It isn't an unexpected piece of news, but neither is it particularly welcome. Quite the opposite, in fact. And perhaps it isn't fair of Minerva to be hurrying down to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom so soon after reading Professor Lupin's painfully polite letter of resignation. He's already made up his mind, it seems, and it can't have been an easy decision, but here she is anyway, knocking briskly at his office door and stepping inside.
Half the office is already packed, he's wasted no time, and all her arguments in favor of his overturning the resignation and changing his mind unravel at the sight. She asks anyway. "Are you certain?"
Remus is well-practiced at packing quickly. He'd hoped to leave before any well-meaning persons could try and stop him, but-- some confrontations are inevitable.
He inclines his head in a nod at the question, the tired, resigned smile not reaching his eyes. "Completely. I know that Dumbledore would fight for me to remain, just as I know that my doing so would cause some parents to remove their children from the school. I will not allow that to happen."
He wants to stay, but... it doesn't matter what he wants.
"Besides that, the fact remains that I did put students at risk. I made a careless mistake that could easily have cost lives." Or ruin them, as the case may be.
She wants to protest, but as a friend. As a teacher, she knows he's right, which only makes this worse. She takes a few steps into the room, and from the way she's glancing around she'd like to help him pack, at the very least, but she also doesn't want to interfere. She ends up with her hands folded in front of her, feeling more formal than she'd like to. Her memories of Remus Lupin as an uncertain sixth year asking her for career advice are still so vivid, it's difficult to believe his career as a professor can be over already.
"You will be very much missed, Remus," she says after a few moments. "You're very good with the students. They will miss you as well. And not only Harry and his friends, I think. You were a favorite this year."
Fortunately packing requires very little attention when you have magic. It's been nice, having his old head of house as a colleague and friend. He can still remember that career advice meeting all those years ago, him haltingly asking her what sort of job someone like him could even have.
To tell the truth, he hadn't expected to last past the end of the year, he knew the jinx on the position. He hadn't turned down the job because he'd wanted to protect Harry, he'd wanted to feel useful... and he hadn't imagined it would end the way it did, with his lifelong secret blasted in the Prophet.
His smile gets a little more genuine. "I'll miss it all too, Minerva. Even the troublemakers." Let's be honest, especially the troublemakers. "I hope I've made a good enough impression on most of them that they'll think twice about their preconceptions. That will be my last lesson to them." He has no doubt that some of the students that had adored him would want nothing to do with him now, but-- not all of them, hopefully. "I'll be in touch. I'd be grateful to hear how Neville Longbottom in particular progresses, he just needs more confidence in himself and he'll really come into his own, I think." When he's up for it, he might make a stop by St. Mungo's, tell Alice and Frank how their boy is doing...
The little skeptical twitch of one eyebrow suggests she knows just how much he enjoys watching the troublemakers go about their business at Hogwarts. Certainly of the professors who actively engage in foiling them, Remus Lupin has never been among their numbers. She's been watching.
"You've made more difference than you know, I think," she says gently, "not only among the students but among the staff as well." He'd settled in so quickly and so well, she knows at least a few of the professors will be surprised and disappointed to find the position vacated by him next year. But the mention of Neville makes her sigh. "That poor boy. I do what I can, but there are so many to look after." Another reason she'll regret losing Remus. She'd been able to trust him to look after them too.
He may not have actively foiled them, no, but when he'd happened across any mischief, he'd acted appropriately. If punishments were handed over with a "don't let me catch you doing this again" and a wink, well, that was another thing.
Well, he'd argue that the professors may not be surprised the position's been vacated, given it's history for the past fifty years or so, but he'd give her disappointed. Ahh, except Severus. That one would be positively gleeful, he was sure. As gleeful as the man gets, anyway. "Thank you, Minerva. That's kind of you to say." Harry will be easier to keep in touch with, if the boy wants, but for the rest of his students, it feels like a bit of an overreach. "I know you do all you can, you always have. The whole place would fall apart without you. He has the skills and the potential, he just doesn't know it yet. Too much pressure from home, I suspect."
He'd be fine continuing on this subject, deftly avoiding the more pressing issues facing him. He's been able to put some money away for the first time in over a decade, and that will certainly help, but it'll run out eventually, and probably quicker than he hopes. And his status as a werewolf being known publicly will certainly make the job search that much more difficult. In a way, though, it's almost a relief. He'll know right off if a job will be willing to accommodate, and if he finds one that will, he'll actually be able to stick with it. No more hiding. That option has been taken from him.
