Smells Like Teen Spirit

Remus Lupin

Thursday | September 18th, 1975

Remus blew the smoke up into the air. There was a window, but Remus kind of felt like choking on the smoke in the room at the moment. He was hiding out in a random, abandoned classroom on the fourth floor. 

He had weed, but he didn’t want to feel calm and chill about this, he needed to feel it. Which was why he was chain smoking. He was running low on fags though. Soon enough he was going to have to buy some more.

His skin felt tight. He felt on edge. It didn’t help that the full moon was in six days; that usually shortened his temper anyway.

The door opened behind Remus, which didn’t make sense. Remus had chosen a room that he had never hid in before and he took the map so his friends couldn’t track him. No one should be opening the door…

Remus turned around– half expecting a stag, rat, or dog (all of the marauders’ animagus forms had really good senses of smell so that could’ve been how they found him)– but it was not.

“Reg?” Remus asked. He blew out smoke.

Regulus looked just as confused to see Remus there ( which was odd , Remus thought. Regulus was usually really good at hiding his emotions ). “Lupin, what are you doing here? Can Sirius not make it?”

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s Thursday night.” Regulus said simply, closing the door behind him.

Then, it clicked for Remus. Thursday was when the Black brothers would meet and catch up.

“Oh,” Remus took another puff. “This is where you two meet then. I didn’t realise.”

“Then, why are you here?” Regulus crossed the room and sat on the desk beside Remus.

“I told Sirius something.” Remus sighed. “He didn’t really react well.”

“Ah,” Regulus nodded. “That makes sense. He doesn’t ever normally react the way you want him to react.”

Remus looked over at Regulus. He looked calm but not impassive (like he usually did in the hallways). He was comfortable, Remus realised.

“That sounds like a story.” Remus hummed.

Regulus let out a small laugh that sounded more like an exhale. 

“It sounds like experience.” Regulus corrected. “What did you tell him?”

“That I had a date.” 

“Oh?”

“He didn’t like who it was with, I guess.”

“Ah, that makes more sense.”

Remus laughed lightly, shrugging. “I’m glad I told him though. I’d rather he be a dick about it than me have to hide it.”

“That makes sense.” Regulus said. “Very mature of you.”

Remus snorted. “Never call me that again. I’ll be disowned from the marauders.”

“I’m sure that you’ll make due.” Regulus said. “You could always join me and my friends. They quite like you.”

Remus smiled.

The door opened again and the two boys turned. Sirius’ eyes widened when he saw Remus. 

“Moony.”

Remus turned to Regulus. “Nice talking to you, Reg.” Regulus’ face scrunched up from the nickname. “I’ll see you around.”

Remus stubbed out the cigarette and went to walk around Sirius.

“I’m not homophobic!” Sirius blurted out when Remus was arms length away. Remus stopped walking and raised an eyebrow. Instantly, he heard Sirius’ heartbeat spike. “I swear, Moony. I don’t care about who you go on a date with. Boy, girl, neither. It doesn’t matter. I was just shocked because you hadn’t come out to me. In fact, no one had really come out to me other than James and Mary. And, they only did it to make sure that I knew that it was okay because I was freaking out earlier in the year, and I let my fucking mother get in my head. I let her make me believe that it was wrong, but it’s not wrong. I’m sorry, Moony. I really am. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Remus blinked. That… that was a lot . Remus wasn’t even sure how Walburga and James made their way into Sirius’ apology.

“Okay.” Remus opened his mouth but no more words came out. He swallowed. “Thanks, I guess.”

“I promise, Moony.” Sirius took a step closer. “I didn’t mean to be rude, I was just shocked.”

“Okay.” Remus smiled softly and relief poured out of Sirius. Remus held out his arms and allowed Sirius to tuck into them. Remus rubbed his back. “I forgive you, Stars.”

“Oh, thank Merlin.”

Regulus cleared his throat. Both marauders looked up at him. Remus let go of Sirius with a pat on the back.

“Sirius,” Regulus said. Sirius’ full attention was on him. “I think that you should know. I’m gay.”

Sirius looked surprised for maybe a second before pure joy took over. Sirius looked fucking ecstatic . Sirius ran forward and captured Regulus in his arms. Then, it was Regulus’ turn to look surprised before he melted into it.

