Lie low at Lupin’s.
The words still echoed in his ears. The words Dumbledore had spoken five days ago. The words he’d been half hoping, half dreading to hear.
Lie low at Lupin’s.
There had been words that had come before that. Something about the old gang. He couldn’t really remember exactly. He didn’t worry, though. They’d come to him eventually.
Lie low at Lupin’s.
He knew what that meant. It meant living in the same house as him, eating the same food as him and sleeping under the same roof as him. If it meant sleeping under the same sheets as Remus, well, he didn’t really know.
Lie low at Lupin’s.
If there was anywhere he wanted to lie low, it was there. But would he be wanted? Would there still be the same look in those warm amber eyes? Would he still have a chance?
Lie low at Lupin’s.
A two years ago, he would’ve said no. Of course, two years ago, he’d still been in jail so he probably would’ve snapped at someone if they’d asked. Now, though, now he was free. To a certain extent. Free enough to do what Dumbledore asked.
Lie low at Lupin’s.
He would. He knew he would. Even if he wasn’t wanted, Remus would let him. Remus always did the right thing. Just like he, more often than not, did the wrong thing. A lot of things were his fault, after all.
Lie low at Lupin’s.
The house was a nice place, he had to admit. It hadn’t changed much in twelve years. The little shed the former owners had built for their son’s transformations, before the invention of wolfsbane, was still standing. The dark grey roof was as grey as he remembered it, if a little more decrepit. The light grey walls were the same, though looking a little more wind-bleached than before. But it was still the same cozy little house.
Lie low at Lupin’s.
He approached the red door, paint faded from years of use and disrepair. He raised a cautious hand and paused. Could he do this? There were a hundred other places to hide.
Lie low at Lupin’s.
He was kidding himself. Of course, there were other places to hide. But he wanted to be here. With Remus.
Lie low at Lupin’s.
He raised his hand again and knocked once. Then, he waited. There was a slight sound of movement inside and a voice called out, “Just a minute.”
He knew that voice. He knew it well. The voice that haunted his dreams and called out his name in the darkness. And there it was, just on the other side of the door.
Lie low at Lupin’s.
The red door slowly creaked open. Remus’ face, his beautiful face appeared in the doorway. He looked tired and older than last year. There were more grey hairs among the brown ones. But his warm amber eyes still held that look, and all was well.
“ ‘lo, Moony.”
Remus smiled. The same smile he remembered, and it warmed his heart in a way he’d never thought could ever happen again.
“Hello, Padfoot. Dumbledore told me you’d be coming.”
This time it was his turn to smile. Dumbledore. That man didn’t miss a trick, as Arthur Weasley always said.
“Well, Remus, I’m here.”
Again, Remus smiled that smile. That glorious smile. Nothing could ever be wrong again.
“I’m glad. Come in, Sirius.”
Lie low at Lupin’s.
He would. And he hoped he’d never have to leave.