Hey. [She said breathlessly.]

[He leaned over and kissed Mary on the cheek, before putting the little girl down.] You better go say goodbye to your sister, love. I’ll come find you again before I leave, I promise. [Turns to Mary as the little girl runs off giggling. He pulls Mary into his arms.] So, we’re graduates..

“You do know that once you and Sirius start living together, I’m going to be there just about every night cuddling between the two of you.”

I can’t see Sirius agreeing to that, but I’m up for cuddles whenever you are, Marls.

“You better be writing me too. Merlin knows I might blow up the potions room without your help.”

Kayla! [He puts down the student and moves to hug her.] Of course I will! Not that you need much more help, you’re so much better at potions now.

[Turns and catches her eye.] Hey you.

I-I don’t know what to do. What do I do with him? How am I supposed to explain this? They’ll blame me, act like it’s my fault that he’s a pig.

[Glances at the boy on the ground and then back at Maddie.] It’s... they can’t blame you if you weren’t here.

[shakes her head quickly] No, he… he didn’t. He wasn’t… he just grabbed me because he was angry, I guess. But… but it could’ve… it might’ve gotten there. 

[Reaches for her when she starts crying.] Don’t... it’s not. I wasn’t blaming you...

And the beginning of new one!

But you don’t get it! He grabbed me and-and he wasn’t trying to hurt me, but he wouldn’t let me go so I-I swung my elbow back and hit him in the face, but then he fell down a-and he wouldn’t get up. 

I do believe you, I know you’re not capable of... hurting anybody. I just.. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.

I-I didn’t… [glances down at the unconscious boy sporting a bloodied nose on the floor] I’m sorry! It’s not… I…. I didn’t hit him because he’s a muggleborn. 

You can’t... Maddie. You can’t go around hitting people. You know what people already think you’re involved in, I don’t... I wouldn’t want people to think you’re capable of... [He swallows, shaking his head.]

Well, okay. If you’re sure that you’re okay.

[smiles widely at him, slowly moving her hand from his face to brush his hair back gently, dropping her hand back to her side afterwards] You’re so sweet, you know? I wish more people were like you.

[The haze fades considerably as soon as she reoves her hand from his face. He gives her another smile, but this time it’s a little confused.] I... yeah? I’m... I’m sure you don’t. Not really.

“Don’t worry Remus, it wasn’t just you. It seems I’m rather good at hiding it and even better at being seen as ‘just a friend’.”

Ah, we’ll see. I’m usually right when it comes to matches. It’s like another sense.

I’d say would you like to bet on it, but I don’t have much to bet...

[she finishes up with cleaning up the flour from his face and after a quick inspection to make sure there was none left behind, she focused on his closed eyes again. Numbly, she thought that maybe she should move her hand. But a bigger part of her told her not to. After all, it wasn’t like he was protesting. He even looked content.] Hmm? What were you saying?

[Blinks his eyes open, sleepy smile.] I... can’t remember. 

Don’t mention it. [furrows her brow, seeing that there’s some flour that she missed] Merlin’s beard, this is absolutely everywhere. [leans in closer to wipe some of the flour off further up on his face, moving a hand to his cheek to hold his face still] 

[Swallows at her close proximity, vaguely remembering something about staying away from her, but it feels hazy and like he maybe dreamed it.] Yeah, I... I’m a pretty messy cook...