Chapter 18: Meet Remus
Fenchurch1 told me that Twinkies are not found easily in the UK. Oops, my bad. Thanks for that. So, I added a bit here to explain how they got them.
HP-BTVS-HP-BTVS
They held a small ceremony, much like Harry's first one, where Xander, Joyce, and Minerva fostered Luna. Now Harry had a sister and he couldn't be happier. He loved Luna and did what he could to protect her. There were many times he snuck around with his Metamorphic abilities and followed her to make sure she was safe. She always knew who he was, and at one point threatened him with the taking of his Twinkies, a habit he picked up from Xander. Sure, you had to search to find them in the UK, but going to the States was no problem for them, so they had a large supply. Still, she threatened to cut him off, so he cut back and only checked on her once a day to make sure she was unmolested.
He also recruited a few girls in her year to make sure she was okay. Luna took this with a grain of salt, it was almost like having friends. The girls that walked with her would talk to her, but she could tell they were just humoring Harry. She was too quirky for them to really get to know her.
The new teacher was due in a few days, and until then Xander took over the class. He really didn't know much about DADA, so he did what Lockhart did and they read from the book. Unlike Lockhart, he asked the kids what situations would be best to use the spells and got them to think about it. This was well received over the former teacher's approach, and the kids were learning. He did hold practical's homework, with Flitwick's help, which appeased the students.
The days passed with little fanfare, and the whole castle felt safer. It had been months and there was no sighting of the basilisk. The goblins were still patrolling, and the bathroom was still watched by Joyce. The only people who didn't relax, and wouldn't until it was over, were Xander and Joyce. Both had been taught hard lessons in Sunnydale and they would see this through until the beast was dead.
Xander had made many trips to the hidden underground rooms, but he had not seen the beast. Joyce for some reason could not enter, and it frustrated her something fierce. She blamed Salazar.
Valentine's Day was coming soon and Xander was starting to feel lonely. He remembered fondly, his time with Anya, with her blunt ways of telling him just what to buy her for that day. Which was good, he was never good at picking presents. Dora was nice and all, but she didn't feel like the type of girl he would hook-up with. She was a lot like Anya in many ways, but there was something missing. They tried a few dates and decided to be good friends. Dora was okay with this, she liked older men anyway.
The day the new teacher was to come had arrived and Xander, Albus, Joyce and Minerva were all waiting at the gates. It was a quarter to two when the man came through the gates. He was a tall, scruffy man, whose robes had seen better days. His face and arms were marred with scars, but his eyes showed his gentleness.
"Bless my soul, Remus Lupin. How have you been?" Minerva asked, giving the old student a hug.
"Minnie…" he started but was interrupted.
"Wait," Xander said, flaring his magic and making the other man look at him for the first time, and then with a smooth motion Remus disengaged the hug and bared his neck.
"Conri," he said reverently.
"Yes," the wolf-eyed man growled out, showing his dominance. "How do you protect the innocent on the full moon?"
"I take Wolfsbane and lock myself away," the other werewolf answered automatically, still in awe at being in the presence of one of the most respected kind of werewolf.
"What's Wolfsbane?" Xander asked Albus since he was well versed in potion making.
"It is a potion that helps the inflicted keep their minds during their transformations," the old man replied. "Alas, it does its job, but not without taking a toll on the human part of them. It is very difficult to make and quite expensive. I have a Potions Master who will be brewing it as a favor to me," he said, not once mentioning Snape, knowing how that would not be well received. Though they could see the slight harried look on his face. Xander had to wonder what had put that there.
"If it is needed, Nicholas can brew it. Tell … your Potions Master, we don't need him," he instructed Albus, then turned to Remus. "However, I think I can help you keep your mind. My research shows that the Conri can control the lower werewolves, so we'll test that theory," the Conri said, looking at the Lone Alpha wolf. "We'll go to the forest with a Cerberus and a wolfhound. We'll run the night and keep the students safe. There's plenty of game to hunt. If you once don't appear, I will hunt you down and make sure you don't make that mistake again. Am I understood?"
