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Taylor is never beating the MsKingBean89 rumours after writing The Black Dog. So this is inspired by All The Young Dudes and includes my favourite imaginary Marauders character; Grant Chapman!! Set in that awful period of time when Sirius is in Askaban and Remus thinks he was the traitor.
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There was no way that Remus could ever articulate properly to Grant why he really really really didn't want to go to a pub called "The Black Dog". Grant knew about magic and Remus' condition but Sirius and the others were a touchy subject, plus Remus would also have to explain what animagi were... No, he would never be able to find the right words.
So, it was with a sense of dread in the pit of his stomach that Remus finally accompanied Grant to the pub. He'd managed to avoid it for weeks, saying he felt sick or tired or it was too close to the full moon. But his excuses had finally run out. It was either go, or face the difficult conversation. And Remus had never been one to face his emotions head on.
The place was nice, Remus had to admit that. Cosy, with a fireplace in the corner. Music playing, floating around the room and mixing with the sounds of other people's voices. It had a good atmosphere.
Grant led Remus over to the bar, where they each took a seat and Grant ordered them drinks.
"See, this place is pretty great, innit?" Grant said, nudging Remus gently with his shoulder.
Remus nodded, trying not to look at the sign that hung over the bar, proclaiming it's name with an accompanying image of a black dog. "It has a certain.. charm."
Their drinks came and Grant tried to chat to Remus but all Remus could think about was Sirius. He felt like he was back on the phone with Mary, as she was telling him the awful news. The black dog stared him down, reminding him of all he had lost.
"You alright?" Grant finally asked, when Remus' latest response to him had been a simple grunt. "You've been quiet all night."
Remus sighed. "Yeah, I'm okay. Sorry, I just-" He broke off as he heard an all-too-familiar tune coming from the corner of the room. Bowie.
Staying back in your memory46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMv0rrRs2V
Are the movies in the past46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gDq0MULz0
How you moved is all it takes46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfsW1AJKNC
To sing a song of when I loved46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuPN0I4wq9
The prettiest star
Oh, Sirius Black had really decided to haunt him tonight.
His heart felt as if it was trying to beat its way out of his chest, and a part of him wanted it to do just that, so then maybe this awful feeling would leave him for good. Maybe he'd never have to feel anything again.
Grant was talking to him but he only heard snippets cutting through the lyrics of the song.
All because of what you are
"-you look like you've seen a ghost-"
Staying back in your memory
"-remus, can you hear me-"
To sing a song of when I loved46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjisgiLAYjQ
The prettiest star
Only when the song had properly ended was Remus able to turn to Grant and look him in his eyes, which were filled with worry.
"What's wrong, love?" Grant whispered, looking heartbroken, like he already knew the answer. Usually he reserved this look for when he thought Remus wasn't looking but Remus had seen it multiple times and it always broke his heart. Grant knew Sirius would always be Remus' greatest love, even after everything that had happened.
"Can we leave? Please." Remus replied in the same hushed tone. "I feel quite unwell all of a sudden." It wasn't exactly a lie but it wasn't the truth either.
Grant gave a single nod and they walked out in silence. Once they had put enough distance between them and the pub, Grant slipped his hand into Remus'. Remus felt his stomach twist with guilt. Here he was, having a meltdown about the guy who had been responsible for the murder of three of his closest friends, and Grant still found it in him to feel sorry for Remus and to try and comfort him, even with the knowledge that Grant would always be second to Sirius.
Remus wished he could love Grant more, that he could forget Sirius ever existed. That he could live like a muggle for the rest of his life and pretend the wizarding world was a make-believe story from his childhood. That he could walk into a normal muggle pub and not be reminded of someone who ruined the first proper family he'd had.
But Remus knew in his heart that he was not done with magic or Sirius, and both would come back to haunt him sooner rather than later.
The next morning a letter arrived from Albus Dumbledore, stamped with the Hogwarts seal.
Old habits die screaming
ns 15.158.61.48da2
