The beginning of July saw the arrival of Mr and Mrs Weasley at Longbourn — they had made good on their promise to bring Remus with them on a tour of the countryside.

Mrs Weasley's stomach bore the telltale swell of another pregnancy, and the whole family toasted to the arrival of another little Weasley in several month's time. It was, Mrs Weasley assured Remus, perfectly safe for her to travel, provided that Remus and Arthur were happy to take some of the more challenging walks without her.

Remus was privately thrilled to be leaving — Lydia's departure to Brighton (and the corresponding absence of the usual spectacles and crises which her presence inevitably excited) had left Mrs. Evans with many long hours of unexpected peace, which she primary spent bemoaning the sorry state of Lily's romantic prospects — a sore point for all involved, considering that they had only recently appeared to be to such great advantage.

"Oh, but it is not poor Lily's fault," Mrs. Evans said to Mr. Lovegood earnestly — and loudly — one evening as they attended Vance Lodge for dinner and cards, "she did everything she could to secure Potter."

"Oh, nobody would blame poor Lily," said Lovegood, "I, for one, always thought that Potter fellow rather ill-favoured."

"Yes, indeed!" Mrs Evans cried. "That is just what I think! And I told the girls — Lord knows, I told the girls time and time again, till I was blue in the face — but did anybody listen to me?"

Lovegood shook his head sadly. "It is not your fault, Madam."

"I think—" Mrs Weasley had started, before being rudely cut off.

"I have always been such a keen judge of character," Mrs Evans said, "such a pity that my children would not heed the wisdom of an old maid like me."

"I had thought Potter a good sort." Mrs Weasley argued, frowning at her sister. "Remus spoke highly of him on our last visit."

"Remus was as hoodwinked as anybody," Mrs Evans waved her hand dismissively, "...and I would hardly trust his judgement, after her rejected poor Pettigrew and ruined us all."

Yes, Remus found that he could scarcely wait to leave Longbourn.

Blessedly, the day of the party's departure came quickly. The weather was fine for travel — sun shining, roads dry and clear, winds soft and cool — and the Weasleys had arranged to leave their children — Bill, Charlie, Percy and the twins — in the care of Lily and Kitty.

"I shall miss you very dearly, cousin." Remus said to Lily, hugging her tightly as the manservant loaded his and the Weasley's luggage into their carriage — a rental, and not the finest, but sturdy and roadworthy enough to see them through the Lakes District safely.

"And I you," Lily said, squeezing Remus tight, "I'm not the only one, either. Father has been grumbling about your going for weeks."

"Don't I know it," Remus chuckled, "…the sorry look he gave me at dinner last night — I felt that I must be breaking his heart clean in two."

"You'll be sorry," cut in Mr. Evans, "when your Aunt bores me into an early grave, without you having been here to see me off properly."

Remus smiled softly at his Uncle. "Come now, Uncle, you are made of tougher stuff than that."

"Let us hope so, my dear boy, else you may find yourself with Pettigrew as a landlord," said Mr. Evans, "...and I expect he will be every bit as condescending as his own esteemed neighbour."

Remus chuckled. "I imagine he would be, but if it's all the same with you, Sir, I'd rather not find out."

"I suppose I must attempt to survive the coming months, then."

"That would be most good of you, Uncle." Remus smiled.

Mr. Evans placed a warm hand on Remus' shoulder. "Go in health, and come back safe."

"I will."


Their travels took them through Derbyshire, and Remus knew very well that this was perilously close territory to Black's Manor — Pemberley. Mrs Weasley had spent some years nearby in the village of Lambton, and insisted that the house was worth seeing.

"Aunt, I do not think—"

"You have never seen a finer house, Remus," Mrs Weasley pressed, "I really don't understand your reticence — you loved Mandrake Lodge, and it is not even half as grand as Pemberly. Pray, what is the matter with this particular house?"

"You must know that Mr. Black lives there." Remus argued. "I cannot see him, Aunt. Do not ask me why — let it suffice to say that we are not the best of friends."

