(no subject)

[theshabbiestofmen]

In the spirit of sharing things . . .

[He gives a little sigh and tiredly rubs at his face.]

Many of you know what werewolves are, whether they are simply myths or actual reality for you. For those who don't, however-- werewolves are people who, during the full moon, change into wolves. Rather self-explanatory, I know. If someone is bitten by a werewolf while they are in their wolf form, they too become a werewolf. As far as I've heard, it's the same the world over. 

Where I come from, however, there has been a cure developed-- not to remove the curse entirely, but to subdue it. It so happens I found the ingredients in my locker a few days ago. 

[He stares at the camera firmly.]

Should anyone need it, or would like to try it-- I will not ask you to reveal yourselves. I don't believe anyone should be forced into revealing who or what they are, should they not wish to. But my room-- and the potion-- is always open to any who might want to try it.

This also means, however, that during the full moon, I am not dangerous. I'd appreciate anyone suddenly deciding they fancy themselves monster hunters to curb that urge; there is no need for it. 

Comments

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[doggedly]

[He isn't sure how to move away from topics that seem more important--they have to speculate, they have to plan, they have to know what to do--

He struggles to swallow.]

Married. Really?

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[theshabbiestofmen]

To Andromeda's daughter.

[It doesn't matter, not really, it's not as if Tonks is even grown when they're from-- but this is a slippery slope, Remus recognizes, and grimaces. Tell Sirius one thing, and you'll tell him another; begin with Tonks and you'll end with his death. But wouldn't it be a thing, to have Sirius survive that, something whispers. To have James survive, to have Lily alive and Harry with the set of parents he was meant to have. No more loneliness, no more isolation-- everything you've ever wanted, so easily within your grasp--]

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[doggedly]

[He stares at Remus, blankly for a moment.]

My--cousin, Andromeda. [Hang on, he's stuck on that bit...] Her baby?

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[theshabbiestofmen]

Nymphadora, yes. Although she rather loathes the name, I'm afraid to say.

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[doggedly]

[The utter weirdness of this slowly begins to overtake Sirius' other emotions. Nymphadora, the baby, with the colour-changing hair.]

You marry the baby?

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[theshabbiestofmen]

[He relaxes a little as Sirius begins to come out of it-- not entirely, not yet, but this is a better topic.]

Well, she's not a baby when I marry her-- but yes, I suppose she's a child where you're from.

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[doggedly]

[No, sorry, Remus. There's no escaping this. Sirius has no other way to picture titchy Miss Nymphadora Tonks other than a baby slightly larger than a loaf of bread. With kicky legs, he remembers, and a bit of a biting habit, and he once enchanted little paper aeroplanes to fly around her head.

He pushes a hand over his face.]

You marry the baby. And you have a baby-- [That's a bit slower to permeate, but it begins to slowly work its way through. He blinks again, and then gives an incredulous little laugh.] Hang on--you're a dad?

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[theshabbiestofmen]

Very much so, yes. His name is Teddy. Did you really think none of us would marry?

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[doggedly]

[He laughs again--this time a far more legitimate and real laugh.]

No-- I mean, yeah! Or at least that there wouldn't be any kids--does he look like you?

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[theshabbiestofmen]

[He smiles a little.]

A little. Mostly he looks like her-- although he's got his mother's abilities, so I suppose it's hard to say. In fact--

[He reaches into his pocket. He kept his wallet, though not his trousers, and in it-- a fairly new photograph of a titchy baby. He kicks up at the camera, silently giggling as his hair changes from brown to turquoise to pink.]

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[doggedly]

[He seizes on the photograph and gives it an intense bit of study, then laughs.]

Oi, he does! Does he change his nose around? Teddy, did you really let her name him after her dad, when you could have chosen any name you liked?

[He glances back up at Remus, comparing the photograph with him.]

You're a dad. Disgusting.

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[theshabbiestofmen]

[He's smiling, yes, but if Sirius is looking closely he'll notice a bit of sadness tinged with that smile.]

We can't all be carefree bachelors, I'm afraid. And no, although Tonks says he'll master that in a few years. I gather it's something to do with the baby being aware he has a nose.

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[doggedly]

[Of course he notices, he always notices. He glances back at the photograph, putting this together--if he dies, that leaves Nymphadora (Tonks, but her surname is Lupin now, only he still calls her Tonks) and this titchy baby alone.

He hands the photograph back with a faint little smile.]

'Course you'd end up with the single brilliant baby ever to exist. How d'you manage to always be so lucky, eh?

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[theshabbiestofmen]

Talented, I suppose.

[He leans forward, studying the photograph with a small smile before tucking it away.]

She does grow up to be brilliant, you know. Quite like her mother, but much less reserved.

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[doggedly]

[He snorts, raising his eyebrows at Remus.]

Less reserved, how, precisely. We are talking about my dear cousin Meda, aren't we--chucked out of the family, and all--that one?

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[theshabbiestofmen]

Yes, of course, but she's much more--

[He waves a hand, trying to explain.]

Uncaring what people think, I suppose. Less high-bred.

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[doggedly]

[It's incredibly strange, thinking of Remus as married, no matter what age he is. Just as they are invincible, they are forever unmarried and living in the dormitories in Sirius' head (which he knows isn't true, already there's signs of fissures to that impeachable standard, but he ignores it as best he can). And it's stranger still, to think of him married to a second cousin.]

Tell me about her, then. What's she like? She kicked me in the nose, is she still into that?

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[theshabbiestofmen]

Very much so, yes, but only to you, I'm afraid.

[He grins.]

No, she's very kind. Funny. Spirited. Clumsy as anything, but I think that's a by-product of being able to change her form. Her hair is pink quite often.

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[doggedly]

[He laughs.]

Pink! I like that. Good choice. Girls with pink hair are always interesting. Didn't know you had it in you to get one of them for yourself, Moony, but there you are.

D'you have a photograph of her as well, or must I continue picturing you married to an actual baby?

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[theshabbiestofmen]

Would you stop saying I'm married to a baby? It's rather creepy.

[He peers into his wallet again-- and yeah, here's a picture. It's a little old, but it's a nice one of them both-- Remus smiling awkwardly, Tonk beaming as she leans her head against his shoulder.]

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[doggedly]

[He takes that picture to make study of it as well--and first there's a little smile on his face, a true one. It's good to see Remus happy, no matter how old he is or who he's married to or what happens in the future.

It's a genuine moment that lasts all of fifteen seconds.]

Awwww. Lookit you. Adorable!

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[theshabbiestofmen]

[He gives him a dry look as he takes the photograph back.]

Oh, yes, that's certainly the look we were striving for.

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[doggedly]

Very successful. I liked your expression in that one, very resigned to your happily married fate--makes me feel all gooey inside, I don't mind telling you. Adorable.

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[theshabbiestofmen]

Nice to see you're just as mature as I recall. I'm wearing an odd expression because I don't like photographs.

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[doggedly]

That's me, mate. Unchangeable. Your hatred of photographs is sort of adorable as well, y'know, there's just no escaping it. Remus Lupin: adorable. Anyone would agree.