No One Else Matters by snapealina

[ronbigbang]

Title: "No One Else Matters"
Author: snapealina
Pairing: Ron/Remus
Rating: PG-13
Genre: romance/angst/drama
Warnings: none
Word Count: 13533
Summary: It's time for Ron to tell his family about his relationship with Remus, but how will his family react?
Author’s Note: This fic partly ignores the epilogue. It also ignores certain DH-deaths.

Thanks to my awesome beta, ginnylw!

Also thank you to my wonderful cheerleaders lindeluren, _lore and azure_rosa!

You've all been so much help like you wouldn't believe!!!

Title: "The Couch"
Artist: foryourstereo
Pairing: Ron/Remus
Rating: G
Media: Digital
Artist's Notes: -

No One Else Matters

Chapter 1

It was a lazy Saturday afternoon and Remus was sitting on the sofa in his small, but homely, cottage with a cup of tea by his side and a good book. All of these things were things that Remus had appreciated his entire life, but the highlight of the situation was the head with a mop of red hair in his lap. Remus looked down at his lover and grinned.



The head moaned loudly. “I'm bored!”

Remus chuckled and put the book on the table. His hand started to stroke the red hair beneath him. “Why? Aren't you happy here with me?” He pouted his lips, pretending to be offended.

Ron sat up. “Of course I am, I'm just bored. There's nothing to do around here. There are only books.”

Remus laughed. “I happen to think books are fun.” Ron gagged, making Remus smile even wider. “But we will have to find something to do, won't we?”

The older man grabbed Ron's confused face and gave him a deep kiss.

“Whoa, Remus,” Ron grinned after the two of them finally had to come up for air. “I should have complained earlier if I knew you were going to do that.”

He jumped up from the sofa and grabbed Remus' hand, desperately trying to drag him off of the sofa. “Come on!”

“Not now, Ron,” Remus chuckled. “We just came from upstairs, and I'm still exhausted.”

Ron moaned.

“You're going to be the death of me, Ron,” Remus laughed. “This old body need a break.”

“You're not old,” Ron stated.

“Thanks, but can't you find something to do for a little while and ask me again later?” Remus pulled him in for another kiss. “It's not that I don't want you, Ron. Trust me, I do! But we can't stay upstairs all day.”

“Why not?” Ron whined and lay down on the sofa and again placed his head in Remus' lap.

Remus gently let his hand run through Ron's hair. “I'm so happy I have you here, Ron. I hope you know that.”

Ron merely smiled back, and Remus picked up his book.

Not even a minute passed before Ron cried out again. “Aaaaah, I need to do something!”

Remus put down his book. “Well, what do you want to do?”

“Argh, I don't know,” Ron moaned. “I just have to do something. I'm going crazy here.”

“Well,” Remus started, “we could always go to the cinema or something.”

“Nah...” said Ron, “that's all we ever do, and there's nothing new I want to see anyway. I need to be around people, I need to do something around people.”

“I'm all for that, Ron,” Remus smiled, gently. “But you're the one that told me you weren't ready to let people know about us yet, remember?”

Ron nodded. “I know. It just that... It's not like I'm embarrassed by you or anything, it's just, well, I don't know how to tell them.” Ron admitted.

“I see,” Remus replied. He respected Ron's wishes, but he couldn't help but feel a bit hurt by the fact that his lover still didn't want anyone to know about them. “I know it's your choice, Ron, but it's been three months. Don't you think it's about time you told someone about me?”

“I should, but it's not that easy.” Ron blushed. “I haven't actually told them that I... you know... fancy blokes.”

“What?” Remus was totally caught off guard. “They don't even know that you're gay?”

Ron shook his head.

“No one knows?”

“Well, Harry and Hermione do. But they've been sworn to secrecy.” Ron stated.

“So I guess Ginny would know, too?” Remus said, but Ron shook his head again.

“Nope, I told Harry that if he so much hinted at this to Ginny, I would make sure that James would never get any siblings.”

Remus chortled.

“Of course I can't guarantee he hasn't said anything, but I hope he knows better than to go and blab to my sister. She would never be able to keep her mouth shut.”

“And Hermione?” Remus asked.

“Well, she had to find out sooner or later, didn't she?” said Ron. “I mean... we lived together for four years.”

“Was that the reason you two split up?” Remus wondered. He had never dared to ask Ron why before.

Ron nodded. “I tried to make it work, but I just couldn't!”

“I understand what you're talking about, Ron,” Remus chuckled.

“And I don't know what I would do if Mum finds out. She's still on my back about not making it work with Hermione.” Ron sighed. “So I really don't know what to tell her and how she will react.”

“Well, is there really a right way to tell her? Besides, it's your life, Ron! Not hers! Isn't it a mother's job to make sure her children are happy?”

“I guess,” Ron muttered.

“And it's not like you have to worry about me meeting the parents,” Remus laughed. “I already know them pretty well if I may say so.”

Ron faked a tiny smile. “Well, that's part of the problem. We know that they like you. I'm just not sure they'd like you as my boyfriend.”

***

Ron's stomach turned as he stepped through the door of the Burrow. He really didn't want to do this, but he knew it was time. Besides, his parents weren't unreasonable, it was probably nothing to worry about.

He walked into the kitchen and found his mum baking. As long as Ron could remember, his Mum had always baked something on Saturdays, getting ready for a big family dinner on Sunday.

“Hi Mum,” Ron said and sat down by the kitchen table.

“Ronniekins,” Molly beamed and gave him a big wet kiss on his cheek. “What brings you here? I thought you would be out enjoying this beautiful Saturday.”

“Well,” Ron hesitated. “I sort of need to talk to you and Dad about something.”

“Oh?” Molly asked while rinsing a bowl. “What is it, dear?”

Ron cringed. “Could you get Dad first?”

“Of course,” Molly said and wiped the dough off her hands.

“Arthur, can you come into the kitchen, please? Ron wants to see you.” Molly yelled through the kitchen door and seconds later Arthur Weasley came into the room.

“Ron!” he greeted. “What brings you here on this lovely day?”

“I...” he started.

“Ron has something to talk to us about,” Molly explained just as George walked through the door with Fred at his heels.

“What is that, Ronnie boy?” George smiled as the twins sat down.

“You're here?” Ron asked frustrated. He hadn't planned on the twins being there. He wanted to tell his parents and then let them get used to the idea that they have a gay son, and maybe they could help in telling the others. This was not part of the plan!

“Looks like it,” Fred said. “So what is it?”

“I'm not telling you,” Ron frowned. “I'll do this another time.” Ron got up and headed towards the door.

“Oh don't be like that, Ronniekins.” Molly said. “Tell us.”

“Tell us what?” Ginny asked as she walked through the door with little James on her arm, followed by Harry. Ron wondered if this could get any worse?

“Why is everyone here?” Ron shouted. “Bill? Percy? Charlie? Fleur? Anyone else hiding upstairs?”

“Don't be silly, Ron,” Molly said. “It's just family. Tell us.”

At least now he didn't have to go through this several times. It would probably be like ripping off a bandage, best to just do it quickly.

Ron sighed. “Fine!”

Fred clapped his hands and cheered. “Yaaaay”

“Oh, shut up, Fred!” Ron gave him an annoyed look. “Okay, the thing is, I've been seeing someone for a while now.”

“Oh that's great, Ron,” Molly beamed and Ron smiled uncertainly.

“And I think it's about time you meet him.”

“That would be wonderf...wait, HIM?” Molly looked positively shocked.

Ron blushed.

The twins lit up.

“Oh little sweet Ronniekins is gay,” George cheered.

“Who is it? Don't tell me it's Malfoy!” said Fred.

“Of course it's not Malfoy!” Ron was shocked that his brother could even suggest that.

“It's Finnigan, I bet it's Finnigan!” Fred proclaimed.

“Finnigan's gay? I didn't know that.” George said surprised.

“You didn't know Ron was either.”

“That's true.”

“No, I don't think it's Finnigan. Perhaps it's that Finch-Fletchley from Hufflepuff. He seemed like a poof.”

“Or Parkinson. Oh wait, she is a girl.”