"But Black is not even there, Remus," Mrs Weasley argued, "I wager we could come and go in a few hours, and he would never even know."

It was certainly tempting, to think that he might get a glimpse of the living which might've been his, if only his heart — or Black's character — had been in some way different. Everybody spoke well of Pemberley — the shopkeeps, the barhands, the stable-boys, all — of its architecture, of the grounds, and, most curiously to Remus, of its owner.

"Right noble gent, that Mr. Black," said Tom, the barkeep at The Sputtering Spigot, where they were staying, "I wager he's done more for the region in a few short years than the last six generations of his family put together! Gave my lad Marcus a job, he did, even though the lad had no experience — young Marcus was down on his luck, you see, has a bit of a bung leg after a nasty hunting accident, but Mr. Black took him on in the household anyway. Got his butler to see about training the lad up as a footman like it was nothing."

"I tenant one of his farms," said a man named Jones, "I fell into arrears — had a hard winter last year, and it was enough of a struggle to keep food on the table for the little ones — but Mr. Black didn't give me any trouble about it. Forgave the debt and told me to start paying again when I had a healthy yield. God bless his soul."

"Oh, dear Mr. Black has done so much for commerce!" said a Mrs Piper, who sold flowers in the market square. "Always buys his wears local, see, and he funds the physician's rooms and the apothecary, so that poorer folk can be seen to when they're ill. Not to mention what he does for the orphanage! He makes sure those poor children even get presents at Christmas, if you can believe! I swear, I've never known such Christian generosity of spirit as can be found in that man."

These glowing accounts were, suffice to say, exceedingly puzzling to Remus. The letter had influenced him a great deal in relinquishing his impression of Black's cruelty, though he still had some way to go before he would be content to proclaim Black generous or kind, or, as the townspeople seemed to firmly believe, a literal godsend.

Part of Remus hoped that he might be able to make sense of the startling contrast in accounts of Black's character, as well as his own muddled feelings on the subject, if he saw the house and grounds. Perhaps there would be some clue, some clarifying element, which would allow Remus to at last assimilate his understanding of Black.

"Fine," he said to Mrs Weasley, relenting. "We may go to Pemberley tomorrow."


The carriage-ride to Pemberley was scarcely more than a half-hour from town, and it covered some of the lushest, greenest country that Remus had seen so far. He could not help the real smile which spread across his face as he breathed in clear air, taking in the little woods and bramble bushes and fox-holes of the district with delight.

Eventually their path veered, and the woods receded, and Remus found himself on the crest of a hill with the magnificence of Pemberley laid bare all at once before his eyes.

They exited the carriage and descended the hill, figuring they could do with the exercise. They instructed the driver to attend Pemberley's stables directly.

The walk was short enough for Mrs Weasley to tolerate, and she too was enthused by the notion of getting a closer look at the lake.

Then they resolved to apply to the housekeeper for entry.

The housekeeper came; a respectable-looking elderly woman in a tartan shawl, who wore her grey-streaked raven hair in a tight netted bun, possessing the distinct air of being unflappable.

The tartan woman — McGonagall — was more civil than Remus might have expected, though she spoke in a stern Scottish brogue, and she kindly took it upon herself to give the party a thorough tour of the household.

She was, it transpired, distantly connected to Mrs Weasley through an old employer named Dumbledore. The women chatted amiably about their mutual acquaintance, and the party followed McGonagall into the dining-parlour. It was large, well-portioned, and handsomely fitted — everything Remus might have expected a house like this to be like from the outside.

Remus, after a cursory glance at the cabinets and the chairs, went to a window to enjoy its prospect.

Every element of the grounds were good; and Remus looked upon the whole scene, the river, the trees scattered on its banks and the winding of the valley, as far as he could trace it, with delight.

