Hey, Remus!

Maria had settled back into the comforting familiarity of her world, trying to focus on mundane tasks to distract herself from the aching absence of Remus. But her distraction was short-lived when an unfamiliar tapping sound came from her window. She froze, her mind immediately jumping to wild conclusions: a burglar? A rogue pigeon? No. It was an owl. An actual owl. It peered at her through the glass with an air of indignation, tapping again with its beak as if impatient with her lack of response. Maria scrambled to the window, opening it cautiously. The bird hopped inside like it owned the place and extended its leg. A letter was tied neatly to it with a ribbon.
"This can't be real," Maria muttered, her fingers trembling as she untied the parchment. The owl hooted impatiently and then took off as though it had more important stops to make.
Unrolling the letter, Maria saw the elegant, swirling handwriting and knew immediately who it was from:

Dear Miss Scamander,
I trust this letter finds you well. I believe we both understand that your presence in our world was no accident. I now find myself in need of your unique perspective and abilities once again. If you feel ready, I invite you to return to the Wizarding World. The means to do so remain unchanged. Simply think of where, and whom, you wish to be.
Yours sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
P.S. Should you choose to come, please do not be alarmed by any... unusual circumstances you might encounter upon arrival. Magic is, after all, unpredictable at the best of times.

Maria stared at the letter in disbelief.
"What 'abilities' is he talking about? My ability to panic? My impeccable timing at showing up exactly when things are chaotic?"
She let out a long sigh and glanced around her apartment. Her cat, Nicky, watched her from the bed, utterly uninterested in magical correspondence.
"What do you think?" Maria asked the cat. "Should I go? Risk ending up in a world that's actively fighting a wizard war just because some magical headmaster said, 'We need you'?"
Nicky yawned.
"Right. Thanks for the support."
Deep down, she knew she was going to go. How could she not? Her heart ached for Remus, and the idea that she could help, even in some small way, was too tempting to ignore.
She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and thought of him. Thought of his quiet strength, his wry humor, the way he made her feel safe and seen. The longing swelled in her chest like a tide, and then,  with a faint pop, she was gone.
When Maria opened her eyes, she found herself in a familiar bedroom: cozy and crammed with bookshelves stuffed to bursting, parchment scattered across the desk, and a bed with rumpled sheets that screamed, "I haven't been made in days." She smiled, a pang of affection warming her chest as the smell of old wood and parchment filled the air.
"Remus?" she called hesitantly, stepping further into the room.
There was a sudden thump from the adjacent bathroom, followed by a muffled and decidedly panicked,
"Don't come in!"
Maria froze mid-step.
"Uh... okay, but technically, I'm already in. What's going on?"
A loud crash echoed from behind the door, followed by some muttered cursing. Before she could take another step, the door flew open, and Remus appeared. His hair was disheveled, his cheeks were the same shade of pink as the sunset outside, and — oh, dear Merlin! — he was wearing nothing but a towel clinging precariously to his hips.
Maria blinked. Then blinked again. She was a little stunned, to say the least, but she wasn't about to let him know that.
"Well," she said, crossing her arms and biting back a grin. "This is... definitely not how I expected to be greeted."
Remus tightened his hold on the towel, his jaw clenching as if sheer willpower alone could salvage what little dignity he had left. "I wasn't expecting you," he said, his voice strained.
"You don't say," Maria drawled, her grin spreading. "If I'd known this was the dress code, I would've brought a towel of my own."
"Mary," he groaned, his free hand running through his hair as though that would make him feel less exposed. "You could've warned me."
She tilted her head, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Warned you? How, exactly? Should I have sent an owl saying, 'By the way, I'll be popping into your world at 4:15 PM, so maybe wear pants?'"
Remus pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like,
"Why me?"
"Relax," Maria said, biting back a laugh as she gestured vaguely toward him. "It's not like there's anything under that towel I haven't seen before."
Remus went stiff as a board, his ears turning an adorable shade of crimson.
"Mary," he said, his voice low and deliberate, "that's entirely beside the point."
"Is it?" she shot back, her grin only widening. "Because if you think this is going to scandalize me, I hate to break it to you, Remus, but we're way past that."
He let out a long-suffering sigh, his composure barely holding together.