Regulus made eye contact with Remus over Sirius’ shoulder and smiled. It was a small smile, but it was genuine and fit Regulus. Remus nodded and left, closing the door gently.

~ ~ ~

Friday | September 19th

“Okay, what are we going to do?” Sirius asked, entering the room dramatically (as if Sirius did anything any other way).

“You always do this,” Peter groaned. “You always enter a room and just assume everyone knows what you’re talking about. Well, I don’t. What are we going to do about what?”

“We have Minnie first thing Thursday morning and the full moon is Wednesday night.” Sirius explained with an eye roll. “She gives Remus a pass because he’s a bloody werewolf-”

“Let’s not say that like it’s a blessing, shall we?” Remus offered. He didn’t even bother looking up. 

“Sorry,” Sirius said quickly but continued. “We’re going to be tired and we need a reason to seem so so she won’t catch on.”

“So, a prank.” Remus gathered.

Sirius’ eyes sparkled. “You have an idea, Moony?”

“Maybe.” Remus hummed, not looking up from his book. He felt Sirius’ weight fall onto his legs. “ Oof !”

“Will you tell us?” Sirius lowered the book, looking at Remus with big, pleading eyes.

“What do I get?” 

“My last chocolate frog?”

“Deal.” Remus snapped his book shut, put it on his bedside table, and gave Sirius his full attention. “I already have the spell ready as well.”

Sirius beamed. “What is it?”

“We enchant all of the suits of armour to sing.” Remus said. “I haven’t picked the song yet though.”

“Well, you have the best music taste out of all of us, Moony.” Peter said.

“Hey!” Sirius and James both gasped, aghast. Remus smiled smugly. 

“I’ll figure one out.” Remus nodded. “How mortified do we want to make Minnie?”

“I think she secretly enjoys all of our pranks.” James said, thoughtful. 

“Will the charm or spell work with a time delay spell?” Peter asked, bringing the conversation back. “Or do we actually need to set it up that night?”

“How would we do that?” James asked. “We all need to be with Moony?”

“Well, actually…”

Sirius and James both whirled around to glare at Peter. Remus rolled his eyes and looked at Peter kindly. Poor Pete looked about ready to burst, sweating from sheer fear.

“What’re you thinking, Pete?” Remus asked, trying to relieve Peter’s anxiety. He knew that James and Sirius meant well, that they thought Peter was being disloyal, but Remus knew better.

“Well, you know that plant I told you about, Remus?”

“Yeah.”

“It can only be harvested on a full moon.” Peter admitted, guilty. “I’ll still let you all into the tree and all, but I really need to harvest this.”

“You’re going to miss a moon because you want to harvest a plant?!” Sirius challenged.

“Hey, lay off, Sirius.”

Sirius turned to Remus. He was still angry but more upset that Remus didn’t care than at Peter. “He wants to miss a moon for a plant!” He whined. 

“The plant is actually for me, Sirius.”

Sirius shut himself off with a click. He looked at Remus curiously. “What do you need the plant for?”

“It’s going to make a potion that will help me cover up my scars.”

Sirius’ face fell. He looked scared, mortified really. “You’re going to cover your scars?” 

Why did he care so much? Why did he look so scared? Why did his heartbeat just spike?

“Um, yeah?” Remus shrugged. “Just in case, Micah and I…” Remus trailed off awkwardly, not wanting to elaborate. Sirius’ brows furrowed; he looked really confused. Remus swallowed, not wanting to have to continue, but Sirius still didn’t get it. Remus glanced at Peter and James. They got it. Remus looked back to Sirius. Remus sighed and wiggled his eyebrows. Sirius’ eyebrows immediately raised to his hairline and his face flushed red, mouth forming a big ‘O’. “So.”

“So.” James and Peter repeated. 

“So, Pete will help you guys with the Whomping Willow, and then go harvest his plant,” Remus said, not looking at Sirius. “Harvesting a plant shouldn’t take too long… right, Peter?”

“Right.”

“Right, so Peter will harvest his plant and then use the spell that I’ll teach him to enchant all of suits of armour to sing a song that I’ll need to decide.”

Sirius nodded and left the room.

~ ~ ~ 

Monday | September 22nd

The owls at Hogwarts never dropped the students’ mail softly or carefully. Remus tried to avoid the Great Hall on Mondays (mail day) for almost half of breakfast just to miss the owls. The owls were messy and loud and Remus could never deal with it that early in the morning.

