I Don't Want to be a Hero - Second Year
Chapter Thirty-Seven
28 Dec 1992 - Tea
Harry checked his pocket watch: it was eleven-fifty-two antemeridian. He tucked his watch back in its little pocket and then ran his hands down the breast of his waistcoat. This one was rich purple with a darker embroidery of purple and deep wine red. It was the waistcoat from the suit his father had given him for Christmas.
At Hogwarts when he wore his forest green waistcoat Draco thought he looked old. Ginny thought he looked pretentious. Luna told him he looked like the son of dashing Colonel Brandon. He was not sure who that was but he suspected Colonel Brandon might be a hero from one of the Muggle books Hermione had lately been lending to Luna to read. Hermione just agreed with Luna, and then they both giggled while looking at his father, and comparing him to a 'Barchester minister'. It was all silly, really. Harry felt both grown-up and distinguished.
Severus had borrowed Kili and Fili, the Malfoy cottage house elves, to clean, and to prepare tea. He then made them go home so he could have his kitchen back, and he made lunch.
Once more Harry glanced at his watch, put it away, and this time he checked the low round table in front of the chairs and sofa where they would all have tea. The set was a pretty China blue tea set with Chinese dragons, flying over pretty farmland. The table itself - built just for tea according to Severus - was of highly polished, black-stained teak. The teapot rested upon a trivet of scrolled iron, and the cups rested in saucers as they waited for tea. Near the teapot was a serving plate that held pretty little cucumber & butter sandwiches, bacon & olive sandwiches, and pretty cakes of lemon just for Professor Dumbledore. Severus had placed the tea under a Warming Charm, and the plate of finger sandwiches and cakes were under a Cooling Charm.
Harry had just plucked his watch for the third time from his pocket when there came a knock upon the front door. "It's them!" he shouted unnecessarily.
Severus walked out of the kitchen drying off his hands, Vanished the towel, and then Summoned his and Harry's jackets. Severus' was a new long coat (Harry had pointed out that the old one was looking a bit threadbare, and washed out) that dropped comfortably to his knees. Harry wore a shorter jacket that had a slight dip at the rear. Once in their jackets, Severus nodded to Harry to open the door and to receive their guests.
At the door Harry took in a deep, fortifying breath. He did not realise that his father behind him had done the same. Severus was getting used to speaking relatively well of the grown Remus Lupin but he had not spoken to him since the man had initially threatened to remove Harry from his custody nearly a year ago.
Harry opened the door to see Remus Lupin on the doorstep, and beside him was Albus Dumbledore. Remus wore a tweed suit with stylish leather patches on the elbows of the jacket. Albus had helped to do several magical repairs on the well-worn suit. Albus himself, for once taking into consideration the fact that Severus despised his more colourful attire, wore sedate robes of blue and green velvet, and a pointed cap that matched; the point drooped to the right.
"Welcome Professor Lupin and Dumbledore," Harry smiled and ushered in his guests.
Albus patted Harry's shoulder, "Thank you for inviting me, Harry. Call me Albus, though. I am retired now so neither am I Headmaster nor teacher."
"Remus…" Severus just barely restrained from addressing the wizard he disliked by his last name. "Albus." He bowed. "Please sit, and Harry shall serve."
Harry poured the tea as soon as the two wizards seated themselves on the sofa. Severus, not willing to leave his son alone with their guests, had placed lunch under stasis until he could return. For several long minutes all four wizards drank their tea in uncomfortable silence.
Remus finally spoke, "Thank you, both of you, for inviting us to tea." Severus nodded once in acknowledgement, and Harry just took a big gulp of the tea, and wished he had not since it was terribly hot. After a few more minutes, Remus spoke again, "Harry, did you have a good Christmas?"
Harry, who never tired of talking about Christmas, and every other activity he did with his father, knew just what to say as he lit up, "It was great, sir! I didn't think we'd have any decorations up, and the cottage was so boring that I decided to do lots of drawings. Well, when I woke up the next morning there was ivy, holly berries, fairy lights, and a great big tree in front of the window." He lifted his wide, and up to show how big the tree was.
"And gifts under the tree?" twinkled Albus.
"Oh yeah! Lots! And I got to open all of them, too. Then there was breakfast, and a whole bunch of owls came with presents for dad…" Harry stopped as he saw Remus visibly flinch at his use of the word 'dad'. "Is something wrong, professor?" Harry asked warily.
"He's not…. I…" Remus stammered as he glanced to Severus, his posture frozen but for his teacup that was slowly returning to the saucer. He shook his head. "I… I'm sorry, Harry. I'm just not used to hearing you call... Severus… your father."
"Get used to it," snapped Harry in offence.
"Harry," growled Severus. "You will apologise this instant or for you this visit is over."
"But, dad…" Harry protested.
Severus' lips tightened over his clenched teeth. "Apologise. Now. You were rude."
Remus smiled, and tried to defuse the situation until Severus turned the dark look upon him. He backed down.
Only for a moment Harry remained stubborn, and refused to issue an apology for his behaviour. He sighed, then spoke softly, "Dad's right, Professor Lupin. I was rude. I'm sorry for that."
