I’m Remus Lupin, from The Marauders. I believe I’m here for an interview?” he asked the lady at the receptionists desk. The entire display was sickeningly pink, with pictures of cats everywhere. The name plate read Dolores Umbridge.

She plastered on a horrid smile and started typing away at her computer.

“Ah, Mr. Lupin. We have you set up to talk to Ms. Skeeter.”

Remus could feel Sirius tense up beside him.

“And you’re aware it will be recorded as well as put in the paper?”

“I am”

“Wonderful. Follow those arrows, and they should take you back to set.”

As Sirius and Remus walked away they could feel her gaze on their backs unwavering.

“Remus Lupin! As I live and breathe!” A woman with hair so blond it was almost white came walking towards them. She had lips the color of blood and a silk dress and heels that looked sharp enough to cut you.

She held her hand out to Remus, and he awkwardly bent down to kiss it.

“And Sirius Black as well? The heavens must be smiling upon me!” She decidedly didn’t hold her hand out to Sirius and he quietly scoffed at that. “Will I get the pleasure of interviewing both of you today?”

“Just me, Ms. Skeeter. Sirius just came along with me… I actually don’t know why.”

“Rita is fine.” Skeeter inclined her head towards Remus. “Shall you go get all camera ready?”

“Camera… ready?”

“Well of course! We need to make sure those beautiful features of yours pop on camera.” She reached out (more like up since Remus had a good foot on her, even with her heels) and pinched both of his cheeks.

Sirius apparently couldn’t contain his laughter at that and let out a snicker which resulted in Remus elbowing him as hard as he could without Rita noticing.

“Ow.”

“Serves you right.”

“Well I’ll be over here while you get all ‘camera ready’.” Sirius finished his sentence with a dramatic flourish of his hand.

Remus was about to flip him off when he spotted Albus Dumbledore in the corner of his eye and decided it would be best not to.

Rita ushered him off to a makeup person, who was actually fairly nice, by the name of Emmeline Vance. She seemed to be the only tolerable person in the studio. Except for Sirius. Well…

Remus looked ridiculous. No matter how much Emmeline assured him he would look great on screen, he felt like a clown.

His thoughts were confirmed as soon as Sirius saw him and doubled over with laughter.

“You look stupid.”

“That’s what I’ve been saying, but Emmeline says it will all look normal once I’m on screen!”

“You have to let me get a picture. Please, please, please.”

“No.” Remus snapped.

“Ready Remus? You look great.” Rita brought him to the set where there were many cameras facing the center. Too many.

There were two chairs in the center of a stark white backdrop. There was a little table in between the chairs with a fake plant on it. Presumably to give it a “homey” vibe, but it did anything but that.

Rita set him up with a microphone clipped to the collar of his sweater and sat him down in a chair, then did the same for herself.

“We are live in 5…”

Remus was nervous. He’d never done this before.

“4…”

What if he screwed something up?

“3…”

What if he messed something up for the team and lost them the entire season somehow?

“2…”

Remus looked around the studio for anything. An escape, a solution. Anything.

“1…”

There was Sirius grinning up at him. Remus felt his heart beat slow and his mind stop racing. A little. Enough.
“Action!”

The dumb slate clicked and it began.

“Hello and welcome, avid readers and watchers of “The Daily Print”! I am your host, Rita Skeeter. Today we have a very special guest. Someone you might recognize. Care to introduce yourself, Remus?”

The camera turned onto him and he was put on the spot. Remus looked back into the crowd and still saw Sirius there, watching him. Sirius would probably find this so easy. He’s naturally charismatic and people love him. What would Sirius do?

So Remus put on his best fake smile, and leaned forward towards Rita as if he were actually interested in doing this.

“Thank you, Rita. I’m Remus Lupin, your goalie of The Marauders.” He turned to the camera and acted like he was whispering a secret. “The team that’s going to win this year” Remus added in a hushed voice. “But you probably know all that already.”

Rita let out a loud laugh that was obviously just for show. Remus internally wondered how many people actually eat this up.

“Well, that’s the thing, Remus. We don't really know anything about you.” She raised her eyebrows in a “Tell us more” sort of way.

“Maybe that’s how I like it.” Remus said with a wink. That was true, technically. He didn’t like people getting up in his business. They have no right to.

“Ohh, mysterious. I love it.” Rita clapped her hands excitedly. Behind the cameras, Remus saw Sirius take a picture of him. He was probably going to send the ridiculous looking makeup to everyone, but Remus can’t do anything about it now.

“I’ll just have to pry some of those answers out of you myself.”

I’d really rather you didn’t.

“Hit me with your best shot.” Remus said instead.

“Let’s start with the basics. How do you predict your team is going to do this season?”

“We’ve only played two games, and we’ve won both of them, not to sound cocky, but I’m feeling pretty hopeful.”