As they passed into other rooms, Remus noted that there were new beauties to be seen from almost every window. All the fittings and furniture had been oriented to make the most of the grounds, and while the rooms were lofty and handsome, Remus saw, with admiration of Black's taste, that it was neither gaudy nor uselessly fine. Here he saw more real elegance, and rather less needless splendour, than he had at Grimmauld Place.

And of this place, thought he, I might have been master! With these rooms I might now have been familiarly acquainted! Instead of viewing them as a stranger, I might have rejoiced in them as my own, and welcomed into them as visitors my Uncle and Aunt. But no,—recollecting himself, Remus glanced sideways at the Weasleys—that could never be; my relations surely would have been lost to me; I should not have been allowed to invite them here.

This was a lucky recollection — it saved Remus from a feeling very like regret, which had begun to bubble unpleasantly under his skin.

Remus longed to inquire whether Black was really absent, but had not the courage for it. At length however, the question was asked by Mr. Weasley.

McGonagall replied that he was, adding, "But we expect him to-morrow, with a large party of friends."

This pronouncement briefly caused Remus' heart to stop beating as he considered the pure horror and humiliation of being discovered here, before he relaxed. How fortunate was Remus that his own journey had not been delayed a day!

Mrs Weasley now called him to look at a picture. Remus approached and saw the likeness of Barty Crouch Jr., suspended, amongst several other miniatures, over the mantelpiece. Mrs Weasley asked Remus, smilingly, teasingly, how he liked it — Remus narrowly resisted the urge to scowl.

McGonagall came forward, and told them it was a picture of a young gentleman, the son of her late master's steward, who had been brought up by him at his own expense. "He is now gone into the army," she added; "but I am afraid he has turned out very wild."

Remus, who knew all of this very well already, only smiled thinly and nodded at the stern housekeeper.

"And that," said McGonagall, pointing to another of the miniatures, "is Mr. Black—and very like him. It was drawn at the same time as the other—about eight years ago."

"I have heard much of your master's fine person," said Mrs Weasley, looking at the picture; "it is a handsome face. But, Remus, you can tell us whether it is like him or not."

McGonagall rounded on Remus immediately, "Does that young man know Mr. Black?"

Remus coloured, and said: "A little."

"And do not you think him a very handsome gentleman?"

"Yes, very handsome."

Remus thought he might die from embarrassment. Though that fate might be preferable to the conversation he was currently entrapped in.

"I am sure I know none so handsome; but in the gallery up stairs you will see a finer, larger picture of him than this." Said McGonagall. "This room was my late master's favourite room, and these miniatures are just as they used to be then. He was very fond of them."

This accounted to Remus for Barty Crouch Jr.'s being among them, as he was sure that Black himself would not willingly preserve any trace of Crouch's connection to his family.

McGonagall then directed their attention to one of Master Regulus, drawn when he was only eight years old.

"And is Master Regulus as handsome as his brother?" Asked Mrs Weasley.

"He is nearly the handsomest young lad that ever was seen," said McGonagall with a fond smile, "I confess myself biased to think Mr. Black a shade more fetching — I was his governess, you see, before I was made housekeeper. But Master Regulus is very accomplished — he plays and sings all day long. In the next room is a new instrument just come down for him—a present from Mr Black."

Mr. Weasley, whose manners were always very easy and pleasant, encouraged her communicativeness by his questions and remarks; McGonagall, either by pride or attachment, had evidently great pleasure in talking of her master and his younger brother.

"Is your master much at Pemberley in the course of the year?"

"Not so much as I could wish, sir; but I dare say he may spend half his time here; and Regulus is always down for the summer months."

Except, thought Remus, when he goes to Ramsgate.

"If your master would marry, you might see more of him."

"Yes, Sir; but I do not know when that will be. I do not know who is good enough for him."

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley smiled. Remus could not help saying, "It is very much to his credit, I am sure, that you should think so."

"I say no more than the truth, and everybody will say that knows him," replied McGonagall. Remus thought this was going pretty far; and he listened with increasing astonishment as the housekeeper added, "I have never known a cross word from him in my life, and I have cared for him since he was four years old."

