Written in the Stars

THE journey to Hogwarts had been a long one. With the full moon being only last night, both you and Remus were exhausted. Other than a run-in with the dementors of Azkaban, the train ride otherwise had been uneventful. Now, you sat at the high table listening to Headmaster Dumbledore give his beginning-of-the-year speech. 

“Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say before we become befuddled by our excellent feast. I myself am particularly looking forward to the flaming kiwi cups, which, while somewhat treacherous for those of us with facial hair,” Professor McGonagall cleared her throat, signaling for the headmaster to not get off track, “Mm. Yes. First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor R.J. Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Professor Evans, who will fill the post as the Muggle Studies professor. Good luck to you, Professors.” 

There was scattered applause from all of the house tables. You looked over at Remus who gave you a small smile. Being back in the great hall brought back so many memories. You glanced back at the sea of students that were now eating after the Headmaster finished his lengthy speech. Your eyes wandered to the Gryffindor table where the son of James Potter sat with his friends. 

“He looks so much like James doesn’t he?” Remus had caught you staring at the young boy.

“He does but he’s his own person and we should respect that. I don’t think he fancies it when total strangers say that he looks like his dead father,” you broke your gaze away from the boy and looked at Remus.  

“Your right, love. I just can’t help it,” he patted your thigh. 

“Now, enough about that. How does it feel to be back?” you asked. 

“I never thought I’d be back to be honest, especially as a professor.”

“You get used to it,” a voice all too familiar butted in. The both of you turn your right to see Severus Snape, the person that had been one of your best friends since before you’d gone to Hogwarts and the same person that called you and your sister a ‘mudblood’ after saving him from his bullies, scowling at the plate in front of him. 

“Hello to you too, Severus,” you sassed. 

“It’s nice to see you again, Severus,” Remus added. Although Remus was a member of the Marauders that bullied and tormented Severus during his time at Hogwarts, he didn’t participate in the bullying. Remus often expressed the guilt he held for not sticking up for the poor boy. 

“Likewise,” Severus said and returned to scowling at the plate in front of him. 

Dinner had come to an end and now it was time for bed. Since you and Remus weren’t married the two of you weren’t going to have a shared chamber, but that wasn’t going to stop you from spending time together.  

You sat on the burgundy red couch in the living room of Remus’s chamber, reading and re-reading The Daily Prophet. 

“The words aren’t going to disappear, love,” Remus commented from the kitchenette as he put the tea kettle on the stove. The small chamber had a tiny kitchenette opposite the living room. There was no wall dividing the two spaces which allowed Remus to look at you from where he was standing. 

“I know it’s just unbelievable. One minute he’s in prison and the next he’s just casually roaming the streets,” you sighed and laid the paper on your stomach. 

“We’re at Hogwarts, love, we’re safe,” Remus sat down next to you and put his arm over your shoulder, bringing you to his side. You snuggled into his warmth and closed your eyes. Even though you and Remus were content and happy with each other, there was always something missing. That ‘something’ was currently an escaped prisoner. 

“Do you think he actually did it?” you found yourself asking. You surprised yourself with that question. You went all these years thinking that Sirius Black actually gave up James and Lily to the dark lord, killed his best friend, and a few muggles along the way. Now you were questioning it. Sirius had been one of the most loyal and caring people you knew. Granted, he wasn’t perfect considering he did bully quite a few people but it wasn’t like he was out to kill any of them. 

“There’s evidence against him,” Remus said, retracing his arm from around you. You weren’t offended or anything because you knew that Remus’s arms sometimes got tired. 

“They only found a finger but not a body. I hardly think that’s strong enough evidence.” you crossed your arms.

“You thought that was strong enough evidence quite a few years ago might I add,” Remus quipped. 

“I know but now I’m doubting myself.” 

“And why’s that?” he asked taking your hand in his. Remus sometimes liked to play with your hands when he felt like it. You didn’t mind of course. You liked feeling his calloused fingers trail the little creases on your hands. 

“Because you know Sirius. He would never betray his friends like that and plus he hated his family. He would never give them the satisfaction of him joining You-Know-Who and his entourage,” you went on. Everything you said was true and Remus knew that but he still had his doubts. 

“Sirius was the Potter’s secret keeper. He-” Remus started but you cut him off. 

“Lily and James didn’t tell us who their secret keeper was,” you challenged. 

“We weren’t supposed to know who their secret keeper was,” Remus shook his head. 

“Exactly,” you stood up, retracting your hand from Remus’s grasp, and began to pace around the room, “We didn’t know who their secret keeper was meaning that it could have been anybody!” 

“You're right, love, and as much as I'd love to keep this conversation going, It’s getting late and you and I need to get some rest. We have classes tomorrow,” Remus said, glancing at the clock on the wall. 

“What about my tea?” you pouted, remembering the first thing Remus had offered you when you entered his chambers. 

He chuckled, “You can have tea in the morning,” he got up from his place on the couch and walked over to where you were standing. 

“Fine,” you said looking up at the man standing in front of you. 

Your face was just inches away from his, “Goodnight,” he muttered and bent down to press a chaste kiss to your lips. You wanted more but as Remus said, you had classes in the morning. 

“Goodnight,” you said as you walked out of his chambers and into the cold and dark halls of Hogwarts.