Remus Lupin VII
“Do try to behave yourself today” Remus said though narrowed eyes. One would think that he lived with two toddlers sometimes. The animagus rolled his eyes at the werewolf before turning his attention to the boy in his arms. Said boy was matching his godfather, they had the same-coloured robes as usual. A deep burgundy colour that would have looked tacky if it weren’t for the fact that the godson and godfather could look haughty in rags.
It was funny how much the boy resembled both James Potter and Sirius Black in looks, he looked like a perfect blend nowadays and Remus had noted that the boy would take after Sirius in behaviour.
One could clearly see the bond between the two.
Remus smiled at the adorable boy; he had made a try in taming the hair. It worked just barely. The hair was still a mess but it at least like a intended mess. Not that anyone would be fooled, everyone had heard about the famous Potter hair.
Harry was still a handful, but Remus liked to think that they had learned to handle it better, they hadn’t been forced to buy new glasses for a sennight now.
Which was a record.
“Are you ready Harry?” Remus asked softly, green eyes looked at him brightly as the boy nodded excitedly.
The date today was June 5th and Harry’s only friend and technically cousin turned three years old on this very day. Narcissa had sent them an invite and that was why they were going to Malfoy manor for the first time to attend young Draco’s birthday. Sirius had put up a real fight regarding the party. He had refused to let Harry attend it and Remus couldn’t blame him for not wanting Harry to visit the home belonging to Lucius Malfoy. The supposed death eater.
It didn’t help that Sirius had a personal vendetta against the blonde man, Remus didn’t know exactly why, and he was quite certain that not even Sirius knew. The grey-eyed man had decided a long time ago to detest the other man and the former Black hair was as stubborn as a mule.
Much to Remus regret.
The thing that made Remus himself wary of the visit was the blonde man’s politic stance. He had been a death eater, and Remus found it ridiculous how he’d been cleared of all charges thanks to the excuse of being under the influence of the imperius. But then, the wizarding world had never been really logical from the start.
Remus was the first one to step through the floo.
He appeared in a grand foyer where he was met by the sight of Narcissa and her husband, he was soon followed by Sirius and Harry.
Narcissa stepped forward with a smile. “Welcome, Draco will be delighted to have his younger cousin with him”
Remus could see Sirius sneer at the implication of Harry being related to a Malfoy.
Really Padfoot?
“I think we ought to join the others. You’re the last ones arriving, unsurprisingly” Lucius Malfoy said with a drawl, his sneer was comically matching the one on Sirius face.
“It would have been a shame to let the Black heir wait on people of lesser standing. We assumed that you were aware of that. But pardon us for expecting too much from a commoner such as yourself”
Sirius Black sneered haughtily, looking down his nose despite standing at the same height. Remus clenched his jaw at the sight, it was easy to forget that Sirius had been raised as the heir.
Who was he trying to fool! It was impossible to forget about Sirius privileged upbringing. The blasted man reeked of arrogance. Remus wondered how he could ever have fallen for such a dud.
Lucius Malfoy turned a quite dark shade of red, of either embarrassment or anger but probably both. The man turned hastily and left the rest of them behind. Remus gave Narcissa an apologetic smile but was surprised to see the witch smiling smugly. The werewolf frowned at her apparent happiness over her husband’s trampled pride. He was yet again reminded by the intricated phenomena that was purebloods, they would never cease to confuse him.
Not even his lover.
“Let’s make way shall we” Narcissa said and gave Remus a pointed look, the man quicky offered her his arm before he was dragged away. He could hear Sirius heavy steps behind them.
The room was filled with witches and wizards and Remus took a deep breath and prepared himself. This would be their first contact with people outside of the Black family, they had this far kept Harry away from any unsolicited attention.
Remus would have preferred to isolate Harry forever from outside forces, Sirius was of the same mind. But they also knew that the boy needed stimulus and that he would need to be able to socialise as the heir of two houses.