This was praise, of all others most extraordinary, most opposite to Remus' ideas. That Black was not a good-tempered man had been his firmest opinion! Remus' keenest attention was awakened; he longed to hear more, and was grateful to Mr. Weasley for saying:

"There are very few people of whom so much can be said. You are lucky in having such a master."

"Yes, sir, I know I am. If I were to go through the world, I could not meet with a better. But I have always observed, that they who are good-natured when children, are good-natured when they grow up; and he was always the sweetest-tempered, most generous-hearted boy in the world, though I confess that I never knew a child with such a penchant for mischief, either! The trouble he used to give me… You'd scarcely believe it if I told you, I'm sure."

Remus stared at her. Good-natured, generous-hearted and mischievous? Can she really mean Black?

"Everybody in town knows him to be an excellent man," said Mrs. Weasley.

"Yes, indeed, he is singularly affable to the poor." Said McGonagall with a distinctly approving tone.

Remus listened, wondered, doubted, and was impatient for more — but McGonagall could interest him on no other point. She related the subjects of the pictures, the dimensions of the rooms, and the price of the furniture… and Mr. Weasley, highly amused by the kind of family prejudice to which he attributed her excessive commendation of her master, soon led again to the subject; and McGonagall dwelt with renewed energy on his many merits as they proceeded together up the great staircase.

"He is the best landlord, and the best master that ever lived," said she, "not like the wild young men nowadays, who think of nothing but themselves. Not one of his tenants or servants would give him a bad name. Some people call him proud; but I am sure I never saw anything of it. To my fancy, it is only because he does not rattle away like other young men."

Remus choked and flushed darkly, though mercifully nobody noticed.

"This fine account of him," whispered Mrs Weasley as they walked, "is not quite consistent with his behaviour to our poor friend."

"Perhaps we might have been deceived there." Remus said mildly.

In the gallery there were many family portraits, but they could have little to fix the attention of a stranger — and so Remus walked in quest of the only face whose features would be known to him.

At last it arrested him—and he beheld a striking resemblance to Mr. Black, with a smile over his face that Remus remembered having sometimes seen when the man looked at him. There was an earnestness and an openness in his expression, and Remus was struck rather powerfully — and not for the first time — with the thought that Black was very remarkably handsome.

"Is the flesh-and-blood man as good-looking as his likeness?" Mrs Weasley asked Remus with a strangely teasing lilt. Remus could only swallow and nod in response, turning his head to hide the blush which bloomed there.

Mrs Weasley seemed to sense Remus' need for privacy, and walked on with her husband and McGonagall to admire the other portraits.

Get a hold of yourself, Lupin, he thought, it is not even the man himself — and it isn't as though you've any particular attachment to the original!

Something about this assertion struck Remus as dishonest, and he frowned as he considered that perhaps his opinion of Black might have shifted more than he had originally thought.

Remus remained several minutes before the portrait of Black, drinking in the sight of the man in earnest contemplation, and could not help returning to it again before they quitted the gallery.

He wondered at his shifting feelings as he followed McGonagall through the house.

He certainly felt — at this moment, at least — more fondness towards Black than he had even at the height of their acquaintance. The commendation bestowed on him by McGonagall was of no trifling nature. What praise is more valuable than the praise of an intelligent servant? As a brother, a landlord, a master, Remus considered how many people's happiness were in his guardianship!—how much of pleasure or pain was it in his power to bestow!—how much of good or evil must be done by him! And every sentiment that had been expressed by the housekeeper was favourable to Black's character — it could not be easily dismissed. McGonagall had no great reason to lie for an absent master, nor did Remus get the impression that this was a woman easily given to falsehood or hyperbole.

When all of the house that was open to general inspection had been seen, they returned downstairs, and, taking leave of McGonagall, were consigned over to the gardener — Sprout — who met them at the hall-door.

