(Disclaimer and A/Ns can be found in my profile - Thank you)

--

It was Christmas time again at Arabella's. Minerva had gone to collect Harry from his aunt's home. Albus was standing by the window, pretending to look out, but really he was watching Severus trying to hide himself in a shadowed corner of the room. Off in another part of the room, Arabella Figg was engaging Remus Lupin in conversation. Of course, if it weren't for Severus, Remus would not be visiting. The wolfsbane potion Severus formulated was much different than the one Albus remembered from his other incarnation. This potion was based on a transfiguration potion. Taken once before sunset of the day of the full moon, it forces the afflicted werewolf person to transform to a regular wolf. After sunset, when the werewolf transformation would usually happen, the werewolf in the human is fooled into thinking that the transformation already happened. There is still some internal changes, both mental and physical, as the transfigured regular wolf becomes a werewolf. All in all the physical effects of the change are much easier on the human, and the person is better able to keep their human thoughts.

Remus Lupin had spent the last three full moons in a safe area of the Hogwart's dungeons. During those months the potion was altered and improved. Remus and Severus were able to work closely together in order to get the potion to where it was. The most interesting find during those months was that the saliva of the werewolf was neutralized, meaning a bite from a werewolf under the influence of this potion would not cause a person to become a werewolf. During the time that Severus was developing this potion, Damocles Belby had published his dissertation on the wolfsbane potion that Albus remembered from before. This potion was based on a mind altering potion. It needed multiple doses before the full moon in order to fully affect the mind. Severus and Damocles have been corresponding recently, in an effort to combine the two potions for maximum effect.

'So really," Albus thought to himself, "it is Severus' own fault that Remus is here, and that he himself is hiding in a corner." Albus knew that Severus was not hiding from Remus himself. The two had worked well together, and though they would never be friends they were tolerating each other. No, the reason Severus was hiding was about to walk through the door.

"Happy Christmas everyone!" Chirped Minerva, as she brought Harry in and helped him take off his winter gear.

Harry, noticing a new face, hid behind Minerva. Remus was frozen in place. "Ach, really!" Minerva complained as she picked up Harry and took him over to where Remus stood. "Harry, this is Remus Lupin. He was friends with your mum and dad." When the boy did not respond she jostled the boy and rebuked him gently. "Harry, why don't you say 'Hello' to Mr. Lupin?"

Harry, who was always shy around new people, mumbled a quick 'Hello' and smiled at Remus. Albus noticed that Severus was trying not to pay attention to the goings on from his corner of the room.

The day continued much the same as the previous Christmas days had at Arabella's. Harry ran around playing while the adults were talking about something-or-another (mostly Harry). Harry mostly stayed away from Remus. The whole morning was spent with Remus watching Harry, while Severus watched Remus and Harry and Albus watching Severus. It was comical to the point the the ladies in the house rolled their eyes frequently at their male counterparts.

At one point, Harry tripped on something, as an excited and active three year old would do. Remus was the closest to the boy and helped to get Harry back to his feet. Harry looked deeply into Remus' eyes for a moment. Feeling uncomfortable under the boy's serious scrutiny, Remus asked Harry if he was OK. Harry then snapped out of his daze, nodded at the man, and ran off.

After lunch everyone went to open gifts. Harry decided to sit himself in Severus' lap for the event. It took nearly an hour for all the gifts to be distributed, opened and oohed and aahed over. Albus could tell that Severus was relaxing. His posture was still stiff and formal, but the tension seemed to be gone from it. When it was all over, Harry refused to budge from Severus' lap. The potions master, who had barely spoken a word all day, ended up reading book after book to the boy - until it was time for Harry to be taken back to his aunt's.

Minerva prepared Harry to go and everyone gave the boy hugs goodbye. When Remus bent down to say goodbye to Harry, he put out his hand for the boy to shake. Harry put his little hand into Remus' larger one, and began to stare into Remus' eyes again.

"You feel OK?" the little boy asked.

"Yes, I feel better than I have in a long time." Remus answered honestly. It was almost two weeks after the full moon so his health was at its best. That combined with seeing Harry had him feeling better than ever.

Harry got a confused look on his face. "You not sick?" He asked, trying to figure something out that only he seemed to comprehend.

"Sometimes I get sick, but today I feel great." Remus replied.

"OK." Harry said and he shrugged, apparently not figuring out what he wanted.

With final goodbyes, Minerva left with Harry. Thus ended another Christmas Day at Arabella's.