“Are you sure?”

“No, not really.”

“It's Longbottom. I can see it on his face!”

“Don't be daft, George. Longbottom's too much of a badarse to be gay.”

“HEY! Would you two shut up? It's no one from our year.” Ron finally interrupted.

“So who is it?” Ginny suddenly asked.

Ron blushed even more and looked with pleading eyes at Harry, who seemed oblivious to what was going on. He was too busy playing with James on the floor. Ron wanted to kick him. He was ignoring him on purpose to avoid getting in a fight with Ginny, Ron knew it!

“Is he older or younger?” George wondered.

“Older.” Ron answered.

“Was he at Hogwarts with us?” Fred asked.

“Well....”

The twins began to throwing out names of students that had been in their year and even in Percy's, Most of them Ron hadn't even heard of. He couldn't take it anymore.

“IT'S REMUS,” he yelled.

Everything went quiet.

“Remus?” Arthur asked bewildered.

“Yes, Remus Lupin.” Ron stated.

“But, but, but...” Molly looked like she was going to faint and Arthur quickly pulled up a chair for her.

“But he's...” Molly started.

“A werewolf? Yes I know, but that hasn't bothered you before and it doesn't bother me.” Ron stated firmly.

“No, not that.” Molly mumbled. “He's...”

“What? Kind, considerate, nice to everyone, smart, funny, hot?”

“OLD!” the twins chorused.

The talk in the kitchen exploded. Ron couldn't make out everything that was being said, but the idea of this being like ripping of a bandage had totally failed.

“Merlin, Ron, you could have warned us.” Fred finally said.

“Warned you? I didn't realise there was anything to warn you about.” Ron said annoyed.

“But you shouldn't have sprung this on us like that.” George continued.

“Sprung this on you? How else was I supposed to tell you? Would it be better if I just showed up on the doorstep with him?” Ron couldn't believe them.

“Then you will bring him here for family dinner tomorrow.” Molly's voice suddenly cut through the argument.

“What? But is that a good idea?” Ron was shocked. “Isn't it a bit too soon?

“Of course not!” Molly continued. “Remus needs to eat too, you will bring him!”

Ron knew there was no point of arguing with his mother when she had put her mind to something, and found it best to just go back to Remus and break the news to him. They needed all the time they had to prepare for the dinner the following day.

***

“So how did it go?” Remus came towards him the second he walked through the door.

“Er... We're sort of invited for dinner tomorrow.”


Chapter 2

“Relax, Ron.” Remus said and smacked the nervous fingers that tried to fix his tie for the umpteenth time. “The tie is fine! I've seen your family a thousand times before. I don't think that a perfect tie will make any difference.”

Ron looked like he was about to make up yet another reason to leave when the door of the Burrow flung open and they looked at two identical grinning faces.

“Come in, gentlemen, come in.” Fred grinned and beckoned them inside.

Hesitantly, Ron and Remus made their way into the living room where the entire Weasley clan was waiting.

“Welcome,” Molly greeted them as she put a giant roast on the table. “Sit down.”

Ron and Remus found two empty chairs just between the twins and did as they were told.

The Weasley house had never been so quiet. There were sixteen people around the table, and the only sounds one could hear were the knives and forks, plus the occasional whining from either James or the younger Molly. No one said a word.

Ron looked desperately at Remus. Remus' brain was looking for reasons to leave, but he just couldn't come up with anything plausible.

The group ate in uncomfortable silence and Molly jumped from her seat the second the last member had finished the last bite, ready to clear the table.

“I hope you have room for pudding,” she called on her way out to the kitchen.

“I want to leave,” Ron hissed to Remus, but the man didn't get the chance to answer before Molly came out of the kitchen with the pudding.

“Dinner was lovely, Molly,” Remus said suddenly and Molly almost dropped the food from the shock of someone speaking.

“Thank you, Remus,” she said with a fake polite voice. She sat down and told people to help themselves.

Not much was said during pudding either, and Remus could tell that Ron was getting extremely uncomfortable. Harry, who Ron and Remus had counted on being their buffer, seemed to ignore the whole situation and concentrated on feeding James instead.

Ron turned to Fred on his side, hoping that his brother would say or do something hilarious to take the edge of things, but it seemed as if the twins were determined to let their younger brother suffer, because no one had ever seen the twins act so polite and quiet before.

“Okay, are we going to talk about this or not?” Ron suddenly blurted out.

Everyone stopped eating and stared at him. Even Harry looked up at what was going on around him.

“It's only Remus, for fuck's sake!”

“Ron! Language!” hissed Molly.

“Yeah, because my language is the biggest problem here.”

“Ron!” Molly warned him.

“Mum, it was you that insisted on inviting us for dinner. You could at least act normal.”

Molly didn't answer.

“Fine!” Ron said and rose from his chair. “I'm not staying here.”

“Where are you going?” Molly called after him.

“Anywhere but here,” Ron said and grabbed his coat.

Remus was so confused he didn't know whether to stay put or to follow. He wanted to follow, but thought that it might be considered rude. And seeing as he wanted the Weasleys to like him as Ron's partner, he didn't want to do anything to jeopardise that.

Molly jumped up and dragged Ron into the kitchen. Arthur followed, leaving the rest of the family puzzled by the table. Everyone looked at Remus, who had no idea what to say or do.

Molly's and Ron's voices filtered in from the kitchen.

”... he's old enough to be your father, Ron! He is a father!”
“So what?”
“Think about Teddy.”
“Teddy has nothing to do with this, Mum.”
“How do you think he will react?”
“Teddy is fine with this, Mum.”
“That's what you think. And what about Hermione?”
“What about Hermione?”
“Oh, Ronnie, why can't you give her a second chance? You were so right for each other.”
“Mum? Hermione is just a friend. We've been over this a million times already. Besides, she's engaged to Viktor.”
“That doesn't mean you can't try again.”
“Mum! I'm GAY! Why can't you just accept that?”
“Don't you think he's too old for you?”
“Muuuum!”

Fleur rose from her chair and took Victoire with her into another room. Audrey followed with little Molly. The rest sat completely still, listening in on the conversation.

“Molly,” came the calm voice of Arthur Weasley. “I know you're worried about him, but it's only Remus. You like Remus.”

“LIKED!” Molly corrected and the group heard a door open and slam shut.

The sound of angry footsteps up the stairs followed right after.

A sad-looking and confused Arthur came out to the rest of the family, who immediately started talking and walking around, pretending they hadn't caught a word of what had just happened.

Arthur sat down at his chair and looked at Remus, who was now the only person left at the table.

“I'm so sorry about this, Remus,” he apologized. “Molly can be a little overprotective.”

“It's fine, Arthur.” Remus mumbled back. “I know it must be very awkward for you.”

“She'll be fine. They both will. It's just their thing... bickering like that. They're both very stubborn.”

Remus smiled. He knew how Ron usually behaved when he didn't get his way.

“She just has to get used to the thought.”

The rest of the Weasleys had followed Fleur and Audrey into the other room, leaving Arthur and Remus alone in the dining room.

“Do you love him?” Arthur asked when the room was empty.

“I do,” Remus confirmed.

“Then I don't see a problem,” Arthur smiled.

“Thank you, Arthur.” Remus said relieved.

“I'm quite relieved, actually,” said Arthur. “I've had a feeling he wasn't into girls. And I'm glad it's you and not some other random tosser.”

***

“Ron?” Remus knocked on the door of the room on the top floor. “Can I come in?”

The door opened and Remus walked carefully into the room.

The sight of at least fifty Chudley Cannons posters met him before he saw a body on the bed. Face down in the pillow.

“Are you okay, Ron?” he asked gently and sat down on the side of the bed.

“Whadda'ya think?” a muffled voice came from the pillow.

“It's going to be alright, Ron.” Remus reassured him. “I had a talk with your father and he promised that it will be just fine.”

“That's easy for him to say.” Ron whined. “Mum's the problem.”

“Don't you think he knows her pretty well by now?” Remus chuckled. “And your father is fine with this. It could have been worse.”

