Chapter Text
Sirius seemed to slot seamlessly into Remus’s routine over the next couple of months. Remus had almost stopped waiting for the other shoe to drop. He’d visited Sirius’s house in Godric’s Hollow, and immediately understood why he seemed to prefer the charm and activity of Full Moon Farm.
For one, Sirius’s house was a bit impersonal. The only room that had any personality was Harry’s. Remus asked him about it and he’d shrugged and said he didn’t feel a deep connection to the house besides making it a home for Harry. Remus pointed out that since Harry was gone so much maybe Sirius wanted to do something else with it.
But then Sirius had told him about James and Lily, and how much he missed them. How he’d bought the house in a hurry so he’d be able to adopt Harry. How it didn’t matter, really, what house it was as long as it was in Godric’s Hollow so Harry’s life didn’t get any more disrupted than it already was. It seemed to cost Sirius a lot to talk about this part of his life, so Remus just let it rest after a while. Now he at least understood why being alone in the house affected Sirius so much.
So, he spent more and more time at the farm. He learned how to milk the cows and pick fruit with magic. After they spent the moon together, Lyra decided Sirius was acceptable and almost never left his side. Remus couldn’t believe his luck. After spending so many years lonely and isolated, he suddenly had someone to talk to, someone who wanted to know if he was cold or hungry, someone to snuggle up with at night. He always thought he didn’t need anyone else. It turns out, he just hadn’t met the right person yet.
They were cleaning up from dinner one evening when a white owl pecked at the window. Sirius hurried to let her in; it was quite cold and windy now in this area. She swooped in and landed on his shoulder. Remus watched this with interest. Clearly, this owl belonged to someone he knew.
He took the letter, scanned it and nodded. Remus opened the top drawer under the sink and passed him a quill to answer. He did so, offered the white owl a bit of food and she flew off again.
“What’s up?” Remus asked casually. In truth, he was dying to know who the letter was from.
“Harry’s got a Quidditch match coming up this weekend. He wants me to come.” Sirius looked at the letter thoughtfully. “Do you…want to come?” he asked hesitantly. He knew Remus’s feelings about spending a lot of time in the wizarding community other than working at the farmer’s market.
Remus felt his anxiety level spike for a moment, until Lyra came over and put her snout against his leg. “I’m ok,” he murmured to the dog before turning back to Sirius. “You know what…I think I do.”
Sirius couldn’t hide his delighted grin. “Really?”
“Sirius. You’ve seen my world. It’s time I see yours.” Sirius couldn’t argue with that.
***
A couple of weeks later, they apparated to the village of Hogsmeade, which Sirius explained was the closest they could apparate to Hogwarts. It was a cold, bright day, and the small village looked as though it was enchanted. Which, Remus thought, it probably was.
Sirius led him through the gates of Hogwarts to the Quidditch pitch. Remus had gone to a few matches with his father when he was young, but hadn’t really kept up the habit. He looked around at the three tall goal posts on each side. The stands were raised so the spectators could see the action. The seats were quickly filling up with students and teachers. There were some parents in attendance but not too many. Remus wasn’t sure where to look first. All around Sirius was greeting people and shaking hands. He had never felt more out of place.
As if Sirius read his mind, he laced their fingers together as he found two seats in the last row, behind a group of students wearing red and gold striped scarves. “Harry’s in Gryffindor House,” Sirius explained. “They’re playing Slytherin,” he said, indicating a group across the stadium in green and silver. Remus just nodded mutely, still taking everything in.
It was a bit overwhelming for someone who was so used to solitude but he could see the appeal. The noise. The community. The camaraderie. He felt a bit of a pang about having missed out on this particular wizarding experience. Only one of many, since he’d been bitten all those years ago. He tried to put the thought out of his mind.
An announcement was made about the beginning of the match and everyone else quickly found their seats. Both teams trooped onto the field. Remus recognized Harry at once, even though he’d only seen him a few times. His build and his glasses were unmistakable. He glanced at Sirius, who looked relaxed and happy, his focus trained on Harry. The teams mounted their brooms and the match started.
