Remus Lupin

I hadn't been able to hold back a smile when Professor McGonagall filled me in about what had happened with Ella, Libby and Warrington. I certainly hadn't planned for Ella to become a vigilante, but how well she had quickly deployed those spells to save another student boded well for her feeling a little safer.

Professor McGonagall had raised her eyebrows at me finding it so funny, but it hadn't been long before she let a small smile of her own hint around her mouth. "We underestimate our Hufflepuffs sometimes," she had commented, taking another sip of her tea.

And it was true – perhaps I had assumed that as a Hufflepuff, Ella was never going to be particularly talented at attack spells. I had forgotten, though, of course, that Hufflepuffs could be just as heroic as Gryffindors when it came to protecting those who needed it.

When Ella entered my classroom for another private lesson a few days later, I didn't even get a chance to speak before she gave me a look of amusement. "Professor McGonagall told you, didn't she?" she said exasperatedly, but with a shy smile.

I chuckled softly. "Yes, she did," I admitted readily. "And I'm teaching Libby tomorrow. I don't doubt that she will want to tell me too."

Ella's smile grew slightly. "Yeah, I don't think she expected that from me," she said amusedly.

"Well, yes," I agreed. "I don't think Professor McGonagall or I expected it either."

Ella didn't say anything but I thought for the first time I saw a slight note of pride in herself on her face. Maybe Ella had spent so many years trying to blend into the background that it felt nice to have surprised people in such a positive way.

I still hadn't decided, though, about how we were going to tackle this Boggart. It was excellent that Ella had been able to use a few of the spells that I had wanted to practice so effectively, but I rather thought that when it came to a situation where Ella was only defending herself, she was still going to freeze at the sight of her stepfather.

Ella seemed to know exactly what I was thinking. "I know it's just a little start," she said, her amusement seeming to deplete quickly. "I thought it was good…"

She looked uncertainly at me and I nodded quickly. "It absolutely is," I said hurriedly. "I don't mean to diminish what you achieved, Ella. Not at all."

"But you don't know how we're going to stop me freezing when I see him?" she supplied, frowning a little in thought.

I rubbed my chin. "Yes," I admitted. "It's a tricky one."

But to my surprise, Ella looked up at me with an expression that I had never seen so strongly on her face before – determination.

"I want to keep practicing," she insisted, finally seeming able to keep my gaze. "I've told you, I will get there."

I hesitated. "Are you absolutely sure?"

She nodded resolutely. "I can do this," she told me, and somehow I believed her.

"Alright," I agreed finally. "But I want you to tell me if it's too much. OK?"

Four weeks and four lessons later, however, Ella was still having much the same reaction every time she saw her stepfather. She could cast protego weakly, and on one attempt managed to hit him with a very weak Stinging Hex, but every attempt ended up being too much for her.

After three attempts that day, I was once again putting my arm around Ella's shoulder to help her sit up after she had fallen to the ground. She groaned, putting a hand to the back of her head; she had fallen pretty hard that last time and I wasn't surprised it was hurting.

"Let's get you sat down," I said, keeping my voice gentle. I kept my arm around her to help her stand and we slowly moved to sit down on the sofa. "Do you need any ice for that?" I added, noticing she was still wincing in pain.

She shook her head. "I'm alright," she said, but she sounded much duller and more disheartened than she had done at the start of the lesson.

"I think that's enough for today," I said firmly, watching her look down into her lap. "Can I make you a cup of tea?"

She nodded. "Thank you," she added. Though she seemed frustrated at not making much progress, at least she seemed more comfortable around me now. I seemed to have somehow finally convinced her that I wasn't going to hurt her or get angry at her.

I handed Ella a cup of tea, weak and milky as I knew she liked it. I had invested in some chocolate biscuits the last Hogsmeade weekend, and I offered her one as I sat down beside her. She took a biscuit, with a weak smile. "Thank you," she repeated.

I took a biscuit myself. "You seem discouraged," I commented mildly. "But you are making progress, Ella."

Ella nibbled on her lip and for a moment stayed silent. "Can we leave it, sir? For a few weeks?"

I couldn't say I wasn't relieved. These lessons were so obviously hard on Ella that I was starting to wonder if it was even ethical anymore. "Of course," I said quickly.

