The rhythmic clatter of the Hogwarts Express moving along the tracks was a familiar, almost soothing sound as it cut through the chilly winter afternoon. The sky outside was a muted gray, the kind that only deepened the sense of stillness after a snowfall, with the faintest glow of the sun trying to break through the clouds.

Remus sat near the window, his hand resting against the cold glass as he watched the snow-covered landscape blur past. A blanket lay draped across his lap settled in after James had gone off to find Lily. Sirius had protested that he didn’t need it, but Remus had been insistent in that effortlessly charming way of his.

And now, Remus had to admit, it was nice. The blanket was warm, the cabin quiet, and though the air held a crisp chill, there was something comforting about the atmosphere. He could still smell the faint scent of pine from their time spent at his house over the holidays, mixing with the ever-present earthy scent that clung to Sirius—like leather and the outdoors. The two of them had spent nearly every moment together over Christmas, but now, as they headed back to Hogwarts, there was a different kind of peace between them.

Sirius lounged across from him, his legs stretched out lazily, one boot propped up against the seat next to Remus’ knee. His dark hair was messier than usual, falling into his eyes in that effortlessly rebellious way. He was fidgeting with a chocolate frog card he had swiped from the trolley earlier, his fingers idly spinning it.

“Bet you’re missing the quiet already, aren’t you, Mooney?” Sirius drawled, his voice low but filled with a familiar teasing. He huffed softly, but the corners of his mouth twitched up.

“I think your definition of ‘quiet’ differs from mine, Padfoot,” Remus replied, his voice light.

“Your family’s great, you know,” he said, his tone softer than usual. “I mean, they really are. Your mum—she’s—” Sirius paused, as though he couldn’t find the right words, but the was interrupted by the sound of the door.

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