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

Just You, Me, and Our Imaginations

James piped up, "Isn't that a democracy, though?"

Sirius grinned "Mr. Lupin, you misunderstand. I never stated the Ministry was corrupted by power. Their pursuit of power fostered your world's depravity. Fear of loss.  Fear of potential exposure. But they'll do whatever to reinforce their authority. Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the Ministry has destroyed its reputation, so no one takes you seriously anymore — it's all over the Prophet. And they'll do whatever to restore control over the population to assert their sociopolitical influence.

"Coercion, extortion, and assassination. Servitude and exile are examples. The works. This is what I despise about it. You've done well for folks like Walburga and Orion by skimping and taking home little rewards. The 1% of pure-blood wizards. You've got the incorrect demographic if you're fighting for them. They aren't the ones who need your help."

His ramble left the room somber, angst hanging on everyone's shoulders. Lyall didn't bother answering the remark and went back to eating in passivity. Peter was able to resume his discussion with Mrs. Lupin about Muggle London's fantastic stores while James inquisitively looked at Remus.

The expression on his father's face didn't sit well with him. Not in the least. It reminded him of prey that had been maimed. Remus had seen him behave in this manner once before, during a battle with his brother-in-law a few years ago, after Remus's tag had been updated by the Ministry, and it did not end well for anybody involved. Remus dreaded the thought of Sirius getting caught up in the savage onslaught his father could have carried out. Furthermore, if they were to collect any information about the meetings that were taking place, they needed to keep the stakes as low as possible. Sirius wasn't exactly helpful in this endeavor.

Mr. Lupin challenged the boys, saying, "Can you tell me, guys, whether Remus truly doesn't have a girlfriend, or if he's just too shy to tell us?"

Remus gulped on his tea, horrified. Sirius' hand flew up to touch his back, instinctively, of course. He stroked small circles into his spine, seeking to relieve the pain from his recent stroke. Remus would probably have a panic attack, but he'd deal with it later.

Naturally, no one knew how to answer the question since, well, Remus did have someone. Maybe not a girlfriend, and certainly not a boyfriend. They all agreed passively that admitting either one was out of the question. None of them thought of Lyall as a particularly accommodating man, and based on the anecdotes Remus recounted from time to time, he didn't appear to be the liberal sort.

James cast a worried look at Remus, who'd lost all of his cheek colors.

"Er," Peter said, his voice unusually high and strained in the process.

Sirius sighed and rolled his eyes "Oh, come on, Remus here is aiming to be our Valedictorian, don't you understand? This highbrow reminded Julienne that he didn't have the time for romanticism."

Lyall burst out laughing – more like a snarl – when he heard those remarks, after having stayed deafeningly silent for the remainder of the evening. With the silverware clattering madly on the tabletop, he pounded the table and looked around at the expressions on everyone's faces. Remus concealed his embarrassment behind a handkerchief, knowing that this discussion was doomed from the start.

"My son," he laughed. "A Jerome has shown an interest in my son? You've got the wrong family. Remus can't speak to the females up the street and won't even look at one of them."

"Yes, what can I say? Remus' tastes are more refined to the dignified type, if you will," Sirius lied.

Remus was only interested in one person, and they were far from dignified. They were profane, crass, stupid, arrogant, and ignorant. He wouldn't hesitate if he had enough brain cells or energy to add to the list.