Carve Me Open / r.l. + s.b. /

Just You, Me, and Our Imaginations

Lyall would make a cool look at his wife every now and then when she asked a question that he thought was a little comical. It wasn't like when Fleamont teased Euphemia about her career, for example. No, Lyall appeared to be earnest about his resentment for her, and he appeared to be offended that she didn't really understand his heritage. He was annoyed that she was asking these questions to schoolchildren instead of him—her husband and partner. It was not unexpected for him to convey his skewed opinions on many topics, most notably politics and juvenile matters, on a constant schedule.

Hope caught Lyall's attention flickering between Remus and Sirius as they talked; they weren't exactly being subtle. They were, as the Potter boy put it, lost in their own little world. They may have convinced everyone else of their friendliness but even Hope could sense the unmistakable chemistry between the two of them.

In the way they grinned at one other while uttering unimportant things only they knew about, or how their thighs were squished closely against each other if you happened to peep beneath the table. Sirius would often pick at Remus's unfinished meal, cueing him to take another bite since he needed to eat rather than speak to everyone else. When Sirius made a crass joke under his breath, Remus would nudge his shoulder and grin despite himself. Her heart warmed with memories of her youth—stolen kisses from Charles and secret embraces. Remus was a Howell at heart; picking the wrong ones to fall for.

But even if you weren't searching for anything, they had a certain... glow about them. Something inviting. Like an old couple at a café or a neighborhood with picket fences and peonies bordering the pathway. Hope could see it since she'd experienced it with someone before and recreated it in her fantasies on the approach of every nightfall. They exuded compassion. They brought the room to life. They breathed something that propelled each other.

It was quite exquisite, and Hope both envied and saluted them. It was pure, innocent, and unconditional. There were few connections like that in the world. Nonetheless, Hope realized that this was more than a fling—more than a reckless one-off romance to be forgotten by graduation, more than a missed opportunity that would lead to years of misery. If only she'd been more like her son, susceptible to the demands of devotion when it was freely given. Hope was still up to her chin in debt and regret, wondering what life would have been like if she had only been ready.

She could only hope that Remus was there.

If you didn't have a brain, you'd see two close friends who touched too much. But, if you had one, there was more beneath everything they did. Hope feared Lyall had a brain and a quick one at that.

Lyall cleared his throat, interrupting Remus and Sirius' quiet exchange across the table "So, Sirius, what do you want to do after Hogwarts? You seem Ministry-like."

"Ministry is corrupt, Mr. Lupin," Sirius sneered, drinking his ginger ale.

"Wouldn't you agree that everything is a little corrupt?" Lyall countered.

"Well, having a ruthless, power-hungry administration doesn't do anything to alleviate the predicament."

"You're just like Remus, you know," Lyall said after pausing for a moment to assess his response. He gave a sour smile. "It's a little too hopeful."

"Actually, sir, we're the polar opposite," Sirius said dismissively, disregarding the strong kick to the ankle that had just struck. "I'm classified as "dark and depressing" by the boys at this table on a good day. It is my opinion that the government does not have confidence or loyalty to its citizens and that it takes advantage of every chance to make their lives miserable. What exactly is there to be positive about?"

Mrs. Lupin snickered, "He got you, Lyall."

"Hope," Lyall said with a snarl. With as quickly as it had appeared, the smile melted away from her face, and her gaze wandered to the untouched beef on her plate. Remus despised it when she looked discouraged and drained in her eyes.  Lyall returned his attention to Sirius, who was still looking at him. "So, Sirius, what do you recommend we do to reduce corruption in the first place? It is unrealistic to expect the government to relinquish control of its resources to the people."