So when Remus strolled up to the table, his mail was already on his plate. He slid into his spot on the bench in between Peter and Micah (who had taken to always sitting with them).

“Moony!” James looked up from his letter (from Effie. Remus could tell because of the small, neat cursive). “Mami sent you something.”

“Effie?” Remus tilted his head. 

“Yeah! She sent Marls, Pete, and Pads each a letter but these are for you.” James pulled out a small tin. “She tried out this new chocolate bark dessert thing and wanted you to try it as our resident chocolate lover.”

“Aces.” Remus reached out and took the tin.

“Chocolate addict more like.” Peter grumbled under his breath. Remus flicked a piece of bacon at him– with shockingly good accuracy, Remus might add. James snorted. 

Remus placed the tin carefully in his messenger-style school bag and picked up the envelope. It was from Hope but it was slightly thicker than usual, only by a little though. Inside were two folded up sheets. Remus unfolded the first.

“What in Merlin’s name is that?” Micah exclaimed, leaning over to look at the letter. 

“A letter.”

“Is it?” Micah raised their eyebrows. “The only word that I can understand in this is Charlotte and that’s the one word that’s crossed out!”

Remus looked at the letter:

… roedd eich ffrind, Charlotte Charlie, eisiau anfon llythyr atoch chi hefyd felly fe wnes i ei gynnwys…

“Oh, yeah.” Remus nodded. “My mam was telling me that my friend, Charlie– the muggle one that’s like you ? Without gender ? –wrote me a letter too. ‘Charlotte’ is Charlie’s deadname. My mam knew Charlie when they were a kid and they only came out to her this summer. She tries to get their gender right but she still gets it wrong on occasion.”

“Wait,” Micah waved his hand. “Your ‘mam’-” Micah said ‘mam’ with a raise of their eyebrows as if to say that it was odd to call one’s mum that. “-knows about gender and all that?”

Remus hummed in affirmation while he started to prepare his plate. “Yeah.”

“Are you out to your parents?” Micah asked. Their heartbeat was fast. Remus looked up and saw the desperation on Micah’s face. It was clear that they really cared about Remus’ answer. 

Remus smiled, “Yeah. Both of my parents know. My dad doesn’t really get it but my mam does because her sister– my Aunt Joy– is bi too.”

“So,” Micah was trying to convey casualty but Remus could smell their excitement. “You’d be able to tell your parents about our date?”

“Yeah?”

Micah beamed. 

“That’s good?” Remus confirmed.

Micah grasped Remus’ upper arm. Remus flinched at the sudden content but smiled through it. “You don’t get it. I’ve had past relationships and such but I always have to hide them. So, it’s a really big deal that you could – not that you have to– tell your parents about me.”

“Are you not out to your parents?” Remus asked.

“My parents are dead.” Micah shrugged, completely ignoring the way Remus choked on those words. “I live with my nana. I’m out to her. She’s muggle so she has a bit more of an understanding about sexualities and genders and all that.”

Micah turned back to their food, almost bouncing in their seat, and Remus tried not to sag in relief when Micah’s hand let go. It wasn’t like Remus was super averse to touch, he didn’t hate it; it was just that Remus liked warning. He liked to see the touch coming. Either to be warned or to initiate it himself. Remus could feel the other three marauders’ concerned eyes on him but he refused to meet their gazes. He could deal with their mother-hen-like tendencies later.

Instead, Remus read through Hope’s letter. It was in Welsh, which meant it was slightly easier to read (Remus had more difficulty reading before he’s had his coffee or tea but he had learned Welsh first so it came slightly easier). In short, she was finally able to manage growing mint in the window boxes outside their flat in London and she really wanted to know how everything was going for her ‘annwyl’ . 

Remus opened the next letter, which was (as previously mentioned) from Charlie. In unpracticed handwriting wrote:

‘Remington,’

Remus rolled his eyes. Charlie knew his name; they just enjoyed getting it wrong.

‘ I had no clu how to talk to you! I sware your fanse bording skool aint reel (how do u aford it, bi the way?). Aniway, I have tons news but I’ve crap at riting and want to talk about it. u said that u could call me some weekends so we need to skedool a time. rite soon!

-Charlie’

“Hey, guys.” Remus stood up from the table. They all looked at him. “I’m going to head to Potions early.”