As they walked towards the river, Remus turned back to look again. His uncle and aunt stopped also, a fair distance from Remus, conjecturing as to the date of the building.

It was then that Remus saw him.

They were within twenty yards of each other, and so abrupt was his appearance that it was impossible to avoid his sight.

He was soaking wet.

Remus blinked, presuming that the bizarre apparition of the sopping wet gentleman would disappear — but to no avail. Black remained before him, white shirt clinging to him like a second skin and rivulets of water beaded and dripped from his raven curls.

Remus' first thought was: Sweet Lord in heaven, so that's what he hides under those fine waistcoats.

His second was: What he must think of me! Turning up at his home unannounced!

Black visibly started, and for a moment seemed immovable from surprise; but shortly recovering himself, advanced towards the party.

"Mr. Lupin," he managed, voice a little rough, "I— erm—" his cheeks darkened, "I was just returning from a dip in the lake."

"Yes." Remus replied unintelligently, stunned.

Their eyes met, and the cheeks of both were overspread with the deepest blush.

"Are you— Er—" Black crossed his arms over his chest uncomfortably, shielding his nipples — which had been clearly visible through the sheer wet fabric of his undershirt — from view. "Are your family in good health?"

Remus stared.

"Yes, they are in good health, I thank you, Sir." I need to get out of here. "Forgive me, the housekeeper informed us that you were not in the country. Otherwise we never would have presumed to impose—"

"Please — it is no trouble!" Black said hurriedly. "Erm— excuse me a moment."

And with that Black left Remus standing dumbstruck on the lawns beside the lake — Remus watched with mingled disbelief and horror as Black ducked out of sight behind an archway, the suddenness of his absence shocking some sense into him.

"Remus? Remus? Was that him, Remus?" Came Mrs Weasley's excited voice. "Oh, he every bit as handsome as his portrait, wasn't he? If not a touch more informally attired…"

"We have to leave." Remus managed, feeling the colour draining from his face as he was hit with the totality of his humiliation of being discovered here by Black.

"Well, if you wish—"

"Oh, I wish we'd never come at all," Remus moaned, "What he must think of me! Uncle, please, would you call for the carriage?"

"Of course," Mr. Weasley blinked, "...are you quite alright, Remus?"

"Yes, fine, just…" Remus waved off the inquiry. "We have overstayed our welcome, I think."

"Very well." Mr. Weasley nodded, and asked the gardener Sprout to escort him back up to the main house, so that their carriage might be retrieved from the stables.

It took longer than Remus would have liked to prepare the carriage, and by the time everything was readied Black himself was rushing down the stairs, having clearly hastily re-dressed — indeed, he was still buttoning up the front of his jacket as he hurried towards the party.

Black stepped towards Remus, equal parts unsure and decorous in his address; "Mr. Lupin."

Remus halted, unwillingly, as he had been about to climb into the carriage. He turned towards Black.

"Please allow me to apologise for not receiving you properly just now." Black frowned, as if noticing the carriage for the first time. "You are not leaving?"

"We are, Sir, I think we must." Remus said, blushing and wishing he could be anywhere else.

Black's frown deepened. "I hope you are not displeased with Pemberley."

Remus blinked. "No, not at all."

Black smiled softly. "Then you approve of it?"

"Very much." Remus swallowed. "But I think there are few who would not approve of it."

"Ah," Black's genuine smile would've certainly been infectious if Remus hadn't been so entirely mortified already, "but your good opinion is rarely bestowed and, therefore, more worth the earning."

Remus blushed. "Thank you." He mumbled.

Black looked over Remus' shoulder at the Weasleys, who were watching on curiously. "Would you do me the honour of introducing me to your friends?"

Remus forced a nod, surprised by the civility. "Certainly."

Remus led Black a few paces over to where the Weasleys stood.

"Mr. and Mrs Weasley," he nodded at his relations, "Mr. Black."

Mr. Weasley removed his hat and smiled amiably. "Well met, Sir."

