#the go-between

Books I would recommend for the summer! Not "beach reads" by any means (unless you're like me and read whatever the hell on the beach), but books that have summer vibes to me.

The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.

Sirius read the first line of the well-thumbed paperback that Remus had left open on the armchair when he'd gone to the kitchenette to make tea.

Remus was now in the doorway, a cup in each hand. Sirius could smell the coffee as he handed it over. Sweet, life-giving coffee. He'd never understand Remus' aversion to the stuff.

Remus caught the book still open in Sirius' hands as he sat back down. He regarded Sirius over his cup and asked, "Fancy giving it a go?"

Sirius gave a bark of laughter, handed the book back to Remus, and took a sip of coffee.

"You know I can't get on with that Muggle stuff."

Remus smiled a little and drank his tea.

But he knew he'd piqued Remus' interest. And Remus liked nothing more than talking about the books he loved.

"What's it about?" Sirius asked.

"Oh, you know... love...the loss of innocence. The bounds of class that constrain us. The power of memory to both conceal and reveal..."

"A cheery read then?" Sirius quipped.

Remus' eyes twinkled. Merlin, how he loved it when they did that.

Remus put down his cup and said, dryly, "Naturally."

Sirius thought for a moment. He put down his cup, turned to Remus, and began to recite from memory, "You flew too near to the sun, and you were scorched. This cindery creature is what you made me.'

Remus looked dumbfounded.

"You've read it."

Sirius smiled.

"Yes."

"When?"

"When you read it for the first time and kept going on about how amazing it was."

"That was years ago..."

"Yes," Sirius conceeded.

He was gratified to see a slight blush threaten Remus' cheeks.

"I didn't think you'd listen."