It always had to come to this, Remus Lupin thought. It was either being rejected from Hogwarts, or not at all trying to attend. Sure, Dippet had told his mum, when she asked him just after Remus had been bitten, that Hogwarts would be unable to take him, but perhaps Dumbledore, with 6 years of Headmastership under his belt, would consider letting Remus come.
The tension was killing him, but of course it should have been. An eleven year old boy was bound to rip open the post at first touch, but Remus was no ordinary boy. His lycanthropy a word Remus had learned along with many medical terms no child his age could attempt to pronounce, let alone use, made Remus a very patient child, whether it be from waiting for medical attention after his painful and damaging transformations, or from controlling his composure so close to the Full Moon.
He awaited the descent of the tawny, ruffle-feathered owl, but it didn't fly away as so many owls had at the sight of him before. Instead, it glared in Remus's general direction, sniffing the air and willing Remus to open the letter so that it could get away from him as soon as possible. Why was this owl so persistent, whereas other animals avoided him like the Black Plague?
He looked up from the letter in his hands, sealed with the Hogwarts Crest in wax, to his mum, whom stood in front of the cook stove in the Lupin's kitchen. A perfect O of surprise was on her face, wrinkled beyond her years from stress. She was burning the Birthday Bacon, a rare delicacy reserved for special occasions.
That is too bad, he noted, as he liked his meat rather... raw. Ignoring the longing for food and bracing himself for disappointment, he cautiously opened the letter.
Dear Mr. Lupin , it began.
I am pleased... pleased? Oh, this had to be good
I am pleased to inform you that you will, as opposed to the decision of my predecessor, Mr. Dippet... Oh, Merlin, this couldn't be happening! A wide smile flitted across Remus's face, seeming distorted by his haggard appearance. Many scars and bruises marred Remus's face.
... be able to attend Hogwarts School or Witchcraft and Wizardry this upcoming term. One term being 18 weeks, Remus's smile dimmed. Four full Moons, in and around school students... he'd miss lessons the day before and the day after the Full moon, and of course on the day of the moon. How would this work out, then?
I daresay we'll find a way to fit you in to the curriculum, despite your Lycanthropy.
Of course, attendance to Hogwarts is not compulsory, but our school would be delighted to pay you homage for the next seven years.
Seven years at Hogwarts. Friends, roommates, lessons. Learning. Remus wanted with every fiber of his being to be able to attend.
I'd like to request an appointment today, after you've finished your affairs for the morning.
Happy Birthday, and warmest regards.
Albus Dumbledore
He stared down at the letter in disbelief. To confirm that he was correct, and had not misread the letter, he had his mother read it aloud. He pinched himself. Surely, this must be a dream. But, yes! He felt the pain, and was ecstatic.
This is so much better than bacon!
Mrs. Lupin scribbled a brief reply, and said, "Come on, Remus, love. Let's get you dressed and fed," she said, barely concealing her skepticism.
An hour later, Remus and his mum stood outside of Headmaster Dumbledore's office. The doors creaked open, and Dumbledore stepped out, in eccentric robes of purple.
"Hello, Madam and . I trust you had no trouble finding the school?"
In all honesty, they had almost been unable to get to the school. Remus's mum, a muggle, had had utmost difficulty working Floo Powder. It had almost caused them to be late.
"No, sir, we've managed. I'm Rhea Lupin, and you taught my husband, John. This is Remus."
Remus stepped forward, shook the old man's hand, and stepped back.
"Ah, Mr. Lupin, Madam. I'm Albus Dumbledore, the circular, giving off the feel of being in a bubble. portraits littered the walls, whispering and glancing at Remus. Dippet's likeness was closest to Dumbledore's desk, eyeing Remus with interest and a hint of disgust. Dumbledore seemed to have created his own personal library inside, a place that Remus could have spent hours in. There was a table with an assortment of silver tools that looked like you could break them with your touch. And old, frayed and patched hat sat in the center of the table.
