Chapter Text
Monday mornings were always rough for Remus Lupin. He should be used to them by now, but neither the restless Godric’s Hollow country side nor the squabbling children could wake him from his stupor.
“How are you today, Mr. Lupin?”
Remus stretched with a yawn as he got up from his desk.
“Just fine, Molly, though I do feel like my bones have been placed in a vat of tar.”
“Mmm, late night, was it?” She raised her eyebrows suggestively.
Remus shook his head.
“I’m a primary school teacher, Molly, I am not partying the night before my 9 am start. No, I suppose I’m just growing old.”
“You’re 26, Remus,” She scoffed, “I’d hardly say that’s old.”
“Tell that to my bones.”
She tsked, shaking her head, before pulling her children, Ron and Ginny to their cubbies.
Remus took a large gulp of coffee, watching as the gathering parents shuffled around their kids, attuned to their every need.
“Your muffin, Mr. Moony.”
Remus turned, but he hardly had to look to know who had approached him.
“James-“
“Eh, eh! You wanted a muffin, so a muffin you shall receive!”
“I wanted a muffin a year ago. A year ago, James.”
“A marauder never breaks his promise. You should know this by now, Moony.”
Remus rolled his eyes playfully and turned his face, hiding the smile tugging at his lips.
“You and your marauders. You’re the oddest little group I’ve ever heard of,” Remus said through his smile, still facing away from James.
“You’re one of us now, Moony, get used to it.”
Remus eyed him skeptically.
“Do your marauders know I have infiltrated their ranks? From the sounds of it, I don’t think they’d be too pleased to learn that a stranger has been knighted into their group without their consent.”
“Please,” James scoffed, “as if I care what they think. Face it, Moony, you’re one us.”
“I-“
“Up!” A small voice called from below Remus’ knees.
“Full sentences, please,” Remus replied kindly.
“Please hold me up, Moony!”
“What have I told you, Harry?” Remus asked as he scooped the young Harry Potter into his arms.
“To call you Mr. Moony in the classroom, and only Moony at home,” Harry sighed.
“Give him a break Rems,” James smiled, “It’s the first day back, you can’t expect him to add the Mr right away!”
“Yeah! Give me a break Rems!” Harry echoed.
Remus laughed and put the six year old down.
“You’re a bad influence on him,” Remus told James teasingly.
“Moony, I’m shocked! Do you really expect me to be a good influence on my only son? No sir, Marauder code clearly states that all offspring shall be raised to be perfect little trouble makers.”
“Then we’re lucky he takes after Lily,” Remus quipped as he watched Harry trudge over to his cubby.
“You take that back!” James gasped.
Remus laughed, and stepped out of the way as more families came in to drop off their children. He took James’ muffin and placed it on his desk.
“An apple would be more fitting, wouldn’t you say?” Remus asked, glaring at the muffin.
“It’s apple cranberry, if that’s any consolation. Thought I would go with the teacher theme for the first week before I begin branching out again.”
“How considerate.”
“Just you wait, Lupin. You’re going to die for my avocado double chocolate recipe.”
Remus wrinkled his nose.
“Ew, please keep anything green away from my muffins.”
“And you're the person who teaches my son about nutrition? I must say, Mr. Moony, I’m quite disappointed.”
“Get out of here, you berk,” Remus laughed, shoving James gently towards the door of his classroom, “your lucky I teach your son anything.”
“Yeah,” James said fondly, “I really am.”
Remus smiled back, sitting on his desk and making room for James to join him. The two sat for few moments in comfortable silence as Remus’ students filed in.
Remus had met the Potters just over a year ago, when the family came in for a late interview with Remus’ primary school. Remus, as the year 1 teacher, was their interviewer. Typically, teachers at Hogwarts Academy were meant to judge children off of their abilities and personalities alone, but Remus had gotten along with not only Harry, but his parents as well. Lily had been overbearing and anxious, James had been an absolute mess and a nervous wreck, but they had utterly charmed him. Between James volunteering to undergo a background check (“I was a trouble maker in school, but I’ve changed my ways. I’ll even prove it!”) and prematurely offering to volunteer for every school event, Remus had somewhat fallen in love with the family.
