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Can anybody find me somebody to love?

30 Days

Sirius accepted the incoming FaceTime call from James, knowing the longer he ignored him the more persistent and unpleasant his attempts to reach him would become. If James Fleamont Potter called, he expected an answer – regardless of convenience for the other party. 

“James, you do realize it’s the middle of the night for me, right?” 

Sirius was on a business trip in Tokyo at the request of his younger brother since his mastery of Japanese was far superior. So Sirius boarded a flight to Japan, leaving the Paris branch of his and Regulus’ business under temporary long-distance management, and sealed the business deal part way around the world. James was never one to consider such trivial things as time zones when he phoned Sirius from his home in London, no matter if it was a one hour or eight hour time difference.

“I did, actually, so I knew you wouldn’t be in a meeting!”

“How considerate of you,” he grumbled, ready to hang up the moment he deemed the conversation unworthy of the late (early?) hour.

“I’m calling to discuss the wedding, you know, the one you’re best man for that’s in exactly 30 days?” James sounded a bit anxious so Sirius sat up and tried his best to concentrate, but 3:48 am was not an ideal time for that.

“Okay James, lay it on me.” 

Sirius spent the next two hours listening to his best friend and chosen brother rant about how nervous he was to be marrying such a wonderful woman, and “oh Sirius what if I muck it up?”, calming him down and all the while thinking I wish I had someone I cared this much about.  

Little did he know that back in the UK, his fiance Lily was on the phone with her best friend doing the same thing.

~-~-~-~

“Remus, he worships the ground I walk on, what if I disappoint him?”

“Lils, he’s loved you since he met you, I don’t think anything is changing anytime soon.”

“But it could! Maybe not soon, but in the future!”

Remus put his phone to his shoulder and took a deep breath. Even though he tried to muffle his exasperation, he had a feeling Lily could sense it in London from where he was in their hometown in Wales. 

“It’s not going to happen. You’ll have a beautiful marriage and work through any and all bumps that come along and live happily ever after. If anyone can do it, you two can.”

Remus tried his best not to sound bitter – he was happy for his best friend, really, but he couldn’t help thinking I wish I had someone I cared this much about.  

Ooh, each morning I get up I die a little

Can barely stand on my feet

(Take a look at yourself) Take a look in the mirror and cry (and cry)

Lord, what you're doing to me (yeah yeah)

I have spent all my years in believing you

But I just can't get no relief, Lord!

7 Days

Sirius was at the Charles de Gaulle airport people-watching while he waited for his turn at the desk to check his luggage and receive his boarding pass. It was his favorite pastime when he had to kill time while traveling and it always made being around strangers more bearable if he made up ridiculous backstories and scenarios for them in his head. 

His mind was betraying him today, however, as he was only able to see happy couples in love. It shouldn’t surprise him – Paris was the city of love after all – and romance was probably on his mind since he was flying back to London for his best friend’s wedding. 

He was happy for the couples, and for his friends, but was not looking forward to seeing so many couples in love at the wedding while he remained single. Even his baby brother had someone now! He was tired of waking up alone, cooking and eating alone, shopping alone, watching movies alone, and going to bed alone. He never thought much about it before since he was used to being alone in France, but his alone-ness was turning into loneliness and he wasn’t a fan.

James seemed to think that Mr. Right would show up at the most unexpected and romantic time, but Sirius had his doubts. He didn’t do anything remotely romantic, regardless of his current temporary residence in the city of love. He was looking forward to moving back to London to be closer to his friends now that a permanent manager was hired for the Paris branch of their business.

Somebody (somebody) ooh somebody (somebody)

Can anybody find me somebody to love?

5 Days

“Where the bloody hell is Remus?” 

Mary, Alice, and Lily were waiting outside the bridal shop looking up and down the street for a tall, lanky man who was nearly ten minutes late for their final fitting and subsequent bridal party outing. He graciously volunteered to be designated driver for the evening with the understanding that he was going all-out at the wedding after his mandatory toast. 

“He’ll be here soon. He’d better be, or I’ll rip his bollocks off and–” Lily was cut off mid-threat when Mary and Alice started jumping up and down, waving their arms in the air.

“There he is!!” Alice squealed. Lily craned her neck to see Remus making his way down the sidewalk, a look of murderous intent evident as he was stuck behind a gaggle of slow walkers. When he saw the ladies waiting outside for him, he broke out into a bright smile that quickly crumpled to a look of immense guilt at being late.