“How?” Ron turned around and Remus could see that his eyes were red, he had obviously been crying, and Remus couldn't blame him.

“Because she's your mother. She loves you, she'll come around.” Remus stroke the younger man's hair.

“That's easy for you to say. It's not your Mum. You don't know what she's like.” Ron moaned and buried his head in Remus' lap.

“Have some faith, Ron. It's most likely just a question of miscommunication.”

“Miscommunication?” Ron sat up abruptly. “You heard her, Remus. Everyone in Ottery St Catchpole heard her. She was pretty clear about her feelings.”

“And what about our feelings? Don't they matter?”

“Of course they do.” Ron looked down.

“So what does it matter what she thinks? Your father didn't have a problem with this, and I don't think the rest of your family does either.”

“You didn't hear them yesterday,” Ron muttered.

“What?”

“You should have heard the twins yesterday,” said Ron. “I'm surprised they didn't jump right at you and asked you all the stupid questions I know they're just longing to ask you.”

Remus chuckled. “What did they say?”

“Nothing much except that the news seemed to be an early birthday gift to them, and of course they had to mention your age. Just like Mum did.”

“What else did you expect, Ron?”

“Huh?” Ron looked at him with a confused face.

“It's pretty natural for them to worry when their son and brother brings home a man twenty years his senior, don't you think?”

“I suppose,” Ron mumbled.

“I would be worried if they didn't react, to be honest. They only care about you.”

“I guess,” said Ron, hesitantly.

“You're lucky to have a caring family, Ron. We'll figure out how to deal with your mother eventually.”

Ron smiled and Remus bent down and kissed him lightly.

“Thank you,” Ron smiled.

“For what?”

“For dealing with my crazy family.”

Remus chuckled. “You know I love your family, Ron. But don't ever leave me alone with them like that again!”

Ron smiled. “I promise.”

“I don't care if you come down with an sudden, serious and infectious case of Pixie Flu. Don't run off like that, do you understand?”

Ron laughed. “I won't!”

“Now come here,” Remus said and pulled him into a tight hug.

“Are you ready to leave?” Ron asked when they finally let go of each other.

Remus only raised an eyebrow. “Do you have to ask?”

“Can we go to your place?” Ron asked. “I really don't feel like being alone in my crappy flat now.”

“Of course,” Remus said. “I've been meaning to talk to you about that.”

“About what?”

“Well, you don't seem to like spending much time there.”

“It's a tiny, crappy place. Are you surprised?”

“Not really,” Remus said, “but what I wanted to know was what you thought about maybe not living there anymore.”

“I'd love to, but it's all I can afford right now. I don't have exactly much money saved up. Most of it went during the planning of the wedding.” Ron sighed.

“I know that,” Remus said. “But I'm not talking about getting another flat.”

“Well, I'm not moving back here!” Ron stated.

“Ron, seriously,” Remus sighed. “I love you, but I didn't think you were this thick.”

“Huh?”

“I want you to move in with me.”

“Oh...”

“That way you can move out of your crappy place and have all your stuff at my place. Maybe you won't get so easily bored there either,” Remus smiled.

“I'd like that,” Ron smiled back and flung himself at Remus, kissing him madly.

He pushed Remus down onto the bed and sat himself on top of him, leaning down to kiss him even deeper. Pretty soon, Remus felt fingers trying to open the fly on his trousers.

“Ron, not here!” Remus hissed.

“Why not?”

“Your parents can come in and see us.”

“That's what makes it exciting.” Ron chuckled.

“I want them to like me, not scare them away.” Remus tried to push Ron away, but the younger man was too strong for him.

“What? Don't you want me?” Ron pouted and pretended to be really hurt.

“Funny, Ron!” said Remus. “But after what happened downstairs and you worrying about your mother, I don't think this is a very good idea.”

“I do,” Ron smirked and started to unbutton Remus' trousers. “It won't take long. No one will know.”

“Ronnie? I just wanted to -” The door opened before the two wizards had time to react and Molly dropped the tray of teacups she was holding and just stared at the scene in front of her.

“Uh.. I... have to...” she mumbled and walked away as suddenly as she had appeared.

“FUCK!” Ron said and jumped off the bed.

He started walking around the room, gripping his hair and muttered all the swear words he could think of.

“It's definitely time to leave,” Remus got his clothes fixed and pulled Ron out of his childhood bedroom.

They walked downstairs where a puzzled Weasley family looked at them and at a shocked and silent Molly on a chair in the corner.

“I'm sorry, but I think it's time that we went home,” Remus faked a polite smile to the rest of the Weasleys. “Good night to you all.”

Remus dragged Ron out of the Burrow and Apparated them both back to his cottage.


Chapter 3

“That should be the last one,” Ron panted as the last box was placed on the living room floor.

“How did you manage to fit all this stuff into that tiny flat?” Remus asked, amazed as he looked at the countless number of boxes on the floor.

“Don't tell anyone,” Ron said and dropped his voice to a whisper, “but I'm a wizard.”

“Hahaaaa, very funny,” said Remus and peered into a random box, pulling out an ancient Quidditch magazine. “What is all this junk?”

“Junk?” Ron gasped and walked over to the box. “You have all these old books and you call this junk?”

“The books are classics, and this old thing has almost lost all of its magic. Look at the picture on the cover, Ron. The player isn't even on his broom most of the time. The picture is a complete mess.”

“So what? This is a classic too!” Ron said enthusiastically. “It's from the European Cup of 1956 where the Caerphilly Catapults defeated the Norwegian Karasjok Kites. Their keeper saved forty-seven goal attempts and only let in five Quaffles!”

“Fine, I won't say anything,” Remus chuckled. “This is your place now, too, and we'll find some place for it.”

Ron grinned. “It is, isn't it? So can I put my things anywhere?”

“Of course. Well, anywhere except Teddy's room.”

“Yeah, that's my room!” a boy with blue hair jumped up from behind a box and grinned.

“How long have you been hiding behind there?” Remus said and grabbed his son and tousled his hair.

“Daaaaad,” Teddy squirmed out of his father's grip and looked into the box. “Whoa! Where did you get all these Chocolate Frog cards from?” Teddy asked amazed.

“Well, I've been collecting them since I was much younger than you, so I have a few.”

“I've never seen so many cards in my whole life! Do you have Aberforth Dumbledore?”

“Of course,” Ron said and began to search through his collection.

“Blimey!” said Teddy, his hair transfiguring to flaming red. “I've never seen that card before. I've heard that Aberforth bought all the Chocolate Frogs he could get because he didn't want anyone to have his card. Is that true? Because every time I get a new card I hope it's that one, but all I ever get is that Severus Snape guy. I get that he's an important wizard, but if I open a chocolate frog and see that nose again I will scream.”

Remus laughed out loud. “Poor Severus.”

“You can have it, if you want,” said Ron.

Teddy looked at him with big amazed eyes. “I can?”

“Sure,” said Ron. “I already have two, and I know that you will take good care of it.”

“I promise,” Teddy beamed and looked at the card. “Dad, can I call Jason? He will be so jealous when I tell him I got Aberforth!”

“Maybe later, Teddy. Let's help Ron get his things in place first.”

“Sure,” Teddy smiled and grabbed the card collection. “Where is this going?”

The two grown up wizards laughed.

“I'm not sure yet, Teddy,” Ron said and looked around. “How about on the bookshelf over there?”

He looked at Remus, checking if it was okay.

“Anywhere, Ron. It's up to you.” Remus smiled and kissed him.

“Eeeewwwwww, Daaaaaad!” Teddy moaned and covered his eyes.

Remus chuckled. “You will just have to get used to that, Teddy my boy. Ron is living here now, and I'm not going to stop kissing him in case you walk by.”

“But it's disgusting.” Teddy whined. “It just like when Mum is snogging Kingsley. Snogging is disgusting.”

“No, it isn't,” Remus said. “And in a couple of years you will agree with us.”

“No, I will not! I will never snog anyone!” Teddy stated and went back up to his room.

Remus just looked at Ron and laughed. When Teddy was out of sight, he leaned in and kissed him again.

“I'm really glad to have you here, you know,” said Remus softly.

