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Title: Valentine's Day
Author: Tina
Fandom: Harry Potter
Disclaimer: The puppies belong to JKR of course.
Summary: It's Valentine's Day at Hogwarts and Remus is very unhappy it's a Hogmeade weekend and stays behind. Happily, a sick Sirius is also staying in the dorm, needing someone to look after him.
Author Notes: Written for the SF Love Challenge. Focusing on romantic love.
Bunny: #2, #7

Valentine's Day

Remus Lupin slowly opened his eyes and groaned to himself with the realization of what day it was - Valentines Day. He wanted to personally hex whatever professor had decided to schedule a Hogsmeade weekend on Valentines's Day. It was all well and fine if you were in a relationship, or even if you could muster up a date, but if you were alone, well that as another story. Especially if your friends would all have dates and you would not.

James would definitely be going with Lily, she had finally said yes to his dogged pursuit and had agreed to give him one chance for a date. He had talked of nothing else for days. He didn't know who Sirius would be with, but it would most assuredly be some extremely attractive young woman. He pretty much had the choice of almost any girl from three houses and even some of the Slytherin girls if he wanted. And even Peter(whom Remus had assumed would be dateless like himself) had managed to find himself a third year Hufflepuff to accompany him.

"It's just pitiful!" He mumbled to himself, knowing that there wasn't a girl that he wanted to go with even if he had the nerve to ask. The person he really wanted to go with was totally out of reach. He shook his head to clear his thoughts, no point even thinking about that, he told himself.

He knew his friends would want him to come and offer to include him, but the last thing he wanted to be was a third wheel, or was it a seventh wheel... And even worse than being alone would be watching the happy couples. Well, maybe not all of them, he would be very happy to see James and Lily getting on well after all this time, and he was pretty sure he'd have no difficulty watching Peter with his date. It was Sirius, he just couldn't stand the idea of watching Sirius putting his hands, and his lips all over his date. Remus was quite sure that Sirius would never be putting his hands and lips on him, well no more than in his usual affectionate Padfootian way, but the idea of watching him do it to some pretty young witch seemed almost unbearable.

He decided that he had to stay behind. That way he would be out of the way and the others could enjoy their dates without feeling guilty and wanting to include him. He lied in bed trying to decide on the best possible excuse. He debated between claiming to have a headache, or needing to make up missed assignments from the previous weeks full moon. He finally decided on the latter. He knew if he complained of a headache his fellow marauders would drag him to the infirmary for a headache potion and wait for him until he was feeling better. The homework would definitely be believable for him, and he actually did have some work he could do.

He could hear James and Peter returning from the showers, and heading down to breakfast. Reluctantly he climbed out of bed and pulled on his clothes to head down. He entered the Great Hall and found James and Peter sitting at the Gryffindor table. Assuming Sirius was in the bathroom primping, or out rounding himself up a date , he sat next to Peter.

"Oy Remus," James called across the table, where he was beaming, sitting beside Lily. "Where's your cloak? The carriages will be leaving in 10 minutes."

"Mm not going." Remus replied, his mouth full of toast.

"Why not mate?" James called back.

"Are you sick?" Peter asked inching away.

"No," Remus shook his head. " I just have a lot of work to make up from last week... when I was sick." He added remembering Lily was there.

"Are you sure you can't do it later?" James asked, looking disappointed for his friend.

"I could help you with it later if you want Remus," Lily offered warmly, "I have all my notes."

"No, but thanks very much. I'm going to spend the day in the library getting caught up."

"Can we bring you anything back then?" James offered.

"Well," he thought for a moment," If you happen to be at Honeydukes, I am running low on chocolate..."

"Of course mate," James answered and Lily nodded in agreement. "We can't have our Moony without chocolate now can we. Do you think you could check in on Sirius since you'll be around then?"

"Why?" Remus asked, looking confused. "Isn't he going to Hogsmeade?"

James shook his head as Peter replied, "He's sick, didn't you see him up there in bed?"

Remus shook his head, looking worried, "No the hangings were closed, I just assumed he was already out and about. Is he alright? Should be go to Madame Pomfrey?"

"No, he's fine Moony relax, it's just a cold. But he decided it'd be better to stay in bed and rest than be out sneezing all over his date." James grinned.