“I know, I know! I’m late! I’m so sorry, I forget how dreadful London traffic is every time. First round is on me as an apology?”

His offer of free drinks paired with his “adorable and irresistible sad face”, as Lily called it, washed away their anger. He shepherded them into the shop and they all tried on their dresses and suit for the wedding for last-minute checks before having them set aside for James and the groom’s party to pick up and take home after their final fitting later that day.

~-~-~-~

Sirius checked the garment bags for a third time, ensuring he had all the right outfits for the wedding party to take with him. James was in Frank’s car on their way to the Potter estate while Pete and Sirius took the dresses and suits in Pete’s car, ensuring James came nowhere near Lily’s dress. He looked over the names again, wondering again why this “Remus Lupin” wasn’t a groomsman even if he was Lily’s childhood best friend. He shrugged and carefully rolled the rack to the car and began transferring the garments to the back seat, laying Lily’s gown on top. 

I wonder what he’s like? Lily talks about him all the time, I thought I’d finally get to meet him at James’ stag night but apparently the “man of honor” was at the hen party. I suppose I’ll meet him eventually if he’s in the wedding party.  

He was brought out of his head when someone from the shop took the cart from him and Pete shut the door, calling for Sirius to get in the car.

I work hard (he works hard) every day of my life

I work 'til I ache in my bones

At the end (at the end of the day)

I take home my hard earned pay all on my own

I get down (down) on my knees (knees)

And I start to pray

'Til the tears run down from my eyes

4 Days

Remus and Lily were at her and James’ flat making last-minute changes to the seating chart and rearranging the mini tags she made around the tables, trying to create a seating plan that minimized potential drama. 

“Why did my sister have to respond so late! It’s super tacky but I can’t just not let Tuney come, even if I hate her husband.”

Remus took a step back from the board to get a look at the big picture.

“Why don’t you scrap the seating chart? Let them figure it out themselves? They’re all grown adults.”

Lily froze, arm halfway to the board to place Petunia and Vernon at a random table. “Rem, that’s genius. Then I won’t have to go get this blasted thing printed!” She stood on her tip-toes to kiss him on the cheek and promptly ripped all the tags off the chart.

“We just throw a ‘Reserved for Wedding Party’ sign on the head table and leave the rest to fend for themselves,” Remus added as he helped Lily fold the large poster board into a more manageable size and throw it away.

“Wow, this is so great, I feel so much lighter already!”

“Good, that makes one of us. I still need to finish my toast,” Remus sank onto the couch and thought about what he had already written. He was beyond touched that Lily wanted to make him the “man of honor” and took his job seriously, but planning the bridal shower and hen night from his small cottage in Wales put his life into perspective. His best – and only – friend lived hours away and if he wasn’t teaching he was doing research for a book he was writing. He didn’t have a social life whatsoever. When his department offered him a position as a guest lecturer and researcher at King’s College in the fall he jumped at the opportunity, hoping that being around Lily and her friends would help him remember how to socialize. 

Lord, somebody (somebody), ooh somebody

(Please) can anybody find me somebody to love?

3 Days

The groomsmen were busy arranging tables in the August heat under the watchful eye of Euphemia Potter. The couple opted to have the ceremony and reception at the Potter estate instead of paying for a London venue, and James’ parents were over the moon about it. 

“Mate, you know I love you, but do we have to do all this ourselves?” Sirius collapsed onto the table that he and Pete just moved into place as James and Frank walked by with theirs. It wasn’t a huge wedding, but it wasn’t a tiny backyard affair either. 

“We don’t all have more money than we know what to do with,” James shot back with a smile, knowing full well they both came from wealthy families and that the couple could have afforded London prices, but James was adamant about avoiding wasteful expenditures.

“Besides,” James continued, joining the others in the shade, “doing it ourselves gives us time to gossip!”

“You’re as bad as Alice,” Frank muttered, but didn’t put a stop to anything.

“So, my dear Sirius, why is it that we received an RSVP without a ‘plus one’ checked on your invitation?” Pete and Frank leaned in with wide eyes, unaware this was the case, and James shot him a sly grin. He knew this tidbit was too good for the lads to pass up.

“Because, brother mine, I don’t have anyone to bring.”

“Bollocks, you could bring anyone!” Pete sprawled out on the grass with Sirius-level dramatics and Sirius joined him, finding it easier to talk to the sky than his friends.

“I don’t want to bring just anyone, weddings are special. I don’t want to ruin the day with some random bloke in pictures, I want it to mean something.”