It was quite funny how people started to flock themselves around them as Narcissa introduced them with a delighted smile. Clearly enjoying being the one in the centre of attention. Sirius exchanged some neutral words with those who spoke to him and tried to speak with Harry. Remus was surprised to see how he maintained a blank face all the time and refrained from insulting anyone. It was even more surprising to see Harry imitate his godfather’s blank face, not giving an inch to the people cooing at him.
Remus himself smiled at those who decided to exchange words with him, Narcissa held on to his arm without any attention of letting it go anytime soon.
“Sirius. Be a doll and take Harry to the nursery where the rest of the children are playing” Narcissa said with a sharp smile. Remus could see Sirius lip almost curling, almost. The man said nothing before walking away with Harry. Remus knew that the godfather wouldn’t leave the nursery without Harry and thus Remus was left alone in the sea of aristocrats.
They made some more small talk before Narcissa inconspicuously dragged him to a corner with drinks. Remus took a big gulp, refreshing his parched throat.
“Burgundy, really?” Narcissa said with one elegantly raised eyebrow. Remus chuckled. “Sirius refused to come without his Gryffindor armour. He said that there would be snakes everywhere”
Narcissa rolled eyes. “Do he honestly believe that everyone in the upper echelon was sorted into Slytherin?”
“He likes to tell himself that yes. It makes it easier for him to forget that both he and James was and is just as snooty as the rest of you” Remus said.
The blonde threw her head back and laughed one of those real laughs. It was odd how Remus had learned to enjoy the witch’s company even though he knew that she was prejudiced and did nothing without a hidden agenda.
He was aware of she was using Remus to gain access to Harry, it wasn’t that hard to figure out. But Remus still let her continue with her charade. He couldn’t care less as long as it didn’t harm his cub and Draco Malfoy had become a friend, a friend Remus wanted Harry to keep.
The party was tediously long, Remus did not see a trace of Sirius and decided to find the nursery when Narcissa had to leave him and play the perfect hostess with her husband.
It wasn’t that hard to find the nursery as children’s laughter led the way.
The door stood open, and Remus entered only to find Sirius sitting on the window sill while Harry was playing with Draco and some other children he didn’t recognize. There were quite a lot of children. Remus frowned as he noted that no other adults was in the room.
“The house-elves watch them. They’re hiding in every crook and cranny” Sirius explained when he saw the question on Remus face.
“I see that Harry is having fun” Remus said as the toddler laughed, he was so occupied that he didn’t notice the werewolf’s presence.
Sirius smiled weakly. “He really needed this” The man said without explaining further. He didn’t need to; Remus knew what he meant. The young boy needed to get to know other children but that was hard with him being a celebrity. Remus didn’t want Harry to feel the pressure of people’s expectations.
“How was the torture?” Sirius asked with a smirk.
Remus huffed at the man, not bothering to answer.
“’Emus”
Remus Lupin looked down at the raven-haired boy who was now hugging the man’s legs, Harry had a hard time rolling his R’s which made his pronunciation of Remus name a hard nut to crack. He smiled affectionately. “Are you having fun Harry?”
The small boy nodded. “Moony?”
Remus sighed and saw the boy’s eyes growing wider. This was one of those times that Remus regretted ever learning the charm.
Not wanting to upset the boy he nodded.
“Expecto patronum”
The boy shrieked in delight while the other children stared at the patronus with wide eyes. He could see the wonder in their eyes as he let the wolf run around the room in the air. The children cheered happily at the sight. Remus let his eyes go back to Harry, expecting his usual grin at the presence of the patronus. He was surprised when the curl of the boy’s lips resembled a smirk more than a smile. His green eyes glittered with something that could only be described as smugness.
Remus gaped at the child who hadn’t even turned three years yet.
Harry walked up to the patronus confidently and patted it as he always did, the rest of the children looked between him and the wolf in awe. His cub jutted his chin out and the smirk on his face grew wider.
He looked just like James Potter from first year after the first time he had pranked Snape.
Remus looked at Sirius and could see the that the man had gone pale. Remus didn’t know if it was a reaction at Harry’s resemblance to James or the clear slyness, he had just showed them.
Remus could see that Sirius saw his own life flash behind his eyes at the possibility that his godson could very well be a Slytherin in the making.