Because {Wolfstar}

16.

Wednesday 6:02 p.m.

Remus shrugs on his suit jacket, and the two girls squeal with excitement.

"Our Remus is actually going on a date!" Marlene chirps excitedly.

"Remus' first date!" Lily sighs, hugging him from behind.

Remus grins. "Oh come on now, we've been on loads of fake dates before."

"Oh Remus!" Mrs. Lupin rushes in the room, tears in her eyes, "You're so handsome!" She pulls him in a tight hug. "You're growing up so fast. I love you so much, honey."

Remus lets out a laugh and wraps his arms around his mother. "You act like I'm moving out already or something."

"A laugh," she says, ignoring him. "Why you haven't been this happy since..." She stops herself and holds him at arms length away. "So handsome. And happy. Happy, handsome Remus."

Remus gives a half smile and kisses her cheek. "I'm only handsome because I got your good genes. Shh, don't tell dad."

"I heard that," Mr. Lupin says in mock sternness as he walks in the room.

"Let me fix your hair," Lily says starting to pull at Remus' hair, "It's awful."

Remus groans as Marlene shoves him down in a chair. The two girls go to work quickly trying to tame the mess on the top of his head he calls hair.

Mr. Lupin stands behind him, a hand on his shoulder. "I'm proud of you son."

"For getting a date or being brave enough to let them fix my hair."

His father laughs. "A little of both, and so many more things. I'm proud of your recovery, coming out to us, even though we already knew but... You're strong."

"Already knew?"

Mrs. Lupin snorts. "Parents know these things."

"Is there any reason tonight is heart to heart night?" Remus asks suspiciously as he looks from his mom and dad through the mirror.

"Today marks one year... you know since..." Mrs. Lupin trails off.

The room is tense, and no one speaks until the doorbell rings.

"That must be him!" Mrs. Lupin says excitedly, "I'll go let him in!"

"Mom! No!" Remus goes to stand up, but Marlene and Lily hold him down, insisting they finish his hair first.

Mrs. and Mr. Lupin race out the room to go meet Sirius for the first time. Mrs. Lupin makes it to the door first, swinging it open fiercely. Sirius stands bewildered as he look at this crazy woman in the door.

"Hello, you must be Mrs. Lupin. It's a pleasure," he says taking her outstretched hand, but before he can react, she pulls him in a hug.

"It's so nice to finally meet you."

Sirius laughs, but hugs her back. "Likewise, but I'm shocked I wasn't greeted by condoms being thrown at me."

"I was debating it."

Next, Mr. Lupin introduces himself, and the two shakes hands.

"I'm so glad Remus isn't ready yet. I have some time to be a stereotypical mom and pull out the baby pictur-"

"No need for that!" Remus says hastily, taking the stairs two at a time, Lily and Marlene chasing after him with a comb and bottle of hair gel.

"We're not done!" Lily whines. "It still looks terrible!"

"Hm, I think it looks nice." Sirius grins at Remus.

"See? He likes it. It's fine." Remus say sin a matter of fact tone. "So we can leave now, right?"