Remus quickly shoved the rest of his toast into his mouth and swallowed his pumpkin juice. If Sirius was sick, he needed to make sure he was okay. "Well you lot have a good time," He called as he rose from the table. "Happy Valentine's Day and all that." He quickly exited the Great Hall and made his way back to the dormitory.

Sirius' hangings were still closed and he could hear soft sniffling noises coming from the bed. He made his way over quietly in case Sirius was sleeping. As he approached the bed he was startled by the sound of a loud sneeze, "HESHHOOOOO!!"

"Bless you Padfoot," He opened the curtains to peer at his friend.

Sirius jumped in shock at his voice. "Merlin Moony! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" his voice was hoarse and thick with congestion. "How come you're not on your way to Hogsmeade?"

"Staying back to get some homework done. James and Peter said you were sick. How are you feeling?" He sat on the edge of the bed.

Sirius held up his hand for Remus to hold on a minute as he sneezed wetly into his pajama sleeve. "Ahhhhchooooooo!!!! Heshhoooooo!!!!! Ishooooooooo!!! 'Scuse me" he sniffled. "'M okay, s'just a ruddy head cold."

Noticing Sirius' sniffling Remus reached into his pocket and produced a handkerchief. "Thanks mate, you're a life saver!" Sirius grinned accepting the cloth and blew his nose forcefully.

"You sound terrible Pads, are you sure you're alright?" Remus asked, the concern evident on his face.

"Really Moony, I'm fine, don't worry about me." Sirius smiled at his concern.

"I suppose I shouldn't even ask about the infirmary..." Remus paused looking questionably at Sirius who shook his head firmly. "Ok then, have you eaten?"

Sirius shook his head once again, "Not really hungry."

"You should have a little something, how about I bring some tea and a little something for breakfast?"

"The tea would be brilliant, but I really don't want anything to eat. Heshooooooo!!!! ETCHOOOOO!!!!! Don't think I could actually taste anything anyway."

"Bless you Pads. I'll be back in a few minutes, do you need anything else?" Sirius shook his head and slid back gratefully under the covers. He felt better already knowing that Moony was there to take care of him.

Remus made his way to the kitchens and quickly returned with a pot of tea with some honey and lemon, along with one of Sirius' favorite pastries. Sirius was dozing when he returned, but opened his eyes as Remus set the tray he was carrying down on the bedside table. "I know you said you weren't hungry, but I thought you might change your mind once you saw the pastry." Remus offered.

Sirius grinned in return, "You know me so well! Thanks." He sat up in bed and Remus made him a cup of tea and then sat on the edge of the bed beside him. They remained silent for several minutes as Sirius sipped his tea. "This feels so good on my throat, I think I may be able to eat that pastry after all." He smiled warmly.

As Sirius nibbled at the pastry Remus sat watching. He knew he should look away, or busy himself with his assignments but he couldn't help himself. Sirius, though ill, looked absolutely beautiful to him. His skin was pale and in contrast his lips were a deep red. His dark hair was wild and tangled around his face. As Sirius intently licked the filling from the pastry, it was almost too much for Remus to watch.

Finally Remus forced himself to look away, "Sorry you missed your date."

"Hmmm?" Sirius looked up questioningly.

"Your date, I'm sorry you missed your Valentine's Day date."

"I'm not." Sirius stated and Remus looked at him in surprise.

"You're not?"

"No, I'm glad actually." Sirius wiped at his running nose with his hand and Remus retrieved the handkerchief he had lost in the sheets. "Thanks." Sirius paused blowing his nose wetly. "I really didn't want to go anyway. I was kind of glad to wake up with this cold."

Remus looked puzzled, "You didn't want a date on Valentine's Day?"

Sirius shrugged his shoulders, "I didn't want the date I had I guess."

Remus smiled at that, "Who was she?"

"Melanie Hall."

"Lily's friend. The one you spent all of fourth year ogling?"

Sirius nodded, "That's the one."

"Why did you ask her then?"

"Didn't. Lily set the whole thing up, double date. Apparently Melanie fancies me."

Remus chucked, "Oh, if only the rest of us had such problems. I imagine she was disappointed...."

Sirius nodded, pausing to sneeze into the handkerchief, "HESHHOOOOO!!!! Ishhoooooo!! Excuse me. James went to tell her but she and Lily insisted on seeing me, thought I was lying. So I dragged myself down to the common room , then she wanted to stay and take care of me I think, but I sent her away."

