R. J. Lupin and the Prisoner of Azkaban
A/N: Yes, I'm aware that I seem to have become obsessed by this pairing at the moment, but I found this on my computer and it's been jumping around in my head and forcing me to write. If you don't like it, do tell me not to continue. However, if you DO like it, tell me to continue. I still don't own any recognisable characters and places. This plot will probably be quite different to the original PoA, simply because I seem to have misplaced both the book, and the movie and will have to work from memory. LoL. See you on the other side. Provided you actually get that far.
Prologue - Orion
Remus John Lupin tossed the Daily Prophet newspaper on to the wobbly coffee table, a sneer of disgust evident upon his usually placid and comfortable features. He tossed tawny hair out of his amber eyes; fingernails digging into the already mostly destroyed fabric of the tatty armchair he was sat in. He picked irritably at his fraying robes with his free hand.
The offending newspaper contained news of a person whose absence had left a throbbing ache in the heart of the werewolf, long awaited news, of which he had never dared hope.
"Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban."
His traitorous heart felt lighter and stinging tears pricked at the back of his eyes. Sirius. Even his name struck a deep chord in Remus's memory - a name he had forcibly removed from his thoughts that fateful day twelve years ago.
"Remus! Remus, you know I didn't do it! I wouldn't! Remmie please!"
"I'm sorry Sirius. I honestly thought you were on our side."
"Remmie! Please don't do this to me! You know I didn't do it! How could I?"
"Sirius I-"
"How could you let me go down for this!"
Remus had watched, frozen, bottom lip trembling, as Sirius was dragged away, his wand taken from him and snapped. Then he had turned his head to hide the tears. His childhood friend had killed Peter Pettigrew and countless Muggles in cold-blood, he had sided with the Dark Lord. He had betrayed them and gotten Lily and James killed. And now, according to the Prophet, he was after Harry Potter. A load of tripe that was, surely? Sirius would never try to harm Lily and James's son, would he? Perhaps he would. For the moment, Remus had no choice but to believe what everyone else did. After all, there was no evidence to prove otherwise.
Remus sighed in annoyance and threw the paper out of the window, narrowly missing the ratty looking owl that was about to fly through it.
"Oh! I'm sorry Orion!" He apologised to the owl, taking the letter it huffily offered him, before flying back out of the window. He rubbed his temples as he scanned the letter.
Dear Remus,
As I am sure you are aware, a new situation seems to have presented itself, in the form of one Sirius Black. I must ask you Mr Lupin; do you have any idea how he escaped? I also have a number of other things I need to discuss with you. Would it be acceptable for me to visit sometime soon? How is the twenty-third of August for you? Do send Orion back with your answer. He is a lovely owl by the way. How long have you had him?
Yours
Albus Dumbledore.
He sank down into a rickety chair by the table, summoned a quill and began to write his reply.
Professor Dumbledore,
I am indeed aware of Siri-No, Black's latest escapade, however I am in the dark as to how he managed to achieve this end. The twenty-third is acceptable and in answer to your final question, I have had Orion almost twelve years.
R. J. Lupin
He sent the reply off with Orion, and with another sigh, settled himself back in the armchair with a large glass of firewhiskey, wondering if he had made the right decision not to reveal Sirius's secret to the Headmaster of Hogwarts.
To him, it seemed that ever since the Dark Lord's demise twelve years ago, his life had gotten a whole lot harder. It had seemed simple, once he had graduated from Hogwarts, to join the Order of the Phoenix and aid Dumbledore in the fight against Voldemort. It had seemed so natural to trust his friends' integrity without question, to take their lives for granted. But once the Potters were murdered and Harry became the unknowing hero of the wizarding world things had become much more complex. His friendships seemed doomed, first Peter's death, then Sirius's imprisonment, and then, finally, the death of Lily and James.
Now Sirius was once again free and Remus didn't know how he felt about that. Dumbledore had all but ordered him to go back to the place that hoarded his fondest memories like a collection of stamps to teach the son of the two friends whom Sirius had supposedly sold to the Dark Lord. Oh yeah, things most certainly weren't simple any more.
And to top it all off, the damned Dark Lord seemed to have a plot for his revival every year since Harry had started Hogwarts, which left Remus to ponder on what he could possibly think of next.
He rubbed his temples, trying to ward off the imminent headache.
He was tired of this.
The twenty-third came far too fast for his liking. He had never before been visited by Hogwarts' seemingly omniscient Headmaster, and indeed had very little desire to be visited this particular time. However, like the good obedient little ex-student he was he brought out the lemon drops and brewed a fresh pot of tea in anticipation of his former professor's arrival.
As usual, Albus was neither early, nor late; he simply appeared just as the battered grandfather clock in the hall chimed midday. He was dressed in particularly gaudy pink and green robes and, not for the first time, Remus thanked every deity he could think of that he didn't have sensitive neighbours.
"Good day Albus," he greeted, not quite sure whether or not it was actually afternoon since Albus had appeared on the seventh chime. He ushered the professor in and offered him tea and lemon drops.
"I'm sorry its such a mess, I can't- Never mind." He apologised quietly.
"It's a lot different to how it used to be," the headmaster observed. "Since Sirius left." He noted the visible twitch the werewolf made when that name was mentioned.
"I don't know what you're talking about Albus," Remus denied, sliding his eyes carefully away from those of the twinkling professor.
"Remus, I am here to make you an offer."
"An offer?" Remus looked up. "What kind of offer?"
"A job offer. I am requesting that you become Hogwarts' Defence against the Dark Arts professor."
Remus leaned back in his chair, allowing the headmaster's words to sink in. "I don't think the parents would want a werewolf teaching their children Albus."
"They don't have to know."
"But when I-"
"I have had Severus working on a new potion for me. He has just finished it. It is called the Wolfsbane potion and it will allow you to keep your mind during the transformation. You will be harmless."
A fingernail made its way to his lip. "But will he let me have it? Severus was never one to forget an old grudge."
"He will."
The hand dropped to his lap. "When you came here, you already knew that I would agree, didn't you?"
"I had an inkling. I thought perhaps that you would like to see the son of your best friend and perhaps protect him from certain dangers." Albus popped another lemon drop into his mouth.
Remus wrung his hands. He knew that the chances of seeing Sirius at Hogwarts were pretty high compared to everywhere else. On the other hand, if Sirius really was trying to kill Harry, what if he succeeded? Remus would never forgive himself if he could have been there to save him, but instead chose not to leave the relative safety of his home.
"Incidentally, do you have a dog?"
"A dog?" The werewolf's traitorous heart skipped a few beats. "What kind of a dog? Why?"
"There is one sitting just inside your gate. A big black mongrel. Looks something like a Grim." He watched the colour drain from the werewolf's face.
"P-Probably a stray," he whispered unconvincingly.
Albus smiled. "I look forward to seeing you at Hogwarts Mr Lupin."
He disapparated with a bright sounding pop.
Remus sighed deeply to himself and wandered over to the window to examine this 'stray'. Albus was right, it was a huge black dog, sitting on its haunches just inside his front gate. And his wards. The worst thing was, he recognised that huge Grim-like animal and the way it was looking at him through the window.
Overcome by irritation, he slammed the window shut and yanked across the torn drapes. Did Albus know everything?