Chapter 7
Remus missed the Slytherins more than he would like to admit, so when he finally saw them at the platform, he couldn’t help but smile. He decided to ignore how Sirius visibly stiffened when he noticed who he was smiled at.
They had met up with Peter outside the train station, and he had talked about his holiday in Paris. How he had met up with a cute French girl and that they were still very much talking. Sirius had seemed tense when Peter had asked him about his summer, but he didn’t ask him further questions when Sirius hesitated. Remus was grateful for that.
After they had found their usual seats, Remus excused himself and walked off to find Regulus and the others. After walking for a few minutes, he heard Barty’s loud laugh. Smiling to himself he made his way to them.
“My, my, Remus my love, why were you being all cosy with the enemy?” Barty said, his voice filled with his usual smirk. But he did seem happy to see him, so Remus took it as a sign to sit beside him.
Regulus, Dorcas and Pandora was on the opposite side of him, Barty and Evan, who was on Barty’s thighs, looking up at Remus, his smile all soft. When Remus smiled back Evan rose up and squeezed himself in the middle of them. “My one true love, are you cheating on us?” Dorcas snorted at Evan’s question. Regulus on the other hand seemed quiet.
He was still looking at Remus, but he couldn’t read his odd look.
“Shut up, we’re not even together.” Gasp from both of them was heard, “Besides I’m trying to, like, move past it?” He sounded unsure of himself
“Are you now?” He just sent a glare Dorcas’ way, which she ignored, “Oh that reminds me! How is your friend? You know, McKinnon.” That seemed to make Regulus smile. Only a little, but Remus thought it was better than nothing.
“I am not setting you up with one of my best friends.” Dorcas smiled fell which made Pandora poke her cheek.
They started to talk back and forth about their summers, Remus not mentioning about his move to the Potter’s house and Regulus not making a sound, at all. Until he did.
“Is he okay?” He sounded quiet, small even. The others had stopped talking and an uncomfortable silence took over. “He looked okay…” He trailed off.
“He is.” Remus smiled hesitant, “I know this is a lot, but you should try and talk to him.” Regulus was looking down, but he was smiling sadly. “I think he would really like that.” He looked up, “It would be good for you too.” He continued and when Regulus nodded his smile softened.
“Wait… why was it you were with them at the station?” Evan said, who’s voice was filled with concern.
So, Remus explained how he wrote to James about the full, leaving out the ‘unreal' feeling part, and how he ended up with the Potters. They listened to him talk about the transition, his father and Sirius. They didn’t ask questions they just nodded along when it was appropriate. Barty didn’t even comment about his night on the barn with Sirius, so Remus counted it as a success.
After talking to them for some time Remus went on his way to find the girls. He found their usual spot as well and when he walked in, he was quickly attacked by Mary, who after hugging him, hit him on the chest, “Remus you dog! Why didn’t you come say hi? Are we not your top priority?” She said, sounded offended.
After reinsuring her that they were, he went on and hugged Lily, who was giving him a knowing smile and lastly, he hugged Marlene.
“Marls, I was informed that a lovely Miss Meadowes was asking about you.” He said, knowing it would irritate Dorcas. What he didn’t expect was Marlene’s cheeks turned into a slightly pink colour. He sent a glance Mary’s way who was beaming towards Marlene. How did he not know about this?
And that reminded him of the whole Lily-Pandora situation. He turned to her, and it was like she knew, “Nope, not telling you.” Yeah, she did.
“I didn’t even ask yet!” The other two were suddenly intrigued by the whole interaction, Marlene more than Mary. Maybe the fact that the attention was drawn away from her again.
“And what your whole Sirius situation?” She shot back. Remus raised an eye at her daring her to continue. “You didn’t look his way the last half of the semester, you started hanging around his brother and his friends and now you seem like he is your best friend all over again?” ‘Best friend’ Mary snorted.
“Lily, my dearest, how’s Pandora? You know Pandora Rosier.” He smirked at her while she just let out a laugh.
She leaned up against him, ignoring the gasp and ‘what’s Mary and Marlene let out, and spoke softly, “I missed you Rem.”
“I missed you too, oaf.”
Lily then started talking about her summer, ignoring the girls yet again.
Remus felt at home.