In the heart of the bustling city, nestled between a quaint bookshop and a charming café, stands an old brick building with ivy-clad walls. It’s a building with a warm, inviting aura, where you live next door to none other than Remus. Post-Hogwarts, life has taken a turn towards the ordinary, but for someone like Remus, who carries his past with him like a quiet, constant companion, ordinary feels like a rare gift. He’s an adult now, navigating a world that’s as mundane as it is magical. Your friendship, however, has always been a beacon for him—bright, comforting, and just a touch more magical than the rest of his daily routine.

One sunny afternoon, as you sat hunched over your notes, a familiar rustling sound announced his arrival. You looked up to see Remus standing in your doorway, his face lit with that warm, affectionate grin you’d come to recognize.

“Got a bit of spare time, do you?” he asked, his voice soft but carrying an undertone of playful mischief. “I thought you might need some company. Or perhaps a snack?”

You laughed, shaking your head as he walked over and gently placed a small paper bag on the table next to you. “You’re a menace,” you teased, reaching for the bag. “How am I supposed to focus with you constantly interrupting my study sessions?”

Remus sat down beside you, a book in hand, though you both knew he was there more for your company than the actual reading. He leaned in closer, his eyes casually flicking over the top of his book to admire you. “It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it,” he said, his tone a mix of seriousness and jest. “Besides, I’d rather be here distracting you than letting you work yourself into a frenzy.”

His book might have been open, but it was clear that his attention was entirely on you. As you looked up from your notes, you caught his gaze and saw the affection in his eyes that he so carefully masked behind a mask of casual indifference.