r u n . l i k e . a . r i v e r

Run Like a River
[by victoria p.]

Rating: G

Summary: "It had been too many years since they'd run together."

Notes: Thanks to Jen, Pete/Melissa, Dot, and Meg. Written (in 13 minutes!) for 15minuteficlets based on this picture. Title from "One Tree Hill" by u2.

Date: December 9, 2003

The moon shining through the clouds cast an eerie light.

Padfoot waited, and the wolf -- Remus, he thought, thanks to the Wolfsbane potion -- joined him.

It had been too many years since they'd run together, and now Remus would be able to remember it. The night breeze ruffled their fur and the urge to run and never come back sang in his veins.

The wolf pounced on him and they rolled, barking and howling in canine laughter, packmates reunited. They ran through the night, through the forest, all thought of Voldemort and the Order and Sirius's status as a wanted man left behind, two wild things untrammeled, carried forward by the primal joy of earth under padded feet, the scent of warm dirt, green leaves and summer streams swollen from the spring rain.

The moon was low in the sky when they turned toward home, pace slowed by the knowledge that the night was coming to a close.

Remus led him to a meadow near the house, hidden by the trees, lit by fairy lights, unafraid of the wolf and dog invading their territory. They curled up together on the cool grass, damp fur and warm breath the only cover they required, and slept.

Padfoot woke when he felt the wolf begin to change. Fluidly returning to human form, he watched bleakly as Remus's body broke and reformed, the crack and pop of bones sending cold chills down his spine. Remus bore it stoically, his grunts and whimpers a far cry from the screams Sirius remembered from their youth.

Gently, he wrapped his robe around Remus's nude body, and cradled him in his arms.

Remus gave him a wan smile, eyes already fluttering closed.

"That was amazing," he whispered.

"Yeah," Sirius said, swallowing hard past the lump in his throat, the ache in his chest. He and James had always taken the thrill of full moon nights for granted; for Remus that had never before been an option. He promised himself they would run like this every moon, and swore an oath on the lingering stars.

He stayed awake, and as the sky lightened, he watched Remus sleep.

end

~*~

Back to Harry Potter Stories Index

Back to Main Stories Index

~*~

Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters belong JK Rowling and Scholastic, etc. This piece of fan-written fiction intends no infringement on any copyrights.