Chapter Text
“Thank you, have a lovely day.” Remus said, his smile firmly in place until the customer left. It slipped a bit as the customer left and he ran his hand tiredly through his shock of sandy brown curls. He glanced around surreptitiously and when he was sure no one was watching, he waved his wand at the pile of books behind the counter and they flew onto the shelves. They were firmly in place by the time his student employees rejoined him and his wand was out of sight in a hidden pocket.
“A shipment of those textbooks we ordered should be coming in today.” Remus said to them. “They should make it here before you guys take off.”
“Ok, Remus. We’ll take care of it,” one of the students responded.
“We’re going out after our shift…want to come?” The other student asked.
Remus chuckled. “I don’t think you want the boss going out with you. Thank you though.”
Remus appreciated the invitation, but he tried to keep things professional between him and his employees. Especially since he had so many secrets to keep. It was sometimes difficult being a wizard in the Muggle world, but there was still no cure for lycanthropy and it was a challenge for him to hold a job in the wizarding community with his condition. He could live this way without having to have his status under scrutiny all the time. He just wished it didn’t isolate him the way it had. It was hard to make friends and have relationships with Muggles when such a large part of who he was had to remain hidden. His closest friends were still James, Sirius, and Peter, his fellow Gryffindors, but it was difficult to find the time to get together now that they had separate lives and were no longer living together in the dormitory.
He did, however, enjoy running his bookshop, a business that he’d poured his heart and soul into after he’d graduated from Oxford. He’d worked his way up in the shop when he was a student. When the owner wanted to retire two years ago, Remus saw the opportunity to take over the shop and make it his own. Under his care, the book shop flourished. Full Moon Books was now the largest non university owned bookstore within walking distance to campus. He had revamped the inventory, including both textbooks for course work and books on subjects outside the curriculum. Remus had also included a sly nod to his wizarding roots with a section on the occult in the shop and many students were fascinated by the books on palm reading and star gazing. If only they knew, Remus always thought, when he saw students poring over those books.
The phone rang. Remus stifled a sigh. It was either the booking agent for the visiting professor who was doing a program at the shop next week or his mother. He was too tired to deal with either, but he picked up the phone anyway.
“Moony!” The familiar voice made the tension in his shoulders ease. He was always surprised when James telephoned, but he knew that Lily probably insisted they keep a phone in their flat so she could speak to her parents.
“All right, Prongs?” Remus said, his smile much more genuine now.
“Yes. Great actually. Padfoot is going to be in town next week for my bachelor party. We should have drinks, the three of us, when he gets here.” James said, enthusiastically. Almost everything James said was enthusiastic.
“Sure, I’d love to. Just let me know which day, yeah? I have an event at the store on Tuesday.”
“Hmm…all right. Alice and Mary are taking Lily out then, so maybe we can apparate over for the event and have drinks after?”
“You really want to come hear a visiting professor speak?” Remus was skeptical. While both of his friends were both very intelligent, powerful wizards, neither of them had the patience for academia that Remus did.
“Could be a laugh. I just want to see you. We don’t see you anymore.” James said, the pout evident in his voice. Remus rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. Really, what was the point? James always acted like they should see each other as much as they had when they shared a dormitory at Hogwarts. He saw James and Lily about as much as an adult with a job could expect to see his friends. James, and when he was around, Sirius, still joined him for full moons when they could. Peter didn’t. After they’d left Hogwarts, Peter had moved to America to work as an international liaison to the Ministry of Magic.
“Sure, of course. Come to the event. I’ll save you two front row seats. Just behave yourselves."
James chuckled. "I can't speak for Sirius, but I will be on my best behavior."
"That's all I'm asking." Remus said.
"Listen, I'll let you go…looking forward to it."
"Me too. Send my love to Lily."
Remus hung up and turned his attention back to the student employees who were clearing up the shop after a steady stream of customers.
***
The following Tuesday, Full Moon Books was buzzing about the event that evening. The visiting professor, and really it was "professor" in the loosest of terms, was proving to be a high maintenance thorn in Remus's side. The booking agent had sent ahead a list of requirements (demands) that were to be met by exacting specifications. Remus had refrained from rolling his eyes, but just barely.
Remus went into the storage room to change into a button down shirt, tie and sport coat for the occasion and emerged as he spied a well coiffed blonde in a teal suit, surrounded by an entourage no ordinary professor would command.
Sterling himself, Remus approached his guests cautiously. “Remus Lupin, it has been such a long time.” Gilderoy Lockhart gushed, kissing him on both cheeks.
"Hello, lovely to see you again." Remus said, smiling tightly. Lockhart had been a few years behind him at Hogwarts. He'd made a name for himself as a supposed expert on the supernatural and paranormal, but Remus knew he was preying on Muggle curiosity to gain the notoriety he did not find among wizards. However, Remus did stock his books and sold a fair bit of them so he knew it was good for business to invite Lockhart to speak.
