the_debt_of_time

"—that money can buy," George finished with a smirk.
"And money―"
"—is rolling in by the barrels."
"We'll be opening up our own shop in Diagon Alley soon," Fred proudly
announced. "Already scouted a few places."
"I used to live on Diagon Alley," Remus said thoughtfully. "If you can find a balance
between business and fun, you boys will do quite well."
"How do you know that?" George asked suspiciously.
"Because I was your professor for a whole year. Despite what you like to let people
think of you, I know how smart the pair of you are."
"Since you were once our professor," Fred remarked speculatively, stepping closer
to Remus to avoid the disapproving glare that his mother was giving them, "shouldn't you
be telling us how we should drop all this nonsense and get back to Hogwarts?"
Remus shrugged, not caring much either way. Fred and George looked happy;
Remus envied them. "Maybe, but don't you ever forget whose name came first on the
Marauder's Map," he said with a smirk that felt a little too forced, as though he were trying
to be happy when he knew he had no right to be.
Fred and George did not seem to notice. They each stood tall, adjusted their jackets,
and gave a low bow before him that looked a little over the top and yet strangely genuine.
"We're much obliged, Mr Moony," Fred declared.
"Many thanks to you, Mr Moony," George proclaimed.
The two put an arm around one another and moved to stand with their parents,
grinning in the face of the disappointment that was rolling off of Molly Weasley in thick
waves.
Dora stepped closer to Remus and linked her arm with his. "You sure made those
two happy."
Remus sighed, wondering if he could shrug off her arm without causing a scene.
"Remember that when they tell Molly what I said and she starts screaming at me."
"You all right, love?"
"Fine," he lied. "Just eager to see Harry and Hermione."
A glance at his mate made him wince internally. She was wearing a bright purple
Weird Sisters t-shirt and patched jeans, but her patches were due to style, not because they