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Sirius was pacing in the dorm. Oh Remus! He’s just so…
“You’re alright mate?
Sirius turned around at the sound of James’ voice.
-Yeah I’m okay. Well…
-Well?
-I have to tell you something James. I’m… It’s… Moony.
-What about him?
-I think I like him. But not just like him, more like… the biggest crush I’ve ever had.
-Oh.
-Oh?
-I knew that.
-REALLY?
-Yes, it’s pretty obvious. And it’s also obvious that he likes you back.
-Do you think? Hughh I don’t know what to do! James help me! I’m a desperate man!”
He said while lying dramatically on James’ bed, one hand to his forehead. James sat next to him with a grin, thinking. They stayed like that for what felt like eternity to Sirius. Finally James’ face lit up.
“I know!
-What?!
Sirius sat back up so fast he almost hit James’ head with his own.
-What, what, what?
-Hey, careful! Okay so, you know how it’s a Hosmegade weekend today?
-Yes.
- And it’s Valentine's Day?
-Yes.
-So maybe you could-
-OH! You want me to take Moony to Hosmegade tonight!!!
-Yes!”
* * *
“Remus, are you okay? -Lily asked.
-Yes. I mean I don’t know.
-Are you thinking about him again?
-Maybe? I don’t know what to do, Lily. Should I confess to him?
-Well, do you want to be with him or not?
-Of course I do! I just don’t know how to do it! And what if he rejects me? What if he doesn't want to talk to me anymore? Can you imagine? I don't want to be responsible for the fall apart of the Marauders!
-You guys are closer than family. The Marauders are not going to fall apart for just that.
Lily looked around the common room from the armchair she was sitting in. Suddenly, the spark of an idea appeared in her eyes along with a smile on her lips. Remus followed her gaze and saw two seven years. It was common knowledge that they had been flirting for a while now, and apparently the flirting stage was over, Remus thought. The boy was handing a little chocolate box and a heart shaped balloon to the girl, who had the biggest smile on her face.
“That’s it! -Lily said, excited- That’s what you have to do!
-No. I’m not giving him a heart balloon in front of everyone.
-It doesn’t have to be a heart balloon. It can be something more discreet, more personal. And we both know that Sirius loves this kind of thing.
-Yes…he does…”
* * *
“Okay, and I can give him this massive box of chocolates and I ask him to go out with me at The Three Broomsticks !
-That's a very good idea!
-And during the date I ask him, no, I beg him to be my boyfriend! -Sirius said, throwing his arms in the air and spinning.
James was watching him pace the room enthusiastically, like an excited ball of energy. Both of them were grinning madly, definitely in their element, planning a prank. Except it wasn’t a prank, it was Sirius’ moment, the one he had been waiting for months, years even.
-Okay. But I don’t know how to ask him.
-You just tell him.
-I can’t just tell him! It’s not that easy!
-Okay, okay mate! we’re gonna practise. Here -he threw his pillow at Sirius- pretend this is the box of chocolates.
-Right… You have to be Moonying.
-Moonying?
-Act like Moony! Read a book, I don’t know!
James picked a book and pretended to read it. It was upside down but Sirius didn’t mind. He exalted deeply, the pillow behind his back.
-Moony. -James looked up- You know how it’s Valentine’s Day? Well I wanted to ask you if you would like to… maybe if you’re not busy, and if you are it’s totally fine! But what I mean is hum do you want to go out with me? Not like, in a mate kind of way but more like a date? But if you want to just hang out in a mate kind of way it’s also good because I just want to spend time with you. And, and if you’re too embarrassed to be alone with me then we can invite James…
James was staring at him speechless. Sirius sighed and threw himself on the bed.
-’We can invite James’?! Really Sirius?!
-I don’t know! I panicked!
-We’re going to have to practise a lot.
* * *
-Chocolate?
-Too cliché
-Jewelry!
-Do I look rich to you?
-I don’t know Remus, I’m trying to help you. What does he like?
-Mugge music, muggle fashion, quidditch, makeup and nail polish, London… flowers! He loves flowers. He’s alway transfigurating random things into flowers and keeps them in his bedside table.
-Perfect!
-I… Do you think he’s gonna like it? I don’t know, it’s a bit much isn’t it? I mean, we are not together.
-Yet! Don’t worry you will be together soon! -Lily says, winking. They both laughed.- But you don’t have to give him a whole bouquet. One flower is good.
-Okay but, what type of flower? And where do I find it?
-Do you know that there is a language of flowers?
-Really?
-We could find one that describes your feelings for him!
* * *
-Moony, you are my best friend.
-Don’t start like that.
-Why?
-First, it sounds like you're proposing, second, I am your best friend. Do it again.
-Moony, do you know that today is Valentine’s Day?
-Yes.
-Well I was wondering if you would like to… go out with me?
-That was good!
-Really?!
-Yes! If I were Remus I’d say yes!
-Aww thanks Prongs. If I weren't in love with Moony I’d be in love with you.
-Shut up, you’re making me blush!
Sirius kneeled before James, laughing.
-Oh Jamesie! Will you marry me?
-Of course Padfoot, my love!