She nodded distractedly. "It's really helped," she assured me. "Honestly it has. And… well, you saved my life. I don't want you to think… that I don't care, or anything."

I smiled gently at her. "I don't think that at all," I told her calmly. "We can give it a few weeks. Whatever time you need."

Ella took a bite of her biscuit, still seeming a little discouraged but lighter than she had done before. I suspected that a break from these lessons was in some ways a relief. She chewed thoughtfully before she spoke again.

"I get to see Becky this weekend," she told me, a genuine smile coming onto her face. "Face to face and everything."

A smile came onto my own face. "I'm sure she's looking forward to seeing you too."

Ella swallowed another mouthful of biscuit. "I hope so," she replied, nodding. "We've been writing to each other the last few weeks. She seems to be OK at her foster placement so I guess that's good."

I nodded in reply. "Is there any chance that the two of you will be placed together for the summer?"

Ella bit her lip, looking down at her lap. "It's not looking likely," she said sadly. "But I guess we can still visit each other. Wherever I end up."

I felt undeniably bad for Ella. I had always felt bad for the students who had to go to foster placements over the summer when I was younger. It hadn't seemed fair then and it didn't seem fair now. I had always felt a draw to taking in foster kids but with my condition it wouldn't be possible.

I tried to stay positive for Ella. "I'm sure you will be looked after by someone who really cares," I replied, trying to keep smiling.

Ella sighed and shrugged. "I get to come back here in September anyway, I guess."

"Exactly," I said reassuringly. "Things will work out, Ella. And in a few weeks, we can give the Boggart another go. You're going to be OK."

Unfortunately, only three days after I had this conversation with Ella, Peter Pettigrew escaped, and I was out of a job.

I wasn't that surprised, when I stood in my office packing, to hear soft footsteps up to my door, followed by a quiet knock on the open door. I turned to see who it was, and saw Ella hovering in my doorway, watching me anxiously.

"Are you going?" she asked quietly.

I smiled sadly at Ella. "Regrettably, yes," I admitted gently. "I wish I wasn't, but I haven't got a choice."

Ella looked down at the floor. "I heard about – the werewolf thing," she told me, a little awkwardly. "But I don't think it makes you a bad person."

I felt a pang of sadness in my chest at Ella's words. I was touched by how many students seemed not to care that I was a werewolf, regardless of all the parents who would complain when they found out. I had hope that a new generation of thinking might make things easier for those with my condition in the future.

I looked down at my packing to hide my expression. "I appreciate that, Ella," I said sincerely. I blinked quickly and forced myself to look up at her, managing a small smile.

She kept my gaze but didn't seem able to muster a smile herself. "I don't think I would have gotten through this year if it wasn't for you, Professor," she said quietly.

I touched Ella's shoulder gently. "You're going to be just fine," I tried to reassure her. "Professor McGonagall will be here next year, I know you have a good relationship with her." I paused. "And I'm sure that you will be able to resume your lessons on Boggarts with whoever teaches Defence Against the Dark Arts next year."

"Yeah, as long as they don't have Voldemort on the back of their head again," Ella muttered, but I saw finally a hint of a smile. She shook her head. "It'll be OK," she said quickly. "I just… wanted to tell you that I'll really miss you."

I smiled genuinely this time. "That's very kind of you," I replied gently. "I will miss you too."

For a minute I thought Ella was going to say something else; but instead she quickly stepped towards me and hugged me tight. To my surprise, I felt tears prick slightly at the back of my eyes. I tried to ignore them, instead putting an arm around Ella's shoulders and lightly hugging her back.

Finally Ella pulled away, wiping her own eyes with the back of her hand. "I should let you pack," she said quietly. "I'm sure you've got lots to do."

I smiled sadly. "Will you do one thing for me, Ella?" I asked, tilting my head at her.

Ella looked up at me again. "Of course," she answered quickly.

"Keep talking to people," I requested gently. "Whether that's the therapist, or Professor McGonagall. Just keep letting people know what's going on with you."

Ella closed her eyes for a second but when she opened them, her gaze on me was determined and resolute. "I promise," she said firmly.

I smiled. "Thank you." I hesitated. "I hope I see you again, Ella," I added, and meant it.