They were all quiet – there was no witty remark to counter such honesty.

~-~-~-~

Lily, Alice, Mary, and Remus were at a salon getting pampered before the wedding. Massages, nails, facials – the works. Remus was convinced (bullied) to get his nails done as well, so the four were sitting in a row and chatting. During a lull in conversation, Lily leaned back and asked a vitally important question.

“Remmy, why aren’t you bringing a guest?”

The other two whipped their heads around, surprised he wasn’t bringing a guest. Even the nail technicians looked at him, waiting for his answer.

“Erm, I don’t really have anyone I’m seeing right now and I was more focused on helping Lily plan? I didn’t want a guest to get in the way.” He knew it was a pathetic answer, but it was the truth. All eyes softened in sympathy as they sensed his honesty.

“You’re never seeing anyone though, why not?” Alice was the biggest gossip of the group, Lily a close second.

“Because I don’t have time? And my idea of a night out involves literary men, not real ones. Between teaching, grading, planning, writing, and research, any time I have for myself is used to relax and sleep or do chores.”

Everyday (everyday) I try and I try and I try

But everybody wants to put me down

They say I'm going crazy

They say I got a lot of water in my brain

Ah, got no common sense

I got nobody left to believe in

Yeah yeah yeah yeah

2 Days

Remus was lying in his bed, thinking about what Lily had said yesterday at the salon and how painfully true his answer was. He’d had relationships in the past, but none ever lasted that long. Standard excuses of “we grew apart” or “you’re always busy” were common, and after he was asked “Have you considered plastic surgery for your scars?” he swore off dating for the foreseeable future. Lily was the only one who he let get close and he was working on expanding his circle of friends. Moving to London would certainly help: nobody really knew him here, and he could have a fresh start. Some of the faculty at King’s College seemed great and Lily promised (threatened) to get him out of the house to socialize regularly. She assured him that he’d fit right in with her circle of friends and, based on his interactions with Alice and Mary, he was inclined to agree. He briefly met Frank and Peter when they picked Alice and Mary up and conversation was easy between them all. The only person he still hadn’t met was Sirius, James’ best friend and chosen brother and best man at the wedding. They had been in group chats and email chains with vendors but never interacted with each other in person or one-on-one. 

I wonder what he’s like. I’ve heard James talk about him but it seems far-fetched that one person can be a businessman while also being “punk-rock”, whatever that means. I suppose I’ll find out at the wedding.

Oh, Lord

Ooh somebody, ooh somebody

Can anybody find me somebody to love?

(Can anybody find me someone to love)

1 Day

The wedding was in less than 24 hours and both James and Lily were coping very differently.

James and Sirius were at the Potter estate in their childhood bedrooms playing video games and eating junk food with Peter and Frank. Sirius thought the best way to combat pre-wedding jitters was to have an old-fashioned sleepover with the lads and his hunch proved correct. Any time James started to spiral or panic, one of the three men was right there to calm him down and avert a full-blown crisis. It also doubled as a way to keep the soon-to-be-married couple away from each other so the first time James would see Lily on their wedding day would be her walking down the aisle. Sirius thought it was soppy, but Lily and Remus insisted it was romantic so James naturally agreed.

“I can’t believe you use Princess Peach as your main,” Pete grumbled as Sirius won yet another round of Super Smash Brothers. “It seems like cheating that she can literally fly.”

“If you don’t like it, pick her before I do. Not my fault you can’t hit me with Bayonetta’s Smashes if I’m in the air.”

“I think it makes perfect sense because he’s really a princess at heart,” Frank added, batting his eyes at Sirius while Pete choked on his drink. 

“Just because I have better hair and fashion sense doesn’t make me a princess!” Sirius rose and put his hands on his hips, giving the other three a haughty look that only solidified Frank’s observation. They burst into laughter and Sirius threw his hands in the air as he stalked into the kitchen to make more popcorn. The things I go through for Jamie, honestly.

~-~-~-~

Lily and Remus were propped up on a mountain of pillows on Remus’ large bed. They were passing a bottle of their favorite wine back and forth, not bothering with a glass, and watching rom coms. When Remus agreed to host Lily the night before her wedding so she and James wouldn’t see each other until the ceremony, he didn’t anticipate having to play therapist as well. He thought James would be the one freaking out, but apparently the groomsmen were having a “sleepover” and he was thoroughly distracted. Lily, on the other hand, refused a slumber party and insisted she get an early night and not drink to avoid a possible hangover. That plan was swiftly abandoned once she suddenly burst into tears watching the sad part of a movie. 