“Really?” Lily turned around in her seat. “You hate potions.”

“I want to write to my friend so I can send it as soon as possible.”

Lily turned back to the table and– both her, James, and Marlene– made a big joke out of counting all of them at the table.

“Har har har.” Remus rolled his eyes. “I do have mates outside of you lot.”

“The muggle who got you into smoking?” Sirius asked, looking up. 

Remus’ eyes widened a tad, surprised that Sirius remembered. “Yeah. I’m going to go write to them. See you.”

~ ~ ~ 

“Have you chosen a song?” Peter asked as soon as he entered the dorm. Remus sat on the window sill, aiming the smoke through the cracked open window and listening to the vinyl player the marauders and Prewett twins had bewitched and charmed in the marauders’ second year (most muggle things didn’t want to work with magic).

“I’m thinking: ‘The Bitch Is Back’ by Elton John.” Remus said. “I feel like it fits.”

Peter smirked.

~ ~ ~ 

Saturday | September 27th

The moon had gone surprisingly well, even without Peter. Moony was distracted by the change in location from the summer (where Remus would visit his Aunt Joy for a few days in the Welsh countryside) and was apparently very excited to be reunited with his old packmates.

Remus didn’t have to recover from any scratches or bites– just the regular bone crushing and reforming and moulding pains– so he should’ve been able to have gone to Minnie’s class but of course, McGonagall and Pomfrey said otherwise. 

It was worth it though. To hear Elton John scream bitch even all the way in the infirmary. Apparently Slughorn had a fit, but the prank wasn’t even really directed at him so no one was too fussed. 

Saturday came and Remus was ready. He threw on a brown and navy jumper, his baggy jeans, and his brown converse. He grabbed a quick pastry from the Great Hall, met up with Micah in the front courtyard, walked with them to Hogsmeade, and led them to the phonebooth.

“What’s a phonebooth doing in Hogsmeade anyway?” Micah asked. “They’re a muggle invention and Hogsmeade is a wizarding town.”

Remus hummed. “I think it was used in the Global Wizarding War as a sort of Portkey, but it fully works like a normal phone and no one ever blinks twice at it anymore because it’s been here so long.”

Micah nodded. 

Remus stepped into the booth and inputted Charlie’s number. It rang and then clicked.

“Alright, Charlie?”

“ Remington ?” Charlie’s voice rang out. “ ‘That you, y’old knob? Y’leave fer what? Tree weeks and you start soundin like a posh gobber, don’t ya? Really livin up t’ya name. Aren’t ya, Remington? ”

“Yeah, yeah,” Remus laughed. “Take the Mickey. ‘You try to keep your accent when you’re sleeping in a room with blokes who know when to say ‘whom’.”

“ ‘Y’know when to use ‘whom’. ” Charlie pointed out.

“That’s because I’m a swot; they’re bellends.”

Charlie snorted. “ Blimey! I fuckin’ miss ya, Remington. It’s soddin borin’ in the shop now.”

“You’ll get by.” Remus said. “Now, what’s the big news?”

“ Oh, so much, Remy- ”

“Don’t call me that.”

“- first off, my pops finally kicked the bucket. ”

Remus’ mouth fell open. “What!? Actually?”

“ Yeah! Just last week, wouldn’t y’know?”

“Good fucking riddance.” Remus breathed out.

“ Remus! ” Micah gasped, next to Remus.

“What?” Remus turned to them. “He’s an absolute bigot and a junky.” Remus then spoke to the phone. “You alright though? I know you hated him and he hurt ya, but he was still your dad.”

“ I should feel somethin’, shouldn’t I? ” Charlie sighed. “ But, I don’t. Most upsettin' thin' ‘bout it was we ain’t got ‘is income no more. I’m tryin' to work more at the shop and mum’s out of re’ab– so she’s lookin' at jobs too, but it might not be enough. We’ll get by though, won’t we? We’re good like that. ”

“I’m sorry, Charlie.”

“ Eh, it’s fine. Or, it will be. ” Remus could practically hear Charlie shrug. “ I’ve got more news though, don’t I? Ready? ”

“Sure.”

“ I ‘ave a crush! ”

“Oh?”

“You know ‘er too!”

“I do?”

“She’s that blonde customer that I thought was pretty.”

“Six shots of espresso in one cup with extra, extra whipped cream?”