[Sirius still hasn't told him about such memories, but it doesn't take much for Remus to guess at them. Moreover, he's seen how it's impacted Sirius' already fractured well-being. He's not even fully recovered from Azkaban and now he's trapped in a different sort of prison. And there's nothing either of them can really do to change that.]
After I've recovered from the next full moon, I suspect.
[He'd never admit it, but those times when Remus is away are those when he struggles most. Particularly in terms of the bottle. Sirius has always found something grounding in the werewolf's presence, even more so now that he and Harry are all that Sirius has left. All that he loves.
It dawns on him that he may not be alone in that regard; that Remus had meant it when he said Harry wasn't the only one who needed him. Perhaps he can be useful, after all.]
The Wolfsbane potion... I know it changes the way you transform, that you don't need watching over, but I'd like to stay with you, next time.
[Were it anyone else, Remus would have refused outright. But Sirius has already seen him, already spent innumerable full moons with him, and that was before the Wolfsbane. Remus more than trusts him with those nights.
The company would probably do them both good.] I think I'd like that as well, actually. I must ask you to remain as Padfoot the entire time, though, just as a precautionary measure.
[Not that he doesn't trust Severus' brewing skills, or thinks he'll sabotage it on purpose. No, he trusts it will be made as precisely as it has been every month before. He just prefers to not tempt fate overly much.]
[Honestly, he'd half expected Remus to try and talk him out of it. He and the other Marauders had gone through the entire, month-long process of becoming Animagi in complete secrecy; not only because it was, well, completely illegal, but Sirius had known Remus would never have allowed them to risk something so dangerous on his behalf. Some things never changed.
He almost shrugs it off. Instead, Sirius offers a half-smile.]
Of course. That won't be hard. ... I spend most nights as Padfoot these days.
[It's why he hates to ask, he knows Sirius relies overly much on being Padfoot to avoid his more human problems. But he'd rather Sirius do something he was already going to do anyway than risk stirring up his wolf with prey so nearby, even with the wolfsbane containing it.
He's spent too many damn full moons entirely alone. Having Padfoot with him again, even if it's not necessary to keep him from hurting himself, is too tempting. Again he's struck with decades-old gratitude at his friends' decision to put themselves in danger just so he wouldn't have to be alone on his worst nights.
He'll just have to find other ways to get Sirius to spend other nights as himself.] It's very different, with the wolfsbane. I usually just try to sleep through it. [He never can, but... he tries.]
[Remus is right in thinking he would do it anyway. Transforming is an easy form of escape and he knows it. Unworthy of a Gryffindor, perhaps, and probably unhealthy, but Sirius will take it until such a time when remaining human at night seems like a better prospect. If Remus wants to help with that, he's more than welcome to do so.
He watches the other man, listening intently. Once, he may have been foolhardy enough to coax a werewolf into roaming the grounds of a school at night, but Sirius knows that, in this house, they'll be bound to stay put. Other members of the Order will be milling around, for one thing. For another, he cares for Remus far too deeply to ever betray his trust again.]
Hardly as exciting as a jaunt around the Forbidden Forest, but I dare say I can manage it. [A wry smile, then. It seems his eyes have regained a little of their light.]
[ it's been a couple of years since hogwarts, but it's not like he doesn't recognize teddy's dad when he sees him. for one thing, louis had spent the last three years of hogwarts trying very earnestly to make the older man blush-- for another, teddy and remus often spend holidays with the potters (and therefore with the weasleys). louis hasn't been home for holidays for.. a while now, though, largely because he just keeps too busy. his school is in france, so he spends more time lately with his mother's family.
still, he'd taken some time off this summer, which is how he'd wound up in a club in london, grinding on some nameless bloke that can't believe his luck, while the guy's girlfriend practically humps his thigh, moaning in his ear as he gets a hand around to grab her ass.
and that's where he is when he glances through the crowd and notices the quiet, extremely out of place werewolf he's been half in love with since he was eleven. goddamnit, he's going to fucking kill whoever dragged remus into a place like this. the man certainly isn't pure or anything (he'd been a marauder, for merlin's sake, and he'd been married, and he has a son), but this is definitely not his scene, and he's doubtless at an age now where being out this late in this kind of crowd is exhausting.
he extricates himself from the horny couple with a charming smile and a kiss for each of them, then eases his way gracefully through the throng of people, fuming silently (and maybe a little grateful to see the man, especially outside the context of a family gathering). he sidesteps the last person between them, a long-fingered hand brushing remus's elbow to alert him as he steps around him with a smile that practically oozes sensuality. in sleek dark clothes like he is, his pale skin and hair practically glow under the lights. ]
Salut, Professor, [ he greets over the thump of the music, and slides a hand around to the small of the older man's back, proprietary and a little protective. ] Who dragged you out to someplace like this, ah? It doesn't seem like your scene.
