The sun was fully in the sky before Remus came out of his reverie. He loved watching the sun rise. But now Remus stood up and walked inside his flat, with one last glance at the glimmering sky.
"Remus! You're early!" Tom called over the babble of early customers stopping in for breakfast.
Remus nodded, and made his way over to Tom.
"Well, laddie, I'll tell ya what. You get to man the cash register, until maybe six, eh?" he asked.
Remus nodded again.
"Well, I'll be around. 'Prolly won't be much in the way of business today, though. Well, get to it!" he slapped his knee jovially.
The job was pretty easy. It was a good thing he liked math. All he really needed to do was make change and chat with Tom. It really wasn't all that bad. He'd definitely had worse jobs.
The time flew by, and Remus Apparated home with a last wave to Tom, feeling a bit better than he had before.
The days melted into weeks, which melted into months. Remus was as happy as he could be given the circumstances, bu the couldn't quite shake his depression. His job was going well, and so far he had been able to control his 'furry little problem' with minimum fuss. Basements are incredibly convenient things to have, especially when they have no windows.
Christmas was coming up fast. For the first time in his life, Remus had an opportunity to see Diagon Alley at its Christmas finest. Snow was falling in flurries of chilly white fluff, festive wreaths decorated every door, each one a little bit different, and good cheer could practically be felt in the air. The sounds of caroling and bells were always to be heard, and the smells of pine and peppermint permeated the crisp winter air.
Shoppers bustled through the streets, going merrily about their way, and a friendly "Hallo!" was often to be heard.
Remus had helped Tom to decorate the Leaky Cauldron. Mistletoe and candles decorated the bar, a wreath hung upon every door, and the mirrors had been especially charmed to sing charming, classic carols instead of their usual wheezy insults.
But best of all was the tree. Hagrid had stopped by to help haul in a towering evergreen, which they proceeded to decorate heavily with plenty of tinsel and glass balls.
Remus leaned against the oak counter and breathed in the fresh pine aroma.
He was planning to spend his Christmas here with Tom. Tom's family was not made up of particularly nice people. At least, that's how Tom diplomatically put it.
They had planned a small party for Christmas Eve night. It involved a gift exchange, albeit a small one, and a rather large hot chocolate spree.
Remus was just preparing to close up shop for Tom, who had taken the day off to visit his ill but kindly sister, when the bell tinkled and in walked none other than Albus Dumbledore, his blue eyes twinkling cheerfully behind his half moon spectacles.
"Hello, Professor."
It felt odd to be calling his old teacher 'Professor', but it would be even odder to call him Albus, thought Remus decisively. It was a bit of an awkward position.
"Hello, Remus." Dumbledore nodded pleasantly.
"What brings you here, sir? And can I get you something to drink?" Remus inquired.
"A small gillywater would be delightful, thank you," he said, unsticking and sucking on a yellow lemon drop.
"I came more to talk than anything, I suppose," Dumbledore mused, almost to himself.
"Here's the gillywater, sir, talk away," said Remus, feeling more awkward than ever. He wasn't quite sure what to expect.
"Well," said Dumbledore, after taking a delicate sip, "I really came to inquire after your well-being. And, of course," he added as an afterthought, "to wish you a happy holiday."
"I've been fine sir, thank you,"
"Well, I daresay you look it, even after-" here he fell silent, his blue eyes unusually somber. "Halloween."
Remus felt a jolt. He hadn't forgotten Lily and James and Peter, no, far from it. Nor Sirius. Especially Sirius.
He didn't know what to say, really, so he remained silent.
"The past cannot be changed. But, the future can. Well," said Dumbledore, getting up, "thank you kindly for the gillywater. Happy holidays to you, and do pass the message on to Tom, please," he said lightly, eyes having regained their twinkle. He placed a few coins on the table and left the shop without a further word.
"Happy holidays to you, too, sir," Remus said quietly, and finished closing up shop with thoughts chasing wildly through his mind.