Hey everyone,
I am so glad that you guys finally get what I have planned with Remus. Before the previous chapter, a lot of you were pretty darn negative. You were telling me that I should have Harry and Sirius just drop Remus all together, that the Wizarding World is nothing but toxic and that Harry should just leave them all together. But I am already using that storyline for two of my other stories and I don't want to repeat the same storyline too many times.
Now what can you expect for the rest of the story? Well, this chapter is going to cover Bill and Dumbledore, next will cover Sirius returning to London (for a little while) and after that we are going to make a couple of time jumps. I know that we're currently on chapter 29, but expect chapter 33 to take place at around March in 1995 or something of the sort. Also, I plan to have Remus make his realization by the fourth of April. Wait,
Uh-oh,

Venquine1990
PS. Who can guess why this date is a problem. A little hint: it's not related to an event in the HP canon.

Chapter 29
Starting A New Job

7th of January 1996
Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts
Bill's POV

I am very glad that this time around I am visiting the Headmaster's office while on much better terms with the man than I was last time around. It really was a shock to realize that I had been studying at Hogwarts while the wards might have been down, but after a few minutes of thinking the whole thing through, I came with a different theory. And I just managed to confirm this theory, a fact that fills me with a strong sense of relief and also determination.
The Headmaster is as jovial and kind as ever, yet I notice an extra hint of excitement in his grin as I take my seat across his desk. "I cannot begin to express how delighted I am to have you join our school's staff, William, truly. I felt my heart soar when Master Rullnock gave his acceptance for the idea." The man tells me and I can hear by the tone of his voice that the man is sincere. I grin at him and happily I say:

"To be honest, sir. When I was in my Fifth and I had my Career Day with Professor McGonagall, I actually told her how it was my dream to work at Hogwarts as a teacher. But Professor McGonagall told me that the only spot she could see becoming vacant in the near future – or near future back then – was DADA and I was struggling with that subject, so she recommended against it. So we decided that I should focus on my other interest, Wards and Curses."
"And that's how you got to be a Gringotts Curse Breaker." Dumbledore mumbles in intrigue and I nod as I say: "And now I get to do that for Hogwarts. It's like combining my dream of the past ten years with the interests I decided to pursue back then. I sincerely love it, even though I don't love the state that I found our wards to be in." The man's smile vanishes off his face and he sighs as he asks: "Just give it to me straight, William. How bad did I mess up?"

A few of the Headmasters on the walls around us want to object to this, but I just pull the scrolls with my results from my pocket and say: "Well, like I said, I don't love the state. But at the same time, I do have a lot of good news that I wish to share with you. For one, you're not the first Headmaster that made this little error in judgement. It happened in the 1800's and the 1500's as well. And even once at the end of the 1100's, which was less than a century after Hogwarts was founded."
Dumbledore seems to take great relief from my words and I smile at him as I'm sure that, at the end of our meeting, I'll be able to set up a plan of action that can help us solve and fix all of this. I continue to talk: "Next to that, because Headmaster Dippet powered the wards in 1963, a year before you took the position, the wards remained charged for a good six years. They didn't start to weaken until 1969 and even then it really was a gradual drop."

I spot Headmaster Dippet rubbing the back of his head and he says: "I had been Headmaster since 1925. Phineas teaching me about the wards was one of the last things he did before his passing. By the time Albus took my position, it had just become second nature to me and I considered it part of my routine, personal not professional. I completely forgot about it when teaching Albus about the finer points of the Headmaster's role."
I nod at this, yet also grin as I hope to help Dumbledore make a few things that will help him and Hogwarts as a whole part of his own routine as well, if it becomes necessary. I turn back to my scroll and say: "I have more good news. Because it had been over 200 years since the wards were down the last time around, they didn't actually fall. They went into an inactive state, which will make it much easier to recharge them."

Dumbledore absolutely beams at this and I jest: "I'm sure you can guess which ward went inactive first, sir?" The man looks thoughtful for a moment, but then he smirks back and asks: "The Anti-Animagus Ward in 1972?" I shrug and say: "Almost, in 1973. It had already been tweaked, because of Professor McGonagall –." But then the Headmaster grins and says: "William, she's your coworker now. You might want to get used to calling her by her given name."
This time I'm the one rubbing the back of my head and say: "Right, like I said. The ward was probably tweaked because of Prof – because of Minerva and her Animagus form, but it went completely inactive, like a bear in hibernation, in 1973. The other wards followed it, though at a pretty slow pace. Still, there are many of them and so a few times between 1973 and 1984, there were clusters of four or five to 10 different wards that all fell at the same time.
In total all 324 wards were inactive by, surprisingly enough, 1988. And because it's been less than 10 years, recharging them will take less energy than I had expected it would take. However, because there are so many of them, I can't charge them by myself. And because the wards are so wide and varied in their nature, I need someone with a very specific level of health and energy to help me in this. I personally think you're my best chance, sir, but I will have to cast a few spells to test that."

