lhune | Giftfic for Cashay (Reply)

Title:Another Chance
Author:Lhune
Recipient:Cashay
Fandom:HarryPotter
Characters/Pairing:RemusLupin/SiriusBlack
Rating:PG
Warning:Possibility of under-age drinking (no ages are given) AU (
Word Count:2392
Summary:High school AU. Remus attends a prestigious high school on a scholarship and made fast friends with Sirius Black. Their relationship changed however when Sirius spilled a secret of his.

Another Chance
Written by Lhune,
Beta by Dark_kana and Inkweaver

He took another swig from the bottle with heavy liquid. He’d pinched it from his father’s precious liquor cabinet, never be said the man didn’t have a good taste.

Only half of it was left.

Sirius sighed, it had been 3 months already. He’d do anything to take back the words he said that day.

The amber liquid reached out to him like sunrays caressing his pale skin. He swaggered around the corner… Blue colour filled his sight. Dark midnight blue, like the sky above him. A rich crimson ribbon suspending the pine wreath on it as Christmas decoration. It was the door that gave entrance to his house.

The black haired youth was sure it would be warm beyond that barrier. Warm, just like the golden-eyed boy used to be towards him.

He could see the beautiful Christmas tree through the windows, the fairy lights casting a cheery glow on the pavement that was covered in snow.

Sirius’s silver orbs darted to glance at the elegant bottle in his hand again. Strange. When had it gotten empty?

He looked again at the blue door and made a decision, something he should have done earlier. Maybe, just maybe…

Maybe he would recognise the sign, he had to.

-o0o-

Remus thought he was his friend. He had not minded to be implicated in the mischief that came naturally with the black haired boy. He thought he could trust him even though their backgrounds were different.

Tawny locks of hair stirred as he shook his head slightly to clear the thoughts of the slender boy.

“-milk but only the green ones dear, the black ‘n white are never any good. The chemicals according to Penny.” His mother continued to list the groceries he was to get.

Remus nodded dutifully.

“Honestly, some people miss out on the most necessary items.” Her brown eyes looked pointedly at his father. “So you remember everything? Milk-“

“-The green one, real butter and cinnamon…” The tawny haired boy swallowed after pronouncing the last item of the shopping list. Sirius had always smelled of cinnamon.

“Are you alright Remus?” His mother asked concerned.

“I’m fine, it was just an itch in my throat.” He gave a slight cough to convince his mother. “I’m off to Ms Smith then before she closes her shop.”

His mother accompanied him to the door of their little Victorian house cramped between more of the same houses. It was tiny and still low budget but it was so much better than the flat that had been the other option. Thanks to his scholarship at the prestigious school this year his parents didn’t have to worry about paying his scholar fees and had been able to spend more on their housing.

His mother scowled after opening their front door. “Really, they shouldn’t allow drunk people on the street with their bottles. They’re leaving the bottles everywhere.” She complained disgruntled as she picked up a discarded green bottle on their doorstep.

Remus couldn’t help but smile when he heard his mother huff about drunken people, he knew his father had a couple of bottles hidden in the cellar.

“Don’t you dare laugh.” His mother reprimanded but he could see by the twinkle in her eyes that she wasn’t angry. “It’s a shame those people don’t savour their drinks more than they do. Now, don’t forget to convey Laura my best wishes for the New Year.”

“I won’t forget.” Remus assured her as he stepped out and waved goodbye.

-o0o-

He took a deep breath, the cold air was still crisp at the moment but the clouds on the horizon promised another bout of snow that evening. It had been snowing quite a lot these days. Remus thought it fitted the winter holidays and added a magical spell with the fairy lights and Christmas decoration people hung outside their houses. He loved this time of the year when Christmas tree with colourful baubles were often visible from the street.

Though to be honest, this was Sirius’ season, he preferred the warm colours of autumn. He had often seen the black haired youth as some kind of ice prince after their fall out. Perfect pale skin, silver orbs surrounded by almost effeminately long black lashes and lips tinted a rosy red. The icy demeanour that went with the slender youth completed the picture.