“Lils, I promise it’ll be fine. James has loved you since he met you and nothing is going to change that.”

She sniffled and took a long swig from the bottle before passing it to Remus. The bottle was considerably lighter than when he had it last and he decided to put it on the nightstand to prevent a hangover.

“But what if his family hates me?” 

Most of James’ extended family lived in India, meaning she hadn’t gotten the chance to meet the majority of his cousins and other relatives. The wedding would be the first time she met all of his family together and she was nervous as hell. She hid it well from James, but Remus knew her better than he knew himself and could see the anxiety beneath the surface.

“His parents love you, and every family member you have met loves you, so I think you’re safe. And what does it matter if distant relatives who don’t live on the same continent don’t like you? It’s not like you’ll see them at every holiday or birthday party.”

Lily chuckled at that, knowing Remus was right. He prided himself on his sense of logic in emotional situations no matter how infuriating she sometimes found it.

“One day you’ll meet someone and you’ll be agonizing over their family’s approval. Just you wait.”

“If I do find someone, he, she, or they will know better than to put me in a situation like you’re in. And that’s a big fat if.” Remus picked up the wine and took his own swig, finishing the bottle. “We need to get some sleep, you’ll hate me if you have circles under your eyes on your wedding day.”

Lily grumbled but snuggled her way under the blankets as Remus turned off the lights. It wasn’t the first time they shared a bed, but it was likely going to be the last. Remus tried not to think too hard about that as he drifted off to sleep.

Got no feel, I got no rhythm

I just keep losing my beat (you just keep losing and losing)

I'm OK, I'm alright (he's alright, he's alright)

I ain't gonna face no defeat (yeah yeah)

I just gotta get out of this prison cell

One day (someday) I'm gonna be free, Lord!

Wedding Day: Pre-Ceremony

Sirius lingered in the doorway watching the Potter family slowly fill the rooms of the large estate and reunite with those they haven’t seen in a while. With a majority of James’ family still living in India, James rarely saw some of his relatives. You’d never know it to see them, however, as everyone greeted each other in a way that felt simultaneously like they saw each other only yesterday and also years ago. There was easy familiarity and jokes shared among the older family members while younger family members remarked on how big children grew or how well they were doing in school or in their careers. Sirius felt distinctly out of place.

He knew he was welcome, and every time James or his parents brought him into conversation he was received with open arms, but he had never experienced family gatherings so full of love and warmth. This chosen family was so fundamentally different from his biological one that Sirius debated whether his biological family could be called a “family” at all. It was more a collection of people who resembled each other trying to outdo everyone else, constant one-upmanship and sibling rivalries preventing happiness and love from taking root.

Sirius would forever be grateful for the Potters taking him, and later his brother, into their home and showing them what love was. Maybe I can’t find romantic love because I never learned what it looked like. How would I know it if I came across it? Would I even recognize it?

Find me somebody to love

Find me somebody to love

Find me somebody to love

Find me somebody to love love love

Wedding Day: Ceremony

Everything had finally come together and it was more beautiful and romantic than anyone could have imagined. Lily was radiant in her dress, James managed to not cry during his vows, and the smiles on James and Lily’s faces outshone even the sun. All in all, it was perfect.

Sirius thought the wedding party also looked perfect. Specifically the tall, handsome man of honor with his hazel eyes and soft curls in his perfectly fitted suit. 

Somebody somebody somebody somebody

Somebody find me

Somebody find me somebody to love

Can anybody find me 

Somebody to love?

Wedding Day: Post-Ceremony

After the ceremony came pictures. So, so many pictures. The photographers were constantly moving the wedding party around, instructing them how to pose and where to look, and taking pictures with different combinations of friends and family members. Whenever Sirius wasn’t being photographed, he was watching the man of honor, Remus, with his bright smile and infectious laugh. Sometimes they met each other’s gaze across the group and Sirius felt an electric current shoot up his spine each and every time. There was no opportunity for him to speak to Remus, however, because their respective duties kept them busy. 

~-~-~-~

Remus could feel Sirius’ eyes on him while the photographers took endless pictures, could feel his eyes on him while James and Lily made their rounds and he coordinated the announcement to transition to dinner with the DJ as Sirius consulted that the food was ready to be served. Any time he caught Sirius’ eyes he experienced a feeling so intense that he couldn’t name and never felt before. He was inexplicably drawn to this man and his stunning grey eyes. It wasn’t until dinner that they finally each had a moment to breathe, even separated at the head table by the newlyweds, Remus could feel Sirius’ eyes straying to him as often as his own gaze drifted to Sirius himself.

