For the Hogwarts Forum

Honeycomb (support group!au)

817 words

Remus doesn't know why he's here. Well, maybe he does. All the bizarre things that have happened, the things he can't explain… The mysterious flyer appearing in his school books with this location and a promise that they can help…

But why is he here? He could have ignored the flyer, and yet something inside him insisted that he check it out.

His eyes flicker over the small gathering. A girl, younger than him, with shocking pink hair. A bald man with dark skin and a kind smile. A trio of boys. All of them seem so at home here, and Remus suddenly feels awkward. Is he the only one who has never been here before?

One of the boys from the trio walks towards him. Remus swallows dryly, taken aback by how handsome he is with his dark hair pulled into a messy bun and his grey eyes like storm clouds. "What do you do?"

"I'm… I'm just a student," he answers.

Pretty Eyes chuckles, shaking his head. "First time," he guesses. "I mean what made you realize you can do magic?"

Magic? Remus studies the boy, waiting for a punchline. Surely he's joking. Magic is dangerous; he's been taught that since childhood. He isn't… He doesn't…

But how else can he explain the strange things that happen to him? He shakes his head.

"It's tough to come to terms with," Pretty Eyes assures him, resting a hand on Remus' shoulder, the touch electrifying. "My parents were old school practitioners, so I'm used to it. But if it just sort of hits you… I'm Sirius, by the way."

"Remus."

Sirius grins, a twinkle in his stormy eyes. "Even your name is magical."

Remus can't shake the feeling that this is all some elaborate joke or, worse, a trap. Did someone see the way he somehow controlled the dog that was moments away from attacking him? Did someone suspect there's something was wrong with him and set up a group to hurt him?

Before he can put too much thought into it, Sirius' two friends approach, both wearing identical grins. "Stop flirting, Sirius," one with short, messy black hair says, adjusting his glasses. "Why do you always get first dibs on the new ones? James Potter. This is Peter Pettigrew."

The shorter, pudgy boy offers Sirius a shy smile and quick wave. "Pleasure."

"Remus Lupin," Remus says hesitantly, cheeks burning at the sudden attention.

He's spared having to speak more as a man with a long beard to his belly. The old man smiles at them, his blue eyes scanning the small crowd. "Ah. A new face," he says brightly. "My name is Albus Dumbledore. Welcome to Phoenix Support Group."

Remus shifts nervously. His eyes flicker over the group, and he impulsively steps closer to Sirius, the closest thing to familiar comfort he has here.

"Does anyone want to begin?" Albus Dumbledore asks.

The mood of the group shifts suddenly. Everyone becomes quieter, more subdued, as though they no longer want to be here. The old man at the podium smiles. "Don't be shy," he says gently. "This is a safe space."

"I levitated yesterday," James says proudly, a smile on his lips. "I don't know how to control it yet, but-"

"That's why we're here," Dumbledore says. "Friends and learning."

"Friends and learning," the group echoes.

The girl with pink hair steps forward. "My transformation power is growing," she says. "It's not just my hair now. I can…" She trails off, scrunching her face. A moment later, her nose twists and contorts, forming an unsightly beak.

Remus relaxes slightly. Maybe this place really is safe. It's hard to believe, but he actually feels it. With the new witch trials taking place damn near every day, and a new execution at least twice a month, when he discovered his power, he believed he would have to hide it and live in fear of discovery.

"Thank you, Tonks," Dumbledore says kindly. "Kingsley?"

…

"What do you think?" Sirius asks, catching up to Remus as the group begins to split and leave.

Remus swallows dryly, offering a non-committal shrug. "I liked it."

"So what do you do?"

Remus glances around. They haven't reached the street yet where admitting his talent might be dangerous. It's safe, and though he has known Sirius for such a short period, he feels like he can trust him. And yet the words seem to stick in his throat.

"It takes some getting used to," Sirius says with a grin. "You'll come around."

"I hope so."

"Will you be at the next meeting?" the other boy asks.

"I think so."

Sirius nods, a pleased smile on his lips. "Maybe we can go out for dinner after the next. If… I mean, if you want."

Remus smiles. "I'd like that."

As he and Sirius go their separate ways, Remus glances back with a smile. He belongs.