This is a story set in present day, so there will be references which would not be accurate considering the real Marauder era.
Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions, or creative criticism, I'd be happy to hear your thoughts.
I'll try to update at least once a week.
Thanks for reading.
Saturday 1 pm.
Remus was trying to keep busy in the garden. Pulling non-existent weeds from the garden beds, re-filling watering can and re-organising his gardening tools.
Lily was quietly sitting on the bench near the door, sipping her iced tea.
„So do you think they will like the house?" She asked Remus who was still bent over the garden bed.
„Do you think they will like me?" He asked quietly.
„Do you think you will like them? Lily replied fiercely. „This is s much about you deciding, as them. You have the main say. If you think they would be nice people to live with then that's great, but if not, we will just keep searching ok?"
„Ok, yeah, and what about..." Remus started.
„Well Sirius suggested he's into guys right, so I guess he would be a LGBT+ supporter, and James is his brother and they seem really close so I don't think he will have any issues." Lily tried to reassure him gently.
„It's not the same. You know it's not the same."
„Well. We'll see if you like them at all and then you can worry about other stuff, but as far as I'm concerned, your private life is none of their business and you can choose how much you tell them anyway." She concluded, picked up her empty glass and went inside.
Remus stayed behind, slowly running his hands through the carrot tops which were nicely growing in neat rows. He has never been so aware of his binder, or so nervous about being liked and accepted. Why should he worry about what his potential roommates might think? He has Lily and Dorcas and Marlene and he isn't looking for any more friends right now so it doesn't matter. He just needs to get through the house tour and chat with the boys for a bit. He can do it.
Remus' thoughts were interrupted by door bell ringing across the house.
„Remus! Door bell!" Lily called from the kitchen sink where she was rinsing her glass.
Remus walked to the front door and opened it apprehensively, prepared for a hyperactive duo and a wave of overwhelming energy, same as in the video, but he was met with two boys, quietly standing on the front steps, smiling politely at him.
„Hi." He said stupidly and every other thought he ever had seemed to leave his brain.
„Hi!" They replied in unison and then dived into the awkward silence.
„Hello there!" said Lily and effectively broke the awkwardness. „Why don't you come inside. We can have some iced tea and maybe chat a little?" She suggested and walked to the kitchen table.
Remus motioned for the boys to follow her and closed the front door behind them. They were tall. James just an inch or two taller than Remus, but Sirius was at least a head taller, and they both moved with ease and confidence.
Remus shuffled behind them and sat down next to Lily, not really knowing what to do. They practiced this and prepared questions for the potential tenants but his anxiety was catching up with him.
„Well..." he started but got stuck and Lily helpfully took over.
„We have some questions for you two, before Remus gives you the house tour, if that's ok?"
James smiled at her and nodded encouragingly.
„Well, why are you looking for a place to stay now? You are both students and the academic year is almost over." She started.
James glanced quickly at Sirius and then turned back to Lily. "We are living with our parents at the moment, and it is time for a change, a fresh start if you will. Mom thinks it will be good for us to get our of the house and experience a bit of a freedom, you know, away from the parental supervision. I will be 23 in October so it's about time."
„Fair enough. We also waned to know if you will be working or if you can guarantee that you'll be able to pay the rent on time." Lily continued, checking off the questions from her notebook.
„Well, I'm planning to get a job during summer hols, but during the year I need to concentrate on studying, but I have money saved up so you don't have to worry about the rent." Offered Sirius. „ We would be happy to pay a deposit or couple of months in advance if you want."
„Yeah, well I'm busy with football training all summer but I have money saved up and mom and pa will help out as well. I really think they wanted us out of the house." Added James.
„Ok, great, well, I'd also prefer if we did not organise too many parties. Lous noises and lack of sleep kind of trigger my migraines. Would that be a problem for the two of you?" Asked Remus, who felt like he should contribute to the conversation, as the owner of the house.
„Ugh that suck man!" said James. „No, not the no-party rule. The migraine thing, I mean... my mom used to get horrible migraines when I was a kid but managed to find some medication that works for her."
„We don't need parties at home. We can always go out or to someone else's house. And besides, I like to think of my home as a quiet peaceful place with no drama, so that's cool." Added Sirius.
„Well, that's settled then. Do you have any questions for me, before we start the house – tour?" Asked Remus, feeling much more at ease, slowly sipping iced tea.
„Yah, how many people share the house?" started James, who seemed to be going through his own mental list of questions.
„Oh, well, it's just me, actually, but Lily is here a lot and sometimes sleeps over. If you want to have friends or your partners over, that's ok, but if they'd be staying more often, let's say more than 50% of the time, then we should discuss their contribution to the energy bill." Explained Remus. He was trying really hard to step up to the role of a home owner and land-lord but he felt like a kid plying pretend game.
„Fair enough." agreed Sirius. „ Are you also a student?"
„No, I'm hoping to get to university one day, but for now I'm working at the library cafe and saving up money for school."
„That's where I know you from!" Sirius suddenly exclaimed pointing a finger at surprised Remus. „I've ordered coffee from one of your colleagues and ...remember Jimmy, I was upset that I didn't get to order from..." Sirius suddenly went quiet and the tips of his ears turned red.
„Anyway, I think that's all the questions we would have for now." James saved the situation by taking attention from Sirius. „ Would it be ok to see the house?"
And so Remus showed them the living-room, kitchen, small loo under the stairs and garden before leading them upstairs to the first floor. The doors to the bedrooms were open. The rooms were practically identical. Tall ceiling, hardwood floor, two windows each. One of them facing the street, which was thankfully a quiet side road, the other one facing the garden.
„Well this is it. These would be the rooms, and your bathroom." He opened the bathroom door. „I have my bedroom and bathroom upstairs, in the attic, so this bathroom would be just for the two of you."
„Do we get the tour of your room as well?" asked Sirius winking at Remus.
„Maybe one day." Replied Remus, winking back. What was he doing? Is this flirting? He can not be flirting with his potential tenants. The reply just slipped from his lips before he could stop himself.
„So what do you think?" Lily turned to James, since both Remus and Sirius seemed too flustered by the exchange, to move on.
„Well, I think I speak for both of us when I say we love it here." Laughed James on the way down.
Once they were all standing in the living room again, Remus finally found his words.
„Thanks for coming on such a short notice. I will e-mail you once I select from all the applicants. I'll have an answer for you before Wednesday. Does that work for you?"
„That's perfect, no rush." Said James herding Sirius out of the door.
„what was that Rem!" Squealed Lily as soon as the front door closed. They both looked at each other and burst our laughing.
„I don't know. I just felt really at ease with them, so it was easy to joke around."
„Right." Said Lily slowly, shaking her head while still giggling. „I never saw you so frisky, remus Lupin. Let's write then the acceptance e-mail then. We both know you're not going to interview anyone else."
Seems like Lily and James are going to have their hands full with keeping Sirius and Remus in check.
Please let me know what you think so far.