A Helping Hand
'Welcome back, Mr. Lupin.'
Professor Dumbledore stood casually, with his hands clasped behind his back, almost lost in the huge red robes he was wearing.
'Ack! Professor Dumbledore Sir! I err umm ahh…' Remus stuttered not knowing how to explain himself before sighing and giving up. He just knew that this was not going to end well. Dumbledore chuckled slightly at Remus' stuttering and patted him cheerfully on the shoulder.
'Come with me' the white-bearded professor said slowly, before turning to go down the corridor.
Remus wavered before following him, clutching his arm as he walked. It did not take long for them both to reach the giant Griffin statue which guarded the hidden stairway up to Dumbledore's private study. Dumbledore raised his long, bony hand and said grandly, 'Fizzing Whizzbees', causing the statue to slowly spiral out leaving a trail of stone steps reaching upwards.
Entering, Remus stared in respectful admiration of the marvelous study. Although he had been there a few times before, the vast collection of rare treasures never ceased to amaze him. While he had been oggling the room, Dumbledore had already made his way to his desk and was patiently waiting for Remus to join him. Dumbledore spoke slowly,
'So tell me,' Dumbledore looked over the top of his glasses at Remus. 'Why is it that you: One, assaulted the nurse; Two, Left the school grounds; and three, look like you've been playing in the whomping willow?' his voice rose at the end in an alarmed intonation, making Remus look away guiltily.
'I... Can't say sir, I'm sorry' Remus looked up at Fawkes, the impressive Phoenix perched next to the old headmasters chair, who chirped intriguingly at him.
'Secrets make for a heavy heart.' Dumbledore announced gravely, turning his eyes to Fawkes in a way that invited confidence without demanding it. When nothing was forthcoming, professor Dumbledore looked back at Remus, and the contrast after having looked away was overpowering. The man's moonstone-pale blue eyes bored into Remus' as if he were an open book, as if he were not looking at Remus, but within him. 'Remus, unless you have a valid reason for your actions, I cannot pardon them and I will have no other choice but to expel you...'
After a moment of silence between the two, Remus sighed and relented.
'If I tell you, can we keep this a secret sir? I'd hate for my friends to find out this way...' he trailed off, Dumbledore's eyes still piercing him with their gaze.
'Of course, telling your friends is your own responsibility.'
Remus sighed and looked away from his professor, saying slowly but clearly:
'I'm... a werewolf sir.'
Dumbledore's face immediately softened and he looked at the poor boy with contemplative sorrow. He sat back in his chair and closed his eyes for a moment, before saying,
'I should have foreseen this.' He paused, rubbing his temples, and looked up at Remus who looked bashfully at his toes.
'It's a terrible thing sir. I-I wouldn't wish it on anyone.' Remus added hastily, knowing that Dumbledore had reason to expel him if he were to bite others.
Dumbledore nodded, 'Especially for someone so young I might add.' He thought for a moment before standing and walking round his desk and facing Remus. Placing a hand on his shoulder and bending down so their faces were level, Dumbledore smiled and said,
'I understand your situation young wizard, and I wish to do what I can to help you.'
Remus' eyes widened with relief and he smiled when he saw the kindness glinting within Dumbledore's eyes.
'Th-thank you sir! But... how?'
The pale blue irises of Dumbledore's eyes were like flames beneath a cauldron.
'I understand the trouble you had with the nurse and, now I know your reasons, I pardon your actions. I probably would've done the same in your place,' he said with a wink, making Remus laugh a little. 'but to stop this happening again, when you feel the symptoms of the full moon coming near, you may find sanctuary during the day here in my study, although I needn't remind you that, alas, you cannot transform here... '
He trailed off in thought then, taking his hands of Remus' shoulders, he clicked his fingers and walked over to a large chest, opening it to reveal dozens of old parchments and maps before plunging his hands in and searching for something. When he found what he was looking for, he lifted it out and brushed off a little dust. Passing it to Remus, he signaled to the boy to open it, which he did, to reveal a map of a part of the school which he recognized to be near here.
