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One of Remus' favourite people in the world was Harry. Really, it was (just don't tell Sirius). It was true, that at first, Remus had been nervous around Harry, riddled with doubt and self-deprecation and fear that he would hurt the tiny thing, but once he had overcome that fear—which took a bit longer than he wanted to admit—he was always the first to volunteer to babysit. Though technically, that meant him and Sirius co-babysitting, but Sirius loved the kid just as much. Their godson. It was crazy to think about, in some ways. Even after the war had ended, it felt surreal, that they were there, that they could just...live. Do simple, trivial things in life.
Being bullied by a child was not on that list, but Harry had decided to slap it on there himself.
It had been a busy but pleasant day—Lily and James had needed a break, and so Remus and his husband had taken Harry off their hands for the day. Honestly, it was nothing new. They'd gone through the routine thousands of times. Harry would be a bit mopey for a few minutes after his parents left, but then Sirius would bound into the room as Padfoot, and all sadness would be forgotten. Sirius would take Harry outside to fly around on his toy broomstick, and Remus would read with him, or they'd work on puzzles together (an activity that Sirius had tried to get into, but never seemed to have the patience to finish).
Needless to say, the day had been normal.
Up until the moment little six-year-old Harry clambered onto the sofa next to Remus, squeezing himself between the man and the armrest even though there was an entire couch he could have chosen to sit on. Remus didn't think anything of it, just adjusted his grip on the book he was reading and wrapping an arm around Harry. For a while, all was calm. Harry laid his little head against Remus as he read, occasionally making little comments about what him and Sirius had been doing earlier, until, finally, the boy looked up at Remus with the sweetest eyes, and a smile that matched his father's.
"Uncle Moony?"
Remus hummed, glancing down at the boy. "Yes, Harry?"
Harry was full of questions. Always. He had an endless curiosity that was never, ever satisfied. Remus was used to questions, and more often than not, enjoyed answering them.
"Why do you wear that sweater?" his godson asked.
His brows furrowed in slight confusion. Remus glanced at the sweater he was wearing. Nothing that special, or different from his many other sweaters, for that matter. Just varying shades of blues and greens, knit and a bit worn from years of use and love. Remus looked back at Harry.
"Well, I suppose I wear it 'cause I like it," he answered simply.
But Harry was at the age where nothing was 'nice' or 'mean'. It simply...was.
"You do?"
"Mhm."
"But mum says the ugly sweaters only come out for Christmas."
Remus blinked down at the child. The child. The child that was, apparently, judging his fashion choices.
For a moment, he was a tad speechless. He had no idea how to respond, honestly. How do you respond to that?
Luckily, that was the moment Sirius entered the living room, sweeping Harry up into his arms dramatically and grinning when Harry squealed in detail, giggling and beaming like he was the happiest kid alive.
* * *
Later that night, when James and Lily arrived to pick up their son, Harry sprang up the minute he heard the knock on the door, racing down the halls with a (very lovely) drawing he had made clutched in his tiny hands. Remus smiled fondly, opening the door and greeting his friends.
He had thought his godson would proudly display his work of art.
Or regale his parents about the adventures he had with Sirius.
Or literally anything worth mentioning.
Then again, kids worked in mysterious ways, and Harry loudly declared, grinning up at his mum—who had happily picked him up,
"Uncle Moony's got his Christmas sweaters out already!"
Lily blinked, glancing at Remus, one eyebrow raised and mouth quirked in an amused and questioning smile. It was May. "Does he, now?"
Harry nodded eagerly, pointing to Remus. "'s the ugly sweaters!" he said. So, so joyfully. "See?"
It was that moment that James and Sirius burst out laughing, and Lily tried very hard to contain her own laughter. Remus just rolled his eyes, a smile on his face. There never was a dull moment, in this big, messy family. Though, he supposed he wouldn't have it any other way.