August 27, 1995

At the Order meeting that Sunday, things were starting to feel a little weird. As Nymphadora took her usual seat at the board table, in between Remus and Kingsley, Sirius throws her a very dark glance from further down. She finds this odd but explains it away as simple brooding over the fact that the kids were going back to school that Friday. Throughout the meeting, which was hyper-focused on the details of accompanying the kids to King's Cross safely, she kept noticing these dirty looks. It seemed as if she was nervous that Sirius was angry with her every other week at this point…but this time felt more real.

After the meeting, Molly announces that dinner would be ready shortly downstairs. As other members of the Order stand up to leave, Nymphadora catches Remus's sleeve and pulls him close to whisper: "Is something wrong with Sirius?"

He chuckles. "Isn't there always?"

She gives him a knowing look, trying to convey that she worried it might be about them. He nods, understanding. "We'll talk later."

With that, he stands and walks over to strike up a conversation with Mad-Eye. Nymphadora is left alone at the table, head full of worried thoughts and guilt.

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Later that night, after dinner, Nymphadora retreats up to her bedroom to wait for Remus. He hadn't slept with her since their "first date," and she was beginning to worry she had done something to sabotage the relationship. Knowing this was silly, and she was just overthinking it, she makes herself comfortable on the bed and turns on the Muggle news.

Elsewhere in the house, Remus was trying to find an opportune time to talk to Sirius privately. This was proving to be difficult, as Sirius was obviously soaking up his final moments with Harry before the start of term. He hung around way later than he normally would've in the kitchen after dinner, waiting for Harry to go to bed. Around eleven, he finally did, and the two were left in the kitchen alone.

"Pads-"

"Enough, Remus."

Sirius stands and begins to head for the staircase.

"Alright, out with it. What's your problem?" Remus asks, standing as well. "Tonks noticed your dirty looks. You can throw them at me all day long, but she doesn't deserve that."

Sirius stops, still not turning to face Remus.

"Just because you don't like me dating her doesn't mean you have any right to be rude to her."

"Dating? Thought you said it wasn't serious…" he finally replies. He turns around, eyes tired and sad.

"It's…it's not," Remus says. "It's just a general term, no need to get hung up on my word choice, Pads."

"Well, fucking forgive me for not being exactly pleased having to interact with the love of my life's new partner."

"Sirius. We were 17. Don't make this out to be something bigger than-"

"Don't EVEN, Remus," Sirius replies, tears forming in his eyes. "Don't you dare lie and say what we had wasn't special. You felt it too."

"I did, Sirius, I'm not denying that."

"Then what is it then?"

Remus takes a deep, even breath before continuing. "I've moved on. And I think you should too. Please leave us alone. We're happy. Let it be at that."

Sirius swallows, looking down at the floor. "Fine." With that, he continues his way up the stairs.

Remus takes a moment to calm himself alone in the kitchen before heading up to Nymphadora's room. Although he tries to come off as tough and unattached saying these things to Sirius breaks his heart. What they had was special…emphasis on was. Remus thought it would be better for the both of them if they just moved on but…there's no denying it was hard. As he ascends the stairs, the aching feeling in his chest comes creeping back. He steadies himself before knocking quietly on her door. Moments later, the door swings open, revealing her in her silk robe and messy hair. God, she was beautiful.

"Wotcher," she greets, standing back to let him in. "Where've you been? I was starting to think you wouldn't show up…again."

"I was talking to Sirius," he replies, sighing.

"Oh," she realizes, looking grim. "How did it go?"

"Uh…" he laughs, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "Not great, I won't lie."

"Bollocks." She wanders over and plops down on her bed.

"He's just having a hard time adjusting, that's all," Remus starts. "Being locked away for twelve years? It can't be easy to just immediately click back into society, no issues."

"What does that have to do with me though?"

"Well…like I told you…"

"Yeah," she says, patting the spot next to her, indicating for him to sit. "You two were a thing back then."

Remus sits, sighing heavily. He feels her hand comfortingly on his back. "I think it's just hard for him to see me with someone else. And that's a perfectly normal human reaction. I know seeing Sirius with girls in our earlier Hogwarts years used to break me."

She nods, looking gloomy. "So, what do we do? Do you want to go back to him?"

"No, Dora," he says, catching her eye and trying a small smile. "I'm happy. And I think you're happy, too. I don't think we should have to sacrifice that happiness."

"I am happy," she confirms. "For the first time in a long time…I'm actually happy."

He grabs her face and kisses her softly. With his forehead still against hers, he says: "I don't know what to do. Even if we aren't together, he's still my best mate."

"You could lie."

He sits up, quirking an eyebrow.

"Just say we broke it off. He wouldn't know the difference."

"Yeah, unless he catches us in each other's rooms again," Remus scoffs.

"We'll just be extra careful then," Nymphadora replies. "I don't see another option without Sirius feeling hurt. And he doesn't deserve that after all he's been through."

"You're right," Remus replies. "We'll have to really put on a show around him though."

She laughs. "Yeah, gonna have to act like we hate each other."

"That won't be hard," he jokes, leaning in to begin kissing her neck.

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