Chapter 25: Old Friend/New Teacher

It was early August when Albus was leaning up against his office window and was looking over the letter he received from one of his former students.

Dear Professor Dumbledore,

First of all, I wish to thank you very much for offering me the post as a teacher. You have no idea just how much your offer has meant to me.
However, considering how problematic my condition is, I don't think that it would be wise to let me teach at Hogwarts surrounded by children. What will the parents say? There is no way that they'll allow it. And though I know that I never harmed anyone during my seven years here; I can't help but feel that as an adult, I am an even bigger threat to others than when, I myself, was still attending. Though I like to think that I've matured greatly since my own school days, I believe that it is still too much of a risk.
Please don't think I do not want to come back. It's an honor that you considered me and I would've loved to come back and teach. But I fear I might accidentally hurt somebody, and so I cannot jeopardize anyone safety. So I ask that you please try to find another teacher. Believe me when I say that I wish I could, but I can't under the given circumstances.

Remus J. Lupin

Albus had re-read this letter many times and it never failed to bring a terrible sadness to him. Even after all this time, Remus still considered himself as a monster, and nothing that anyone says will be likely to change that. But Albus was determine to have Remus back here for this year… so after several more letters and pleads for him to take the job, he was able to convince Remus to come and see him and to at least hear him out. He hoped that when Remus walked through the old corridors and secret passageways, it would help convince him to return.

"Dumbledore?" Everard suddenly called in a bored tone, breaking Albus's train of thought. "Lupin's here. I just saw him arriving and McGonagall is showing him up here as we speak."

"Ah, good, good," Albus said as he went back to his desk and waited. It was about 10 minutes later he heard a knock on the door.

"Enter," he called cheerfully and Minerva had come in with a slight smile. "Headmaster? Remus Lupin's here to see you," Minerva told him just as Remus came in right behind her.

"Yes," Albus said happily, "I can see that." He nodded to her and she left with a slight bow of her head and a nod to Remus. Once the door shut behind her Albus looked up at his old pupil, his eyes studied him for a moment and he felt the smile fade from his face slightly. Remus looked so much older than he had ever seen him before; though the man was only 34, he looked as if he was at least 10 years older. He had several lines on his face, his brown hair was streaked with grey, and there were quite a few more scars—no doubt from his monthly transformations. Remus looked around the room for a brief second before saying, "I see your office hasn't changed much since the hundreds of times I've been in here," he said with a feeble attempt at humor.

Fawkes looked up from his perch and gave him a small trill as he passed by. Remus walked up to stroke the bird's soft red wing as he blinked peacefully up at him.

"Yes, it's good to see you again too, Fawkes," he informed him as he finally turned to his old Headmaster and said rather stiffly, "Professor Dumbledore?"

"Good afternoon Remus," Albus said graciously. "It is wonderful to see you again. Though, judging from your tone, you don't seem to be pleased to see me."

"I… it's not that it's just…" he looked around desperately for something to say. "Professor…"

"I am delighted that you took the time to come and see me today," Albus answered. "But please, Remus. You are no longer a student, just call me Albus."

"Okay, Albus," said Remus though he sounded very uncomfortable. Then, he took a seat at Dumbledore's desk.

"Lemon Drop?" Dumbledore offered him from a bowl sitting on his desk, like he used to do whenever he and the rest of his little gang were sent up here to receive their punishments from one of the countless stunts that they pulled off.

Remus shook his head, "Ah, no. I'm fine, thank you."

They sat in silence for several moments, as Albus continued to gaze at Remus intently. Remus just looked back uncertainly, as if unsure if he should begin the conversation. He just continued to stay quiet, since Albus was the one who asked him here in the first place.

"How are you doing these days, Remus?" Albus finally asked softly.

"I am…" Remus said slowly, as if wondering if he should tell the truth or not. "Doing as well as can be expected. I have a small flat just on the outskirts of London… it's no palace but it is comfortable."

"And are you working?" Albus asked him, trying to hide the sorrow in his voice.

