Re: After the Meeting - Marlene and Remus
"Yes," Remus laughed, "that's exactly who I meant, especially the ones who created whatever cursed music James and his friends seem to prefer." He had to admit he was impressed by the observations, even if to him it was merely a piece of cloth -- a piece of cloth that meant a little more because of who'd given it to him, but still a piece of cloth. "Now, you see all that and to me it's just clothes." He shook his head. "Nice clothes, but still just clothes."
He smiled, surprised and heartened by the apology. "Remember what I said about losing everyone? That was only a couple months after you died for me. James and Lily, Sirius, Peter. I didn't even have Harry to look after. If anything I closed off more. I didn't start opening up again until I came back and had friends again. Who knows, maybe that will prove true for Moody, too, now that the four of you are a unit again." A smaller laugh escaped him at the reminder of the birthday present. "For someone else, there's likely nothing wrong with it."
Squeezing her hand gently when she reached for his, he released it after a moment and shook his head. "I might have been young, but hardly a boy. When you died, I was a year older than the young man who was just put in charge of the Order along with Moody and Snape. I'd already buried both my parents. I'd been a werewolf in hiding for sixteen years, which I know you didn't know then. And I was terrified of getting close to anyone for fear they'd find out or get hurt. I actually feel younger now than I did eight years ago and I don't need Pads and Prongs protecting me from your wild ways any longer," he added with a laugh. "I can push back well enough on my own, now, and I can be a much better friend that way, too."
Nodding, he smiled. "It makes perfect sense. Tad used to tell me all the time Mam was his best friend, although they didn't grow up that way like you and Moody. She was his first and foremost confidant and he was hers. I rather think that's the way it's supposed to be when you find the right one." Chuckling, he gave her the Marauders' wicked grin. "Of course, if I fell in love with my childhood best friend, I think his husband might have more than a few hexes for me! And the other one has a wife with a temper I learned long ago not to rouse."