later
The four of them sat in the living room, not knowing what to say when Peter woke up. Just then, he walked into the room, rubbing his eyes.
"I just wanted to thank you guys for being there for me.", Peter spoke, his voice croaky from not using it. "Of course, Peter.", Remus reassured.
"I've been thinking, and you're right.", Peter coughed, rubbing his eyes, "Emily always said not to mourn her, but to remember her."
James nodded, pushing his glasses up his nose, "We're here if you ever want to talk to us.", Lily offered. "Yeah, Pete, you can come talk to me whenever.", Sirius said, offering him a half smile.
"Thanks.", Peter said, a pang in his chest.
halloween 1978 - two weeks later
Remus woke up with Sirius in his face, staring at him, wide grin on his face. "Gwnaethoch fy nychryn!", Remus said loudly, in a string of Welsh.
"I love it when you speak Welsh, Moony.", Sirius said, kissing his cheek.
"You scared me, piss off.", Remus yawned, stretching out.
"It's Halloween!", Sirius said happily. "Mhm.", Remus muttered, tickling him with his curls. "Let's go wake up James and Lily, try and scare them.", Sirius grinned mischievously.
Peter walked in, wearing his costume. "I think this makes my eyes pop.", he said. Peter was wearing a Mickey Mouse costume, tugging on his ears.
"I don't understand.", Sirius said, "What are you?". "Purebloods.", Lily grinned, walking into the room.
"What?", Sirius asked, a confused look on his face, "Is he some sort of bear?".
"A bear?- Padfoot.", Remus laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. James walked in, carrying his costume in his hand.
"What are you, Peter?", he asked, equally as confused, pushing his glasses back.
"Swot.", Lily laughed, slapping his shoulder. "Ahh! I remember, it's that Meeska.", James grinned, feeling proud of himself.
"No, James, it's that other one.", Sirius snapped his fingers, "Baloo?" From that absurd film with the jungle boy?"
Lily, Remus, and Peter locked eyes, trying not to burst out laughing. "Mickey Mouse.", Lily choked out, her eyes watering as she laughed.
"That is not a mouse.", Sirius insisted, looking at the costume up and down.
"Oh, and Babbitty Rabbitty and Her Cackling Stump does?", Remus asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Touch.", James nodded seriously. "Touch?", Peter laughed, his face red. "Yeah! I heard it in a movie.", James insisted.
"I think you mean touche, love.", Lily laughed. "This doesn't leave this room.", James said, reddening.
"What are your costumes?", Peter asked, looking at the other four. "You'll see.", Lily grinned, her eyes sparkling.
A knock sounded at the door. "I'll get it.", James said, furrowing his brow. He walked to the door, opening it to the tall form of Lyall Lupin.
"Is Remus here?", he asked quietly, looking at James. "I don't think he would want to see you.", James said, clenching his jaw.
"Please.", Lyall said, looking apologetic. "Stay here, I'll ask him. But if he says no, you have to leave.", James said firmly, as Lyall sat down on the couch awkwardly.
James walked into the other room, closing the door. "Who is it?", Lily asked, concerned.
"Remus- it's your dad.", he said quietly. "What's he doing here?", Sirius asked, his eyes flashing with anger. "I-", Remus stuttered.
"You don't have to go, I'll tell him to leave.", James said, pushing his hair back. "No, I'll go. Just- can you guys come with me?", Remus asked, taking a deep breath.
"Of course.", Peter said.
Remus walked in first, hesitantly looking at Lyall. "Hi.", he said, sitting down, a noticeable distance between them.
The other four of his friends stood, not saying anything. "Remus, I- I'm sorry.", Lyall started.
"You're sorry?", Sirius spat. Remus looked at him, a look of understanding passing as Sirius sighed, crossing his arms.
"You're sorry.", Remus said, but it wasn't a question. "I went to see Hope yesterday.", Lyall said, fixing his hazel eyes on Remus'.
"Oh.", was all Remus said, his voice catching in his throat. "I just- I just talked to her. And you were right, I was drunk. I talked to her, and you were right again. She would hate me for the way I treated you.", Lyall admitted.
Remus looked down, rubbing his thumb over the scar on his wrist. "I wanted to ask if you would go with me.", Lyall said, "To- er, to visit her.".
