Two months before Sirius Black turned sixteen, on a night when he was serving a detention, his best friends, one of them also his boyfriend, met in secret in their dorm to discuss the planning of his party. The weekend following his birthday, the third-years and up would be allowed into Hogsmeade, the village next to their school, and they were going to take that opportunity to give Sirius the best birthday party he'd ever had.

It was, of course, Remus Lupin's idea. The previous year, Sirius' birthday had been the day after a full moon, and instead of going off and partying, he'd spent the day in the Infirmary, sitting next to Remus, reading to him from a book he'd gotten as a present from Lily Evans, James' new girlfriend. It was a Muggle book, Crime and Punishment, and Lily had written a dry note in the front telling him that she'd seen the title and thought of him. The book had been purchased following a quite daring prank in which Sirius had attached three dungbombs to a Filibuster's firework and set it off in Transfiguration just as the Slytherins were coming in the door.

Despite the somewhat snide comment, both boys enjoyed the book a great deal, and Remus even more so when it was read aloud, Sirius' soft, warm voice washing over him. They didn't finish the book that first day, but over a period of a week, reading every night before sleep, curled up together in Sirius' bed, a silencing charm on the curtains so the other boys wouldn't be disturbed.

There was somewhat of a competition between Sirius and James as to who could throw the best parties. They were constantly outdoing each other, but as the parties they were throwing were largely for each other, it was obvious that there was a great deal of love behind every new plot. It was a testament to their deep caring for Remus that both decided to ignore Sirius' birthday that year in order to keep Remus company; the fact that they waited a week and a half to celebrate just to make sure Remus was up for it was equally touching.
So for Sirius' birthday this year, Remus, James, Peter Pettigrew and Lily Evans had decided to go all out. James had convinced Madame Rosmerta, the owner of the Three Broomsticks pub in Hogsmeade, to close up shop for half a day for the party. He was, of course, paying her handsomely for the favor. The party was by invitation only, but that didn't matter because everybody was invited. Except the Slytherins, but then they wouldn't have shown anyway.

So James had gotten the Broomsticks. Lily, in charge of entertainment, had hired a group of Muggle-born witches and wizards, who called themselves The Screaming Mice but were actually quite good, performing covers of both Muggle and wizard music. Given Lily's heritage, and the fact that both Sirius' parents were Muggle-borns, it was appropriate.

Remus was in charge of decorating, and he was taking great pains to ensure that it was going to be spectacular. He was also refusing to tell a soul what he was doing, promising only that it would be great.

Peter's role was actually one of the most important; he was in charge of making sure that everybody knew about the party except Sirius, and the Slytherins who would probably tell Sirius just to spoil the surprise. He'd done a remarkably good job - so far they'd gotten definite promises to attend from all of Gryffindor, half of Hufflepuff and several Ravenclaws who were not too studious to take a break now and then. And Sirius didn't suspect a thing.

That Sirius was completely in the dark about the party became quite obvious on his birthday, which came and went without a single comment by anybody in the school. Sirius started his day with an expression of cheerful anticipation which waned gradually as the hours passed. Though he didn't say a word about it, his dejected expression at the dinner table made it quite plain that he was thoroughly convinced that they had forgotten all about his birthday. His obvious pain was almost enough to make Remus crack, but he managed to control himself, and they went on with life as usual.

Until that Saturday.

The morning of the party dawned bright and clear, and Remus and James awoke early and snuck down to Hogsmeade. As Peter and Sirius slept, they worked, transforming the pub into Party Central. When the last streamer was in place and everything was set up - including a massive chocolate cake, big enough to feed everybody that might be coming - they went back to Hogwarts.

Peter and Sirius were already awake and dressed, and fed, when they got back. Sirius was also rather upset. Peter, who knew what they were doing, was trying to placate him, but Sirius was impossible to placate. "I can't believe you snuck off to Hogsmeade without us!" he yelled the moment they walked into the dorm. "It was bad enough when you forgot my birthday last week--"

"Oh, Sirius!" Remus gasped, feigning shock. "Was it last week? Oh, I'm so sorry, love! It completely slipped my mind!"