“Oh you two know each other?” A member of Lockhart's entourage asked. For the life of him, Remus could not keep them straight. They all looked the same to him. Remus’s eyes slid toward Lockhart, who was obliviously smiling. “Oh yes, Remus and I go way back. We were at the same boarding school.” Remus raised an eyebrow and Lockhart flicked his eyes downward in confirmation. Muggles, then.
Remus looked at his watch. The program was due to start in an hour. He gestured to his assistant manager, Benjy, to show Lockhart into the small event space.
As the audience filtered in, Remus kept an eye out for James and Sirius. At seven, Remus started the program. He gave Benjy the signal to bring Lockhart out while Remus introduced him. Lockhart strode onstage, grinning and waving. As Remus went to take his seat, he heard the door open in the back.
James poked his head in, looked around and saw Remus. He closed the door quietly, and approached Remus, sliding into one of the empty seats next to him. Remus gave him a quizzical look. James shrugged. The door opened and banged shut this time. Several people looked around.
Striding down the center aisle was none other than Sirius Black.
He always did like to make an entrance, Remus thought. Sirius grinned at both of them, tucking his black hair behind his ear. Remus could feel the familiar pull in his stomach as he watched Sirius approach them. He sat down in the empty seat between Remus and James.
Lockhart was busy recounting an anecdote from one of his books and did not notice any interruption. James and Remus were listening skeptically while Sirius let out an audible sigh. Remus elbowed him and Sirius grinned and winked.
During the question and answer portion of the program, Sirius raised his hand. Benjy approached with the mic. Sirius stood up and Lockhart blanched at seeing another wizard in the audience.
“Yes, hello… Professor .” Sirius said, the italics clear in his voice. “Many of those stories seem so unbelievable…almost like…magic.”
“I’m not sure I understand your question.” Lockhart stammered.
“I said -” Sirius started, but Remus took the mic away.
“Thank you so much for your time, Professor Lockhart.” Remus said. “The professor will be available in a few minutes to sign your books.” Remus turned to glare at Sirius. “What do you think you're doing?”
Sirius enveloped Remus in a hug. “You know you missed me, Moony.”
Remus returned the hug but rolled his eyes. “I did, unfortunately.” James grinned broadly at the pair of them. “I thought the two of you were going to behave.”
“Maybe Prongs made that promise… but I agreed to nothing.” Sirius flashed his wicked smile.
“I did, actually.” James said. “They really let him teach at the university?”
“He’s more of… a Professor that promotes his books by having one class per semester at different universities. Apparently it was our turn.” Remus said.
“Figures.” James said. “Hey remember when we pranked him -”
“Splendid to see some other school mates,” smiled Lockhart as he approached Remus.
Sirius’s eyes narrowed, and Remus put his hand on Sirius’s arm to keep him quiet. Lockhart observed the point of contact, smile still intact. “Shall I begin the signing?”
“Of course.” Remus said, leading Lockhart over to the table.
About an hour later, Remus, Benjy and some other employees were helping clear up and once they were finished, Remus joined his friends and the three of them made their way to the pub.
The pub was crowded, but Sirius went to get the drinks. A smile and a hair toss later, they had drinks in front of them. Remus always marveled at how effortlessly charming Sirius could be when he wanted to. There was something about those grey eyes, that jawline and smile, coupled with the long black hair and the joking demeanor that made getting what he wanted really easy for Sirius. Remus knew that even though he was regular at this particular pub, he would never have gotten the prompt service Sirius did.
“I can’t believe the wedding is almost here.” Sirius said, handing James his pint.
“I know. It feels like yesterday that Lily finally agreed to go to Hogsmeade with me.” Jame said, smiling.
“You all ready, then?” Remus wanted to know. Author events were difficult enough. He couldn’t imagine putting together an entire wedding.
“Just about…you know Lily. She’s got it under control.” Jame said. “I’m not really allowed to do anything.”
“What would you do if she let you?” Remus asked.
“Um… whatever she wanted?” James responded, nonplussed. They all started laughing.
When the conversation died down, Remus turned toward Sirius,“It’s been a while, Pads… how was it in France?”
“I learned a lot there… there are a lot of techniques that we just don’t use at St. Mungo’s, but it would be helpful to try.” Sirius said. Sirius was a Healer, and his specialty was experimental treatments. He’d been abroad for the last few months, doing research but Remus didn’t know the specifics. “It’s unfortunate that so many people I work with are afraid of change.”
“I feel like that’s every workplace.” James said. He had taken over his father’s interest in Sleekeazy when he retired. “There’s still a few people at work that are my father’s age and get upset every time I make a suggestion.”
“My workplace isn’t afraid of change.” Remus said, with a cheeky smile.
“It’s different when you run your own business.” Sirius pointed out.
“And it’s not like you need the gold… you could leave and be alright if you wanted.” Remus pointed out.
“It’s true. Uncle Alphard did see to that.” Sirius allowed. “But could you imagine me without work? I’d be bored out of my mind.”
“You could always come work for me.” Remus said. “I could use another assistant manager.”
“You’d fire poor Benjy for me?” Sirius said, raising his eyebrows. “It’s probably for the best, he has a crush on you anyway.”