“Do you think that you’ve mainly contributed to the success of your team?”

“Definitely not.” When Rita looked confused, he embellished. “Hockey is a team sport, isn’t it? That’s why we’ve got loads of people on the ice, all playing their own roles. They are all needed. It’s like if your heart stops your lungs stop, and if your lungs stop your heart stops. We need everyone to work together, like a machine.”

Rita looked rather bored, and Remus realized he might have gotten a bit carried away with his explanation, but what was he supposed to do about it now?

“Well thank you, Remus. For your insight on this year's season.”

Remus nodded.

“Now, what do you think about team dynamics?”

“I’m not sure what you mean by that, Rita.”

“Is there any animosity between players? Jealousy? Envy, perhaps?”

Remus knew what she was trying to do. She was trying to sniff out any negative emotions, and prey on them. Like a vulture.

“No, of course not. We all care about each other.”

“I’m sure, I’m sure.” Rita hummed and tilted her head to the side, like she didn’t fully believe Remus “And is there anyone who’s caught your interest, Remus?”

Remus sputtered. “What, you mean on the team?”

Rita threw her head back and let out a loud boisterous laugh. “No no. Is there any lucky lady who’s caught your eye lately? I’m sure anyone would feel wonderful knowing they’ve captured the elusive Remus Lupin.”

“No lucky lady.”

“Not even another player?”

Another player? What?

“Not one Lily Evans?”

Remus actually laughed at this. Not a fake laugh, but a real chortle.

“Me and Lily? Heavens no.”

Rita seemed taken aback. Surely she wanted the drama.

“No, no. We’re just friends.”

“Are you sure? You seem very electric when you’re on the rink together.”

“I think I would know if I had a secret relationship or not, Rita.”

“Hmm, well I suppose you would know better than the rest of us.”

"Yes, I suppose I would."

-

Remus was really struggling to not roll his eyes at the moment. After being thoroughly vetted by Rita about his love life, personal life, childhood, family dynamics, and even down to his favorite brand of pasta which they somehow stumbled upon the topic of, he was so tired. He just wanted to be done.

"Ladies and Gentlman, it looks like our time is almost up. Remus, it was lovely getting to know you, and I truly hope I see you here again."

"Likewise, Rita."

The shook hands, and Rita gave a little outro, and then Remus finally got to get up and stretch his legs.

Sirius was still there, waiting for him.

"You didn't have to stay you know."

"Oh, I know. But I wanted to. Besides, all this," Sirius waved his hands, gesturing around the studio, "Was highly enjoyable."

"At least someone enjoyed it." Remus grumbled.

"Mr. Lupin" A voice came from behind them.

Remus and Sirius turned around to find Albus Dumbledore looking at them both.

"And Mr. Black, I see you're here as well."

Sirius gave a nod in acknowlegment before Dumbledore turned his attention back to Remus.

"I just wanted to thank you for doing this again, Mr. Lupin. If everything turns out as planned, this will spike an even greater interest in our team."

Our team. Remus definitley didn't like the way he said 'our team'. As if they were equals. Look, he's not and never has been one of those players who has some sense of superirority and thinks he's better than everyone else, but Dumbledore hasn't even done anything for their team yet. He has no right.

"Yes, hopfulley it all works out."

"See you Monday, Mr. Lupin? Mr. Black?"

"See you on Monday."

Dumbledore turns and walks away, again leaving Remus with a feeling of unease.

"Alright, let's get out of here shall we? Before I actually rip out the tongues of one of these people?" Sirius offers.

They both start walking away together, and as they do, Sirius swings his arm over Remus' shoulder. Just that light touch sends a shiver down Remus' back.

-

James: Good morning Moony

Remus: Morning Prongs

James: Did you see the article yet

Remus: No.

What article?

James: The one Rita wrote about you?

Based off yesterdays interview

I'll send you the link

'Remus Lupin; The Mystery of the Marauders'
'After being able to snap an exclusive interview with Remus Lupin yesterday, our star writer, Rita Skeeter, was able to get a glimpse through a window of the ever elusive Remus Lupin, goalie of the Marauders. Aired at 7:30 PM today, we get to experience a deep dive into the players personal life. Ranging all from simple things like pasta to team dynamics to his childhood. We also get an insiders view onto his secretive relationship with one Lily Evans, number 21 on the Valkriyes. Understandably, they want to keep their whirlwind romance a secret due to certain... complications with other team members. As all our avid followers will remember, Lily Evans was in a realtionship with James Potter up until the suddenly broke it off 2 months ago. No wonder they want to keep it a secret! We don't want any tensions between Lupin and Potter, and even worse, speculations about how quickly Evans moves through people's bedsheets! What's next for Remus Lupin and the team?'

What. The. Fuck.