Chapter Text
“Lupin.”
Professor McGonagall said his name in the stern, inflexible way that meant she was about to ask a favour of him. Swallowing a sigh, Remus stepped into her office and, at McGonagall’s sharp gesture, dropped into a hard, wooden seat beside the desk. Forcing a patient smile across his mouth, he watched her expectantly.
“Have a biscuit.”
Oh wow, Remus thought, nerves dripping into his belly. If he was being offered treats, then McGonagall was going to ask him something very important. Hiding his trepidation, he plucked a gingersnap from the well-loved tartan tin McGonagall offered him.
She peered at him as he forced his teeth through the biscuit. “I believe you know sign language, Lupin?”
Startled, Remus choked, spraying crumbs across his lap as McGonagall watched him impassively. Coughing, Remus wiped his mouth and spluttered, “Yes.” If he’d had a hundred guesses, he would never have anticipated that question.
“There’s a student starting Behavioural Science this year who is hard of hearing. I met with him yesterday, and while his comprehension appears very good, he’s more comfortable with signing than verbal speech.”
Not understanding what that had to do with him, Remus blinked instead of replying.
McGonagall’s mouth thinned. “I’d like you to join his tutorials and interpret. Make sure he gets a fair chance to contribute.”
Instead of saying ‘of course, Professor’ like a good assistant, Remus blurted, “Why me?”
Brows twitching, McGonagall said, “You know the work. You know the language. I don’t expect you to do it forever. We’ll reassess at the end of term based on how well he’s managing the course load.”
“Right,” Remus sighed, not knowing what else to say. He sucked idly on his tongue stud.
“I appreciate how busy you are,” McGonagall said, her voice softening slightly. “It’ll only be a few hours each week, and I’ll make sure to adjust your schedule. I’d be grateful for your help with this.”
Remus coughed again. “And there’s no one in his course who knows how to sign?”
“Not that we’ve been able to determine,” McGonagall said tightly. “He has an older brother, but he’s a post-grad, studying … Music.” The glint in her steely eyes spoke of McGonagall's disapproval for such a thing. Remus almost smiled.
Wishing he cared less about helping people who were a bit hard done, wishing he did not have a built-in empathy for life’s underdogs, Remus agreed. “Okay. I’ll help him.”
“Thank you, Lupin,” McGonagall said with genuine warmth. “Since you’re doing this at my request, it will count as paid hours. I also consider it a personal favour. Have another biscuit.”
As he took one, Remus suddenly thought to ask, “What’s his name?”
“Black,” McGonagall said, standing to show him out of her office. “If you’re free, I’d like to introduce you to each other tonight. Six o’clock at the campus bar.”
“See you then,” Remus muttered, and left.
l-l
“ How can you be working tonight?” Uninvited, Remus’ roommate skipped into his bedroom and flung himself across the unmade bed.
“It won’t be for long,” Remus said, not looking away from his laptop. “I’ll catch up with you afterwards.”
“Yeah, but it’s not the same, Moony!”
Sighing, Remus punched his fingers against the ‘ctrl’ and ‘s’ buttons on his keyboard and spun his chair around. Sprawled on his back, head hanging over the side of the mattress, James pouted back at him. “Too bad.”
Gravity tilted James’ glasses against his forehead and he squinted myopically at Remus beneath the golden frames. “I wanted to go and flirt with some freshers.”
“You don’t need me for that,” Remus said, beginning to spiral his chair back. James’ hand snapped out and blocked him.
“I do need you,” he sulked. “I need a wingman. C’mon. We’ve been a team since first year.”
Gracing him with a fond smile, Remus shook his head. “First year as I remember it was just you being a naive and love-sick little schoolboy.
“Ancient history,” James said dismissively, but his eyes dimmed a little. Losing his highschool girlfriend to a failed long-distance setup was a cut Remus knew James would never fully heal from. “Come on, Moony! Let’s go and meet pretty people together. Did you get laid at all over the break?”
“Yes,” Remus lied.
“Liar,” James said, flipping himself upright. “There’s no other people where you live.”
“We’ll party after I’m done, okay?”
Giving him a grumpy look, James nonetheless relented. “Fine,” he sighed, adjusting his specs. “So what’s Minnie got you doing that’s so damn urgent, then?”
