The moving day
Remus woke up early. It was Saturday morning, and Lily said the guys will be coming over some time before lunch. He had two copies of rental contracts ready at the table, the house was relatively clean and he even managed to put together a list of useful tips. How to get the shower pressure to stay constant and not quit on you in the middle of the shower, how he recycled garbage and what can go in the compost bucket he kept under the sink etc. He felt ready for the day. He got dressed in his favourite jean overalls with rainbow trim on the front pocket and an avocado green t-shirt. He liked walking around the house and garden barefoot, but his trusted work boots with steel-cap toe were waiting in the hall in case the boys needed help moving some heavy furniture.
Remus made himself a big mug of morning tea with milk and took out the bread that was proofing overnight in the fridge. He tried the top by gently pressing it with his finger to see if it was ready. The oven was already pre-heated so he lowered the loaf into the Dutch oven pot and quickly scored it with a razor blade.
He got into the habit of baking his own bread about a year ago and has been keeping a jar of sourdough starter in the fridge ever since.
He was about to go and check the garden for any slug damage, which was usual this time of the year, when someone knocked on the front door.
He opened it and was instantly faced with a smily James and sleepy looking Sirius standing on the top step.
„We're here early! Mom made us pack everything last night." James declared and looked at remus expectedly.
„Well, that's a surprise. I wasn't expecting you until later but come on in." Remus invited them and lead the small group to the kitchen."
„Remus, this is mom and pa." Sirius introduced the older couple that followed them in.
„It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am, sir." Remus shook their hands. „Can I offer you a cup of tea, coffee, lemonade?"
„Oh dear, just a cup of water would be nice." The woman smiled and continued: „I'm Euphemia, but you can call me Mia and this is my husband Flemont, Monty Potter. So you are the young man brave enough to take these two off our hands?" She asked and patted Sirius on his cheek.
„Well, I'll take good care of them for you." Joked Remus.
Once they were all seated around a jog of cold water with some fresh mint from the garden, Monty took the contract and started carefully reading every word of it.
„Everything looks good, pretty much just a standard rental contract eh?" He asked Remus.
„Yes, just the basics, to make sure both parties are protected and agree on the same rules." Replied Remus feeling totally out of place, discussing contracts as a landlord.
„Well boys, this all looks great, why don't you start bringing your stuff inside from the car while Remus gives us a tour of the house. I know Mia would love to see the garden. Would that be ok Remus?" asked Monty.
„Of course, why don't we start with the garden and I'll show you around the house next.
JPOV
Sirius grabbed his huge backpack and an Ikea bag with the duvet set, bedsheets and some basic decorations they bought and run back inside the house to claim the room with the garden view. They have been arguing about who gets which room since they saw the house the first time and no agreement was reched yet. It looked like it will be decided on first comes first serves basis.
James wasn't far behind, with his suitcase and his own Ikea bag full of bedding.
As Sirius reached the first landing, he threw himself into the room on the right and shut the door behind him.
James was about to start banging on the door with his free hand, when sleepy Lily, dressed in Remus' boxers and loose t-shirt came down the stairs from the attic, to see what caused the sound.
They were both frozen on the spot. James tried to look everywhere but at her as she desperately tried to pull the t-shirt down to at least cover the boxers.
„Um, hi. I didn't know you are already here." Sh squeaked and turned red like a beetroot.
„Yeah, well, we, ...moving in and all...oh god...ehm, I'd better go, in here." He pointed at the other room and run away from her as fast as the oversized suitcase allowed.
He shut the door and slid down to sit on the floor. Oh god, can he please catch a break? How many weird situations is he going to go through with her? And why was she wearing man's boxers and t-shirt? And she came from his bedroom, oh god. He made a total fool of himself, inviting out a girl of his new landlord. Oh god.
James stood up trying to compose himself. It's ok. He can just laugh it off as a misunderstanding. No one has to know how disappointed that makes him feel. And besides, it's just a crush, he doesn't even know her.
He looked around the room. It was clean and totally empty. Dark brown hardwood floor was contrasting nicely with the white wall and window. It was tiny, yes, but he didn't need much space. They ordered furniture from Ikea, and he chose a basic wooden bed frame with matching dresser and a small area rug in burgundy red. He couldn't wait to set up his room and feel at home.
Feeling ready to come out of the room, he straightened his shirt, smoothed down his hair and opened the door.
He was met with a concerned looking Sirius.
„Hey, is everything ok Prongs?" he questioned.