Remus had imagined the black-haired boy casting hopeful glances in his direction but that couldn’t be. He had been awful to his friend that day.

-o0o-

From the first day onwards, he and Sirius had connected over a mutual love for the dog just outside the gates. In the weeks that followed they had shared many lunches and most of their free time as they had only a couple of classes together. None the less, he had divulged many of his secrets to the black-haired boy. How his family wasn’t all that rich, quite the opposite of the famous House of Black which was Sirius background, and how he was lucky to get in because of a scholarship granted to him. Sirius on his part had told him money wasn’t all that grand as he was in a constant row with his mother and his father ignored him in favour of his little brother. Remus had gotten the feeling his friend couldn’t wait ‘til he left the mansion, for that was what he lived in.

They had enjoyed the Indian summer, basking in the warm sunlight and had laughed over the various teachers.

One of those days Remus had confessed he liked boys better. It had been a slip of the tongue and he had flinched uncomfortably the moment he had uttered those words. To his relief Sirius had assured him he was quite all right with whatever was Remus’ preferred gender. And that had been all…

In all those weeks he had spent with Sirius he had barely gotten to know his classmates. Most of his fellow students wore classy outfits and avoided the ‘shabby’ student on a scholarship. After a while however, he’d gotten to know Andrew better. They shared a tentative friendship after they had been paired together in Biology. Because of that partnership he had missed out on one or two lunches with Sirius and he had had less time to spend with his friend.

That fateful day Andrew had poked him and pointed out how stunning Annabel was looking with her short skirt. He’d given a suggestive wink at the golden-eyed boy and that’s when Sirius had butted in. The raven-haired youth had slung his arm around Remus shoulders and had grinned.

“I don’t think Remus fancies that kind of girl, he swings the other way.” He’d winked conspiringly at Remus. Andrew’s eyes had widened like saucers before leaving the two with a quick excuse.

Remus had swirled around to face his friend in disbelief. “Why did you have to say that?! I thought I could trust you!” He had hissed furiously, his golden eyes glaring hard like daggers.

Sirius had held up his hands in a placating gesture (?) “Sorry, I didn’t know he wasn’t allowed to know. He is your friend is he not?” The silver eyed had said softly.

“We might have been proper friends if you hadn’t scared him away with that bit. You take everything for granted, everything is handed to you on a silver platter but things don’t come that easily to me you know.” Remus had replied angrily, “I don’t make friends as easily as you do, no one wants to make friends with a poor student on scholarship. Unlike you I don’t have a rich family to back me. You just have to deny me this chance of friendship don’t you?” He had turned on his heels and stormed off without giving Sirius another glance. Otherwise he would’ve seen the stricken look on his friend’s face.

They had avoided each other’s company since.

-o0o-

Only when the expensive boutique with its emerald sign came into vision did the tawny haired youth realise he had made a little detour. It was a place Sirius’ father frequented and the black haired boy had brought an exquisite bottle of wine with him from time to time, partially to spite his father.

Remus supposed he subconsciously had headed this way because Sirius had been on his mind while he returned homewards with the groceries.

Already the sky had clouded over and snow was now swirling down in thick white flakes. Remus couldn’t resist trying and catching a snowflake with his tongue.

Smiling because of his behaviour he passed the entrance to the shop and stopped when he noticed a figured huddled in the alley that was next to it. His smile dropped instantly, who needed to be here alone in this dark place? He couldn’t even see what gender they were, only that the person surely must be very cold as he could see the body shaking.

He wasn’t sure what he could offer but Remus figured he couldn’t just walk by. Remus advanced on the lone figure. “A-are you alright?” he asked tentatively and gasped when they looked up.

The mussed black hair that had covered his face fell back when silver orbs stared up at Remus. He’d never thought he would meet the youth that had occupied his mind here and now.

“Remus?” Sirius voice was little hoarse as he pronounced his friend’s name hopefully, “Remus, you came!” A smile broke his features as he got up stiffly and hugged the tawny haired youth tightly.

Taken aback by these words, Remus was at loss what to reply. He returned the hug when the silvered eyed boy continued to cling to him.