[Honestly, Remus would never have come here on his own. Even if he were dressed for it, and he's sure he would only look foolish if he'd tried to, it's just too much. Too loud, too crowded, too hot-- he's just too old. He doesn't even recognize the names of most of the drinks at the bar. But Sirius had been insistent they "have some bloody fun for once, Moony, before we're in rocking chairs", and it wasn't long after they'd arrived that he'd lost him in the crowd.
He'd actually been gearing up to leave, Sirius could find his own damn way home for once, when a hand at his elbow stopped him. It's been peaceful long enough that it doesn't make him reach for his wand, fortunately, and perhaps it's not at all surprising to see Louis here.
Merlin, but he feels intensely guilty for a million different reasons even thinking about how gorgeous the young man looks. A place like this suits him, he's meant to be here. Remus is decidedly not.
It's a bit amusing to him, that protective hand at his back. He's survived far worse than too-loud music and-- whatever sort of dancing is going on out there. He smiles, leaning in close so he doesn't have to shout over the music.] Louis! I didn't know you were back in the country. [He shrugs a little helplessly.] Sirius talked me into it. He's-- out there somewhere, dancing, I assume.
[ louis' own smile widens faintly at the sight of the older man's, blue eyes nearly luminous beneath the dip of his lashes as he gives remus a blatant once-over. he likes to think this was a little fateful, maybe, seeing the other man in a place like this.. more for the chance for remus to finally see him as something other than a former student. louis is in his element here, after all. ]
I'm here for a few weeks. I took a break from work. [ there are already new eyes on him, the way eyes have been on he and his sisters their entire lives. he can feel them on his back, aware as he's always been, and it gives him excuse enough to want to leave, taking remus with him. ] The attention is fine there, since it means better tips, but here? [ he rolls his eyes dramatically, making a dismissive gesture with his other hand.
a beat, then he jerks his chin toward the entrance, brows lifting questioningly. ] I was about to take off, if you'd like to join me. I'd like to know how you've been. [ no mention of teddy on purpose-- he doesn't want to give remus another reminder of just how many years there are between them. ]
[He remembers all too well Louis' constant flirting, even when he'd still been a student. Remus had chalked it up to youthful testing of boundaries, and an amusement from flustering adults, but the person looking him up and down now is a young man, who's in complete control of the power his Veela blood gives him.
Well, catching up with him does give Remus the perfect excuse to give to Sirius later, if the man ever even notices he's left. He nods.] That would be lovely. Let's go, then, I can barely hear over the music.
[They make their way through the crowd towards the entrance, Remus taking notice of the way Louis turns heads. He catches more than a few jealous looks thrown his way, and that's-- amusing, really. They must make quite a picture, being such an unmatched pair.
Soon enough they're out in the relative quiet of the street, Remus shaking off the lingering pounding in his ears. He smiles wanely at Louis.] I don't know why I still let him talk me into these things. [That's a lie; he allows it purely for Sirius' benefit, indulgent as ever to his friend.]
he should have told him not to try apparating good lord
Remus rushes over to the younger man, checking him for any splinching. None. Thank Merlin. It's too late at night to deal with a trip to St. Mungo's.]
Bill, what are you thinking? You shouldn't be apparating like this. [He hauls the man up by his arms. Looks like instinctive magic kicked in to keep him from getting anything more than a few scrapes, at least.]
[ Bill's dizzy. There's a minute where he's bodily hauled upright, and his head spins. He takes a long moment to blink until the spinning stops, and then a loose grin spreads across his face. ]
[He presses his lips into a firm line so he doesn't laugh. He shouldn't be laughing. Bill is acting very irresponsibly.]
Yes, I'd caught that. I don't have any vodka to give you, but how about some water?
[If Bill's a bit wobbly on his feet, that's fine. Remus is stronger than he looks, he can keep him upright as they head into the small house.
