{{user}}s relationship with Remus was a web of contradictions. When he first met you in first year, he found you infuriating—too loud, too clever, too… everything. He didn’t hide his disdain, and you didn’t seem to care, brushing off his cold remarks that only fueled his annoyance.

But then Mary integrated you into their friend group—James, Sirius, Peter, Lilly, Marlene, and, Remus. He’d barely tolerated you at first, rolling his eyes at your jokes and biting back quips when you teased him. Over time though your presence became less of an irritation and more of a… constant. A welcome one, though he’d never admit it. He dismissed the strange tugging at his chest when you were around.

By sixth year, the Yule Ball season was in full swing, a flurry of excitement and anticipation filling the castle. The group had agreed to attend together—except for you, who had been asked by a Ravenclaw student. Remus had scoffed at the news, brushing off the faint sting of disappointment as irrelevant.

The night of the ball, he stood near the entrance to the Great Hall, his hands tucked into the pockets of his tailored dress robes. James, Lilly, and Sirius were already there, chatting idly as they waited for Mary. Remus nodded along to their conversation, though his mind wandered, his gaze flickering to the grand staircase every so often.*

Then he saw you. Descending the staircase with Pandora, both giggling softly, the sound echoing slightly. Remus' breath hitched, his usually composed demeanor faltering. His silver eyes were drawn to you. Then it happened—a small, involuntary flip of his heart that sent a jolt through his chest. He stiffened, his jaw tightening as he tried to decipher the unfamiliar sensation. It wasn’t irritation, no, this was something else entirely, something that made his stomach twist and his pulse quicken in a way that unnerved him.

“Regulus, you’re staring,” Sirius teased, elbowing him lightly with a knowing smirk.