The man's smiles at me and his eyes convey exactly what I am hoping to see more often; the man is grateful for the fact that he is wanted, that he is needed. I smile back and wait for his nod of approval. I pull my wand when I get it and wave my wand in the pattern that Master Rullnock taught me in the year before I moved to Egypt to start my training there. Part of me feels like talking about that as well, but I decide to share that story another time.
My spell's results show themselves at another scroll that appears on top of the one I was just reading from and I read them through quickly. And as I do, I feel a grin of relief forming on my face. "Good news, I see?" Dumbledore asks and I nod as I say: "I won't lie to you, sir. I checked with Pro – Minerva and Filius before I came here and – well, your results are better than theirs. And considering that Filius is part Goblin, that's really a good thing."

The man nods and I almost hear childlike excitement in his voice when he asks: "When can we start?" I cringe and say: "In about two weeks. You will need to start following a regiment of certain tasks and meals, sir, if we really want to get you to the level that I need. But like I said, you're closer to that range than Minerva and Filius. With Minerva I wouldn't have been able to do it until end February and Filius not until the end of this month."
The man seems to draw relief from the fact that, even with his closest coworker, the wards wouldn't have been inactive for that much longer and also pride in the fact that he can get them back up the fastest. I notice determination and strength almost radiating off the man as he asks: "What do I need to do?" I quickly pull a Self-Inking quill from my robe and turn the other parchment, the one with the ward results, around. And as I write, I say:

"First off, and this will be beneficial to the wards and your reputation, I advise you to walk around Hogwarts one hour a day. And I mean the school itself, not the grounds, though I do advise you to walk there for an hour a day as well, depending on the weather." Dumbledore nods and says: "Before I got my other two positions, I used to walk outside after dinner every day. I suppose it's a blessing that I am now just Headmaster again."
I nod in definite agreement to this and say: "Next is meals – or should I say, drinks. I advise you to have a cup of hot chocolate every night before bed." The man seems to actually get excited at this prospect and he says: "I actually have a tradition where I do that every night of the Christmas break. I'll be happy to continue that, though is it possible to return to that tradition in say a year or two?" I shrug and say: "I'll check you again in a year if you want me to."

The man nods and I say: "Also mum is planning to return to the Burrow, which considering your regiment is a good thing. I'll ask her if she could start growing some fruits so we can mix those with your tea. I advise you to have one cup of tea with a strong fruity flavor at every meal." The man sighs and says: "Another something I used to do. Though I can't quite remember when I went onto more spicy like tea such as black tea and ginger."
The man looks up and asks: "What of raspberry jam? It's my favorite, you see?" I grin at the man and say: "One slice everyday for either breakfast or lunch from now on –." I feel boldness rise within me and with a grin that I am sure reminds the man of my younger twin siblings, I quip: "That's an order, Albus." The man laughs jovially and even gives me a mock salute. Yet I can tell by his body language that, while the man appreciates the joke, he will follow through.

And this makes me feel a bit better about the next bit. "Okay, there is one more segment, though I will say that I usually get my clients up in arms when I mention this to them. If we want the charging to work successfully – and not end up with you out for the count for a week or so – you're going to need to make sure that you sleep at least 8 hours a night from now on." The man grimaces and I mentally prepare myself for an argument.
Yet the man surprises me as he says: "I won't deny it, William. I'll need help with that. Ever since Tom returned I have been spending less and less hours in my bed. After Harry disappeared that number dwindled even more. I do believe that the end of Tom and the wondrous Christmas break helped somewhat, but – the night before we left for Little Hangleton, I only slept two hours and even those were very restless."
I wince at this, but then smile and say: "Don't you worry, Albus. Like I said, I've had a lot of clients who needed this and who needed help. And while DADA was never my forte, Potions was always a specialty of mine, just like Runes. And like Pro – Professor Snape and the Wolfsbane, I was able to create a Dreamless Sleep potion without using any ingredients that can induce an addiction to the draught. My cauldrons are also big enough I can brew batches that are good for three nights. I'll start on a few after I'm done here."

