Chapter Text
“It’s the same old story,
And the same look in my eye
Don’t pretend you see me
It only serves me right
I won’t go slowly
She said, “Won’t you call me one more time?”
If you insist…
God forbid that I romanticise this ”
The captivating voice instantly shut the bar up. The atmosphere changed in mere seconds, everyone drawn to the curly-haired man with the ethereal voice.
Moments after the music picked up. The guitarist’s eccentric movements drew all attention to him, his black hair swaying with each one and his grey eyes sparkling with serotonin.
In one corner stood a man gently moving to the intense sounds, he found comfort in the noise hence why he was at the bar despite his hatred for the human population. His face showed no interest in the song but his body language betrayed him, turning towards the band and feeling as each strum, each note, filled his ears.
“It’s the same old story,
When you start to lie
And you push against me
To delay my decline
I won’t go slowly
She said, “Won’t you hold me one more time?”
A bitter kiss…
God forbid that I romanticise this ”
The man in the corner knew it wasn’t the singer who wrote the song, you couldn’t hear the passion in his voice, I mean his love for singing and performing you could definitely hear that but the story being told wasn’t given justice.
The stage was occupied by 5 people, the singer and the guitarist drawing the most attention. Still, as the corner-dweller’s eyes flicked over to the women of the band, he could see the same passion and love the previous two had. On the keyboard stood a woman with fiery red hair, matching the intenseness of the chorus of the song, she had green eyes that the light did wonders for. The drums were being played by someone who he knew hadn’t had healthy hair in years due to the bleached tone of it, she looked happy though so he wouldn’t judge.
Her grunge look was fitting to the band’s alternative rock style and he knew she gave her life to this band just from one look.
The bass player, on the other hand, was playing well sure but there was no spark in his eyes, no fireworks with each string he plucked. He wasn’t meant to be there.
There’s a lot you can learn from one look, and Remus Lupin was determined to have more than one.
As the song came to a close the crowd roared and the singer used his equally angelic voice to introduce them, “Thank you! We’re The Marauders and I hope you love our shit!”, instantly a new song kicked in.
“Woo Hoo!”
The whole band joined in but the brown-skinned man in front of the microphone, it was fun and instantly had the people watching jumping.
“Can you be bored at 24?
I’m sick to the bone of wanting more
Throw a paper aeroplane, and watch it fall
Have I waited too long again?
I’m losing sight of the same friend
I’ll be back where I was, I just don’t know when”
This one made the unsociable man perk up, he could hear the feelings of the lyrics this time. The singer was swaying a more prominent smile on his face as each note perfectly fell from his lips.
“So won’t you tell me when you start?
And I’ll promise I won’t let you go too far
Won’t you learn your line and do your part?
What’s it going to be?
What’s it going to be?
(Woo Hoo)
When you feel like the summer has come and gone
And you’ve still not found the one
(Woo Hoo)
You took too long
The day is done
(Woo Hoo)
When there’s only a couple hours of sun
Will you try to stay or try to run?
(Woo Hoo)
No,
You played the game
You’ve never won
(Woo Hoo)”
Curiosity peaking, his eyes turned to the bass player, who still seemed as unenthusiastic as ever. Despite her effort in her dyed blue hair being wrapped up in some eccentric style, she did not want to be there, anyone who even caught a glance out the corner of their eye could tell you that for certain.
“With every refrain you’re getting old
When you let go of the reins they’re in control
How long has it been since you struck gold ?
So you won’t tell me when you start
And I promise I won’t let you go too far
Won’t you learn your lines and do your part?
What’s it going to be?
What’s it going to be?
So won’t you rip all of your lies apart?
And I’ll promise I won’t let you lose your heart
Won’t you hurry up and play your card?
What’s it going to be?
What’s it going to be?”
With another shout from the rest of the band, the chorus kicked in again and the corner man made a move to the bar for another drink, he typically never stayed for a second song of live music, just needing a small boost of noise for his night but something about them made his longing to go home disappear.
Too soon, the second song was over, and the whole band bar the bassist was smiling wildly as if this was the best night of their lives. The next song was introduced as a slow one, so Corner Man moved out the corner and outside for a smoke, the soft tune fading to a background noise in the busy city.
The tone of this song was very different to the other two, I mean it was slow like everyone was told but it had a feeling to it, one that could only be described as a 3 am-still awake- laying in your bed vibe.
“It’s out of the question, it’s over the line
To not be phased, to just be fine
And all that’s below, that looks so benign
But can’t be seen, or be mine
I just want to be like you
Oh, it seems so sweet
How nice it sounds to have your guard down
And nothing in between
I just want to be with you
I don’t feel discrete
So let’s skip this town, we can roam around
And float from seam to seam”
Corner Man was listening intensely to the lyrics, he never liked slow songs or ones that made him think too much about himself, but this one was different to him. The sombre aura surrounding the band had floated its way around him, pulling him back to his corner inside, with a perfect view of the guitarist who looked so focused on playing correctly, it must be a newer song.
“It’s the best it’s ever been
As the stress settles in
And forms its lines upon my skin
Made a promise that I can’t keep
If the price is that steep
‘Cause I can’t rest if I can’t sleep
I just want to be like you
Oh, it seems so sweet
How nice it sounds to let your guard down
And nothing in between
I just want to be with you
I don’t feel discrete
So let’s skip this town, we can roam around
And float from seam to seam”
Back in his corner, he could truly hear the way the band played, despite the sound of it being so out of the mood they started with no one being out of time or playing worse, you could tell how well the band worked. Maybe he spoke too soon, as the bassist messed up a little, the crowd wouldn’t be able to tell but he did, and the scowl on her face immediately after gave it away as well.