“I am too.”

***

After two months of living together, life in the Weasley-Lupin household was as good as Remus could ever picture it. Ron seemed to settle in well, or at least he didn't moan as much as he used to when he was just visiting. Teddy seemed to get used to the idea of Ron always being there while he was staying at his father's, and having Ron around was certainly a thing Remus could get used to as well.

Harry and Ginny were frequent visitors, and Ginny seemed to be fine with the fact that her brother was with their old teacher. Harry was a bit more sceptical at first, but it didn't take long before he, too, was comfortable with talking to Remus as a friend and not only as a former teacher and Order member.

The twins came over one time to “see how Ron was doing”, but both Remus and Ron suspected them to play spies for Molly who wanted to know if there was any trouble in paradise.

Molly had not set foot in Remus and Ron's cottage, and they had not been invited for any more family dinners. Ron claimed that he was fine with that, and that he didn't want to be invited anyway. But Remus could see that it was bothering him. The redhead had to miss his family. Remus was sure of that.

“Ron?” he asked the half-asleep redhead one night. “I think it's time that we visited your family again.”

Ron sat up so fast Remus almost fell out of the bed.

“WHAT? Are you crazy?” Ron shouted. “Have you forgotten what happened last time?”

“Calm down, it was only a suggestion.” Remus said calmly. “And no, I haven't forgotten.”

“Why would you want to go back there?” Ron asked perplexed.

“It's your family. You clearly miss them.”

“I don't miss them!” Ron stated. “They were horrible and I don't want to see them!”

“They weren't all horrible, Ron.”

“You know who I mean, Remus.”

“Of course I do, but she is your Mum, and she's worried about you.” said Remus. “Perhaps she's changed her mind now that she's gotten used to the idea.”

“Oh, you think so, do you?” Ron asked. “Then why hasn't she called or dropped by to apologise?”

“I don't know -” Remus began.

“Because she isn't fine with this. And then I don't want to see her!” Ron stated and lay down pulling the sheets over himself.

“I still think we should give it a go,” Remus whispered as he lay down and turned off the lights.

***

“Hi Mum,” Ron said quietly as Molly opened the door with a shocked face.

“Ron? Remus?” Molly's face was pale.

“Come in,” she said after a while and beckoned them inside.

The two wizards walked into the living room where Arthur was sitting reading the paper.

“Ron! Remus! How good to see you,” he beamed as he saw them. “Sit down! How have you been? Are you settling in all right? How's work?”

“I'm fine, Dad,” Ron mumbled and sat down on the sofa next to Remus.

Molly hurried to the kitchen to make some tea and Remus took a hold of Ron's hand.

“It will be fine,” he whispered.

“Want to bet?” Ron whispered back.

“So, is anyone else home?” Ron asked his father who shook his head.

“No, just me and your mother,” he said. “Percy, Audrey and little Molly were here yesterday. Percy says hi.”

“Oh,” Ron merely muttered.

“So Arthur,” Remus broke in, “how is work at the Ministry?”

“It's fine, Remus. I'm currently working on a -”

But Molly came hastily through the door carrying a tray with mugs and was obviously determined to make as much noise as possible. She put down the tray and handed a mug to Arthur and one to Ron. “Here, with two sugars and milk, just as you like it.”

She grabbed a mug for herself and left the fourth mug on the tray as she sat down on a chair opposite Ron and Remus. Remus hesitantly took the fourth mug and smiled politely to Molly.

“So you moved,” Molly said to Ron.

“Yes, I did,” Ron answered and took a sip.

“So the flat wasn't good enough for you?”

“Mum, give it a rest!” Ron begged. “You know why I moved.”

Molly huffed and drank some of her tea.

“Thank you for the tea, Molly. It was wonderful,” Remus lied. He liked his tea with milk and sugar, just as Ron, but Molly had not put anything into his.

“How is work?” Molly asked Ron.

“It's fine,” Ron mumbled.

“Keeping you busy?”

“It is like it normally is,” Ron answered vaguely.

“Since you don't have the time to come over anymore, I assumed work was keeping you busy.”

Ron rolled his eyes and didn't answer.

“So, Remus. How are things in the werewolf support department?” Arthur interrupted.

“It's great,” Remus smiled at the man. “We're taking the kids away next weekend, let them get some change of scenery. We hope that it will do them good. It's not easy for them being unregistered and teenagers. The possibility for them to get access to Wolfsbane on their own is almost impossible, so I'm glad we can help them with some of their problems at least.”

“I'm glad to hear it,” Arthur said. “Are you taking them all by yourself?”

“No, all of us are going. I, obviously, can't help with any healing or other physical problems that might come up during the night, so we have a healer and -”

“Percy was here, yesterday.” Molly suddenly said.

“Yeah, Mum. Dad told us,” Ron said. “But Remus was telling us something about his job.”

“Little Molly is so adorable. You should have seen her. Toddled around the floor, bumping into things like they were invisible to her. Reminded me so much of Charlie when he first learned to walk.”

“Are there many kids in your group, Remus?” Arthur asked, ignoring Molly.

“She's turning one in a month, you know.” Molly continued.

Ron cringed.

“Molly,” Arthur warned her.

“What?”

Arthur just looked at Remus, waiting for his reply.

“There are eight,” Remus told him. “One of them is really new. Poor girl, only thirteen years old and this will be her second transformation.”

“Really?” Arthur sounded genuinely interested.

“Yes, so my main mission would be to keep an eye on her and to keep her safe.”

“Bill and Fleur are coming for dinner on Sunday. You should come too, Ron. Bill's been asking about you.”

“He has?” Ron asked in disbelief. “Then why hasn't he called me? And if I'm going, I'm bringing Remus.”

Molly didn't answer that but jumped up from her chair. “More tea?”

She didn't wait for an answer, but grabbed the mugs out of their hands and stormed off to the kitchen.

None of the three wizards spoke until she returned with the tray handing the mugs to her husband and son and then sitting down with her own mug. Remus took his mug of the tray and noticed the sickening amount of sugar poured into it.

Molly just looked sceptically at Remus and frowned when Ron grabbed Remus' hand.

“So, Remus,” she suddenly said. “Did you plan on ever telling us that you are taking our son from us?”

“Excuse me?” Remus asked astonished. “I'm not taking him away from you.”

“Is that so?” Molly continued. “Ever since he got together with you he seems to not have time for his own family anymore. He never visits, he never calls, and the last time you were here, you both were blatantly rude.”

Remus couldn't believe his own ears, he looked at Ron who seemed to disappear further down into the sofa.


Chapter 4

Remus slammed the door shut as he and Ron came back to their cottage.

“I'm so sorry, Remus.” Ron apologised. “I didn't know what to say.”

“Well, you could have stood up for me.” Remus threw himself on the sofa. “Instead of running out.”

“I never know what to say around her,” Ron whined.

“Well, you could have said something!” Remus shouted. “Instead you ran off like you did last time, leaving me alone with them, which you promised you would never do again.”

“I'm sorry.” Ron mumbled.

“I'm sorry too. For trying to make this situation better. Something you clearly don't want to do.”

“Of course I want it to get better.”

“Really?” Remus said sceptically. “You have a strange way of showing it, Ron. It's like you care more about pleasing your Mum than you care about me.”

“That's not true!” Ron objected.

“Then prove it!” Remus said and started to walk upstairs. “I'm going to bed. You can sleep in Teddy's room or on the sofa.”

“Fine!” Ron yelled after him and kicked off his shoes and threw himself on the sofa.

***

The morning after, Ron came up to Remus' bedroom with breakfast and tea, just the way he liked it. He apologised for being an arse and promised that he would fix the tension that was between Molly and their relationship.

Remus was still hurt, but believed his lover. The breakfast was soon forgotten on account of some steamy make up sex before Remus had to pack his bags to leave for the trip with the werewolf group.

When Remus got back from his trip a few days later, Ron was waiting for him with a warm water bottle, a hot cup of tea and a bunch of Remus' regular post-transformation potions.

The house was peaceful and neither man mentioned Molly for several days. It was just the two of them now. No one else mattered.