"I…" Remus began before he trailed off again and grimaced. "To be honest, no. Most of my jobs only last three or four months if I'm lucky before my employers start to wonder why I'm always taking sick leave around full moons. Lately I've been finding temporary jobs in the Muggle world which have been helping a lot." He attempted to laugh at the end, but it sounded more like forced chuckle.

Albus nodded knowingly as he raised his wand and conjured up a tray of steaming hot tea and a few biscuits. "Help yourself," he informed him.

"T-thank you," Remus said as he reached over and took several biscuits. It was then that Albus noticed just how thin his arm was as he took the tea and he couldn't help but wonder when the last time Remus had a decent meal. After pouring tea for both of them, Remus asked, "Now, Albus, why did you call me here?"

"Well," said Albus slowly, his mood turning somber as he reached from inside his desk and pulled out today's paper. "I'm not sure if you received the paper for the last couple days?"

Remus shook his head. "Not really. It's getting too expensive to be paying for the paper every day. I normally read the old ones whenever I get a chance."

Albus had been afraid of that. He sighed, hating to be the one to tell him but knowing it had to be done. "There is something you need to know, Remus, and I think it would be better if you heard it here than from someone else." Smoothing out the newspaper, he held it out for Remus to read the front-page headlines.

Remus leaned forward to read it curiously and Albus saw all the blood draining from his face as he began to shake—whether it was from fear or rage—Albus didn't know. On the front page, there was the picture a man that they both thought they knew very well. But he looked so different from the young and handsome trouble-maker that they used to know, that if his name hadn't been written there underneath, they never would've recognize him. The picture showed a skeleton-thin man with long, matted hair, a possessed grin on his face, and mad laughter that seem to come from the deepest levels of insanity.

AZKABAN'S FIRST ESCAPEE: SIRIUS BLACK!

For a few seconds, Remus seemed too stunned to speak. "B-but that's impossible," Remus finally croaked out gazing at the headline and not being able to tear his eyes away from it. "There must be some kind of mistake. No one has ever been able to escape Azkaban, no one!"

"I'm afraid that this is no mistake, Remus," Albus said gravely as he lay the newspaper down next to the tea tray. "Sirius Black has indeed escaped. It happened night before last in fact."

"Wh-what will happen to him if he's caught?" asked Remus shakily. Albus gave him a sympathetic look and answered as gently as he could, "He will return to Azkaban of course… though I've recently heard that the Ministry may sentence him to the Dementor's Kiss instead."

"Oh, God," Remus put his head in his hands and moaned miserably. Albus reached over and placed a comforting hand on his arm.

"I know that this must be hard for you to hear, Remus," Albus said in a sad tone. "It grieves me to know this as well. But I felt that you of all people deserve to know."

"How did he do it?" Remus choked out, still not looking up at him.

"I'm afraid that we don't know that just yet," Albus admitted. "I was informed that when they checked Sirius's cell, he was gone. They searched the whole island, but they couldn't find any trace of him."

Remus finally looked up at him with very red eyes. "That doesn't surprise me. Sirius he…" Sirius's name seemed to be caught up in his throat for a second before he continued, "He always had a gift for escaping."

Albus felt so terrible for the man sitting across from him. He knew just how much Remus cared for his friends and how much he grieved for them… and he also knew that even after all this time, it pained Remus to just hear about his past friends. These twelve years must've been very difficult for him.

"Is that all, sir?" Remus asked, voice still shaking a little as he twisted a corner of his robes into knots. "I mean, is there something else you want to tell me?"

"Ah, you are a very perceptive young man, Remus," Albus said quietly. "First, I must express to you how sorry I am that I had to be the one to tell this to you. But I must also inform you that now that you know, it will be a great aid to me if you could do me a favor?"

"A favor?" asked Remus, timidly, as if afraid of what he was about to ask.

Albus nodded once as he surveyed him over the top of his glasses. "As you know, I am still Headmaster of this school. And as I'm sure that you also know, Harry Potter is a student here now. He is beginning his third year this September in fact."

