A/N - I know I'm taking some liberties here, changing how a few things work but bear with me for the sake of a fluffy plot line.

Harry,

I will see you tonight after dinner in the Transfiguration classroom. I'll be in the national library all day. If you have any suggestions send Hedwig.

Remus

After spending prizing himself away from Sirius in the Shrieking shack, which Sirius kept referring to as the Shagging Shack, Remus apparated to the national wizard library in London to research how to get past a dragon, which Harry had already told him was the first task for the Triwizard tournament. Remus sat at a quiet desk by a window, pouring over book after book, only to find most books were about caring for dragons, or involved spells which were way above Harry's ability and would take months for him to be able to perform them correctly. He decided that protection spells were the best way for Harry to succeed, as well as somehow distracting the dragon to look the other way while Harry got past it to do whatever it was, he needed to do. Remus tried to find information about whether a Harry's stag patronus would successfully distract the dragon for a bit but found nothing on the topic.

Finally, after a day of pouring over books in the library, Remus left the library with no new information to give to Harry. He could see the sun setting out the window. Defeated, he used the floo point in the national library to go to the Transfiguration classroom at Hogwarts where Harry would be waiting for him. He would just have to go and explain to the boy that the best way to deal with the dragon was to distract it and protect himself from any hurt the dragon could cause.

When he saw Harry, he started to explain this to him. Harry looked at him and simply replied "I'm going to fly around the dragon."

"What? You can't take your broomstick with you. All you can have is a wand." Replied Remus.

"Yes, and I need to know how to get my broomstick in my hand. Can you help me with summoning charms?" asked Harry.

"That I can do. But first, I want to make sure that your shield charms are strong enough to withstand fire," stated Remus, "Please conjure a strong shield."

Harry did as he was told and set up a shield charm. Remus then shouted "incendio". The flames bounced back, although Harry started to complain about the heat after a short while. "Good, good" said Remus. "When the dragon tries to shoot flames at you, remember the shield charm. It'll protect you from burns, and hopefully also from any claws, although I don't want to try that on you. Now, for summoning charms."

They practiced summoning charms until they hit the fourth-year curfew time, at which point Remus was exhausted. He praised Harry for the progress he had made, although Harry still wasn't happy with it. Remus suggested to Harry to keep practising inside the Gryffindor common room and even told him about using dung bombs. If Harry lost his concentration summoning a dung bomb, it would set it off easily. Remus bid goodbye to Harry and wished him luck for the event "Are you not coming, Professor?" asked Harry.

"I – I think it's best if I don't," he replied to the boy, whose face sank with disappointment. "There'll be a lot of ministry officials there to watch and they won't like a werewolf like me hanging around a school. Professor Dumbledore is already very kind to let me tutor you." Remus reasoned.

"Oh. Ok," replied Harry, before asking, "When can I see Sirius?"

"Soon" replied Remus, "I'm sure you'll see him soon. He wants me to tell you that he misses you and can't wait to see you again." It was a small lie, Sirius hadn't said that per se, but Remus knew that his partner would say that if asked.

Remus bid Harry good night then flooed back to his cottage.

Remus didn't sleep that night. He was too worried for how Harry would fair in the upcoming challenge. That morning, he got on the two-way mirror with Sirius and spoke to him. "Remus, I spoke with Dumbledore. He said he invited you to see Harry before the challenge – all the contestants get to spend a few moments with their family. Why did you decline?"

"I already told you, it's not good for Harry to be seen with a known werewolf." Remus replied.

"Moons, from what you've told me about Harry, I don't think he particularly cares about you being a werewolf. Maybe Dumbledore can give you a space to see him without reporters nearby." Sirius suggested. Remus was quiet, so Sirius continued, "He also said that I can go and watch from under the stands. There'll be a spot for both of us to sit away from the eyes of anyone. If we want to go, we just go earlier than the rest of the school to the stands, and we can wait until after everyone has gone. Of course, I'd be Padfoot…" trailed off Sirius.

