Remus stood in his office, setting the tank down and stepping back to watch the grindylow float in its brackish water. Remus was panting, as the tank was ginormous and he had had to carry it up multiple staircases alone. Though his back ached and he was quite sure that this grindylow would not like him or the third years, Remus was very pleased with the delivery. His third years were proving to be very smart, and Remus was happy to try and provide challenges for them. Taking one hand from his hip, Remus wiped the sweat from his forehead and pushed his curly bangs from his eyes.

Remus's ears suddenly prickled; he could hear the faint sound of footsteps coming down the corridor. That was probably Professor Snape- it was Halloween, and most of the students were away, spending their day at Hogsmeade before returning to the castle for the holiday feast. Snape was bringing Remus a dose of Wolfsbane potion, and Remus awaited it anxiously.

This would be Remus's first draught of the potion, and he was extremely nervous. The full moon was only two days away, and Remus's stomach turned with anticipation and anxiety. He would still have to go to the Shrieking Shack, just in case it didn't work, but if it did... Remus couldn't let himself get his hopes too much.

The steps got louder, and Remus readied himself to accept the potion as gratefully as possible. He knew that it wasn't a small task Dumbledore had given Snape, and Remus couldn't help but feel a twinge of gratitude towards Snape. Remus could only hope that Snape wouldn't spit in the potion before giving it to Remus. Remus waited, surprised when steps passed his door. What? Why wasn't Snape giving it to him? He crossed his office, confused, and peered into the hallway.

"Harry?" Remus called, recognizing the familiar cowlick from behind. Harry started, but turned back to see who had said his name.

"What are you doing? Where are Ron and Hermione?" Remus asked Harry, noticing his lost expression. Remus would have expected Harry to be in Hogsmeade with his friends- he had seen Ron and Hermione leaving the courtyard this morning and had presumed that Harry had been right behind them. So why was Harry wondering around here, at Hogwarts, by himself?

"Hogsmeade..." Harry said, in a forced casual voice. Oh. So Harry couldn't go for some reason, though he wished to. That much was apparent.

"Ah..." Remus made a spilt second decision- probably not a wise one, as he knew best that Snape would be coming soon, but Remus felt he couldn't let the opportunity pass him by. "Why don't you come in? I've just taken a delivery of grindylow for our next lesson."

"A what?" Harry asked, snapping out of his moping attitude.

Remus smiled and turned, making room for Harry to follow him into his office. Remus stood by the tank, peering in thoughtfully as the creature smashed its face into the glass, its boney fingers raised with tiny claws exposed.

"Water demon. We shouldn't have much difficultly with him, not after the kappas. The trick is to break his grip. You notice the abnormally long fingers? Strong, but very brittle." Remus said, noticing Harry hesitating in the doorway. This almost made him smile. All the time, Remus noticed tiny things about Harry that reminded him of Lily and James. Here, James would have leaped in immediately, already plotting a plan to provoke the grindylow. Harry cautiously waiting was more like Lily- thinking things through a bit before acting.

"Cup of tea?" Remus asked, turning away from the glass and pacing to his desk. "I was just thinking of making one."

"All right," Harry said, looking at his shoes.

Remus tapped his kettle with his wand, instantly boiling the water. He removed the lid, looking around for his supplies.

"Sit down; I've only got teabags, I'm afraid, but I daresay you've had enough tea leaves?"

Remus saw Harry glance up at him, and Remus held back a laugh. He couldn't help but mention it- McGonagall had spoken of the third years' ruined Divinaton lesson (Professor Trewlaney had predicted Harry's emminent death one afternoon in September), and Remus commenting on it had provoked exactly the reaction he wanted.

"How do you know about that?" Harry said accusingly, almost embarrassingly.

"Professor McGonagall told me- you're not worried, are you?" Remus asked, suddenly ashamed for finding humor in it. Trewlaney was notorious for bizarre and inaccurate predictions, but if Harry was taking it seriously...In her life, Trewlany had spoken only one correct prophecy, and that revelation had led to the massacre of three of the greatest fighters in the Wizarding world. Remus felt himself sober instantly- Sybil Trewlaney's strange predictions were no longer something Remus could joke about.