Remus casts a non-verbal silencing charm on Teddy's bedroom door as they enter, so he won't be woken. He has other alarms that will still come through if something goes wrong, or just if Teddy wakes up and cries, of course.]
It's been a good deal of months since he's called on Sperion for company-- he certainly hadn't treasured the idea of summoning a demon at Hogwarts, even if he'd had a lack of company there. So, their strange little relationship of conversation and games of chess "in exchange" for sexual favors (and really, that was more of an excuse than anything) had fallen a bit by the wayside.
And then Sirius had re-entered his life in his usual reckless fashion. Remus had felt pity for the man, as he would anyone in Sirius' position, and he'd tried to act like he thought he should for the brief moment they were reunited but-- now that he knew the truth, the guilt of trading away all his feelings for the man felt like such a mistake. He had to try and correct it.
Sirius had been sent away somewhere tropical, to come back to himself and wait until the Ministry was a little less vehement in their search for him. No dementors in the tropics, after all. The sun and sea would do him good. And Remus-- well, he had plenty of time to himself again.
Setting up the summoning is a little too easy now-- he's done it so often. And this time, he's done a little more research, this time he knows this demon much better than that first true deal they made.
Sperion does seem to enjoy it when he is brash and audacious. It's a risk, but what part of summoning a demon isn't? It is a calculated one.
He smiles mildly when the demon appears. "Good to see you again."
It's difficult to imagine summoning a demon at Hogwarts would turn out well. The school has already had such a difficult time with Defense Against the Dark Arts professors, after all! After the atrocities Quirrel had committed, and the year-long farce that was Lockhart's tenure, well..... A monster like a werewolf, summoning a creature of pure malevolence like a demon, in the midst of a school full of innocent and defenseless children? It would doubtless be seen as nothing short of betrayal. They surely would have sent him to Azkaban, as part of cracking down on this menace.
That, of course, assumes Sperion wouldn't have forsaken him immediately upon realizing where he was. Hogwarts' fame spans far and wide, after all--and the power and prowess of its staff is nothing to trifle with. Being caught there, even causing no harm at all, would mean a not insignificant chance of being completely eradicated, or at least locked away. As fond of Remus as he is..... a simple visit isn't worth that kind of risk.
Mercifully for both of them, Remus is smarter than that, has used their time apart to think and research and prepare. Sperion appears in a glowing haze of magical energy, offering an elegant bow of greeting. He straightens with a smile of his own, a hint of genuine warmth as he takes a good look at Remus; how is his favorite mortal doing? "And you as well. It's been a while, hasn't it?"
Remus nods in acknowledgement. "It has. I've been-- much busier the past year. I'm afraid I haven't summoned you for our usual agreement, however, although I wouldn't be opposed to continuing it at a later date." A meaningful pause. Despite his better judgement, some part of him has missed the demon's company; he'd been just about the only company Remus had had for over a decade. "I'd like to make a deal with you again."
"Mmm. You'll have to tell me all about it later." It's rare that there's much for Remus to catch him up on, after all; their dalliances were rarely so far apart that anything major happened between them. He's grown used to keeping tabs on the human world through him, viewing it through the lens of one man's fortunes. Where will he ever get his news once Remus is gone, or grown tired of his company?
Heh. Hopefully he won't have to think about that little problem for a few decades, hmmm? Right now, he's more interested in thinking about this sudden proposal. Sperion's gaze sharpens, intrigued, as he presses a hand against the barrier of his summoning circle. Another deal, after Remus had so studiously ignored the standing invitation for over a decade? What dire straits or deep desires have driven him to this? "I'm all ears."
Remus takes a steadying breath. "I want my feelings for Sirius back. In exchange, I offer you all of Peter Pettigrew's cherished memories of us and our friends, any positive emotion or memory of acceptance he might take from them." He keeps a tight reign on his fury, but it is there, underneath every word. The moon is far from full, but the wolf is just under the surface. "I was the one to get James and Sirius to bring him along with us. Those memories and feelings are my doing, mine to give away."
It's very unlikely it works like that. But you can't say it isn't bold as brass.
The proposal startles honest laughter out of him. Of all the things Remus could possibly be asking for, he wants all that pain and anguish back? After all the lengths he went to, just to get rid of it? After he had surrendered it while explicitly declaring that Sperion could do anything he wanted with it?
