InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Say it. Yes. Yes what?"

The Gaggle (whoholdsthekey) wrote in hogwarts_dawn,
@ 2021-03-11 14:26:00

Entry tags:

character: remus lupin, character: sirius black, unused: teddy lupin

RP: Teddy's Arrival
Who: Teddy, Sirius, & Remus
When: Late afternoon
Where: Outside of the kitchens - then Gryffindor Tower
What: Teddy arrives and gets unusual news.

The day had been long. Teddy had woken up long before the sun was up and headed into work. There were doughs to prep for later in the day, things to bake, employees to instruct, and so on. First, they'd prepared things for the breakfast goers - donuts, muffins, croissants, and so on. After the first few hours, those were gone and fresh loaves of bread for the lunches and dinners of their customers were out, along with a string of cupcakes, full cakes, pies, bonbons, macarons, macaroons - the list never ended and they were practically sold out of everything by the end of the day. Business was good.

But business was also tiring.

So when Teddy got back to his flat, he was sweaty, exhausted, and ready to crash. At least he'd had the time to take a shower. He'd been in the middle of brushing his teeth when there was a knocking at his front door. It'd been two steps through his apartment when he stumbled, dizziness striking him and... This was a very familiar area. He was all too familiar with the lower levels of Hogwarts. But he couldn't even say anything because he had a mouth full of foamed-up toothpaste. It would be ill manners to just... spit on the floor but he didn't have much of a choice.

So maybe he spit the toothpaste out as subtly as he could and then fished his wand out of the pockets of his pyjama pants (oh god he was only in pyjama pants!!!) and scourgified the spot clean. That didn't at all get rid of the toothpaste around his mouth or whatever but he was loathed to do that again. Wand and toothbrush in one hand, he was running towards the stairs up out of the basement. His hair was turning a bright, noticeably yellow color - not even blonde - and he just caught a glimpse of feet passing above. "Pardon me!" he called out, which just caused another drip of toothpaste. He probably looked rabid. This was such a nightmare.

(Read comments) - (Post a new comment)

_withoutacause
2021-03-12 06:33 pm UTC (link)

Sirius instantly felt bad as Remus protested. He'd pushed too hard. Again. He knew Remus took time settle in, and that physical affection didn't come as quickly for him. Just because Sirius was fully comfortable with Teddy didn't mean they had to go straight to hugs. If Teddy hadn't just asked him to stay he would have found some reason to leave.

Still, the mention of a pillow fort had him grinning.

"Right. Sorry. Explanations. And sorry Moony, I shouldn't have pushed. I can fuck off if you guys want to talk? Or I can stay and stop being an ass. Promise! I am capable of that sometimes," he said to Teddy.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

slowburn_alpha
2021-03-12 07:13 pm UTC (link)

"He actually is...sometimes." Remus winked teasingly at Sirius, a silent gesture of forgiveness, before moving closer to put an arm around Teddy. "And you should stay, Pads. Teddy asked you to." Remus probably wasn't meant to have heard that earlier, but if he and Teddy were going to have any sort of familial relationship, he should get used to knowing these things about Remus. Honestly, it was a bit strange to Remus, hugging a complete stranger...okay, it was very weird. But, Teddy's scent was just enough familiar, reminded him just enough of his mother, actually, to make it easier.

"How about we start with the easy stuff? Time travel and what you've been dragged into." He offered Teddy a soft smile. "From what we know, somewhere around 2028, the Ministry had a brilliantly stupid plan to mix muggle science with magic in the hopes of convincing people to have more babies...or forcing them to have them. But, the experiments backfired and created a curse that killed off all the wizards and witches in Britain within a couple years. This castle, though, has a mind of it's own and after several years mourning it's own loss, seems to have decided to start bring people back from other points in time about a month ago. Sirius, myself, his brother Regulus, and Ron Weasley were the first. Pads here is from 1980, before the end of the war and James' death or his time in Azkaban. After the second war, well before the magical world as we know it ended. Myself, I came from 1983, during the early years of my time on the continent. I just turned twenty-three. There have been others since then. James, Harry, Peter, Draco and Lucius Malfoy, Snape, Dumbledore...and others."

