Disclaimer: See Prologue

"I still hate him."

Sirius smiled grimly. "Yeah. You're not alone. I mean, it's not that I dislike him, it's that I could quite easily hit a killing curse right between those big, bambi eyes." He raised his eyebrows. "And don't try and act the humanitarian, Remus, because you were up for it several times these past few years."

Lupin cleared his throat. "Several times? You mean twice?" He winked at Sirius. "Three times. I've just seen the next picture." Harry was horrified and he wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "I'm joking, kid." He immediately removed it, perhaps not as comfortable with the gesture as Sirius - who was what one would call a 'touchy-feely' person - or because he had once been Harry's teacher. Whatever the reason, Harry had never felt more comfortable in his presence despite the sudden avoidance.

"Incidentally," said Sirius, "what's the next photograph?"

Lupin held up a picture of himself and Harry's father in -Harry gave a start - one another's arms.

1979

Lupin took his usual seat - the burnt orange armchair - and accepted both the Butterbeer and the sandwich offered.

"Peter?"

Peter groaned and clutched his stomach. "James, I can't. I've got a date on Friday. Do you honestly think I'm going to eat?"

Lupin frowned. "How long have you starved yourself?"

Peter rolled his eyes. "Well, two days but on Saturday morning, I am going to eat so damn much."

Lupin nodded. "And you'll put on about half a stone because that's the way the body works." He smiled sympathetically. "Really, Pete, have the sandwich. You'll only make yourself ill."

Peter shook his head and groaned again.

Lupin rolled his eyes. "You leave me no choice." He smirked and made his way to the kitchen, leaning on the doorframe. "Peter's changed his mind. You don't mind, do you?"

James grinned. "Why would I mind? You're making them." James grinned. "Remus, no-one, and I mean no-one, makes a sandwich like you."

Lupin rolled his eyes but he smiled. "All right. What have you got?"

Ten minutes later, he handed Peter a plate. "Right, I haven't even put butter on it so there's no fat whatsoever. There is protein though, and I cut the fat off the bacon. I've put that in James'; he needs fattening up a bit. And I've bulked it out with plenty of lettuce and you do eat tomatoes, don't you?"

Peter nodded mutely. On the one hand, it would ruin his track record and on the other, it was made by a man known in certain circles as The King of Breaded Goods.

Lupin smiled softly. "Just eat it. You'll feel a lot better." He returned to his seat and immediately, he and James tucked in to two sandwiches and a packet of crisps each. They ate like hippogriffs and Peter had not the faintest clue how they managed to retain such twig-like physiques.

"So," said James, "I need a bit of help from you."

Peter's eyes widened. "What do you mean help?"

"Pete, I'm, not about to ask you for sexual favours, stop looking at me like that." James laughed and Peter smiled back. "No, I need you to do something with my hair for the wedding. I can't go like this and there's nothing I can do it - at all."

Peter nodded. "All right. We'll practice a few styles and see what looks the least messy."

James thanked him and slowly turned to Lupin. "I um…" he trailed off, mumbling.

Lupin frowned. "What the hell was that?"

"I need you to teach me to waltz."

Peter grinned. "Oh man, this I've got to see."

Lupin laughed. "James, I can't. We'd both be leading and that's just impossible." One look at the desperate expression in James' eyes and Lupin sighed. "Come on then. I'll give it a go." He got up, still sighing and rolling his eyes. "Right, now the crucial thing to remember is that it goes quick, quick, slow. All right, good. Now get into position."

James raised his eyebrows. "Remus, I really don't know anything."

Lupin pursed his lips. "This is going to be a very long day, isn't it?" He held his arms out. "Come here. Okay, so you need to lead." He placed one hand on James' shoulder and clasped his hand with the other. "Now, you put your hand here on my back." Lupin positioned him. "Okay, this is so fucking awkward." James laughed. "Now, you take one step forward with your right foot. No, your left." James did so and Lupin stepped back. "Good. Very good. Well done."

James grinned at Peter triumphantly. "Ha! I've got to see this, indeed."

Peter snorted. "It looks ever so funny, Prongs."

Lupin glared at him. "Now, take one step forward and to the right with the right foot. Now, this sounds trickier than it is. You should trace a letter L as you do it but upside down." James frowned, mystified. "Here," said Lupin, "let me show you, look."

James somehow managed to repeat the move, a lot less gracefully than his teacher had done, but Lupin smiled encouragingly and made the right sort of noises.

"Okay, so now you shift the weight onto your right foot. Now, keep the left still. Good. Now, let's imagine we've got to the third beat. Slide the left foot over to your right." James did so. "Superb. Now, step back with your right."

"Oh," said James, "this is the same thing in reverse."

Lupin nodded. "So back and to the left with the left foot now. That's good, but with the backward L." He frowned and grabbed James as he toppled. "Yes, it is harder backwards. We'll keep working on that one. Do that again for me."

James slowly went through the motions, stepping backwards and twisting his foot.

"Brilliant," cried Lupin, grinning at James as though he had established World Peace. If there was anyone more cut out to be a teacher, neither James nor Peter could think who. "Now slide your left foot…that's it! Okay, so let's do it again from the beginning now. Left foot forward…and one, two….three. One, two…three. There! You've got it!" he cried, allowing James to twirl him and feeling like a total pansy.

CLICK!

"Wormtail!"

Peter laughed. "Sorry, Moons. I just couldn't resist."