"No," Harry said, but Remus could hear a twinge of uncertainty in his voice. Had Harry heard the rumors about Sirius coming to Hogwarts for him?

"Anything worrying you, Harry?" Remus asked, suddenly worried, hoping Harry would tell him if something was really wrong.

"No," Harry said again, diverting his eyes to the grindylow tank behind Remus. After a moment's hesitation, Harry spoke again. "Yes. You know that day we fought the boggart?"

Harry set it mug down on Remus's desk, turning the full force of his green eyes on Remus. Remus could now see Harry was upset about something- something Remus had done? He hoped not.

"Yes..." Remus said worriedly, wondering if he had jumped to conclusions.

"Why didn't you let me fight it?" Harry said, almost angrily.

Remus raised his eyebrows. This? He thought the reason had been apparent- Remus never would have dreamed Harry actually thought it was something he himself had done. "I would have thought that was obvious, Harry."

Harry looked surprised. "Why?"

"Well," Remus said, not sure that he wanted to get into this but also sure that he didn't have another choice. "I assumed that if the boggart faced you, it would assume the shape of Lord Voldemort."

Harry stared at him blankly. What? What had Remus said to confuse him?

"Clearly, I was wrong," Remus said quickly, wanting Harry to stop looking at him like that. "But I didn't think it a good idea for Lord Voldemort to materialize in the staffroom. I imagined people would panic."

"I didn't think of Voldemort- I remembered those dementors." Harry said slowly.

"I see..." Remus said, smiling at Harry's expression. "Well, well...I'm impressed. That suggests that what you fear most of all is fear. Very wise, Harry."

Harry picked up his teacup and drank deeply. Remus smiled at this. He liked feeling like he had a personal relationship with Harry, not just from afar.

"So you've been thinking that I didn't believe you capable of fighting the boggart?" Remus clarified, wanting to give Harry one more boost. He did feel bad that Harry felt that way, too.

"Well, yeah. Professor Lupin, you know the dementors-" A knock interrupted his words.

Remus's stomach dropped. He wished that Harry wouldn't be here for this, but he couldn't ask Harry to leave without making it blantently obvious that something was going on. "Come in," he said, though he already knew exactly who it was.

Snape billowed in, carrying a steaming goblet, his frown deepening when he saw Harry sitting with Remus.

"Ah, Severus," Remus said immediately, hoping that this interaction would be brief. He could handle Snape's comments, but he didn't want any misplaced remarks to uncover the truth to Harry. "Thanks very much. Could you leave it here on the desk for me?"

Snape set the goblet down on the desk, eyes flickering between Harry and Remus. He smiled slightly while looking towards Remus, and his eyes gleaming. It was not a pleasant look; it was the one of a predator knowing that its prey was cornered and trapped.

Remus forced himself to keep his voice casual. "I was just showing Harry my grindylow."

"Fascinating," Snape drawled, sounding as though he thought it was the exact opposite as he glared at Remus. "You should drink that directly, Lupin."

"Yes, yes, I will," Remus said, meaning it. As much as he didn't like it, he knew that he must do exactly as Snape said. Remus couldn't let his pride cloud his judgement.

"I made an entire cauldronful, if you need more." Snape said, patronizing.

"I should probably take some again tomorrow. Thanks very much, Severus." Remus said, hoping that Snape would cease and leave.

"Not at all." Snape said, a glint of evil humor in his eyes. Remus was grateful when he slipped into the hallway.

Remus let his breath out, relieved to have Snape gone. He noticed Harry looking at the goblet suspiciously.

"Professor Snape has very kindly concocted a potion for me- I have never been much of a potion brewer and this one is particularly complex." Remus picked up the goblet, unmeaningly inhaling a whiff of the curling steam. It was quite foul, with a heavy musk and a sour undertone. "Pity sugar makes it useless."

Remus raised the cup to his lips and drank. He tasted a thick, curdling liquid, and shuddered at the vile aftertaste that burned his throat as he swallowed.

"Why-?" Harry began, but stopped, perhaps realizing that intruding would be rude. Remus saw the curiosity in his eyes, and knowing that Harry would worry until he could think of a reasonable answer, answered.

