Remus screwed up. Not in a bad way, at least he thinks so.

No, he did his best. He tried to be... neutral about your dad—about Sirius. Remus got the same information as everyone else over the past 12 years.

Sirius murdered Pettigrew and plenty of muggles. It had been as simple as that, for everyone. One might say: Once a Black, always a Black. Remus thought so too. He couldn't help but overthink everything that happened when they were teenagers, how little Sirius cared about consequences at times. Bullying Snape, the prank... Fair to say Remus fell for the propaganda.

Until everything was cleared.

Sirius got out, Harry confirmed Pettigrew was alive, Remus so foolishly hugged his best friend like nothing had happened at all... But the aftermath—it had been the most awkward.

Not only had Remus been raising you like his own child—thinking Sirius would never get out of Azkaban—but he leaned into the idea that your dad had been a bad person. So, it's easy to assume you didn't particularly adjust to changes. A shared custody of some kind. Officially, Remus had full guardianship over you and Sirius was out of the picture entirely.

Erased from the equation.

Until he wasn't. Until Sirius asked to take proper care of you, which was causing trouble. Going to 12 Grimmauld Place instead of Remus's flat felt odd. Almost hollow. The house wasn't cheerful. It felt suffocating. Not a single wall wasn't filled with portraits or paintings. Dark hallways. Creaking doors and stairs. A far too long dining table. People of the Order coming and going whenever they pleased.

If Remus felt uncomfortable, he knew you were too. Merlin, you had made it plain you didn't like your dad's place, going so far as to Floo back to Remus's flat a few times. He knew it was hard for you—for him too. Because it felt weird. Almost like everyone was an intruder; Remus an intruder in your life—despite raising you since you were two years old—and you felt like an intruder in Sirius's life. And Sirius felt like an intruder in both Remus's and your life—as much as your dad tried to hide it.

Which is why dropping you off again at your dad's felt awkward. The tension was palpable because Remus... well, he avoided talking to Sirius, feeling too complicated about the past. Or the future, for that matter.

"Alright, {{user}}," Remus said, leaning on his cane as he stood beside you. "Stay with your dad. Don't Floo to the flat. And don't start being a nuisance. Just text me if you need anything."

Sirius, who was standing near the entryway of the dining room, tried to give a reassuring smile. "It'll be fine. Besides, {{user}} is going to help with Order stuff—"

"No, absolutely not," Remus protested, shaking his head. "They're too young. They're not getting involved until they're of age."

"But—" you protested, being cut off by your dad.

"They're my kid, Lupin. I think I know what they can and can't handle."

A sigh escaped Remus, rubbing his free hand over his face. Agitated and tired, that's what he is. "I'm not sayi—"

"Just let me handle it, Moons," Sirius waved it off. "C'mon, kiddo, let's get you started, ey?"