"Stay here," he said, his voice strained with both embarrassment and determination. "I'll... be right back."
Maria leaned casually against the bedpost, her arms crossed as she called after him:
"Take your time! No rush. Really. You're providing excellent entertainment."
Remus disappeared into the bathroom with a muttered, "Unbelievable," and Maria was left alone in the room, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
When he returned, fully dressed — much to Maria's disappointment— in his usual threadbare shirt, cardigan and trousers, he still hadn't quite regained his composure. His cheeks remained a faint shade of pink, and his expression was a mix of exasperation and affection as he stood in the doorway.
"Done?" he asked dryly, his tone laced with just enough sarcasm to let her know he wasn't completely mortified anymore.
"For now," Maria said sweetly, the corners of her mouth twitching as she fought back another grin. "But don't think I'll let you live this down."
"I'd expect nothing less," he replied, shaking his head. Despite himself, he couldn't help but smile. "I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting company."
"Clearly," Maria teased, though her smile softened as she looked at him. She stepped closer to him, her gaze searching his face as if she needed to memorize every detail.
"Hi," she said quietly, her voice laced with warmth and relief.
Remus's smile shifted, his eyes softening as he closed the distance between them.
"Hi," he murmured back, his tone just as tender.
Without another word, she reached out, wrapping her arms around his waist. He returned the embrace, pulling her close as if he never wanted to let go. For a long moment, they simply stood there, holding onto each other.
"I missed you," Maria whispered, her face buried against his shoulder.
"I missed you too," Remus replied, his voice a little hoarse. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, his hands running soothingly along her back. "More than I can say."
Maria pulled back just enough to look up at him, her hands resting against his chest.
"It felt so strange," she admitted. "Not being able to see you. Or talk to you. Knowing that you were real. It was like there was this piece of me missing."
He cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing against her cheek.
"I know the feeling," he said softly. "But you're here now. That's what matters."
A slow smile spread across her lips, and she leaned up to press a quick, sweet kiss to his mouth.
"I'm here," she echoed.
Remus sighed, a sound of contentment mixed with lingering disbelief.
"What did I do to deserve you?" he murmured, almost to himself.
Maria smirked, her teasing tone returning.
"Well, for starters, you let me catch you in a towel. That was a bold move."
Then, she added in a more serious tone:
"I got a letter from Dumbledore. Said he needed me here."
Remus frowned slightly.
"He didn't say why?"
"Nope. Just that I was needed. And I guess I took that as permission to pop in unannounced."
He chuckled, his thumb caressing her cheek.
"Well, I'm glad you're here. Though next time, maybe give me a few minutes to put on trousers."
Maria laughed, feeling a warmth she hadn't realized she was missing until now.
"I'll keep that in mind. So... what do we do now?"
Remus's expression turned thoughtful.
"First, we see what Dumbledore wants. Then..." He hesitated, his gaze meeting hers. "Then we figure out what this means for you. For us."
Maria nodded, her heart fluttering at his words. She didn't know what the future held, but one thing was certain: she was exactly where she needed to be.
"Well," she said, breaking the moment with a grin, "if we're going to be doing anything serious, I'm going to need tea."
He laughed, the sound warm and familiar.
"I think I can manage that."
And with that, the next chapter of their story began.
***
Later that evening, Maria and Remus sat together at the kitchen table in Grimmauld Place, the dim light of the chandelier casting long shadows across the room. The house was unusually quiet, with no sign of Kreacher or the other members of the Order. Remus dipped a quill into a small pot of ink, carefully writing a brief note to Dumbledore to inform him of Maria's arrival. Maria sat beside him, idly running her fingers over the edge of the parchment, her thoughts a jumble of nerves and anticipation.
"Are you sure he'll come tonight?" she asked quietly, watching the precise movement of Remus's hand as he wrote.
Remus nodded without looking up.
"If it's important enough for him to have sent that owl, then yes, he'll come as soon as he can." He finished the note, folded it neatly, and tied it to the leg of a small owl waiting patiently on the counter. "There," he murmured, watching as the owl flew off into the night. "Now we wait."