***

“Teddy, have you seen Ron?” Remus found his son sitting in the living room, watching TV. Remus had been searching through the entire house for his partner but couldn't find him anywhere.

“He's out,” Teddy mumbled while changing channels so fast it was impossible to see what was actually on.

“Out?”

“Yeah,” said Teddy. “He took his jacket and went out.”

“When?” asked Remus.

“When you went to take a shower.” Teddy said while focusing more on the cartoon that had appeared in front of him.

“And he just left you here alone? Weren't you supposed to do your homework?”

“I will do it soon, and Ron said he would be back soon.”

“That's odd,” Remus said to himself. Had Ron forgotten something and popped out to the store? Why had he just left like that?

Before Remus could ask himself any more questions, Ron came through the front door.

“Where have you been?” Remus asked.

“Out.”

“So Teddy told me. But where?”

Ron hesitated. “Oh, just out.”

“Out?”

“Yeah.”

“And you just left Teddy here all alone?”

“He can look after himself for a few minutes, Remus. He's not a baby.” Ron said while he kicked off his shoes and hung his jacket on a hanger.

“No, he should have been doing his homework.” Remus looked sternly at his son, who immediately picked up a book and a pencil. “And don't you think it's a good idea to at least let me know that you are going out?”

“Oh, I'm sorry Mr. Lupin. I didn't realise that I had to inform you of my every move. God, Remus. I was just gone for half an hour.” Ron muttered something and went upstairs, leaving a puzzled Remus and his son alone in the living room.

“Don't be mad at Ron, Daddy. I can look after myself.”

“I know you're a big boy, Teddy. I was just worried.”

Teddy just smiled at his dad. Remus tousled his hair and went into the kitchen to prepare dinner.

***

The following Saturday had started off great. Ron had made Remus breakfast in bed, something that earned him a special reward afterwards, and the two of them had ended up spending most of the day in bed.

Eventually, they made their way downstairs, and after a quick meal they sat down in the living room with Ron's old wizard chess set. They were in the middle of a game Ron obviously seemed to be winning when the younger man suddenly spoke.

“Er, I just wanted to let you know that I'm going out for a couple of hours tomorrow.”

“Oh?” Remus looked up from the board. “Where are you going?”

“There's just something Harry and I have to fix. Work stuff.”

“On a Sunday?” Remus wondered. “You never work on Sundays.”

“It's a special case, and they need us to solve it quickly.” Ron explained.

“Why didn't you have to go out today then?”

“What's with the bloody questions? It's just work!” Ron shouted and walked into the kitchen.

Remus had no idea what had just happened. Why was Ron acting so strange? He had never worked on a Sunday before, was it so odd that he asked a few questions? He followed the redhead into the kitchen.

“I'm sorry, Ron. I didn't mean for it to sound like a third degree.” Remus said and gave the man a hug. “I was just surprised, that's all.”

“It's fine.” Ron muttered.

“When will you be back tomorrow then? I can have something good prepared for tea.”

“Oh, that's not necessary,” Ron said at once. “Harry and I will probably just get something while we
re working.”

“Oh,” Remus said disappointed. “I'll just fix something for myself then.”

“That's probably best.”

“Is it an exciting case at least? Since they're making you work on a Sunday.”

“Sure,” said Ron, but Remus wasn't convinced. “I was about to beat you at chess, wasn't I?”

“Of course.” Clearly Ron was avoiding the subject.

The two of them went back to the living room to continue their game. Ron was as always extremely focused when he played, but Remus had a nagging feeling that something wasn't quite right.

***

That night, Remus couldn't sleep. Something was definitely wrong, and he kept tossing and turning. He went downstairs to get something to drink, went to the bathroom, got a snack, went back to bed, tried to read, but couldn't focus on anything except that Ron was up to something.

A horrible thought thought suddenly hit him. Was Ron seeing someone else? Had Ron met someone else? Someone younger, more handsome? Or was it a girl? Was it Hermione?

Remus looked over at the sleeping body next to him. He did not seem to have trouble sleeping. Remus felt the anger stirring inside him. He had to get out of the room. Out of the house.

Remus ran downstairs, threw a cloak over himself and walked out of the cottage. He started walking down the street and towards a nearby playground. He bet Molly would be thrilled if she knew. Trouble in paradise, Ron having an affair with someone younger and probably female, not a twenty year older male werewolf.

By the time Remus got to the playground he was furious and extremely hurt. A part of him told himself the he shouldn't be surprised that Ron found someone else. Someone closer to his own age. Someone who was not cursed and damaged, but he had really hoped that Ron would be the one. The age difference had never really been an issue when it was just the two of them, they had also known each other for a very long time. Ron got along perfectly with Teddy and Remus had really believed that this would work out.

However, now Ron was sneaking off and lying to him. Remus wanted to run back and shake him until he gave him some answers. He would at least expect Ron to show him a tiny bit of respect and break up with him before he started seeing someone else. How could Ron do this to him?

Remus knew that he wouldn't get a second of peace unless he got this sorted out. Determined, he started to walk with quick pace back to his cottage. When he reached the front door, he didn't even stop to think. He stormed up to the bedroom, turned on the light and stood right beside Ron's side of the bed with arms crossed over his chest.

“So, who is it?”

Ron moved slowly under the sheets. “Huh?” he mumbled, still half asleep.

“Who is it?” Remus repeated, a bit louder, to be sure that Ron woke up this time.

“Who is what?” Ron opened one eye.

“Don't lie to me, Ron. I'm not stupid.” Remus said and dragged the sheets off Ron's body.

“Hey! It's cold!” Ron whined.

“I'm not giving it back to you until you answer my question.” Remus stated. “Who. Is. It?”

“I have no idea what your talking about, Remus.” Ron moaned and reached for the sheets. Remus pointed his wand at them and banished them from the room.

“You've been sneaking around for weeks and you never tell me where you are going. Are you having an affair?”

Ron started laughing.

“Don't laugh!” Remus said angrily. “I'm serious! You're obviously hiding something from me, and I really don't believe that you are going to work tomorrow. So you might as well be a bit decent and tell me who it is.”

The laughter stopped. “It's nice to see how much you trust me, Remus.”

“Well, you're not making it very easy, are you?”

“I'm not having an affair, Remus. And quite frankly, I'm hurt that you thought that.”

“Where are you going then?” Remus demanded.

“I can't say.”

“Then you can't go!” Remus stated.

“Can't go?” Ron said shocked. “Since when did you have the authority to tell me where I can and cannot go?”

“Then tell me!”

“No!”

“Why are you being so impossible?”

“Why are you being such an arse?”

Remus turned. “I'm sleeping in Teddy's room. You can come in when you're ready to apologise.”

“For what?” Ron yelled and grabbed his wand. He summoned the sheets. Angrily he threw them over himself and slammed the door shut.


Chapter 5

None of them said a word to the other the following morning. Remus waited for Ron to apologise and tell him where he was going, but Ron had apparently no plan of saying anything to Remus.

Around noon Ron put on his coat and spoke the first words of the day. “I'm off then.”

The older man pretended not to notice and buried his face in the book he was pretending to read. Ron sighed and walked out of the house.

Remus immediately put down his book and ran over to the window. He saw Ron walk a few yards away from the house and then Disapparated. Remus sighed. He had considered following Ron for a moment, but now it was too late.

He sat down on the sofa. Where was Ron going? It couldn't be work, or he would have made some speech about it being a secret mission or something. According to Ron it wasn't an affair, and Remus desperately wanted to believe that, but Ron refused to say anything and that bothered Remus more than anything. Why couldn't he just tell him? What was he hiding?

“Harry!” The idea suddenly came to Remus. Maybe he could get something out of Harry! He hurried over to the fireplace, knelt down and threw some Floo powder into the flames.

“Harry?” he spoke when he got a clear view of a chaotic living room. There were toys everywhere and Remus tried to look around for a human being amongst all the clutter.

“HARRY?” he raised his voice, but no answer came. He was about to pull his head out of the fire when he saw a blond figure entering the room.

“Who's calling?” a young woman's voice asked.

“Luna?” Remus said puzzled.