“ Yeah !” Charlie exclaimed. “ ‘er name’s Penny. She’s in my ‘omeroom at school. Remington, I think I might be in love .”

“Love?!”

“ I don’t know if she’s into girls though. And, I know ‘m not a girl but I appear as one, don’t I? ” Charlie sighed. “ We’re friends now though, and I just ‘ad to mess it up and crush on ‘er, didn’t I? ”

“I don’t think you’ve messed up anything, Char.” Remus leaned back against the inside wall of the phone booth wall. “No one wants a crush on their best friend but who knows? She might like girls or girl-appearing-people-without-gender.”

“ Yeah, maybe .” There was a slight thud on the other side of the line like a head falling against something. “ Y‘don’t get any news out there, do you? ”

“Not really, no.” Remus admitted. “Why? Something happen?”

“Pink Floyd just released a new album. ‘Wish You Were Here’. Sounds ‘bout right, don’t it?”

“Careful, Charlie.” Remus teased. “You almost sound sappy. What will that do to your street cred?”

Micah snorted. 

“How much is it?”

“Three pounds, I think.”

“Can you buy it for me if I send ya the money?”

“ Sure, I guess so. ” Charlie let out a small huff-like-laugh. “ You can’t afford that though. Unless y’suddenly won the lottery with’out tellin me?”

“What’s the point of getting my rich friends into my style of music if I don’t exploit their money?”

“ Smart man .”

“I’ve been told.” Remus laughed. “Any other albums?”

“ Y'must really be cut off at that school, aren’t ya, Remington? ”

“You have no idea. Hey, could you get me a few packs of fags too?”

“ Might as well. ” Charlie said simply at the same time Micah said, “Are they old enough for that?”

“They’re not, but that’s never stopped us before.” Remus smirked.

“ Who’s that with you? ” Charlie asked.

“Oh, didn’t I mention?” Remus knew he didn’t mention. He was excited for their response. “I’m on a date right now.”

“And you let me ramble on! Remy-”

“Still not my name.”

“Who!? What’s their name? ” Charlie demanded. “ ‘You swing both ways, don’t you? What’s their gender?”

“Their name is Micah and they’re actually like you.” Remus said. “They’re not a boy or a girl.”

“ No way! ” Charlie exclaimed. “ Get ‘em on the phone! I wanna talk to ‘em! ”

“Micah, Charlie wants to talk to you.”

Remus and Micah switched places: Remus holding the door open but standing outside it and Micah in the booth.

“ ‘ow’d you get a date with our Remy?”

“Don’t call me that!” Remus called into the phone.

“How’d you even hear that?” Micah asked, incredulous. 

“ Nah, Remington’s just mad like that. ” Charlie said. “ I’d say something under m’breath at the counter and ‘e’s somehow ‘ear it from across the shop. Mad ‘earing, ‘e ‘as .”

“Well, mind if I ask you a few questions?” Micah asked.

“ Sure .”

Micah gave Remus a look. Remus let the door close and went to lean against the side wall of the Hog’s Head. He could still hear them if he chose to but he wanted to respect their privacy and pulled out a fag instead, snapping to light it.

He already made the mental plan to send Charlie way more money than necessary to buy the album and fags. He knew Charlie was downplaying their financial issues. Remus wasn’t rich in any means– especially compared to his fellow marauders. He wasn’t even middle class and Charlie was always worse off than him. Now that their shit dad was out of the picture, they don’t even have his ‘real job’ income.

Remus tilted his head back and blew rings of smoke up into the sky– a trick Lily taught him. A small group of younger girls (maybe third year) walked by as he did this. Once they saw him, they all started to giggle at each other and sort of freak out as they walked away. One girl was brave enough to give a small wave. Remus nodded back and they giggled more.

Remus smiled to himself, returning the fag to his lips. That was a side effect of being friends with Sirius and James, younger kids and girls looked up to him like he was something worth looking at, something worth being admired or put on a pedestal. 

Remus’ cigarette was just about burnt down when Micah finally stepped out of the booth, a lazy smile on their face.

“Have fun?” Remus asked with his eyebrows raised, stubbing the fag out on the stone brick of the wall. 

“Very informational.” Micah smirked, instantly making their way to Remus’ side and under his arm. It felt odd for Remus but he allowed it and didn’t flinch away (because he saw it coming).

“I feel like I should be scared.”

