Game Over▬RL 2

Auror Training

Debra—the kitten, climbed up onto Remus and Renny's bed early in the morning. She snuggled up in the man's face, rightfully suffocating him. He was more of a morning person than Ren so he oversaw feeding her. And he was late. He begrudgingly picked her up, sitting on the mattress. He glanced at the peacefully sleeping woman and sighed. Then began his morning routine of feeding Debra, making coffee, and having a shower. Once his shower is done, he dries off, brushes his teeth, and gets dressed. In the kitchen, he pours two cups and adds two sugars to one of them.

"Love, it's time to get up," Remus calls from the doorway to their room. Renee has not been one to leave her bed since the New Year began. She grumbled from the lump of blankets and sheets on the bed. Her brown hair showed the slightest bit. "I know, Ren. But you go back to work today."

"I don't need to work anymore, Rem. Neither do you. Let's just stay home." The figure popped out of the covers, her newly cut bangs sticking up in every direction.

"I've got coffee made at the table." With that he left her, the light blaring. Debra jumped up, greeting Renny. She gave some loving strokes before getting up. Not bothering to get dressed. She quickly brushed her teeth though, she could never stand her morning breath.

"I am quitting; I can't balance everything. With the Order missions and just trying to make it day-to-day. I can't do it. Not anymore." She stated as she sat across from her boyfriend, lifting the mug to her lips. "You should as well, we need to be more careful with how much we're out." Remus scoffed, sipping his coffee. "What?" She didn't like the look he was giving her.

"I know it's been hard; you've had only three weeks to mourn. But, going out and enjoying life will help get you through this, Ren."

"How can I enjoy life when Sirius almost died last week? When Peter can't even leave his house without having a panic attack? When my boyfriend goes off once a month with Merlin knows who? When my parents died the first week of this year!" Renee stood, slamming her mug on the table. Her body tensed up, magic running crazily through her veins. Letting the lights flicker and the table vibrate.

"Sirius made a mistake being reckless. Peter will be okay. I leave for the benefit of the Order. And I know! Okay? I know, and I'm sorry. They were amazing people—parents. I know you're feeling overwhelmed and upset. But we'll be okay. Everyone. We can do this. You can do this, Renny." Remus had seen her at her worst. The crumbling to the ground when she got Lily's patronus, the screaming until her throat was hoarse. And the crying until her eyes stung. He saw everything that the death of Euphemia and Fleamont brought. There was no doubt in his mind that she could rebuild. She would never be whole but she would at least be there. Experiencing things again. That's what they'd want.

"I don't think I can..." Renee let her arms fall from her hips, her face scrunching, and eyes watering. "I can't help but think about what they could miss out on. They'll never meet Jamie and Lily's children, or our own. Or see us get married. I know I said that I don't care if we ever do get married. And I don't—if we're together, I'm happy. But now I don't have the option for my dad to walk me down the aisle." Remus moved to hug her and she let him. Falling into his open arms. He stayed silent, letting her sob loudly. He thought over what she said about the children. Their future children. She hadn't made up an excuse about them like she had with the marriage thing. If he had to do one or the other Remus would choose marriage. Marriage seemed a lot easier than raising a child. He would no doubt fuck up on that.

✿

January and February passed quickly, and quietly. Remus couldn't stop Renee from quitting. He knew he had no say but he hoped she'd consider his opinion. Which she did. But she felt safer leaving the Magical Menagerie than staying. Especially since there's been more and more Death Eaters attacking in the Alley. It made James and Sirius act incredibly reckless. Practically bouncing out of the Auror's office to fight back. Which was what the Order meeting was about.

"Black and Potter are being let go from their positions. A lot of Aurors are. So, we need more joining up. To be led by Longbottom and Longbottom." Alastor Moody called out to the dwindling group. They had lost five members since October, not including Mia and Monty. Alice Fortescue, now known as Longbottom, had joined the Auror ranks and quickly showed promise.

"And why is that, Moody?" James asked, leaning against the wall by the door. Lily rolled her eyes, pulling his arm to take the seat next to her. He obeyed, spreading his knees, and resting his arms on them. Trying his best to look intimidating. Renee didn't understand the reason behind his defiance, but she assumed Lily would tell her later. Perhaps, over tea.

"Well, Potter. Not because of the stunt you pulled last week. The constant babysitting we've had to do this past year is concerning. We need to stay vigilant, and having careless children is not something we're looking for." Renee was surprised her brother hadn't left at that. Moody openly firing two of his Aurors was distasteful. But she understood he was trying to bring forward witches and wizards that would be able to give him what he needed.

"Where do you sign up? Is there like a clipboard going around or...?" She asked disinterestedly, waving a hand to add to her dramatics. Remus just sighed in exasperation, letting a hand run over his face. She had been quite sarcastic as of late. Making some sort of comment at every meeting. She didn't care. And that's what Remus was frustrated with. A big difference from the afraid 'January Renee'. But it all could be part of her healing. At least Ren was coming to the meetings.

"Find me after this and I'll set you up." Moody continued down the agenda. Handing out missions and asking for any information.

"You can't be serious," Lily whispered to her sister-in-law.

"Oh no, I just left my last job in January. I'm just going to ride out my wealth." The redhead nodded, still not completely at ease. Renee also didn't know if she was serious. It was lonely with Remus still working and leaving every month. Maybe this was the change in her life she needed. She was always good at following instructions. She had gotten 'Exceeds Expectations' in Transfiguration and Potions. She could do it. What did she have to lose?

Renee let Remus leave before her through the Floo Network. All that was left were the members wanting to sign up for the Auror Training Program. That's just what she wanted.