January Event (Level 2: Sirius Black/Remus Lupin)

Amortentia was a stupid potion in Sirius' mind. Most of the potions were stupid potions to him, but that was not the point. This one was extra stupid. Slughorn was going on and on about the dangers of such potion. Sirius really didn't care, he just wanted this class over and done with. He had better things to be doing.

"Pay attention," Remus hissed sharply next to him.

Sirius rolled his eyes onto her friend, frustrating that he had to look up at him. Puberty had kept going with Remus, giving the seventh year nearly five inches on him. It wasn't fair.

Shaking his head, Sirius shoved his hands into his pocket. "I don't want to. Give me one reason why I should."

"So you don't fail," Remus answered from the side of his mouth. He was scribbling down notes – notes which Sirius made plans to steal and copy later.

"How can I fail," Sirius snickered, keeping his eye on Slughorn to make sure the teacher hadn't noticed them, "When I am friends with adorable nerd who takes amazing notes."

"You are not copying my note," Remus growled at him, a little louder than planned. Unfortunately, Slughorn turned to the pair at that moment.

"Mr. Lupin, since you don't feel the need to pay attention, why don't you step forward."

Remus glared daggers at Sirius before stepping up to the center table. Sirius caught sight of Severus snickering and made note to get him later.

"Now," Slughorn said, motioning to the center caldron, "how about we review? Amortentia, when taken, does it create real or synthetic love?'

"Fake sir," Remus answered. "It creates the allusion of desire, but not desire itself."

Slughorn smiled. "Very good. Now, why does it give off the smells that it does?"

"To attract the victim, sir. As the potion gives off scents specific to each person's preferences or desires, it allows a wider range to draw attraction from than if it had a single scent."

Slughorn clapped his hands together. "Excellent. Ten points to Gryffindor for such great answers. Now, would you mind telling the class what you smell?"

Remus fidgeted a bit, feeling all eyes on him. He knew he couldn't back down from that. Stepping closer, he stayed a safe distance away and breathed in a waft of the potion.

"Chocolate," he answered softly. "Mint. Grass. Wet-"

Silence dropped into the room as Remus froze over the cauldron.

Slughorn looked at the boy, concerned with how ridged he had become. "Wet what, son?"

Biting his lip, Remus looked down at the floor. "Wet dog."

Once more, silence set over them as the class tried to piece together those scents. From the back of the group, they heard the squeal of Sirius Black. All eyes turned to the male as he smiled widely.

"I knew it," Sirius was excited over this news. Finally, the confirmation he needed. He tried not to make note of James and Peter exchanging coins beside him. "I fucking knew it! How could you keep this from me, Mooney?"

"Mr. Black," Slughorn snapped at him. Sirius fell quiet. "Ten points from Gryffindor for language. Thank you, Mr. Lupin, you can rejoin the others."

Remus didn't look up as he rejoined the group. He tried to find a different place to stand, but next to Sirius was the only open spot. Breathing deeply, he retook his place next to the young Black.

"Why didn't you say something sooner?" Sirius whispered. He gripped Remus' arm, pulling him to the back of the crowd of students. Everyone's attention was back on Slughorn as he continued going over the potions in front of them. A fraction of them were listening in on the conversation being shared between the two Gryffindors.

"I didn't know how you would take it," Remus answered softly. "It's not a big deal."

"Not a big deal," hissed Sirius. "Remus Lupin, I have been crushing on you since third year. I thought you liked girls. I have been killing myself over this."

Remus blinked several times, taken back by the declaration Sirius was making. "I didn't know that. Why didn't you say anything?"

Sirius sent him a look. "I didn't want to ruin our friendship. I didn't think you felt the same way."

"Of course I feel the same way," Remus wasn't looking at him now. "I have for a while."

Sirius tried to keep his laughter low as to not draw attention to them. "What a pair we make."

"Without a doubt."

"Hogsmeade is this weekend."

Remus allowed his gaze to follow on Sirius now. "Ya, we were planning on going as a group, remember."

"What do you say we ditch Peter and James? Just you and me?"

Remus smirked, "is that a date?"

"You bet." Sirius smirked. "I'll even shower, seeing as how you like the smell."

Remus frowned, elbowing Sirius before returning to taking notes on the lecture. Sirius had to smile, scooting a bit closer to Remus. He had to admit he judged Amortentia a bit too harshly. After all, a potion that got him Remus couldn't be that bad.

-oOo-

And that is end game people. I want to thank the group of you who have followed and read this. I hoped you had fun. I did. Writing these were fun.