Thirteen Months

Once upon a time, Harry lived for the weekends especially ones such as these; a stirring breeze and fresh snow that blanketed the grounds in a dazzling white that reflected the weak sun. That weekend was not one of those shiny moments of his short lived life. He stood at the rail on top of the Astronomy Tower and watched as the other students laughed, joked and made their way to Hogsmeade. He felt… isolated, not abandoned; Hermione had offered to stay behind, but he was adamant that she enjoy the outing and her chance at a new experience. The hollow feeling inside him could only mean one thing: he was simply lonely.

"Knew we'd find you here."

Harry grinned over his shoulder, "Sure you did."

"Actually, we did." The twins stopped at the rail on either side of him and looked over at the view below. The sudden quiet unnerved Harry, but he waited for them to say their piece.

"We were talking," Started the one on his right.

"And came to a decision." Continued the twin on his left. Harry leaned against the post and waited again for them to continue. It was odd how easily he learned to accept their verbal volley.

"We are going to let you in,"

"On the secret to our success."

"This little beauty has taught us more than all the teachers in the school…" The left twin pulled out a piece of parchment and Harry's interest was definitely piqued.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," The right twin tapped the blank page with the tip of his wand as he spoke.

"Messrs. Moony, Padfoot, Wormtail and Prongs, Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers, are proud to present The Marauder's Map." Harry read aloud as the parchment filled with lines and curves and banners over little moving sets of feet. It showed Hogwarts' secret passages, corridors, classrooms, offices, common rooms. A ribbon floated over moving feet listed every person's name giving their current location within the castle and the grounds. "Bloody brilliant."

"We owe them so much."

The twin on the left pointed at one of the statues. "There are many secret passages,"

"This one will take you right off the castle ground,"

"And into the basement of Honeydukes."

"I've seen that statue, ugly thing." Harry wrinkled his nose at the memory.

"That's the passage on the third floor, behind the statue of the humpbacked, one-eyed crone."

"Tap the statue's hump with your wand,"

"And incant the spell Dissendium," the brothers said in unison.

"Wicked," the three teens watched as first and second years, professors and other staff wandered around the castle and its grounds. "I had no idea there were so many secret passages."

"Loads really."

"Some take you to different floors,"

"In order to avoid Filch,"

"And other staff members." The twin pointed out Hagrid lumbering around his cabin.

Harry pointed to a name and frowned, "I don't recognize that name. What house is Pettigrew in?"

"Hmm…" The brothers stared blankly at each other and shrugged, "We don't know."

"It's probably not a smart idea for me to head to Hogsmeade while that Black bloke is still wandering out there. Not to mention the Dementors." Harry shuddered. "By the way, rumor has it every year Trelawney predicts some student's death. This year she picked your brother, Ron. Something about a grim prediction."

The twins laughed, "Excellent."

"How so?" Harry looked from one Weasley brother to the other.

"Oh, the pranks we can pull."

"Grim…" They grin at each other, "Big black dog, shouldn't be too hard to create."

"Is that what that grim thing is about?" Harry frowned and got a faraway look in his eyes. His mind drifted back to the quidditch game when he thought he saw a big black dog watching him from the stands.

"Ya, the Grim is a big black dog,"

"It represents death." Said the other twin as he brought out his wand again and tapped the map. "Mischief managed."

The brisk wind whipped past him, his hair disheveled, ears and nose red from the cold. Harry waved his wand, and felt his body relax the moment his weak warming charm enveloped him. Tucking his wand away, he slouched forward, resting his elbows on the rail. Harry watched the others and made a game out of picking out students he recognized even from that height. It wasn't hard to pick out the Weasley twins with their fiery coifs. He closed his eyes and sighed heavily, pushing back any jealousy or resentment with a self reminder that it was his choice to remain alone.

"This is a rather precarious place to be found on your own, Harry. I thought you were told not to wander off alone?"

Harry jumped at the sound of the professor's voice and straightened immediately. He smoothed his clothes, wishing it was just as easy to slow his racing heart, and looked warily upon the Defense professor. Not being allowed to join his friends in Hogsmeade again was bad enough, now he was faced with the one professor he avoided outside of class. Lupin watched him expectantly and the training with Mrs. Zabini kicked in. He remembered his manners. He raised his chin imperceptibly and adjusted his stance, placing his folded hands behind him while his face bore the façade his hard work had created for him. "Greetings, Professor."

The immediate reaction from his professor confused him. Instead of simply accepting the greeting, and possibly returning it, Lupin's shoulders rounded in what Harry could only interpret as remorse, but for what? "You don't like me much, do you, Harry?" The man was as wary of him as Harry was of the professor; which - if Harry were perfectly honest with himself - he found surprisingly annoying.

"Sir?" The word was clipped and harsher than Harry intended. How was he supposed to respond to that?

