the_debt_of_time

themselves. Then, if it's all the same to you, I'll be recovering from that for a few days while
simultaneously grieving over the fact that one of my best friends was just
murdered... again!"
Everyone froze in utter silence.
Molly had pressed her lips into a tight line, whether to hide her sympathy over his
loss or her disapproval of his language, he was not sure. Arthur's expression was nothing
but piteous, which pissed Remus off. Even Fred and George had stopped smiling. He
refused to glance at Dora. He could almost feel her emotions pouring off of her.
Moody stared at Remus, unblinking, which Remus gave him a lot of credit for. Not
many men would be able to stand in front of a raging werewolf without flinching. "Right.
Take care of yourself then. Next week."
It was the closest to an apology as anyone would ever get out of the man.
"Do you want me to come with you to the Grangers, love?" Dora asked as the rest
of the Order parted ways.
"No."
"Remus―"
"I said no, Nymphadora," he snapped at her, wincing immediately at her hurt
reaction. He looked down and sighed in regret. "Just... I'm sorry."
"It's all right. I know the moon's approaching."
Yes, yes, the moon was coming, and Remus was sorely prepared for it. He and Sirius
had been planning for this moon. The first moon of the summer, and they were hoping to
have Harry back at Grimmauld Place, where they would overindulge in chocolate cake and
whatever other sweets they could convince Molly to bring them before he and Sirius would
retire to the basement to wait out the moon. Now, though... he would be alone, back in
the cellar of Lupin Cottage.
"Can we meet tonight?" Remus asked.
She smiled at him lovingly. The naive innocence in her eyes was like a needle right
through his heart. "Dinner at your place?"
He shook his head and tore his gaze away from hers. "I'd prefer drinks. There's a
pub down the way here," he answered, gesturing.
"Not the Leaky?"