Remus Lupin VI
“That’s enough Sirius, we need get Harry ready” Remus said while trying to push the other man away. Said man seemed to be on a mission on painting Remus neck red. The werewolf was grateful for glamours because the grey eyed man took too much joy in marking the other man’s body. Remus felt familiar tingles when a tongue started grazing his skin, he pushed Sirius away rather violently. He glared at the who ogled him unashamedly.
“Pull yourself together” Remus snarled before exiting the bedroom, applying the glamour as he made his way to Harry’s room. He could hear Sirius laugh. He often wondered why he even bothered with the man.
It was Harry’s second birthday today and it would be spent in the company of the whole Black family. But that was of course not something that bothered Sirius. Remus had thought that he was this overly affectionate because they hadn’t been involved since Hogwarts, but Sirius was just as relentless with his touches after a month.
Remus had barged into Sirius room a month back practically vibrating with want. He had decided that they could be intimate without being in a relationship. It was the morning after that he knew that he’d botched it up. They were living and raising a child together and he went and destroyed the delicate piece of friendship that existed between them.
He couldn’t even blame Sirius for the mishap.
He had spoken to Sirius and tried to come to an understanding of putting it all behind them and moving forwards as friends. The animagus had thrown the offer back in his face by pushing him into the wall and snogging him senseless. They had spent the past month enjoying themselves but kept from kissing in front of Harry. They hadn’t discussed what they were, and Remus guessed that they never would. It had been the same a Hogwarts. And some part of Remus was content with that, they raised a child together and if their relationship didn’t hurt Harry then it would be alright.
Getting Harry ready wasn’t an easy task, the child was too active. Always moving, always plotting. Remus could see James in the way those green eyes would light up as he saw possibilities of having fun. He was a happy kid, those two months of abuse seemed to have been put away in his mind and Remus was grateful for it. Harry didn’t get angry often, but merlin help him when he did. His magic would flair and thicken impossibly much, his green eyes gained some kind of glow and the way they burned reminded Remus of those times when Lily had stood up against the marauders in defence of her friend in Slytherin. Remus had gotten worried the first time, he didn’t think that it was normal for a toddler to have that kind of aura, he was a bit ashamed to admit that he’d panicked. Sirius was the one who had to calm the child down and he had looked uncannily like Lord Black the moments after, in the way he studied Harry. Arcturus Black would always watch Harry like a hawk with a plotting shine to his grey eyes.
Remus didn’t want to think about the Black’s and their weird obsession with blood and power. It was unsettling.
He smiled at the two-year-old, he looked like a prince dressed in his robes. They were a dark blue colour that looked quite fetching together with his eyes. Remus was wearing a dark grey dress robe while Sirius would match Harry with a dark blue one.
They were visiting the family castle today, Remus snorted at the thought of living in a castle that wasn’t Hogwarts. He would have rather stayed at home, but Sirius had been adamant that he needed to be a part of Harry’s birthday. Remus knew it had more to do with the fact that Sirius didn’t want to be alone with his family. Sirius would have refused if it weren’t for the fact that Harry had to meet the rest of the Black’s as the heir.
Remus walked down to the living room with Harry in his arms. This would be interesting
The castle was ridiculous, it was big and had an almost moist quality to the air. Much like Hogwarts. He was still carrying Harry who was watching his surroundings with big eyes. Sirius walked in front of them. He looked quite smart in his robes, he reminded Remus of royalty. It seemed like Remus was surrounded by princes. They soon reached a large dining hall containing several people. They were all seated along a long table. Their eyes went to the trio arriving.
The lord Black stood up from his chair on the short side of the table, everyone else followed. Their eyes watching curiously. Remus followed Sirius to where the lord was seated. He gestured the seat on the right of Arcturus for Harry, it was already turned into a children’s seat. He nodded towards the chair beside it. Remus put Harry down before taking the seat beside Harry. Sirius walked around to claim the seat on the left side of Arcturus. The lord Black sat down and everyone else followed.
Harry was watching the people in the room with big eyes. He truly looked like a little lordling.
The food was served, and Remus helped Harry with his before starting eating his own. Harry had become quite proficient with using a fork, it looked adorable as he stabbed the food on his plate. He could hear people holding small conversations with each other, Sirius looked ready to flee while nodding painfully to the older witch beside him. Remus got so lost his thoughts that he almost missed the person beside him starting to speak to him.
The witch had blonde hair and the same grey eyes as Sirius, she looked awfully familiar.
“Beg your pardon?” Remus asked, missing what she said. Her lips quirked and her eyes seemed to shine with mirth. “I was asking for your name. Lord Black failed to mention it”
Remus smiled at her. “I’m Remus Lupin, I’m helping Sirius raise Harry”
Her eyes light up in interest. “You’re the one who rescued our heir?” Remus grimaced at her words, the prophet had mentioned his name in passing following the trial. He nodded and continued eating.
“The werewolf” a man sitting across the table said, his voice dripping with disgust. Remus could feel more than one pair of eyes set on him. “I’m a werewolf, yes”
Some of the people muttered and he could sense both disgust and interest.
“You used to run around with Sirius and James at school, you were the studious one” the blonde witch said. Remus raised his eyebrows at the statement, surprised of her knowledge. “Do I know you?” He asked.
She gave him a pliant smile. “No, I’m just very observant. I was a year behind and a Slytherin to boot. I go by Narcissa Malfoy now” Remus nodded in realisation, a bit hesitant. He didn’t think that she had been a death eater like her husband, but he was quite sure that she was a supporter.