"Understandable, Harry," Remus smiled with relief.
"Sir?" Harry began uncertainly. "I don't mean to be rude but Severus Snape is my dad, and I'm his son. I love him a lot. Like… everything in the world, and Christmas, and flying on a broom a lot. I just wish everyone would grow up and accept it. I mean, even my first father James wanted my dad to love me and to take care of me. And, dad taught him how to play baseball in his Dreamtime."
"Harry, that is all a very nice story…"
Harry's fists thumped the arms of his chair in frustration. He wanted to rail, and hit this idiot but he dare not misbehave in a way his father would not approve. Severus spoke smoothly, "What Harry mentions is no story, Lupin, and you insult him by insisting it is."
"Oh come on, Severus!" sighed Remus. "You were dead, from what I read in the Daily Prophet. Hit by the Killing Curse. Am I to believe that James and Lily spoke to you when you were dead? And then, you were in hospital under the Dreamtime, a Healing Sleep. I know patients under that spell and potion are aware of their visitors, but to believe that your sleep was haunted by ghosts? Don't give me such stories," he ended harshly.
Severus carefully put his half-full cup of tea, and its saucer down on the tea table. He then caught the werewolf's gaze with his own, unforgiving one. "First of all, Lupin, James, Lily and I fought Voldemort to his permanent death. It was James and Lily who spoke to their son that day. As for my Dreamtime being visited by ghosts, that was once. The other time they all referred to themselves as 'Shades', and they were as substantial as you and I. When I have spoke to my Healer he told me that he was aware of many such stories occurring with his patients in Dreamtime. Furthermore, there is historical record you ought to research that will lend verisimilitude to what I say. And, finally, I have the Memories which I could share with you, but I choose not to."
Severus stood, removed the tea things by Vanishing everything to the kitchen, and walked over to his front door. "You have overstayed your welcome, Lupin. I suggest that when you return home you look up the records I speak of, and do your research. In the meantime, never… ever accuse my son of making up stories."
Albus finally spoke up as he placed a hand on Remus' forearm to prevent him from rising, and leaving. "Severus, I shall be certain to have Remus look up that information. However, could we put this awkward moment behind us, and try to be civil? For Harry's sake?" The older wizard gave a sudden, and piercingly hard glance at Remus who deflated at its onslaught.
Severus looked towards his son. This visit was not about himself, and his past with Lupin. He had admitted to himself that Lupin had not been an ideal child but he had been under pressure even Severus could not claim; the daily threat of exposure and death. He disliked that knowing this made him understand Lupin more. Still, he would not allow anyone to besmirch his child's honesty, and so far Harry had been, to him, as honest as the day was long.
"Harry? If you wish to continue this visit, I will not object. What do you wish to do?" It worried him that Harry's posture reminded him of someone who had been physically beaten, and hard. He wanted to throw Remus out on his arse but he still felt that his son had a right to forge a relationship with Lupin - if he so wanted.
Harry looked critically at Remus. His first thought was once again to yell at the wizard, and to tell him what a stupid thing he was, but a smaller part of him wanted to just curl up, and forget everything. Suddenly he sat up as he felt a breeze ruffle his hair. Severus, where he stood by the door, could see a section of his son's hair lifted, and then dropped. He stiffened.
Harry heard nothing. No ghost spoke to him. Yet, he had the overwhelming, and comforting sense that James had touched him. He glanced up at his dad with a sudden idea, "Could we all go flying, dad?"
"Flying, Harry?" asked Severus in puzzlement. "Just you?"
Harry shook his head. "No. Tea's silly, and I want to fly, but I think Professor Lupin ought to fly, too. Profess… uhm… Albus, you'd like the beach. You can take your shoes off because the weather is not all snowy here like in England and Scotland. Do you want to come?"
Albus stood, and smiled brightly, "I think flying is a capital idea, boys! I shall, of course, stay upon the beach but I think the air would do us all a world of good."
Severus nodded. "If that is what you wish, Harry. Lupin, we keep several brooms here for guests. You may use one."
"Of course, Severus," agreed Remus.
Flying was just what everyone needed. A few games of Catch the Snitch, and Remus falling from his broom when he flew too low to the water and was hit by a wave, relaxed everyone. In Severus' case he felt a bit more tolerance towards Remus. If he had not he likely would have held the wizard under the waves. As it was he helped Remus out of the water.
"Drying Charms, my boys!" laughed Albus.
"Stop that annoying twinkle, old man," growled Severus as he began to cast several Drying Charms. Remus was all ready doing so.
"That was so cool, Remus, when you spun like that…" enthused Harry. "If that wave hadn't kicked up and knocked you off your broom you would'a caught the Snitch!" He giggled.
"James taught me. He was a better flyer than I was. I dare say you seem a natural on your broom, Harry," Remus smiled, and ran his hand through his hair. "Well, all I can say is thank Merlin we have Drying Charms!"
"Did you play Quidditch?" asked Harry.
"No. I wasn't allowed a broom at Hogwarts so James, Sirius, Peter and I tended to go and fly over the pitch when no one was playing or practising," replied Remus.