Remus looked at him in the mirror, "Padfoot, we've been through this. I don't think I can."

"Moony, this is the tutoring thing all over again. Harry needs you. You have to put aside your feelings of inadequacy for one day. Remember when Harry was born? And we swore to look after him?"

"Pads, I look after him enough. I spent the whole day in the library trying to find a way for him to do this stupid challenge. And then I spent my evening teaching him how to do basic spells. Please don't guilt me into this."

Sirius sighed, "Dumbledore will support us if we can support Harry. He knows how much Uncle Remy means to Harry. Just think about it. I'm going to head out and get some breakfast." And with that, Sirius left the mirror conversation. Remus was left with his own thoughts.

That night, Remus sent an owl to Dumbledore:

Albus,

I have decided to meet with Harry before the competition and watch the event so long as privacy can be maintained. Lately I have taken in a stray dog who is friendly and will be with me at all times. Perhaps the meeting could take place outdoors so as not to trouble your house elves with cleaning up any dog hair.

Kind regards,

Remus

That same evening, Remus received an owl in response from Dumbledore.

Dear Remus,

I think outdoors will be an excellent option to see Harry given your furry friend will be in attendance. Please ensure the dog is kept on a leash and close by at all times.

Best,

Albus

Remus looked at the letter and tried to contact Sirius via the two-way mirror to tell him the good news. Well, he knew that Sirius hated wearing a collar and leash as a dog, but at least he could see Harry.

The day of the first task, Remus apparated to Hogsmeade and went to the cave where Sirius was hiding. He was early, so they could sit and chat and cuddle for a while first. Then Remus got out of his pocket a collar a leash. The one they used to use when they lived together. Sirius gave Remus a dirty look, "I can't believe you kept that thing."

"Oh, Padfoot, give over, you look hot in it. Of course I'd keep it."

Sirius blushed then put the collar on. "Oh, and I think you ought to refer to me as Snuffles while people are around." Then he turned into a large black dog. "Ok, Snuffles" said Remus. Remus hadn't attached the leash yet, allowing Padfoot to roam next to him. Remus knew that while they were in Hogsmeade, Sirius would stay close enough to see him, as they made their way up to Hogwarts.

Harry was asked to visit the Charms classroom to meet his family first. Harry didn't rush. Who on earth would visit him? The Dursleys wouldn't care if he died. He did think of Sirius for a moment, but then realised that with Sirius on the run from Azkaban, he could hardly come waltzing into the castle. Harry finally arrived at the Charms classroom to find the other champions happily laughing and chatting with their families. Of course, no one else was there for him. He saw Rita Skeeter desperate to talk to him when Professor McGonagall pulled him aside and told him that his family wouldn't be coming. He ought to go with her direct to the venue. As Skeeter tried to leave the classroom to follow Harry, Dumbledore blocked her and started to talk to her about an article he'd recently read in the Daily Prophet about cauldron bottom thicknesses. Minerva walked Harry out the castle main gates and off to the direction of the Quidditch broom shed. It was near the broom shed that Harry saw Professor Lupin stood there with a large shaggy black dog on a leash. As soon as the dog saw Harry, he bounded over to Harry with such force that Remus dropped the leash. The big black dog collided with Harry, knocking him off his feet. The dog stood over him and started licking the boy's face, wagging his tail while Remus ran over to Harry and the dog, pulling the dog off of Harry. Minerva gave Remus a stern look over her glasses and said "Remus, why on earth have you brought that dog with you?"

Remus shrugged and told her that he had taken in a rescue dog to keep him company. Harry had asked to meet 'Snuffles'. Snuffles kept licking Harry's hands, and jumping up to lick his face. The dog was so large that when it jumped up, it could rest its paws on Harry's shoulders.

Minerva shot Remus a stern look before responding with "Hmph", then leaving. Once she was out of earshot, Remus explained to Harry that they would be watching from a place where it was safe for dogs to watch, in case the dog got frightened. Harry understood that this meant they would stay out of the way. They headed down to the stands early, with Harry and left Harry at the dressing room.