The man sends me a huge and grateful smile and I feel my heart ache as I know what I have to tell him next will surely make that smile vanish. "Sir, my spell didn't just check your health in regards to the help I am going to need. If I cast this spell on any witch or wizard who is 70 or older, it also tells me how old they can become, with and without a health regiment. I won't lie to you, sir, if you don't make this regiment your routine, you won't see my sister graduate."
The man's face whitens and his eyes widen as he hears this and I lower my head down to where the two scrolls lie in my lap, the one having his results on my left and the other, that has the ward results on one side and my regiment on the other, on my right. "And if I – if I were –." The man asks and while he always spoke of death like the Next Great Adventure, I easily realize something by listening to the tone of his voice.
The man had indeed long since embraced Death as the next step after life, but he hadn't expected that it could be in less than three years from now. And a small part of me even wonders if perhaps his fear is because he considers it too little time to repent before he has to face Lily and James Potter again. I smile at the kind, gentle and honest man, who has been hidden behind a man with a mission for too long, and gently tell him:

"Somewhere between 2005 and 2007, sir." The man rests his hand against his heart as he sighs in relief and I say: "And that's just from your initial scan. If you follow this regiment and I test you again next year, the life span might have increased. Only time will tell, really." The man nods and then he asks: "Now that I am going to start doing this, when do you think we can recharge the wards?" And I honestly tell him: "By the 21st at the earliest, Albus."
The man nods and says: "Then I hope you will work hard on your other responsibilities in the meantime. And I wish you the best of luck upholding the No Magic in the Corridors rule with your brothers around." I laugh at this and say: "Speaking of my brothers, once I've brewed those batches, I'm returning to London. I want to ride the train tomorrow." The man nods and says: "Then I will see you at the Feast tomorrow, William."

I nod at the man, both in agreement and in greeting and then leave the office. I make sure to make a quick pitstop at the kitchens to ensure that one of the Elves comes to pick up my batches once they are done and then head for my new chambers. Because of my job with the wards, I made sure to get a set of them on the ground floor. And thankfully, while there are hints of red in the theme, it's mostly just simple looking wood that reminds me of home, of the Burrow.
Then suddenly a knock is heard on the door and I turn around to see Madam Pince stand in the doorway. "I heard from the House Elves that you're going to be brewing potions?" The woman asks, her voice still as strict as ever and while I wonder why that would be important to her, I nod. "Professor Snape left shortly after the break started. I decided, with some changes made to the library schedule, to replace him as Potions teacher."

My eyes widen at hearing this, yet I don't really get a chance to ask about more information regarding this change. "So, what potion are you making, if I may ask?" The woman asks and I say: "I hadn't started yet as I only just got to my rooms, but I was going to work on a Dreamless Sleep potion of my own design. One without the ingredients that make it easily addictive. The – the Headmaster needs it. He hasn't slept well since Riddle returned and asked for help when he heard of my work."
I know it's not the entire truth, but the doors are still open and I remember just how much the portraits loved to gossip from my own days as a student. The woman's eyes widen and she mutters: "I know for a fact that Severus looked for such a recipe whenever he didn't have his other responsibilities to bother him. Would you mind showing me the recipe?" I shrug and say: "The Goblins don't like keeping recipes on paper. I memorized it years ago. I can show you though."

The woman nods at this. The two of us head for one of the rooms in my chambers, in which the elves thankfully set my equipment trunk, while I am sure that my other two trunks, one with my cloths and the other with personal trinkets I have collected over the years, in my bedroom. I open the trunk, of which the top is actually a set of doors that open both ways. Madam Pince whistles as she sees this and then I ask:
"Quick question. Considering that I'm a coworker now, can I call you by your first name or still Madam Pince?" The woman seems to study me for a moment and then a small grin shows on her face. "Impress me enough with your potion, William, and you can consider yourself to have earned the right." And for some reason I feel an incredible urge rise within me to answer this challenge. I quickly and methodically grab the required ingredients as well as my cauldron, for which my trunk has a separate section so I can keep it in its original size.
Madam Pince's eyes widen once again at the size of my cauldron and then she follows me over to the station that is set in my room. Yet while I quickly use a bit of wandless magic to make my stuff float above my station, I then use my wand to cast the right kind of cleaning spells on the workspace as I noticed a few stains that I know can be detrimental to my work. Madam Pince nods in admiration of this and then I get to work.

And while I wasn't always fond of working on potions with others, not as a student and when training under the Goblins or working with my fellow Curse Breakers, I don't mind it so much with Madam Pince. What's even more intriguing to me is that, during the few periods of time in my work when my preparations lull in their need to have me focused, I find myself making small talk. And the fact that the woman is only five years older than me also shocks me.
Then I remember. "You're that Prefect that led me around in my First Year. When my own Prefect refused, because he felt I had shamed him by not walking fast enough the night of the Feast, even though I had strained my ankle upon exiting the train and Madam Pomfrey had fallen ill. I can't believe I forgot about you." The woman's eyes widen and then she smirks and says: "Congratulations William. You just earned yourself the right to call me Irma." And the grin that grows on my face at this is the largest since Christmas.

Sorry Fleur,
What can I say, I feel like creating a few unusual pairings in this story. And for those of you wondering, yes, I already created another one. Just check chapter 22, it's not really hard to find. Also, with William now working at Hogwarts, I am going to dive a bit deeper into the whole ward breaking and creating and design stuff. Though I probably won't really use a lot of canon-lore when it comes to that. I even have something special planned for Hogwarts and Harry.
You'll see,

Venquine1990