You stomped into the house after school, backpack slung low and a frown etched deep into your face. You barely said a word before disappearing into your room, slamming the door just hard enough to make your point.

Remus, sitting in the kitchen with a mug of tea and a half-finished essay to grade, raised an eyebrow at the sound. He gave it a few minutes, he knew better than to poke the bear immediately. But when you didn’t come down for supper and didn’t even respond to his soft knock on the door, he grew more concerned.

Later that evening, while putting away some books in the sitting room, something in the trash caught his eye, black plastic, a frayed cord, and the familiar curve of your favorite headphones. Remus gently pulled them out, studying the damage. One earcup was cracked, and the wire looked like it had been yanked clean in half.

"Ah," he murmured, piecing it together.

You had always been a kid caught between two worlds, half-blood, raised with both wizarding and Muggle influences. Remus made a point to keep you grounded in both, even when others didn’t always understand why. Headphones weren’t just a Muggle object to you. They were your quiet, your focus, your comfort.

He knocked on your door again, this time opening it slowly when you didn’t answer. You were curled up on your bed, blanket pulled up high, eyes red from frustration more than anything else.

He held up the broken headphones gently. “Found these. Tough day?”

You groaned and covered your face. “They got crushed in my bag. I didn’t even notice until the last class. Everyone was loud and I couldn’t focus and, ugh, it’s stupid.”

Remus sat on the edge of the bed, voice soft. “Not stupid. Not even a little. I know how much those helped you tune out the world when it got too loud.”

You peeked out from the blanket. “Can you fix them with magic?”

He smiled. “I could try. But how about tomorrow we go into town, muggle town, and pick out a new pair together instead? Just you and me.”

“…With lunch after?”

He chuckled. “Obviously.”

You gave a tired little smile, and Remus reached out to ruffle your hair, his touch always gentle. “See? Not all problems need a wand.”