“You’re mad.”
“I mean… I get it. You’re hot, Moony. You just don’t know it yet.”
Remus rolled his eyes to hide the swooping sensation he felt in his stomach.
He looked at James, who put his hands up. “Don’t look at me. You are hot, Moony.”
“I’ll let Lily know you think so.” Remus always felt a little uncomfortable when anyone, especially Sirius, mentioned how he looked. He supposed he wasn’t bad looking, but he had some scars on his face from various werewolf transformations that he was self-conscious about, and he felt there was nothing else distinctive about his curly light brown hair and his brown eyes, and tall, thin frame.
The door to the pub chimed and through the chattering crowd, Remus could hear “Oh how lovely. Such a quaint pub.” He looked around and sure enough, Lockhart and his entourage were making their way to the bar, followed by a small group of students. Remus sighed inwardly. It was one thing to be gracious toward Lockhart at work, when it was his job to do so, but it was quite another thing to deal with him when he really wanted this time to spend with his friends. He hoped Lockhart didn’t see them.
Of course, once that thought crossed Remus’s mind, he came striding up to their table. “Gentlemen, lovely to see you. Such a great student spot.” Lockhart said, that smile still annoyingly in place.
“Yes. Isn’t it.” Sirius said, with a fake smile of his own. Remus nudged him with his elbow.
“My word, Sirius Black. It has been a long time. How are you?”
“Splendid, Gilderoy. Thanks for asking.” Sirius said. “Yourself?”
“Grand, just marvelous. I recently returned from abroad. Promoting my new book, you know.” Lockhart’s assistant tapped his arm and handed him a martini.
“Is that so?” Sirius said.
“Yes. Quite the reception in Paris.”
“Really. I’ve been working in Paris and I haven’t heard a thing about it.”
“Sirius.” Remus said, warningly.
“That really is too bad we didn’t run into each other.” Lockhart said, brushing against Remus’s arm. “Remus, I wanted to thank you for having us this evening…such wonderful hospitality.”
“My pleasure.” Remus said. “So you’re here for the semester.”
“Yes. You should visit my class sometime. Tell them all about your adventures.”
“I don’t usually discuss my… adventures in mixed company. There is the Statute of Secrecy to think about.” Remus said. Sirius was glowering at Lockhart and his hand twitched toward his jacket pocket where Remus knew he kept his wand. James was glaring at Lockhart over his spectacles.
“Oh nonsense. I’m sure they’d love to hear about -”
“Oh Professor, there’s someone over here who would love to meet you.” the assistant interjected.
“Of course.” Lockhart said, sweeping off.
“If he touches you again, I’m going to hex him.” Sirius growled in an undertone.
“I’ll beat you to it.” James muttered. “I can’t believe that prat. He goes around telling Muggles his stories? How does he get away with that?”
“I have no idea.” Remus shook his head. “It’s going to be a long semester.”
“At least you have the wedding to look forward to.” Sirius said, winking at him.
“Speaking of which… gentlemen, it’s been fun, but I have to get home.” James said, standing and clapping each of them on the shoulder.
“Say hi to Lily for me.” Remus said.
“Will do.” James turned to Sirius. “You’ll be ok getting back?”
“I land on my feet, you know that.” Sirius said. “I can stay with Moony for the night.”
Remus raised an eyebrow. “You can?”
“I can’t?” Sirius said, grinning.
“Good night.” James said, heading out.
Sirius sat back down. “Another round?”
“Sure.” Remus said, smiling at him.
They were almost done with their last round and were planning to call it a night when Lockhart came back over to their table.
“We’re about to head out, Gilderoy.” Remus said. “See you soon?”
“All right. Thank you again, Remus.” They shook hands and Sirius glowered. “Sirius? A pleasure.”
“Sure. Whatever.” Sirius grumbled, but shook his hand as well and got up to close his tab.
Lockhart refocused on Remus. “So, Remus… there is an opening at the art gallery here in town tomorrow. Are you planning to go?”
“Um… I’m not sure.” Remus hedged, unsure of where this was going. Sirius returned from paying the bill. “Thanks.”
“Any time.” Sirius said, squeezing Remus’s arm. Lockhart watched them closely. He looked back and forth between the two of them.
“Oh. I apologize.”
Remus looked around at Lockhart again. “For what?”
“I didn’t realize…” he stammered.
“Didn’t realize?” Remus repeated.
“About you. And him. You and him.” Lockhart said, gesturing toward Sirius, who was now wearing an expression of unbridled glee.
“Yeah, that’s right.” Sirius said, sliding his arm around Remus’s shoulders.
“Anyway. Good night.” Lockhart said, making a beeline for the door.
“Sirius. That was mean.” Remus grumbled, shaking his arm off.
“He’s a wanker. You didn’t really want to go with him, did you?”
“No, but…” Remus couldn’t explain himself. Couldn’t explain whether that had been mean to Lockhart or mean to him.
But even after all this time, it was not a conversation he was interested in having with Sirius.