"Yes, of course," Remus said quickly. Not even thinking for a moment he would disagree. "I will follow your lead."
"Good. Now, I hope you're better than the last guy. He was a nightmare," Xander said cheerfully, not liking the tense situation.
He tried to keep the anger of the letter he received this morning from clouding his day. There was no reason to take it out on the new guy. Still, he was pissed that Lockhart got away with almost killing Harry. Some moron spoke up for him and since the Minister didn't want the bad publicity, the charges were dropped.
Amelia was just as mad as he was, but her hands were tied. Politics, how he hated it.
The Magical Medical Council was beyond upset; they barred the man from even doing a Finite Incantatem on someone. If he pointed his wand at anyone again, with the thought of curing them, they'd take it to the ICW. They had already filed a warning with the International Department of Magical of Defense Association. The man would be watched.
"Remus, my boy, you will start classes tomorrow. Since Xander has been teaching this last week, he will tell you where everyone is in their studies. I do fret that the fifth and seventh-years all need to be refreshed in practicals. I will leave it in your hands, my good man." And with that he turned and strolled away, a smug look on his face.
"There are times…" Xander growled, causing Remus once more to bare his neck. Harris wasn't sure that having a werewolf around was a good thing. It would make the full moons fun, sure. But they had yet to take care of the basilisk, there was a dragon and a Cerberus on the grounds as well, and now having another dangerous creature in the school might prove too much.
Still, the Scoobies took care of Oz well enough, and this time there was a big honking forest to corral the wolf. That and the difference in werewolves would be interesting. They only turned once a month in this reality, while Oz turned three days a month. He couldn't wait to see if they looked different as well.
"Come, Remus, let's get you settled," Joyce said, walking up the path.
"I'm sorry, who are you?" the confused werewolf asked.
"I am the embodiment of Hogwarts. You will see me a lot, when I am not the castle. There is a basilisk in the school, but we think that it is locked up at the moment. Hopefully asleep. Come, we will tell you all about it as we walk," she said, taking his elbow and leading him away. The rest followed.
The weeks flew by and Remus was well received. His easy teaching style had won him top professor. OWL and NEWT students loved him most. Not to mention a pink-haired Auror. To the students, it was the first time in years they felt that they would pass DADA without months of revising. Nicholas Flamel was the second favorite teacher in that he made sure everyone understood what they were doing. His upper-year students also felt they would pass the Ministry tests. Snape had not done the Wizarding World any favors.
Remus was impressed with the updates on the castle and used them to his advantage every time he could. Overhead projectors that moved, helped those in back see the wand movements they had a hard time seeing before. He made sure to educate the other teachers on how to use the tools provided as they still had not gotten the hang of them. If not for years of having to work in the non-magical world as a substitute teacher, he would be just as lost.
The first class Remus had with the second years was saddening. Due to the Boggart, Harry learned that his greatest fear was that this was all a dream. However, he cast the counter spell and was relieved to see his malicious Xander turn back into the adorable clown that he was. Sure, he toted guns, and shot the balloons, but that was just Xander.
Valentine's Day came and, to the confusion of everyone, so did some dwarves in nappies. They were already all over the castle by the time Xander had come to breakfast. The huge table in the Great Hall that advertised they would be delivering Valentines was the cause. Girls and boys alike were giving up Knuts to have their Valentine delivered with a diddy. Some were paying the extra price for a full-on singing Valentine. If Xander hadn't slept in, he would have stopped it sooner.
"Okay," the wolf-eyed man drawled as he approached the table. "Why are you guys here, and who paid you?" he asked,
"Some fool Lockhart approached us a few months ago and told us to be here today. He said that we get to keep the money made and get a large bonus," the lead dwarf said, stamping a Valentine to be delivered.
"How much did he say he'd pay you?" was the next question.
"100 galleons an hour," came the answer.
"You know he isn't here anymore, right?"
"What?! That fool promised us money. If we didn't need this job, we'd have told him to stuff it," the grumpy dwarf in a cloth diaper said as he stood from his chair and came to Xander.
