The thought of the coming moon was akin to the thought of a death march for James as he made preparations as best as he could. He had a cold sinking feeling the entire day leading up to the moon as he tried to play up the concept of being sick. This was no easy task considering that the day of a full moon he was probably at peak physical condition despite being on edge. It was one of the reasons why he and Sirius were able to figure out Remus' secret and see through his feeble excuses. Would it be the same here? He knew he had a number of bright students, and he wouldn't put it past them to put two and two together.
Still the moon came and went as usual, and he spent that Friday's classes sleeping off the effects of his curse. It was a bit rougher than he would have liked and he couldn't help but wonder if Snape tweaked the Wolfsbane a bit. He was going to have to remember to watch it with Potions Master. He really didn't want a repeat of this, and took the following Saturday to mend and sleep a bit more rather than going to see Harry's match. His health simply did not permit it. While missing the match shouldn't have been a problem it quickly became one as Dementors happened to attend the match. Luckily Dumbledore was in attendance, saving Harry's life.
The Headmaster was livid. Harry was safe, nearly unharmed save for the usual brand of Quidditch injuries. Yet the unwanted guardians of Hogwarts were not welcome on the school grounds itself and this particular situation added to Dumbledore's argument to keep them where they were. Of course, while the situation did not sit well with James it seemed that his being beckoned to the Headmaster's office was not simply to discuss the Dementor situation, but another issue that had begun to arise.
"Remus, I have heard word that the werewolves had grown a bit restless as of late," spoke Dumbledore, his face still pinched with the emotions of the day.
James didn't speak because he wasn't sure where the other man was going with the information. He couldn't integrate back in with the wolves and still be a professor there in the school. Being among the wolves was the last place James wanted to be, not to mention last he heard he was not welcome among the wolves of England unless he bit another, preferably a child.
"It may be nothing of course, but there could more to it."
When James didn't speak yet again, Dumbledore continued. "I would like you to look into it."
"Headmaster, if I go to join the werewolves and then I will not be here for Harry. Not to mention the ultimatum they last gave me."
"I do not mean for you to re-join with the werewolves at this time. However, I would request that you take the time to sniff around over the holidays and see what you can learn of things without getting to close or involved."
A cold feeling sunk in the pint of James' gut. It was bad enough having to spend the Christmas holiday transformed, it was even worse having to spend it out in the cold. Would he be expected to give up his regular potion for this task?
As though Dumbledore read his mind spoke once more. "I believe it would be best if you are in your right mind for the task. As such I will speak with Severus to see what needs to be done to accomplish this.
James nodded his head. While the situation was not ideal, if the wolves were getting restless then they needed to know why. The thought rested heavily with James until Monday when classes resumed. The reports from his students about their substitutes came back positive save for his Gryffindor third years who took it upon themselves to speak against Snape, without his prompting even. It amused him in many ways, though James did not appreciate the fact that Snape was trying lead the students into discovering what he was.
There was a slight instinct to want to deck the man; it paled in comparison to how the rest of him felt, which was exhausted still. He knew that in some ways he had egged the Potions Master on having quite near decked him - still he had no right. Seeing as physical violence was not an answer for many reasons, starting with exhaustion and ending with his needing to keep his post here at Hogwarts, despite how he entertained the idea of chasing after Sirius. What Dumbledore said about being here for Harry was very true. Hence the reason why when class ended he asked Harry to hold a moment.
Of course the first thing he thought to ask about was Harry's broom. He had heard about it but didn't know what sort of damage was done to it. Also he had a feeling it was a good start to making casual conversation with his son, something he had only achieved the once and it had in a way felt awkward, all things considered. Still talking about Harry's broom didn't amount for much considering that the Whomping Willow took it out. James let out a sigh; the broom was utterly destroyed. There was a part of James that wished he could take care of it for his son, but his funds were extremely tight and he could scarcely afford for himself. At least Harry was set having inherited the family funds, something that as Remus he himself did not have access to.
Then Harry opened up and asked about the Dementors. It caused James to suddenly look up at Harry from the books he was gathering into a briefcase. He didn't think his son would open up to him like that, but apparently Dumbledore was right that Harry had taking a shine to him. He continued the conversation by asking if they were the reason that Harry had fell. This led to Harry asking a question that James didn't expect and it caused his heart to break a bit for his son.
"Why? Why do they affect me like that? Am I just – ?"*
James was quick to break Harry off. He knew exactly where his son was going with that question and he wasn't going to stand for it. His son was not weak. What happened with the Dementors had nothing to do with some perceived weakness. He knew that from personal experience in some respects; Dementors affected him worse now than they did in the past, because of the horrors in his past. Harry has the same, and James did his best to explain that to his son. He needed to know just what sort of foul creature he was up against. Fainting was nothing, considering everything that Harry had been through. There was little to be ashamed of on Harry's part and James wished in some way that he could take this burden away from his son, but sadly there was little he could do. Harry was the target of Voldemort and his Death Eaters, and that included Sirius Black. The least he could do would be everything in his power to protect his son.
