the_debt_of_time

"Apparently, an owl," Remus said with a shrug. "It was the only one they had left
for the amount of money you gave me. Plus, I wanted to get out of the shop quickly. You
know how all those animals react to me."
Sirius scowled but purposely tried to soften his features, remembering Care of
Magical Creatures classes where every animal smaller than a hippogriff would squeal and
shriek in Remus's presence. "I should have just sent something back with the owl that
arrived for you this morning."
"I got an owl?"
"Dropped off a letter and a book. I read the letter," Sirius admitted, gesturing to the
desk where he had left both. "It's from Hermione. Since when are you pen pals with a
fourteen-year-old girl?"
Remus snorted and crossed the room to look at the book Hermione had returned,
smiling as he opened the letter. "Jealous?"
"Shut it, Moony."
"She only has Harry and Ron as friends, Pads. While Harry is talented at Defence,
Quidditch, and Charms, she's very ahead of both of the boys intellectually. I offered to
loan her my book collection and help with anything she might be in need of, especially if
Dumbledore hires another imbecile to take over my position at Hogwarts. Besides, she'll
help me keep an eye on Harry. He's not very forthcoming with asking for help when he
needs it."
"The son of James Potter doesn't know how to ask for help?" Sirius asked
sarcastically. "Next you'll be telling me he loves Quidditch and doesn't know how to comb
his hair."
Remus chuckled and sat down to read Hermione's letter. "Dear Professor Lupin, I
hope you'll indulge my need to address you formally, regardless of whether or not you are
still a professor."
Sirius rolled his eyes. "You can't read silently?"
"This seems to bother you, so no," Remus said with a smirk and then cleared his
throat before holding the letter in front of his face, blocking Sirius's glare.
"Somehow 'Mr Lupin' sounds strange to me, and as the best teacher I've ever had
in Defence, I believe the title is well earned and much deserved. I hope you are well and
that your journey home, wherever that might be, was not uncomfortable due to your