Hey, Remus!

Chapter 4: A Muggle at the Order's Table

*

The musty walls of Number 12 Grimmauld Place seemed to hum with tension as members of the Order of the Phoenix gathered around the long dining table. The mood was serious, as it often was, but tonight there was an added layer of curiosity. Dumbledore had called an emergency meeting, and though his summons usually meant discussing dire matters, there was an air of anticipation.
At the head of the table, Dumbledore stood, calm and collected as always. His eyes twinkled behind his half-moon spectacles as he surveyed the room.
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," he began, his voice steady. "There is someone you all need to meet."
Maria (or rather, Mary Scamander) stood awkwardly near the doorway, her heart pounding in her chest. She felt very much like the new kid on the first day of school, except the "classmates" in question were some of the most beloved and intimidating characters from the books she knew by heart.
Arthur Weasley, seated near the middle of the table, leaned forward eagerly, his eyes wide with curiosity.
"A Muggle, Albus? Here?" He grinned from ear to ear, as though Christmas had come early.
"Yes, Arthur," Dumbledore said with a smile. "Mary Scamander has joined us from... well, let's call it an unexpected journey between worlds. She may be a Muggle, but I believe she has a role to play in what lies ahead."
Maria gave a nervous wave.
"Um... hello."
Arthur practically leapt from his seat, his excitement palpable.
"Absolutely fascinating! You're from the Muggle world, you say? I have so many questions! How does your telephone work? Do you have one of those... what do you call them? Computers?"
Molly Weasley gave her husband a reproachful look.
"Arthur, let the poor girl settle in first."
Maria couldn't help but chuckle. Arthur's enthusiasm was contagious.
"Yes, I do have a computer. And a cat."
Arthur's eyes lit up even more.
"A cat, you say? Is it like Crookshanks?"
"Well, Nicky is temperamental, but she hasn't tried to play the hero yet, so I guess she's not quite like Crookshanks," Maria replied with a grin, feeling a bit more at ease.
There were a few chuckles around the table. Even Sirius Black, who was leaning back in his chair with an air of casual indifference, smirked.
Remus Lupin stood by her side, his quiet presence reassuring.
"You're doing fine," he whispered. His warm, calming tone steadied her nerves.
But not everyone was amused. From the far end of the table, Severus Snape's dark eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a sneer.
"We're recruiting Muggles now? Are we so desperate for help that we'll bring anyone through the door?"
Maria bristled, but before she could respond, Dumbledore spoke, his tone calm but firm.
"Severus, you will find that Maria has more to offer than you might expect."
Snape's sneer deepened, but he said nothing more. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest with a derisive snort.
Maria exhaled slowly, grateful for Dumbledore's support. Her eyes scanned the room, landing on each familiar face in turn: Mad-Eye Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Nymphadora Tonks. She had written about all of them. And now, they were here, real and present.
"This is surreal," she whispered to Remus.
"I imagine it is," he replied softly, a hint of amusement in his voice. "You'll get used to it."
Dumbledore continued,
"Maria has knowledge of our world that may prove invaluable. She has, after all, been reading about us for many years."
Tonks, who was seated near the end of the table, gave Maria an encouraging smile.
"I like her already," she said, her bubblegum-pink hair standing out against the dark surroundings. "Anyone who can handle Snape's glare deserves a spot at this table."
Maria laughed nervously.
"I wouldn't say I handled it, exactly."
"Close enough," Sirius chimed in, raising an eyebrow at Snape. "Don't let him intimidate you. He's always like that."
Snape shot Sirius a withering glare, but Sirius merely shrugged.
Arthur leaned forward again, unable to contain his curiosity.
"So, Mary, tell us: what do Muggles think of us wizards?"
Maria hesitated, unsure of how to answer that without sounding ridiculous.
"Well... some of us think you're... fictional."
The room fell silent.
Remus winced.
"That might take some explaining."
"Fictional?" Molly repeated, looking confused.
"I mean," Maria hurried to clarify, "we have books about your world. Stories that children and adults read for fun. They tell the story of Harry Potter and... well, all of you."
There was a collective murmur of disbelief.
"I'm famous in the Muggle world?" Sirius asked, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Oh, yes," Maria said with a grin. "Quite famous. Though, um... you might not like all of it."
Sirius raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
"Now that sounds interesting."
Arthur was practically bouncing in his seat.
"And how do they tell these stories? Do they use..."
"Arthur!" Molly scolded again. "We're in the middle of a meeting!"
"Right, right," Arthur mumbled, though his excitement was barely contained.
Dumbledore held up a hand, bringing the room back to order.
"For now, let us focus on the task at hand. Mary Scamander will be staying with us at Grimmauld Place. She will assist the Order in any way she can."
Maria nodded, her nerves still simmering beneath the surface, but she managed a smile.
"I'll do my best."
Tonks raised her goblet in a toast.
"To Mary Scamander, then. Welcome to the Order."
The others followed suit, lifting their glasses in welcome. Even Sirius gave her a nod of approval. Only Snape remained seated, his arms folded, his expression unreadable. Maria glanced at Remus, who gave her a reassuring smile. His quiet presence was a steady anchor in the chaotic sea of emotions she was feeling.
As the meeting broke up, Arthur cornered Maria, already bursting with more questions about Muggle inventions. Tonks pulled her aside to chat, and even Sirius lingered nearby, clearly curious about her story.
Through it all, Maria couldn't shake the surreal feeling. She was here, in the Wizarding World, surrounded by people she had only ever dreamed of meeting. But one thought lingered in the back of her mind, a quiet whisper of doubt. What if her presence had changed everything? What if Harry no longer defeated Voldemort?
She caught Dumbledore's gaze across the room, and he gave her a knowing nod. As if to say: Trust the journey. And for now, that was enough.