“Introducing me to some new kid,” Remus said, raising both arms and stretching his shoulders. “Someone she wants me to help out.”
“Can I come?” James grinned. “To practice my flirting?”
“No way. Minnie would kill me if I let you near someone she’s looking out for.”
“Spoil sport,” James said, but his smile was unmoved. “When do you need to go then?”
Pulling his phone out, Remus checked the time and grimaced. “Pretty much now.”
Chuckling, James grabbed his knee and shook it gently. “Don’t look so excited.”
“Ugh,” was all Remus could manage as an answer. Standing up, he shoved his chair away and locked his laptop, then glanced around for a jacket only to realise he hadn’t unpacked yet. “Fuck it.”
“What?”
“I’m so disorganised.”
James snorted. “You’re the most organised person I know. What d’you need?”
“A jacket. The nights are getting cool.”
“Your bestie Prongs can provide,” James said. Springing to his feet, he loped from Remus’ room to his own across the hall, and tugged a light coat out of his wardrobe.
“Cheers, mate,” Remus smiled, catching it as James flung it at him. Gratefully, he slipped himself into it, relishing the simple luxury of James’ expensive taste. Rich as Midas, he had been forced into shared accommodation by his parents who hoped it would help teach him some humility. Remus had been set to dislike him, but despite having an ego as expansive as the sun, James had drawn him in with his charm and generosity.
Remus had never had a best friend until meeting James. He was obnoxious, pampered and self-important, but also mischievous, hilarious and loyal to a fault.
“I’ll text you when I’m done,” Remus said as a goodbye. James gave him a quick side hug before bouncing to the living room to pester their other roommates.
Trudging down the ancient staircase, Remus fumbled his headphones out and opened Spotify on his phone, humming along vaguely as he walked the few blocks to the campus bar.
It was bursting with people, raucous and lively. Remus spotted McGonagall perched stiffly at an outdoor table and ducked past the weaving crowd to join her.
She wasn’t alone. Across the table from her was a well-dressed young man, a speech processor hovering above one ear in an obvious contrast to the collection of statement earrings decorating the other.
“Lupin,” McGonagall said as she spotted him. “Please sit.”
Tapping his tongue stud against his teeth, Remus scraped a chair out and dropped into it, glancing across at the new student.
His eyes slid up to catch Remus’ gaze, boring into him with sharp intensity. An unexpected shiver rippled along his spine, and Remus fidgeted in his seat. Glancing at McGonagall for an introduction, he surprised her looking unaccustomedly uncertain.
Taking a slow breath, Remus swiftly signed, ‘ I’m Remus. ’
Blinking once, the student swept his hair back before spelling out his name with fast fingers. ‘ Regulus. ’
“Pleased to meet you,” Remus said, signing the greeting first. He spoke only for McGonagall’s benefit, but noticed the way Regulus’ dark eyes followed the curves of his mouth, one plump lip caught between his teeth.
A well-manicured hand gave an anxious twitch against the book it was resting on, then Regulus spoke in a slur of vowels. “Likewise.”
Eyeing Regulus’ determinedly still hands, Remus nonetheless signed his next question. ‘ Do you prefer verbal or signing? ’
Lips parting, Regulus hesitated, his eyes flicking towards McGonagall. Darting away again just as quickly, he stared at the table as he signed his answer.
“Hey.” Remus stretched his hand across the table to get Regulus’ notice. Defensiveness lined his face as he glared up at Remus through his lashes, but Remus spoke to him with careful, steady gestures. ‘ Don’t be embarrassed. It’s natural to be more comfortable with what you’re used to. ’
Squinting at him, Regulus nodded slowly.
Sensing his lingering discomfort, Remus made a weak attempt at a joke. ‘ Could be worse. You might only speak French. ’
It worked; Regulus broke into bemused, silent laughter.
Looking baffled, McGonagall glanced between them. Remus knew from years of experience that watching a signed conversation could be perplexing for hearing people.
An air of shyness clung to Regulus as he spoke almost hesitantly. ‘ My brother knows French. He speaks it when he doesn’t want me to understand what he’s saying. ’
Remus smiled, because it was the polite thing to do, but he wasn’t sure if the quirk was some cute thing between brothers, or just plain rude.