What solidified his love for them: James' ambitious baking abilities. After James rambled on about bake sales for 20 minutes, Remus had jokingly requested that James bring him a muffin every day, as appreciation for him accepting their late application. This, as Remus learned far too soon, was a joke James Potter never intended to forget.
He and James caught on better than a house on fire. They were electric and in sync the minute they met, and their friendship had only grown in the past year. It terrified Remus how well he and James got along. In all his 26 years on earth, Remus had never had a male best friend, he’d barely even had female ones. But James just got him.
And Lily, of course, was just amazing. They shared so much in common, attending the same book club, knitting circle, and trivia nights. Lily soothed James’ reckless energy, and calmed Remus where James electrified him. He loved the two of them tremendously, and couldn’t believe they had only been in each others lives for a year. Being Harry’s teacher, and just having the young sprog in his life in general, made the whole thing even better. Remus really couldn’t complain.
“You coming over for dinner tonight?” James asked hopefully, “we’re doing breakfast for supper. Finally using the dinosaur shaped waffle iron Pads got Harry for his birthday.”
Remus groaned internally.
If there was one thing Remus could complain about, it was the presence of Harry’s Uncle Pads, on more, the lack thereof. Remus wasn’t jealous, he couldn’t be, not when Pads had known the Potters since before puberty. But they treated him as if he was a god, always praising his name. Remus wouldn’t have minded so much if Pads bothered to show up from time to time, but from what he understood, Pads hadn’t seen the Potters at all for the last 2 years. He knew this, because every time, without fail, when Remus babysat Harry and Harry was overwhelmed with missing his parents, Harry would cry and cry and cry about how all the adults in his life, especially Uncle Pads, had abandoned him.
Harry clearly adored Pads, but Remus couldn’t be convinced the feeling was mutual. James said that Pads’ work took him out of the country for months, sometimes years, at a time, but still. Pads hadn’t even shown up for Harry’s 6th birthday, and he was still revered by the family.
Whatever. Remus was not jealous.
“Sure, Pots, I’d love to. Should I just take Harry home then, or will you pick him up?”
“If it’s no bother…” James smiled sweetly, batting his eyes.
“Alright, lads?” Frank Longbottom greeted, as he and his son entered the classroom.
“Never been better, Frank,” James clapped Frank on the shoulder, “yourself?”
“Quite well. Taking Neville and Alice up to the beach this weekend. Should be lovely weather. Shame we’ll have to miss Trivia this Saturday.”
“How could you, Frank!” James cried, “does Trivia mean nothing to you?”
“Don’t make a scene in front of the Moms! I don’t need any more gossip about out ‘secret love affair’ going around,” Frank said as he swatted James' arm, “Plus, Alice told me that Marlene told her that Pads was planning a visit this weekend. I’m sure you won’t miss me at all with that mutt taking up all your time.”
Remus eyed the pair curiously. James had conveniently left that out of their last conversation.
“Ah, well,” James scratched the back of his head, “You know Pads. His schedule changed, they won’t let him out of Croatia, yada yada yada. Needless to say, he’s not coming anymore.”
“Tough luck, mate,” Frank clapped James on the arm, “would have been a proper riot if he’d come.”
“Yeah,” James shrugged, “but who can blame him. At least I have Moony here to spend my time with.”
“And what a treat that is,” Frank winked at Remus who immediately bent his head down with a blush.
Everyone, Frank included, knew about Remus’ small crush on him. But Remus couldn’t help it, not when Frank was so kind and patient, and such a good father, and had his fit football body. Frank was a classic gentleman, and while Remus had no intention of making a move (he loved Alice with all his heart), he couldn’t help the slight blush and fluttering of his heart that always occurred when Frank was around.
“Right, I think that enough out of you two,” Remus said once he regained his confidence, “stop making my classroom your local haunt.”
“But I’m sooo scary” James said, wobbling his voice to sound like a cartoonish Dracula.
“Save it for Halloween, Potter,” Remus replied, unamused.
James pouted, but conceded, waving a goodbye as he dragged Frank along behind him.
Remus flopped into his seat, already exhausted and the morning had barely even begun.
The parents who still remained slowly trickled out, all waves and fond smiles. The kids, as always, were decently well behaved. He was lucky to not have any screamers this morning, but he knew by lunch time someone would be crying for their mom to come pick them up.