"I've been feeling a bit off-color; this potion is the only thing that helps. I am very lucky to be working alongside Professor Snape; there aren't many wizards who are up to making it." Remus said, knowing Harry's option on Professor Snape. It wasn't exactly a secret that Snape hated Harry, but Remus didn't want Harry to suspect something was going on with the potion Snape had delivered. Remus could see the twinge of disbelief in Harry's eyes- Harry wasn't satisfied with that answer, but he wouldn't question it.

"Professor Snape's very interested in the Dark Arts." Harry said, almost accusingly.

"Really?" Remus said, forcing himself to sound off-hand, uncaring. Harry must not ever know exactly how intricately Remus knew Snape. Remus swallowed his potion.

"Some people reckon- some people reckon he'd do anything to get the Defense Against the Dark Arts job." Harry said, looking guilty after blurting his opinion.

One more sip. Remus swallowed the last drop of potion, shuddering when the liquid turned in his stomach.

"Disgusting." Remus said, setting his goblet down with a thump.

"Well, Harry, I'd better get back to work. I'll see you at the feast later." Remus said, purposefully avoiding what Harry had just said. Remus wanted nothing more than to tell Harry the exact depth of Snape's desire for that job, but knew he must not, not ever.

"Right," Harry said, putting down his teacup precariously on the edge of the table. He stood, shooting Remus one more glance before crossing the room and out the doorway.

"Oh, Harry, one more thing," Remus said, his stomach lurching as the potion sloshed inside him. Harry stuck his head back inside the office, looking at Remus curiously. "Shut the door?"

Harry closed the door with a thump, and Remus was left sitting alone at his desk, trying to breathe in the fresh air from the window to calm his churning stomach.

Remus closed his door behind him, slowly making his way to his bed. Sitting down, he pulled off his cloak and shoes before twisting to lay down, fully clothed. Remus felt homesick; not for one of his old cottages, or his parents' house, but for Hogwarts. Not for the Hogwarts that he was at right now, but for the Hogwarts of his boyhood. He didn't miss the classrooms or the hallways, no, but what it had meant. Hogwarts had always been his home, and Remus had thought that by returning, he would feel as if he was finally coming back. But he had realized that it wasn't Hogwarts that was his home; it was his best friends. His best friends who had been dead for exactly twelve years, tonight. Remus missed them so much it hurt. Even the thought of Sirius, the traitorous bastard, made Remus's heart swell and his eyes water.

He blinked furiously, banishing the tears from his eyes and staring angrily through the dark at the ceiling.

This happened every year on the anniversary of the Potters' death; Remus had hoped that by being at Hogwarts, with Harry, might have eased the pain. It had, in a way- for once Remus didn't wonder if Harry was alright, if he was grieving on this day like Remus was...Remus wished he could slip away from this place, to go to Godric's Hollow and visit their graves like he did every year. The thought of them lying alone in the graveyard, without him, on this day made his stomach twist.

Remus fell into a fitful sleep, memories of black-haired boys dancing before his eyes.

Bam!

Remus jolted awake, startled at the sound of his door opening and then quickly closing. Opening his eyes, Remus saw Dumbledore's worried face, inches away from his own. Sitting up, Remus reached over and turned on his light, a feeling of dread in his stomach.

"Professor? What's wrong?" Remus asked, pulling down his shirt and moving his legs in his bed if Dumbledore wanted to sit. Remus quickly wiped his face, hoping that Dumbledore wouldn't notice the tears that had streaked Remus's cheeks.

Remus wasn't sure what could be wrong. When he had left the Great Hall, only an hour ago, everything had been as normal as ever. Something horrible must have happened from Dumbledore to come to Remus's personal room and wake him.

"Get up, Remus. You need to come with me." Dumbledore said, leaving Remus's bedside to hover in the doorway.

Remus leapt from bed, pulling his cloak from where he had discarded it on the floor over his head frantically before racing to the hallway to meet Dumbledore.

"The Fat Lady of Gryffindor Tower was attacked tonight."

Remus gasped; why would a student have attacked the Fat Lady? His question was quickly answered.

"She says it was Sirius Black."

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