“Well, nice to meet you Mrs. Malfoy”
The only reason that he didn’t call her Lady Malfoy was because of how Sirius had gloated over how Lucius Malfoy for all the money he had - could never become a lord. The Malfoy’s was a rich family but undoubtedly French, they would never be completely accepted by the English aristocracy. Not even Sirius would acknowledge them as equals despite claiming being different that the other purebloods. Sirius may not condone pureblood supremacy but that didn’t mean that he wasn’t a supremacist in his own way.
Mrs. Malfoy nodded in answer before letting her gaze wander to Harry who had managed to empty his plate.
“He is a very handsome boy. I didn’t expect him to look so… Black”
Remus almost snorted, he knew she meant to say pure-blooded. Harry looked like a true blue-blooded pureblood.
“James looked a lot like Mrs. Potter, and Harry has quite a lot of Black blood in him now”
Remus suddenly felt a tug on his sleeve. He looked towards Harry and smiled when the toddler met his eyes intently. The little bugger wanted more attention.
“Yes Harry?” He asked. The boy squinted his eyes as if to think.
“Moony”
The werewolf sighed and shook his head. “Not now Harry” this didn’t sit well with toddler who huffed.
“Moony”
Remus heard a snort and looked up to see Sirius grinning at Remus. He sent the man a glare.
“What is the boy saying?” Lord Black suddenly asked, watching the interaction with interest.
“Moony!” Harry said defiantly, not giving up. Remus shook his head. “I said no, Sirius please”
The boy’s godfather chuckled and looked pointedly at his godson. “You heard Remus, you will have to wait pup”
This seemed to be enough to set him off, Remus recognised the signs a second too late. Harry’s eyes glowed and every glass at the table exploded. The burst of magic was met by silence. Harry met Remus eyes defiantly as if saying that he wouldn’t stop unless he got what he wanted. Remus stood his ground.
It was the sight of the cutlery starting to levitate that made Remus give in. Choosing to continue this fight another time.
He pulled his wand forward.
“Expecto patronum”
The heavy magic quickly dispersed as the toddler giggled delightfully at the presence of the patronus. It was as if his outburst had never happened. Remus massaged his temple tiredly. The table’s occupants were still quiet, only Harry could be heard.
“Remarkable” Arcturus Black mumbled as he watched the boy in fascination, that eery glint decorating his eyes again. The woman beside Sirius was grinning toothily, her eyes travelling between the child and the patronus.
“It shall be a pleasure to tutor the boy” she said, Remus frowned. Tutor?
Sirius seemed to see his confusion. “Yes, Remus this is my great-aunt Cassiopeia Black, the older sister of Dorea. Grandfather has tasked her with tutoring Harry in subjects that we all agree to be relevant, isn’t that right aunt Cassie?”
The witch rolled her eyes. “Yes, yes, no necromancy” Remus paled at her words, necromancy?
“You’re quite skilled Mr. Lupin, the patronus charm is known to be exceedingly complicated to cast” She was watching him sharply. He smiled awkwardly.
“Yes, we used to call him our own eagle in the lion’s den” Sirius said proudly, Remus rolled his eyes. Yes, he remembered the taunts quite well.
“Do he cause a lot of accidental magic?” Narcissa asked from beside him.
“Yes and no, I’m not even sure that it’s accidental to be honest. He’s quite good at directing it and stopping it. They happen when he throws tantrums over being denied things” Remus answered with a frown.
Arcturus Black chuckled and gave his great-grandson a sharp smile. “Like he should, a Black will not be denied”
Remus rolled his eyes, biting back the comment of how Harry may be a Black but that he was first and foremost a two-year-old. He felt a headache coming.
Remus didn’t bother following the conversations after that, he instead focused on keeping Harry occupied. He was not in the mood for another tantrum.
They soon relocated to a grand sitting room. Remus had an eye on Harry while he charmed everyone he encountered while walked around while Sirius was busy wandering around with Lord Black.
“You look to be in pain Mr. Lupin”
Remus sighed and gave Mrs. Malfoy a small smile, not letting his eyes leave Harry as he adamantly demanded attention from a man who did his best to ignore the toddler.
“I’m simply tired”
He heard her hum. “That’s my father and Sirius uncle on his mother’s side. He still hasn’t forgiven Sirius for troubling his sister”
Remus squinted his eyes at the man who was now scowling at the insistent toddler. Sirius mother was the only one not attending today.
“I have a son, Draco. He will be in the same year as our heir, and I think it would be good for them to get to know each other”
Remus looked at the woman. “Why bring this up with me? Wouldn’t Sirius be more suitable?”
The blond witch sighed and shook her head. “Sirius is a Black who holds quite the animosity towards my husband. He would decline on the spot. I believe that you’re more sensible”
“I value Harry over anything else so I’m not sure that this would be a good idea. Your husband fell victim to the imperious once, what’s to stop it from happening again?”
Remus finally got to witness the Black in the woman who smiled prettily while flaunting her blonde hair. It was easy to forget that she was born into this family when she behaved so differently. Her eyes turned stormy, much like Sirius eyes liked to do when upset. But the storm was quickly dimmed, and she smiled prettily again.
“My husband doesn’t need to be apart of these playdates, it is the children I wish to become friendly”
Her voice was a bit icier than it was before. Remus considered her words; Harry did lack the company of other children. “I will bring it up with Sirius, we will contact you with our decision” She nodded and turned away.
Remus gaze went to Harry who was now being carried by Sirius uncle. The man was surprisingly smiling fondly at the boy while saying something. Harry giggled. Remus groaned.
The werewolf was tired of the Black Family, the whole house. Including Sirius and Harry. For what felt the hundredth time that day, Remus Lupin massaged his temple.