Cornerstone Revelations (completed)

.2

Later that day...

"Peter, I'm back," Remus called from the entrance way. Peter was no doubt cooking dinner, which was scheduled to be served about an hour from now.

"Kitchen," Peter yelled back.

"Chores were fine, then" Remus asked and he rolled up his sleeves to begin washing dishes that were no longer in use.

"I didn't call you, did I?" Peter knew that Remus didn't appreciate his rhetorical questions, so he continued before Remus had the chance to chastise him, "Chores were fine. Nothing new, nothing died. You said it yourself, spring has passed, as have all the due dates.."

"Yes, that doesn't mean I don't worry. Without healthy animals-"

"I know, I know. We'd have to buy more food, and we can't afford that, so it is ever so essential that we keep the farm up, even though the two of us are hardly qualified to keep up the farm, the post office, and Cornerstone."

"Speaking of Cornerstone, I met a new tenant today."

"Yeah?"

"He seemed nice." Remus felt his blush returning.

"Ohh, a he."

"And get this, he also picked up the key for Lily Evans, so naturally I asked him why they weren't sharing a cottage."

"Mmhmm"

"And I think I struck a bit of a nerve."

"Why? He didn't say, 'Oh Remus, how could I even have eyes for anyone but you? ' come on Rem, I could have told you that wouldn't happen."

"Well, either way, I just have this feeling, you know. Like something about him was just captivating. I can't explain it, really. There was something just so natural about talking to him. Like a connection that was so basic that it meant everything more than what it appeared to."

"Okay, T.S. Elliot."

Remus threw the dish rag at Peter, "maybe it will make sense to you at dinner."

"Or maybe, the great mystery will be revealed that he isn't sharing a cottage with Lily Evans because she's actually traveling with her husband, and Sirius was meant to be traveling with his wife but she left him for his first cousin who was set to inherit loads more money from his father who was already on his deathbed."

"Maybe, you should lay off the fictional reading, Robert Warren."

"Whatever, you know how mum feels about literature. You can-"

"-never life enough lives on your own, pick up a book my dear, and explore," Remus finished for him. "The hospital didn't call today?"

"No." Peter replied as he continued cooking the meal, a typical welcome feast of potatoes, a beef roast, vegetables, and of course chocolate cake.

"We should try to make time to go see her soon," Remus said solemnly.

"Yeah."

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing." There was a long pause, "Just, how do you expect us to manage all of the estates and travel to London to see mum?"

"I'm sure Albus can handle cooking for a day, and if we go on a Sunday, the post office will be closed.."

"And the chores?"

"I don't know, Peter. We'll figure something out. Who knows how much longer we'll have to see mum."

"I don't need a reminder, Remus. Thanks."

"Oh, come on Peter, don't get your panties in a twist. I know how much you love mum. I'm nothing like Lyall. I don't hold that against you."