"Mrs Weasley is my Aunt, Mr. Black. Lily stayed at their house in Cheapside when she was lately in London." Remus could not entirely keep the edge out of his voice as he remembered, with a pang, Lily's fruitless efforts in town.

Black bowed to Mr. Weasley, and kissed Mrs Weasley by the hand. "Delighted to make your acquaintance."

"And you, Sir."

"Where are you staying?" Black inquired of Mrs Weasley.

"In Lambton, Sir, for I grew up there as a girl. At the public house."

"Ah, Tom's place?" Sirius nodded, smiling. "Delightful village. I remember running from Pemberley to Lambton as a boy almost every day in the horse chestnut season. There was one very fine tree…"

"On the green, by the smithy." Mrs Weasley eagerly supplied, eyes lighting up in memory.

"The very one." Black agreed with a smile. "Mr. Weasley, do you care for fishing?"

"Indeed, I do, when I can get the chance of it."

"If you have time, Sir, you must come fish in my trout stream."

Remus blinked in surprise, looking sideways at Black — he would never have imagined somebody of Black's standing willingly inviting people such as the Weasleys to have free use of his grounds. Indeed, his civility towards them was beyond anything Remus had ever before seen in the man!

"…Or there are carp, tench, and pike in the lake here, if you prefer coarse fishing. I could provide you with rods and tackle, show you the best spots." Black continued, as if it was nothing. "Actually, let us walk down now." He turned to the carriage driver and said; "Follow us to the lake, my man will show you the way."

And so Remus had no choice but to follow Black and Mr. Weasley, who were chatting about fishing as amiably as two people ever had, while he trailed along behind them, arm-in-arm with Mrs Weasley.

"Is this really the proud Mr. Black you told us of?" Asked Mrs Weasley. "He is all ease and friendliness, no false dignity at all!"

"I am as astonished as you are." Remus managed. "I can't imagine what has affected this transformation."

"Can you not?" Mrs Weasley inquired knowingly, and Remus chose not to reply.


After walking some time in this way, descending to the brink of the river for the better inspection of some curious water-plant, the party turned back in the direction of Pemberley itself. Mrs Weasley, who, fatigued by the exercise of the morning, found Remus' arm inadequate to her support, consequently expressed that she preferred her husband's.

Mr. Black took her place by Remus, and they walked on together.

"Er—"

"Do you—"

They both chuckled, having gone to speak at once.

"Pray, continue," Black said.

"I was going to say again, Sir, how very unexpected your arrival was." Remus said. "If we had known you were to be here, we should not have dreamt of invading your privacy—"

"I am glad you came." Black said plainly, knocking Remus terribly off-kilter. "It is… it is very good to see you again. I beg you not worry that I am at all displeased. Indeed, I am quite the opposite."

Remus blushed, not at all insensible to the compliment that Black paid him. "It is only that McGonagall assured us that you would not be here until tomorrow."

"I had planned it so myself," Black said with perfect calm, "but I found I had business with my steward, and rode on ahead of the rest of the party without informing anyone." He smiled a secretive smile. "I confess, I do have a habit of changing my plans without telling my staff. Minerva has scolded me for it something dreadful."

"Minerva?"

"My housekeeper, McGonagall." Black explained. "She's the one who keeps this place running, honestly."

"That's not the way I hear it." Remus couldn't help but say. "Everybody from here to Lambton sings your praises."

Black blushed modestly. "They are entirely too kind to me."

Which is not a problem you and I have had so far. Remus thought to himself with a pang of guilt.

"I admit, I was very impressed to hear of your Christian generosity of spirit."

Black glanced at Remus, a wry grin twisting at the corner of his mouth. "Lupin, do you really mean to tease me for my good deeds, after you turned up at my residence unannounced? Like some common tourist?" The man's grin betrayed his joke immediately.

Remus laughed, and, unthinkingly, shoved Black lightly in the arm. "I beg you not to make fun of me on that score! I am still mortified."

