I want to finish it. Really.

[kasche]

The beginning of the infamous third chapter- I'm a lot better at reading than writing, honestly. And I like it more. But I have to finish this damned chapter, and I'd like at least to try to do something passable. This is just a rough draft, though.. not betaed, not re-read, I guess so full of errors and italianism it'll be hard to read.
Anyway, any comment will be welcome. The nastier, the better- really, I work better that way. (Any positive comment'd be obviously welcome as well, mind you.)

***

"You could stop gaping at me, you know."

The deep, slightly hoarse voice broke the silence draped uneasily over the room. An inquisitive eyebrow raised, the mouth curved in a lopsided grin, and the dark haired man seemed to relax by degrees. He took few steps toward the table, before plopping down on a chair. Chair which creaked soundly. Remus winced in sympathy.

"'m tired." A grunt.

"Quite an understatement, I daresay, dear friend." Still the wry tone. "Probably you could use a good night sleep." Practical.

The grunt again. "Pity I hadn't done much more since when I came here, Remus."

A sigh, seriousness creeping toward the surface. "You've been here just two days. And besides, it's not like there's a lot more you can do at the moment. Nor can I, for that matter." Frustration underneath. A hand resumed leafing through the pages of an old, massive, dusty and -the other man was sure- quite dull tome. From his position, he could tell the cover was dark brown, but the sign on the spine stayed hidden. The golden redefinitions, on the other hand, were starting to be very, very interesting indeed..

"Padfoot, honestly. You're falling asleep on the chair. I somewhat think the bed is a lot more comfortable."

Abruptly Sirius shook his head, sitting up on his seat- when did he slide so forward, anyway?

"No, no, I'm not asleep. Say, did you hear anything from Hogwarts?"

Remus stared at his friend for a moment, before letting his gaze lower and replying. "An owl from Dumbledore, half an hour ago."

"Well?"

"Nothing worrisome happened, still. He claimed to be really busy, but he didn't bother to explain exactly which were the preparations he talked about.. But we guessed right."

"The Order?"

"Yes."

"But- where?"

"You know how he is, he didn't let out any detail. But if I read the subtext right, he's still searching. But Dumbledore did write he has 'some matters' to ask you about." A pointed look at Sirius. "Any guess?"

"Grimmauld Place."

"WHAT?" The reply had been so quick Remus thought he had misheard. It had to be this way. Last he checked, Sirius loathed that house with a passion. "Your..?"

"Yeah. Mine." Remus' eyes were still wide. Sirius felt compelled to clarify. "It was me who brought it up." He shrugged.

Remus got a strong feeling it probably was some kind of repayment, but he didn't voice his thoughts. "But.. why? I thought.. When??"

"Why? It seemed the right thing to do. The place is already unplottable, my father's spell weren't meant to weaken at least within a century. And yeah, you thought right, I hate the house.. but it'll be just the Headquarters, it's not like I'll have to stay there all the time. About the 'when'.. When what?"

"When did you tell him? Haven't you been traveling all this month?"

Sirius seemed to struggle for a moment. Then he looked at Remus and replied. "I met him at Vance's. Obviously he didn't tell what he was doing there. I just hope he doesn't have an affair with Emmeline."

Remus snickered. Sirius smirked briefly too, then he added "And obviously I didn't tell you anything."

The other man smiled, more softly this time. "Obviously."

A pause stretched between them. Sirius squirmed on his seat before asking Remus "So.. what are you reading?"

A resigned sigh. "Oh, please. Now don't pretend you want to know what this big, dull book I'm so engrossed in talks about. It didn't work at school, and you hadn't got any better.."

What was meant as a light remark made Sirius' face suddenly cloud. If Remus noticed he didn't give it away, but probably he did- he swallowed, looking for a brief moment nervous, before going on as if nothing happened. "Do you know if anyone else joined? There aren't-" many of us left. "We aren't this awful lot."

Sirius seemed uncertain whether be annoyed or relieved by the change of topic. He surely looked a mixture of both. Then he brightened.

"Do you remember Tonks?"

"Who- oh, your cousin..? Vaguely, yes.. the one with green hair, right..?"

He waved his hand dismissively. "You'd never think the bunch of things that can happen at Vance's." His eyes were twinkling, but his voice softened. "I'm glad she believed me. I'm not really that glad she joined us, but still.. Anyway, she'd already been told anything by the time I arrived there." Then his gaze traveled to Remus. "And I bet she'll be hitting on you as soon as she sees you."

"What are you talking about? Do I have to remind you you were his idol?"

"And evidently you were his type, if the looks she gave you were any indications."

"But I-- oh, hell."

Sirius ignored the sudden pang in his chest, in favour of the laugh born of his friend's visible distress.

"Shut up, Padfoot." Remus muttered. He plunged on. "As if I could go after her. I may not be twice her age, but.."

Sirius pointed his finger at the other man. "The question is.. is there any other woman who stole our dear's heart?" He wasn't sure if he would have liked the answer, but he just had to know.

"My, my, my. Curious, are we?" Remus crooked an eyebrow, looking at Sirius' face for some mischievous smirk. Which was absent. He felt suddenly nervous.

***

It's long, and it is just the beginning. Whee, that's not a great thing. Every other time it meant I kept going round the questions. There's even more, but I don't have the time to copy it now, maybe later today.
Anyway, I tried not to explain every move and every word.. I thought it was clear enough. Let me know.. please.. ^^"

(I have a doubt- Does Remus call the headmaster "Dumbledore" or "Albus"? Yes, yes, I know, stupid question.)

And I don't have still the slightest idea how to end it. How to end them, actually. Bah.