He was saved from thinking of a reply when McGonagall cleared her throat. “Well, it appears you understand each other very well.” Her snappish tone was slower than usual, but just as crisp. Regulus’ eyes watched her lips carefully. “Black, Lupin will join you at your tute groups for the time being, to make sure you’re not excluded.”
Regulus nodded, but his expression was not as controlled as Remus suspected he would have hoped for. There was a shadow of bitterness clouding his pale skin, almost aggressive, something resentful about needing special assistance.
Remus understood the sentiment, but sincerely hoped that disgruntled attitude was not going to be vented at him. It would make for an absolutely insufferable term.
Pushing a pair of timetables at them both, McGonanagall continued. “I’ve adjusted your schedules and you’ll do very well with Lupin. His grades are beyond satisfactory.” Startled, Remus coughed - he’d seldom heard such high praise from McGonagall. “And I’m certain Lupin will be happy to help you with anything else you need while you adjust to student life here.”
“Uhh, what?” Remus gaped at her, feeling Regulus’ fierce eyes watching him.
“You recall how difficult you found your first year, Lupin,” McGonagall said, her gaze sharp. “I’m sure you don’t wish Black here a similar experience.”
Pushing his lips together, Remus shrank away from her ferocity. He did not want to be the first port of call for a fresher in crisis, yet he also knew he could not condemn someone to a struggle like he had gone through. So, silently, he nodded.
Turning to Regulus, McGonagall said, “He’s nowhere near as unapproachable as he’d have you believe. And he knows your course work. You’re also welcome to come to me at any time.”
Regulus’ hands darted for a moment before he caught himself, curled his fingers tight around his book. “Thank you, Professor,” he said, the sounds slurring across his tongue.
They went over the schedules McGonagall had given them, followed by some stilited small talk, then McGonagall pushed her chair away from the table and stood. “I’ll meet with you both again before classes start next week. Black, if you need help finding your way, I’m sure Lupin will help you.”
They shared polite farewells and then Regulus turned to Remus, his hands moving with snappish emphasis. ‘ I don’t want special treatment. ’
‘ Good, ’ Remus replied sedately. ‘ Because you won’t get it from me. ’
Perfectly impassive, Regulus did not react to him. Remus liked that. There was a pause, then Regulus’ eyes drifted shut, one hand reaching automatically for his implant. A flush warmed his cheeks as he recalled where he was, eyes snapping open again.
‘ Turn it off, ’ Remus signed. ‘ Intense day, you must be tired. I’ll walk you home, where’s your accommodation? ’
The sharp angles of Regulus’ face softened with relieved gratitude. He reached to switch his implant off before replying. ‘ I can find the way. ’
Shrugging, Remus clambered to his feet. ‘ I don’t mind. It’s easier to get lost than you’d think. ’
Looking slightly suspicious, Regulus nonetheless told him where he was staying - a posh, off-campus part of the city in a private house - and fell into step as Remus led a winding path through the campus grounds. He pointed directions as they went, the silent conversation unexpectedly companionable, and Regulus looked increasingly relaxed - until they reached his townhouse and were met on the footpath by an irate young man crowned with a storm of dark hair.
Regulus’ shoulders gave an exhausted droop.
“Where the fuck have you been?” The man flung himself in Regulus’ face, leering angrily. “You can’t just nick off without your phone, Reg, you’re a soft fucking target!”
Dragging in a slow breath, Regulus switched his implant on again and spoke a single, flat word. “What?”
Remus bit back a smirk. His sounds might be an uncertain burble, but Regulus definitely had no difficulty injecting his voice with appropriate emotions.
“You little jerk,” the man growled. “I was worried, and you don’t even care! And who the fuck are you? ” He rounded on Remus.
Recoiling, Remus was too stunned to reply.
Regulus answered for him, scowling through his hair. ‘ My new babysitter. ’
The man - who had to be Regulus’ Music student brother - swivelled his flashing grey eyes back to Regulus. “What?”
“I’ll be helping Regulus settle in,” Remus interjected, struggling to sign the words at the same time; it was a skill he’d never quite had the talent for. “Translating in tutorials and that sort of thing.”
