Hey, Remus!

NOTE: I just found out that there was a piece of this chapter missing! I'm so sorry! :(
(In my defense, I've got ADHD. I guess I forgot to copy/paste that part from my Word document.)
Here's the full chapter. Updated on February 23rd 2024.

The morning after their quiet mission observing the Malfoys, Grimmauld Place buzzed with quiet urgency. The Order of the Phoenix had a meeting scheduled, and as Maria descended the staircase, she could already feel the heavy tension lingering in the air.
The first to arrive was Severus Snape. He swept into the house with his usual air of disdain, his black robes billowing as he stepped through the doorway. His gaze flickered over Maria and Sirius before settling on Remus, who had just entered the room, still buttoning his worn-out cardigan. Snape sneered.
"Ah, Lupin. How fortunate that the Order still finds use for you between your... unfortunate afflictions."
Remus, ever composed, simply offered a tired smile, but before he could respond, Maria narrowed her eyes.
"Why do you treat him that way?" she demanded, her voice sharp.
Remus gently touched her arm.
"Mary, it's okay."
She turned to him, eyes flashing.
"No, it's not okay. You never did anything to him. You're such a wonderful human being."
Snape let out a derisive snort.
"Human?" His lips curled cruelly. "He's barely that, Scamander."
A chair scraped against the wooden floor as Sirius Black, who had been watching the scene in an almost out of character silence, leapt to his feet, his voice booming through the room."

SNIVELLUS!"

But before Sirius could advance, Maria was already moving.
"YOU..." She lunged at Snape, fury crackling through her veins.
Remus reacted in a heartbeat, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her back before she could land a hit.
"ENOUGH, MARY!" he commanded, his voice firm but laced with concern.
Snape adjusted his sleeve with a smirk, clearly enjoying the reaction he had provoked.
"Enough indeed. I'm still brewing his little potion, after all," he said smoothly, referring to the Wolfsbane potion that allowed Remus to keep his mind during the full moon.
The tension hung thick in the air, but before another word could be exchanged, they heard a crack and Albus Dumbledore apparated in front of them, his presence immediately quelling the storm brewing in the room.
"Ah, I see we are all in fine spirits this morning," he said lightly, his blue eyes twinkling as he took in the scene. "Shall we proceed?"
Snape gave one last glance toward Maria before turning on his heel, striding into the meeting room without another word.
After lunch, the atmosphere at Grimmauld Place had lightened somewhat. The tense energy from the morning's meeting had faded as members of the Order lingered, chatting in small groups before heading off to their respective tasks. The clinking of teacups and the occasional burst of laughter from the drawing room filled the air, but Maria's attention was elsewhere. As she stepped into the entrance hall, she spotted Severus Snape standing near the door, adjusting his cloak. He was alone, seemingly preparing to leave. She hesitated for only a moment before approaching him.
"Professor Snape."
He barely turned his head, his expression unreadable.
"Scamander," he acknowledged coolly, fastening the last button of his cloak. "Come to lunge at me again, have you?"
Maria exhaled, steadying herself.
"No. I came to talk."
That made him look up. His dark eyes scrutinized her, as if trying to discern whether this was some kind of trick. She continued,
"I lost my temper earlier. But it doesn't change the fact that I don't understand why you're so cruel to Remus."
Snape let out a dry chuckle.
"You wouldn't understand."
Maria folded her arms.
"Try me."
He stared at her for a long moment before sighing and returning to his parchment.
"Your sentiments are wasted on me, Scamander."
"I know about your past," she said softly. That made him stiffen slightly. "And in some ways, I can relate to you."
Snape paused mid-movement.
"I know what it's like to feel out of place," she went on. "To be bullyed. To feel betrayed. To feel something about someone who doesn't feel the same about us. To be judged for something beyond your control. But you're not alone, Professor. And neither is Remus."
He turned to look at her fully now, his dark eyes unreadable. For a fleeting moment, something in his expression softened... but it vanished as quickly as it came.
"I don't need your pity," he muttered.
"It's not pity," Maria countered. "It's a request. Be better to Remus. He never did anything to deserve your hatred."
Snape exhaled slowly, looking as though he might say something more... but before he could, footsteps echoed in the corridor.
Remus appeared in the doorway, his brow furrowed.
"Mary?"
Snape's expression hardened instantly, his walls slamming back into place. He turned back to his parchment with a sneer.
"Do be careful with the full moon approaching, Miss Scamander," he said coolly. "You wouldn't want to get too close."
Maria's jaw clenched, but before she could reply, Remus gently took her hand, guiding her away from the room. He didn't say anything until they reached the stairs, where he gave her a small, knowing smile.
"Thank you for trying," he murmured.
Maria sighed.
"I don't think I got through to him."
Remus chuckled softly.
"Maybe not. But the fact that you even tried? That means something."
As they ascended the stairs, Maria glanced back toward the dimly lit corridor. Maybe, a tiny seed of change had been planted in the heart of Severus Snape.