„Yeah, fine, just saw Lily coming down from the attic and it got a bit awkward." James tried to move past Sirius but there wasn't enough space.
„Is it because she was wearing that white tank top with jean shorts? I know how much you like jean shorts. You couldn't get your eyes off me when I wore mine the other day!"
„That was because you cut them off so short they were barely more than a belt! We saw way too much of you, if you know what I'm saying!" exclaimed James and pushed past Sirius, but it was too late. Sirius saw the blush creeping up his neck. HE was not going to hear the end of it.
Soon enough the delivery men came and unloaded all the heavy boxes in the small rooms, but by the time they finished unwrapping the bed frames, it was lunch time and Remus served everyone open faced sandwiches made from freshly baked bread and lemonade.
„Now boys, since the car is empty, me and mom will go get you some basic necessities in the grocery store and you get back to work and set up the bed frames." Ordered Monty. I want to see the mattresses unrolled by the time we get back."
„Ok, well, we are at your service. Just let us know what you need help with." Offered Remus, gesturing towards himself and Lily.
„I call dibs on Remy!" yelled Sirius and grabbed Remus by his hand and pulled him upstairs.
This left James and a very uncomfortable looking Lily, alone in the kitchen.
„I'm sorry about earlier." She apologised. „I had no idea anyone was here."
„No, it's ok, your house right?" replied James.
„Well, I'm just staying here for a few days. My sister and her boyfriend had some plans and I ...wanted to give them some space. So it's just for a week or so."
„Oh, ok. Well... if you feel like it I could use some help with the bed building upstairs." James tried to change the topic to something safe to talk about.
„Of course, let's go."
„We better start quickly, before Sirius makes it into a race." Laughed James.
„Oh my god, are you kidding? I win all the competitions. You are on the team of champions!" Giggled Lily maniacally and sprinted up the stairs. Seems like Sirius is not the only competitive one.
SPOV
Sirius did not release Remus' hand until they were all the way upstairs in his new bedroom. Ugh, so many boxes. At lease the delivery people had the decency of bringing them upstairs.
Remus sat down on the floor grabbing the first manual and opening it on the first page.
Sirius ordered a small single bed with wooden frame, which he was planning to paint white later and a wooden unfinished dresser which was going to be pained blue.
Building the bed frame was easy enough. With instructions from Remus, and a little help from google, they had the frame ready in no time.
„Ok, the grand opening!" announced Sirius and took off the velcro straps which were holding the mattress rolled up. It sprung open and almost knocked Sirius over.
Remus tried really hard not to laugh, but was failing miserably.
They brought up some lemonade and chips and James managed to dig out his set of speakers, to which Sirius promptly connected his phone and started playing music. They opened the bedroom doors and competition soon forgotten, helped each other out with the rest of the furniture building.
The dressers proved to be the most annoying. Countless drawer edges and rails and ton of tiny screws rolling all around the floor.
Remus was lying on his stomach on top of James' bed, with Lily right next to him, and the two other boys sprawled on the rug in front of them.
„So, we still need to hang the curtains otherwise you'll be waking up at 5 in the morning, with the birds." Sighed Remus. He was feeling utterly exhausted.
„Well, you two love birds chill on my bed and Sirius will help me." Replied James and the boys got up to fetch the ladder from the laundry room where Remus kept it.
„They seem to think we are together." Giggled Lily.
„Well, it's not the first time someone thought that." Shrugged Remus and flipped over on his back.
„We could have some fun with that!" Lily suddenly sat up, eyes alight with mischief. „You in?"
„Sure, but why do you think they'll care?" Remus asked, totally confused.
„Well, maybe they will maybe they won't. I just want to mess with them a bit. Where is your Marauder spirit?" she poked his side. Marauders was what they used to call themselves in high school when they'd prank teachers and classmates.
Remus was always up for a prank and they always had a lot of fun preparing the stunts.
„Quick they are coming!" Lily whisper-yelled and threw herself half on top of Remus, who had his head hanging over the edge of the bed and was laughing uncontrollably now.
When James and Sirius walked in carrying the ladder, they both froze, as soon as they saw the couple all cuddled up on the bed.
„Erhm, you two are cozy. Remus no offence, but if anyone gets to break in the bed, it should be me." James commented without missing a beat and moved to the window.
„Well, you can break in my bed any time you want Remus." Sirius winked at him and followed James to the window, with a handful of curtains.
Remus choked and started coughing violently while Lily helped him sit the right way up.
„They know!" She whispered. „They must have heard us. The game is on!"
Oh god. What did he get himself into.