Snapshots

1991

"Where does this go?" Remus asked, shifting the heavy box in his harms.

Sirius looked away from the staircase that led to the upstairs of Twelve Grimmauld Place. "In the kitchen, I think."

Remus turned on his heel and strode into the large, dismal kitchen. He sat the box on the table, wincing as the plates and cutlery inside clattered ominously. He wiped the sweat from his brow and grinned as he felt Sirius' arms snake around his waist from behind. He turned his head for a brief kiss and relaxed against Sirius.

"This feels odd," Sirius said quietly, resting his chin on Remus' shoulder.

"What? Being back in this house after...fifteen years?"

Sirius half-grinned. "Sixteen, love, but I meant Harry being gone."

Remus sighed and turned in Sirius' arms. "He'll be home for Christmas, Padfoot. And he'll write, too. He loves that owl Hagrid got him."

"That was really nice of him, wasn't it?" Sirius said, kissing Remus. He sighed when they parted. "What do you think Harry's doing right now?"

Remus chuckled. "I expect he and Ron are gorging themselves on sweets from the trolley and talking about what house they'll be in."

"Gryffindor, both of them. There's no doubt about it," Sirius said with enthusiasm

"I remember a boy about Harry's age who thought he was going to end up in Slytherin."

They both smiled.

"Remember the Howler Mother sent two days later?"

Remus laughed. "How could I forget something like that? I though all the silverware on the table was going to clatter to the floor the way everything was vibrating. Afterwards, Prongs gave you this look and said not to worry because he had your back and Peter...." He let the sentiment hang between them, voice trailing off as a sad expression crossed his face.

"It's okay, Moony," Sirius said and pecked him on the cheek. "Sometimes I still can't quite believe it all, either."

Remus sighed and a soothing silence fell over them as they held each other. They stood there for what seemed like centuries, neither wanting to move from the warm comfort of the other's arms. After a long, slow kiss, Sirius broke the silence.

"I keep thinking Harry's going to come rushing in through the door wanting something."

Remus looked at the door wistfully. "Me, too. Any idea how to fix that?"

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "I do hope you mean something that involves me making you scream."

Remus grinned wickedly. "I think that just might do it." He kissed Sirius, one hand dropping down to Sirius' fly as if on its own accord. "What about the boxes outside we still haven't brought in?"

"Kreacher can do it later," Sirius said and tugged on the waistband of Remus' trousers, pulling him into a passionate kiss and pressing their hips together. "Right now I want to fuck you into the mattress."

With one fluid movement, he scooped Remus up into his arms and kissed him. "Hopefully I still remember the way to me old room. Not that it matters, though. I'd take you anywhere."

Remus laughed lustily and let himself be carried out of the kitchen. He awkwardly kissed Sirius as they passed Mrs Black's portrait and she sprang to life, shouting about half-breeds and the unspeakable vice of the ancient Greeks. Sirius smiled into the kiss and sat Remus down at the foot of the stairs.

"I guess we'll just have to drown her out," he shouted over his mother's shriekings.

"Just shut up and kiss me," Remus said and pulled Sirius close, one hand burying itself in the man's ebony hair.

"I'm going to do much more than just kiss you," Sirius said gruffly when they came up for air. "C'mon."

Remus smirked and followed Sirius up the stairs, the mid-afternoon spilling through the windows finally rid of their oppressive hanging illuminating the gloomy house.