There was a lot more he should say about the situation, but he didn't want to overwhelm Teddy and there were still other, more personal things, they needed to discuss. "So, we're clear, I do want to get to know you, Teddy. But...and Sirius will vouch for this...I'm the slowest moving Gryffindor ever sorted into this house. I like to be cautious, to protect others not just myself. So, while I'm honoured that you would even consider calling me 'Dad' despite the fact we're probably closer to the same age, I'm not planning on going anywhere any time soon. And I don't want you to rush into building up a relationship that you might decide you don't want in the light of day when all this sinks in a bit more for you. If you want to call me 'Dad', you can. But, I also won't be offended if 'Remus' is easier...or if you change your mind in a few days or weeks."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

whoholdsthekey
2021-03-12 07:47 pm UTC (link)

Of course, Remus had heard him. It was unsurprising but he was more focused on comforting Sirius for the moment, adjusting the way he held his arms to pull the younger's head down onto his shoulder. "Settle in, cuz. You're not escaping that easily," he didn't want to admit he was somewhat afraid of what Remus was about to tell him. The castle was so empty, so devoid of life. What in the Hell could have happened? So Sirius was his emotional support cousin.

And there was a lot to go over. The longer Remus went on, the more his brow furrowed and the darker his expression got. That was only six years from his time. Were they already starting to experiment? A ringing started in his ears when he started to put together everything with the mention of the deaths. For a brief second, it might have looked like he was about to allow a sudden anguish to take him over - and then it was gone. He could mourn later. Always later. He only started actually registering what he was hearing when he heard Ron's name and his brain started to catch up.

Teddy broke his own serious expression by faux-gagging at the name Lucius, almost like a cat about to cough up the nastiest hairball ever known to man. "First thing's first," he turned his gaze on Remus, "You're my dad. Wolf and all, top to bottom. The only way that would ever change is if you were an utter arse. Lucius Malfoy levels of utter arse." His knee was bouncing, the only outward sign of his anxiety at the moment. He'd gotten control of his hair again. "Secondly, what can I do to help?" This was directed at both of them, especially since Sirius knew what he could do.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

_withoutacause
2021-03-12 07:54 pm UTC (link)

Sirius was fully prepared for Teddy to freak the fuck out. He seemed to be well on the way to it when he suddenly pushed it down in the most Remus move ever. He could almost see his brain compartmentalizing and saving fear and grief and pain for later. If there was any doubt that this was Moonys kid then it was gone now.

"There's lots you can do, but you don't need to worry about that yet. Moony, Teddy runs a bakery, isn't that great? He makes a donut so hot it can cause brain damage!" Okay, and maybe that was an exaggeration, but he thought Remus might need a moment to process the expression of unconditional love Teddy had just offered him. He pulled slightly back, making room for Remus if he was ready for that hug now, but he wouldn't push it again.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

slowburn_alpha
2021-03-12 11:43 pm UTC (link)

For a moment, Remus could only stare at the two of them because that gesture, that instinctive manner of pulling Sirius in close? That was so familiar! How many times had Remus held Sirius like that? For the exact same purpose? Hell, Sirius had just done the same to him not three days ago. He registered the reaction to the news -- and lack thereof -- as well, used to seeing the same expression on his father's face. But, Remus had to admit to being a bit blind-sided by the abject acceptance of which he was suddenly the full focus. Not since three brilliant idiots revealed they'd secretly become animagi just for him had Remus felt like this. It was...humbling and terrifying all at once.

"Well, let's hope I never turn into Malfoy," he said hoarsely, swallowing all that emotion down. He leaned in enough to press his forehead to Teddy's temple, while ruffling his hair a bit. It wasn't the bone-crushing hug he knew Sirius was waiting for, but they could work up to that. They had a chance to do that, now, after all.

"A doughnut that does what?" Laughing, he pulled back to look between the two of them, then just shook his head. "I'm going to blame that on your Black ancestry, specifically the part that's shared with Sirius. But, tell me about this bakery? And how did you learn to bake?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

whoholdsthekey
2021-03-13 12:13 am UTC (link)

No, he supposed he didn't. What he really needed to focus on was... right here. This moment. But it was just so natural to look ahead and pick out the next task, the next objective. "I was about to make a joke but it was in poor taste so let's pretend I said something very funny," he offered, leaning back against Remus with a grin. That was acceptance in itself and he'd take it.

"Okay, no, but technically, it is over 55% of the human limit of capsaicin. Nine million Scovilles. If you ate two of them in quick succession, you could potentially die," he sounded so terribly proud of himself. "I just wanted to do something nice for my friends so I started baking," Teddy shrugged his shoulders, the simplest explanation, "Harry always wanted us - especially me - to be Aurors or something like that. So also the most polite form of rebellion. After Hogwarts, I got a menial job in a bakery and now I manage it."

He glanced at Sirius now, realizing, "I should probably show him, huh? Give me a prompt. Let's go." Yes, he had just given Sirius Black permission to decide what Teddy would look like for this.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

_withoutacause
2021-03-13 12:57 am UTC (link)

Sirius laughed loudly and raucously as Teddys pretend joke, then winked at him.