He saw Remus flinch slightly as if hearing Harry's name was a painful subject for him.

"Yes, sir, I know that," he whispered. "But just what is it that you want me to do?"

"There is an open position at Hogwarts," Albus informed him. "As there is every year… for Defense Against the Dark Arts of course. Now, I'm sure that I don't need say it for you see where I am going with this, Remus?"

Shock was over Remus Lupin's face as he croaked out hoarsely, "You can't be serious. I know that you've been writing to me about the post, but you can't honestly suggest…"

"And why not?" Albus asked him lightly.

"Because of…" Remus gasped as if he thought that Albus was mad. (Which he was of course—just a little bit.) "You know of my… 'condition', sir! I could be a danger to all the students and staff!"

"Remus, surely you have heard of the Wolfsbane Potion that was so recently invented?" asked Albus, hoping that this would tempt him. "As I am sure you already know, while the potion does not cure lycanthropy but it does ease the symptoms, allowing the werewolf who takes it to hold on to their mental faculties after the transformation. Which under normal circumstances not be possible."

"Yes, but… but…" Remus spluttered, like he could've believe what he was hearing.

"If you don't want to take the job, that is alright," Albus said carefully. "I just thought that you…"

"No! No," Remus interrupted, "Of course, I would WANT to take the job, but wouldn't people object to… well, me?"

"Very few people would need to know about your condition," Albus informed him. "And I have already made plans for Professor Snape to make you the Wolfsbane potion…"

"Severus Snape?" Remus repeated, his face falling back into depression. "He hates me! He hated me ever since we were children, and I highly doubt that he has forgiven me for what happened back then! I don't think he would make the potion for me."

"He will," Albus assured him with certainty, "And he will take over the class on days you need to recover from your transformation, which I know that he will like. Your lycanthropy will not be a problem as long as you continue to take the potion."

"But…" Remus muttered.

Albus watched the range of emotions play across Remus's face and said, "I assure you, it is not impossible for you to come back and teach. Please consider my offer, Remus, Hogwarts will need your protection this year. With Sirius Black on the loose, we could all be in terrible, terrible danger."

Remus looked like he didn't know what to say to that so he asked, "I… I don't understand why you want me to teach here so badly."

Albus's eyes became very somber and he frowned, "Several reasons. First of all, I do not believe in keeping a capable man from a job where he would do well because he suffers from a hardship he has no control over."

Albus saw the tears beginning to form in Remus's eyes and took a long pause before saying, "Second reason is that now that Sirius Black has escaped Azkaban, I am dreading that Harry will learn things about his past that I know will trouble him greatly. As of right now, he doesn't know who Sirius Black is… or just what his relationship is to him. But I do believe that this year, I think Harry will need someone like you now more than ever."

"I think I am the last person Harry needs," Remus told him bitterly.

"Oh, quite the contrary," Albus told him gently. "You were one of his father's closest friends, and the only one left who has remained true to that friendship."

"But, sir…"

Albus spoke slowly and carefully. "Remus, you were always the most responsible of your friends. Perhaps Sirius will be caught long before he comes anywhere near us, and we won't have to worry this year, and we won't have to worry about protection anyone. But, just in case, I think it would be beneficial to have you at Hogwarts; even if it is just for this one year. Regardless of what you say, I do believe that you can teach the class and teach it well, something all the students here desperately need."

Remus didn't say anything, but Albus could see that he was sorely tempted by all everything he had to offer. Albus bit back a smile and said, "You will be perfectly safe, Remus. You and everyone else so long as we take all the necessary precautions. Do you truly think I would even offer you the position if I thought that that it was impossible? Do you think I would put my pupils at such a risk?"

Remus twitched horribly as if ashamed of his thoughts and Albus asked, gently. "The Wolfsbane Potion has been proven to be successful. I have the assurances of Severus Snape that he will make it for you each and every month, and you can lock yourself up comfortably in your office and wait until the full moon passes. Just think of it as a little extra time off each month for you to work out your problems."

"But when Severus agreed to make it, did he know who would be given the potion?" Remus asked, mildly.