James pretended to lean in to kiss Sirius. Peter entered the room. He froze in the doorframe, taken aback, but at the same time used to Sirius’ and James’ nonsense. He closed his eyes, rubbing his forehead.
-I don't even want to know.
He crossed the room and entered the bathroom.
The two of them shared a look, and burst out of laughter.
* * *
Remus was with Lily in the library, searching for books on the language of flowers.
-Here!
She was jumping to try to take it from the shelf. Remus chuckled, crouching down to be at her level.
-Shortie.
-Hey don’t call me that!
-Not my fault you’re short.
-Can you help me instead of making fun of me?
-What’s the magic word?
-Oh right -she said, with a mischievous grin- Stupefy !
He was frozen to the spot and Lily used his lap as a stool to reach the shelf.
- Finite Incantatem .
-Lily!
-What? -She smiled innocently at him.
He chuckled.
-If I liked girls, it would be for you I would be choosing a flower.
-Aww Remus, that's so sweet!
-You are.
-Shhh -Madam Pince shushed them from her desk.
-Sorry -Remus whispered- So, enough flirting.
-Yes, the flower -She flipped through the book- No, no, no… Ah! White carnation: pure love, sweet love.
-Mmm.
-Okay not that one -she continued flipping the pages- Camellias are great. The pink one-
-The colour changes the meaning?!
-Of course it does. Red flowers often have a stronger meaning and white ones are associated with purity, heavenliness… -she furrowed her brows- but not this time. White camellia is “you’re adorable”. The pink one is “longing for you” and the red one is “you’re a flame in my heart”.
-I like the white one. He is adorable.
-You big softie.
They were back in the common room with the book on the table in front of them, next to the objects Remus was supposed to turn into a white camellia.
-I’m not good at transfiguration! That’s James’ thing!
-You have to do it!
-We could ask him?
-For him to tell Sirius and ruin everything? Never.
-Hey, James is an excellent secret keeper. Why don’t you do it if it’s that easy?
-Remus, we both know that you’re ten times better than me at transfiguration.
-Okay
He concentrated his attention on the wood stick in front of him, and waved his wand. The hard, brown wood turned into a soft, green stem and delicate white petals.
-I did it! Lily, I did it!!
* * *
Sirius was ready. He definitely was. He walked down the stairs with the chocolate box behind him. Him and James went to get it from the kitchens earlier.
He looked around the common room for Moony. There he was, huddled in an armchair, reading. Look at him, his soft curls falling on his slightly furrowed brows. I wonder what his book is saying to make him frown like tha t. He felt his face grow hot and the words he had spent all day rehearsing with James mixed and blurred in his mind.
He ran back up the stairs and into the empty dorm. He spilled his school bag on top of his bed and searched for a small enough piece of parchment on which he scribbled a little note.
* * *
-Moony
Remus looked up and Sirius showed the box in his hands before running away. There was a little note on top of it.
Moony,
Happy Valentine’s Day. I would love to spend the evening with you at The Three Broomsticks.
Met me there at 8pm. Please.
Love you See you,
Pads
Remus was speechless. In the best way possible.
* * *
Remus was ready. He and Lily were in the common room. She was encouraging him.
-It’s gonna be okay.
-It’s not! What if I mess it up? What if I say something stupid and he doesn't want to see me anymore!
-Don’t be ridiculous. You say stupid stuff all the time and he still asked you out.
-But-
-Go!
She gave him a little shove and he walked through the portrait.
-You helped him didn't you?
She turned around to face James Potter.
-I did. You helped Sirius.
It wasn't a question. Of course he helped Sirius.
-Are you busy tonight Evans?
-Not really. Mary and Marlene both got dates. I was contemplating an undisturbed evening for once.
James chuckled.
-Fancy a chess game before your undisturbed evening?
-Why not.
James' smile couldn’t be broader
* * *
When Remus arrived at The Three Broomsticks, Sirius was already seated, with two butterbeers on the table.
Black was gorgeous, with a dress shirt over a black t-shirt with black skinny jeans. He was wearing eyeliner, and on him it looked to die for.
Lupin had abandoned his usual soft look for a dress shirt and black pants. His sleeves were rolled up, showing his forearms and the scars on them. He had tried to put some order in his curls, unsuccessfully. He looked unusually and dangerously hot.
Both were too anxious and breathtaken to say anything.
After a few seconds of silence Sirius murmured “You came” with the most hopeful voice Remus had ever heard.
-Of course I did. Hum I… Here -He gave Sirius the flower- It’s a white camellia. It means… It means “you’re adorable” in-
-The language of the flowers. -Sirius said, blushing- You really mean it?
-Of course I don’t, that’s why I came to this date and gifted you a flower I spent the whole afternoon trying to transfigurate.
Sirius grinned. That Sirius Black grin.
And they started talking, and talking and talking like they never did.
They weren't two friends that night. They weren't two Marauders. They were Remus and Sirius, falling in love.
* * *
They were back on the Gryffindor tower. Black grabbed Lupin by the elbow before he could draw his bed curtains open. Sirius looked at Remus, his chocolate eyes and lovely freckles. Remus looked at Sirius, his full lips and sharp jawline.
Black took a step forward, just almost at Lupin’s reach, and waited. Remus lined in, and kissed Sirius.