He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and counted to 10. Once he got to 10, he would be ready for the day, ready to bring a new found energy and pep, ready to engage with all his new and returning students. He stood up as the bell chimed, looking over all the new, squishy faces of the 5 and 6 year olds he taught.
Hogwarts Academy was the most prestigious a school could get without being private. It felt new and fresh with its curriculum, and their headmaster Albus was very persistent on incorporating different styles of learning into their teachings. As cliche as it felt to say, it was a school that really prioritized learning, always going the extra length to meet the needs of their young students.
While it was easy to brush aside Remus’ teachings, he really felt proud to work with the year 1 age students. Their curiosity, whimsy, and pure joy resonated with Remus. He was truly happy with where he was at in his career and life.
Remus began to call attendance, his eyes twinkling as he called on Harry, who decided that performing a little jig was more efficient than saying “here”.
Remus hated to admit it, but it was really bloody difficult to stifle his laugh. Instead, he bit his lip and smiled tightly, doing his best to conjure his no-nonsense face.
“That was lovely Harry,” Remus called as Harry calmed, “but perhaps next time, we could use our words?”
The class giggled at Harry, but the boy would never let such a comment deflate him.
He puffed out his chest, and hollered back,
“Give me a break, Moony!”
Remus couldn’t hold back the laugh that time.
Man, he freaking loved that kid.
———
“Ready to go, Harry?”
Remus asked as the last kid left the classroom. Harry nodded and started collecting his things. He was unnaturally quiet for a boy who spent the whole day socializing with his best friends.
“Are you excited for our Dino-dinner?” Remus tried again, as he shuffled Harry into his coat. Harry seemed to shrink even smaller, tucking his chin to his chest.
Remus looked at him uncertainly, but let him be for now.
“I just need to grab some papers, and then we can head out.”
Harry didn’t acknowledge him, but he stayed put, which was a good sign. Turning around, he grabbed his notes and some folders with his lesson plans. He took a second to reorganize his desk and promptly turned around to face Harry.
Harry had moved to the door, and was staring out it mournfully, one tiny hand held high above his head.
Remus stood directly next to Harry, and poked his head into the hallway, turning it both ways to see what Harry could be pining over.
He turned to look at the boy.
“Er…”
“Moony?”
“Yes, Harry?”
“Will you hold my hand?” His voice was barely a whisper, only a tad louder than a breath. Remus’ heart both broke a little and flooded with warmth.
Harry was very selective with his touches. Unless he was being picked up, he rarely hugged or held anyone who weren’t his parents. It was an honour to Remus, that Harry wanted that contact with him, but he also knew Harry must be processing some very difficult emotions at the moment to want that.
“Sure, kid,” Remus smiled, taking Harry’s tiny hand in his own, “it would be an honour.”
They held hands all the way to the car, and continued after Harry was tucked into his booster seat. Remus made sure to drive down quiet residential streets, so he could keep one hand on Harry at all times possible. Throughout their ride, Remus glanced up in his mirror to see Harry staring out the window, eyes wide and shiny. Remus’ heart broke a little more. He just hoped that Harry only missed his parents.
Harry still clutched onto him as they made their way up the front lawn, holding even tighter as Remus rang the doorbell.
“Hello, my lovely boys!” Lily cooed as she opened the door, sweeping up, then down, to kiss Remus and Harry on the cheeks, “how was the first day of school?”
It was as if Lily had taken a bulldozer to a sheet of ice.
Harry immediately sagged, and released the most guttural sob Remus had ever heard come from him.
Remus flinched, and looked at Harry in bewilderment.
“I didn’t do anything!” Remus immediately stated, in a panic.
Lily fell to her knees and scooped Harry into her arms.
“Shh, shh, my dear, it’s okay,” she kissed the top of his head. Harry just cried even harder.
“Big day?” James asked sympathetically as he came to the doorway.
Remus, still bewildered by the intense reaction, only gaped at the family.
"Everything seemed fine! He was getting along great with the other kids, was making people laugh… he seemed to be having a blast right up until we left!”
“I think,” Lily said tensely, “that our son received some bad news this morning, but was too excited about his first day of school to fully comprehend it.”
A guilty “ah,” escaped James lips, and Lily turned to him, eyes full of anger.
