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Not having sent any letters to Sirius felt weird. Not that I usually would send any letters, in case his parents would intercept the mail, but I wanted to talk more with him after the last month of the past school year. After the changes of the last month. It also just felt a bit off to not talk for so long after dating for only a month. Still an unreal feeling, but it did happen despite that we haven't told anyone yet. Sirius and I came back from a party at Hogsmeade one night when we had to hide somewhere from McGonagall. The closest thing to hide in was an empty classroom. While we waited for McGonagal to leave, Sirius spontaneously kissed me when we looked at the map to see if McGonagall had left yet. I first thought that Sirius was just drunk and bored of the waiting. However, he started acting a bit off after that night. He claimed that it was something his brother had said in passing to him, but I didn’t completely believe that and thus decided to channel my inner Gryffindor. I asked one night what was on his mind and that is what led to us giving dating a try in private. Sirius wanted to tell it to the rest of the Marauders or at least James, but I wanted to wait in case we would work better as friends.
The month at Hogwarts went very well and the only bad part was having to hide it from our closest friends, so perhaps I was worrying too much about nothing and shouldn’t keep it a secret from James and Peter. Nor for Lily. James and Lily are at least for sure safe options, as they already know that we are not straight from Sirius and I respectively. Then knowing about us would also neither lead to Slytherins finding out that Sirius wasn’t falling in love with a pure-blooded witch, nor with someone that his family would deem worthy. What would lead to more problems at Sirius’ home, so obviously that isn’t ideal. I hope to be able to tell it to our close friends after the break though, as it does feel like a lasting relationship and I want to tell it.
Waiting to be able to do that gets more annoying the more I am left by my own devices and some letters from friends. Luckily mom and dad fuss enough about me to not let me be by myself that much. The new study material helps as well as distraction, but the moon creeping up on me helps unfortunately less. Sitting in bed gives me little to do and seeing how the wolf is clearly upset only makes me miss Sirius and the other Marauders more. The moon last night was especially difficult, looking at my wounds right now, so it is good that the next full moon is at Hogwarts again.
I am recovering from the moon in my bed as the doorbell rings. I ignore it at first. I am not expecting anyone and mom is home soon from doing the groceries, and if I don’t have to get up now... The doorbell rings again, longer this time. I weigh up the risk of it being some dark wizard, but those would just barge in most likely and it sounds urgent. That’s why I get up slowly to make it towards the front door. I hold my wand close by just in case, as I open the door. ‘Sirius?’ I ask surprised and shocked.
I didn’t expect him and he looks like he has just been beaten by someone and has walked a long time. What I hope isn’t the case, but it is not unlikely with his parents. ‘Hi Moony,’ he says nonchalantly.
I can see through the lie, I know him. There is something wrong, ‘What.. what happened?’ I ask. ‘No, wait. Come in first.’
I led him towards the couch in the living room. ‘And, I might be able to get dad's wand to do some healing charms once he is home after work.’
‘It is not that bad.’
‘Padfoot, no offense, but you look like you’ve just had a rough time and you are supposed to be at your parents place all summer’
‘Surprise?’
I look at him. He sighs. ‘I blurted out that I like guys after Walburga mentioned marriage… and that didn’t go well.’
‘Shit. Are you sure that you don’t need anything? What did they do?’
‘Mainly hex me a lot, and the harm that can be helped with healing spells is not that bad ‘
I inspect him a bit better, and I don’t notice any signs of external bleedings. ‘You’re lucky I’m not Prongs,’ I say then. ‘Or there would be way more fuss about why you don’t want to be healed with spells. Do tell me if anything gets worse though, or if you change your mind.’
Sirius nods. ‘I can do that. And how was your summer, and the- I got you out of bed after a full didn’t I?’
My face says enough apparently, as I can see that he feels bad about that. ‘I can always go to Prongs and deal with his nagging. So you can rest, and your parents don’t have to worry about me.’
‘Bullshit,’ I say. ‘I am here for you any time, including after and before a full moon. Maybe I can’t take care with regards to money or anything like that, but I can take care in other ways. That’s what friends are for, and that’s what partners are also for. So, you’re stuck with me and I will ask mom about it, but what do you mean with them not being worried about you.’
‘Looks like we both will have to go to Prongs for money, as I am kicked out from the family.’
‘What?’ I ask. ‘You can’t just joke about it like that.’
‘They found out that the heir who already is surrounded by “blood traitors” also won’t be marrying a woman or anyone that they approve of. Nor want to distance himself from the friends that he has. Their reaction doesn’t surprise me.’
‘That doesn’t immediately mean that-’
I get interrupted by my mom opening the door. ‘Remus, what are you doing in the living room al- Oh, hello. You are Sirius right?’
Sirius nods. ‘Lovely to meet you, after all, Remus' stories about his friends.’ Mom says welcoming. ‘Feel free to call me Hope.’
‘Thanks, M-Hope,’ Sirius says. ‘It’s lovely to meet you too.’
Mom smiles. Then she sees the bruises Sirius has. ‘Are you okay?’ she asks him. ‘Those look bad, maybe we can help with that.’
‘Oh, Remus already offered to help, but it will be fine.’
Mom looks at me. ‘He indeed doesn’t want that help now, but we can help him by letting him stay here until school starts again,’ I say.
‘Are your parents alright with that?’ she asks Sirius.
‘They don’t expect me back home, and probably think that I’m at P-James’ house right now or something.’ Sirius answers.
‘They don’t expect you back home?’
‘Not after they have kicked me out, no.’
‘They kicked you out? I am sorry to hear that. Of course, you can stay. As long as Remus feels well enough for that.’
‘The headache is already less intense than this morning and Sirius needs a friend right now, so of course, I am well enough for that.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘I’m sure mom. I’ll show Sirius where our guest room can be, and take it easy after that. Then it all will be fine.’
‘If you say so.. Do make sure that Remus takes care of himself Sirius,’ Mom says towards Sirius.
‘I will do my best, Hope. Thanks for letting me stay here last minute.’
‘It’s no problem, I’ll let you settle in and come up with some tea or hot chocolate in a bit.’
‘Sounds great,’ Sirius smiles. ‘Thanks again.’
Hope smiles towards us and goes towards the kitchen, while I walk with Sirius upstairs to show him where he can stay.