fic for ani_bester: Five moments Remus and Peter never shared. (Peter, Remus, G)
Title: Five moments Remus and Peter never shared.
Author: noticeably
Recipient: ani_bester
Rating: G
Character(s): Peter, Remus (cameos by Sirius, James, Lily and Harry).
Summary: There are four boys sharing the first-year dormitory, and not one of them has spoken a single word to the others in the two days that they’ve been at Hogwarts.
Warnings: Flangst, MWPP-era (as requested).
Author's Notes: The request asked for something focusing on Remus and Peter during the Marauders era. While I am undoubtedly sure that this is perhaps not exactly what you had in mind when you made your request, I sincerely hope that you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it! Many thanks to A for all of her help with this, as well as for the quick and speedy beta.
--
First Year.
There are four boys sharing the first-year dormitory, and not one of them has spoken a single word to the others in the two days that they’ve been at Hogwarts.
Peter finds this to be extremely awkward, and as meek and shy as he normally is, there's a part of him that almost wants to walk up to the others and attempt to make friends. The more he thinks about that, however, the less appealing it sounds. Peter wishes they would be friends, but he knows that it won't work out that way. Not only is he too shy to make friends, but considering the fact that one of the boys is a Black, one of them is a Potter, one of them is a know-it-all, and he himself is nothing spectacular, he doesn't think it would really work out, anyway.
Thus, after two days of silence, Peter can't help but find himself surprised when one of the other boys from his dormitory - Lupin, if he remembers correctly - comes over to him, shifts uncomfortably, and says, "have you finished your Transfiguration essay yet?"
"No," Peter replies mournfully, staring back down at his blank parchment. "I haven't even started it."
"Oh," Lupin says, giving Peter a long look. There's another moment of silence, and then, "do you want some help?"
Peter blinks, unsure of why the other boy is even offering, but accepts nonetheless. "Sure," he says.
Lupin sits down across from him, dumping a load of books, quills, and parchment on the table. "Do you have any idea for a topic?" he asks as he rummages through his bag own half-started essay.
"No," he admits, "I really don't understand what she was talking about."
Lupin grins suddenly, and as quiet and withdrawn as he normally seems to be, it becomes clear to Peter that the other boy feels entirely comfortable in the library. "She can be a bit intimidating, can't she?"
"Yeah," Peter agrees, watching as Lupin pulls the open book towards them. Maybe this will work out after all, he thinks to himself.
It has to.
Third Year.
On the first Saturday in October, the students are allowed to go to Hogsmeade. It is the first time any of the third years have been to the village, and the four of them make the trek down to the small village together. Upon arriving, Sirius and James immediately gravitate towards the joke shop, telling Peter and Remus that they're running low on 'essential supplies' and that they have to restock immediately. Remus rolls his eyes at this (although Peter swears he can see a smile tugging at the corner of his lips), and Peter shrugs.
"Have fun," he says, watching as they practically skip through the crowd.
"They are rather strange, aren't they?" Remus observes, still looking amused.
Peter grins despite himself. "A bit, yes."
"So what do you want to do?" the other boy asks after a moment.
Shrugging, Peter follows Remus through the streets. "I hadn't really thought about it. I'd like to go to Honeydukes, if I get a chance, but not until right before we go back to the castle. What about you?" he asks, gazing at his friend.
"I'm in the mood for a butterbeer," Remus replied. Glancing sideways at Peter, he smiles. "Although, I won't say no to Honeydukes. I'm running out of chocolate."
Peter can't help but snort at this. Remus and his unnatural obsession with chocolate is a long-standing joke within the dorm. "So, food first?"
"Then we'll have to and drag Sirius and James out of Zonko's," Remus adds, "you know that they'll never leave on their own."
"Right, and sweets later, then?" Peter finishes.
"Works for me," Remus replies as they head down the small, bustling street together.
Fifth Year.
"Remus, have you seen Sirius or James anywhere?" Peter shouts as he runs after his friend, shoving and weaving his way through the crowded hall towards him.
Remus frowns slightly as Peter stumbles over to him, and reaches out a hand to help steady him. "I haven't seen them since Potions," he replies, looking tired. Peter suddenly remembers that it's only been a few days since the last full moon. "Why? Were they planning something today?"