Dumbledore now stood with his hands behind his back again, looking contented as Remus began to study the map.
'But sir, what's this for? I don't...'
He halted when Dumbledore raised a hand, gesturing for him to stop. Lowering his palm, he spoke softly,
'It's a... safer route into Hogsmead. You may keep it until you memorize the route from here to where it leads.'
Remus stared at the Professor oddly.
'How did you know I went to Hogsmead?'
He realized how stupid this question was when Dumbledore chuckled and tapped the side of his nose in that all-knowing way of his.
'You think I do not know the escape routes of my own school? How amusing. I too was once a student here Mr. Lupin and one does not forget his proudest mischief's…ah what it is to be young…'
Remus thought he heard a noise outside the door and cocked his head like a wolf listening to the wind. Dumbledore seemed to notice as well, as he lifted his wand from beneath his robes and flicked it at the door, making it swing open to reveal an unsuspecting Professor Romulus, who fell forwards and landed in a heap on the marble floor.
Remus tried to suppress a laugh, but couldn't. Much to Professor Romulus' embarrassment, the wise old head-master joined in too.
Without warning, Professor Romulus picked himself up and chucked a soft black bundle at the sniggering teen who stopped it just before it hit him in the face.
'What's this?' Remus asked, intrigued. He unfolded the bundle to reveal a large black hooded jumper with a red 'R' on the back. He looked at it then looked up at Romulus who raised an amused eyebrow at him, having momentarily forgotten his awkward situation.
'It's to cover yourself up with,' he said, raising a bandaged hand at Remus to point at his bare chest. Remus blushed, realizing his exposure, and apologized to professor Dumbledore, hastily pulling the jumper on.
'It was mine,' Romulus started, 'but I have no need for it at the moment; you may keep it but please wash it before you return it to me.'
Dumbledore nodded along enthusiastically.
'Please could you escort our young friend back to his dorm,' his white beard moved with his chin as he spoke, 'I'm sure he wishes to get back to bed for a few more hours sleep before lessons begin.' He raised an eyebrow at Romulus who stared back blankly for a moment.
Romulus then realized his cue and walked over to Remus; grabbing his arm to pull him out of the study.
'C'mon then, let's get you back to beddy-byes' he said in a patronizing tone making Remus roll his eyes and follow him reluctantly. Romulus nodded at Dumbledore who nodded back at him before turning to Remus and adding,
'I will see you in a month or so. Goodnight Mr. Lupin'
'Thank you sir! Good night.' Remus called through the gap in the closing door.
The two injured males walked in silence until they reached the painting of the Fat lady, who guarded the entrance to the common room. Before Romulus could awake the sleeping woman, Remus asked nervously,
'Umm, are you sure I can borrow this jumper sir?' he tugged slightly at the over-large material and Romulus shrugged.
'Of course, why else would I say you could? And as long as you wash it before returning it to me, it should be fine. It looks good on you…sort of penguin-esque.' he laughed at Remus expression, a totally straight-faced glare devoid of amusement, and made ever more serious by the bruises on his face.
'Well thank you. I'll be off now sir.'
As Remus opened the door, Romulus turned to walk away. The boy paused a moment before whispering as loud as he could,
'Sir!'
Romulus paused in his tracks.
'You didn't hear anything… when I was with Professor Dumbledore... did you?'
Romulus smirked and turned away saying, 'Not a whisper' before continuing down the hall and out of sight. Remus Lupin paused a moment in thought, then shaking his head, he entered the common room and slipped back into his bed as quietly as he could. The deep breathing of his friends continued uninterrupted - sweet untroubled sighs.
A: So... we have made it this far
D: Theres still a load more chapters to come...
A: Some we havnt writen yet...
D: But we will get there someday...
R.L: How did i not notice i was nearly naked in this chapter?
A: I guess you were too tired from your transforming?
R.L: Probably...
D,A+R.L: Thanks for reading yet another chapter! hope you enjoyed it and please review kindly :D