The brother’s frown turned thunderous as his gaze dropped to Remus’ hands. “You don’t need to say it twice, you patronising wanker. I speak sign language, too.”
‘ How’s he meant to know that when you’re carrying on like a rabid dog?! ’ Regulus’ hands flashed through the air, accompanied by some highly aggressive body language. Turning firmly towards Remus, he said, ‘ This is Sirius. He’s an arsehole. ’
An appreciative smile tugged the edge of Remus’ mouth, and he gave Sirius a brief once over. He was striking, tall and handsome and filled with energy. If it weren’t for his grizzly attitude, Remus would definitely have melted into a dribbling puddle of desperately attracted.
As it was, a soft, glowing warmth bloomed low in his belly even as his mind slammed the door shut on even considering asking him out.
Forcing a level of politeness he didn’t feel Sirius deserved, Remus made his hands shape neutral words. ‘ Great to meet you Sirius. I have to go now. ’
Sirius’ eyes narrowed, but Regulus snapped a hand around his wrist. Remus paused. ‘ Sorry, ’ he said. ‘ You don’t have to leave because of him. ’
“No, it’s fine,” Remus said. In that moment, there was nothing he wanted more than to get away from them both. ‘ I’m meeting a friend. ’
Regulus blinked, then nodded. ‘ Okay. See you soon. ’
Smiling, Remus nodded. He flashed Sirius a cool stare before turning and walking away.
Tugging his phone out of his pocket, Remus discovered a text from James, instructing him to meet at a pub a few blocks away.
When he arrived, Remus found James squashed into an over-crowded booth near the stage, where a band was belting out indie-pop. The atmosphere crackled with the irrepressible vitality of youth looking to drink and party. Remus wanted to resist it and be seduced by it in equal measures.
“Moony!” James cried, waving him over. Smiling despite himself, Remus darted through the crowd and snatched an empty chair from a nearby table, parking himself at the end of the booth.
With James were their other roommates, Bertha and Mary, Bertha’s boyfriend Peter, Mary’s ex Gideon, and his brother Fabian, who gave Remus a lascivious grin as he joined them. There were three other girls with the group that Remus didn’t know. He wondered if anyone was going to bother introducing him.
“You need a drink, Moony,” James hollered over the din of people, the throb of live music.
“I’ll get it,” Fabian said, throwing him a wink. They had dated a couple of times the year before. As soon as they discovered that they liked each other more than they would ever love each other, they’d developed a firm friendship punctuated with occasional sex.
Fabian left and Mary leaned towards him. “This is my sister,” she said, barely audible over the noise, pointing to one girl. She gestured to the other two in turn. “Her best friend, and their roommate. They’re all freshers.”
Choosing to nod rather than yell back, Remus leaned back in his chair to watch as James and Gideon flirted with the girls, as Mary chatted to her sister, as Peter and Bertha ignored them all and focused on each other.
He was glad when Fabian returned and pressed a glass of whiskey into his hand.
“How was your break, Moony?”
Eyeing Fabian over the rim of his glass, Remus took a grateful sip before replying. “Quiet.”
“Mm,” Fabian rolled his head back, long hair dusting the back of his neck. “Good to be back, huh?”
“I guess,” Remus agreed.
“So, why’re you late?”
“Oh,” Remus savoured the whiskey for a moment, letting its sharp burn roll over his tongue before giving Fabian a brief summary of his meeting with Regulus, including the run-in with Sirius.
Fabian’s brows shot up. “Wow. At least it sounds like easy money for you.”
Remus shrugged.
“Was he hot?”
Pausing, Remus thought back and then answered honestly. “I really didn’t notice.”
“Not your type, then,” Fabian said easily. “Probably for the best, if you’ve gotta work together.”
“Yeah,” Remus agreed, gulping the last of his whiskey. “The brother was pretty yummy, though.”
Fabian snorted, his nostrils flaring with distaste. “No amount of pretty is worth that attitude. You deserve better than that.”
Thinking of Sirius’ passionate eyes, Remus’ mouth quirked. “Maybe.”