"They weren't in Divination," Peter answers. "And Sirius missed Transfiguration, too, remember?"
Remus suddenly looks both confused and slightly irritated. "I can't believe that tosser skipped Transfiguration! He never misses a chance to harass Professor McGonagall. I bet that they're planning something, you mark my words."
"Why aren't we in on it?" Peter asks, sulking.
Remus, apparently noticing his mood, shrugs suddenly. "Not sure. Maybe they're planning to prank us."
"What? Why would they do that?"
"Because it's Sirius and James and no one is safe from them," Remus replies dryly, grinning despite himself. "Two can play that game, though."
"What?"
Remus shrugs, "well, we've got a break coming up after lunch, we could go use it to plan our revenge. If you want to, I mean."
Peter does.
Seventh Year.
"I'm going to miss it a lot," Remus murmurs lazily, sprawled out in the grass and staring out towards the castle.
Peter, propped up on an elbow, looks down at his friend and nods. "I know what you mean."
Remus tilts his head to the side and looks at him. "It's been like my home," he says quietly, fingers digging into the grass. "I never had any friends before I came to Hogwarts, you know."
Peter finds himself startled by this revelation, unable to imagine not ever having a friend. "None?"
"I mean, there were kids I played with and everything, but I didn't really think of them as friends. I always thought it would be too dangerous, y'know?" Sitting up, Remus studies him. "You were my first friend, actually."
"I was?"
"Mmmhmm," Remus hums, glancing back at the castle. "That day when I asked you about your essay? I was so afraid you'd tell me to bugger off."
"I wouldn't have," Peter says earnestly. "I was so afraid of Sirius and James, you know. You were really the only one even remotely approachable...even if you were a know-it-all."
Remus scowls lightly and pokes at him. "I'm still a know-it-all," he proclaims cheerfully, "and don't you forget it!"
Peter laughs then, too, and the two of them fall into a comfortable silence, each wondering what will happen after they leave tomorrow.
(That night, Remus dreams of a future bright and cheerful; Peter doesn't dream at all.)
A New Year (A Final Year).
"He's rather small, isn't he?" Sirius says softly, hovering over the baby as though he were the first baby he had ever seen. Peter supposes that, excluding his younger brother, Harry probably is the only baby that Sirius has ever seen.
James snorts, fingers running comfortingly along the length of Lily's arm. "He's a baby, you idiot. He's supposed to be small."
"I don't think he meant his size," says Remus, giving Sirius a supportive look. "I think he's referring more to him being fragile."
"Yes!" exclaims Sirius, motioning to Harry and giving Remus a grateful look. "That's exactly what I meant."
"Of course, Padfoot," James laughs.
"Well, I think he's cute," Peter says quietly, inching closer to the bed.
"Of course he is," James boasts cheerfully. "He's a Potter, after all."
"Perhaps we'll be lucky and he won't inherit your ego," Remus grins, barely dodging a well-placed hex from James.
Peter snorts. "Let's not ask for miracles, Remus."
Sirius howls with laughter, James glares, and Remus grins. The jokes and banter seem to go on forever until finally, it's a drowsy, barely-heard interjection from Lily, however, that brings them to silence. "Shut up, you tossers!" she groans, burying her head into James side. "I'm bloody tired."
"You heard her, gentleman!" says Sirius cheerfully, standing in one swift motion. "I do believe it's time we took our leave and went to celebrate."
"Right," Remus says, standing up as well. "We'll be around again later."
"Too right," Sirius agrees, giving his godson a fond look. Leaning down swiftly to give the baby a kiss on the forehead, Sirius turns away and walks out into the hallway.
"I'll see you later, Harry," Remus murmurs, mimicking Sirius. The baby shifts slightly, but remains asleep.
Peter smiles, a bitter taste in his mouth. "Sweet dreams, Harry."
Remus drags him out a moment later, and the two set off towards where Sirius stands by the lifts. "I think he'll grow up to be a good man," Remus comments, motioning for Sirius to stop being impatient. "Don't you?"
"Yeah," Peter replies quickly, ignoring the pain in his arm with all his might. "I'm sure he will."
