Remus’ classroom was, not messy, but definitely not as organised as Regulus’. It was very Remus in the way that it looked lived in and cosy, rather than just a normal secondary school classroom.
Regulus sat down behind the desk and read through the quick notes that Remus had scribbled for him. It all seemed pretty straight forward. Hand out the workbooks, one copy of the book per pair, tell them they have to complete the workbooks today, take them back in.
Please, god, let it be that easy.
The bell rang in the hallway and Regulus took a few more calming breaths before he got up and let the class in.
Regulus hadn’t taught any of these students before, but he recognised a few of the faces as they filtered into the room. He recognised Harry right away and there was a brief second where Harry’s eyes looked like they were going to bug out of his head, before he ducked down and sat down at a desk at the back of the room. Regulus recognised the Weasley boy as he sat down next to Harry, by his flaming red hair and resemblance to his old brothers.
Once everyone was seated, Regulus called the class to order.
“Good morning.” He started.
“Good morning, sir.” A small chorus of voices replied.
“I am Mr. Black and I am covering for Mr. Lupin this morning.” He let his statement settle as he sat down to take the register.
Once everyone had been marked present, he came to the step he was dreading. Handing out the workbooks. He could have asked one of the students to do it for him, but, regardless of Harry being in the class, he wanted to learn who the other students were. It would help him as he saw them around the school.
“Mr. Lupin has left me your workbooks and they need to be finished today. When I read your name out, raise your hand, so I know who you are. I will need someone to hand out the copies of the books for me.”
A hand shot into the air. It belonged to a young lady with wild bushy hair, who looked like she was straining to be called on.
“Granger, sir. Hermione Granger. I can hand out the books for you. I know where Mr. Lupin keeps them.”
“Very well, thank you, miss Granger.”
The workbooks and textbooks were all handed out and Regulus set the class off to complete their work.
As the class worked away, either silently, or discussing quietly with their neighbour, Regulus had to admit he was slightly jealous of Remus for how well behaved this class were. He had no doubt that would change as they got older, but for now, Regulus was enjoying the quiet as he got on with his own work.
About halfway through the class, Regulus noticed what appeared to be a lively discussion going on between Harry, Ron, Hermione and another boy that Regulus had forgotten the name of. It made him smile to watch them debating the text so animatedly.
Hermione’s hand went up again and Regulus walked over to the little group, trying not to notice how Harry was still refusing to look at him.
“Sir, we’re stuck on one of the last discussion points.”
“Alright, what’s the question?”
“It’s this scene with the berries.” Ron said with a furrowed brow. “We need to pick a side. Are we with Katniss or Peeta. But I don’t understand the difference.”
“It’s obvious that it was a bluff!” The other boy burst out. “Katniss knew they would never let both of them die. She says it herself, they have to have a winner.”
“Yes, Neville, but then why does Peeta get so sad?” Hermione pushed.
Regulus heard Harry mumble something. “Harry?”
The boy looked mortified to be called on and still wouldn’t look him in the eye. “Yes, sir?”
“It looked like you were saying something. Why do you think Peeta reacted the way he did?”
Harry chewed on his lip. “Um, well, I think it’s cause, for him, his feelings are real.”
Regulus smiled. “Go on.” He encouraged.
“Peeta tells the story right, of the first day he saw Katniss and then how he watched her for years. If you then look at what he did in the Capitol and in the arena? They both are doing what they do for love, but Peeta’s isn’t for a sister.”
“I think you might be right there, Harry. That’s a great observation.”
“Mate, how did you figure that out?” Ron asked him with a confused expression.
“Well, ” Harry blushed ever so slightly. “My dad, he told me that when you really love someone, you start to notice every little thing about what makes them them and you never want to be without them. So, when Katniss gives Peeta the berries, Petta doesn’t know it’s a bluff. He thinks that it’s their chance to stay together forever.”
“I think that’s a wonderful thought, Hary.”
The other three jumped on the answer and started engaging Harry back into their conversation and Regulus left them to it.
As he sat down, he glanced up and caught Harry giving him a strange look, like the young boy was trying to work out a particularly difficult riddle. Then realising he had been caught, Harry ducked his head back down and carried on writing.
When the bell rang and the class filtered out, Harry gave him the tiniest of smiles and Regulus smiled back.
Maybe, just maybe, James was right and it would all work out. Slowly, but surely.