"Look, I am the owner of this school. Now, I don't mind a person making a living, but I need to see the contract that you signed."
"Do I look like I'm carrying papers on me?" the dwarf asked incredulously.
"Right, never mind. Okay, how about this, I let you stay until lunch. I'll pay you 50 galleons per hour and you keep the delivery charges, no jacking up the prices either, but, I want you out at noon," Xander compromised. He really didn't want them to lose out on the pay, but he didn't want them here all day.
"Fine, but we're going after Lockhart," the tiny being grumbled.
"Have fun with that, and give him a knock or two from me," Xander said cheerfully, and turned and walked away.
The grumpy dwarfs in nappies handed out cards and sang songs until lunch. The last Valentine they sang was to a very embarrassed werewolf. It was Li'l Red Riding Hood—Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, with a note that the person who sent the card would be his Little Red Riding Hood anytime. Xander laughed his ass off, he had a feeling on who sent it.
The whole school was laughing at the bemused man. Still, it was a nice finishing touch to the afternoon, and a great stress relief.
After the Valentine was delivered the dwarves cheerfully changed clothes and went after the fop. Xander heard they chased him up and down Diagon Alley until he coughed up what he owed them. He and Joyce had a good laugh about that. Served the fraud right.
The next night Xander and Dora were on patrol. Kingsley, who was Dora's normal partner, was taking a well-deserved night off. The Aurors were the only help the Ministry would give.
"Did you send that Valentine to Remus?" Xander asked Dora slyly, glancing at her to see if she confessed. Her cheeks did pink up.
"Yup, I thought it might cheer everyone up," she said cheekily.
"How did you know he was a werewolf?"
"He's registered at the Ministry. I had to do a stint on checking that they checked in after the full moon. I remembered his name. Do you think he knew it was me?" she asked hopefully.
"No, the poor man is confused, but it will relieve some worry when he finds out. He thought it was a student," was the answer, accompanied by a cheerful grin.
"Well, phooey, I'll just have to try harder. Hey, can I ask you a personal question?" the pink-haired woman inquired. She had been dying to find out since she met the man.
"It was an evil preacher that was set on world annihilation," he replied, not even bothering to hear the question.
"How did you know I was going to ask about your eye?" she asked, stopping in the hallway and looking at his profile.
"Everyone does eventually. It was one of the first questions most people ask. Well, the rude ones, anyway," he said with a shrug as he too stopped. "Doesn't happen much anymore, now that I have my wolf eyes, but those who met me before that can't help themselves. I think the only person who hasn't asked is Harry."
"Oh, world annihilation, huh? That's big," she said, changing what appeared to be a sore subject. Though, she wasn't sure if this one was better.
"Not that uncommon where I come from. It happens every month or so in my reality. That's why we have Slayers," he said, looking up and down the hall. He wasn't going to let a conversation stop him from keeping a look out.
"Wow, I wouldn't want to be part of your world. I don't think I could handle the stress."
"I have a feeling you'd be okay, but yeah sometimes it was too much. My best friend, who was the sweetest girl I know, snapped when her lover was killed, and did her turn at trying to destroy the world. Good thing I was there to talk her down," he stated as he started walking again. "My other friend, the Slayer, had some moments of despair too, but it's part of her makeup to save the world, so we never had to worry about her. If that had happened, I don't think anyone could have stopped her. Well, maybe Faith, but she went bad for a while too. Buffy had to stop her. Good thing she was there. A bad Slayer is not someone you want to deal with. So, yeah, stressful." He turned and started walking again.
"Do you think that the person opening the chamber has stopped?" Dora asked as she followed, hoping this subject was an easier one.
"No," was the firm answer. "I think they are just laying low. I'm pretty sure I know who it is, but I can't prove it. I'm getting worried about them, but whenever I approach them, they say they're fine. I can't force someone to get help. Especially since I don't know what's wrong."
"What are the signs you're seeing?"
"They're temperamental and seem to be under a great deal of stress."
"That's it? That describes most of the school," she stated.