"When they get near me – I can hear Voldemort murdering my mum."*
That particular revelation hit James particularly hard. He moved without thinking and reached out to Harry to place his hand on his shoulder. He heard the death of Lily? That hit James hard and he felt his heart try to break out of his chest. He stopped himself from trying to embrace Harry and schooled his face not to show his real emotions. As silence enveloped the two of them for a few moments, James tried to focus on his briefcase. He didn't know what to say or offer to Harry. An urge to tell Harry that he wasn't alone in his pain briefly surged through James, but Harry turned the topic back to Qudditch and Dementors. It was the lifeline that James needed to get out of his thoughts and feelings of heartbreak; he figuratively snapped them shut as he did the same with his brief case.
He opted to do the teacher-like thing in the moment and explain why the Dementors came to the match, and that led to an explanation of Azkaban and how inmates tend to go crazy.
"But Sirius Black escaped from them. He got away..."*
The words hit James like a ton of bricks as his briefcase slipped off is desk, stooping quickly to catch it before it landed on the floor. Why hadn't he thought of this before? Sirius had to have figured a way to defeat the Dementors without a Patronus. It was something that shouldn't have been possible. How had he managed it? Dementors were supposed to drain a wizard not only of their sanity, but their powers as well. That realization terrified James on some level. He didn't let that show however as he spoke with Harry, expressing only of his thoughts. He was going to have to continue to mull over them on his later. Now wasn't the time, as Harry was pointing out how there was indeed a defense against Dementors as he himself proved on the train. This line of conversation of course led to Harry asking about getting lessons on how to do the same.
That was no easy task. The Patronus Charm was a high-level spell, OWL level, and there was no expectation to produce a proper Patronus even then. It was a spell that many witches and wizards could not accomplish. It wasn't just a matter of wand work, but also force of mind and will. Honestly James had a feeling that there was even a spiritual element to it, yet as he hesitated he could see the determined look on Harry's face. There was no denying the boy.
James relented and agreed, but asked to wait till after the holidays, considering there were many end of the year task he needed to see to, chiefly preparing to spy on the other werewolves. He also needed to figure out how to best teach and train Harry on this. He wasn't about to lead Harry to believe that producing a Patronus in a safe environment was anywhere near the same facing off against the real thing, not that he even began to entertain the idea of using a real Dementor. He would have to thinking on that. Still, Harry went on his way seemingly encouraged by the thought of getting lessons to ward against Dementors and James couldn't help the small smile that played on his lips as he left his classroom shortly after his son. Maybe there was something he could do for his son aside from being here to protect him.
The smile did not last long on James' lips as he accidentally bumped into another body, not having paid full attention to his surroundings. A rare occurrence considering his abilities due to being a werewolf, but it did happen on occasion.
"Professor Lupin," said a light and airy tone. "I don't think we have had the pleasure to properly meet."
James blinked, not readily familiar with the person who spoke to him. "Your presence was missing from the pre-term staff meeting – due to illness was it? I hear that is still a problem is it not?"
"Yes. I'm sorry we have not had the pleasure of meeting Professor Trelawny," offered James politely being quick to deduce who it was he was speaking to. "I do regret I was not able to make the staff meeting. I've had had a rather weak constitution since I was fairly young."
"Yes, I saw that when crystal gazing not long ago. I don't foresee your illness ending well for you, I'm afraid. Then again I wasn't able to get a very clear reading. If you would like we can move this conversation to the divination tower where I can get a better reading for you."
"That is very kind of you, Professor, but I think I will pass on having you crystal gaze for me," politely declined James. He wasn't exactly fond of the art of divination. The practice was quite questionable to begin with, and of course there was the prophecy that caused him to lose his family. Then the icing on the caldron cake was the matter that this was the woman who was tormenting Harry with ludicrous predictions of his death.
"Please, you can all me Sybill. You sure you won't join me ah –" she broke off realizing that she did not have his name which James supplied. "Remus. I'm sure it would be most enlightening."
"Thank you, Sybill, but I actually must get going," explained James as he suddenly saw Severus cross over into another corridor. He quickly moved past to quickly try and catch up with the Potions master.
He moved around the corner quick enough and was able to catch up to the other man. "Severus, I need to have a word with you."
"How am I not surprised?" came the bored drawl.
"What was the idea behind teaching my third year Gryffindor's about werewolves?" James made no plays at being something other than cross.
"You failed to leave any lesson notes, Lupin. I was forced to improvise. Their education is distinctly lacking in that area. Not avoiding things for your personal convenience are we?"
"You didn't even look for my notes, Severus. They were on the left hand side of my desk and I'm told my students tried to tell you where we had left off in their lessons. I have canceled the assignment you posed to my class and advise you keep to potion making."
*Quotes from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban first edition paper back p187 & p188