"I noticed!" Sirius growled. "And you, Jamie, you've known me since we were in nappies! How could you...ergh. You know what, I do not want to talk to you. Either of you. I'm going to the Broomsticks. A nice glass of butterbeer will make me feel much better. Pete, you wanna come with me?"

"Er..." Peter looked dubiously over at James and Remus, who nodded slightly. "OK, Sirius," he said. "Let's go."

Sirius gave his best friend and his boyfriend one last dirty look and stalked off, Peter following meekly along behind. After a minute, James and Remus followed, James clutching the Invisibility Cloak. The party wasn't set to start for another two hours, so they had plenty of time to get Sirius calmed down, get him out, and get him back in.

As it turned out, all that was required to get him out was their showing up with him. Sirius could hold a grudge far longer than was healthy, and the moment they sat next to him and Peter he stalked out. Peter followed quickly, and James and Remus drank their butterbeers in silence, ignoring the looks they were getting from the other patrons.

An hour and a half later, Rosemerta hustled her regular patrons out, and the guests for Sirius' party started to arrive. It was quite a feat, managing to fit a large portion of Hogwarts into the bar at one time. Gryffindor house showed up in its entirety, third years and up, and almost three-fourths of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw showed as well. Sirius was nothing if not popular.

When Peter led a slightly less angry Sirius Black back to the Broomsticks, the whole pub was darkly lit. "That's odd," Sirius said. "She never closes early on these weekends."

"I know," Peter said, managing to sound equally confused. "Try the door, Sirius."
Sirius did, and it turned easily in his hand. "It's not locked," he said, flinging it open. "What on--"Surprise!"

Sirius' jaw dropped open as the lights came back on, revealing all his classmates grinning at him, James, Remus and Lily in the front. "You...for me?" he gasped, stunned.

"No, for the other Sirius Black that's turning sixteen today," James joked. "Yes, Siri, for you."

Sirius blinked rapidly, then grabbed James by the shoulders and hugged him. "I'm sorry I yelled at you, Jamie. I didn't know. It's wonderful. It's perfect. Thank you."

"It's OK, Sirius. I understand. You may want to kiss your boyfriend though, before he gets jealous that you hugged me first."

Sirius laughed, let go of James with one last affectionate pounding of the shoulders, and turned, bestowing a grateful hug and kiss on the cheek to Lily before turning to Remus, who was smiling at him widely. "Remus. Oh, love," he said, and kissed the werewolf right there in front of everybody. Remus resisted slightly at first, but then gave up and melted into the kiss, flinging his arms around Sirius' neck and kissing back with abandon.

James started timing them. A full three minutes later, they broke apart, and James whistled. "Three minutes, fifteen seconds!" he yelled. "It's a record!"

"Maybe for you, James," Sirius said with a laugh. "We're just getting warmed up!"

"Oi! Not in public, you'll scare the third-years," James said, pulling them apart. "Look, Sirius, the whole school's here, well, a lot of it."

"My God. I can't believe this!" Sirius said, staring. "How...how long have you been planning this?"

"Three and a half months," Peter said.

Sirius stared at him for a long minute, then said, "Good God, Peter! You kept this a secret from me for three and a half months? How?!"

Peter blushed as the others laughed. "It wasn't easy," he admitted. "James had to put a silencing charm on me for a while so I wouldn't say anything."

"That was James? I thought maybe Snape had hexed you or something." Sirius laughed. "Well, however you managed it, well done, Peter."

Peter grinned. "Thanks. Happy birthday, Sirius!"

"Yeah, c'mon Siri, sit down. Presents!" said James.

"Presents? Other than the party?" Sirius grinned and hugged his friends again. "Oi, how'd you get Rosemerta to close the place anyway, Potter?"

"He paid her two thousand Galleons," said Peter.

Sirius nearly died of apoplexy on the spot. "You...what...James!" he gasped. "Why?!"

James made a face at Peter, who flushed and looked down. "Because I could, Sirius," he said with a shrug. "Because you're my best friend and you're worth it."

Sirius just stared. "Oh, Jamie..."

"And 'cause this party is your present from me." James grinned. "Now shut up, sit down, and start opening stuff."

