Puzzle Pieces by thirty2flavors

47. Purveyors of Aids

Word count: 390

Characters: Remus, Fred, George, others

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As a teacher Remus had not played favourites, as Slughorn did, but it would have been a lie to say that there were not some he liked much more than others.

He liked Hermione, for her cleverness and her attention to detail so unbefitting of a fourteen-year-old. He liked Luna, for her vacant expression and unexpected wisdom and the way she asked him if they could please study Nargles. He liked Cedric, for he was good at dealing with Dark creatures and he was helpful to his peers. And, of course, he liked Harry, for all that Harry reminded him of James and Lily, for the bittersweet nostalgia caused by Harry's laugh alone.

His very favourite students, however, were Fred and George. He knew the other teachers would think him crazy, but he liked their sense of humour, the line they drew between mischief and malice, liked watching them play off each other and finish each other's sentences.

He knew that they did not put much effort into their schoolwork and he knew they were talented enough to excel if they tried, but he was not frustrated by their lack of motivation. On the contrary, it was heartening to him to know that these two brothers would be able to thrive on their innovation, imagination and charm as two others, forced into war, had not been able to.

When Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes opened - even in spite of the war - Remus made sure to visit them opening day with Tonks. He congratulated them on having the courage to do what many in wartime did not (continue living) and purchased a Decoy Detonator, assuring them that Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs would be most impressed.

"You flatter us!" exclaimed George, grasping at his chest as though the honour struck him like a blow.

"The highest praise," agreed Fred, nodding solemnly.

"For that," said George, "the Detonator's free. Take ten, if you like."

"After all," continued Fred, "it was the subheading of the Map that gave us the idea for the shop in the first place."

He glanced at his brother, and the twins recited it in synch like an oath, one hand over their hearts, though the repetition was unnecessary; Remus remembered the words as well as the day he'd written them.

"Purveyors of aids to magical mischief-makers."