You Spin Me Round (Like A Bottle)

Professor Lupin, teacher of all

"How was your term?" His mother warmly asked once the Lupin's arrived home.

It was all part of the routine they had when Remus would return home for the holidays; His father would bring his trunk to his room while his mother talked to him about school and fixed a meal. So despite sending weekly letters, Hope Lupin was always eager to find out what her son had learned and done during term. Remus smiled as he helped his mother in the kitchen, trying to decide what to spring on her first.

"Same as always—"

"I wouldn't consider you starting to date someone as 'same as always', sweetheart." She cut him off, causing a blush to form on his lips. She chuckled as she continued to pull out ingredients from the cupboard. "I know you only told me a few days ago, but when did you and Fabian actually start dating?"

"Mum! That's so weird!"

"What's weird about a mother being interested in her son's life?" She raised a brow. "You immediately tell me about all the shenanigans and late night excursions you and your friends go on. This no different—"

"It's so different!" Remus cried out in embarrassment as he easily pulled the large pot from the top shelf. He set it down on the counter and attempted to hide his reddening face from his mother. Out of the corner of his eye, Remus saw his mother smirk and shake her head, which only made Remus groan. She wouldn't move past this any time soon. "Fine. We've been together since October—"

"You've been dating for two months and you didn't tell me—"

"It's not that big of a deal! It's not like I'm marrying him anytime soon—"

"You better not be marrying anyone anytime soon," A voice called out. Remus' head snapped to find his dad entering the room, a smirk smug on his face. The blush on Remus' face only deepened as his father was now joining in with the jokes.

This was exactly why I didn't tell people, Remus thought to himself as he groaned. He muttered a lame excuse about potions homework before briskly walking down the hall to his room, leaving his parent's laughter in the kitchen. He quickly shut the door behind himself and flopped on his bed, bringing his hands through his hair.

He knew his parents meant well and he'd truly rather have them joking around with him rather than the alternative, but he couldn't shake a funny feeling that had washed over him ever since yesterday morning when he sat down at breakfast after sending his mother the owl. He knew his parents would be accepting, they were very supportive and loving when he came out. Though he always assumed their support was forced as a way to calm Remus down after he had become so worked up and filled with tears when coming out, he did feel a bit of relief to come home and find them truly supportive of his relationship. Despite the support, the funny feeling remained.

With a sigh, Remus sat up and fumbled in his trunk for a particular object. He always pushed it to the bottom of his trunk, seeing as he rarely used it, but in a moment of hesitation and doubt, he was grateful when his hands ever clasped around the shard of glass.

"James Potter." He clearly spoke.

It was James who had gifted the three other boys shards of a mirror two years prior. Sirius and James used them the most, but Remus knew that if he called for any of his friends, they would immediately answer. Suddenly, James' face came into view.

"Remus? Are you alright?" James frantically asked as he pushed his glasses up.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Remus chuckled. "Not allowed to call my best friend?"

"No, it's just, you never call unless something is bothering you," James shrugged as he visibly leaned back in his bed. "So what's bothering you?"

Remus sighed and just when he thought he had no idea if he would be able to articulate his emotions, he was spilling about everything—James Potter just had that effect on his friends. His word vomit started with his parents and how he hadn't expected them to have such reactions to Fabian—not that he wanted or expected something unpleasant—and somehow ended with Remus ranting about his classes and the workload for the holiday. But as James agreed and vented his own frustrations in regards to their workload, there was a sinking feeling in Remus's gut that told him he wasn't finished.