Unexpected Findings

Authors notes: Thank you so much to my friends who helped me with this.

Unexpected Findings

Chapter One - In which James Potter has a rather nasty surprise

The day was hot, and perfect for nothing else but lazing in the sun. And that's exactly what four particular friends, who called themselves the Marauders, were doing. Fifth year was over and the summer holidays stretched before them long, peaceful and inviting. Sirius, who was lying on his back in the grass, stretched and felt the warm air envelope him like a comfortable blanket, threatening to send him to sleep.

"My dad wants me to get a job this summer, you know," Sirius heard James murmur drowsily, "to get work experience at the Ministry."

Sirius snorted. Why would anyone want to spend their summer holidays stuck in a boring office? Particularly one underground where the only light was artificial and pathetic compared to the blazing sun outside. Then another thought struck him. "You better not Prongs! I don't think your mum would let us hang out in your garden if you're at work." He said the word as if it disgusted him. This was, after all, the summer holidays; it would be criminal to even think about working.

"I'm not going to get a job," James said reassuringly; "and I'm glad to know you appreciate me for something, even if it is only that I let you laze in my garden."

Sirius sat up, a look of mock shock and hurt on his face. "Of course I appreciate your company as well Prongs! I thought that went without saying, but clearly I need to tell you more often what a good friend you are." To demonstrate this Sirius slapped James on the back in a friendly way and said, "Prongs, you are a really good friend!"

Peter, who had been looking a little worried at the prospect of James disappearing for the summer, giggled. Sirius leant back, put his weight on his hands and looked around at his other companions. Peter was fiddling with the grass, his eyes a bit red and watery. He always got hay fever this time of year, but he didn't seem to mind, just pleased to be out of school and away from the exams. Peter wasn't very good at exams, the main draw back being that neither James, Sirius nor Remus could help him during them.

Sirius shook his head and looked over at Remus. He was sitting on the grass, his legs crossed, head buried in a rather large and very boring-looking book. Sirius leaned closer to get a better look at the title.

"'An Abridge Version of Aristotle's Meta-Physics'??" Sirius asked in disbelief. "What in the name of Merlin are you reading that for, Moony?"

Remus, who hadn't been paying any attention to the other three, looked up, startled for a moment at realising where he was and that he was not alone. "Oh," said Remus, recovering, "these Muggle philosophers are fascinating, you know. Came up with the most amazing ideas! Motus: 'the move from what-is potentially to what-is actually'," Remus quoted happily. Sirius shook his head again. Remus really did the funniest things. But then he also did the most wonderful things.

Grinning broadly to himself, Sirius lay back on the soft grass and listened to the different sounds around the peaceful garden. Too peaceful. Suddenly, he sat up.

"This is too placid!" Sirius announced to the group. "We are supposed to be Marauders, wreaking havoc, making noise. The neighbours should dread our yearly return. But instead we're just sitting here sunbathing like...like a load of girls."

"But it's too hot to do anything, Padfoot!" James complained.

"We just finished the hardest exams of our lives," moaned Peter, imitating James, "can't we just relax?"

"No! This is the summer of our lives and we can't let it slip by unnoticed by the good, quiet residents of James' neighbourhood!" Remus watched Sirius silently over the top of his book. "At least let's tease Prongs about how Evans will always hate him and will never go out with him." Sirius looked so much like a child about to throw a tantrum that Remus had to hide his face behind his book so no one would see him smile, particularly as James was looking daggers at his black-haired friend.

"Shut up, Sirius, or I might just punch your face in!" James growled dangerously.

"That's the spirit, Prongs!" Sirius said cheerfully, "now, if we could just find some Slytherins..."

"No hope there, Padfoot. The Weasleys, the Lovegoods and the Diggorys are the only wizarding families who live round here," Remus supplied, as James was still looking too murderous to point this out.

"Shame," said Sirius, his face falling with disappointment.

James' face softened a bit in light of his friend's disappointment, but he was still prickly over the comments about Lily.

"I'm hungry," Peter declared, breaking the rather uncomfortable silence that had fallen.

"So am I," said Remus quickly, "it seems like an age since breakfast. Come on Padfoot..." He hauled his fellow Marauder to his feet. "We'll go and see what there is to eat in the kitchen."

* * * * * * * *

Sirius followed Remus inside and into the kitchen. They worked in silence for a while, getting food out the cupboards, slicing bread and taking cutlery out of drawers. Eventually, Sirius spoke in an aggravated tone.

"James is so touchy these days! All have to do is mention Evans, and about how he hasn't got a hope in Hogsmeade of getting her to date him, and he goes all angry at me."

"He's just a bit insecure at the moment, what with Lily turning him down practically every day. Maybe it's getting to him."

"Are you having a bubble? Prongs, insecure?" Sirius snorted in disbelief and Remus just shrugged.

"Maybe you should just leave off the Lily jokes for a bit, Sirius," Remus suggested, gently touching his friend's arm.

"You only call me 'Sirius' when you're being serious, Moony," he said, grinning, "but, okay. I'll leave off the Evans jokes if you think I should." Remus smiled that small smile he reserved only for Sirius and the animagus couldn't resist. He leaned in and caught Remus' lips with his own, making the werewolf shiver with the excitement he always felt yet could never get enough of. Sirius' arms snaked around Remus' waist as Remus tangled one of his hands in Sirius' hair, pulling him closer. Sirius' hand was making its way southwards as the backdoor swung open. Neither of them heard and neither of them noticed as James stood and stared, open mouthed, as his two best friends shared a kiss of ever increasing passion.

Finally, they pulled apart, panting slightly, but grinning lazily at each other. Sirius pecked Remus lightly on the mouth, turned his head and froze.

They stared at James.

James stared back.

And then it seemed that James had finally found his voice, for he yelled, before departing the house and garden at run,

"You fucking gays!"

* * * * * * * *

Authors note: Hope you enjoyed it! This is my first fan fiction so please review! All comments, ideas and constructive criticism welcome! No flames though please.