"Needlessly," Black said dismissively. "As I said before, Lupin, I am very pleased to have you here."

Remus said nothing, but it gratified him exceedingly; there seemed little likelihood that the compliment of Black's civility was intended for any person other than himself — there was, after all, nobody else of his acquaintance present at Pemberley.

In spite of the fact the he very well understood the antecedents of Black's change in character, Remus' feelings of astonishment at its having occurred at all remained, and continually was he found himself wondering: Why is Black so altered? It cannot really be for my sake that his manners are thus softened. My reproofs at Hunsford could not work such a change as this! It is impossible that he should still love me.

For the first time, there was a strange aching feeling at the prospect of having lost Black's love. It caused Remus some alarm to notice this, as he had never sought out Black's affection or regard before.

"My friends will be joining me tomorrow," Black said, interrupting Remus' silent panic, "among them are some who claim an acquaintance with you; Mr. Potter, Miss McKinnon, Miss Meadowes."

Remus regarded Black briefly, and then turned his head away. "Oh."

They walked up a short set of stairs. "…There is one other person in the party who, more particularly, wishes to know you."

Remus registered some surprise that his reputation had preceded him anywhere, let alone among Black's friends, and surveyed the man warily. "Is that so?"

"Yes," Black said. "And so I was wondering… Will you allow me to… erm—Do I ask too much to introduce my brother to you during your stay at Lambton?"

Remus managed to conceal his astonishment reasonably well. "I should be very happy to make his acquaintance."

Strangely, Remus found that he meant this.

Black smiled, relief plain in his expression. "Thank you."


Black extended his hand to help Remus into the open carriage. Seeing no reason to refuse, Remus laced his fingers through Black's — finding them warm and reassuring to the touch — and pulled himself into his seat.

Remus looked back down at Black, and flashed him an awkward, grateful smile. "Thank you."

"I hope we meet again very soon." Said Black, voice dropping lower as he gazed at Remus with an intensity he remembered seeing only a handful of times before. Flattered, flustered, and totally out of his depth, Remus glanced away.

"Good day, Mr. Weasley, Mrs Weasely." Black said to his companions, bowing his head respectfully. "It was a pleasure to meet you both."

The Weasleys replied that the pleasure was all theirs.

Just as the carriage was due to pull away, Black stared at Remus meaningfully and said; "Good day, Mr. Lupin."

Remus only blushed and nodded, unable to completely stop the fool's smile that threatened to crack his face in half. Black must have noticed, because he smiled too, a glint in his eye that Remus might've called hopeful. But no, he couldn't still…

The carriage lurched into motion, startling Remus from his reverie. He turned to look at Black — who had made no move to return indoors and instead watched them leave — until his figure shrunk into the distance and eventually disappeared.

The observations of his Uncle and Aunt now began; and each of them pronounced Black to be infinitely superior to anything they had expected. "He is perfectly well behaved, polite, and unassuming," said Mr. Weasley.

"There is something a little stately in him, to be sure," replied Mrs Weasley, "but it is not unbecoming. I can now say I agree with McGonagall, that though some people may call him proud, I have seen nothing of it."

"I was never more surprised than by his behaviour to us. It was more than civil; it was really attentive; and there was no necessity for such attention." Mr. Weasley puzzled. "His acquaintance with Remus was very trifling."

"To be sure, Remus," said Mrs Weasley, "he is not so handsome as Barty; or, rather, he has not Barty's countenance, but his features are perfectly good. But how did you come to think him so disagreeable?"

Remus excused himself as well as he could; said that he had liked Black better when they had met in Kent than before, and that he had never seen the man so pleasant as this morning.

"Perhaps he may be a little whimsical in his civilities," mused Mr. Weasley. "Your great men often are; and therefore I shall not take him at his word, as he might change his mind another day, and warn me off his grounds."

Remus felt that they had entirely misunderstood his character, but said nothing.