Chapter Text
It was only meant to be a friendly shopping trip. Nothing else.
Everyone was lacking school supplies and James had called up Lily, asking her to meet up with them at the Leaky Cauldron for a drink and to go buy some new school things. In the process, he chatted to her over the phone for a good 2 hours. Remus had never felt happier for the guy. After years of pining after the red-head, James might have finally won her over.
Far more happier than Remus felt, every day feeling more glum as Sirius got masses of mail from all the girls (and boys) at school that have been pining after him. This morning, he caught him writing a letter to specifically one girl, asking her to meet him at Hogsmeade at the first possible moment when school started.
"Oi! Moony, you coming?" Sirius called from the fireplace; an infuriating grin plastered on his handsome face.
"Yep!" he yelled back, trying to shove on a woolen hat and running to the hearth, where the other 2 boys were crouched.
"Took you long enough, you bastard," James laughed, Floo Powder trickling through his fingers.
Remus grunted. From the other side of the cramped fireplace, Sirius stuck his tongue out at him. Remus looked away. He did not want to deal with jealousy and heartache today. Possibly not ever.
"Ready?" James asked.
The rest of them nodded, and with a flourish, James yelled "LEAKY CAULDRON" and threw the Floo Powder into the hearth. Green fire erupted around them, not burning but tickling Remus's skin. They clouded his vision, and for a second, all he could see were the crackling flames. When they died down, Remus took in the damp stone walls and musty smell of whiskey from the bar.
"James!" he heard Lily's voice, and with a flash of red, Lily's arms were around his neck, both of them laughing like there was no tomorrow.
On his left, Sirius gagged, a look of half concern, half annoyance and the lovesick couple whispered to one another. Remus smirked. He swore Evans had not been in the right mind ever since James had won her over, just a slight (nevermind, Remus thought as James pulled her into a kiss, REALLY LARGE) tweak in her behaviour. He wasn't really in the mood to watch the two snog each other, so instead, stepped out of the fireplace, gesturing to Sirius.
"C'mon Pads. Unless you wanna watch Prongs eat her face?" he teased.
Sirius wrinkled his nose, damn he was cute when he did that, before maneuvering carefully around them and making his way to Remus's side.
"You're welcome for saving you from that," he.
"Pfft- I could have watched that all day. You wanna drink?" Sirius laughed back.
Remus nodded
Sirius drew a few Sickles, strutting over to the counter in long-forgotten aristocrat fashion.
“2 butterbeers, with a shot of rum please."
Tom grinned, swiping the Sickles and after what felt like a few seconds, pulled out 2 steaming mugs of butterbeer, the golden liquid swirling under clouds of foam. Remus's mouth watered and Sirius shoved one of the mugs into his chest, another in his own hand.
"Well? Drink up ya greedy prick," he said, sipping the froth over the rim of the cup.
Remus lifted the own cup to his lips, letting himself savour the butterscotch flavour. They just stood there in silence, drinking their butterbeer, without talking (for once, Sirius was such a yapper). Sirius licked his lips thoughtfully and Remus smiled, trying to keep himself from blushing. How is someone this cute? For a moment, he felt aware of his own scars that marred his face and body. Sirius caught him staring.
"What are you staring at Moony? Adoring my fine figure?"
Remus snorted.
"What is there to admire? You vain bastard."
Sirius tipped his head back and laughed, the sound echoing off the stony walls.
"Tongue as sharp as ever, Moony."
They had long finished their butterbeer when James finally joined them, Lily following swiftly behind him.
"Took you long enough Prongs. Merlin above," Sirius muttered, giving James a shove.
James, being the great friend he was, pushed him right back into the wall.
Lily stared at the 2 boys with a disappointed look. Remus nudged her with his shoulder.
"Still love James?" he quirked an eyebrow at her.
She tossed her hair, trying to hide the clear flush of red that was creeping from her neck.
"Yes...unfortunately. I love him."
Remus smiled, watching as Sirius wrestle James and get repeatedly get thrown onto one of the tables, until Tom had to come over and break their little playfight up. Sirius grinned at him, dark hair mussed and his face flushed red, tempting him to tackle him, but instead of punch him, kiss him.
Instead he said the most reasonable thing that came to mind.
"Let's go shopping."