Remus' heart swelled with pride when Harry perfectly summoned his broomstick but couldn't watch as the boy nearly missed the dragon several times. Padfoot on the other hand, was in his element. At the end of the tournament, the two waited under the stands for the crowd to disperse. Padfoot wanted to go to the Hospital Wing to ensure that Harry was alright, but Remus wouldn't let him "Madam Pomfrey can heal werewolf wounds each month, I think she can heal wounds from a dragon."

Once they were sure that the crowds had dispersed, Remus and his loveable stray, Snuffles, left the stands and walked towards the gates. As they were walking, Remus heard a voice "Professor Lupin? Oh my god, it is you, I've missed you so much…" Remus looked around before he finally saw the child the voice had come from. He saw Eulalie and Octavia, now in their sixth and fifth years respectively, both Hufflepuffs. Eulalie ran over to him and gave him a hug that nearly knocked him off his feet. "Professor, my aunt, she said she had to process you as a werewolf. I tried to tell her that you wouldn't hurt anyone, but she kept dismissing me." The child then looked over at the large black dog sat next to her ex-teacher. "Oh my god! Professor! You have a dog? He's so cute. Can I pet him? Please…" Eulalie begged. "Sure, I guess" replied Remus looking pleadingly at Sirius. Sirius gave his best impression of a lovable stray, wagging his tail, licking their hands, even rolling over onto his belly while the two girls gave him a belly rub. "Well, I'd best be going." Stated Remus, keen to get away. It wasn't that the girls weren't nice, he just didn't want to be seen. Particularly not by someone who has links to the werewolf registry in the ministry. "Oh" replied Octavia. "Professor, we wish you were back here teaching us. Our new teacher, Professor Moody… well… he's just not you."

Remus looked at her and replied "I'm sure that's a good thing. Professor Moody was a very capable Auror. One of the best."

The two girls looked at each other then sighed and bid Remus goodbye. Remus took up Snuffles' leash again and walked with him out of the grounds into Hogsmeade. Remus couldn't help but wonder why the girls were outside near the Forbidden Forest looking to hook up when there were plenty of warm, cosy broom cupboards and empty classrooms in the castle.

When they got to the cave where Sirius was staying, Sirius managed to transform back into a human. It was then that Remus asked him "Do you have to be so embarrassing as a dog? I mean really, rolling on your back begging for belly rubs? Licking Harry's face all over?"

Sirius laughed "You're jealous, aren't you?" he teased, "You're jealous that I could lick someone other than you. Anyway, I thought you wanted me to be a convincing dog?"

"You were too convincing, rolling around like a tart, getting two students to rub your belly. Do you even know who they are?"

"No. But it seems like they're nice girls. They really miss their favourite Defence professor" Sirius offered, touching the front of Remus' jacket while looking into his eyes, "I bet there's plenty more students who miss you too. You shouldn't have resigned"

Remus ignored the last remark but offered, "They are nice girls. They only like me because I didn't give them punishments when I found them snogging in broom closets after curfew."

"Professor Lupin, protector of lesbians" joked Sirius.

"Pads, remember that time that Dumbledore caught you and I in the broom closet in seventh year? You had your pants around your ankles, I was on my knees. There's no way I wasn't giving you a blowjob."

"Yeah, and you said you were trying to find a bug that had crawled up my pants…." Laughed Sirius.

"Yeah, and yet Dumbledore didn't yell at us. Nor did he give us detention. He just asked us to get dressed and head back to our dorms with that odd smile little smile on his face. I thought for sure we'd get detention the following day, or he'd owl our parents, but nothing." Remus looked at Sirius and said "I guess I wanted to be the Dumbledore to those two girls. The one who makes them realise that being gay doesn't mean you're odd. It just happens." Sirius hugged him, "From what I saw tonight, those two do see you that way."