Love, Probably.

Marlene closed the Duolingo app with a sigh. She was so early that the check-in counter hadn’t opened yet. She’d bought herself a coffee for an extortionate amount of Euros, and as she sat sipping it, trying to get her money’s worth, she opened Instagram.

Right there, the first profile on the ‘people you might know’ section; DoriDowes.

She clicked on the picture and thanked the social media gods for making her profile public. She scrolled down her pictures: the lake, Dorcas laughing with friends, dressed up for a night out, in matching pyjamas with a pretty woman who was never featured in photos again.

It was that photo, the spike of ugly jealousy she felt, that made her realise what she should have known already. She downed the rest of her coffee and strode towards the S-Bahn.

Once she was on the train that would take her back to Pöcking, she realised the gravity and potential idiocy of what she was about to do. She began googling phrases she might need, Duolingo not having prepared her for a confession of… love, probably.

She was mouthing along with ‘Ich bleibe, wenn du willst.’ when her phone rang.

“Alright, Barty?” She said cheerfully.

“Alright, Marls. You at the airport yet?” He asked. “I need to talk to you about something.”

“Uh, there’s been a bit of a change of plans. I’m heading back to Pöcking. You know I mentioned Dorcas.”

“The hot girl who looked after you because you’re incapable of looking after yourself who you’ve been texting me about for weeks? Yeah, I know Dorcas.” Barty laughed, “What about her?”

“I think I’m in love with her, so I’m going to tell her.” The silence on the other end of the phone was deafening, “Barty?”

“Yeah, I’m still here… I— What?!”

“I know. Trust me, I know!” She said, “I just feel like I have to do this. Like I’ll regret it if I don’t.”

“Well… In that case, congratulations? That’s huge!”

“Thanks. Let’s hope this isn’t all in my head and I end up brokenhearted twice in one month. Anyway, what did you want to talk about?”

“Ah, right. Yes, that.” Barty said, uncharacteristically softly, “Well, you know Evan…”

🌙✨🎄✨🌙

Minerva, Poppy and the few friends they still had, gathered around the TV as Poppy changed the channel to BBC Radio 2.

“Alright, this is it, Min,” Poppy said with a grin that Minerva hadn’t seen in a good while. It lit up her face and the way her eyes crinkled in the corners was just beautiful. “Now whatever happens I just want to say…”

“Shh! It’s starting!”

The slightly hoarse voice of Peter Pettigrew came booming through the TV, “Good evening, everyone! This is BBC Radio 2, and it’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for! The Christmas Number One for 2024 has been decided. After weeks of anticipation, thousands of downloads, and millions of streams, the results are finally in. Now, this year’s competition has been as fierce as ever, with some incredible contenders vying for the top spot. From classic Christmas tunes to brand-new hits, to a comeback nobody saw coming, it’s been a truly festive battle. But only one song can claim the title. So, without further ado, the Christmas Number One for 2024 is… drumroll please… ‘Christmas is All Around’ by Minerva! Yes, Minerva has done it!”

Amid the crush of her friends surrounding her, Minerva’s phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Minerva, you’re live on Radio Two!” Peter said, adding quickly, “So please don’t swear… again...”

“Mr Pettigrew!” Minerva laughed, “Didn’t think I’d be hearing from you this evening, what a lovely surprise!”

“Isn’t it just?” Pete said, “Congratulations, Minerva! Do you have anything you want to say to anyone listening? Keeping in mind that we are live. Please.”

“Well, I suppose I’d just like to thank anyone and everyone who believed in this old crone’s Christmas spirit,” Minerva said, surprisingly soberly. “Even if it was just to stick it to Sabrina Carpenter or to see me in the skud on Instagram tomorrow, eh?”

“Any big plans for this evening? Got a big party to go to?”

“As of yet, I’m just spending my evening with a few friends, Mr Pettigrew, but I’m sure the invites will come flooding in any moment.” She laughed.

“Congratulations to Minerva! Let’s celebrate now by playing the official Christmas Number One of 2024, ‘Christmas is All Around.’!” Pete said, pressing play as he heard Minerva shout. “Och, not this shit again!” before she hung up.

As her friends enveloped her in a hug, Minerva glanced over at Poppy by the window, wondering why she hadn’t joined in the mass embrace. Her phone rang and Poppy answered it quickly, nodding a few times before holding the phone to her chest and calling out to Minerva.

“It’s for you!”

Minerva picked up the phone and almost choked. “Elton! Yes, yes, of course. I’ll be there.” She hung up the phone, avoiding Poppy’s gaze. “Well, I just got invited to Elton John’s Christmas Party, so I have to love and leave you, I’m afraid. You all have bairns to get back to anyway! Thank you for being here, though. It means a great deal to me. New Year's drinks are on me!”

She hugged her friends goodbye, then raced to her bedroom to change into something sparkly. When she got the notification that her Uber was outside she rushed to leave, catching sight of Poppy reading on the sofa.

“You want me to post something on Instagram thanking people, or can you be trusted to do it in the back of an Uber?” She asked, Minerva could sense the tension in Poppy’s voice. The tiny tremble at the end of words.

She should just invite Poppy along. It would be very easy to say Come with me, but Minerva didn’t. She checked her phone quickly and said, “I can do it, Pops. I— Thank you. For all of this. I just— Thank you.”

