Red Bricks and Bay Leaves
The description for the house read: A warm, double story brick house with modern appliances and a spacious garden. Three bedrooms, one study, two bathrooms, three car spaces. Access to basement and attic. 3 acres of land including woodland and a stream in the back. 20 minutes walking distance to the village of Ludwig and within the zone of the local school.
Remus compared the picture of the house as it was built in 1976 to now. It was pretty similar, time had only just brushed its hands over the awnings and the paint. Red bricks smiled at them, the vines crept along the fence and the wall seemed to wave in the wind. The picket fence had peeling paint, the same white as the trims of the house. A bay laurel tree stood to one side, the aroma floating in the air.
“Well?” Remus asked his partner.
Sirius was looking lovingly at the house already, not even started the tour. He squeezed his boyfriend’s hand, “Moons, it’s great.”
Remus brushed a lock of dark hair out of Sirius’ face. Sirius smiled at him. The two of them were stood outside of the house, in the road that led through the quiet British countryside. Sirius wore his signature leather jacket, Remus in a knitted jumper, probably from Molly Weasly last year’s Christmas, when she was starting to learn to knit. That at least, would explain the lumpiness of the brown jumper.
A car honk beeped in greeting as the salesman pulled up. Sirius pulled his hand from Remus’ reluctantly.
“Morning, boys!” said the red faced salesman. He flashed them a grim and pulled a folder from his car as he stepped out.
“Hello, David Lennings I presume?” said Remus.
“Yes, yes, that's me alright.” He flashed a bright salesman grin. “Now, which of you is Remus Lupin and which is Sirius Black?”
Sirius stuck out a hand, “I’m Sirius.”
“Ah, Mr Black, pleased to meet you.” Lennings shook his hand.
“Just Sirius, please.” the dark haired man said.
“As you wish, as you wish.” Lennings shook hands with Remus, “Mr Lupin is fine?”
“Yeah, good.”
“Excellent, excellent.” Lennings rubbed his hands together and looked to the house, “Now? Shall we? The grand ole tour?”
He pushed open the gate and began to rattle off facts about the past owners and the house. Apparently, if Lennings was true to his word, the past owners were an old married couple who had decided to move nearer to their children up west.
Lennings almost tripped over a weed walking up to the door, “Ah, well, yes, no ones really been here much since they left. I came to take photos a month back but… anyway. The garden out front here just needs a bit of mowing and trimming, out back is pretty bare, perfect space to start a veggie patch if that's your fancy… Anyway, here's the house.”
He fiddled with the keys and pushed the door open. Dust clouded the air for a moment as Lennings fanned the space saying, “Well, make yourselves at home… heh heh…”
Remus and Sirius entered the space. The entryway was enough to fit the three of them comfortably. A small hallway led to the back of the house to another door that presumably led to the backyard. A staircase leading up to the second floor was on their right and to their left was the-
“Brilliant living space, very roomy in here but cosy as well.” Lennings swept his hand as he led the tour through the living room. A fireplace stood to the inner wall, facing windows that looked out to the road. The room was a modest size, not too big but enough to fit a couch and a few armchairs.
Remus looked around the room, half muttering to himself, “... bookshelf in the corner… coat rack here… enough space for a small piano if Sirius wants…” he turned to his partner, “What do you think Pads?”
Sirius was inspecting the fireplace, “Yeah, nice digs…”
“And this here leads into the kitchen and dining space,” Said Lennings.
Sirius caught Remus’ arm as Lennings tattled on about dimensions and lighting. “Someone used this fireplace through the Floo Network. There's a Ministry symbol under the mantlepiece.”
“Oh that’s good.” Remus said, “No need for us to call Henry then.”
The dinings space was enough for a rectangular table to seat eight at least, right next to the kitchen where both the sink and tap were in order. The couple followed the salesman through another arch back into the hallway. Lennings showed them the laundry just at the back and the small storage space under the stairs.
Upstairs, after viewing all the three bedrooms, the study and the bathrooms, Lennings left them to chat.
Remus, peering into one of the bedrooms again, said, “Oh, Harry would love this room, nice and bright, not too big.” He glazed around the room, watching flecks of dust catch the afternoon sunlight. He turned to his partner, “Padfoot, this place… its…”
“Perfect?” Sirius smirked, raising an eyebrow, “Everything you ever dreamed?”
“Don’t be pretentious.” Remus said, rolling his eyes. He paused and then said, “This… This is good. Too good. There must be a catch.”
“Yeah, here's the catch; the house is a damn catch! So am I!” Sirius laughed, rubbing Remus’ shoulders, “Love, it's a good house, it's spacious and has room to grow. We have two bloody acres of land and a study space with a view for all your nerdy needs. Let's just say yes, and move in tomorrow. How does that sound?”
Remus sighed, he smiled, “It sounds great but… the pricing.” He was back to wringing his hands, “Can we afford it though?”
Sirius looked at the pricing on the papers Lennings gave them, “It's within our price range.”
“That's still high… I still haven’t gotten that pay raise I asked for at the university and you are unemployed.”
“Not my fault I was chasing around dark wizards.” Sirius said quietly in a faraway manner, “Don’t have a lot of time when you’re being attacked by half your estranged family.”
Remus tilted Sirius’ head up. Sirius was only half a foot shorter and with his recent habit of slouching, came to look like a half dejected banana when next to Remus who stood at a solid 6 foot 2.
The two of them had a joint savings account. The house, although within their range, would probably basically drain them of what money they had squirrelled away for a rainy day. Remus tried to remind himself that he needn’t worry about money. Sirius had inherited money from his dead (and reluctant) parents as well as from his uncle Alphard.
They looked at each other.
“I love the lounge.” Remus said finally.
“I love the backyard.” Sirius replied
“Love the study.”
“The ensuite has sold me.”
They gave each other another look. Then, in unison they shouted, “We’ll take it!” Down the stairs.
They signed the paper work on the kitchen counter. Lennings had given them a small discount since he had trouble selling the house before.
“Just watch out boys,” he said as Remus passed the pen to Sirius, “Some weird things have happened in this area before. Strange lights and sounds… sounds a bit like hocus pocus witchcraft to me but… there you go.”
Sirius signed his name in looping cursive and passed the paper back to Lennings, “It's all good, Davie, we know a bit of hocus pocus ourselves.”