Shout Out: geekymom and kristy21


Chapter Eight

Hidden Talents

Remus was at a lost, he didn't know what to say; sometimes he forgot that Harry wasn't tainted by the prejudices of Wizarding Britain. He knew that this would never have been a problem, if James was still here. James would have made sure Harry knew all about the attitudes Remus faced. Remus didn't know how to explain everything to Harry, it didn't help that he didn't want Harry to know about the problems he faced. While he only taught Harry for a year, he saw that Harry had the same view to prejudice that James held, and such Harry would fight about the way people treated werewolves. Remus couldn't help but think that if he had raised Harry, like he wanted to, then he wouldn't have to worry about damaging Harry's view of Molly Weasley.

Sirius didn't know how to explain the issue to Harry without losing his temper, while he had no kind thought about Molly Weasley he didn't want Harry to dislike just because of what he thought. He looked at Remus, who looks like he's struggling with the same thing as him.

"Does it have something to do with what Mrs Weasley almost said the other night?" asked Harry, shocking the men out of their silence, "she was going to call you a werewolf right? And that cause you're a werewolf, you shouldn't look after me? Isn't that what she meant?"

Harry looks between both men before settling on Professor Lupin, thinking that the Defence Professor would answer his questions. Unfortunately for Harry and Sirius, Remus fled the room.

"Remy," sighed Sirius, calling after his oldest friend, "How much do you know about werewolves, Harry?"

"Just what we learnt in third year"

"Sorry, I meant about how they are viewed"

"Nothing really, I remember when Professor Lupin resigned in third year, he said that the parents wouldn't like a werewolf teaching their students. But I didn't get to ask him anything more."

"Remus, Harry, not Professor Lupin. Wizards, and witches, think that werewolves are beasts, animals, monsters," said Sirius, pacing around the room, "not all of them but some, especially in old pureblood families and muggleborns. Some Purebloods don't like any "tainted blood" and Muggleborns are just scared because of what they are taught and the stories that exist in their world. A lot of people think that all werewolves are monsters, that they are dangerous even when they aren't transformed. Once people find out someone is a werewolf, they offer shun and sometimes even attack them unprovoked."

"That's not right. They shouldn't attack them just because they have a problem."

"You're right Harry but that what happens. Your father and I tried so hard to protect Remus from people like that, we never wanted him to be hurt by someone just because he had a furry little problem, as James called it. During the First War, werewolves were made to wear identification, Remus went out to Diagon Alley by himself once, just once, with the thing around his neck. He was attacked by some wizards, they weren't on the dark side or the light, but they attacked him just because he was a werewolf. Luckily your father placed charms on him that went off as soon as Remy got hurt and we got there before they could hurt him badly. After that we never let him go anywhere by himself."

"That's barbaric!" exclaimed Harry, "Mrs Weasley doesn't like Professor Lupin, does she? She's like those wizards?"

"Call him Remus, Harry. Molly is scared of Moony because he's a werewolf."

"That's not fair! He's one of the nicest people I've ever met and he's a brilliant teacher. He helped me so much in third year especially with the dementors."

"I know, Molly doesn't see Remus as anything more than a werewolf and so she thinks he's evil. It isn't fair. I hope you understand why I kicked her out. I let Remy down before and I can't do that again."

"I understand, Sirius."

"Come on, we should go get some lunch."

Harry and Sirius made their way through the old house quietly, both too caught up on the events of the day. Harry was shocked at Mrs Weasley's attitude towards Professor Lupin. He understood from what Sirius has said that werewolves were treated in a similar way that Muggleborns were treated by some wizards. Except unlike Muggleborns it isn't just Purebloods view, it's a lot of wizards or witches. Harry didn't think Professor Lupin deserved that sort of treatment, while he didn't know the man very well, he knew enough that he would never want to intentionally hurt anyone. Professor Lupin, or Remus as Sirius insisted, was very much a mystery to Harry. He thought he had the man figured out, but something happened that shocked him. Like finding out the man knew his parents, the Professor never really talked about them to Harry beyond what other people had said. Or Sirius, he never mentioned knowing him either, yet they are obviously very close. Harry guessed that the man was so secretive because he was a werewolf, maybe he wasn't that different from himself. Professor Lupin was judged by something he can't control just like Harry was with the Boy-Who-Lived situation, Harry thought that if he could hide his fame or curse, depending on the way you looked at it, he would to.

Sirius's ears perked up when he heard the gentle strokes of fingers along keys. The hall was suddenly filled softly played music. Harry looked around at to try and find the source of the noise before settling on an ajar door. Harry began to move towards the door, ignoring the restraining hand of Sirius.

"Harry, come on. Let's keep going downstairs," whispered Sirius.

"Who is that?" asked Harry, copying Sirius' pitch.

Before Sirius could reply, Harry looked through the small gap left by the door. He couldn't believe what he saw, it looked like he was right when he thought that Professor Lupin was a man of many secrets. Sitting with his back to the door, was Professor Lupin, he was facing a piano and from the sound that filled their ears, he was playing it.

"Professor Lupin can play the piano?" asked Harry whispering.

"Remus, not Professor."

"Today I'm not myself, and you, you're someone else. And all these rules don't fit, and all the stars can't quit. What a peculiar state we're in…"

"He can sing?"

"Wonderfully, but Harry, he doesn't like anyone seeing or hearing him anymore. We have to leave."

"Can we listen? We can be quiet. Don't you want to listen?"

"Of course, I do. We have to be quiet, Remus loses focus of his surrounding while he's playing"

"But we'll find other pieces to the puzzles, slipping out under the locks. I could show you how many moves to checkmate, right now. We could take apart this life we're building and pack it up inside a box, all that really matters is we're doing it, right now. Right now. But we'll find other pieces to the puzzles, slipping out under the locks. I could show you how many moves to checkmate, right now. We could take apart this life we're building and pack it up inside a box, all that really matters is we're doing it, right now. Right now."

As Harry listened to the soft tone of Professor Lupin's voice, he was filled with a warmth and peacefulness that he only ever felt before when he stood in front of the Mirror of Erised. A sense of belonging that he felt when dreamed of smiling hazel eyes, a gentle smile surrounded by flaming hair, a barking laugh, and this voice.

"Why do you sound familiar?" asked Harry, walking into the room.


❤️❤️❤️ Review, Favourite, Follow ❤️❤️❤️

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter

Hi everyone,

Firstly I want to say that I absolutely don't own any rights to this song but I 100% suggest checking it out, it's Au Revoir by OneRepublic.

Secondly, I want to say, that I won't be posting for at least 6 weeks! I know that's a long time but I have an intense month with uni and then I have a placement so I won't have the time to write or post 😭😭 I'm so sorry, but I'm definitely not abandoning this story.

I'm an absolute sucker for making characters sing, I do it in so many fics.

Let me know what you thought of this chapter.

How as Sirius explanation?

What do you think about Harry's reaction?

What about Remus singing?