And then she was gone, leaving Poppy openmouthed as her book fell to the floor.

🌙✨🎄✨🌙

As Remus led them through the door of the sports centre attached to the school, he turned and smiled at him. “Ready?”

Sirius nodded as they snuck in, but then Remus froze causing Sirius to bump into the back of him clumsily. “Remus?” He asked, a little concerned that Remus had changed his mind suddenly. He followed Remus’ gaze to where a woman with bright pink hair, and a man who could very easily pass for a ginger lumberjack were wandering around, looking lost. “Remus, what’s wrong?”

“I can’t believe she came.” It was barely a whisper, but Sirius heard every painful syllable. He turned to Sirius, his face suddenly pinched, “Teddy’s mum. Pink hair.”

“Ah.” Sirius frowned slightly. “Well. Now that we know her whereabouts, I can call those friendly assassins that we discussed?”

Remus laughed, seemingly surprising himself. “Let’s not put a damper on Teddy’s big day by killing his mum, yeah? I’m beginning to think that you shouldn’t be allowed all this power. You seem far too keen to have someone murdered.”

“Not just any old someone, just the someone who hurt my—” He stopped himself and felt, rather than heard Remus’ breath catch. “I hate the thought of you hurting, Remus.” He said hoarsely. “I wish there was something I could do to fix it… To help… I’d do—”

Remus just stared at him, and for a moment, Sirius thought he might be leaning in slightly before someone else threw themselves at him.

“You’re here!” James choked out. “I didn’t think you’d make it! I didn’t want to bother you, but god the thought of being here alone…” He pulled back, realising that they were not alone, took one look at Remus and his eyes lit up. “Oh fuck! You’re Remus, right?”

Remus nodded, a blush spreading across his cheeks in a way that made Sirius’ blood sing but didn’t let go of Sirius’ hand. “Guilty as charged. Which I imagine makes you James.”

“And you would be correct.” James nodded, pulling Remus into a one-armed hug. “So glad to meet you finally. I’ve heard so much about you!”

“Oh, really?” Remus looked at Sirius out of the corner of his eye and grinned, “I’d say ‘all good I hope’, but I’m not that optimistic. Good to meet you, James.”

“Honestly, for Sirius, as close to ‘all good’ as it gets,” James said, ignoring Sirius’ attempt to get him to shut up by glaring at him. “It’s funny—”

“Remus!” Remus groaned internally. “I told you it was him, Remus!” Tonks and Charlie joined the three of them in the foyer of the sports centre. “Hi!”

Remus just stared at her for a moment, not believing she could be so casual after the last year. “Tonks.” He managed after a few seconds.

“Are you looking for the way into the theatre too? It’s so easy to get lost here!” She smiled. Remus bristled, it would be less easy to get lost if this wasn’t the first time she’d ever been to Teddy’s school.

“No, I’m going to watch from the wings with…” Remus bit the inside of his cheek, “Sorry, where are my manners? Sirius, James, this is my ex-wife, Tonks and her boyfriend, Charlie. Tonks, this is James and…”

“Sirius Black, Prime Minister.” Sirius held out a hand, the free hand that was not still clutching Remus’, which she shook tentatively.

“Yes, I know who you are.” She said, before looking back to Remus, “You hang out with the prime minister now?”

“Times change.” Remus shrugged. “Theatre entrance is through the main school entrance. Out these doors and round the front. My mam and Mary are out there somewhere, just so you’re warned.”

Tonks, to her credit, looked a little nervous at that information. “Right. Thank you. We’ll just…” As they started to walk away, she turned to look at him. “It was good seeing you, Remus. I’m glad you’re happy.” She pointedly looked down at his and Sirius’ linked hands. “Maybe I’ll see you after. With Teddy?”

Remus sighed. He wished that he’d never have to see Tonks again, or her stupid boyfriend, but Teddy missed his mum fiercely and he could never keep them apart, even if he wanted to. “Yes, I know he’ll be so happy that you’re here. Thank you, for coming. Oh, and if he asks, you’ve been really busy working for Santa.”

Tonks nodded, a little confused, before catching up with Charlie.

“It’s a long story,” Remus said to James as he turned back to the two of them. “I’m sure Sirius will fill you in at some point. It involves heartbreak and a bracelet and two innocent Joni Mitchell Blu-Rays which I am still yet to watch.”

“Hmm, perhaps I should hear it from the horse’s mouth. Say, Remus, what are your plans for New Year's Eve?” James studied his face, “I’m having a small get-together at my house. Nothing big, because apparently when your bestie is prime minister you need security for shit like that.”

“Well, my mam is watching Teddy for me, but I was supposed to get drunk and watch movies with my friend, Mary…” Remus said.

“Bring Mary along!” James grinned at him. “She’s more than welcome.”

“She doesn’t like me very much,” Sirius grumbled.

“Then definitely bring Mary along!” James’ grin looked like it might crack his face if it got any wider.

The announcement that the show was about to start rang throughout the speaker system and James nodded to both of them before jogging towards the auditorium.

“See you later!” Sirius called after him, “Well so much for not being spotted…”

“An ex-wife and a brother is hardly what I'd consider spotted.” Remus shrugged, then squeezed his hand, “Come on, I know the perfect spot.”