The Professors' Hall
After the Christmas ball dance, the evening was in full swing at Hogwarts, but in the teachers' room, the atmosphere was much more serious. The teachers, after letting the students enjoy the party, had all met for a little private discussion, away from the curious eyes of the students. Away from the music and lights, the atmosphere in the teachers' room was quiet, and you could hear the beat of the clock echoing softly in the air. McGonagall was the first to enter, followed closely by Flitwick and Sprout, who also seemed to wonder what they had seen tonight. All eyes were turned to Remus Lupin, who sat down at the table, still a little absent.
"Minerva, didn't you see that?" asked Flitwick, adjusting his glasses. "The twins really tried their luck with Harry tonight. I'm surprised they haven't caught it yet, given their history of pranks."
McGonagall nodded, his face marked by unparalleled disbelief. "I have never seen such a denial from a student... especially not Harry." She sighed. "It's obvious, isn't it? The twins fell in love with him, and I'm afraid the situation is no longer under control."
Lupin, who was sitting in the background, stared at the table, lost in thought. It had been a few months since he had seen Harry evolve, and he could no longer ignore that something had changed. But he did not want to accept reality yet. Harry and the twins? No, it wasn't possible.
"Harry is just a child, Minerva," Lupin said hesitantly. "He doesn't understand this kind of thing yet. The twins... It's just a phase. I'm sure it will pass."
The determination in Lupin's voice betrayed his refusal to see what was in front of him. McGonagall, who had seen so much over the years, was now worried about him. "Remus, you have to stop living in denial. Harry is grown up now. The twins actually love him. And he's completely unconscious."
Lupin stood up abruptly, his face turning slightly red, disconcerted by the conversation. "I... I can't believe in it. That's impossible. Harry is... like my son." His eyes avoided McGonagall's. He forced himself to continue, "He's too young to understand love, Minerva. I don't want that to be true."
Flitwick, usually the most cheerful of teachers, turned to Lupin, taking a more serious tone. "Remus, you saw how Harry reacts with the twins, didn't you? He doesn't understand what they're trying to do, but it's really obvious. And trust me, it's not just a simple friendship. It's much more."
Sprout, who was listening attentively, sighed softly. "Harry has always been a little... away from love affairs. But tonight, it was more than obvious. The twins want more. And Harry, he doesn't see anything."
The professor of caring for magical creatures shook his head, tired of Lupin's persistent ignorance. "It's frustrating to watch. You can see that he doesn't pick up anything. But he's just... innocent. He doesn't see it. And the twins, they're both falling in love with him."
McGonagall nodded, and a heavy sigh escaped his lips. She knew that it was difficult for Lupin to understand what was going on. But the time had come to clear the fog. "You have to be realistic, Remus. Harry is an adult now. He is able to feel things... and maybe even more than you want to admit."
Lupin's eyes were overcome by confusion. He sat down again and ran a hand through his hair, obviously too disturbed to continue the conversation. "But how?" he stammered. "I can't imagine it... not my Harry."
McGonagall placed a comforting hand on Lupin's shoulder. The situation was delicate, but he could no longer ignore what was going on around him. "Remus, he's grown up now. And he is still as adorably oblivious to the twins' attempts. But we have to accept it. Maybe he'll get it one day."
Flitwick added, almost happily, with a wink, "I bet they're going to melt it eventually. It's just a matter of time. They already have it in their clutches!"
Lupin gave Flitwick a doubtful look, but deep down he knew it was too late to ignore. McGonagall stood up, her gaze fixed on the professor of defense against the dark arts. "You know, Remus, one day you're going to have to accept reality. And maybe that moment will come sooner than you think."
Silence fell over the room, each teacher waiting for a reaction from Lupin. But the latter, immersed in his thoughts, made no reply, and there was no further discussion on the subject. But everyone knew that Lupin's denial wasn't as strong as it used to be.
"Truth is often stranger than fiction." — Lord Byron