"You didn't want her here waiting on you hand and foot, nursing you back to health? You must be sick."

"Nah, she could never take care of me as well as you Moony." Sirius smiled shyly and Remus felt his cheeks turn pink. He looked away from Sirius and smoothed out the wrinkles in the sheets.

"Well, I've had a lot of practice being on the other end of it." he finally said, avoiding Sirius' eyes.

"Maybe that's why...." Sirius looked thoughtful, "Because you're just so....comforting some how." Remus felt his cheeks grow redder still as Sirius continued. "You always know how to make me feel better."

"Do you have a fever?" Remus asked suddenly, placing his hand to Sirius' forehead with an anxious look.

"Don't think so, " Sirius smiled at the concern."Why?"

"Oh, no reason, "Remus tried not to look flustered. "Your cold just seems pretty bad, that's all." He stood and walked over towards his own bed, trying to think of a way to change the subject. "So who was the date you wanted?" He asked hesitantly, even though he didn't really want to know, he figured it would steer the conversation away from him.

"That's a secret!" Sirius spoke with mischief in his voice.

"What do you mean a secret you git?" Remus asked surprised, Sirius was never one to hold anything back. He usually just couldn't contain himself from blurting out whatever he was thinking.

Sirius grinned at Remus, "Well, maybe it's more of a surprise, you'll see later."

Remus smiled back, "You really are a wanker Black, you know that?"

"Yes, I am !" Sirius smiled briefly, but them reached for his handkerchief to catch the next onslaught of sneezes. "HESHOOOOO!!!!! AhhhCHOOOOO!!!! Heh... heh...CHOOOO!!!"

"Bless you," Remus look softened as he watched hid friend in misery, and changed to one of concern as he noticed Sirius rubbing his head and moaning after the sneezes. "What's wrong Pads?"

"Head hurts, " Sirius almost whined, yawning sleepily.

Remus headed back towards Sirius' bed, "You should get some sleep Pads." He tucked the blankets up under Sirius' chin and resisted the almost unbearable urge to lean down and kiss him on the forehead. "Does it hurt a lot?"

Sirius nodded, "It does, all of the sudden."

"How about a cool cloth, do you think that would help?" He suggested and Sirius nodded.

Remus left and returned quickly with a cool cloth which he placed across Sirius' forehead, Sirius sighed appreciatively and Remus charmed the cloth to remain cool.

"Thanks Moony," Sirius whispered, "That feels better."

Remus smiled, "Good, now get some rest Pads."

"Do you need to go? I mean, you can of course, but I was hoping you might stay...." Sirius looked hopeful.

Remus smiled, "Of course I can stay Pads, I can do my Potions reading here as well as the library."

"Thanks, I always feel better when you're here...." Sirius said gratefully and closed his eyes, not noticing the very embarrassed smile on Remus' face.

Remus went to his own bed retrieving a pillow and his Potions text. He put the pillow on the floor and sat leaning up against the bed.

Sirius opened his eyes as Remus leaned back against the bed. He sat up and slid over in bed, "You don't need to sit on the floor. Here, there's room on the bed."

"Are you sure Pads? I don't want to keep you awake." Remus asked.

"Positive," He smiled as Remus climbed up on the bed. He was about to lie back down when he froze suddenly. Remus was about to ask what was wrong but then he noticed Sirius' breath hitching. Sirius, having lost track of the handkerchief, brought his cupped hands to his face. "HURCHOOOOO!!! Ahhhchooo!!! Hehhh CHOOOO!!!" He sniffled wetly as Remus blessed him, searching for his handkerchief.

Remus noticing his dilemma, hopped off the bed and hurried to his chest of drawers, returning with a small stack of handkerchiefs. He handed one to Sirius, who accepted it gratefully, clearing his nose with a long gurgling blow which caused Remus to wince with sympathy. "Still glad you woke up with that cold?" Remus asked sympathetically, once Sirius he had finished and discarded the handkerchief on the bed beside him.

"Hell yes," Sirius replied hoarsely, settling himself back into bed, his head resting on Remus' lap. "Because if I hadn't I'd be on a dreadful date with that bird, probably sipping tea at Madame Puddifoot's, and now I'm here with you." He closed his eyes and snuggled into Remus' thigh.