"I know. That's why I'm having a hard time helping. I thought the diary they keep writing in would help, but it's not." He mused on that a moment, it was unusual for a male to keep a journal at that age, but not overly rare. Perhaps he might take a look at it, if he got a chance. He quickly banished that thought as he didn't want to infringe on someone's personal thoughts. Still, he'd keep his eye open.
The two quickly changed the subject and started talking about the improvements of the school. Dora lamented that she wished it had happened in her time. The extra classes she had to take just to get into the DMLE were expensive. Well, what her mother couldn't teach her.
Nothing happened that night, and the two went their separate ways.
A few days later, Xander learned that Remus kept his mind around him and the two had a great time chasing each other around the forest with Fluffy and Fang.
Another week went by and once more the peace was shattered. Somehow the snake found a way out that wasn't the bathroom. Joyce was beyond consolidation. She had been keeping such a watch on the bathroom that she didn't feel where it had come out of. Xander told her that it wasn't her fault, he too dropped the ball by not getting the rooster rocks all over the school. Still, a student was petrified, and would be down for a week while Nicholas brewed more potion.
The student, Colin Creevey, had been outside when it happened. He was taking pictures of the plants that grew near the forest. He had been told that they would help him better his film development and disregarded the warning about going alone. It was due to his camera that he lived.
Xander had one of the house elves try and get the diary from the Slytherin boy, but the boy carried it everywhere, even held it in his sleep. He only wanted to read the last entry to see if the boy was culpable.
The whole school was back to where it was at the beginning of the year. Kids were called home, and no one went anywhere alone.
Xander and the goblins went to the chamber and found a small piece of cloth on the floor.
"Huh, I wonder what this is. It looks like a part of the school uniform," the wolf-eyed man mused.
"Must be a student then. Any markings on which house?" one goblin replied.
"No, just the black part. Could have come from the back, or a sleeve," Xander said, thinking of his suspect.
"There's nothing here, but that, and it's not much help. I think you had better find a way to keep someone down here. Maybe, three of us could stay and you can switch us out every six hours or so," the lead goblin suggested.
"You don't mind being in a place where you can't leave?"
"There has to be a way out, the snake didn't go through the bathroom. We'll scout the area and report what we find."
"Okay, as long as you're sure."
And so, it was set up, three goblins stayed and would be switched out every six hours. Xander had no problem with this. The goblins would stay out of the main area and hide in one of the many coves. They were ordered to simply watch and keep the snake from attacking. If they had the chance, to kill it with the rooster rocks. However, if a student was there, they were not to interfere unless the student was in danger. Then they were to do everything they could to save them. Xander wanted to find out who was doing this, that way he had a reason to act.
It was only a week later that a goblin, who Xander thought his name was Reaper, reported in.
"My king, a young man in green lined robes made his way to the Chamber. He was nervous and twitchy. He held a book close to his chest. The young man looked like someone was holding a wand to his head."
"You feel he's being threatened?" the worried man asked. There might be something bigger going on here than he thought.
"Yes, sire. The boy was not acting like someone who was out to kill," Reaper said very thoughtfully. "Then as he got to the middle of the room his whole demeanor changed. It was like he was an entirely different person. This person was angry."
"What happened?"
"We started a recording rock," he handed it over, "right as the boy entered. We put up the wards to prevent the snake from leaving the area. The boy called the snake, but we averted our eyes, so we do not know from whence it came. There was a grating sound of rocks so we're sure there is a hidden room. The snake and the child sounded to be having an argument. We heard the snake leave, and the boy moved to the back of the chamber. I followed and came here once he entered the castle."
"What did he look like?" Xander asked, looking at the rock he knew he was going to have to have Harry listen too.
"A younger student, about twelve. Tall, thin, dark hair, and dark skinned. He looks to have lost a great deal of weight recently. Green and silver lined robes," was the brief description.
Xander sighed, it was who he thought it was. Now, he had to confront a child of all things. First, he wanted to know what was on this rock. He nodded to the goblin and said, "Good job, go tell Joyce where the back entrance is so she can try and monitor it."