It's bold as brass, and it certainly doesn't work that way, not normally. But Sperion is charmed by the sheer audacity of it all, and he always has been fond of Remus..... so perhaps, just this once, he could let the man try and convince him. "Oh, Remus..... You're asking to go back on our deal? What would you do if I told you I don't have them anymore?"
The question is purely hypothetical, of course; he's cherished that prize above any other he's won as of late. Still, the point needs to be made--deals like this are permanent. If he chooses to surrender those feelings for Remus, then the new price for them has to reflect how valuable they are to Sperion now, not how valuable they were to Remus back then. And how valuable they are now.....
Well, that's the problem with being the favorite of a demon who values the intangible. Something that belongs to Remus will always cost more than something that belongs to a mortal he has no interest in, even if he's willing to be a little lenient on payment. How could he not value being able to own such a significant piece of the man's heart?
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Half the office is already packed, he's wasted no time, and all her arguments in favor of his overturning the resignation and changing his mind unravel at the sight. She asks anyway. "Are you certain?"
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He inclines his head in a nod at the question, the tired, resigned smile not reaching his eyes. "Completely. I know that Dumbledore would fight for me to remain, just as I know that my doing so would cause some parents to remove their children from the school. I will not allow that to happen."
He wants to stay, but... it doesn't matter what he wants.
"Besides that, the fact remains that I did put students at risk. I made a careless mistake that could easily have cost lives." Or ruin them, as the case may be.
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"You will be very much missed, Remus," she says after a few moments. "You're very good with the students. They will miss you as well. And not only Harry and his friends, I think. You were a favorite this year."
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To tell the truth, he hadn't expected to last past the end of the year, he knew the jinx on the position. He hadn't turned down the job because he'd wanted to protect Harry, he'd wanted to feel useful... and he hadn't imagined it would end the way it did, with his lifelong secret blasted in the Prophet.
His smile gets a little more genuine. "I'll miss it all too, Minerva. Even the troublemakers." Let's be honest, especially the troublemakers. "I hope I've made a good enough impression on most of them that they'll think twice about their preconceptions. That will be my last lesson to them." He has no doubt that some of the students that had adored him would want nothing to do with him now, but-- not all of them, hopefully. "I'll be in touch. I'd be grateful to hear how Neville Longbottom in particular progresses, he just needs more confidence in himself and he'll really come into his own, I think." When he's up for it, he might make a stop by St. Mungo's, tell Alice and Frank how their boy is doing...
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"You've made more difference than you know, I think," she says gently, "not only among the students but among the staff as well." He'd settled in so quickly and so well, she knows at least a few of the professors will be surprised and disappointed to find the position vacated by him next year. But the mention of Neville makes her sigh. "That poor boy. I do what I can, but there are so many to look after." Another reason she'll regret losing Remus. She'd been able to trust him to look after them too.
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Well, he'd argue that the professors may not be surprised the position's been vacated, given it's history for the past fifty years or so, but he'd give her disappointed. Ahh, except Severus. That one would be positively gleeful, he was sure. As gleeful as the man gets, anyway. "Thank you, Minerva. That's kind of you to say." Harry will be easier to keep in touch with, if the boy wants, but for the rest of his students, it feels like a bit of an overreach. "I know you do all you can, you always have. The whole place would fall apart without you. He has the skills and the potential, he just doesn't know it yet. Too much pressure from home, I suspect."
He'd be fine continuing on this subject, deftly avoiding the more pressing issues facing him. He's been able to put some money away for the first time in over a decade, and that will certainly help, but it'll run out eventually, and probably quicker than he hopes. And his status as a werewolf being known publicly will certainly make the job search that much more difficult. In a way, though, it's almost a relief. He'll know right off if a job will be willing to accommodate, and if he finds one that will, he'll actually be able to stick with it. No more hiding. That option has been taken from him.
@canisastrum
[Sirius still hasn't told him about such memories, but it doesn't take much for Remus to guess at them. Moreover, he's seen how it's impacted Sirius' already fractured well-being. He's not even fully recovered from Azkaban and now he's trapped in a different sort of prison. And there's nothing either of them can really do to change that.]
After I've recovered from the next full moon, I suspect.
Happy to!
It dawns on him that he may not be alone in that regard; that Remus had meant it when he said Harry wasn't the only one who needed him. Perhaps he can be useful, after all.]
The Wolfsbane potion... I know it changes the way you transform, that you don't need watching over, but I'd like to stay with you, next time.
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The company would probably do them both good.] I think I'd like that as well, actually. I must ask you to remain as Padfoot the entire time, though, just as a precautionary measure.
