Prompt 22 - Roommate AU
@wolfstarmicrofic April 22, word count 938
CW - Pandora jokes about Remus getting murdered and dismembered.
Moving countries was scary. Moving to the capital city seemed scarier. Remus left his childhood home in the Welsh countryside and clambered onto the bus that would take him to London.
He’d wanted to move for years but had always been too scared. His parents had instilled in him how dangerous it would be for him not to know anyone for hundreds of miles.
One morning, while he was munching on his cornflakes, he noticed an ad in his father’s newspaper.
‘Roommate Wanted!
All bills are paid. Just pay for your own food.
Sexy, well-bred male looking for a friend/companion to share a house in a highly sought-after area of London.
Please use the number below to apply. Please, serious enquiries only. No, this is not a joke.
P.S. Must love Bowie, or we’re not going to get along.’
Remus quickly put his breakfast things away and, grabbing his phone, fled outside, typing the number into his phone as he went.
He settled under his favourite tree and pressed call.
“Hello,” A husky voice answered.
“Oi, hi. My name is Remus Lupin, and I—” He started to explain.
“Look, mate. I don’t know what you’re selling, but calling me at this ungodly hour is unacceptable. Goodbye.”
“Wait- wait. I’m not selling anything. I’m phoning about your ad!” Remus hurriedly spoke before the man could hang up.
“Oh, in that case. Hello, I’m Sirius.” Sirius suddenly sounded a lot more cheerful. “So why do you want to be my roommate?”
“Well, erm. I’ve always wanted to move to London, but I’ve been a bit worried about living there on my own.” He told Sirius, deciding the truth would be best.
“Uhuh, uhuh. Anything else?” Sirius sounded a bit bored. Remus knew he was screwing this up.
“I’m clean and tidy and don’t make much noise. I have enough money saved to pay my way—” Sirius cut him off again.
“All the bills are paid for. You only need to get yourself food.” Remus nodded even though Sirius couldn’t see him.
“Oh, right. I wasn’t sure if that bit was true. Erm, I don’t have a job yet, but I’ll start looking straight away.”
“Remus, I’m gonna stop you there. I don’t think we’re going to be a good fit. I can already tell you are the complete opposite of me. No offence, but you sound like you go to bed early and like nothing more than to sit by the fire drinking hot chocolate and reading a good book.” Sirius said honestly. He wasn’t wrong. What Sirius had just described was his usual evening routine. He had to think of something compelling to change Sirius’s mind.
“I have every David Bowie vinyl.” He blurted out.
“Really?” Sirius sounded excited now.
“Yeah, yeah, and I don’t know how you feel about T. Rex, but I have all there’s as well, and Led Zeppelin and loads of others.” All he could hear was the slight buzzing from the phones as the line went silent.
“Alright, Remus Lupin, you’ve twisted my leg. You’re the only person who’s called so far that I’ve actually managed to tolerate for more than ten seconds. So, let’s give it a go. When can you move in?” Remus sat there in shock.
“Really? You want me?”
“Sure, why not? The room’s all set up just need to bring some clothes and whatnot. I’ll text you the address, and you can let me know when you want to come. If you find it’s not for you, you can move out whenever you like. That sound okay?” Sirius spoke quickly, but Remus managed to make out all the words.
“Sounds brilliant. I’ll make arrangements and then give you a date.”
“Grand. Oh, and Remus, I really hope it works out.” With that, Sirius hung up, and Remus was left reeling.
“Oh, you’re totally getting murdered.” Pandora, his best friend, snorted when he told her he was moving to London and what the ad had said.
“No, I’m not. Sirius seems really nice.”
“Oh, sweet baby, you are so getting chopped into little bits and placed around London to look like a smiley face or something.” She’d clapped her hands together and jumped up and down on the spot.
“Gee, thanks, Pan. Love the confidence there.” He rolled his eyes and pushed down the panic that her words could actually turn out to be very true.
The bus was packed with holidayers, commuters and everything in between. Remus was glad of his noise-cancelling headphones and his favourite book. In a couple of hours, he’d be starting his new life. Everything he owned was in the compartment under the bus and was surprisingly little.
London was busier than he had ever imagined, coming from a tiny village. The noise and smells were overpowering. He got the tube from Victoria next to the coach station and rode it up to Islington.
He followed Sirius’s directions through a beautiful, tidy neighbourhood. Remus walked past a picturesque park and found the house. Number 12 Grimmauld Place loomed above him. It was far grander than he’d imagined. He walked up the front steps and used the heavy serpentine brass knocker. It thudded loudly against the wooden door. He heard scrabbling on the other side before a heavy lock clunked, and the door swung open to reveal the most beautiful man Remus had ever seen, flipping his long black hair out of his face.
“Remus?!” Sirius exclaimed joyfully. Oh boy, Remus was in trouble. He reached his hand out and shook Sirius’s before following him into the house, closing the heavy door behind him.
73 notes
·
View notes