Dumbledore nodded and pressed the tips of his long fingers together, "Severus Snape is more than willing and able to make the potion for you." He then noticed the unconvinced face that Remus was making because he added, "Remus, he's kept your secret for all these years. I can promise you that he won't poison you under my watch."

"I don't know, sir…"

"Remus, you would make a marvelous teacher. Did you forget Peter Pettigrew and all those other students that you helped to get through their exams? You are patient and kind, Remus. And you enjoy teaching—exactly what every good teacher has. Are you really going to let your… condition deprive my students of their chance to learn?" Albus paused, allowing these words to sink in.

Remus started into the depths of his tea. "But what about the parents? There is no way that they will allow a werewolf teaching their children…"

"I generally do not keep things from the parents, but on this rare occasion…" Albus trailed off. "The governors will have to be informed of you, of course. But I know that I can convince them that you are more than capable of teaching here. Luckily for us, our biggest challenger to your appointment has just been forced down from his position so I do not think that it will be too difficult for me to convince the governors to allow you to come."

"Lucius Malfoy's been sacked?" Remus said startled.

"Oh, yes," Albus said cheerfully. "Do to certain… ah, conditions last year, he was recently forced to leave the Board of Governors. What he did is no longer of any importance and I don't feel the need to bring it up again," he said, answering Remus's unasked question.

"As for the staff, most have remained since your own time here as a pupil, and they all remember you with great fondness." After a moment, Albus added nonchalantly, "And of course, I'm sure that Harry and the rest of the students will enjoy having you here."

"Professor… Dumbledore," corrected Remus in a tone that was torn between fear and apprehension. "While we are on the subject… Harry… I've got to know…"

Albus smiled. "Remus, my dear boy, I was beginning to think that you would never ask about him."

Remus returned the smile, though it was rather watery. "So, how is he? I haven't seen him since he was just a baby. What's he like? Is he happy? What's his personality like? Does he get good grades? And who does he look like?" He hesitated for a second and then finally asked, "Does he know anything about me?"

Albus's eyes twinkled at him. "To start off with. He looks just like his father. He looks exactly like James did when he was his age… but he has Lily's eyes, as I'm sure you recall. He is happy enough when he is here at school and his grades are fairly decent. At least he does his homework unless James who spent half his time here making up excuses to why he didn't turn in his work." Remus smirked at that as Albus went on, "He may look like his father, but his nature is much more like his mother's. He inherited Lily's temper, her kindness, and definitely her bravery. And to top it all off, he hasn't let his fame go to his head as you know that James would've."

Remus laughed slightly. "Yes, James did have a big head when we were kids."

"Harry on the other hand is very polite and modest," Albus said comfortably. "Sometimes, a little too modest."

"What House…?" Remus began uncertainly.

"Gryffindor, like his parents," Albus confirmed and a big smile broke out on Remus' face. "As for him knowing about you, Remus…" Remus tensed up, "He doesn't know about you, not yet anyway. I will leave that up to you to decide whether or not you want him to know."

Remus nodded gratefully, and Albus could see the mixed feelings on his former student's face.

"Is he on the Quidditch team yet?" Remus couldn't help but ask. "I remember James always going on and on about how he was sure to be an amazing player when he got older."

"Yes," Albus said with a nod. "In fact, he's been on the Gryffindor team since his first year. He plays Seeker."

"Since first…?" Remus stuttered in amazement. "But first-years never… he must be the youngest player in about…"

"A century," Albus said beaming. "Indeed he is very talented on a broom. But even with all his fame, he still doesn't let it all go to his head which I find to be simply remarkable. I personally find him a very delightful and honest child."

"Good, I'm proud of him. I… It's good to hear after all these years," Remus finished lamely.

"It's good to hear you say that," Albus said as his tone suddenly turned grave again. "As a matter of fact, I have just come from a meeting with the Minister about Harry."

"Oh?" Remus said, his smile also fading.

"Yes. And it's about what Black might be after," Albus informed him rather stiffly.

