Ineffable

Hogsmeade

It was a busy Saturday night at the Moon and Star Cafe. Sirius was in the kitchen, sweating, shouting orders, a flurry of intensity and focus. He was in his element, running his kitchen with an iron hand, paying attention to the smallest detail. Remus was at the front end, dressed in white tie and tails. He took reservations, seated guests and oversaw the wait staff. The restaurant was packed. They had enlisted their kids to help out. Aurora was behind the bar. She had grown into a tall and gracious young woman. She had come home from her studies at University for the weekend, to make some money and, of course, to help her parents. She was assisting Ron Weasley, the head barman. Ron had been working for Sirius and Remus for several years and was in line to become part owner of the business. Leo, their middle child, devastatingly handsome at 20, was serving, and Julian, still a teenager, was bussing and washing dishes in the kitchen.

It was the kind of busy evening that left no time to think. Customers and their demands came flying at Remus like bludgers. He explained to yet another impatient guest that yes, sadly, it was a forty five minute wait for a table, but perhaps they'd like to have a drink at the bar? Then he rushed to help Julian set up a table for the next party, made a round with the water pitcher, filling glasses, and dashed to the front to greet the next group of customers.

At last things started to slow down and Remus had time to take a breath. He looked around with contentment. They'd had a good night and he knew that the till was full. The last diners had been served. Easy chatter drifted through the room. The sounds from the kitchen were more relaxed as the staff finished up the final orders and started to prep for brunch the following day. Remus strolled over to the bar to pour a lager to bring to Sirius in the kitchen, knowing he would be parched. As the amber liquid foamed into the glass, he noticed a lone figure sitting at the end of the bar. He looked closer and started with recognition. He knew this man, though he had not seen him in many years.

Aurora came and stood beside him. "It's been a night, yeah?" she commented. She reached up and freed her hair from its bun and shook it out. It cascaded over her shoulders in delicate blonde waves, like silvery sunshine.

"Good for the till," grinned Remus, who was always thinking of the bottom line. Sirius was the star chef, but Remus was the money man. He turned off the tap. "Could you bring this to Pads in the kitchen?" he asked, handing her the foaming glass. "I'm going to say hello to someone."

"Do you know him?" asked Aurora, following Remus' gaze.

"Yeah," Remus replied. "He's.... He's an old friend."

"He's been here for a couple of hours," Aurora informed him. "He's a bit quiet. But very polite." She took the glass and walked gracefully through the swinging doors to the kitchen, her hair blowing delicately behind her.

Remus approached the man at the end of the bar with trepidation. There had always been something unearthly about Mr. Fell. Once, long ago, they had been lovers. Aziraphale had helped him through a particularly dark and lonely period of his life, after Lily and James had been killed and Sirius was in Azkaban. Remus wondered what he wanted.

Aziraphale stared morosely into a gin and tonic. He wore a pale pink jacket, a bit flamboyant for conservative Hogsmeade, but he pulled it off well. He seemed troubled, but he looked up as Remus approached and smiled.

"Aziraphale," Remus said, extending his hand. "It's been an age."

"Hello Remus. How are you?" said Aziraphale, grasping his hand. Remus was filled with a familiar sense of peace and well being that he always experienced in the presence of this man.

"It's been... a long time," Remus said.

"Yes."

"You're looking well."