Lupin waved him off, effectively confusing the boy further. The man was a walking contradiction. He carried himself with an air of confidence that deflated at Harry's confusion. Lupin would look at him as if he knew something, only to question Harry instead. Or Lupin would look at Harry as if he hadn't a clue what was going on, only to make unwarranted and usually incorrect observations.

He stood near the railing where Harry had been just a moment ago and leaned against one of the posts, watching the students scatter across the courtyard with a wistful smile. Some students were laughing, some walking, others were heading towards Hogsmeade. "It's quite alright if you don't. You wouldn't be the first."

Harry stood stiffly beside him and stared openly at the man. His mind reeled with responses that varied from one end of the spectrum to the other. What could he possibly say that wouldn't warrant a week's worth of detentions? The professor helped Harry on the train, but ever since then he had stared at Harry as if he grew a second head or - as Blaise put it - he'd done Lupin a 'personal disservice'. There was plenty Harry would like to say, but that was a professor standing before him and he was a student. Even more importantly, Harry was a Slytherin. Harry was expected to carry himself with a sense of dignity, pride and decorum. Relaying the first thought that came to mind would belie the proper persona.

Something niggled at his conscience. Harry knew he shouldn't speak too openly but the man asked for it… didn't he? Emotions and expressions crossed Harry's face as he fought the inner battle. Dumbfounded, Harry struggled with those thoughts until his self-preservation kicked in and he found his voice, "With all due respect, I don't appreciate being told my personal view. You don't know me."

Lupin straightened with a bemused look. He stared at Harry as if he was seeing him for the first time. Harry inwardly groaned. He could mentally hear Blaise giving him a few choice phrases he could have said instead, Jason mentally encouraging him and Hermione admonishing him for being rude to a professor. What threw Harry more than any odd look Lupin had given him to date was watching the man toss his head back and laugh. Harry blinked as Lupin - who usually was so melancholy - grabbed his belly with one hand, the rail with the other and sucked in breaths of air between fits trying to regain his composure.

Harry bristled, finding the whole confrontation rude on the man's part and glanced at the stairs wondering how much trouble he'd be in if he were to suddenly walk away from a professor without being dismissed and leaving him to his own devices. First Lupin made him uncomfortable with odd looks and then the man laughed at him. Apparently Lupin didn't believe Harry was allowed to have an opinion or maybe the laughter meant that Lupin thought Harry's opinion was silly, stupid, childish…

With a huff Harry decided that Lupin's laughter, for whatever reason, was excuse enough to walk away. He simply refused to be humiliated further. Harry turned his attention towards the stairs, ready to face the consequences for his current actions later, but Lupin grabbed his arm firmly. Harry stiffened and stared in shock at the man's hand. The last professor to grab him like that was a host to Voldemort and Harry's stomach coiled with a sudden dread.

Lupin removed his hand immediately, "Harry, wait. Please understand. You were thirteen months old the last time I saw you. Forgive me if I sometimes forget you're already a young man."

"I… excuse me?"

"I went to school with your parents. I was friends with James and Lily. Danced at their wedding." Lupin rattled on about events that seemingly meant something to him. He grinned sheepishly at Harry, "I admit seeing you in green and silver instead of crimson and gold threw me, but I never meant to make you feel uncomfortable."

That would explain Lupin's initial reaction to seeing Harry in his school uniform at the Sorting Feast. "My being sorted into Slytherin surprised a lot of people." Harry felt light headed as pieces clicked together and ignored the small grin Lupin gave him. He lowered his gaze and stared at the stone floor. It was an odd and uncomfortable encounter. Harry's hands were still behind him, he clenched them together to keep him from fidgeting. "You were friends with my parents."

"Yes," Lupin watched Harry as he absorbed the information, his voice sounding almost eager.

Harry wasn't sure how Lupin expected him to feel about what he said. Other than to excuse Lupin for his previous behavior, what was his purpose for telling Harry that he knew James and Lily Potter? One way to find out was to ask. So Harry looked at the man and did just that, "And?"

Lupin scratched his jaw as he peered at the teen. He looked rather unsure how to follow that so Harry continued, "Many people claim to have known my parents. What I don't understand is what you gain from telling me."

"Gain?" Lupin snorted, "You really are a Slytherin. There's nothing that I gain, Harry."

Harry just stared at the professor and sighed when nothing was said for a fair few minutes. Annoyance aside, Harry was now cold and the situation had grown awkward. "Okay then. Well it was, erm… I have to work on my warming charm. Excuse me."

He tried to suppress a shiver that Lupin apparently saw, "Come with me. We'll get you warmed up in no time."

"Professor Snape…" Harry jumped in surprise and dropped his gaze to what the professor carried with him. He found his eyes following the odd smoking goblet that his Head of House carried. That curious gaze of Snape's made him uncomfortable. It wasn't as if he was doing anything wrong.