(Find me somebody to love)

Ooh

(Find me somebody to love)

Find me somebody, somebody (find me somebody to love) somebody, somebody to love

Find me, find me, find me, find me, find me

Wedding Day: Reception

After the toasts and dinner and cake cutting and special dances were finally over, Sirius could relax and enjoy the party. The music was a mix of all different genres and decades picked by the wedding party with song requests from the guests. Sirius didn’t know what would play next and where the music would take him as he danced with his friends. He managed to drag Regulus onto the dance floor as he twirled around his girlfriend and Sirius did the same with Euphemia. Both men were well-practiced in ballroom dancing and cleared a spot on the dance floor as other guests swayed and watched the two pairs grace the dance floor. 

As ABBA’s Dancing Queen came to a close, Sirius made his way to the bar for another whiskey sour and nearly froze as he saw Remus leaning on the bar, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and sipping what looked to be a gin and tonic. He tried to subtly fix his hair as he approached with an air of nonchalance to conceal the nervous energy hidden inside.

“Remus?” he asked, instantly regretting his unremarkable opening.

Remus turned to face Sirius head-on for the first time and he finally got to appreciate his subtle beauty in its entirety. He was faintly flushed, likely from a combination of alcohol and dancing. He had discarded his suit jacket but his well-tailored pants hugged him in all the right places and his rolled-up sleeves showcased his strong arms that were laced with scars. A matching scar cut through his brow, narrowly missing his eye, but did nothing to detract from his beauty – if anything, it highlighted it. It took a moment to realize Remus said something in return.

“I’m sorry, could you repeat that?”

He chuckled and downed the last of his drink, moving closer to Sirius.

“I said, ‘yes, that’d be me’.” The little smirk Remus wore nearly stopped Sirius’ heart as he looked up into Remus’ hazel eyes.

“Oh,” was all he could manage in response. He received his drink and took a long sip, turning to Remus as an upbeat song came on and asked “Would you care for a dance?”

His smile nearly blinded Sirius as he nodded in assent, and he wasted no time in dragging Remus to the dance floor, trying to ignore the electric feeling where their hands met. They danced and danced, hardly noticing the rest of the guests. One song faded into another until a slow song came on. Both men stilled, unsure what to do next. Sirius made the decision for them as he held out his hand, eyebrow raised, silently asking for a dance.

~-~-~-~

Remus froze, staring at Sirius’ outstretched hand, for about two seconds before he pushed his logic aside and followed his heart. He took Sirius’ hand as Freddie sang about searching for love to brighten his lonely life. Remus felt the music in his core as Sirius led him in a graceful dance where he somehow managed to not step on his feet. The overwhelming feeling that was building between them all night seemed to reach its peak as they moved together, holding one another closer than necessary for two near-strangers sharing a dance. Remus knew he had never felt this kind of connection with anyone before, and he had a feeling Sirius felt the same way. He was happy that the song was so long, giving them an excuse to be close for nearly five minutes. As the song came to an end, Remus once again let his heart guide his actions and leaned down, still holding the other man close.

“You’re awfully good at this whole dancing thing, I think I could learn a thing or two from you if you’d like to teach me next weekend, possibly after a nice dinner?”

Sirius’ head snapped up to look him in the eyes once again, and the electric feeling shot through him once again. 

A wide grin spread across Sirius’ face as he responded, “I’d love to.”

~-~-~-~

James and Lily swayed together in the center of the room, relishing the peace the slow song brought. James looked out over the dance floor and his eyebrows rose in surprise, a slow smile growing on his face.

“Lils, look over there,” he whispered as he turned them so his wife could see his best man and her man of honor dancing together, lost in each other, oblivious to the world around them.

“Oh my god, they’re so perfect together! How have they never met before now?”

“No clue, but I have a feeling they’ll be seeing a lot more of each other now, especially since they’re both moving to London soon.”

“This couldn’t have worked out any better. They each needed someone in their lives.”

James twirled and dipped Lily and they both laughed as he drew her up into a hug. “They both needed someone to love.”

Find me, find me, find me somebody to love (find me somebody to love)

Anybody, anywhere, anybody find me somebody to love love love!

Somebody find me, find me love