#teabag

For some reason Remus hasn’t figured out yet, the wizarding world seems averse to the concept of a teabag. They just put the leaves in the water, which means that the leaves float in the water, which means you drink the leaves with the water. It’s ridiculous. Sirius, James and Peter don't seem to get it, being pure-bloods and all. At least he got Lily to share his struggles with even if she isn't such an avid tea drinker as he is.

When, in their third year, Divination becomes a class some of them follow, Remus starts to understand the lack of teabags, but he also sees the immediate lack of privacy. If the loose tea leaves are in order to see the future, everyone who sees your teacup will know it. No more secrets, no more hiding. All will be out there for everyone to see. Someone picks up your cup, and they will know. 

The others tell Remus he is being paranoid; that no one cares about the leaves at the bottom of his cup, but they don’t have to hide. They do not have to lie every day of their lives to everyone around them. They do not have secrets like he does. It isn’t about secret crushes, though yes he does have one, but for him it is about survival. About avoiding the hunt that will undoubtedly follow him were his secret to come out. 

When he was twelve years old, three people already figured his secret out. Sure, they didn’t mind. They were even looking into ways to support him even more (the leading option at the moment being animagi. They think he doesn’t know, but they’re horrendous at keeping things secret from him). Still, they are an exception, not the norm.

If his secret were to come out he would lose this, lose them, and he can’t have that.

As the school year continues on, his worries do not falter, he just becomes better at hiding them. Keeping his teacup close to his person, never letting it out of his sight, messing with the leaves after he is done. Everything and anything he can think of to keep his secret safe.