“Maybe.” Micah hummed. 

“Oh god.” 

Micah laughed. “I can hear your accent better now.”

“What accent?” Remus huffed.

“It’s stronger now because you were talking to Charlie, but usually it’s a bit more hidden.” Micah explained. Remus looked over. Micah looked back, still under Remus’ arm. “Why do you hide it?”

“It makes me hard to understand.” Remus shrugged– an odd movement with his arm over their shoulders but still. “Also, people immediately assume you’re slow. I didn’t talk much in first year because of it. I just listened and tried to copy the guys’ accents the best I could.”

“Is it a conscious choice then?” Micah asked. Remus removed his arm now that they were on the main street. “To speak like this? Or does it come almost naturally now?”

“It’s a bit of both.” Remus said. “It only really comes out when I’m drunk or angry. James and Sirius have something similar where an accent comes out when they’re sloshed.”

“Really? What accents?”

“Sirius has a french accent that he’s been trying to shake for years and James has this weird ‘hinglish’ thing.”

“‘Hinglish?’”

“It’s this odd mix of Hindi and English.” Remus tried to explain. “It’s like he forgets which word belongs to which language so he just kind of mixes them.”

“I think I do that too.” 

“Speak Hinglish?” Remus teased.

“No,” Micah bumped their shoulder against his. “Mix up languages. I’m Dutch.”

“Oh, where are you from in the Netherlands?” Remus asked.

“The countryside. I swear it’s like in the middle of nowhere.” Micah opened up a door that Remus instantly recognises as ‘Tomes and Scrolls’. “Now, here’s the plan.”

“Hm.”

“We each pick out a book that we think the other will like and buy it for each other. Maybe we can read them together another time.”

“Not a bad plan.” Remus smiled. He moved away from them to peer at the shelves.

~ ~ ~ 

After Tomes and Scrolls, Micah brought Remus to Honeydukes and allowed him to pick out anything he wanted and then bought it for him. Remus showed Micah this really cool lagoon that wasn’t too far into the woods that Remus and Peter had discovered in their fourth year. 

 Afterwards, they made their way to the Three Broomsticks where Remus’ friends had already claimed a booth. Remus and Micah piled in beside Lily and Mary with James, Sirius, Peter, and Marls on the other side. 

“We didn’t know what Micah would want to drink so we haven’t ordered for you.” Peter explained.

“That’s okay.” Micah turned to Remus. “What do you want?”

“Just a butterbeer would be aces.” 

“Okay, I’ll be right back.” Micah stuck his head out of the booth, looking both ways before laying a quick kiss to Remus’ cheek and leaving. 

As soon as Micah was roughly out of overhearing range, Remus’ friends all freaked out. Remus rolled his eyes and helped himself to a sip of Lily’s butterbeer.

“You’re kissing now!?” Mary demanded.

Remus shrugged, perfectly aware of how mad he was driving his friends. He was purposely being elusive just to annoy them. 

“When’d that happen!?” Marlene asked. 

“I took them to the lagoon.” Remus took another sip; it was a little flat but it still warmed him up. 

“You took them to the lagoon!?” Sirius gaped. 

“Yeah, so?”

“That was our spot! The marauders!”

“Pete and I found the spot. We can choose who to tell about it.”

“But still! I c-”

“So, you two kissed there?” James interrupted. Remus could see James laying a warning hand on Sirius’ leg. 

“Yeah,” Remus nodded just as Micah slid into their seat again, sliding Remus his butterbeer. 

“So,” Mary leaned forward to be seen from behind Lily. “Are you two official then?”

Micah looked over at Remus before answering. Remus nodded softly to him. Micah looked at the rest of the group. “Yes.”

The girls squealed and the boys cheered. Sirius didn’t swallow his drink before trying to do so though and choked. James had to pound his back.

“So, to be clear,” Remus took a sip and cleared his throat. “I’m Micah’s boyfriend but they’re my partner .” 

Micah beamed and everyone else nodded.

“I’m so happy for you two.” Lily smiled, reaching out and squeezing Remus’ hand. “How was the date?”

“The date was good but let’s talk about something else, shall we? What were you laughing about when we walked in?” 

“Marlene’s Rosmerta impression.” 

“She does the best impressions.” Remus explained to Micah, turning to face him.

Micah smiled softly and kissed Remus on the lips before leaning back. “I’m sure she does.”