Sirius stared for another minute, then laughed. "Just you wait, James Potter," he said, shaking a finger at his friend. "I will find a way to top this. I don't care if I have to get McGonagall involved."

"Sirius Black, the day you get McGonagall to involve herself in a party for me, I will officially give up trying to top you," James said with a laugh. "Now sit."

Sirius sat obediently, and the next three hours were spent quite pleasantly, opening the wide assortment of small presents bestowed upon him by his guests. He wasn't exactly sure how he was going to carry all this back, or where he would put it when he had, but the abundance of sugar quills, chocolate frogs, dungbombs, Filibusters' fireworks, and other assorted things to make his life much more amusing. He was not at all surprised to receive a new chess set from Lily, who did as little as possible to encourage him in his Marauding ways, and the wand case from Peter was much appreciated, as his old one had definitely seen better days. Remus didn't give him anything in public, merely smiled and said he would present his gifts later, when they were alone. Sirius decided that sounded very promising.

When the party was over, a lot of the students stayed to help the Marauders clean up. Sirius tried to help too, but James and Peter wouldn't let him move. Remus actually sat on him to prevent him from lifting a finger, not that Sirius minded Remus being in his lap at all. When everything had been picked up, put away, or otherwise cleaned, everybody started to head back to the castle, Lily and the Marauders alone.

"So, Sirius," said Lily, grinning. "Good surprise?"

"Very." Sirius grinned back, Remus still reclining on his lap. "Thank you. All of you."

"It was fun," Peter said. "But a lot of work! I dunno if you're worth it, Padfoot."

"Oh, funny, Wormtail," Sirius said with a snort. "Just see if I share any of my new sugar stash with you."

"Don't want any at the moment, thanks. I feel like I could burst!"

"Yes, rather a lot of food. I fancy a nap. Anyone else?" James stood and stretched.

"Oh yes," Peter said, leaping to his feet, followed by Lily.

"You run along," Remus said. "We'll lock up."

"All right, then, Moony," James said with a grin. "Have fun."

"I always do," Remus murmured with a smile. As they left, he stood, ignoring Sirius' small sound of protest. "Tell the truth, love. Did you suspect?"

"Not a thing," Sirius answered truthfully. "It was lovely. Thank you, Remus."

Remus smiled and kissed him briefly, then pulled away. "Butterbeer?"

"Mm. Yes. Please," said Sirius, watching Remus with a smile as his lover went over and filled a tankard, then came back, set it down and sat himself down on the other side of the table. He smiled and extended his hand, palm up; Remus smiled back and covered it with his own.

"Sirius...there was a reason I told the others to go on," he murmured.
Sirius arched an inquisitive eyebrow, his fingers curling into Remus', his thumb stroking his boyfriend's hand. "What is it, love?"

"Well, we've been dating for over two years now."

"Yes, I am very aware of that."

"And I love you. And you, well, you say you love me."

"Beyond the telling of it, Remus. Beyond the telling of it."

Remus tightened his grip on Sirius' hand, his eyes suspiciously bright. "I want you," he said, his voice low and rough, making Sirius tremble slightly. "I want to make love to you. Tonight."

Sirius blinked. "You. Want. Oh." He swallowed, licked his lips, and nodded. "Yes. All right. Where?"

"The Shack. It's already arranged. Now finish your butterbeer, Siri. You're going to need the energy," Remus said, and punctuated this sentence by sliding a suddenly bare foot up the inside of Sirius' robe.

Sirius was very glad he was sitting down. He reached out for his butterbeer, his hand shaking wildly. Remus watched, one eyebrow arched, with an expression of bland disinterest as he finished it off in one long gulp. The moment the tankard was sitting on the table again, he slid his foot a little higher and rocked it slightly in a way that made Sirius' pupils dilate and his breath stop. "Remus..." he whispered softly.

"Yes, Sirius?" Remus said calmly.

"You're driving me mad."

"That was the general idea." Remus leaned over the table, his eyes smoldering. "Do you want me?"

"Yes," Sirius breathed softly. "Oh God, yes."

"Then let's go."

Sirius nearly tripped over himself standing up; Remus moved with much more grace, putting his shoe back on before he, too, stood.