“No maybes, Moony. Don’t sell yourself short,” Fabian said, giving him a kindly glare. “Now, come and dance with me.”
Knowing where dancing with Fabian was likely to lead, Remus spoke a single, teasing word, trying to decide if he was in the mood. “Why-y?”
Fabian graced him with another salacious smile. “Prongs tells me you haven’t been laid since last term.”
Rolling his eyes, Remus fought to ignore the river of embarrassment that flooded his veins. “Of course he did.”
Leaning back in his seat, Fabian rested kind fingers over Remus’ hand. “It’s okay if you’re not interested tonight.”
Toying with his tongue stud, Remus smiled lightly. “I might be.”
Laughing softly, Fabian got to his feet and offered Remus his hand. “You can’t play hard-to-get with me. C’mon, sexy.”
Hoping the dim bar lighting was enough to hide his flush, Remus smiled and slid his palm into Fabian’s. The moment warm fingers locked around his hand, he was reassured in his choice. Anticipation made his skin buzz.
By the time he left Fabian’s apartment three hours later, Remus felt positively fizzy. Alcohol trembled through his brain, his muscles quivering with use. After a couple months of abstinence, he had to admit it felt good to put his body back into someone else’s bed.
“You’re welcome to stay,” Fabian said sleepily, blinking up at him as Remus stepped into his trousers. “I’d like to talk, catch up properly.”
“Sounds good,” Remus agreed, his fingers slipping on his fly buttons. “But McGonagall’s got me booked from nine a.m., so I’d better not.”
“Fair enough,” Fabian yawned, stretching out his naked body before snuggling into the pillow Remus had been resting on. “Want me to walk you back?”
“Nah, you’re alright,” Remus said warmly. He bent down and pecked Fabian’s cheek, then tugged his borrowed jacket on and patted his pockets, checking he had everything. “I’ll see you at yoga on Wednesday, yeah?”
“Yeah.” Fabian smiled. “Let’s get food after, give me a chance to see you before your schedule becomes a super-manic-frenzy.”
“Sounds great,” Remus said.
Fabian caught his hand and squeezed it fondly. “Walk safe, Moony.”
It was only when he was half-way back to his apartment that the hideous realisation smacked him - he hadn’t made his bed yet. Groaning, Remus wished for a moment that he’d just stayed at Fabian’s.
But when he made it back to his room, Remus found his bed fully dressed and James waiting up for him. Looking very sleepy, he padded out of his room in only socks and trunks to meet Remus in the hallway.
“Thanks Prongs,” Remus said, tone rich with gratitude.
“Hey, all good,” James said, following him into his room. “How was Fabian?”
“Fine,” Remus said, dropping his tired body onto the bed and flopping back against the soft blankets.
“Only fine?” James asked, mischievously.
“Shut up.” Remus grinned as he let his eyes drift shut. “How did you do tonight?”
“I got a phone number,” James said, dropping onto the bed beside him and swinging his skinny footballer’s legs in the air. “Gid struck out, and Mary went home with the drummer from the band.”
“Wow,” Remus murmured.
“How’d your meet-and-greet go?”
Remus told him. James’ response was much the same as Fabian’s.
“Well,” he said, reaching over and coiling his fingers absently through Remus’ curls. “At least you won’t have to deal with the brother. And, you know, maybe he was just stressed out, having a bad day.”
“Who knows,” Remus yawned.
“Want me to go?” James asked, catching his yawn. Beneath his specs, his eyes were red-rimmed with tiredness.
“Only if you want,” Remus murmured, a twist of disappointment snatching his chest. “We haven’t had a chance to properly catch up yet, though.”
A quiet grin broke across James’ narrow face. “I’ll stay then,” he smiled.
“Good,” Remus said. “Tell me about your break.”
Fluffing his curls with lazy fingers, James began to tell him animated stories about the zany antics that had populated his free time, until Remus’ chest ached from trying to keep his laughter quiet. They talked for hours, until the night became morning and exhaustion shrouded his mind.
Words faded on Remus’ lips as he fell asleep curled sideways on his bed, brow curved against James’ palm, fingers still trapped in his hair. “Missed you, Prongs…”
“Missed you too, Moony,” James sighed, and they fell into drained sleep.