“James, I think you should take Harry up for nap.”
“Yes, darling,” James smiled weakly as he scratched the back of his head. He pried the sobbing Harry from his mother, and disappeared into the house.
Lily sighed, before standing up again.
“Hello, you,” she said fondly, before pulling Remus into a hug, “I missed you.”
Lily snuggled into Remus as best she could. Remus was tall, but Lily had quite a few inches in her, standing at 6 ft tall, the same as her husband. Remus, 6’3 on a good day, should have been the perfect hugging height, and yet they never could quite fit together.
Still, he relaxed into it, and embraced his clearly wound up friend.
“In you go! Dinner shouldn’t be too far off now,” she ushered as they pulled apart.
They made their way into the spacious house. Remus was always a little taken aback by the size of Lily and James’ house. James was a stay at home dad, and Lily was an interior designer. He doesn’t know how much interior designers make, but given the fact they were one floor away from living in a mansion, Remus could only assume at least one of them came from money.
The house was one of those modern, open concept houses you only see rich people enjoying. However, the Potters were extreme maximalists, so the space hardly seemed huge. It was an odd blend, but it was homey; lived in.
Remus and Lily went to the open faced kitchen so Lily could finish up with dinner. She immediately took out a bottle of wine, poured Remus a glass, then took a large swig.
“Pads cancelled again,” she slammed the bottle onto the countertop.
“I heard.”
“He fucking cancelled. He can’t keep doing this, it’s tearing Harry apart.”
Remus hummed.
“I’m tempted to ban him from visiting. Teach him the importance of a promise.”
“You should. Harry doesn’t deserve to be thrown around like that,” Remus nodded and leant against the kitchen counter. Lily scowled when she looked at him.
“He’s got a really time consuming job. A lot of people depend on him. It’s hard for him, being away from home so much. You shouldn’t judge him,” she replied sternly.
Remus held up his palms, and scooted away slightly.
“I was only agreeing with you.”
“Yeah, well, stop it. Makes me sound like an arsehole,” Lily took another drink, more sturdy this time, and let a smile take over her face.
“Enough about Pads, I don’t want to think about him. Let’s think about you. Anything interesting happening in the world of pre-schoolers?”
Remus shook his head as he took a sip from his glass.
“‘Fraid to say I am as boring as ever.”
“Is that so?” Lily raised an eyebrow. Remus curtly nodded his assent.
“That’s not what James says. James says Frank showed up in the most delicious suit to the school today…”
Remus spit out the wine he was drinking.
“Surely he did not…”
“Those were his exact words, Remus. ‘Frank was looking mighty delicious today, I’m sure Moony would agree…” Lily said, mocking James’ accent as she quoted.
“Wanker,” Remus shook his head fondly.
“…So?” Lily prompted.
Remus raised a disinterested eyebrow.
“Was he delicious?” she tried again.
“Oh,” Remus smirked, “I’d eat him right up.”
———
It was nearing 8:00, and Remus could already tell he would be spending the night.
“I have work tomorrow, you’re not supposed to let me drink this much wine!” Remus whined at the dinner table.
“But I loooovvveeeee driving to work with you. I like playing your house-husband for the morning,” James pouted.
Remus looked between Lily and James incredulously. “Explain.”
“I get to make you and Harry your lunches, and when you stay over you always have to borrow my clothes, and seeing you go to work in my clothes is ridiculously cute, and then I get to drive you and Harry to school, and I feel so proud looking at my boys, going off on their big days, and I just, it feels like I’m your husband, doesn’t it? Life would be so nice if we were married, Moony, don’t you think? We’d make such a good pair…”
“Potter,” Lily snorted, “do you hear yourself right now?”
They were all a bit tipsy now. Harry had slept throughout dinner, which meant there was nothing stopping the adults from engaging in a few drinks.
“You’re just mad because Remus and I would make a cuter couple than you and him would!” James stuck out his tongue.
“You wish!” Lily scoffed, “Remus and I would wipe the floor with your cuteness. Remus and I would be the ultimate power couple. The teacher and the milf? You can’t even compare…”
Remus began to tune out the couple’s bickering, opting instead to drunkenly scroll through his phone. He scrolled and scrolled, becoming sleepier with each roll of his thumb. He wasn’t even paying attention to what he was looking at, just giving his brain a break from the moment.
