As the autumn faded into winter, Remus settled comfortably into his role as professor, and took the Wolfsbane Potion every month. As uncomfortable as it still was to transform, it was an immense relief to know that he would keep his own mind and wouldn't hurt anyone.

The first full moon of the term, he had been leery of taking the potion, not completely trusting that it would be effective. He had insisted on using one of the secure dungeon rooms, and had asked Hagrid and Severus to be there when he transformed. He knew that out of the staff, Hagrid was the least likely to be afaid or disgusted by his transformation, and despite being unable to use magic, would also be less likely to be injured if the potion wasn't effective, due to his size and being part giant. Severus he knew would be as unpleasant as ever, but he also was familiar with dark creatures and would be able to contain him. Severus would also not hesitate to hurt him if it was necessary.

When Remus had asked him to be there, Severus had sneeringly accused him of not trusting his skills as a potions master. "I don't doubt your skill," Remus had answered mildly, "But, I would feel more comfortable if you were there to observe the effects of the potion."

Appealing to Severus's scholarly interest had worked, and he had grudgingly agreed. Unsurprisingly, Hagrid had agreed cheerfully to be there, and they stood warily by while Remus went through his transformation.

Afterwards, he had kept waiting for his mind to be taken over by the werewolf like it always was, but it hadn't happened. It was a strange sensation to be in his werewolf form but with perfectly rational human thoughts. Once Hagrid and Severus saw that he was safe, they had relaxed, and Remus had sat quietly, waiting for the night to pass. Since that first time, he had spent each full moon curled up by the fire in his office, not at all dangerous, but somewhat bored. It made him miss those fun nights he had spent in the Forbidden Forest long ago.

He had also begun to develop a relationship with Harry, and had been teaching him about the Patronus charm to ward off dementors. He was proud of the progress Harry was making, although it always hurt to hear him describe the awful memories of Lily's death the dementors made him remember. Many times Remus had wanted to comfort Harry, and to tell him how much he had loved both of his parents, and how like them he was, but he always held back.

At one of their lessons in January, Harry also had a memory of James on the night he had died. Shaken, Remus let slip that they had been friends. Later, as Harry sat chewing a large piece of Honeyduke's chocolate, he asked, quite out of nowhere, "Professor Lupin? If you knew my dad, you must have known Sirius Black as well."

Caught off guard by the sound of Sirius's name, Remus asked, "What gives you that idea?" more sharply than he intended.

"Nothing...I mean, I just knew they were friends at Hogwarts..." Harry trailed off.

"Yes, I knew him. Or, I thought I did," Remus answered, as he dismissed Harry.

Remus sat brooding afterwards. He had never thought he would have the opportunity to know James and Lily's son, although he had known Harry as a baby and often wondered about his personality and well-being. He had told himself over the years that he had never reached out for Harry's own safety, but he knew that he had also avoided it because the boy was a painful reminder of better times. As he dwelled on their lesson that night, a memory of another winter night from many years ago came back to him with clarity.

It was New Year's Eve, and the Marauders and Lily were gathered to ring in the year 1980. They had decided on a quiet night in at James' and Lily's comfortable flat. Voldemort and his followers had been steadily gaining power, and it wasn't safe to be out at night.

Lily, James, and Peter sat on the roomy couch, Remus and Sirius across from them in two plush armchairs. A fire was roaring behind the grate, and bottles of butterbeer and champagne crowded the coffee table, along with various snacks. Snow fell beyond the dark windows.

The atmosphere was so cozy that Remus found it hard to remember that the wizarding world beyond these walls was on the brink of war. He decided that just for tonight, he would put it out of his mind, even though he could imagine the reactions of other members of the Order of the Phoenix, (particularly Alastor Moody) if he let himself get too relaxed. But tonight, he wanted to simply enjoy the company of his friends and celebrate the New Year. He had another new beginning to celebrate too...he and Sirius had found a flat of their own.