It's the first time he lies to Remus.
It won't be the last.
Author: noticeably
Recipient: ani_bester
Rating: G
Character(s): Peter, Remus (cameos by Sirius, James, Lily and Harry).
Summary: There are four boys sharing the first-year dormitory, and not one of them has spoken a single word to the others in the two days that they’ve been at Hogwarts.
Warnings: Flangst, MWPP-era (as requested).
Author's Notes: The request asked for something focusing on Remus and Peter during the Marauders era. While I am undoubtedly sure that this is perhaps not exactly what you had in mind when you made your request, I sincerely hope that you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it! Many thanks to A for all of her help with this, as well as for the quick and speedy beta.
--
First Year.
There are four boys sharing the first-year dormitory, and not one of them has spoken a single word to the others in the two days that they’ve been at Hogwarts.
Peter finds this to be extremely awkward, and as meek and shy as he normally is, there's a part of him that almost wants to walk up to the others and attempt to make friends. The more he thinks about that, however, the less appealing it sounds. Peter wishes they would be friends, but he knows that it won't work out that way. Not only is he too shy to make friends, but considering the fact that one of the boys is a Black, one of them is a Potter, one of them is a know-it-all, and he himself is nothing spectacular, he doesn't think it would really work out, anyway.
Thus, after two days of silence, Peter can't help but find himself surprised when one of the other boys from his dormitory - Lupin, if he remembers correctly - comes over to him, shifts uncomfortably, and says, "have you finished your Transfiguration essay yet?"
"No," Peter replies mournfully, staring back down at his blank parchment. "I haven't even started it."
"Oh," Lupin says, giving Peter a long look. There's another moment of silence, and then, "do you want some help?"
Peter blinks, unsure of why the other boy is even offering, but accepts nonetheless. "Sure," he says.
Lupin sits down across from him, dumping a load of books, quills, and parchment on the table. "Do you have any idea for a topic?" he asks as he rummages through his bag own half-started essay.
"No," he admits, "I really don't understand what she was talking about."
Lupin grins suddenly, and as quiet and withdrawn as he normally seems to be, it becomes clear to Peter that the other boy feels entirely comfortable in the library. "She can be a bit intimidating, can't she?"
"Yeah," Peter agrees, watching as Lupin pulls the open book towards them. Maybe this will work out after all, he thinks to himself.
It has to.
Third Year.
On the first Saturday in October, the students are allowed to go to Hogsmeade. It is the first time any of the third years have been to the village, and the four of them make the trek down to the small village together. Upon arriving, Sirius and James immediately gravitate towards the joke shop, telling Peter and Remus that they're running low on 'essential supplies' and that they have to restock immediately. Remus rolls his eyes at this (although Peter swears he can see a smile tugging at the corner of his lips), and Peter shrugs.
"Have fun," he says, watching as they practically skip through the crowd.
"They are rather strange, aren't they?" Remus observes, still looking amused.
Peter grins despite himself. "A bit, yes."
"So what do you want to do?" the other boy asks after a moment.
Shrugging, Peter follows Remus through the streets. "I hadn't really thought about it. I'd like to go to Honeydukes, if I get a chance, but not until right before we go back to the castle. What about you?" he asks, gazing at his friend.
"I'm in the mood for a butterbeer," Remus replied. Glancing sideways at Peter, he smiles. "Although, I won't say no to Honeydukes. I'm running out of chocolate."
Peter can't help but snort at this. Remus and his unnatural obsession with chocolate is a long-standing joke within the dorm. "So, food first?"
"Then we'll have to and drag Sirius and James out of Zonko's," Remus adds, "you know that they'll never leave on their own."
"Right, and sweets later, then?" Peter finishes.
"Works for me," Remus replies as they head down the small, bustling street together.
Fifth Year.
"Remus, have you seen Sirius or James anywhere?" Peter shouts as he runs after his friend, shoving and weaving his way through the crowded hall towards him.
Remus frowns slightly as Peter stumbles over to him, and reaches out a hand to help steady him. "I haven't seen them since Potions," he replies, looking tired. Peter suddenly remembers that it's only been a few days since the last full moon. "Why? Were they planning something today?"