"Mr. Potter…"

Harry didn't have to look at the professor to know he had a raised eyebrow, waiting for Harry to explain his presence. He straightened before continuing, "Professor Lupin and I were discussing a new project and he has agreed to a help me with it after the holidays."

Lupin appeared to ignore the exchange between the Slytherins and gratefully accepted the smoking goblet, "Thank you, Severus."

The two Slytherins apparently were ignoring the Defence professor in return as Snape addressed Harry, "Hmm, yes and what would this project be?"

"The, erm…" Harry suddenly felt self-conscious, but pushed forward and straightened his posture further. He wasn't going to waffle now, this was something he truly wanted. "Patronus Charm, sir. As often as the Dementors seem to seek me out, I thought it couldn't hurt to know how to protect myself, and as it's an advance spell…"

Snape peered at Lupin with a meaningful glance that was lost on Harry, "I see. If you're through here, I do recall you were told not to wander around the halls unaccompanied."

Harry grinned and just as quick as it came, it was hidden. He turned back to Lupin and gave him a small nod. "Thank you for your time, Professor. I'll see you in class."

Lupin opened his mouth as if to say something, but closed it with a snap. He slid the goblet closer to his side of the desk and gave a soft goodbye instead. The two Slytherins left the Defense professor in his office, Lupin's odd farewell left Harry a bit confused with the man's behavior, but Harry wasn't left in his thoughts for long.

"It isn't wise to spend time alone in that man's presence, Potter." Snape kept his face stoic, his deep voice was low and soothing, heavy with undertones. Harry looked at him in surprise and the professor barely waited for the questioning 'sir?' to be uttered before continuing. "The man's allegiance is still in question."

"Surely Professor Dumbledore didn't hire yet another questionable Defence professor." Harry spoke before he thought the words through and cringed at the hard look given to him by Snape. "Sorry sir, but after Quirrell and Lockhart, I was hoping…"

"As we all were." Snape sniffed and they continued towards the dungeons.

"The Patronus Charm…"

"When it comes time for your lessons bring one of your friends along with you. I'm sure Miss Granger would jump at the chance to learn something so advanced, though I'd say your chances at survival would be greatly enhanced with Mr. Zabini. He at least can keep calm during a crisis." Snape glanced at Harry without turning his head to gage his reaction.

"Lupin said he was friends with my parents." Harry struggled internally. He wanted to believe Lupin wouldn't hurt him, but at the same time Harry couldn't ignore Snape's warning, not to mention the last two professors did indeed want to hurt him.

"Yes, your father was friends with an… interesting group." Snape bit the word 'interesting' and Harry raised an eyebrow, unsure whether to be concerned or amused.

"You knew my father." It wasn't a question, Harry remembered a half uttered sentence during his first year. Snape simply kept moving through the Entrance Hall.

"I was never friends with your father." Snape paused in the hall, merely feet from the Slytherin common room. "We did eventually come to an uneasy truce of sorts. Your mother's influence. Stubborn woman," Harry glanced curiously at Snape whose lip twitched before he turned on his heel leaving Harry to stare after him.

"Potter!"

Harry grinned as his dorm mates edged around Snape, greeting him quickly in their rush to pull Harry along with them. He was a bit confused, but followed his two friends and found Hermione pacing in the Entrance Hall. She smiled half heartedly and that caused Harry's stomach to churn in knots. They moved swiftly into an unused classroom and closed the door. Harry thought he'd become ill waiting for one of them to speak. So he prompted them, "What's wrong?"

The three glanced at each other before Blaise's face set and he nodded taking the lead. "We were in Three Broomsticks when Fudge, McGonagall, Flitwick and Hagrid showed up. They were chatting with Madam Rosmerta." Harry looked at them with a blank stare, "She owns the Inn." Harry nodded and waited with baited breath for Blaise to continue. "They were talking about Sirius Black."

Hermione bit her lip and grabbed hold of Harry's hand. The sudden touch and movement took the boy by surprise causing him to jump. "Harry, Black was friends with your father, a close friend." Hermione squeezed his hand, "Professor McGonagall mentioned he was made your... your godfather."

"What?" Harry bit the word. Hermione flinched and he sighed. He wrapped his arm around her feeling guilty for snapping at her. "Sorry. This is so weird."

Jason picked up the story at that point, "Fudge said that Black was your father's best friend, in their wedding and everything. Then turned around and betrayed your folks to You-Know-Who. After another friend of theirs, some bloke named Peter-"

"Peter Pettigrew," Hermione interrupted and Jason nodded before continuing.

"Right, Pettigrew went to talk to Black about it. Black killed him and a street full of Muggles." Jason shuddered as he relayed what they had heard.

"Fudge made a point of saying the only thing left of Pettigrew was a finger." Blaise frowned and scratched his chin.

"Peter Pettigrew? That can't be right." Harry frowned as well, his mind flashing back to the Marauders' Map.

Edited 10/13/2016