He occasionally gave the off “hmmm” and “mm-hmm” when one half of the couple called on him, but he was pretty checked out, until he saw a particular click-bait article from one of those celebrity news sites on his for you page.
Remus snorted, immediately pulling his friends' attention.
“was’so funny?” James slurred, leaning forward to look at Remus’ phone.
Remus only snorted again and shook his head. He cleared his throat and pulled up the image to read the caption.
“Actor, Sirius Black, 26, was nearly cast as our very own 007, James Bond. Click the link to see other actors who were turned down for the coveted role.”
Remus flipped the phone around to show his friends the image of Sirius Black’s head photoshopped onto Daniel Craig’s body.
“What a lot of rubbish, in what world are they casting Sirius Black as James Bond?” Remus laughed, falling back into his chair. It would have been a bizarre casting choice. Sirius, while known for his diverse roles, was mainly known for doing fluffy romance and comedy films. While he’d recently been seen in some big block busters, there was no way someone like him would be cast in such a popular role, especially at his age.
Sirius may be one of the most famous actors in the game, may have girls everywhere falling over their feet just to get a look at him, but there was no way, no fucking way that he could ever replace Daniel Craig. The thought was ludicrous!
Remus thought James and Lily would find it funny too, but their dead silence proved that was not the case.
Okay, maybe it wasn’t that funny, but surely a drunken James could at least appreciate the oddness of that potential casting choice?
“…Are you… not a fan? Of Sirius Black?” James asked carefully.
Remus looked up at him with surprise.
“I don’t have any particular thoughts about him,” Remus responded with the same, cautious tone. He didn’t understand the weird atmosphere that had quickly settled over them. “… are you a fan of Sirius Black?”
“Yes, I think so,” James nodded slowly, eyes assessing Remus.
Remus nodded back.
“I just thought it was a bit funny if he was expecting to play James Bond, given that he doesn’t have the vibe, aesthetic, or skill to play Bond.”
“Sounds like you don’t like him, Remus,” James scowled. Shit, was James a hardcore Sirius Stan? How did Remus not know this?
“Um, no, I mean, sure, I like him. Seems like a good guy. Rather handsome too. I just don’t think he’d be right for the role. And you know how much I love Daniel Craig’s portrayal….” Remus slowly trailed off, shaking his head, “Let’s just forget I said anything.”
“No, I think you’re right Remus, I don’t think Sirius would be up to task,” Lily interjected, “I think it would be too big a commitment to make, what with all those movies he’d have to sign on to.”
“I think under the right conditions, Sirius could easily make that commitment,” James countered, “if he wants to he will. He’ll find a way to play Bond, even if it isn’t right now.”
“Oka-”
“But if he has the means and resources to play Bond right now, why isn’t he playing Bond, hmm? I’m sure there are many other people who would like to play Bond, but they can’t because Sirius is too busy taking up their time.”
“I think they already cast-”
“Many people are counting on Sirius, Lily. Just because he wants to play Bond doesn’t mean his team will let him. He’s got a lot of people on his payroll. Perhaps playing Bond would be emotionally satisfying, but how can he justify it if it doesn’t pay him as well, or takes his time away from other, important projects?”
“I’m pretty sure landing any role in a James Bond film would leave you set for life,” Remus scoffed.
Lily slammed down her glass and stood up swiftly.
“Tell me James, If he wants to play Bond so badly, why isn’t he playing Bond? He keeps going on and on about James Bond but the second they offer him a role he just up and disappears! It’s not fair to his fans, who want to see him play James Bond! He can’t just tell us that’s what he wants, and not follow through! I love him, but it’s not fucking fair, James!”
Lily panted as she towered over the men.
“I… I’m going to bed.” She swiftly exited the dining room.
Remus turned to James, bewildered. James had his head in his hands, looking downright forlorn.
“I have a feeling you weren’t talking about James Bond?” Remus guessed. James huffed a humourless laugh, and shook his head.
“Don’t worry about it, Moony. Let’s go to bed too, yeah? Guest room is already set up for you.”
Remus smiled weakly, unable to do anything else.
“Sure, James,” he said quietly, following his friend as they made their way upstairs.