the_debt_of_time

circles under his eyes made him look haunted, which was often how he felt, especially post
full moon.
He walked out into the kitchen where he put the kettle on, turning to look at the
three remaining tins of soup he had left from the groceries he bought a month ago thanks
to a temporary job he had been able to take working as a janitor at a Muggle
grocers. Muggle because there were no laws preventing him from working
there. Temporary because even in Muggle London, he was still a werewolf and had to call in
sick several days each month. After the first two months, he had been taken aside and told
that he was developing an attendance pattern and needed to break it or else they would
find someone who could do the job properly.
At least his last cheque was able to fill the cupboards with food. Now it was running
out, and Remus was wishing like hell that the garden he had attempted to plant earlier that
year had taken root. He mentally kicked himself for dropping Herbology sixth year.
He yawned as he walked into the small living room, eager to sit down on the sofa
and relax the morning away with a good book. Unfortunately, the sofa was occupied.
"Mother of fucking Merlin!" Remus shouted in shock, jumping back at the sight of
another wizard in his home. The hot tea sloshed over the sides of the cup and onto his
hands, burning him. He winced, dropping the mug entirely. "P-Professor Dumbledore?"
"Good morning, Remus." Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled. "I apologise for
causing a fright."
"How... ?" Remus began, heart racing and breath unsteady. "How did you get
through my wards without me being alerted?"
Dumbledore merely rose an incredulous eyebrow.
"Is there something I can help you with, sir?" Remus asked, reaching for his wand
to clean up the mess of spilt tea and shattered glass on the floor. He ignored the burns on
his hands entirely. What was one more injury? "I rarely entertain, but I could offer you tea
if you'd like."
"No, thank you," Dumbledore answered with a smile that faded into a soft look of
pity that Remus was all too familiar with. "I was sorry to hear about your father."
Remus frowned. "Thank you."
"The two of you reconciled before he died?"
He nodded. "Something like that."