Not too long after this talk in the hospital wing, Remus returned from home via the fireplace in the headmaster's office. After lugging his suitcase over the hearth and brushing ashes off of his robes, Remus put down his suitcase and stuck his arm back into the green embers to wave goodbye to his mother and father one last time.
Retracting his arm from the fireplace, he reached into his pocket and withdrew a bag full of sweets, marching over to Dumbledore's desk, who was reading forms with a look of mild but not total interest. Moving as quickly as he could to get it over with, he replenishing Dumbledore's candy dish and nuzzling Fawkes' beak affectionately, Remus decided it would be uncalled for if he didn't say hello and cleared his throat. Dumbledore started, unconsciously allowing the forms to slip to the floor.
"Ah, Remus! I'm must apologize, I didn't hear you come in, I apologize for my rudeness -" Dumbledore began, pushing a giant pile of papers away so as to look his student in the eye.
"It's no matter, Professor, I know how busy you get." Remus said. "Just wanted to say "hello," and "thanks" from my parents, drop off that candy you like so much."
"Why, thank you, Remus, you know how I adore sherbet lemon!" Dumbledore said gaily, unwrapping one of the new ones and popping them into his mouth cheerfully. "By the way, I think your friends really enjoyed the music you gave them."
"What?" Remus said blankly. "Oh yeah, that! Glad to hear it, I'd really prefer not to have - erm - be proven wrong. Sir. Wait, how do you know about that?"
"I have my ways." Dumbledore said coyly, eyes twinkling. "If it isn't much trouble for you, Remus, may I accompany you personally to the Gryffindor Common Room this time?" Dumbledore asked excitedly. He looked more like a big kid than a wizened old professor at this moment.
"Uh-" Remus began. What was up with Dumbledore? This was a weird request. Remus was reminded uncomfortably of how during earlier years at Hogwarts, big kids would make fun of him for being a teacher's pet. All of the sudden, the warm relationship he had with Dumbledore, that unquestioning faith in how good this man was, had changed, and Dumbledore now seemed bumbling and out of touch. What would his friends have to say about Remus being escorted by the principal? What would Lily think if she saw him having his hand held like some baby? Everyone would laugh at him, think he was a sissy...
"Is there a problem?" Dumbledore asked concernedly. "If I'm making you uncomfortable you don't have to."
"No, it's just - you know - you see-" Remus began, face glowing red.
"Ah, the doubts of youth." Dumbledore said knowingly. "I would not dream of embarrassing you, Remus, if you're worried what your peers would think I completely understand, I wouldn't have wanted that back in my day either. I apologize Remus, in my haste I forgot what an imposition it would be for you."
"Well, you can come if you want." Remus said awkwardly. "No, wait! It's not that I don't WANT you to go, it's your castle, you can go wherever, I still like you -"
"I'm so sorry I asked this of you Remus, I forget you're not that young boy anymore." Dumbledore said. Was there a little bit of sadness in those eyes now, or were they softening as understanding crept over? "I'll give you your space should you desire it."
"Thanks, Professor, I'll make it up to you later." Remus mumbled as he pushed for the door. He looked back and saw that Dumbledore was once again looking over his documents. Remus was prepared to say something reassuring to his old teacher, tell him that he was grateful for all Dumbledore had done, that he did like him. But instead, he just turned around and paced guiltily to the Gryffindor common room.
Remus felt like an ass. This day couldn't get any worse.
And then upon uttering "Metamorphmagus!" to The Fat Lady, it suddenly did as he rounded the bend to get to the common room.
Sirius, James, and Peter were all decked out in black tuxedos and ties near the fireplace with mop-top haircuts and belting the best of The Beatles. And in a seat beside them, there was a fourth tuxedo waiting for Remus.
"Uh-oh."