"Hilarious, you are! I'm busting my sides!"

Why would Harry have expected Teddy to be an Auror? No offense to Teddy, the kid was fantastic, but Sirius couldn't imagine anyone less suited to being an Auror. This gentle, adorable Hufflepuff who made pillow forts and killer doughnuts had no business fighting anyone!

Sirius grinned like his birthday had come early. Who should he make Teddy do? Bowie was his first thought, but what if Teddy didn't know what he was? He'd have to educate him at some point...

"Ooh, do me again! We can make all Moonys worst fears come true!" After all, what was more terrifying than two Sirius Blacks!

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

slowburn_alpha
2021-03-13 01:30 am UTC (link)

Remus chuckled at the idea of polite rebellion. "I guess you were kind of doomed for that sort of thing. Blacks on one side of the family, me on the other," he teased. "Harry is just about my age now. So, hopefully, he isn't holding onto that desire too strongly, yet. But, since your grandmother used to bake and sell what she baked to the neighbors when I was growing up, I see nothing wrong with a bit of honest work. And managing a shop is no small task."

Looking between the two of them, he suddenly understood what McGonagall must have felt like having them all under her care. Sirius was...well, Sirius. A very familiar force of nature that Remus had long learned to accept would one day be the death of him just for one crazy idea after another. But, looking at Teddy, he could see some of his own quieter Marauders' streak in those wide brown eyes. Biting back a smile, he shook his head.

"I doubt you can make my worst fears come true. But, all right. Let's see before Padfoot jumps out of his skin with excitement, trying to wag his tail."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

whoholdsthekey
2021-03-13 01:48 am UTC (link)

His smile was huge as Sirius played along with his comment. Patting Sirius's knee, he offered, "You're my new favorite cousin. I hope you know that. And I have a lot of cousins to pick from." Even if it was technically a 'number removed' situation, it didn't really matter.

Teddy exhaled heavily, recalling that his time's Harry hadn't been too pleased with his decision but while Harry was his godfather, it was really Andromeda's opinion that mattered. And now Remus's who was offering his support without question. His huge smile turned to a softer fondness, leveled at his father. "I'd love to hear more about gran one of these days," he didn't have much knowledge about Remus's parents.

As for worst fears... He turned so he could lean his back up against Sirius so they were sort of 'side-by-side'. And then he ran his hands over his hair which then turned dark and long and everything else followed after. Two identical Sirius Blacks in one spot. Even the grins and the vibrating energy were the same.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

_withoutacause
2021-03-13 02:08 am UTC (link)

Sirius tried his best to hold still as his new favorite cousin, and yes that was official now Teddy had said so, turned himself into an identical copy. It had been funny the firs time, but now, sitting across from Remus, it was the funniest thing thet had ever happened. Or maybe it had just been a very long week and Sirius would take a win where he could get one. Either way, he burst out laughing, nudging Teddy with his elbow and pointing between them and Remus as if to say is this not the most wild shit you have ever seen!

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

slowburn_alpha
2021-03-13 03:27 am UTC (link)

"I don't know about my worst nightmares," Remus said with a laugh. His nightmares and fear were far bloodier and involved too much death for Teddy's ability to replicate, he thought. "But, the sight of two Sirius Blacks might terrify most people here." Reaching across, he ruffled Teddy's hair again, something he did very rarely with the real Sirius. The two matching grins were too endearing. So, he wouldn't tell either man Harry had already spilled the beans about Teddy being a metamorphmagus when they'd talked after the Full and Harry had lectured him on following his future self's footsteps regarding his fears of having children.

"And I'll be happy to tell you about my parents. I can see pieces of both of them in you," he said with a soft smile. "But, we should think about getting you situated and settled. Get you a room. You're welcome to stay here with us, of course. James is here, too. We've each taken one floor of the boys' tower. You can have your own floor, or stay on mine. Or, Sirius' since it seems like my best friend and my son are ready to run off into the sunset together without me," he teased.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

whoholdsthekey
2021-03-13 03:46 am UTC (link)

"We might have to do that then. Just wander around as two Siriuses and see who panics," which might be almost cruel but honestly, he'd done worse things with his ability. He just seemed pleased as punch to be getting any sort of affection from Remus, glad that it was coming so easily. Maybe that meant it wasn't too weird. Only slightly.

He arched an eyebrow for a moment, idly muttering, "Wouldn't be the first distant cousin I've dated." And then that dark cloud showed up again. Victoire was... dead. Teddy faded into his proper form though his curls were still black. "Think I can just... crash on the sofa or something for a bit? I was on my way to bed," he gestured to the Hufflepants across his lap still.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(Read comments) -