SOMETHING STRANGE

 

 

Sitting at the table in the Great Hall, James thinks there is something not quite right with two of his three friends. 

 

“Is something going on?” 

 

“What?  Why?” Sirius asks.

 

“You and Moony keep looking at each other like you have some secret.”

 

Sirius’ mouth forms a tight, mischievous grin as he glances over at Remus, who is sitting across from him with a straight face except for his raised eyebrows.

 

“See that! You’re doing it right now.”

 

“Honestly, James,” Remus says.  “Don’t be so paranoid.”

 

James looks to Peter for back-up, but he just shrugs.

 

 

Rough lips.  Tongue leaving a wet trail on the other’s body like directions to a treasure map.  Start at the neck, down, down, past rising chest and falling stomach.  X marks the spot.

 

 

“Let’s start on the prank now.  Later I’m going to see Lily at the library; I figured out that she always goes there on Wednesdays right after fixing her hair in the lavatory.”

 

“You are a tremendously good stalker,” Sirius says, walking in step with James through the hall.  “You should get points with her for that, if nothing else.”

 

“So how about that prank?”

 

“I want to, I will…”

 

“Pads!”

 

“I know, but I can’t! Remus is making me study with him.  You know I’d much rather be experimenting with the bubotuber.  Snivellus covered in ghastly boils… I’m elated just thinking about it.”

 

“Fine, it’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”

 

“Yeah,” Sirius says disappointedly.  “I guess so.”

 

 

“Don’t stop.” Sweat, friction, heat. A hand gliding along warm skin.  Parting of lips, tongue. Breathe.

 

 

“You’ve been studying with Remus a lot lately,” James says the following week.

 

“Well, I’m rubbish at herbology,” Sirius replies.   “I need all the help I can get.”

 

James shrugs and mumbles, “You never cared about getting top marks in herbology before.”

 

Sirius eyes his friend.  His black hair has fallen in front of his eyes and he’s scowling.

 

“Prongs, are you jealous?” he asks with a smile.

 

“What?”

 

“Are you jealous because I’m spending time with Moony instead of you?”

 

“Of course not,” James scoffs.

 

“Good, because you shouldn’t be.  I like Remus, but you’re my best mate.  I can’t prank Severus or play Quidditch with him like I can with you.”

 

“That’s true,” James agrees.

 

“So stop being such a sodding idiot, will you?” Sirius shoves James playfully.

 

 

Sirius and Remus lie in each other’s arms.  The room is silent except for the sound of their breathing, heavy and deep.

 

James practices Quidditch outside alone.  It is starting to rain.