Remus and Pandora
Pandora was busy looking for a book in herbology about plants that she could use to create a perfume, something comforting with a pleasant scent that also relaxes the mind. Regulus hasn't been using any perfume these past few weeks because Pandora doesn't like too strong scents; it gives her a headache. While Regulus is not a fan of too-sweet perfumes, it makes him want to vomit. So, Pandora decided to create a perfume that would only be for them. Not too strong, yet not too sweet. Their own scent.
She struggled to get the book on top of the cabinet since she didn't bring her wand, and she didn't want to utter wandless magic. She's too tired for that, and sometimes she wants to feel like a muggle, you know, those who struggle to do carry heavy stuff and such because they do not have any magic in them. As she was struggling, someone took it for her.
"Thanks." She uttered without looking at the man. Yeah, man, the smell is rather strong. It smells like Sirius Black, but the scent of Sirius is much stronger, so thank goodness it's not Sirius because Pandora needs to dumb down a little bit in order for them to have a proper conversation, unlike when she talks to Regulus, they understand each other perfectly.
"You're welcome, Ms. Rosier." Oh, it was Remus. Only one person calls her Ms. Rosier; it is Remus Lupin. Too much respect, if you ask Pandora.
"Ah, Mr. Lupin! Fancy meeting you here." She greeted him with a smile. She likes Remus; he's a smart guy, but Regulus is more intelligent, of course. And Remus can understand words, unlike the two Potter, who can't understand anything.
"Likewise. Can I perhaps talk to you?" Remus asked her. He's not scared of her, and Pandora loves that. If you didn't know, a lot of people were frightened of her because they thought she was scary for Regulus, and she was, but she was not that scary. "If you're not busy, of course, I can help you with whatever potion you are trying to make." He offered with a smile.
"Sure!" Pandora agreed immediately.
She's smart, and so is Remus. Making her work easier, and Remus just wants to talk—a win-win situation.
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Remus spent his free time talking to Pandora, helping her, talking to her, and trying to crack her, looking for the right moment to ask her and let them speak to Regulus. However, he didn't realize that Pandora was smart enough to know what their plan was.
"What are we actually making?" Remus asked Pandora. They've been reading books and mixing potions since day one, and he still doesn't have any idea what they're making.
Pandora stopped mixing the bowl before looking at Remus, "Ah yes, I forgot to tell you, but we are actually making perfume."
"Perfume for you?" Remus asked. He knows that Pandora loves using sweet perfumes, but she has money to buy one. So why must she trouble herself by making one?
Pandora smiled, "Not only for me but for Regulus as well." she muttered.
Her answer made Remus stop mixing the bottle, and he was silent for a minute or so before answering her. "Taking your claim on him to another level, I see." He tried to joke.
Pandora smirked at him, "Yes. Since a lot of people keep on following my fiancée around. I need to make sure that they realize that with all the grass present in the field, only a fragrant flower can attract a butterfly."
That statement took aback Remus, but he realized something by that statement alone. Slytherins weren't joking when they said that Pandora was serious regarding Regulus. She was willing to take any measures to ensure that everyone, especially James, would realize that the only worthy for Regulus was Pandora herself.
"Your friends are abnormally quiet today," Pandora added when Remus didn't comment anything from her statement. Given that Remus has always been ready to refute anything that Pandora says.
"Well, they are busy." He answered. He was keeping himself calm.
"Busy following my Regulus around, I guess?" Remus looked at Pandora, and he saw that Pandora was looking outside the window. When he followed where Pandora was looking at, he cursed.
"Shit."
In the fields, there was Regulus silently reading a book under a tree, with Evan and Barty sleeping beside him. And not far from them, there was Sirius and James sitting on a bench with Peter behind them. Peter was talking. He was trying to persuade the other two to leave Regulus alone, but the two were busy staring at Regulus.
"Thank you for spending some time with me, Remus," Pandora said as she started gathering her things.
"Since when did you know?" Remus asked her.
"Since day one, as a marauder, even if you respect me, Remus, I know that you will never come to me at your own will, more on helping me. So, I know that you had a plan when you approached me." Pandora answered.
Remus was shocked upon hearing what Pandora just said, "Then why didn't you say something from the first day?" he asked.
"Hmmm..." Pandora gathered her thoughts before answering, "Because I was waiting for that plan, then I noticed that James and Sirius were not following Regulus for at least two days before they began acting like crazy stalkers again. And there I realized that you approached me to persuade me maybe to let James and Sirius talk to Regulus. However, Remus, I am sorry to inform you this, but no. James and Sirius will never be part of Regulus' life again. I do not want to see them in the future once I and Regulus formed a family."
"You can't do that! Regulus needs his brother, and he surely loves James. He was hurt, yes, but he still loved James. If not, then he would not hide away from James." Remus tried to reason out, but Pandora just laughed at him.
"Don't talk to me about love, Remus! What do you know about love?" That question silenced Remus, "The love you give to Sirius? You can't even confess to him! You hide it. You always shield him from pain because of what? Because of his childhood? You think Sirius deserves a second chance? He deserves to be happy, yes. But you're forgetting something, Remus. Regulus was also there with Sirius, and they were being punished together. And when Sirius ran away, Regulus remained in that household! Holding it together. While Sirius was being cared for by the Potters, Regulus was being punished for the things he didn't even do. So forgive me for being too harsh or crazy over Regulus just to make sure that he'll never be in pain again."
"Then why didn't he run away? He should have run away with Sirius." There, Remus asked the question that had been on his mind since day one.
Pandora stared at Remus for a long time before answering the question, "Oh, you're dumb when it comes to the pure blood aspect, I see." and then she hummed, thinking, "How should I explain it to you? Oh, instead of explaining, let me ask you instead. Do you think the prideful Black would let their heir and spare run away at the same time? Do you think they will sit still like now? Not caring about the dumb heir if Regulus ran away too?"
And right there, Remus finally realized it. That idea has been on his mind, but he chased it away when Sirius told him that Regulus was like their parents, awful and all. But what Pandora said hit him in the head, "He stayed as a sacrifice? For Sirius?" he asked in a low voice, hoping for a 'no' as an answer.
Pandora nodded, but this time, her face was cold, and her eyes were sharp, "Yes, and dumb Sirius didn't even ask Regulus to run away with him. He decided to ignore Regulus and proceeded to declare James as his chosen brother."
"He didn't mean that!" Remus tried to defend Sirius, "He was in p---," but before he could finish what he was saying, Pandora waved him off.
"Oh, shush! Stop defending him. Now, let us stop this conversation before I lose my respect for you as well." Pandora said, gathering her things in her arms, "Nice meeting you, Remus, but let us now go back to our own lives. You continue protecting Sirius, and I'll continue to make sure that Regulus is fine and love."
But before Pandora could leave, Remus shot his last chance, "How about Lovegood? I learned that you two have an understanding. I'm sure he'll be in pain if he realizes you plan to marry Regulus."
Pandora stopped, but she didn't look at Remus, "I didn't know that you're a busybody, Mr. Lupin, but I'll entertain you one last time. You do not need to worry as he already knows from the beginning when he asked me for a date that Regulus will be above anything. That I will sacrifice everything for Regulus. Evan and Barty also know it." she waited for Remus to talk, but he didn't utter a single word, not even a sound, "It seems that you do not have any more questions. I shall take my leave, Mr. Lupin. And let this be our last conversation, as I do not want to associate with any marauders. And if you send Peter as the next representative, I will send an owl to my parents that I am being harassed by Gryffindors." Disgust was in her voice, and she left Remus alone and thinking.