Chapter Three: News of an Escape
Needless to say, Lupin had a very awkward week ahead of him. Harry avoided him, blushing whenever Lupin called on him in class. Snape alternated between avoiding his gaze and sending him lopsided grins that reminded him of Sirius.
Lupin shook his head, exhausted by the time Friday came. "Bloody hell," he grumbled, taking a swig of fire whiskey to calm his frazzled nerves.
A knock came at his office door, and he got up, dreading that it might be Harry or worse yet Snape. Instead, the solemn face of Dumbledore greeted him.
"Remus," he said calmly and quietly. Lupin raised his eyebrows with surprise, then stood aside to let the headmaster in.
When the white haired man had seated himself, Lupin asked, "What's wrong?"
Dumbledore smiled mysteriously. "Do I need a reason to come and visit?"
Lupin frowned. "Knowing you, probably."
Dumbledore studied him with brilliant blue eyes. "You seemed out of sorts this week."
Lupin scrambled to hide his embarrassment. "Well, you know, full moon and all last weekend..." He knew it was a pathetic excuse, but prayed Dumbledore would say no more.
Dumbledore paused, piercing him with those intelligent eyes of his.
"If you like Severus, you should tell him so. But do not get Harry tangled into this. That is not what we need right now."
Lupin sputtered at Dumbledore's incredible knowledge of things that happened at Hogwarts. But, it was to be expected of such a brilliant man. "How can you say that so easily? I mean, he's another guy..."
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows in silent question at this remark, but said no more. Just then, a more important thought struck Lupin.
"What do you mean 'right now'? Something else is going on, isn't it?"
"Always the sharp one, you are." Dumbledore sighed sadly before going on. "Remus... Sirius has escaped from Azkaban...it will be out in the Prophet tomorrow."
Lupin's heart plummeted at this. "You lie," he hissed.
"If only," Dumbledore replied, his expression worried. "And please...don't do anything...stupid."
Remus growled. "You say that as though I'm a child."
Dumbledore smiled in slight amusement. "Oh, but you are." He rose to leave, then stopped. "I would think it wise not to tell Harry just yet."
Lupin's fists were trembling long after Dumbledore had left, a bitter, resentful taste in his mouth. Sirius...so many memories of him too, of how the three of them, James, him, and himself, had gotten so mixed up together, of how he'd felt when he'd found out about Sirius and James' death...
So many unwelcome emotions were pouring in on top of confused thoughts about the past weeks events...Lupin was sure his head would explode. But instead of letting that happen, he downed the rest of the fiery alcohol and slipped away under its soothing trance.
The next day came all too soon, and Lupin's head felt in vain. Thank God I have no classes today, he thought fuzzily.
The fuzz was replaced with a sharp stab when his door was yanked open by none other than Hermione Granger. "The papers say the killer Black is on the streets!"
Lupin winced at her raised tone, but did his best to reply to this random appearance. "Right you are Miss Granger."
Hermione paused for a moment, looking at him more carefully. "You look awful!" she exclaimed in the same loud voice.
"Shh," Lupin responded in a pained whisper, waving at her uselessly. Hermione clued in and frowned, hands flying to her hips.
"You've been drinking," she said disapprovingly. Lupin nodded weakly, having nothing else to say on the matter. Hermione shook her head.
"And at a time like this! You should be consulting with Dumbledore on how to protect the castle!"
Lupin frowned. "Why, do you think Black would come here of all places?" he asked, feigning ignorance. Hermione's brow furrowed further.
"Don't act stupid, Professor. I did my research, and I know Black was sent to prison on accounts of killing Peter Pettigrew and betraying the Potters." Her face darkened. "And now he's after Harry, isn't he? He's going to finish the job...he's going to come to Hogwarts."
Lupin had nothing to say to this either. He wished so badly that what she said wasn't true, but he just didn't know. So much evidence had piled on top of Sirius, he wasn't sure if his friend was as innocent as he had so often reassured himself before.
Lupin shook his head wearily. "Do not worry, I shall discuss this matter with the Headmaster..." he looked over at her frightened face. "It is really nothing for you to concern yourself with, Miss Granger."
Hermione's lips tightened slightly, and she started to leave, before Lupin caught her arm. "Have you told Harry?" he asked hesitantly.
"No, I rushed right here from the library..."
Lupin sighed in relief. "Good. Please don't tell him."
"What? But Professor, he deserves to know-!" she began before Lupin smiled at her.
"I personally will tell him, if not Dumbledore. But not now, do you understand?"
Hermione hesitated, then nodded a little. "Fine, but tell him soon. It has so much to do with him, it'd be unfair...besides, it'll be in the paper too before long..."
Lupin nodded slowly, by which time she was already out the door and halfway across the classroom.
But she was right, Harry would have to be told soon... Lupin prepared himself to go talk with Dumbledore once more, ignoring his booming head.
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Sirius escaped later in this fic than he did in the actual book, just for the ease of the story.
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