They were planning to tell the others tonight, and he was feeling a little nervous about it. Sirius caught his eye and gave him a reassuring smile, then during a lull in the conversation, said casually, "So, Remus and I have some news."

James and Peter looked at him curiously, and Lily smiled knowingly. "Oh?" she said.

"Yes, we're moving in together. We've already found a flat outside the city."

"Brilliant! You two will make great flatmates," said James enthusiastically.

"Well...actually," answered Sirius quietly, as he reached his hand out to Remus, who took it and held it tightly without looking up at the others, "We're a bit more than just flatmates."

Sirius stared at James, his chin lifted defiantly. Remus snuck a look towards the couch and saw that James looked dumbfounded, and Peter's mouth was hanging open. Lily's face broke into a grin as she made eye contact with Remus, which made him feel a bit less awkward. The silence seemed to stretch on for a long time.

Suddenly James threw his head back and laughed, "Of course you are! You're the perfect couple, almost as perfect as Lily and I. How did I never realize?..."

Lily cut in, "Because, darling, you had such a big head all through school that you didn't realize much of anything." She ruffled his hair affectionately, then looked back across and Remus and Sirius, "Anyway, it's about time, you two."

Sirius's face relaxed into a smile, and Remus squeezed his hand. His heart felt so full.

"Wait! You knew about this? And you didn't think to tell me?" James said indignantly.

Lily shrugged, and smiled across at Remus, saying "It wasn't my news to tell, was it?"

Peter broke in, "Well! This calls for another drink, doesn't it?" He grinned as he conjured a bottle of firewhisky and five small glasses, beginning to pour and pass them around.

"Oh," said Lily quietly, "none for me, thanks."

"Come on Lil, we're celebrating!" Sirius yelled jovially.

"Well, actually... we have some news too," she said, looking over at James, who grinned in anticipation.

She nodded, givng him permission to share their news. He threw his hands into the air and shouted, "We're having a baby!"

Peter gasped and nearly dropped the bottle of whiskey, exclaiming, "A baby!"

Sirius jumped up to pull James and Lily into a bear hug, shouting, "A baby marauder?! Well, the world's in trouble now!"

Remus stood up to hug them as well, offering his enthusiatic congratulations, but forgot to look very surprised. Sirius looked at him suspiciously. "You don't seem all that surprised. Did you know about this?"

"No, I just...I sort of guessed," he said lamely.

Lily gave him a confused glance, and Sirius narrowed his eyes as he opened his mouth to argue. Remus sighed exasperatedly, "Okay, okay. I could, uhm, sense it. For the past couple of months now. Werewolf senses, you know..."he trailed off, mumbling in an embarassed sort of way.

They all gaped at him for a moment, seeming more startled by this bit of information than by the fact that he and Sirius had just announced their relationship.

Then Lily started giggling. "That's...I'm sorry but...you probably knew before I did ...and that's so weird."

Remus shrugged apologetically. James, Sirius, and Peter started laughing too, as Lily continued to giggle helplessly, tears running down her cheeks.

"You knew? And you didn't think to mention it?" Sirius said.

"Well, it wasn't my news to tell, was it?" answered Remus, smiling at Lily.

She sniffled and opened her arms, "Oh, come over here, you."

He went and joined Lily, James, and Sirius as they all hugged, then looked over at Peter. Remus thought he must feel left out, being the only one to not have exciting news to share. "Alright, Wormtail?" he asked quietly.

Peter smiled, "Of course! If you're all happy, then so am I." Remus beckoned him over and he came to join in.

The clock began to chime towards midnight and they all yelled and broke apart, reaching for glasses of champagne as they rang in the New Year, full of excitement and happy to be together.

Remus kissed Sirius enthusiastically as the clock struck twelve, and for the first time ever he was not worried about anyone seeing. He could hardly believe that in the midst of all the pain and darkness happening in the wizarding world, they had so much love and light to celebrate.