Later, Maria found Remus sitting in the library, the soft glow of candlelight casting shadows on his face. He was lost in thought, fingers absently tracing the edge of a book he wasn't reading.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Maria asked, stepping into the room.
Remus glanced up, offering a small smile.
"I'm not sure they're worth even that."
She sat beside him on the worn leather couch, curling her legs beneath her.
"You've been quiet since the meeting. Is it... Snape?"
Remus sighed.
"Partly. But mostly... he was right."
Maria blinked.
"Right? About what?"
He hesitated for a moment, then met her gaze.
"There's a full moon tomorrow."
Her heart skipped a beat. Of course. She'd known it would come eventually, but hearing it out loud made it real.
"The last time there was a full moon," she said carefully, "you disappeared."
Remus nodded, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I stayed at a safe house. I thought it best. But now..." His voice trailed off, his expression conflicted.
"Now we're together," Maria finished for him.
"Yes." His voice was quiet, but his eyes locked on hers with intensity. "And that complicates things."
Maria straightened.
"Well, you're not disappearing this time."
Remus blinked.
"Mary..."
"Nope." She crossed her arms, determination written all over her face. "You're not just going to vanish into thin air without a word. If you're going to transform, fine. But I'm staying."
His brow furrowed, concern etched deeply into his features.
"It's dangerous."
Maria leaned in with a mischievous grin.
"So am I." She winked, but when Remus didn't relax, she rolled her eyes and added, "Come on, Remus. I'm a woman. You think I don't know what it's like to deal with dangerous monthly transformations?"
Remus blinked, caught off guard.
"I... what?"
"You heard me." Maria crossed her arms, her grin widening. "Mood swings, cramps, random tears over kitten videos..."
"What's a kitten video?" he asked, brow arching.
She waved it off.
"Muggle thing. Focus, Professor."
Remus tried to maintain his serious expression, but a laugh escaped before he could stop it.
"Are you seriously comparing lycanthropy to your..."
"I'm just saying," she interrupted, "I'm no stranger to hormonal chaos. Every month, like clockwork, I turn into a bit of a monster myself. Granted, I don't grow fur or howl at the moon... although don't catch me in a bad mood."
Remus chuckled, shaking his head.
"I don't think that's quite the same."
"Close enough." She poked his arm. "Besides, we women have been surviving our 'monthly curses' since the dawn of time. And let me tell you, some of us still manage to teach classes, go on missions, and even bake cookies after. So really..." She leaned back with a smug expression. "I'm overqualified to handle this."
Remus gave her a long look, lips twitching with amusement.
"Cookies?"
She smirked.
"What can I say? I'm full of surprises."
"That you are," he agreed softly, his eyes warm with affection. "But Mary..."
"No buts." Her tone was firm but kind. "If I can survive that, I can survive this."
He let out a slow breath, shaking his head in disbelief.
"I don't know whether to laugh or apologize on behalf of my entire gender."
"Oh, you should definitely apologize," Maria teased. "But I'll accept payment in chocolate."
Remus finally gave in, laughing fully.
"You are impossible."
"And you love it," she shot back with a grin.
"I do," he admitted quietly, his eyes softening again. "Far more than I should."
Maria settled herself onto Remus's lap, wrapping an arm around his shoulders as her fingers gently traced along his cheek. She gazed at him with soft determination, her thumb brushing over the faint almost imperceptive scars on his face.
"Good. Because I'm staying. Monthly curses and all."
Remus chuckled despite himself, shaking his head.
"You don't understand. It's not just the transformation. It's the morning after. I don't want you to see me like that."
"Like what? Sleep-deprived and grumpy? Please. I've seen you before coffee."
He laughed softly, but the seriousness in his eyes remained.
"Mary, I'm not joking."
"Neither am I." She shifted closer, her tone gentle now. "Remus, I've already seen the worst of what this world can throw at us. I've been on missions. I've faced Death Eaters. And I'm still here."
"That's different."
"How?" she challenged. "Because you think you're some kind of monster?"
Remus looked away, shame flickering across his face.
"Look at me," Maria said softly.
When he did, her heart ached at the vulnerability she saw there.
"You're not a monster. You're Remus. The man who cuddles with me or reads to me when I can't sleep. The man who makes me laugh when I feel out of place. The man who makes me believe I'm stronger than I am."
His lips quirked into a small, hesitant smile.
"You give me too much credit."
"I don't give you enough," she countered. "And besides, you've seen me at my worst, too."
Remus's smile widened.
"You mean when Sirius tried to teach you to duel and you hexed yourself instead?"
Maria groaned, covering her face with her hands.
"Why must you bring that up?"
"Because it's one of my favorite memories." His voice was warm now, teasing.
She peeked at him through her fingers.
"You're impossible."
"And you're stubborn."
They both laughed, the tension easing between them. Then Maria's expression softened.
"I want to be there for you. All of you. Even the messy, complicated parts."
Remus's gaze searched hers for a long moment.
"You really mean that?"
"Of course I do." She grinned. "Besides, you know I'm a bit of a control freak. I'd never forgive myself if I didn't make sure you were okay."
He chuckled, shaking his head.
"You're relentless."
"Yep." She leaned closer, her voice a whisper. "And I'm not going anywhere just yet."
Remus sighed, a mix of resignation and affection.
"Alright. But we'll need to take precautions."
"Obviously." She grinned triumphantly. "But I'll be there."
As their laughter faded, a comfortable silence settled between them. Remus reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"You amaze me," he murmured.
Maria's cheeks flushed.
"I have that effect on grumpy werewolves."
Remus laughed, pulling her close and kissing her lips.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For reminding me that I'm not alone."
She rested her head on his shoulder, a smile playing at her lips.
"You'll never be alone as long as I'm in your world."
And as the soft glow of the crescent moon filtered through the window, Maria remained curled up on Remus's lap, her fingers still tracing gentle patterns along his face. He pulled her closer, their foreheads touching before their lips met in a slow, tender kiss. Two souls finding warmth in the quiet before the storm.