Maria sighed, leaning back in her chair. The quiet tension of the room pressed down on her as her gaze flitted around the kitchen. She knew this moment would come eventually. Dumbledore wouldn't have summoned her without reason. But now that it was here, her stomach churned with equal parts dread and resolve.
About an hour later, a soft crack echoed through the house, and Maria's heart leapt into her throat. Dumbledore appeared in the doorway of the kitchen, his tall frame draped in deep blue robes that shimmered faintly in the dim light. His piercing blue eyes swept the room, settling on Maria with a kind but serious expression.
"Miss Scamander," he said warmly, inclining his head. "It is good to see you again."
Maria stood, a little awkwardly, and gave a small smile.
"Professor Dumbledore. It's, uh, good to see you too."
Dumbledore turned his gaze to Remus, who had risen from his seat as well.
"Remus," he greeted with a slight nod, "thank you for contacting me."
Remus gestured toward the table.
"Shall we sit?"
Once they were all seated, Dumbledore wasted no time getting to the heart of the matter. His voice was calm, but it carried a weight that made Maria's palms sweat.
"Mary, as you are undoubtedly aware, the circumstances surrounding your presence in our world are... unique." He folded his hands on the table, his eyes searching hers. "You are here because of a bond. One forged through magic between your world and ours. But this bond comes with consequences and responsibilities."
Maria nodded slowly, feeling the gravity of his words sink in.
"The most pressing matter," Dumbledore continued, "is that you must choose which world you wish to reside in. The longer you stay here, the more deeply rooted you become in our world's magic. To put it plainly, it would not be safe, or perhaps even possible, for you to travel back and forth indefinitely. Such instability could have catastrophic consequences."
Maria's stomach twisted.
"So, you're saying I have to choose. Right now?"
Dumbledore's expression softened slightly.
"Not immediately. But soon. And once the choice is made, it is unlikely you will be able to change it."
She glanced at Remus, whose expression was calm, though his hands were clasped tightly in front of him. Her gaze returned to Dumbledore.
"If I stay," she said carefully, "what happens to my family? My life back there?"
"Time will not move for them," Dumbledore said. "Should you return after the war, it will be as though you had never left. However, bringing them here before the war is over would put them in grave danger. Voldemort does not discriminate in his targets, as you well know."
Maria nodded, her throat tight. She thought of her parents, their gentle smiles, their unconditional love. And her cat, Nicky, who was probably curled up on her bed back home. The thought of leaving them behind, even temporarily, made her chest ache. But the thought of endangering them was even worse.
"I'll stay," she said finally, her voice steady despite the emotions churning inside her. "I'll stay and fight. I'll do whatever I can to help end this war. And when it's over, I'll bring my parents here. Safely."
Remus's hand brushed against hers under the table, a silent show of support. Dumbledore inclined his head, his expression thoughtful.
"Your courage is admirable, Miss Scamander," he said. "But courage alone will not be enough. There is one more matter we must discuss."
Maria's brow furrowed.
"What is it?"
"The knowledge you possess of the future," Dumbledore said gravely. "You have already altered the course of events simply by being here. This timeline is no longer the one you read about in your books. However, it is imperative that you do not interfere further. Except in matters directly connected to Remus."
Maria blinked, startled.
"What do you mean?"
"Your bond with Remus is the reason you are here," Dumbledore explained. "It is tied to the magic that brought you into our world. Any interference with others, myself included, ould destabilize the delicate balance that already exists."
Maria swallowed hard.
"So, I can't warn anyone else? Not Harry? Not even you?"
Dumbledore shook his head.
"No. The only exception is Remus, as your fates are intertwined. Beyond that, you must let events unfold as they will."
She leaned back in her chair, her mind racing. She thought of the things she'd already changed or even tried to change: Sirius's death, Tonks's relationship with Remus... And though she'd succeeded in some ways, the weight of her choices felt heavier now.
Dumbledore rose from his seat, his gaze steady on Maria.
"This is not an easy path, Mary. But I have no doubt that you are capable of walking it. I trust you will do what is right."
Maria stood as well, her chin lifting slightly.
"I will."
Dumbledore smiled faintly, then turned to Remus.
"Take care of her, Remus."
"I intend to," Remus said quietly.
With a soft crack, Dumbledore Disapparated, leaving Maria and Remus alone once more. Maria let out a long breath, her shoulders slumping.