There was no way Remus could keep up with the action. Even at the school level, Quidditch moved impossibly fast. But Remus listened closely to the commentary as he watched Harry circle, looking for the elusive snitch. The opposing Seeker was marking him closely and Harry kept maneuvering away from him. This lasted about an hour. All of a sudden, Harry dove, and the other player dove too, but he had no chance because Harry was so far ahead of him.
He caught the snitch and punched the air as he took a lap around the pitch, his other teammates descending on him in congratulations. Sirius was on his feet cheering with the rest of the crowd as Gryffindor was declared the winner.
Sirius was worried he was ignoring Remus a little. He couldn’t help it. He had so little time with Harry these days. But when he glanced over at Remus, he looked like he was having fun. The tension in his shoulders had eased a little. Sirius thought it was good for him to be out in the world a bit. As much as he loved the farm, Remus was so isolated, spending all of his time there. The least he could do was show him he didn’t have to.
They went to the Great Hall for lunch after the match. Harry joined them, looking freshly showered and pleased with himself. Sirius couldn’t help but beam at him. He felt the old longing in his chest, the hole left by James. If he could see Harry…well. Sirius would just have to look enough for him.
“Great catch, kiddo,” Sirius said, wrapping him in a bear hug.
“Thanks,” Harry said, his voice muffled against Sirius’s shoulder. “I’m glad you came, Remus.”
Remus stood awkwardly and shook Harry’s hand. Harry tsked, giving him a quick hug. “Thank you for having me, Harry.”
“Of course.” Food appeared on the table in front of them and they all dug in. Remus was surprised at how hungry he was since he hadn’t eaten much for breakfast.
Remus wondered how much Harry knew about what was going on between him and Sirius. He wondered if Sirius would bring it up. But Sirius was asking about Harry’s classes and his friends so he stayed quiet. Sure, Harry kept in touch when he was at school but Remus could tell it wasn’t the same. Sirius seemed to want to soak up all of Harry that he could.
Finally, Harry turned to Remus when they’d finished eating. “Want to go for a walk on the grounds?”
“I don’t want to keep you from anything, Harry,” Remus said, giving Harry the out in case he had something else he’d rather be doing.
“You’re not,” Harry said decisively, leading the way to the lobby.
They bundled up again and went back outside. Harry and Sirius pointed out the different landmarks as they walked. The greenhouses, the gamekeeper Hagrid’s house, the Forbidden Forest. Remus asked questions that Harry answered excitedly. Sirius was mostly quiet, seemingly happy to see the two getting along.
When they were heading back to the castle, Harry looked at both of them. “So you’re together, huh?”
Sirius and Remus glanced at each other. He wasn’t sure what Sirius would say. But then he said, “Yeah. We are.”
Harry nodded once. “Cool. Well, thanks for coming to the match, Remus…I hope you can come again another time.”
“I enjoyed it,” Remus said, honestly.
They bade Harry goodbye with promises of more letters and visits, then headed back toward Hogsmeade. “Want a drink before heading back?” Sirius asked.
“Sure,” Remus replied, letting Sirius lead him to a cozy looking pub called Three Broomsticks. Inside, it was bustling but Sirius made quick work of getting them a couple of pints.
“This was nice, Remus,” Sirius said, taking his hand.
“Yeah, it was. I sometimes forget there’s more to the world than my farm,” Remus admitted.
“Your farm is pretty great,” Sirius pointed out.
“Yeah, that’s true,” Remus said. “Are you coming back with me?”
“Of course,” Sirius said, his smile soft and warm. Remus ran his thumb down Sirius’s jaw before tipping his chin and kissing him softly.
***
Six Months Later
“You got everything?” Sirius asked, frowning at the bins in front of him. “Weren’t there more plums?”
“No, we’re saving those. This is what’s coming today,” Remus said, decisively.
Sirius shrugged. “Ok.” They took their wands out and shrunk all of the items, gathered Lyra then apparated to Godric’s Hollow. The farmer’s market looked the same as always, but it felt different than it used to now that Remus had Sirius with him. They waved to Molly and Arthur on their way to their stall.
Remus tied Lyra to the tent stake then worked on setting up.
The steady stream of customers started early since the weather suggested spring.
“How can I help you?” Sirius asked, giving their first customer his most charming smile.
“I’d like some jam, please. Which do you recommend?” the customer said.
“Definitely the plum.” He plucked the jar from the stack and handed it to her.