/𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒\ [𝒔. 𝒃𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌]

𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧

𝟒𝟑𝟏 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬

"Can you believe Lily's pregnant?" Artemis said for what had to be the fifth time that night.

She was on patrol with Remus. Although she'd forgiven Sirius for their fight over his suspicions of Remus, she'd been spending more time with her friend as a way of sort of sending a message. He was striding alongside her, hands in his pockets, looking casually up at the moon, a half crescent hanging in the sky. "Artemis, she's two months along already, don't you think it's time for the excitement to, you know... subside?"

"Oh, so you're not excited that we're going to have a little baby Potter running around?"

Remus chuckled. "Of course I'm excited, all I'm saying is we've known about this."

"And believe me, I'll never not be excited about it."

"Alright, alright-" Remus waved his hand lazily in noncommital compliance. "Think James'll make a good dad, though?"

Artemis smiled to herself. "You mean James Potter- the always present mum of our friend group since nineteen seventy-one?"

"Fair," said Remus. "Out of any of us, he'll be the best dad."

She looked at him with some amount of wonder. "Do you think you'll ever be a dad, Rem?"

Remus was quiet for a long time. Then, he let out a deep sigh. "Art, I don't think I ever could. I mean... come on."

"Come on, what?" said Artemis, knowing exactly what he meant, but deciding to take the path of obstinance anyhow.

"Artemis," said Remus, "I'm a werewolf. A gay werewolf. A gay, depressed, slightly mean werewolf with-"

"Okay, okay, I get the point," said Artemis, chuckling. "D'you think maybe you're just too self loathing to ever picture yourself in a happy, stable situation?"

Remus snorted. "That hit a little too close to home."

"Sorry."

He sighed. "Art, can I tell you something?"

She raised her eyebrows at him. "When am I ever gonna say no?"

"Listen... I've been doing a lot of thinking..." Remus was talking very slowly. Artemis knew something was up. "I don't know that I'm, like, gay."

This wasn't what she'd been expecting at all. "What d'you mean?"

"I mean- like, I like guys. We all know I like guys." Remus wouldn't look at her. "But lately I've been thinking... what if I like girls too? Or just... anyone? Like, it doesn't matter what their gender is, what if I just like the person for the person?"

"You're not about to profess your undying love for me, are you?"

Remus laughed aloud. "For you? Art, don't take this the wrong way, but I've seen you in far too many embarrassing situations for that."