Chapter 5
15 November 1976
Remus probably wouldn’t be able to say that he was happy with his life, but he was happier. Things were still tense with his roommates, seeing as they had not interacted much since the fight. Remus wishes it was easier for him to let them in again, or for him to forgive Sirius, but he was always stubborn.
Remus had never been trusting, it wasn’t in his nature, especially because he always seemed to have so many secrets. Or maybe it was the other way round. Maybe he had so many secrets because of his lack of trust. But that didn’t matter.
Remus, however, was getting better, he relied less on his friends now anyways. He had Regulus, something he still couldn’t wrap his mind around. He didn’t really need to though.
Over his years at Hogwarts, Remus had watched Sirius’ and James’ friendship grow and evolve. The four of them had always been close, but those two had something else entirely. It was like they were made for each other. It was hard to not be jealous of them sometimes.
Remus wouldn’t say that he was that close with Regulus yet, but talking with him was different. They always seemed to know what the other person needed. If they wanted to be alone, they would be alone together, if they wanted to talk, they would be able to talk endlessly to each other. It was like they had known each other for years.
That night, they were sitting in their spot, and they were simply existing in each other’s company. It was so easy to do.
“Remus?”
“Yep?”
“We’re friends right?”
“Obviously” Remus almost laughed, “Did you not pick up on that Mr Clever?”
“Can we do friends stuff?”
“Like what?” Remus was confused.
“Well I’ve never really had a friend before, other than Sirius I suppose” Regulus said matter-of-factly, “I want to do friends stuff”
Remus could have cried, Regulus wasn’t being particularly earnest about it, or nervous, but he still found it cute.
“Well what stuff did you have in mind?”
“Nicknames?”
“Seriously?”
“You did that with your crew didn't you?”
“How about Mr Clever?”
“Definitely not”
“I’m out of ideas then”
Regulus looked at him, and though he was being very casual about the whole thing, Remus could tell this was something he genuinely wanted to do.
“How about whiskers? You are a cat”
“Bit cliche isn’t it?”
“I’m trying!”
“Fine! Whiskers it is”
“No, no wait, how about Toebeans” Remus was having fun now, “It’s perfect!”
“Fine!” Remus could see he was hiding a smile on his face.
“What can I call you?” Regulus was thinking about it carefully.
“How about satellite?”
“Huh?!”
“The moon is a natural satellite! It fits”
“Doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue though, does it?”
“Good point” Regulus said, “How about Gibbous?”
Remus raised an eyebrow.
“I thought you’d at least know the phases of the moon! God, Remus! The waning gibbous is the moon phase right after the full, your favourite.”
“I like it”
“Good, these are our nicknames now, no taking them back”
“I would never”
Remus often forgets how sweet Regulus can be, he disguises it with contempt and fancy words, but he really cares about things. He acts as if he doesn’t need friends, but now that he has one, he wants to be a normal teenager, and do fun things with them.
“You’re my best friend, Regulus” Remus smiled at him.
“I’m your only friend,” Regulus snorted.
“Says you”
Regulus smiles at him, “You’re my best friend too, idiot, and my only one for that matter.”
They have to go back to their dorms after that, but Remus is happy. Probably the happiest he’s been for a while.
When he gets back, Sirius is waiting for him.
“Where do you keep disappearing to?” Sirius speaks nervously, like he’s talking to a wild animal, it makes Remus very angry.
“None of your business.”
Sirius doesn’t know what to say to that, Remus is right, but Sirius was always curious.
“I’m worried about you”
“I’m fine, what I do with my time doesn’t affect you”
Remus gets into bed wordlessly, drawing his curtains shut, and charming them to stay that way.
He tries not to think about Sirius whilst he starts to fall asleep.