"Oh."
"I just wanted to ask, it's entirely up to you. We'd need to leave now though, we can come back before tonight. We can stay in our old house in Wales, if you'd like.", Lyall said quietly, "I've been sober ever since that day."
"I think I would like that, actually.", Remus said softly, looking his father in the eyes, "I just- we'll be back before tonight, right?", he asked, looking at his friends.
"Yes."
"I'll- I'll be right back, we'll leave in a few minutes.", Remus stuttered, as his friends followed him into the other room.
"Moony, is this the best idea?", James asked hesitantly. Peter nodded, "Yeah, last time- last time he hit you.".
"Because of us.", Sirius noted quietly, not looking into his face. Lily just looked at him, contemplating.
"He was drunk, guys. He's making an effort.", Remus sighed, "But as for the us thing, I'll tell him right now, and if he doesn't like it, I won't go.".
"Dad.", Remus started, coming back into the living room. Lyall turned around, looking at Sirius holding his hand.
"Mr. Lupin, I'm Remus' boyfriend.", Sirius said formally, holding out his hand.
"Well.", Lyall said awkwardly, shaking his hand, "I can tell that will take some getting used to.".
"I'll be back soon, guys, before we go trick or treating. Leave a note if the Order needs you.", Remus said, hugging his friends, and then kissing Sirius on the top of his head.
wales
The two of them apparated to Wales, landing in front of a familiar house. Remus wobbled, as Lyall grabbed him, steadying him. "You okay?", he asked.
Remus winced as his ears popped, waving his hand, "Werewolf thing.".
Lyall didn't say anything, just looking at him. "Oh. Should I not have mentioned-", Remus reddened.
The two of them walked in silence to the tombstone, which read:
Hope April Lupin
Born April 28, 1928
Died October 15, 1974
Loving Mother, Daughter, and Wife.
"Hi, Mum.", Remus said quietly, swallowing thickly, "Sorry I haven't been to see you in a while."
"Seventh year was- insane, that's what it was. I'm actually with- I'm with Sirius now. I'm- I'm gay, but I think you already knew that.", he coughed, "I'm living with James, Lily, Sirius, and Peter, and we're all a part of the Order. We're fighting Voldemort.".
"I-", Remus stuttered, not being able to find the words in English, "Dwi eisiau gwneud chi'n falch.", he whispered, in broken Welsh.
"I proper messed that one up.", he said, through a teary laugh, "I haven't really spoken Welsh since-".
Lyall stood without emotion, watching his only son. "I- I think the moons are getting a little worse. I- I think you can tell.", Remus said, gesturing at his scarred face.
"Rwy'n dy garu di.", Remus whispered, pressing a kiss to the flower, setting it on the ground.
"Dad, you can talk.", Remus said, after a beat. "What is that?", Lyall asked, pointing at the registration number on his neck.
"Oh- I got registered.", Remus said, pulling up his sweater. Lyall swore loudly, "Please don't tell me that Harold did it.".
"Um, he did. Why?", Remus asked, his heart pounding. His father put his hands to his face, "Fuck- the newspaper this morning said that all werewolves registered by him need to do it again. He was arrested, so they're not sure it worked.".
"What?", Remus asked, closing his eyes, "I can't do it again.".
"You don't have a choice.", Lyall whispered, running his hands through his hair. "You did.", Remus spat, turning to him. Lyall looked at him, his mouth dropping open.
"You called all werewolves monsters. You insulted Greyback, so he bit me.", Remus laughed, but there was no happiness in his eyes. "You do not speak to me that way!", Lyall yelled, his eyes fiery.
"No, you don't get to speak to me that way. You call me a monster, but you're the one who made me what I am.", Remus yelled, his face red.
"Remus!"
"Mum was the one that loved me. You only pretended to.", Remus cried, tears escaping his eyes, "The silver, the drinking. After Mum died, you- you hated me."
Lyall stared at him, "I didn't hate you.", he said quietly. "Don't think I didn't notice your ring.", Remus said, pointing to the silver ring on his finger.
"Thank you, for letting me talk to Mum. But I have to go get re-registered.", Remus said, his shoulders shaking, as he apparated, leaving his dad there.