“I hoped you’d come, I knew you’d recognise the bottle.” Sirius said softly.

Remus took a hold of his friend so he could look at his face. “What do you mean Sirius? What bottle are you speaking of?” He asked confused.

His friend’s face faltered a little, “The bottle on your doorstep… the one with the burgundy piece of cloth in it.” Sirius said hesitantly and took a step back. “You, you didn’t see it?”

Remus shook his head.

“Oh…” Sirius said uncomfortably, “So that’s not why you’re here.” He took another step backwards. “Then I’m sorry to have bothered you.” He bowed politely and was about to walk away when Remus wrapped his arms around the taller boy.

“Don’t walk away Padfoot.” Remus said softly, addressing his friend with the nickname he’d given him in September. He hadn’t been able to bear the crestfallen look on his friend’s face when he realised Remus hadn’t come looking for him. “Why are you out here all alone while everyone else is celebrating this time of the year?” He asked.

“I- I missed you Remus,” Sirius whispered softly, “I know you might not forgive me for that day but…”

Remus shook his head slightly in denial. “I’ve long forgiven you for that, it turns out there were quite a few of my classmates who had been afraid to come out of the closet. I may have gotten more friends because of your words.”

Sirius scowled when he heard this.

“What?’ Remus asked disappointed, “You don’t want me to have other friends after all?”

“NO!” The raven-haired boy hurried to say “I mean, yes, I mean-“ He stumbled helplessly. “God, I must look like an utter prick.” He swallowed deeply. “I guess you’d better know. That day, I told Andrew because I was jealous.” Sirius confessed, his cheeks a rosy colour. “You were spending less time with me and I feared you had taken a- a love interest in him.”

Remus stared at him dumbfounded. “And why would that matter to you?”

The black haired youth cast his eyes down “Because I loved you, I still do.” He said softly.

“Oh Sirius,” He hugged his friend tightly, “Why didn’t you tell me?” Remus asked.

“We didn’t actually part with happy feeling did we.” Sirius muttered, silver orbs still not daring to look at the golden eyes of his friend. They widened comically when he felt soft lips touch his own. “Remus, what!?” He cried.

“Did it never occur to you I might have been feeling the same way?” Remus spoke hesitantly, locking eyes.

Sirius stared at him obviously flabbergasted.

“I didn’t dare to approach you, you’re still a higher rank then-“ The golden eyed youth started, “No really Sirius.” He silenced his friend when the latter wanted to protest. “You do realise you are held in high regard by most of the students don’t you?” He laughed self-deprecatingly “Remember those boys that finally dared to come out of the closet, nearly all of them were smitten with you. I didn’t think I would have stood a chance.”

“We’ve been fools, Moony.” Sirius face had lit up with joy, “If only I had dared to speak to you.” He kissed the golden-eyed youth tenderly.

Remus deepened the kiss with passion. Both their cheeks a rosy colour when they parted for breath. A layer of snow had formed on their heads. “Why don’t we take this indoors? My mum must be getting worried I’ve gotten lost.” Remus added when he realised the time.

Sirius looked uncertain, “Are you sure your parents won’t mind?”

“Certainly not, my mum always complains there’s only 3 of us. She’ll be delighted to see you.” Remus assured his lover, taking his hand and guiding him in the right direction.

They had almost reached his house when the tawny-haired youth suddenly halted, “I didn’t think about this but what about your family? Won’t they be missing you?” He asked alarmed.

Sirius shrugged, “They won’t miss me.” He said decidedly, “They’ll only return the day after tomorrow from their visit to the family. The invitation didn’t include me it seems.” He explained when he saw the confused look Remus shot him.

“Well, you certainly are most welcome here. Happy Holidays Padfoot.” Remus said vehemently before kissing his lover as the snowflakes continued to swirl down.

-o0o-

Remus’ father idly picked up the green bottle his wife had thrown with the rest of glassware for the container and snorted in approval. Drunkard these days had a rather expensive taste these days… He wouldn’t mind a bottle of that added to his private collection in the cellar.

The End