"So he's after Harry?" Remus said quietly in a empty voice

Albus sighed as he stood up and paced the office. "Yes. I'm afraid we have reason to believe he is."

"It's just…" Remus stated, unable to form a complete sentence. "His own godson… what on earth could've happened to him? When did it go so wrong?"

"We all wonder that," Albus said sadly. "But I also wonder why he waited this long to break out. Was it because he wasn't able to before or…?"

"A display of power! He's doing this so he can prove that no one can stop him, sir," Remus blurted out furiously. "Sirius always did love a challenge! He broke out now so he can try and go after Harry when he's safely inside Hogwarts where you are! It's the way Sirius… just the way that his mind works. It's the attention he wants!"

"You sound like you miss him," Albus said in an understanding tone. He understood this all too well. Even if your best friend had gone over to the wrong side, you cannot forget the friend that you once knew, and hope that he could still be in there somewhere. He thought back briefly to Grindleward… before he shook his head hard with his eyes tightly shut—trying to bring himself back to the present.

Apparently Remus didn't notice, which he was glad for. "I can't deny that I do miss him," Remus admitted. "I mean, I miss the Sirius Black that I used to know. I still hate him and think he deserves to spend the rest of his life rotting in a dark cell in Azkaban after everything he did… but I still miss him just as much as I miss James and Peter. Lily and Harry…" He ran a hand through his graying hair. "I just don't know anymore."

"That's proves you are still human," Albus said, kindly. "You believed him to be your friend. You trusted him. We all did. And even after everything that has happened, those feelings are still there. Trust may be an easy thing to ignore, but not to forget. Believe me; I know that there are some things that are impossible to move on."

Remus closed his eyes and sighed unhappily.

"I'm sorry," Albus added.

Remus shook his head. "It's not your fault. It's ours, for thinking that he was on our side."

"Even the best of us have been disappointed by those we love," Albus said to himself sadly as the image of Ariana's and Aberforth's faces of when they were still children, swam into his mind. How they had trusted him to take care of everything… and how he disappointed them both completely. "And betrayal is the worst kind of disappointment. You miss the man you once knew. Who, despite everything, was still once your friend—that is understandable."

Remus drained what was left of his tea and turned his head away from him. "He was traitor," he said at last not even bothering to hide the hurt in his tone.

"Do not let the betrayer he became destroy the memories of the friend you knew," Albus said gently. "The man who was once the same boy who loved nothing else than pulling pranks with his best friend by his side and making others laugh."

"But how can he be the same person?" Remus cried in confusion. "I wish that I could look back and remember how it happened! When it all went wrong! To the moment he changed. But I can't! I just don't see how it's possible! One minute, he was the loyal, good man who would rather die than give up his friends, and then the next he was the one responsible for ending his best friends lives—laughing as he did it. I just don't know what to think!"

Remus shook his head as he turned to look out the window.

Albus let him sit there for a few minutes, let him absorb everything he had just learned. But when he showed no signs of moving or speaking, Albus asked him once again. "This is your decision, Remus. If you want the position, it's yours. And truthfully, I can't think of anyone better suited for this job right now than you."

There was another pause. Remus continued to stare out the window.

"I…" Remus wiped the tears from his eyes, "Alright," he said at last. He took a deep breath, and said in a slightly shaky voice, "I'll take the job."

Albus sighed with relief. "Thank you, Remus. I greatly appreciate this of you." Albus paused for a moment. "And now I must ask yet another favor of you. The Minister has demanded that extra protection be placed around the school. I am not happy about what he had in mind, but would you object terribly to being on the Hogwarts Express with the students? Who knows? You may also run into Harry, then."

"Not at all," Remus told him, "But why do you want me to? And doesn't Harry know that Sirius is after him?"

"No," Albus said firmly. "I am certain he will find out soon enough once he arrives at school. But I would hate to burden him needlessly with this when there is still time. He doesn't need any more responsibilities placed on his young shoulders yet."

"If you're sure…"

Albus nodded before he paused for a second. "It was his birthday just a couple days ago."

