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“Oh stop, Lily, you know that they’re heroes. You’re just mad that they do a better job than Severus,” he spits back cruelly.

“Don’t you dare, Lupin,” she warns him, “I don’t give a flying fuck what Severus Snape is doing at his little police job. I care about the fact that your new idols create such damage in their super-powered fights. Did you even see the news last Sunday? An entire highway flooded with sewer water!”

Silence follows, both of them at a standstill. Remus grabs the mug of cooling tea off his desk and takes a sip just for something to do, trying to hide his reaction to the bitter taste. Lily cracks a smile knowingly and sighs.

“Why do you even care so much? I know Dumbledore wants to find out their identities for publicity’s sake but that can’t be all of it.” Remus puts the mug down, rearranging his notes. She waits impatiently with her arms crossed. “Well?”

“You remember when Padfoot saved that one journalist who got too close to the fight?” he asks out of nowhere, handing her the photo one of his colleagues took and published.

“Yeah?” She grabs it, eyes scanning for details. Dorcas is an amazing photographer but she hadn't managed to catch the journalist’s face, only a figure in business casual being cradled by the disguise-clad hero. Remus is grateful for it.

“Well…that’s me,” he says, avoiding eye-contact. He remembers that day well, though less so the danger and more the muscles of the man that caught him, the strength in the man’s voice, and the rushed beating of his own heart for all the wrong reasons. Remus would bet all of his journalistic integrity that the man is extremely handsome under that costume.

“Remus! You could have been badly hurt!”

“I know but I needed to talk to them. I think they could help me with this other project.” He knows it’s too vague so when she keeps staring at him he continues, “My project hunting down Greyback and finally getting that monster behind bars.” She sighs, knowing it would be no use to argue. Truthfully, she doesn’t even want to, after so many years of friendship Remus’ revenge has become hers.

“Fine, tell me what you got.” He beams at her, pulling out the stool next to him for her to sit.

“Well, we know Padfoot has some kind of teleportation or phasing powers. He hasn’t used it much but it seems like control over his position or visibility in space or something. And—”

“—How do you know it’s a he?”

“I asked him.” He pauses, debates how to tell her this. “And, I kinda…have his phone number?”

“You WHAT?” she shrieks. “I thought we were trying to uncover their identities and take the man that ruined your life to jail, not flirt with someone you don’t even know. He could be fifty and yell at waitresses!”

“Why not do both?” He grins. “And my chances of secret fifty year olds hitting on me are the same as they are on Tinder, which I remind you, you signed me up for.” 

“Fine. Continue.”

“Thank you. So, anyway, that makes sense because a Padfoot is a kind of mythical dog that can become invisible. I don’t know if he moves when invisible at a super-powered pace or if it’s like teleportation.” He glances over at her and she nods.” Then there’s Prongs who seems to have super-strength and really quick healing, possibly regeneration. I’m not sure how it ties in but deer do shed and regrow their antlers?” It’s a shot in the dark really.

“Ok so Padfoot is the one you have a crush on, yes?”

“It’s not a crush!” Giving him a look, Lily taps at the photo he taped on the wall his desk touches. It’s a photo of both superheroes and it’s not Remus’ fault that Prongs is somewhere behind all the rubble, only his head pointing out. Padfoot is in the middle, his tight suit clinging to his muscles, the face of a black dog with silver eyes and teeth branded on his chest. His hood is drawn back a bit so Remus can almost see his eyes, though they’re most likely covered as well. Unconsciously he leans forward as if he could pull the hood down from the other side of the photograph.

“So what are you doing with his phone number? It’s a burner phone I’m assuming.”

“Most likely, though I actually think it’s linked with a third person.” Lily frowns, confused. “Someone on the comms, someone I think they call Wormtail.”

“Have you talked to anyone else about this theory?”

“I thought about talking to Peter,” he says, “He’s a good investigator. But I don’t want this to get out at work. And besides, he’s too close to Black.” Remus scowls, thinking back to the day the newcomer arrived, hired too quickly and not fired quickly enough in his opinion.

“You think Sirius Black will steal your work?”

“Oh, I know he will. I trust that smug prick as far as I can throw him.” She nods as if to say yeah, you’re pretty weak.