[Not that he doesn't trust Severus' brewing skills, or thinks he'll sabotage it on purpose. No, he trusts it will be made as precisely as it has been every month before. He just prefers to not tempt fate overly much.]
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He almost shrugs it off. Instead, Sirius offers a half-smile.]
Of course. That won't be hard. ... I spend most nights as Padfoot these days.
[Dogs aren't so prone to nightmares, he's found.]
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He's spent too many damn full moons entirely alone. Having Padfoot with him again, even if it's not necessary to keep him from hurting himself, is too tempting. Again he's struck with decades-old gratitude at his friends' decision to put themselves in danger just so he wouldn't have to be alone on his worst nights.
He'll just have to find other ways to get Sirius to spend other nights as himself.] It's very different, with the wolfsbane. I usually just try to sleep through it. [He never can, but... he tries.]
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He watches the other man, listening intently. Once, he may have been foolhardy enough to coax a werewolf into roaming the grounds of a school at night, but Sirius knows that, in this house, they'll be bound to stay put. Other members of the Order will be milling around, for one thing. For another, he cares for Remus far too deeply to ever betray his trust again.]
Hardly as exciting as a jaunt around the Forbidden Forest, but I dare say I can manage it. [A wry smile, then. It seems his eyes have regained a little of their light.]
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still, he'd taken some time off this summer, which is how he'd wound up in a club in london, grinding on some nameless bloke that can't believe his luck, while the guy's girlfriend practically humps his thigh, moaning in his ear as he gets a hand around to grab her ass.
and that's where he is when he glances through the crowd and notices the quiet, extremely out of place werewolf he's been half in love with since he was eleven. goddamnit, he's going to fucking kill whoever dragged remus into a place like this. the man certainly isn't pure or anything (he'd been a marauder, for merlin's sake, and he'd been married, and he has a son), but this is definitely not his scene, and he's doubtless at an age now where being out this late in this kind of crowd is exhausting.
he extricates himself from the horny couple with a charming smile and a kiss for each of them, then eases his way gracefully through the throng of people, fuming silently (and maybe a little grateful to see the man, especially outside the context of a family gathering). he sidesteps the last person between them, a long-fingered hand brushing remus's elbow to alert him as he steps around him with a smile that practically oozes sensuality. in sleek dark clothes like he is, his pale skin and hair practically glow under the lights. ]
Salut, Professor, [ he greets over the thump of the music, and slides a hand around to the small of the older man's back, proprietary and a little protective. ] Who dragged you out to someplace like this, ah? It doesn't seem like your scene.
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He'd actually been gearing up to leave, Sirius could find his own damn way home for once, when a hand at his elbow stopped him. It's been peaceful long enough that it doesn't make him reach for his wand, fortunately, and perhaps it's not at all surprising to see Louis here.
Merlin, but he feels intensely guilty for a million different reasons even thinking about how gorgeous the young man looks. A place like this suits him, he's meant to be here. Remus is decidedly not.
It's a bit amusing to him, that protective hand at his back. He's survived far worse than too-loud music and-- whatever sort of dancing is going on out there. He smiles, leaning in close so he doesn't have to shout over the music.] Louis! I didn't know you were back in the country. [He shrugs a little helplessly.] Sirius talked me into it. He's-- out there somewhere, dancing, I assume.
[still chasing that lost youth]
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I'm here for a few weeks. I took a break from work. [ there are already new eyes on him, the way eyes have been on he and his sisters their entire lives. he can feel them on his back, aware as he's always been, and it gives him excuse enough to want to leave, taking remus with him. ] The attention is fine there, since it means better tips, but here? [ he rolls his eyes dramatically, making a dismissive gesture with his other hand.
a beat, then he jerks his chin toward the entrance, brows lifting questioningly. ] I was about to take off, if you'd like to join me. I'd like to know how you've been. [ no mention of teddy on purpose-- he doesn't want to give remus another reminder of just how many years there are between them. ]
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Well, catching up with him does give Remus the perfect excuse to give to Sirius later, if the man ever even notices he's left. He nods.] That would be lovely. Let's go, then, I can barely hear over the music.
[They make their way through the crowd towards the entrance, Remus taking notice of the way Louis turns heads. He catches more than a few jealous looks thrown his way, and that's-- amusing, really. They must make quite a picture, being such an unmatched pair.