Screams erupted when the final notes faded out and a familiar tune started to fill the air, Starman by David Bowie, it was unexpected but welcomed by the man in his corner, being a 70’s music fan himself.
“Didn’t know what time it was, the lights were low
I leaned back on my radio
Some cat was laying down some rock ‘n’ roll
“Lotta soul”, he said
Then the loud did seem to fade
Came back like a slow voice on a wave of phase
That weren’t no DJ, that was hazy cosmic jive
There’s a starman waiting in the sky
He’d like to come and meet us
But he thinks he’d blow our minds
There’s a starman waiting in the sky
He told us not to blow it
‘Cause he knows it’s all worthwhile
He told me
Let the children lose it
Let the children use it
Let all the children boogie”
Again another switch in the mood but the crowd welcomed as well as Corner Man did, singing along with every phrase and iconic note. The singer with a wide grin was proud of himself for persuading the band to do a cover, he loved the way his voice sounded with this song, and why pass up a great opportunity to show off his versatile voice.
Corner Man was on his fourth drink of the night, the loud noise in his ears travelled through the walls, vibrating his still stance. He enjoyed the band and their overall feeling immensely but he couldn’t help but stare at the guitarist. Tattoos of various shapes and sizes swirling over his exposed arms, Corner Man wanted to know the story behind each one, no matter how long or short, important or unnecessary. Corner Man longed to be near him, to never let him out of his sight again.
Before he knew it, the song was over leaving the singer to speak once more, “Unfortunately we’ve reached our final song of the night. It’s a great one trust me, but first let me introduce my talented friends! Over there on the keyboard, the love of my life, my one and only, Lily Evans!” He dramatically gestured to Lily, the red head, as she played a fun little solo and rolled her eyes with a smile, “And back there on drums we have the incredible Marlene McKinnon!” Another gesture this time to the bleach-blonde and another solo later he introduced the bassist, “Our bass player, Rachel Kings!”, there was less enthusiasm with that one.
Finally he stepped over to the guitarist, “And this dickhead right here, my brother from another mother, is Sirius motherfucking Black!”
Sirius. The brightest star in the sky.
Corner Man knew he’d never look up at night the same way again.
In the middle of his daydream the singer had introduced himself as, ‘James Potter, the greatest man to ever bless your five senses’
Back to the original alternative rock style, the final song kicked in;
“How could it be that we stopped just like that?
You stole your life back
We part ways
I never listen
Do you think of the night when you packed all my bags?
She stared at the stack to locate what was missing
Look what you started by ignoring all the signs
You never changed, still obsessed with losing time
There it goes,
There it goes,
There it goes
Put your pride aside
You’re just getting by and I’m
The same life-draining man that I’ve always been
Fuck being human, switch my blood for kerosene
There it goes,
There it goes,
There it goes
I’m not satisfied but I’m sleeping on a train again”
The two girls at the back joined in at various points and their voices worked amazing with James’ and Corner Man was thoroughly enjoying the beat and the view of Sirius who was loving life as he strummed his guitar with such passion and vigour it’s a wonder he’s stood upright.
“Point out the fault that made you want to quit
I’ll cope with the shame
I might deal with it
For your friends who refused to cough up their goodbyes
I’d see you all soon if I never lied
Look what you started by ignoring all the signs
You never changed, still obsessed with losing time
There it goes,
There it goes,
There it goes
Put your pride aside
You’re just getting by and I’m
The same life-draining man that I’ve always been
Fuck being human switch my blood for kerosene
There it goes,
There it goes,
There it goes
I’m not satisfied but I’m sleeping on a train again
When all is said and done
You came just for the ride
The next one has begun
And I, and I, I’m alone on the run until our paths collide
Are you upset that I won?
Oh my, oh my
Look what you started by ignoring all the signs
You never changed, still obsessed with losing time
There it goes,
There it goes,
There it goes
Put your pride aside
You’re just getting by and I’m
The same life-draining man that I’ve always been
Fuck being human switch my blood for kerosene
There it goes,
There it goes,
There it goes
I’m not satisfied but I’m sleeping on a train again”
The second the song came to a close Corner Man moved from the corner and outside to the side alley, he pulled out a cigarette and lit it, inhaling and exhaling, smoke dancing in the air.
He thought about the band, he wanted to see them again, he needed to see them again…he needed to see that guitarist again.
A noise down the alley sounded out, a door opening and about 5 or 6 footsteps following it into the cold of the night. “Honestly why are you even still here if you hate the songs so much? Go fuck off to your other boyfriend again like you did the last time you grew tired of me!” A voice shouted out at another, “Because I love you, Sirius! I don’t have anyone else, I swear!” A feminine voice shouted back. Sirius, as in guitarist Sirius? Corner Man turned his head, yeah, guitarist Sirius.
The argument carried on as the rest of the band watched worryingly, “You know what then! Fuck you! Fuck all of you fucking cunts!”, the bassist screamed before storming away, bass in hand, “I quit! Good luck without a fucking bass player!”
The band watched as she disappeared into the night, pissed in the wrong way to be leaving a bar. Corner Man felt like he should go, but who wouldn’t want to know what happened next? So he took another hit of his cigarette and watched.
They spoke amongst themselves too quiet for Corner Man to hear. That was until Sirius whipped his head up directly at him, “Hey! You! Yeah you with the weird grandpa jumper!”, Corner Man walked over confused, “Yes?”
“Sirius Black” He held out his hand to shake, so Corner Man shook it, “Remus Lupin”
The handshake lasted a little too long, and the added eye contact didn’t help the growing tension either. The rest of the band watched confused and Marlene raised an eyebrow with a soft chuckle at the two.
“Say Remus, do you play bass?” Sirius questioned, a smirk Remus could tell appeared often adorning his face.