"I don't quite remember being that dramatic," older Remus said. They had just watched his younger self run out of the room. A silence hung over them.
"This is the first time I've seen him that worked up," Sirius commented. He, James, and Lily were shocked by their friend's words. How could he call himself a monster?
"Oh, Remus," Lily sighed, shaking her head. He was one of her best friends, and when she had found out his secret, she had to admit that she didn't believe it at first.
Remus Lupin, probably the kindest and most thoughtful person she knew, a werewolf.
"Is that what you think, Moony?" James asked the older Remus. "You think you're a monster?"
"I've lived most of my life telling myself I was," said Remus, "I am dangerous. There was even a time when I endangered the lives of others..."
"Remus, that was not your fault," Tonks told her husband insistently.
"If I had just remembered, it wouldn't have happened!" Remus sighed. "I'm sorry, Dora..."
"I understand, but you, Remus Lupin, are not dangerous," Tonks told him, a determined look on her face. "You may turn into a werewolf once a month, but you are a man every other day. A wonderful man, I may add."
Remus rubbed the back of his neck, a small smile on his face. "Thank you," he mumbled. The three teenagers watched the sweet scene, until James decided it was becoming a little awkward.
"Do you know where he went?" he asked, looking worriedly at the door his best friend had gone through.
"Don't worry," Tonks answered, reading his expression, "He wouldn't run off anywhere."
"Shouldn't... shouldn't someone go speak to him?" Sirius asked. "Maybe we should go—"
"I'll go," said Tonks.
"We're his friends," Lily piped.
Tonks smiled sadly. "I know."
They watched as Tonks gave older Remus a kiss, much to his embarrassment, and walked out of the room.
Remus sat in the living room of The Burrow with James, Lily, and Sirius. It was something he had always wished for— the four of them alive and well.
This... this was something else.
"So..." James was always the one to break the silence "When did you get married, Moony ol' pal?"
Remus grinned. "July of this year. We haven't been married long," he said, playing with the ring on his finger.
"And she's already pregnant? Moony, you dog!" Sirius seemed to have gotten over the fact that his best friend married his cousin and wiggled his eyebrows.
"It wasn't intentional," Remus said quietly. He blushed.
"We're happy for you, mate," said James. "You seem happy."
"I am," replied Remus, "If it weren't for her, I'd be long gone."
After a few minutes of questions about the baby ("When is it due?" "Is it a boy?"), Mrs. Weasley came into the room with a bunch of clothes.
"Let's get you all changed now, shall we? James, Sirius, you three boys can stay in Percy's old room. Lily, dear, you can have Ginny's."
"Molly, is it fine with you if they stay here?" Remus asked.
"Of course, there is more than enough room with the children... gone," Molly shook her head. She gave them all a set of clothing. "Hopefully, these will fit."
"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley," said Lily appreciatively. James and Sirius followed suit, mumbling their thanks. Mrs. Weasley smiled, patting Lily's hair.
"Will you and Tonks be staying as well, Remus?" she asked. "There is still Bill and Charlie's room."
Remus shook his head. "No, no, but thank you. We should really be getting home, Andromeda must be worried sick, especially with Ted..."
"I understand," Mrs. Weasley said sympathetically. "They are outside."
"Thank you," said Remus.
James, Lily, and Sirius followed Mrs. Weasley as she showed them her rooms. "The Burrow" as they called it was a very cramped home. Despite the house feeling crowded, it still had a warm, home-y feel. They arrived at the first floor.
"This is Ginny's room, my youngest and only daughter. She's at Hogwarts, so you have the room to yourself, Lily dear," Mrs. Weasley said. "The bathroom is down the hall."
"Thank you again, Mrs. Weasley," Lily thanked.
"No fuss at all," Mrs. Weasley said warmly. "Sleep well, dear."
Lily smiled, waving to James and Sirius. "Good night."
James and Sirius said their good nights, and Lily closed the door. They followed Molly to the second floor, where they heard a loud crash from one of the rooms.
"What was that?" Sirius asked.
"My twins, Fred and George. Always causing trouble," Molly said this fondly, a small smile on her face.
"Fellow pranksters?" James mouthed to Sirius. They both grinned.
"This will be your room," Mrs. Weasley opened one of the doors. The room was neat and organized with a large bookcase on one side. Despite being very clean, it seemed empty. Molly took out her wand and conjured two more beds.
"Thank you for letting us stay in your home," James thanked politely. Mrs. Weasley smiled, but there was something else in her expression.
"Mrs. Weasley?" said Sirius.
"Yes?"
Sirius shook his head. "Nevermind. Good night."
Molly smiled the same smile she had towards James. "Good night, boys," she said and walked out the door, closing it after her.
Remus left the room, watching as Mrs. Weasley escorted them up the stairs. Once they were out of sight, he went through the kitchen and out the door, where he saw his wife and his younger self. He leaned against the doorway, crossing his arms. Dora noticed him just as she was talking and looked up, his younger self following her line of view.
"It's nearly one in the morning, Dora. We should be going," he said.
Dora tilted her head a little, a confused look on her face. "What about them?" she asked, indicating his younger self. Older Remus noticed that he was avoiding his eyes.
"The Weasleys have offered to keep them here," he said.
"Okay," Tonks said, standing, "we'll show you upstairs."
Younger Remus followed. "It was nice... uh... talking to you, Tonks," he said as they went inside.
"You can call me Dora," she told the boy, chuckling. Older Remus wrapped his arm around his wife's waist, helping her up the stairs. They arrived at the second floor, where they met Mrs. Weasley.
"Oh!" she said when she saw them. "Remus, Tonks, are you sure you won't be staying?"
The couple smiled. "It's fine, Molly, we were just showing him the way," Tonks told the mother of seven.
"Oh, all right," she turned to younger Remus and pointed him to Percy's door, "just in there, dear. I've left a set of clothes inside."
"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley," Remus smiled shyly. He turned to his future self and wife. "Good night."
He opened the door, feeling their eyes on him.