Soon enough they're out in the relative quiet of the street, Remus shaking off the lingering pounding in his ears. He smiles wanely at Louis.] I don't know why I still let him talk me into these things. [That's a lie; he allows it purely for Sirius' benefit, indulgent as ever to his friend.]
pretend I didn't just steal this from tfln
look they make good drunk texts i understand
[Was this even meant for him?]
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two bins. 2 bins
i was sick in 1 bin
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why are you texting me just come outside mte i'm in your garden
[ spoilers: he's not in Remus' garden. ]
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[ He definitely shouldn't apparate while drunk. Guess what he's doing though.
There's a loud CRACK! and then a WHOOSH and a THUNK! as Bill apparates twenty feet above Remus' back garden and crashes down into a shrubbery. ]
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he should have told him not to try apparating good lord
Remus rushes over to the younger man, checking him for any splinching. None. Thank Merlin. It's too late at night to deal with a trip to St. Mungo's.]
Bill, what are you thinking? You shouldn't be apparating like this. [He hauls the man up by his arms. Looks like instinctive magic kicked in to keep him from getting anything more than a few scrapes, at least.]
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'lo, Remus. 'm drunk.
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Yes, I'd caught that. I don't have any vodka to give you, but how about some water?
[If Bill's a bit wobbly on his feet, that's fine. Remus is stronger than he looks, he can keep him upright as they head into the small house.
Remus casts a non-verbal silencing charm on Teddy's bedroom door as they enter, so he won't be woken. He has other alarms that will still come through if something goes wrong, or just if Teddy wakes up and cries, of course.]
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And then Sirius had re-entered his life in his usual reckless fashion. Remus had felt pity for the man, as he would anyone in Sirius' position, and he'd tried to act like he thought he should for the brief moment they were reunited but-- now that he knew the truth, the guilt of trading away all his feelings for the man felt like such a mistake. He had to try and correct it.
Sirius had been sent away somewhere tropical, to come back to himself and wait until the Ministry was a little less vehement in their search for him. No dementors in the tropics, after all. The sun and sea would do him good. And Remus-- well, he had plenty of time to himself again.
Setting up the summoning is a little too easy now-- he's done it so often. And this time, he's done a little more research, this time he knows this demon much better than that first true deal they made.
Sperion does seem to enjoy it when he is brash and audacious. It's a risk, but what part of summoning a demon isn't? It is a calculated one.
He smiles mildly when the demon appears. "Good to see you again."
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That, of course, assumes Sperion wouldn't have forsaken him immediately upon realizing where he was. Hogwarts' fame spans far and wide, after all--and the power and prowess of its staff is nothing to trifle with. Being caught there, even causing no harm at all, would mean a not insignificant chance of being completely eradicated, or at least locked away. As fond of Remus as he is..... a simple visit isn't worth that kind of risk.
Mercifully for both of them, Remus is smarter than that, has used their time apart to think and research and prepare. Sperion appears in a glowing haze of magical energy, offering an elegant bow of greeting. He straightens with a smile of his own, a hint of genuine warmth as he takes a good look at Remus; how is his favorite mortal doing? "And you as well. It's been a while, hasn't it?"
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Heh. Hopefully he won't have to think about that little problem for a few decades, hmmm? Right now, he's more interested in thinking about this sudden proposal. Sperion's gaze sharpens, intrigued, as he presses a hand against the barrier of his summoning circle. Another deal, after Remus had so studiously ignored the standing invitation for over a decade? What dire straits or deep desires have driven him to this? "I'm all ears."
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It's very unlikely it works like that. But you can't say it isn't bold as brass.
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It's bold as brass, and it certainly doesn't work that way, not normally. But Sperion is charmed by the sheer audacity of it all, and he always has been fond of Remus..... so perhaps, just this once, he could let the man try and convince him. "Oh, Remus..... You're asking to go back on our deal? What would you do if I told you I don't have them anymore?"
The question is purely hypothetical, of course; he's cherished that prize above any other he's won as of late. Still, the point needs to be made--deals like this are permanent. If he chooses to surrender those feelings for Remus, then the new price for them has to reflect how valuable they are to Sperion now, not how valuable they were to Remus back then. And how valuable they are now.....
Well, that's the problem with being the favorite of a demon who values the intangible. Something that belongs to Remus will always cost more than something that belongs to a mortal he has no interest in, even if he's willing to be a little lenient on payment. How could he not value being able to own such a significant piece of the man's heart?