Chapter Text
September 1st
The Potters (+Sirius) were early once again. Early by about an hour for the Hogwarts Express because of Mrs. Potters’ ramblings of being late and missing said train even when living close enough to Kings Cross Station to walk or drive rather than apparate. Sirius took this opportunity to explore as much of muggle London he would come across before Christmas break, a lovely £2 sausage roll from Greggs managed to somehow rob him 45 minutes of his time and he was now faced with running back to platform 9 ¾ from the other end of the station.
“Where the actual fuck have yo-” James began but was promptly cut off with a light smack around the ear.
“Don't be so foul in your language Jamie boy I was eating this divine muggle delicacy” he said with a strange sound of bravado as if he was incredibly proud of said half-eaten sausage roll he was waving about.
“Don't be a twat Sirius wizards eat those too, and it doesn’t explain why it took you so long to get it. Now hurry up and say goodbye or Mum’s efforts of getting us here so promptly will be lost, we have to find Pete and Moony.”
After quick kisses, goodbyes, and ‘try not to get too many detentions’ Sirius was released from the fierce clutches of the Potters and their loving arms, and started sprinting to catch James up onto the carriage.
“God I love your parents James”
“They’re yours too git” Sirius did love them, almost too much. Effie and Fleamont had been so kind and generous in their efforts to get Sirius out of the Black household. Dealing with lawyers and papers and the large fortune it must of cost them, without a single word of complaint constantly reassuring Sirius he need not fret about such trivial things as legally never being required to be within a 10-foot radius of his parents ever again. He had inexplicable guilt of never being able to pay them back but the familiar scent of magic promptly broke him from his worries. Soon he would at Hogwarts again.
Over the summer Peter and Remus had kept in touch but only Pete had sent a photograph, a nice portrait of his family in Jamaica with a very red and still very short Peter front and center. What he was not prepared for however is when a certain Remus Lupin came up behind him on the way to their usual carriage. A distinct smell of smoke followed Sirius until he turned around prepared tell said smoking person this was a train and although he loved the ‘punk-rockness’ of smoking, he didn't fancy being stuck in a glorified ashtray for the next 4 hours. When he turned he was face to face with a giant. A giant with mousy brown curls, and amber eyes, and a large white scar across the bridge of his nose.
“MOONY” Sirius exclaimed as he almost jumped to embrace Remus in his full height.
“Hi Pads, I was wondering why it took you so long to turn around” Upon further inspection, Remus looked very different. No longer thin and lanky his arms now considerably more filled in and defined muscular arms wound around Sirius’ back, splaying large hands across his shoulders. His worn shirt sporting a logo of a muggle band he didn’t quite recognize. His curly hair tickled Sirius' cheek, at least he smelled the same even with the smoking. --What the fuck, did I really just think that ew.-- Sirius peeled himself from Remus' arms, slightly warm but nonetheless excited to see his friend after such a long summer.
“Moony how tall are you now” --Good distraction--
“Taller than you, insufferable git. Where are the others?” Somehow amongst all the thinking, Sirius’ mouth had gone completely dry.
“Stop gawking you, get in the carriage”
----------------------------------------------------
When they arrived at Hogwarts Sirius quite frankly could be bothered with neither Dumbledore’s speech nor the painful sorting of all the first years. He decided instead to abuse his free passes to use the cloak and was now sitting in bed, bored. He decided quickly that thinking of the day's events would do him better than staring emptily at Remus’ trunk. Moony had changed over the summer, in more ways than physically. Gone was shy cute little Remus, his forever prominent sarcasm had been dialed to 11. He smoked a lot. And much to Sirius’ chagrin, he liked it. In a way, he couldn't describe, for the time being, he pinned it as admiration for his mate and his respective newfound ‘coolness’.
Sirius wasn't the only person to notice the changes however, this was made clear as soon as they got off the train. Hushed whispers and giggles followed them around.
“Sirius, can you get your Fanclub to stop trailing after you? It's disturbing the rest of us” Moony had said, apparently completely and obviously unaware of the pointed ‘Look at Remus, he’s so tall now, and muscular. I'm definitely going to get him to ask me to Hogsmead next term’ from beside them as they waited to collect Remus’ prefect badge from McGonagall.
“They're not for me mate” Sirius uttered disdainfully. Remus simply punched him in the arm, harder than he would've liked to admit, and scowled.
“So humble Pads, glad that hasn’t changed”
“WHAT WAS THAT FOR YOU TWAT” Followed by another thump “OW”
“Moony they’re looking at you, you big prick”
“They are not, and why are you concerned with the size of my prick? Hm,” Sirius's stomach did a flip, mouth dry once again.
“What is with you today Pad’s, I've finally rendered you speechless. All with the mention of my gigantic werewolf penis.” Sirius died a little.
“Shut your mouth you weirdo you’ll catch flies”
Looking back at a dirty joke from your best mate shouldn't give you such a reaction, leaving you with no saliva, and an unwelcome churning in the depths of your stomach.
“Are you ok Pads? You really aren’t yourself” Sirius quickly shut his trap breaking out of his trance.
“Yep, just a bit of travel sickness I think. Might skip the feast” Remus eyed him warily but obviously decided not to press any further.
“I'll leave early and meet you before pudding, got something that might make you feel a bit better.” he punctuated this very ‘un-Remus’ like sentence with a wink and a wonky smile making Sirius's stomach flip again. If this carried on he may actually be sick.
Now he was still sitting in bed reminding himself of his unbothered excuse he told Prongs, pointedly not trying to remember Remus' promise. And totally not at all looking at his alarm clock every thirty seconds trying to gauge how long exactly it would take to finish dinner.
Before he could steal another quick glance he heard footsteps in front of the door and a knock. Obviously ignoring the premise of knocking Remus opened the door and walked in.
“Why’d you knock if you were just going to walk in Moonydearest” --Try to be normal Sirius--
“You said you felt ill so I didn't want to disturb you” --Why is he still so sweet--
“Oh look at you big sap. Anyway, what was this present you had for me?” Remus very suddenly adopted a giddy smile that took over his face.
“Well Mr. Padfoot over my summer of glorious muggle adventure I happened to come into possession of -- as some would say -- The devil's lettuce”
“What is that? Is that like a potion ingredient?”
“No you mug. Weed, Padfoot, cannabis, mary jane, pot, left-handed cigarettes” Sirius obviously still sporting a little confused expression with a small smile, Remus gave up.
“You know exactly what I meant, you just wanted me to flail around, didn't you?” He said, muffled by a large facepalm. Sirius practically skipped out of the room.
“Of course I did, you just look so cute when you're flustered” Now it was Remus’ turn to blush.
“Come on Moony we must find an adequate passage to get completely stoned in.” At least Sirius wasn't completely useless around Moony anymore, for the time being.