“Professor Lupin?” Luna smiled. “Why are you calling?”

“Is Ron there?” he asked.

“No,” Luna giggled. “Why would he be?”

“I just thought he might be with Harry, that's all.”

“Harry's not here either. I'm babysitting little James. He's taking a nap now. The little boy was almost impossible to get to bed after Harry and Ginny left, but I managed to cast a tiny charm on him. You won't tell them, would you?”

Remus shook his head. “Of course not, but where are Harry and Ginny then?”

“At the Burrow of course.” Luna giggled. “Why aren't you there? I thought you would be there with Ron.”

“At the Burrow?” Remus asked.

“Yes, for Molly's birthday.”

“Thanks Luna,” Remus said and broke off the call.

He threw on a coat and Apparated to the Burrow. He didn't know what to say or do. He just knew that he had to get Ron.

He knocked on the door and seconds later, Molly stood before him.

“Remus?” Molly said surprised. “I wasn't expecting you.”

“I bet you weren't,” Remus muttered.

“No, Ron said you were at home with the Pixie Flu. Are you feeling better then? You're not contagious, are you?”

“No, I'm not contagious, Molly. Can I speak to Ron, please?”

Molly opened the door and let Remus in. The entire Weasley clan was sitting in the dining room when he entered the door. Ron's face was suddenly drained of all colour when he saw the man standing in the doorway.

“What are you doing here?” Ron asked with a shaking voice.

“It's Molly's birthday, I couldn't stay at home. Happy birthday, Molly.” Remus said while looking directly at Ron.

“Good to see you, Remus.” Arthur beamed and handed him a glass of Firewhiskey. “Are you feeling better?”

“Loads,” Remus said, and took a sip from the drink. “Can I see you outside for a minute, Ron?”

“No,” Molly interrupted. “We were just about to take the traditional family photo and no one is leaving this room.”

“I'll wait then,” said Remus and sat down on a chair while Molly tried to arrange everyone to fit into one photo.

After a few minutes, Molly had managed to arrange her husband, her children and their spouses well enough to set the camera. Remus watched the Weasleys suffer through what must have been at least fifty pictures before he finally managed to get Ron out of the room.

“This doesn't look much like work, does it?” Remus hissed when they were alone.

Ron's reply came quickly. “You followed me?”

Remus didn't believe his own ears. He was expecting an apology, but clearly, Ron wasn't thinking the same thing.

“Why did you lie to me Ron? Why couldn't you tell me where you were going?” Remus didn't even notice that his voice got louder.

“I-”

“It's your mother's bloody birthday, Ron. Why did you have to lie about that?” Remus shouted.

“Why couldn't you just let this go?” Ron suddenly screamed back. “Why did you have to make a big deal out of it and show up here?”

Remus gasped. “You don't want me here, do you? You're ashamed of me!”

“No, I'm not!” Ron objected.

“Yes, you are!”

“Well, you're making a big deal out of nothing and I didn't want to cause trouble on my Mum's birthday.”

“Your mother hates me, Ron. I didn't think that was nothing!”

“She doesn't hate you - ” Ron began, but Remus shot him a sceptical look so Ron never finished that sentence.

“What about the family photo then?” Remus asked.

“What about it?” Ron wondered. “We do it every year on her birthday. It's a tradition.”

“For who?”

“The family,” Ron said and suddenly realised what Remus was talking about. “Oh.”

“If she doesn't hate me, why wasn't I asked to be in the photo?”

Ron didn't answer.

“And why didn't you do anything?”

Ron was quiet.

“Because, I'm not a part of the family,” Remus sighed.

“It's not that, Remus. I just didn't want to cause any trouble. You'll be in the photo next year.”

“No, I won't,” Remus mumbled.

“What? For Merlin's sake, Remus. It's just a stupid photo.”

“It's not just the photo, Ron. You didn't even think about including me until I made you aware of it. And you weren't even honest about where you really were going. That says it all.”

“Says what?”

Remus just turned and Disapparated back to his cottage.

***

“Ronnie sweetie! What's wrong?” Molly pulled her devastated looking boy into her arms. “What did he do to you?”

“Big fight. It's over,” Ron muttered as he dragged a heavy rucksack into the kitchen.

“Oh, little Ronniekins, it was probably for the better.” Molly took out her wand and sent the rucksack up to Ron's old room. “Come here. Mummy will make you your favourite tea. Everything will be all right, my boy.”

Ron sat down by the table and just stared at the wall.


Chapter 6

Two weeks had passed since Ron stormed out and the little cottage seemed extremely empty.

Ron had not lived there for long, and Remus should be used to it being only himself and sometimes Teddy, but something was definitely missing.

He wasn't afraid to admit that he missed Ron, but he told himself that this was for the better. It wasn't good for Teddy nor himself to have a person living with them that wasn't serious about this relationship. It was better that they ended it now, rather than letting all parties involved get too attached.

Remus tried the best he could to not let his and Teddy's life get too affected by the break-up, but it was hard. Teddy seemed to miss Ron too, and only the mentions of his name stung Remus' heart like dark magic.

Whenever Teddy was there, Remus tried to put on a happy face and pretend that everything was fine, but when Teddy was with Dora, all Remus wanted to do was fall apart.

The last full moon had been the worst one in over thirty years. He really didn't want to spend the night with the werewolf support group, so instead he Apparated to the Shrieking Shack. That was a big mistake. Being alone in the Shack only made him remember and miss so many people. He missed his old friends, he missed Hogwarts and most of all, he missed Ron.

The Shack had been the place where Ron had first learned that Remus was a werewolf, and he had not once had a problem with that. The fact that Remus was a werewolf had never been an issue with Ron. It was just a part of Remus, a part of who he was. Ron was great like that.

No one knew that Remus was in the Shack, so there was no one to help him the following morning. The improvement of the Wolfsbane potion had come a long way the last few years, but the day after was still the worst day every month, and not having a decent bed to go to or any pain relief potions to drink, Remus spent most of the day on the floor, trying to gather strength to Apparate back to his flat.

Spending a day on the floor also lead to a lot of thinking. A lot of thinking.

***

Ron moaned as he threw himself on the bed in his old bedroom. It was weird being back with his parents. He loved them dearly, but living with them was a nightmare. He had never been the only child in the house before, and now he had no idea why he wished for that so many times when he was younger. There was no way of sneaking away from his mother. Ron was almost sure she had at least duplicated herself, because no matter where he went, she was there within seconds. The only place he got some privacy was in his room, so he stayed there as much as possible.

His Mum seemed to try to keep him busy. I guess it was her way of trying to make him forget about Remus, but it wasn't working very well. Nor were the constant hints of visiting Hermione or any other nice single girl she could think of. Ron had started off being polite and made up excuses as to why he couldn't go, but after a while he had stopped caring and stopped answering. He hoped his mother would take the hint eventually.

Staying in his bedroom, however, also meant being alone with his thoughts. He still didn't quite understand why Remus had gotten so angry. He had just tried to avoid trouble, and why couldn't Remus see that? He had known that Ron hadn't been ready to tell his family about them, and look how that turned out.

Still, there was no denying that Ron missed Remus immensely. There was not a day he didn't wish that Remus would show up on the doorstep and beg him to come home, but as the days passed, Ron realised that it was not going to happen. Remus was obviously, genuinely mad at him, and this made Ron angry as well.

The night of the full moon was the worst. Ron didn't sleep a second that night, but sat by the window, looking at the round thing on the darkened sky and listening for any howls or familiar sounds. He was worried, but after a while it turned to anger. Why was he even sitting there? Remus was probably running around in some forest with the other werewolves in his group and having the time of his life. Ron was the one sitting alone and not knowing what was going on. Ron was fuming, but he still never left the window.

“Ron, can you come down and help me with dinner?” Molly called from the kitchen. Ron moaned, but went downstairs. He knew that she would come and get him if he didn't show his face in the kitchen within a couple of seconds.

Molly smiled as her youngest son entered the room. “Oh, good. You can help me peel the potatoes.”

Ron sighed but found the potatoes and took out his wand. He was about to cast a spell when Molly grabbed his hand.