"Well," she said with a wry smile, "no pressure, right?"
Remus chuckled softly, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"We'll figure it out. Together."
Maria leaned into him, her resolve hardening. She didn't know what the future held, but one thing was clear: she was ready to fight for it.
Later that evening, Maria and Remus were sitting in the living room of Grimmauld
Place, the fire crackling softly in the hearth. Maria was curled up on the worn couch, her legs tucked beneath her as she stared into the flames. Remus sat beside her, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, his expression thoughtful.
"So," Maria said finally, her voice breaking the quiet, "if I'm going to stay and, you know, fight this war... I guess I should probably be useful."
Remus turned his head slightly. His brow arched, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"You are useful, Mary. You're here. That's enough."
She gave him a small, wry smile, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"That's sweet, but let's be honest. Right now, I'm just the girl who gets by because she knows a few things about the future. And I can't rely on that anymore. Dumbledore made that pretty clear."
Remus sighed, leaning back against the couch and studying her carefully.
"You've done more than you give yourself credit for. You've helped us in ways no one else could. But," he added gently, "I see your point. If you're going to be part of the Order, you'll need to be prepared... for anything."
"Exactly," she said, sitting up straighter, though her hands were still fidgeting. "I don't want to be a liability, Remus. I need to learn how to handle... whatever this is." She gestured vaguely, as if trying to encompass not only her still-developing magical abilities but the overwhelming situation she had willingly thrown herself into. "And I'm guessing that doesn't just mean waving a wand and hoping for the best."
Remus's lips quirked in a faint smile, though his eyes were serious.
"Waving a wand and hoping for the best is half of magic, you know."
She swatted his arm lightly, her nerves momentarily giving way to a small laugh.
"You know what I mean. I need to get better at spells, at dueling, at... at not freezing up when things get dangerous. I've seen what you all face. I don't want to be a burden."
For a moment, he didn't say anything. He just studied her, his gaze thoughtful and a little too perceptive. Finally, he asked,
"You're scared, aren't you?"
Maria's breath hitched, and she looked away.
"Of course I'm scared," she admitted quietly, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm terrified.I'm not... You knpw I'm not brave like you and the others."
Remus reached out, his hand resting lightly on hers.
"Mary, you've wlready proved yourself to be brave. It wasn't sheer luck. You proved that you can fight."
She shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper.
"But what if I can't? What if I freeze up? What if I get someone hurt... or worse?"
"You won't," he said firmly, squeezing her hand. "And if you do, you'll get back up and try again. That's all any of us can do. No one goes into this fearless, Mary. Not even me."
Maria blinked at him, startled.
"You? You're one of the bravest people I know."
He chuckled softly, but there was a hint of sadness in his voice.
"Bravery doesn't mean I don't lie awake at night wondering if I'll make the right decisions, or if I'll lose more people I care about. It just means I keep going anyway. And you will, too. You already have."
She stared at him, her chest tightening. His words were comforting, but the doubt still lingered.
"I just... I don't want to let you down."
"You won't," he said simply. "And you won't be alone. We'll train together. We'll make sure you're ready. For spells, dueling, anything. And when the time comes, you'll surprise yourself."
Maria swallowed hard, a flicker of determination pushing through her fear.
"Okay," she said, her voice steadying. "I want to start now. I need to."
Remus nodded, a small smile softening his features.
"Alright. We'll pick up where we left off: practising spells, refining your technique, maybe a bit of dueling."
Maria raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching despite herself.
"A bit of dueling? I thought you weren't afraid."
"Well," he said with a small shrug, "we'll see how much damage you inflict on me before I decide how far we take it."
She laughed, the sound shaky but genuine.
"I'll try to go easy on you."
"Generous of you," he said warmly. His tone softened as he added, "We'll take it one step at a time, Mary. You're stronger than you think. You just need to trust yourself."
Her smile faltered for a moment, but she nodded, her resolve solidifying.
"Thank you, Remus. For everything."
His expression softened even further, and he reached over to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"We're in this together, Mary. You don't have to do it alone."
For the first time since she'd made her decision to stay, Maria felt a flicker of confidence amidst the fear. With Remus by her side, maybe (who knows?) maybe she could do this.