An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Wolfstar Microfic Prompt 2 - Thriller
“I know what you are, Remus.” Remus spun around as the door to his office closed behind him, revealing Sirius Black lurking behind it.
“What am I?” He schooled his features and turned around to face Sirius. “Other than fucking exhausted?”
“Do you need me to say it?” Sirius kept his distance, noticeably so. Remus frowned. “You could have told me, you know.”
“You’re going to need to be more specific.”
“Sirius.” He half-taunted.
“I saw you in Knockturn Alley with Caradoc Dearborn, Remus.”
Remus suddenly panicked, because while he was sure that Sirius was about to announce that he knew that Remus was a werewolf, maybe this was about him kissing Dearborn when they’d gone to pick up their Wolfsbane potion. It was wishful thinking, he knew.
“You’re going to need to be more specific, Sirius.” He repeated, slowly.
“What if a student had seen you?” Sirius took a step backwards and Remus was still none the wiser.
“Then I’d question what a student was doing in Knockturn Alley during term time.”
Sirius growled, “Why are you being deliberately obtuse?”
“I’m waiting to hear why being in Knockturn Alley with a friend is bothering you so much. What? Are you jealous, Black?” Remus leant back against his desk, one eyebrow raised slightly.
“You know that’s not it.” Sirius’ eyes darkened, suddenly realising that what he felt did seem at least similar to jealousy.
“You keep telling me what I know and don’t know. I’d much rather you actually asked me whatever it is you came here to ask me.” He held Sirius’ gaze and for a moment, thought the other man might hit him before he turned around and left Remus’ office.
Remus sighed in relief, moving to his chair and resting his head against the cool surface of his desk. He wondered which Sirius would take more offence to, his lycanthropy or his bisexuality. He knew of Sirius’ family, and although he seemed nothing like them, old habits died hard sometimes. Maybe one day things would change enough for him to blindly trust people who seemed like they deserved it. One day
“You know what? I don’t give a fuck if you and your boyfriend are werewolves.” Sirius burst back into the room. Ah, so it was both. “I’m just so mad that you’re spending fuck knows how many Galleons on Wolfsbane every month, when I could be brewing it for you.”
Remus lifted his head, “You could… what?”
“I’m a much better potioneer than Mulciber. I can make your stupid potion, and Dearborn’s too.” Sirius crossed his arms.
“Why would you do that?” Remus asked quietly.
“Because we’re friends, Remus. Although we’re clearly not as close as I thought, seeing as you failed to tell me that you and your boyfriend are—”
“Not my boyfriend.” Remus held up a hand. “Not for... almost a decade.”
“But you don’t deny the rest?”
“That I’m a werewolf who went to buy a potion that means I might not tear my body apart once a month? It seems pretty silly to deny that at this point.” He smiled, sadly. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”
“Or ask you for help.” Remus nodded, “I’m not in the habit of telling people. It very rarely, if ever, ends happily for me when I do. It’s not personal.”
“It feels a little personal.”
Remus rolled his eyes. “Yes, Sirius, I’m so sorry that I didn’t tell my gorgeous co-worker that I’m literally a ferocious beast and ask for his help. It was definitely because I don’t trust him and not because I’m terrified he’ll pity me, or worse, be scared of me.”
“Be scared of— Sometimes I think you don’t know me at all.” Sirius tried hard not to raise his voice. “Being a werewolf doesn’t make you bad or scary or pitiful. Not to me.”
“Well, thank you.” Remus still couldn’t look at him. “That’s not most people’s reaction.”
“I’m not most people.” Sirius pulled a small flask out of his pocket, and a chocolate frog from another. “Take your potion, Remus.”
“Yes, and Albus is sending one to Dearborn. Let him know it’s safe to drink, would you. I thought it would be better to remain anonymous.”
“But, why?” Remus finally looked up at him, his eyes were filled with tears threatening to spill over.
“Why wouldn’t I want to help you?” Sirius crossed to perch on his desk, next to him. “That’s not all I can do to help. If you’ll let me?”
“What else could you possibly do?” Sirius smirked at him before disappearing, a large black dog appearing next to Remus’ knees. “Oh, fucking hell.”
Sirius changed back. “Werewolves don’t attack animagi. Especially not when they’ve taken wolfsbane. So, if you ever wanted company…”
“I wouldn’t ask you to take that risk.” Remus said firmly.
“Do you think so little of my potion brewing skills?”
Remus dragged his hand down his face. “For fucks sake. I mean— thank you. I don’t really know what to say.”
“Tell me I’m gorgeous again.” Sirius suggested.