"Yes, he's thirteen now I know," Remus said sadly as Albus gave him another sympathetic look. "Even though I haven't seen him after all this time, I could never forget his birthday."

Albus gave him another long look and said, "You truly are one of the most kindest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, Remus."

Remus blushed as Albus put the newspaper away and Remus gathered up his coat.

"I will look forward to hearing more from you and to hear about your lessons during the year," Albus informed him.

"I'll do my best," Remus said, though he sounded unsure of himself.

"I know that you will, Remus. But, also," Albus stopped with his expression darkly. "I want you to know that it isn't just Black that I wish to protect Harry, and the rest of my students from. Fudge has ordered the Dementors of Azkaban to guard the school and I have a strong suspicion they will prove to be much more of a threat than help."

Remus had gone even paler than before. "Dementors? What on earth was he thinking? I think I rather take my chances without those accused things around! To actually let them near a school with children…"

"I know," Albus said bitterly. "I have told Cornelius that I will not allow a Dementor anywhere near the school. But he has ordered it. He may trust them, but I do not. But to know that there are teachers here who know how to fight them will help put mine and everyone else's minds at ease.

"I don't pretend to be an expert at fighting Dementors," Remus told him quickly.

"But you can hold your own against them," Albus told him firmly. "Do I have your word that you will do everything in your power to protect the students?"

"Of course. But…can't you just forbid the Dementors coming anywhere near the castle?" Remus asked him.

"Yes, I have made my thoughts quite clear. Unfortunately, that does not guarantee that the Dementors will follow through with them. But it will give me some comfort to know you are aboard the train with the students until they all safely reach the castle. And now," Albus walked passed him and over to the door. "I am afraid that I must take my leave. But I do look forward to welcoming you onto my staff in September."

He held the open for him with a smile, "And I'm not worry. I have absolute faith in you."

"Thank you," Remus said, flushing at the praise again. "I'll do my best not to disappoint you."

"Of all the people I have ever known, Remus, you are one of the few who has never given me cause to be disappointed. I know that you will do brilliantly," Albus smiled a little wider. "Now, good day to you."

As Remus walked passed him he suddenly added, "Oh, and Remus?"

Remus turned to him. "Yes?"

"Please keep a close eye on Harry for me," he told him forlornly. "I fear with Sirius Black on the loose again… he's going to learn who is responsible for Voldemort going after his parents sooner or later. Which will make protecting him even harder. Please make sure that he stays safe."

"You don't even have to ask for that," Remus assured him as he shook his hand and left rather quickly, as if he was afraid that he would change his mind if he stayed any longer. Once Remus had left, Albus gathered up his cloak and got ready to leave for what was sure to be another boring meeting with the Wizengamot when he heard Phineas ask him, "A werewolf? Honestly, Dumbledore…"

"I can assure you, Phineas that Remus is more than up to the task," Albus told him sternly. "I wish to hear no more about it. Nothing you say will change my mind."

"When has it ever?" he asked snidely. "If you knew what was good for you, you'd listen to me once in awhile! But noooo… you insist on doing things your own way don't you? And though you might be able to fool all the other thick-headed paintings in here, don't think you've got me hoodwinked for a second." As all the other portraits let out cries of outrage and started yelling out threats he shouted above the noise, "You only want wolf-boy here so that he can babysit Potter for you don't you?"

"Trust me, that is not my intention, Phineas," Albus told him confidently, swinging the cloak over his shoulders. "But after everything that has happened during the last two years, I don't wish to take chances of risking any of my students safety."

"Yeah sure," Phineas yawned as Albus left the room—leaving the portraits all screaming so loudly at Phineas he didn't hear the Slytherin Headmaster say, "You keep telling yourself that, Dumbledore. Everyone knows that Golden Boy Potter's your favorite."

(Yeah! I'm done with this chapter! And we are all finally on year three! Sorry for taking so long, but I've been very busy with school. Next chapter Dumbledore hears about the Dementor attack on the train and we move onto the welcoming feast. Hope you all enjoy it as well as this one.)