They walked through Hogsmeade together, close but not touching, and headed back to the school. Instead of actually going back into the castle, however, Remus dragged Sirius over to the Whomping Willow and pressed the knot that froze the branches. Sirius blinked, but allowed himself to be dragged into the tunnel leading back to the Shrieking Shack. "Remus, this is hardly the place I would have chosen for...oh my." He trailed off, blinking, as they emerged from the tunnel. Remus, it would appear, had been busy. Somehow, he'd found time to turn the dilapidated Shack into a palatial love nest. The walls were covered with heavy curtains, perfect replicas of the ones in the Gryffindor dormitories. The floor was covered with a thick, lush rug, woven with what looked like Arithmancy symbols in Gryffindor gold on a scarlet background. In one corner was a massive mattress, with sheets, pillows and blankets, also in Gryffindor colors. And on the other side of the room was a table, piled high with chocolate, strawberries, butterbeer and what looked like a bottle of champagne.

"Remus," he whispered, awed. "How...when...how?"

Remus chuckled softly. "James helped," he admitted. "A lot. Mostly with the bed." He steered Sirius over to the furniture in question and shoved him gently onto it. "Sit. Stay." His lips quirked in a small smile and he patted Sirius on the top of the head. "Good Paddy."

Sirius grabbed his wrist and pulled the hand down to his mouth, brushing his lips across the back of the knuckles. "Woof."

Remus smirked and pulled his hand away, then crossed the room to the table. Hidden behind the butterbeer were four candles, which he pushed into a more visible position and lit with his wand. A moment later, the room was filled with the smells of vanilla and cinnamon, and Sirius inhaled deeply, savoring the fragrance. "Mmm, that's nice," he murmured, closing his eyes for a moment. "Where'd you get the candles?"

"Lily," came the answer, right in his ear, and Sirius' eyes flew open in surprise. Remus had crossed the room to his side, not making even the slightest sound as he did, and was now leaning over him, staring intently into his eyes. "She got them from a Muggle shop and gave them to me."

"How long have you been planning this?" Sirius whispered, staring back at his boyfriend.

"Longer than the party," Remus whispered, and shoved Sirius carefully, causing him to sprawl across the mattress. He crawled into the bed, straddling Sirius' waist, and leaned down over him, so close their mouths were almost touching. "I want you, Sirius Black," he whispered. "I want to make you mine."

"I'm already yours, Remus," Sirius whispered back. "I'm already yours."

Remus smiled. "Good," he murmured, and kissed Sirius briefly, then pulled away. "Siri, it's time for you to open your presents from me," he murmured.

Sirius smiled and stroked his cheek. "You mean I get something besides this? Wow."

"Well," said Remus with a smile. "This is as much for me as it is for you." He laughed. "You're quite hard to resist, you know."

Sirius grinned. "I know."

Remus rolled his eyes, then chuckled. "Somehow, I even get turned on by the ego," he murmured, and moved in a way that made Sirius gasp, strong hands flying up to his waist to hold him in position. "No, no. Not yet, love. Presents first."

Sirius whimpered softly, but removed his hands. "You little tease," he complained.

"You love me this way and you know it, Padfoot. Now then." He walked over to the empty corner and waved his wand. "Revelum," he murmured, and the corner was no longer empty.

There was one box, a small one, sitting on the floor. Remus picked it up and brought it over, and Sirius smiled at him before accepting it. The opening process was made a bit more difficult by the fact that as he opened the box Remus was undressing in front of him, but he managed somehow.

Under the black wrapping paper was a small, square box, dark green with white trim. He recognized the box design - Kinney's, an Irish jewelry store. "Remus--"

"Ssh. Open it love," Remus whispered, and knelt in front of him, fully naked. Sirius ogled him happily for a long moment, and Remus laughed and poked him. "Open it!" he chided, grinning. "You can stare in a minute."

Sirius grinned, opened the box, and fell in love with Remus Lupin for the umpteenth time. "Remus," he breathed softly. Inside the box, carefully nestled in a bed of white, was a ring. The band was made of gold, and formed the shape of two hands holding a heart, topped by a crown. The heart was the setting for a beautiful ruby. Red and gold. "Gryffindor colors. A Claddagh," Sirius said. "Oh Remus."