“Oh, use the peeler please, will you, dear?” she opened the drawer and took out the peeler.

Ron merely looked at her.

“It's so much better than a spell. The spells rarely get all the skin off.”

Ron sighed and started to peel the potatoes without the use of magic.

He was just done with the first one when he noticed that Molly was looking at him.

“Now what?”

“Well...” Molly said and grabbed the peeler and a new potato. “It's much easier if you do it like this.” She started to peel the second one. “Where have you learned to do it like that?”

“That's the way Remus always did it,” said Ron, and he could see that his Mum's face turned to stone.

“Oh,” Molly said and put down the potato and peeler. “Fine, if you want to cut your fingers, be my guest.”

Ron knew that his Mum hated the mentions of Remus' name, but he just couldn't help it sometimes.

The rest of the cooking went on in silence. Just like every other activity where Remus' name had come up.

***

“Daddy!” Teddy beamed as he came storming through the door. Remus jumped up from the sofa and put on a fake smile. “Mum and Kingsley bought me a new broom! Can we go outside and try it?”

Remus looked at Dora who was still standing on the front steps. “A broom?”

“Not a real broom. It only levitates a yard from the ground and it doesn't go very fast. Besides, you're the expert of protective spells.” Dora grinned, but Remus was still not impressed.

“Not right now, Teddy. Maybe tomorrow.” Remus said and took Teddy's rucksack.

Teddy moaned and walked up to his room.

“Are you okay, Remus?” Dora sounded concerned.

“Why wouldn't I be?”

“Are you sure you don't want me to take Teddy home with me? He can come some other day, when you're feeling better.”

“Are you suggesting that I can't take care of my own son?” Remus snarled.

“Relax, Remus.” Dora said. “I know it's a difficult time for you. I'm only trying to help.”

“I don't need anyone's help. Now if you excuse me, I apparently have a broom to try.” Remus said and slammed the door shut.

He sat down on the sofa and buried his face in his hands. Why was he being like that? Dora had done nothing wrong. He went to the door to apologise, but Dora had already left. Remus sat down on the sofa again and sighed. He felt a few tears roll down his cheek.

“Daddy?” an uncertain voice came from the stairs. Remus hastily wiped the tears away and smiled.

“Yes?”

Teddy came down and sat next to his father. “Are you okay?”

“Of course I am.” Remus lied.

“I can go to Mum's if you want.”

“I don't want you to go anywhere, Teddy.” Remus assured him. “I'm so glad you're here.”

“Then why are you crying?”

“It's nothing you should worry about. Now, I've changed my mind. I would love to see your new broom.”

Teddy cheered and ran to get his broom. Remus sighed and got up, trying to keep himself together for his son.

***

“Why can't you just go and see him?” Arthur Weasley asked Ron while the two of them were degnoming the garden with an enchanted catapult device Arthur had brought home from work.

“Huh?”

“Remus. Why can't you go and talk to him?” Arthur repeated.

“Because he doesn't want to talk to me.” Ron muttered and sent a gnome flying over the fence and out of sight.

“How do you know that?”

“Trust me, he doesn't.”

“What happened between you two, Ron?” Arthur sounded worried. “You never told us what happened.”

“Why should I? The only thing you need to know is that it's over and that he will never take me back.” Ron said and flung a gnome right into the fence, making it scream loudly.

“What did you do to upset him so much?” Arthur wondered.

“Why do you assume it's my fault?” Ron shouted.

“Well, you said that he didn't want to take you back, so I just thought -”

“It was a mutual agreement,” Ron said angry. “Probably the only thing we did agree on.”

Arthur sat down on a garden chair and looked at his son. “Listen, Ron. Relationships are hard. Sometimes people fight, you know that. But the important thing is to learn how to solve the problems and get through them together. Look at your Mum and me. Don't you think we fight sometimes? But we found our way to work through them, because we love each other, and nothing is more important than that.”

“Well that's the problem, isn't it?” Ron replied. “I'm not so sure about that love part.”

“I thought you loved Remus.” Arthur said surprised.

“I do! I mean, did. No, I do.” Ron said. “But I'm not so sure about what he thinks.”

“Really? He seemed pretty dedicated to me.” Arthur smiled.

“How do you know?”

“Just the way he looked at you and the way he talked about you.”

Ron was surprised by his father. “How did you notice that?”

Arthur chuckled. “I've seen a lot of people in love through the years, and there are some things you just can't hide.”

“You sound like the magazines Hermione used to have lying around, Dad.”

Arthur laughed. “Well, don't tell anyone, but some of those magazines aren't half bad. The Muggles write about a lot of weird things, but some things can be very useful too.”

Ron's lips curled into a tiny smile.

“Are you completely sure you shouldn't at least go and talk to him?” Arthur asked again.

Ron nodded. “There's no point. He's made up his mind.”

“I'm sad to hear that. No matter what your mother says, Remus is a good man. I'm sorry it had to end like that.”

“Me too,” Ron sighed and sat down on the chair next to his father.

***

“Dad?” Teddy said suddenly, making Remus jump.

“What?”

“You stopped reading,” Teddy said and looked at him.

Remus was sitting on the side of Teddy's bed with a book in his hand.

“Oh, I'm sorry, Teddy” Remus said and tried to find the place he last could remember, but the story looked completely unfamiliar.

“It's okay, Dad, we can read more tomorrow.” Teddy smiled and took the book out of his father's hands.

Remus smiled appreciatively and tucked him in. He kissed him lightly on the forehead. “Goodnight, Ted.”

“Goodnight, Dad.”

Remus had just turned off the light and was about to step out of the room when Teddy spoke again.

“Did Ron leave because I didn't like it when you two were snogging?”

Remus turned on the lights at once and stormed over to his son's bed. “No, Teddy, no! It was not your fault! Don't ever think that!”

“Okay,” said Teddy, but Remus didn't think he sounded convinced. “But why did he leave then? And why were you so angry with him all the time? He didn't do anything bad.”

Remus didn't know what to say. He wanted Teddy to understand, but he didn't want him to start hating Ron either.

“Sometimes grown ups do things they don't really mean to, and sometimes they argue.”

“But why can't you just apologise? And then he can come back and live here. I liked it when Ron lived here. He was fun.” Teddy was clearly more upset about this than he had pretended the last weeks.

Remus smiled. “Yes, he was.”

“Then why can't he live here?”

“It's hard to explain, but Ron won't come back, Teddy.”

“Is it because you don't love him anymore? Like it was with you and Mum?” Teddy wondered.

Remus felt the tears press in his eyes, but he tried his best to keep them away. He saw that Teddy was really worried.

“I miss him too, Teddy, but we have to move on, okay? We can have fun, too. Just you and me.”

“I guess.” Teddy sighed. “I still wish Ron was here.”

“Me too,” Remus admitted.

“Then why can't you get him?”

“That's enough, Teddy,” Remus said firmly.

“I'm sorry,” Teddy mumbled. “Just don't get angry, okay? I don't like it when you're angry.”

“I don't like that either.”

“So I don't have to leave?”

“Oh my gosh, Teddy, NO!” Remus said and grabbed his little hand. “I will never make you leave!”

“But Ron made you angry and he had to.”

“Teddy, this is different!”

“How?” Teddy looked at him with big, worried eyes.

“Teddy, you're my son and I love you. I will never make you leave.” Remus stated.

“But you loved Mum and Ron too.”

“This is different. I am your father, and fathers don't leave their children.” The guilt was pressing heavily on the inside of his chest.

“Do you promise?”

“Of course I promise! Teddy, I will never do that! You and I belong together no matter what else happens.”

Teddy smiled. “I love you Daddy.”

“I love you too.”

Remus kissed him and tucked the boy in again. He walked downstairs and poured himself a large glass of Firewhiskey.

He once again sat down on the sofa. He seemed to have spent a lot of time on that thing lately. The conversation with Teddy had really made him think. Why couldn't Ron come back and live there? It wasn't like Remus had ever stopped loving the lying and sneaking bastard.