"Come, have a seat." Dumbledore gestured to two plush chairs in front of his desk.
Lupin's mum, Rhea, glanced around in awe at the sight of it all as she sat down in one of the chairs, but her eyes continued to wander around the room in utter fascination of it all. She glanced over at her son whom was still standing and said softly, "Come sit down, Remus."
Very slowly, as Remus tried to take in every detailHeadmaster, and I am about to teach you how to get into my office. I do believe I may be seeing you here, my boy." Amusement twinkled behind his blue eyes. Remus nodded.
"To enter my office, and the common rooms for your house, a password is required. Without a proper password, you'll be unable to get by in our school. Go on, lad, give it a try." He smiled.
"Er... chocolate frog?" Remus tried, thinking of the sweets his father brought home for him every now and then. The gargoyles did not stir.
"Try again," Dumbledore urged.
"Broomstick? Cleansweep? Bludger?"
The gargoyle gave a grunt of dissent. there was a pregnant pause, during which Remus looked to his mum. She shrugged. Out of nowhere, there was a click, and the gargoyles descended. A look of bewilderment fleeted across the Lupins' face.
"The password was a shrug?" They said simultaneously.
Dumbledore chuckled. 'Much too easy. Image, students randomly opening my office at all times! No, 'twas not the shrug, but my assent to let you in. All I have you do is nod. Isn't magic grand?"
Dumbledore chuckled again. Is he a bit... mad? Remus mused.
Dumbledore and the Lupins walked into the office. It seemed a bit odd to the young Lupin. It was , he moved towards his mother. He reached the chair and sat down. If all the chair are this comfortable, he mused, I wont have a problem coming to this office. Remus, clearly a mischievous child at heart, glanced at his mother, searching for recognition in her eyes. There was none.
"Now, understanding of your special condition we have already have made some provisions for you during that time," Dumbledore said, his blue eyes twinkling behind his glasses as he spoke to the two of them. "Unlike the last headmaster, I feel that although there is some additional needs because of your unusual circumstances that shouldn't be any reason for a young man such as yourself to get an education."
"But, Headmaster," Rhea said, "How will you keep him from getting to the other students when the Full rolls around?"
Remus winced slightly at her words, sensing the fear behind them.
"We have just the plan. I do believe it's time for a bit of a field trip." The old man stood, and walked towards the doors leading out of his office. "Come on, then."
Remus and his mother slowly followed the Headmaster out of his room and while they followed him down the stairs exchanged confused glances to one another. Walking in silence, the group soon found themselves outside and just as they were walking towards a large tree, that was swatting angrily at some birds as if it was alive.
Rhea looked concerned over at Dumbledore uncertainty written all over her face. "What is this?"
Dumbledore turned to look back stopping them from walking any closer a decently safe distance away from this mad looking tree. "Unusual, yes? Planted just this year. Beautiful, but quite deadly if you get close to it. It will help hide the passage way so that young Remus will be able to transform without having any students come while he is in midst of transformation. There is a passageway that leads to an area where he can transform without worrying about harming any one in the midst of a full moon." He turned his gaze over to the willow and slowly began walking over to it, stopping again close enough that his gray hair moved with the branches wild movements.
Dumbledore smiled as he spoke up, "There is a spot on the tree, on the base that will freeze it long enough to go about getting into the passageway." He prodded the a knot in the bark with his wand. The tree's branches stopped in their tracks. "Come along. We haven't got much time."
In an unexpected turn of events, Dumbledore, who most certainly was NOT a spring chicken, got to his knees and crawled into the tree. Assuming the best, Remus followed. He crawled through the narrow passageway, trying to avoid kicking his mum in the face, or being kicked himself.
Remus let out a sigh of relief as the Headmaster soon dissappeared out of sight and his hand appeared where he himself had been. Using Dumbledore's hand as leverage, he got slowly up and found himself in a small room, although still large enough for the three of them. Helping his mother up, he then glanced around the room with some uncertainty. "Is this it, sir?
