Not long after the Lupin-Blacks were married, they received a visit from Minerva McGonagall. This in itself wasn’t unusual, as the woman would stop by for tea a couple of times a month, but what was unusual was the fact that when she arrived, Professor Dumbledore was standing at her side.
And so there they sat, in the kitchen of the Cottage at Backways Cove, Albus Dumbledore sipping tea from a mug that says ‘Best Moony Ever’ on the front, while Minerva shares a biscuit with a 3 year old Harry.
“It’s good to see you again Professor Dumbledore,” Remus begins, holding onto Draco who has decided that now is the perfect time to practice balancing on one foot on his fathers lap.
“And you my boy,” Dumbledore smiles, setting down his tea before continuing, “I was wondering what you’ve been doing with your time lately.”
“I beg your pardon?” Remus asks, peering around the 3 year old standing in front of his face.
“I meant to ask in regard to your employment, you see.” Dumbledore clarifies.
“Oh, well I’ve found it quite hard to hold a job, with my condition and all,” Remus shares, “But I do spend a lot of time looking after the boys.”
“Yes, I imagine you would!” Dumbledore chuckles, a twinkle in his eye as he watches the two boys climb down from where they were sitting and begin running around. “And how about you, Sirius my boy?”
“I’ve been working part time at a store in Tintagel. There’s a decent sized wizarding community around here, what with the legends of King Arthur and Merlin.” Sirius explains, although the slight flush in his cheeks shows the embarrassment he feels at working such a simple job, especially with all the potential he showed while he was in Hogwarts.
“Indeed,” Dumbledore agrees, showing no judgement, only a small smile. “Either way, Minerva and I have been discussing it, and we’d like to offer both of you roles among our teaching staff at Hogwarts, should you want to take them.” He says this with the calmest demeanour, and both young men freeze at the offer.
“We understand,” McGonagall picks up where Dumbledore left off, “That it may not be the most viable option, having two young boys to look after, but we want to offer it anyway.”
Sirius and Remus look at one another, trying to figure out how to respond, and Remus speaks first.
“What roles would you be offering?” He asks, curiosity getting the better of him.
“Remus, we would like to offer you the role of DADA teacher, and Sirius, the role of Astronomy teacher.” McGonagall smiles softly, knowing that the men have a lot of passion for their given subjects.
“Could we- is it alright if we take some time to think about it?” Sirius asks, mind going a mile a minute.
“Of course, of course!” Dumbledore agrees. Suddenly the two toddlers run back into the room, laughing contagiously, and Sirius scoops them both into his arms, carrying their wriggling forms into their joint bedroom, declaring nap time.
{-------------------------------}
Once again, the Lupin-Blacks’ find themselves seated in the kitchen of their small home, their two former professors seated with them, a week after their initial conversation. After several late night discussions once their two chaotic balls of energy were in bed, they had come to an agreement.
“We would love to take up these positions-” Remus begins, looking to Sirius to try and find the right words.
“-but we think that for now, we both need to be very present at home. For the boys.” Sirius finishes his husband’s sentence, gently squeezing the other man’s hand which rests on his own knee.
Both men watch as both Dumbledore and McGonagall’s faces fall slightly, the pair obviously hoping for a different answer. Minerva recovers her composure first, an understanding smile gracing her features as she looks at the young men she had grown so fond of.
“An understandable choice.” she concedes, glancing at Dumbledore, who has regained his own composure and is taking a sip of the elderberry tea in front of him.
The older wizard wipes his mouth, gently clearing any remnants of the tea from his beard, before clearing his throat, eyes glinting in the way only Dumbledore’s eyes do.
“If you should change your mind, perhaps once Harry and Draco are a bit older, the positions will be there for you.”
“Really?” Sirius’ eyes widen, “But what if that’s not for another 8 years? Surely you’ll need professors until then.”
“We will fill the positions,” Dumbledore concedes, “But you are two of the most promising students to have come out of Hogwarts in many years. I have no doubt that your intellect and strength of character would do the students of Hogwarts a great deal of good.”
“Wow.” Remus looks between the pair of professors, shocked. “That’s- thank you.”
Before any more can be said, the sound of two toddlers racing through the house can be heard, the patter of tiny feet against hardwood floors before their smiling faces burst into the room.
“Mimmy!” Harry shouts at the sight of his favorite visitor, throwing himself across the room and into the older woman’s arms. She catches him with a soft smile, allowing him to sit on her lap while Draco goes over to Remus, looking shyly at Dumbledore.
“Hello Draco.” The old man smiles at the blond toddler, eyes twinkling.
“Hello Mista Dumby-daw.” Draco murmurs in response, burying himself in his Papa’s side immediately. He knows the older wizard is nice, but something about him has always scared Draco. Remus runs his fingers through his older son’s hair with a smile.
“Well, I’d best be getting back to Hogwarts.” Dumbledore stands from his seat. “Thank you very much for the tea.”
“Our pleasure.” Remus responds, “Thank you for coming.”
Dumbledore inclines his head in response, walking towards the floo before turning back to his associate.
“I’ll see you tomorrow Minerva. Goodbye boys.”
“Bu-bye Mista Dumadow!” Harry shouts, waving from his spot on his Aunty Minnie's lap and watching as the man disappears into the floo. “Mimmy stay?”
“Yeah buddy,” Sirius responds, getting up to brew another pot of tea. “Minnie is staying.”
Both men smile as Draco pulls himself away from Remus and runs over to sit on the witch’s other knee, cuddling into her with a soft smile. This day turned out better than they planned.