Remus kept switching between crying and fuming, between missing Ron and being angry with him and between wanting to Apparate to the Burrow to get him and wanting to burn everything that reminded him of Ron until he finally fell asleep on the sofa.


Chapter 7

Another Sunday arrived and the Burrow was buzzing with life. The twins had come over for Sunday tea, and so had Harry, Ginny and little James. The family was sitting at the dinner table waiting for Molly to come out with yet another feast.

“Are you okay, mate?” Harry whispered to Ron, who was merely staring at his glass.

“Meh,” Ron shrugged, and kept staring at the glass.

Harry didn't get to say anything else before Molly came out, and the whole room exploded with compliments of how delicious the meal looked.

Half an hour later, most of them had finished their meals, but Ron was merely looking at the plate and playing with his peas. He had eaten perhaps one or two bites of the probably delicious roast when Molly came and demanded to take his plate. Ron didn't argue and let her take it into the kitchen.

Pudding followed, and Ron turned the whole thing into some sort of soup with his spoon.

“Okay, that does it!” Molly shouted and pushed her chair back so fast it tipped over.

He walked to the front door, grabbed a cloak from the hanger and left. George ran over to the window to see where she was going.

“She Disapparated,” he said confused.

***

“Molly?” Remus couldn't believe it. “What are you doing here?”

“I've come to talk some sense into you.”

“Excuse me?”

“Can I come in?” Molly asked.

“I'm not sure. If you've come here to have a go at me, I'm not sure if I should let you.” Remus said truthfully.

“Don't be silly, Remus.” Molly said and forced herself into the cottage. She sat down on the nearest chair. “I didn't think you were the type of man to give up so easily.”

“I'm sorry, what?”

“Oh, you know very well what I'm talking about.”

“What do you want, Molly?” Remus sat down on the sofa and looked at her.

“I've been struggling with a depressed and moping son for several weeks now. It's time you two end this stupidity. So if you would just come with me, we could put an end to this nonsense.”

Remus couldn't believe his own ears. “You want me to come with you? Are you serious?”

“Of course I am. Do I look like I'm joking?”

“With all due respect, Molly. Why would I listen to you after the way you have treated me the last few months? You can tell your son that if he wants to talk and he's ready to apologise, he knows where I live.”

“You must excuse my son, he doesn't always know what's best for him.”

“And you do?”

“Of course I do, I'm his mother.”

Remus snorted, and bit his tongue to keep himself from making a really sarcastic comment.

“And I've come to realise that the best thing for him is in fact you.”

Remus almost fainted. Did Molly just say that?

“I know it's a bit late, but the truth is that I've never seen Ron as happy as when he was with you. And he's been driving me crazy these last weeks with his moping and mentioning you every chance he got. He misses you, Remus. Now can you just go and fix it?”

“It's good to hear that you have finally changed your mind about me, but it's not that easy, Molly.”

“Why not?”

“Have Ron said anything about why he moved out?” Remus wondered.

Molly shook her head.

“So he hasn't mentioned how he lied to me and was embarrassed to have me around?”

“No he hasn't,” Molly muttered. “Are you sure that's the case?”

“- and that it was all because he didn't want to hurt your feelings? He didn't want to cause trouble, which I believe, from the impression I got from Ron as a person, is a first!”

“I'm sorry, Remus. I didn't know.”

“No, you were too busy trying to set him up with nice girls, I assume?”

Molly's face went red and she nodded, embarrassed.

“So, as I said. When Ron is ready to apologise and when he has finally decided to commit to this relationship, feel free to send him over.” Remus got up and opened the door, hoping that Molly would take the hint and leave.

“That won't happen, Remus. And you know it.”

“Why not, Molly?”

“Because he is as stubborn as I am.”

“Well, use your stubbornness to something good then.”

“So you'll fix this if I get him to come here?” Molly asked.

“Maybe,” said Remus, “but I want Ron to want this. Not because his Mum told him to do it. You will have him back within a week if that's the case.”

“Do you love him?” Molly asked.

“Very much,” Remus sighed. “Even if he is a stubborn git.”

“That's all I needed to know.” Molly said and stood up. “Now if you excuse me, I have a stubborn git to talk to.”

***

A couple of hours had passed since Molly had left the cottage, and Remus hadn't sat down since. He was pacing around his house wondering if Ron would show up or not.

Remus had no idea what he would say if Ron showed up, but he still walked around with anticipation, thinking that every noise he heard was Ron on the outside of his door.

“You're being stupid, Remus,” he said to himself. “Even if he decides to come there's no guarantee he will show up tonight.”

When the clock passed midnight, Remus gave up. Ron was apparently not coming. Reluctantly he went upstairs to go to bed.

Remus had just gotten into bed and turned off the lights when he heard a loud crash outside his house. He immediately lit his wand and threw on a robe before heading down to see what had caused the noise.

He flung the front door open, wand ready to hex a possible intruder and looked straight into a mop of red hair.

“I'm sorry!” Ron said. “I accidentally knocked over a flower pot. I'm afraid it's broken.”

“What are you doing here, Ron?”

“Mum -” Ron started.

Remus rolled his eyes. “So she told you to come here? It took you long enough. Why, did you forget where I lived?”

“Can I come in, Remus? Please?”

“Fine,” Remus let Ron come inside.

The two men just stood there looking at each other for a while.

“I was just about to go to bed, so if you can hurry this up -”

“I'm sorry,” Ron said. “I've been walking around for hours thinking about what to say, and I've been standing outside your door for at least an hour and a half.”

So the noises Remus had heard had probably been Ron, after all.

“If you're only here because your Mum told you to, you can save your breath and just go back to her. I don't want to hear it.”

“Oh shut up, will you?” Ron suddenly said and Remus gasped.

“Excuse me?”

“I said shut up!” Ron repeated. “I'm not here because she told me to. She disappeared during dinner and when she came back she just came over to me, hugged me and said. 'Remus loves you'. Then she went into the kitchen to do the dishes. She didn't tell me to do anything. I just assumed she had been here and talked to you.”

Remus didn't say anything, but was astonished that Molly hadn't dragged her son by the ears, demanding that he'd apologise.

“So is it true?” Ron asked.

“Yes, she was here,” Remus answered.

“No, the other part.”

“What other part?”

“Do you still love me?” Ron's voice was shaking.

Remus didn't know what to say. Of course he did, but he wasn't sure if he was ready to admit that to Ron just yet.

“Because I still love you.” Ron admitted. “And I'm so sorry for lying to you and ignoring you and for letting Mum be a real bitch towards you. No one else matters, Remus, just you and me!”

Remus felt a lump form in his throat and did everything to swallow it down.

“And I know that I'm a stubborn git, and that I can't cook and that I steal your socks and that I shouldn't let Teddy watch that much TV, and that I -”

Ron didn't manage to finish that sentence because his lips were suddenly attacked by Remus'. Remus grasped Ron's face snogging him in a way that would have made Teddy throw up.

Breathless, Ron looked at him and smiled. “So that's a yes, then?”

“Yes,” Remus smiled.

“Yes what?” Ron grinned.

“Yes, I still love you, too.” Remus said and kissed him again. “But if you ever let your Mum control you like that I will -”

“I promise, I promise!”

“Very well then,” Remus said. “Do you want to stay here tonight, or do you have to go home?”

Ron grabbed his hand and looked at him. “I'm already home.”


Epilogue

“Molly!” Arthur called out to his wife. “Come here, quick.”

Molly stormed into the room. “What is it?”

“We got owl post,” Arthur said and held up the most peculiar looking envelope.

Molly ripped the heart-shaped piece of paper out of her husband's hands and tore it open.

Small pieces of chocolate fell like confetti to the floor and Molly read out loud:

Dear Mum and Dad

Ronald Bilius Weasley and Remus John Lupin
request the pleasure of your company
in celebrating their bonding
on Saturday, June 10, 2006

“Oh how lovely!” Molly clapped her hands together and smiled widely. “A wedding! We need to start planning. I need to find the perfect cake. And you need new dressrobes, Arthur!”

Arthur laughed. “It's good to see that you finally have accepted Remus, Molly.”

“What do you mean?” Molly asked. “I've always liked Remus.”






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