Remus looked down on his friend in shock, wondering if Sirius had any idea of the effect he was having on him. He shook his head and then reached down to replace the cloth on Sirius' forehead. He gently pushed Sirius' hair back for his forehead, and Sirius sighed softly as he did, encouraging Remus' fingers to remain gently tangled in the silky black tresses. Sirius quickly drifted off to sleep.

Remus found his fingers still tangled in Sirius' hair and as he sat marveling at his friend's affectionate nature. It always seemed odd to him that Sirius was so affectionate, coming form such a cold and distant family. He knew it must be Sirius' way of coping with what he missed out on in childhood. It was also, he decided because Sirius was so confident and comfortable with himself. Remus felt far too awkward to initiate such open displays of affection. He did however relish those moments when they came from Sirius. He watched his friend sleeping for quite sometime, gently stroking his hair, finally abandoning any hope of studying and lying down across the top of the bed , falling asleep.

He awoke sometime later feeling Sirius shift positions and then hearing harsh coughing beside him. He quickly got up and retrieved a large glass of water for Sirius and sat beside him rubbing his back until he was able to stop coughing and catch his breath.

"You alright Pads?" Remus asked finally with concern and Sirius nodded. "How's your headache?"

"Better, " Sirius replied smiling, his voice hoarse. "Thanks for staying Moony."

"'Course I stayed, you've done the same for me. Now how about some lunch?"

Sirius shrugged his shoulders, "Don't realy want anything."

"How about I get you some chicken noodle soup? Will you eat just a little for me, please?" Remus asked giving Sirius back one of his one puppy dog looks and Sirius laughed and agreed.

Remus returned a short time later with a large tray of tea, sandwiches, chicken soup and a large bowl of ice cream, charmed not to melt while Sirius ate his lunch.

"Moony, you really are the best!" Sirius gave Remus a radiant smile as he put the tray down. "You even brought my favorite ice cream. You always know just how to take care of me, I love that about you."

Remus found himself speechless, but smiled at Sirius and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Actually there's a lot of things I love about you," Sirius continued shyly taking a spoonful of the soup.

"Really?" Remus found his voice finally .

"MMMM hmmmm." Sirius nodded and placed his soup down on the bedside table. "I have something for you." He leaned over and reached under the bed, pulling out two packages wrapped in red foil paper.

"Remus looked surprised, "What're those?"

"Presents silly, for Valentine's Day."

"But, for me Pads?" Sirius nodded. "But why?"

"Because I wanted to you git, now open this one first." Sirius instructed, handing Remus a large flat box.

Remus took the box across his lap and slowly pulled back the paper. His face quickly transformed to a smile once he saw the contents. It was an extra large sampler box of every kind of chocolate bar made by Honeydukes. "Pads," He sighed, "You shouldn't have...."

"Of course I should! Here," He handed Remus a second present. It was thicker and smaller and appeared somewhat heavy, Remus knew it was a book as soon as he saw it. Sirius always gave him books for gifts, usually those describing certain spells or charms useful for the Marauders mischief. He was surprised to have gotten a Valentine's gift from Sirius, but he couldn't help but be excited at the prospect of a new book.

Remus slowly lifted the paper, he was surprised to see the book had an elegant embossed leather cover, it was clearly a muggle book.. He looked at the title and then up at Sirius in confusion. The book was an anthology of love poetry. He felt like his heart stopped for a minute, but he warned himself not to jump to conclusions.

"Look inside," Sirius instructed and Remus opened the book. Inside the cover was an inscription.

Moony,
Maybe these poems can say to you what I haven't had the courage to say myself....
I love you!
Yours always,
Padfoot

Remus looked up with tears in his eyes, "Do you mean it Pads, for real?"

Sirius nodded, smiling shyly, "Is.... is it, okay?" Remus nodded and leaned over across the bed, his lips pressed to Sirius'.

After a second Sirius suddenly pulled back, causing Remus to open his eyes in concern, "You'll get sick!" He protested, his voice still hoarse.

Remus smiled, "Doesn't matter." He leaned back closer once more.

"But," Sirius tried to speak again, but Remus stopped him with a firm kiss and some gentle probing from his tongue. "Nothing else matters Padfoot. Only this, only us."

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Challenge- Love 2005-06
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