"I heard they were Irish tradition, and I thought...do you like it?"

Sirius opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

"You don't like it?" Remus said, looking worried.

Sirius swallowed. "Oh," he whispered, his voice breaking. "Remus. Do. Do you know? The story behind this?"

"Er, no. I just know it's called a Claddagh and it's Irish. Why?"

"Remus, love," Sirius said with a smile. "This ring is a traditional symbol of friendship, loyalty, and love. It's also the traditional Irish wedding ring. The ring worn on the right hand with the crown turned inward says your heart is yet unoccupied. Worn with the crown turned outwards, it means love is being considered. Worn on the left hand with the crown turned outward, it means you're truly in love."

"Oh," Remus said. "Do...do you..."

Sirius took Remus' hand in his, put the ring carefully in his boyfriend's palm, and held out his left hand. Remus' eyes lit up; he slid the ring on, crown turned toward himself, and kissed the hand, then leaned up to kiss Sirius, his eyes shining with tears of joy. "I love you, Sirius Black," he whispered when they pulled apart to breathe. "I will love you as long as long as I breathe."

"Oh Remus," Sirius whispered. "I love you too." They kissed again, Sirius' hands sliding out of his hair and down, stroking his back and sides. Remus shivered, arching into the touch, craving his love's warmth. Still kissing, they began to work on Sirius' clothes, removing them as quickly as they could without hurting themselves. When both were naked, Remus joined Sirius in the bed. They stopped kissing to study each other, touched each other gently, exploring one another's bodies. They did not speak; they did not need to. This was a language beyond words, this warm, wondrous exploration, this discovery of things both had known existed, but had lain just outside their grasp. They spoke in caressing touches, in soft skin brushing soft skin, in soft gasps of pleasure and whimpering sounds of need. They kissed again, and there was language in that too, in the hot wet slide of tongues, the intimate press of mouths. I love you. I will love you until my dying breath. We are for one another, and we will never love anyone as much as we love each other.

At length, they drew apart, and Remus licked one of his own fingers before sliding it carefully into Sirius, who gasped softly and closed his eyes as the slick digit slid in and out of him slowly. It was joined presently by another, and then another, until he was whimpering softly and thrusting down on his lovers' hand. The contact stopped, and Sirius whined, bereft - but then he was being kissed again, and Remus was stretched out over him, holding him tight as he slid in, slick with his own spit. They lay there, just like that, for a few short moments, Remus wanting to make sure that Sirius was really ready for him. And then, slowly, he began to move, his hands stroking Sirius' body as he thrust gently into his lover. Sirius arched into the touch of those hands, his hips thrusting in unconscious answer to Remus' movement. His own erection rubbed against his lover's belly as they moved together, trapped firmly between two flat, hard stomachs.

They didn't last very long. Both were young, and inexperienced. Sirius' orgasm was the first to hit; Remus gasped at the feeling of his lover's body clenching around him and kissed Sirius fiercely, hungrily, thrusting madly. He came a moment later, howling his release to the ceiling.

A long moment passed. They lay in each other's arms in silence for a moment, and then Remus pulled reluctantly out, swallowing Sirius' disappointed sigh with another kiss. "I love you," he whispered at length.

"Mmm. Love you too." Sirius smiled as Remus rolled off him and stretched out beside him. "Do you know how beautiful you are, Remus?"

Remus licked his lips and bit the lower one slightly. "Sirius..."

"Ssh. I mean it, Remus." Sirius propped himself up on one elbow next to his lover, trailing the pads of his finger gently down the line of Remus' chest. "So beautiful. Beautiful and strong and smart and graceful and perfect." He leaned over slightly, tracing the edge of Remus' jaw up to his ear with his tongue. "So perfect," he whispered into that ear. "And I love you so much."

Remus, it turned out, had a very interesting habit - when he blushed, he blushed everywhere. "Sirius," he muttered, beet-red, and turned over onto his side, leaning up against his lover's chest. "I love you too." He smiled, suddenly, and kissed Sirius on the hollow of his neck. "Happy birthday."

"Thank you, love." Sirius smiled, then blinked. "Hey...whatever happened to my presents?"

~The End

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