"They weren't in Divination," Peter answers. "And Sirius missed Transfiguration, too, remember?"
Remus suddenly looks both confused and slightly irritated. "I can't believe that tosser skipped Transfiguration! He never misses a chance to harass Professor McGonagall. I bet that they're planning something, you mark my words."
"Why aren't we in on it?" Peter asks, sulking.
Remus, apparently noticing his mood, shrugs suddenly. "Not sure. Maybe they're planning to prank us."
"What? Why would they do that?"
"Because it's Sirius and James and no one is safe from them," Remus replies dryly, grinning despite himself. "Two can play that game, though."
"What?"
Remus shrugs, "well, we've got a break coming up after lunch, we could go use it to plan our revenge. If you want to, I mean."
Peter does.
Seventh Year.
"I'm going to miss it a lot," Remus murmurs lazily, sprawled out in the grass and staring out towards the castle.
Peter, propped up on an elbow, looks down at his friend and nods. "I know what you mean."
Remus tilts his head to the side and looks at him. "It's been like my home," he says quietly, fingers digging into the grass. "I never had any friends before I came to Hogwarts, you know."
Peter finds himself startled by this revelation, unable to imagine not ever having a friend. "None?"
"I mean, there were kids I played with and everything, but I didn't really think of them as friends. I always thought it would be too dangerous, y'know?" Sitting up, Remus studies him. "You were my first friend, actually."
"I was?"
"Mmmhmm," Remus hums, glancing back at the castle. "That day when I asked you about your essay? I was so afraid you'd tell me to bugger off."
"I wouldn't have," Peter says earnestly. "I was so afraid of Sirius and James, you know. You were really the only one even remotely approachable...even if you were a know-it-all."
Remus scowls lightly and pokes at him. "I'm still a know-it-all," he proclaims cheerfully, "and don't you forget it!"
Peter laughs then, too, and the two of them fall into a comfortable silence, each wondering what will happen after they leave tomorrow.
(That night, Remus dreams of a future bright and cheerful; Peter doesn't dream at all.)
A New Year (A Final Year).
"He's rather small, isn't he?" Sirius says softly, hovering over the baby as though he were the first baby he had ever seen. Peter supposes that, excluding his younger brother, Harry probably is the only baby that Sirius has ever seen.
James snorts, fingers running comfortingly along the length of Lily's arm. "He's a baby, you idiot. He's supposed to be small."
"I don't think he meant his size," says Remus, giving Sirius a supportive look. "I think he's referring more to him being fragile."
"Yes!" exclaims Sirius, motioning to Harry and giving Remus a grateful look. "That's exactly what I meant."
"Of course, Padfoot," James laughs.
"Well, I think he's cute," Peter says quietly, inching closer to the bed.
"Of course he is," James boasts cheerfully. "He's a Potter, after all."
"Perhaps we'll be lucky and he won't inherit your ego," Remus grins, barely dodging a well-placed hex from James.
Peter snorts. "Let's not ask for miracles, Remus."
Sirius howls with laughter, James glares, and Remus grins. The jokes and banter seem to go on forever until finally, it's a drowsy, barely-heard interjection from Lily, however, that brings them to silence. "Shut up, you tossers!" she groans, burying her head into James side. "I'm bloody tired."
"You heard her, gentleman!" says Sirius cheerfully, standing in one swift motion. "I do believe it's time we took our leave and went to celebrate."
"Right," Remus says, standing up as well. "We'll be around again later."
"Too right," Sirius agrees, giving his godson a fond look. Leaning down swiftly to give the baby a kiss on the forehead, Sirius turns away and walks out into the hallway.
"I'll see you later, Harry," Remus murmurs, mimicking Sirius. The baby shifts slightly, but remains asleep.
Peter smiles, a bitter taste in his mouth. "Sweet dreams, Harry."
Remus drags him out a moment later, and the two set off towards where Sirius stands by the lifts. "I think he'll grow up to be a good man," Remus comments, motioning for Sirius to stop being impatient. "Don't you?"
"Yeah," Peter replies quickly, ignoring the pain in his arm with all his might. "I'm sure he will."
It's the first time he lies to Remus.
It won't be the last.