Hey, Remus!

The fire crackled softly in the hearth as Dumbledore reached into his robes, pulling out a long, slender box. The murmurs around the room quieted as he placed it on the table in front of Maria.
"Mary," Dumbledore began, his voice gentle but firm, "I believe it is time you had a wand."
Maria blinked.
"A wand? For me?"
"Yes," he said with a slight smile.
"As you may recall, I once gave a wand to another Muggle who found himself swept into our world. Mr. Kowalski proved most capable with it, and I believe you will too."
Maria's heart raced. Her hands trembled slightly as she lifted the lid of the box, revealing a delicate wand made of pale wood, etched with swirling patterns. It shimmered faintly in the candlelight.
"It's beautiful," she whispered, running her fingers along its smooth surface.
"Go on," Dumbledore encouraged. "Give it a wave."
Maria hesitated.
"I... I don't know how to cast spells."
Tonks, seated nearby, grinned.
"That's never stopped me before. Just point and flick!"
With a deep breath, Maria stood and gave the wand a tentative wave. For a moment, nothing happened. Then Molly Weasley's knitting basket burst open, and a pair of half-finished socks sprang to life, dancing merrily across the room.
"Merlin's beard!" Molly cried, chasing after the enchanted socks. "Not again!"
Sirius burst out laughing, his bark-like chuckle echoing through the room.
"Well, that's one way to put your mark on the Order."
Remus, standing beside Maria, couldn't hide his smile.
"Perhaps a bit more finesse next time."
Maria cringed.
"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Weasley! I didn't mean to..."
"Oh, it's quite all right, dear," Molly huffed, wrestling the socks back into her basket. "Though I'd appreciate it if you'd practice your wand work outside the kitchen."
Sirius leaned back in his chair, smirking.
"Dumbledore's new pet project strikes again."
Maria shot him a glare.
"Pet project?"
"Of course," Sirius said with a teasing grin. "You're our resident Muggle-born enigma. One minute you're quiet as a mouse, and the next you've got socks doing a jig across the room."
Tonks clapped Maria on the back.
"Don't mind him. He's just jealous you didn't make his boots dance."
Mad-Eye grunted from his corner.
"At least she didn't blow up the table. First time Tonks here touched a wand, She nearly set the house on fire."
"Not exactly comforting, Moody," Maria muttered.
Despite the teasing, Maria couldn't help but smile. There was something oddly comforting about being part of this strange, chaotic group.
But later, as the laughter faded and the meeting dispersed, doubt crept back in. Maria found herself alone by the window, staring out at the dark, rain-soaked street.
Remus approached quietly.
"You're worried."
She nodded.
"I'm not sure I belong here. I'm not brave. I'm not strong. And I'm certainly not magical." She twirled the wand between her fingers. "I'm just... me."
Remus was about to respond when Dumbledore joined them, his expression serene as ever.
"Even the smallest pebble can change the course of a river," Dumbledore said softly.
Maria frowned.
"I don't know what that means."
"That," Sirius drawled as he passed by, "is because Dumbledore speaks exclusively in riddles."
Snape's voice cut through the room, cold and sharp.
"Pebble seems generous." He sneered as he strode past, his dark robes billowing behind him.
Maria sighed, rubbing her temples.
"Why is he always like that?" She asked, although she knew of his past.
Remus chuckled.
"If he ever says something kind, we'll all assume he's been cursed."
Dumbledore gave Maria a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"Trust the journey, Mary. You are here for a reason."
As Dumbledore walked away, Maria shook her head.
"Do you ever get used to him being cryptic?"
"No," Remus said, smiling softly. "But you learn to trust him."
Maria looked at the wand in her hand.
"I still don't know if I have any kind of magic in me."
"You have more than you think," Remus said gently. "You're here, aren't you?"
The warmth in his voice made her heart flutter. She glanced at him, catching his gaze for a brief moment before quickly looking away, her cheeks flushed.
"Well," Maria said, straightening her shoulders, "I guess I'd better figure out how to use this thing. Any chance of some lessons?"
Remus nodded.
"Of course. But maybe start with something simpler."
"No more dancing socks?" she teased.
He chuckled.
"No more dancing socks."
Maria couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. Maybe she didn't fully understand why she was here. Maybe she wasn't the typical hero.
But for the first time in a long while, she felt like she belonged.