"How come you weren't allowed a broom?" asked Harry sympathetically.
Remus faltered. He should not have alluded to the things he was not allowed (which had been many) at Hogwarts. His Potions class students all ready knew he had a "condition" that necessitated three days absence once a month from teaching but, as of yet, none knew why.
Severus had left his hair partially wet, and he was running his fingers through it to loosen the saltiness of it from the sea. The Cleaning Charm did not adequately remove the stiffness. He moved closer to his son. "Harry, Remus is a werewolf."
Harry started to laugh but then glanced around at all the serious looks he was being given. "No he's not!" He laughed again but it faded quickly. "Werewolves exist?"
"They do, Harry, and I am one," confessed Remus. "It is something I've kept secret all my life because the Ministry still has the legal wherewithal to destroy me if they perceive I am a danger to anyone at anytime."
"Then why are you telling me?" Harry cried out in sudden worry for the wizard before him, and for himself.
Severus placed his hand on his son's shoulder. "Calm down, Harry. The reason you are being told is due to recent circumstances."
"The Wizengamot with their interim Minister have vetoed the general wishes of the Ministry For Magic. They have approved a petition that will allow me to acquire an apprenticeship so that I may become a Potions Master," Remus said with some bashful pride.
Albus spoke up, "As the first werewolf that was a student of Hogwarts, and will now become a Potions Master, we shall prove that the population of werewolves are not simply beasts to be summarily destroyed, Harry." He patted Remus upon the back. "Remus will show our world that werewolves are capable of learning, of wielding their magic, of being contributing members of our society."
Harry nodded since that seemed what the adults wanted from him. He sort of understood but he was still digesting the fact that werewolves existed in this new world of his. Dragons, Centaurs, mermaids, and now werewolves. Another thing in this world of magic he did not know really existed. His mind slipped back to something he could better wrap his thinking around. "So, because you're a werewolf you couldn't have a broom to fly?"
Remus smiled knowing that Harry was choosing to deal with the part of his Lycanthropy in a simpler way than how the wizarding world would re-approach the debate over werewolves.
"I still can't, Harry," Remus shrugged and began to walk along the beach. Harry ran to catch up so he could walk beside the man. "Perhaps after I am a Potions Master I'll be allowed my own broom."
"Me and dad can help you buy a great broom, Remus. Then you can come flying here, and play Catch the Snitch." Harry chuckled, and wagged his finger, "Stay away from the waves, though."
"I'll be sure to do so." Remus clapped Harry on the shoulder and they both turned towards the cliff where the zig-zag of steps awaited. When they reached the stairs, Remus looked upward at the wooden stairs dubiously. "I'll be dead if I climb those."
Harry held up his broom, and grinned. He glanced over his shoulder towards his father who was helping Albus over the dry sand that made walking more difficult. "Can we fly, dad?"
Severus waved a hand at his son. "Go ahead, Harry. I shall take Albus directly to the cottage." Enfolding the old man in his arms he Side-Apparated to the door of the cottage, led Albus inside, and to the dining room. Leaving Albus there he went to finish the lunch he had put under stasis so long ago.
Moments later the front door opened to admit Harry and Remus. They were still talking.
"You don't seem like an out-of-control beast to me," Harry remarked.
Remus smiled wryly, "Not now, certainly, but during a full moon I am a danger to anyone that encounters me. I intend to either find a cure for Lycanthropy, or a way for a werewolf's human mind to assert itself during the change."
"But, you're teaching," Harry pointed out as he opened the broom cupboard behind the front door.
"Indeed, I am but this Summer I will begin a Potions apprenticeship with Master D'Nali. Part of gaining my Mastery of Potions is to devise a project that is the creation of a new potion that is helpful to other witches and wizards," Remus explained. He took Harry's broom and placed it in the broom cupboard.
"I expect everyone is hungry," stated Severus walking out of the kitchen. "Dining room," he ordered.
Harry and Remus followed Severus to find Albus all ready at the table.
"Lunch smells wonderful, Severus," said Albus patting his stomach.
"I agree, Severus," added Remus.
Severus Summoned bowls of Caesar salad, and open-face turkey sandwiches with gravy on platters from the kitchen. The only hitch came when Albus stared in confusion at his linen serviette.
"A blanket, Severus?" the older man held up the serviette and it unfolded. "I think a talk is needed with your house elf to remind him…"
Severus took the serviette, and tied it around the old wizard's neck so his beard over his chest was covered. "A serviette, Albus."
"Ah! How ingenious! Thank you, my boy."
Remus quickly withdrew a potion from his pocket, broke the wax seal, and placed it in front of Albus. "Your Nutrient Potion, Albus. We started lunch a bit late."
Severus, who watched as the old man drank the potion, moved to his chair, and quickly whispered to his teaching replacement, "That is a Clarity Potion, Lupin."
"Aye," whispered Remus. "I shall explain later." He cut into his turkey sandwich, and put it into his mouth. "Delicious, Severus!"
Albus was blinking rapidly as the Clarity Potion took effect, but he nodded in agreement. Harry smiled at his father. "Dad's the greatest cook in the world!"