Summary: Remus is a little confused about his... financial situation; thanks so much Sirius.
He remembers the first time he'd gone to Saint Mungo's after the war; remembers the first time he, himself, it had always been Tonks before, used any of the money Sirius had left him (Have a nice day, Mister Black) their sneers, and the way they were addressing him as 'Mister Black' confused him; and he corrected them patiently; That's Lupin, dear.
He remembers it happening again in Diagon alley; remembers so many wizards, and witches moving out of his way, with simpers, and polite bows, and sneers of 'Mister Black'. One day he'd stopped a particularly angry looking wizard (turned out to be a Malfoy) and asked just what they meant by that.
The explanation is simple, apparently, they all that he and Sirius had bonded (they had, he thought indignantly, but what did that have to do with anything?) begrudgingly the Malfoy explained that the wizarding community thought that Sirius was bent (Remus didn't even smile), and that when Sirius had left his family fortune to Remus they'd all thought that Sirius and Remus had married.
Unsure of what to make of that, for as far as he knew two men marrying wasn't exactly legal, Remus noticed he didn't have to think about what to say, his mouth was doing it anyway. Well, the Malfoy explained awkwardly, there are ways of bonding magically, and Sirius being a Black they'd all assumed that he had sealed them together (For Eternity, Remus thought, and apparently said, for the Malfoy nodded vigorously).
They weren't, he explains, a little more loudly then he generally would, bonded. They were, he lies louder then he wants to, just friends. He sees some snickers, and feels angry, but he just walks away, and contemplates what they'd said; was it true?
Was it possible?
If Sirius were there, he tells himself, he could ask him; To marry me? His mind prompts, and he scowls, unsure of how to answer himself, but he knows his answer (Naturally.), though he won't admit it.
He wonders, after Sirius returns to him, but not to him, if he shouldn't give him the Black family fortune back (it's not as if what he and Tonks spent even put a nick in the contents, after all). He doesn't know how to put the question to him though; Do you want your legacy back?
Just doesn't feel right. And he's beginning to become a bit uncomfortable in all of this wonderment, and so he decides that he will ask the two people in the world who know just how he feels about Sirius (though only one of them seems to have realized what Sirius' obliviousness has done to him; and Hermione, as smart as she is, is still unable to think of a way to return his magic).
Hermione, and Ginny both tell him he's daft when he brings it up, and Hermione's roll of her eyes, her statement that there can't very well be much left to worry about after sixteen years of Teddy's education, the wedding, the house, and the furnishings (and her favorite place to be in the world; his library), he and Ginny both look sheepishly to the floor, and she scowls, as she asks them what ever is wrong.
When Remus tells her just how much is left in the vault he's sure she's fighting to keep the shock out of her features, and Ginny nods to her, and Hermione exclaims; My word!
But still, they say, and he's forced to listen, because some where along the line he'd seemed to make them his consiglieres, that no he should most definitely not return the vault; Sirius is too reckless; though it would be nice, they add quickly, to allow him access, so that he can do things, get things, and not feel trapped; dependent. Remus agrees reluctantly.
He accompanies Hermione to Diagon Alley the next day, and when she runs into Neville he slips away, and goes across town, to a distinctly poorer part of Diagon Alley, he walks with a purposes, and stops at the bottom of a rickety flight of stairs, and stares up into the darkness shrouding the doorway, and he shudders; his life started, and ended here once.
The landlord comes out, confused by his appearance (so old, and tired, and in such run down robes; the he rather refuses to replace just yet) and asks him if he would like to look at the flat, because it's for rent. Remus follows him up the stairs, fairly trembling, and afraid to see what's left of what was once his home. The landlord stands on the stairs while Remus enters the flat shakily, and looks around.
The once tan, and white walls are pastel colours, meant to be happy, and the kitchen is an awful yellow. And he's scared to do it, but he walks into Sirius' old room, and it's so different; so bright and gay, and so very, very someone else. He doesn't care for what's been done to his own room either (pink, and white?), and when he reaches the door, slightly blanched, and still trembling he signs the lease with a flourish, and the landlord looks shocked, he just smiles.
He'll have it painted; he'll find furniture the likes of their old furniture, and someday, when Sirius remembers him; remembers them; then he'll bring him here, and they can both laugh about how far they've come. He pays six months rent in advance, and it feels so strange to be able to do that, but he just smiles, and finds his way back to Hermione.
And after that; he finds his way back to Sirius (home).