Dumbledore chuckled. "Well I suppose you could add your own personal touches."
And what touches would those be? Scratches and blood on the walls? Remus thought. He scoffed under his breath, too quiet for his mother to hear.
Dumbledore's eyes softened slightly before turning his attention onto his mother. "And of course we have Poppy Pomfry, whom can help bring him here, bring young Remus here back to the hospital wing, and get him back to tip-top shape. In fact, the hospital wing is the next stop on our little tour."
He smiled once more, and motioned from Remus and his mum to follow. They crawled through the passage way yet again, until they got to the exit.
"Do you remember the knot on the outside of the tree? There is one in here, too."
He found the knot with his hand, and pressed. The Willow's branches came to a stop yet again, and the trio crawled out.
Rhea waited until they were a far enough distance before wiping away the dirt on her clothes. And glancing over at Dumbledore and Remus as she began to walk with them once again. They walked back toward the castle, and towards the hospital wing. She wanted to voice her concerns but didn't wish to do so while her son remained so close by. But still she questioned. Was he sure it was safe enough, having students -no doubt unknowing- around her son? What were to happen if a student was to accidentally get attacked? Did Dumbledore feel ready enough to take on such a task as taking on her son? A shiver ran down her spine, the memories of the full moon and what that consisted of for her running through her mind.
"He will be perfectly safe as will the students. I have taken many protocols in the safety of everyone so there is no need to fret. I already know he will be a wonderful addition to Hogwarts." Dumbledore said, smiling as he looked back at Remus' mum.
A bit taken aback, Rhea nodded. They continued on their way, passing by many empty classrooms, empty corridors, and portraits, some waving gaily and some ignoring them with a snooty nose in the air. Prejudices against werewolves... nothing new, Remus thought.
They reached a large set of mahogany doors obstructed Remus's vision. Dumbledore opened the doors and stepped in. Twin sized beds were arranged strategically throughout the room, small tabled by them to hold lamps and medical supplies. In the center of the room stood a woman with brown - but speckled with grey- hair. She was wearing the traditional nurses robes, a hat, and a smile.
"Poppy," Dumbledore said, returning the smile, as he gestured to Remus and his mother, "This is Mrs. Lupin and her son, Remus."
"It is good to meet both of you." she said walking forward.
"Hello," said Rhea, shaking the woman's hand, before Poppy turned her attention onto Remus, whom felt shy all of a sudden.
"Hi." he said softly.
"Hello, dear. I get the feeling I'll be seeing a lot of you this year, eh?" She smiled warmly at him.
"So young, to be so afflicted. Well, my dear, I'll be taking care of you. Every day of the full moon, I'll need you to come in here, and we'll go to your special place." She winked at him.
"The morning after, I'll come fetch you. I'll mend you up, all nice and clean, let you rest, and get you up and at 'em again."
"Thank you, ma'am." Remus said politely.
Dumbledore looked over at Rhea. His blue eyes twinkled merrily in the light. "If there isn't any questions, I cannot express my excitement for having Remus here on September 1st."
Remus smiled at him. He turned to his mum.
"Well?" He asked.
"Well..." She hesitated.
"Please, mum, please." begged Remus. "I promise I won't get into any trouble or anything. Please, please, please."
"Fine, you can go!" Rhea said.
Remus didn't think he could have ever smiled any bigger in his life.
Author's notes:
Aah, now for the fun part!
This, my friends, is the beginning of a beautiful partnership. I've found my co-author, The Username Found, and I have absolutely no idea how to link her in here.
TUF in italics. XD Lol. No worries everyone spells it weird. XD
Anyway! This is a story focusing on Remus John Lupin, Moony, Loony Lupin hisself! And I'll link to her story, In Siruis's POV, when she gets chapter one posted. As for now:
.net/u/2511810/The_Username_Found