"Yes, sire," the goblin said as he ran to the guarded bathroom.
Xander heaved a great put-upon sigh, he knew what he had to do, but didn't want to do it. He made his way to the castle and searched for Harry. It was almost dinner, so the boy was probably in the library. Making his way there, he spotted Harry and went to join him. "Harry, I need you to come with me," he stated.
"Why? Did something happen?" Harry asked as he put away his books.
"Yeah, but I don't want to discuss it here."
"Okay, Dad," was the reply as he got up and joined Xander.
"What about us?" Hermione asked, looking up from her book. She started to put her things away.
"Not this time. You guys stay here, and Harry will tell you later. I want to talk to him first," Xander said in a kind but firm manner.
"Alright, Xander," Neville said, as he glanced at Hermione. She made a face but started reorganizing her books back on the table.
The two made their way to the 'house' and sat on the sofas. "I need you to listen to this rock and tell me what's on it," Xander said, putting the rock on the table.
Harry listened for a moment and his face went through a myriad of emotions, from laughing to worry. "Well, I don't think we have to kill the snake. It's very upset with the person who is talking to it. It said that it was not supposed to hurt students, and that the last person it attacked was too small to be a threat. The person talking to it is very angry and wants the snake to kill the whole school. It said it would not. And that's the end of the conversation. Though, the person wants you dead more than anyone, and he almost had the snake convinced that you were a threat. Still, the snake wants proof. Do you think I should talk to it?"
Xander pondered on that, it might end the whole thing, but it could put Harry in danger. "Yeah, we'll go talk to the snake, but we're taking a contingent of goblins with us. And maybe Dora and Kingsley and some of the teachers. We'll go tonight after everyone is asleep. If anyone asks you tell them that we know who did it, and the adults will handle it. I have something I have to do first," he said, getting up and patting Harry on the shoulder.
"Okay, Xander," Harry said a bit nervous. Sure, he didn't think the snake was a threat, but still, it was one big snake.
"Go back to the library and try and finish your homework. Hopefully, this will all be over tonight." With that Xander walked Harry out of the 'house' and went to find the Slytherin student. He wanted to make sure the kid was okay. He found him pacing up and down a wall on the seventh floor.
"Blaise, can I talk to you a moment?" he called, interrupting whatever it was the boy was doing.
"No, go away, mudblood," the boy snarled, holding the diary close to his chest.
"Well, too bad. I need to speak to you on a matter of security," the wolf-eyed man said firmly as he caught up with the boy.
Zabini pulled his wand and started throwing curses. Some that were way above his age level. "Die, mudblood. I don't know how you convinced everyone your magical, but I will take you down."
More curses were thrown, but Xander's shield held true.
"Okay, this just got more real," Xander said as he pulled a small handgun out of his pocketspace. He aimed and fired at the boy's foot. His aim was true, and it grazed the outside of the left foot. Hurting the child just enough for him to drop his wand and the book. Xander quickly called them to him and put them in his pocketspace. There they wouldn't do any harm. Then something peculiar happened. The young man fainted dead away. "Huh," was all Xander could think as he levitated the boy and walked him to the Hospital Wing.
"Oh dear, what happened?" Poppy said as she bustled over.
"I'm not sure, but I think it was a possession," Xander said as he put Blaise on a bed. Then he got sheepish. "I might have shot him in the foot."
"What? Xander, how could you? He is only a child," the patron said as she waved her wand over said child. Since Quirrell, she looked up guns and now had an inkling as to what they could do. She really never wanted to see what she had seen again.
"He was firing deadly spells at me. It was the only thing I could think of to stop him. I didn't want to kill him, so foot shooting," the wolf-eyed man defended himself. Sure, he felt a bit bad about it, but what else could he do?
"Well, what's done is done, but I'll thank you not to shoot students in the future," Poppy stated, then heaved a sigh. "You were right, he was possessed. Something is draining him. You need to find out what he is connected to and destroy it," she said, quite worried, casting blocking spell after blocking spell. "I've blocked it enough that only a trickle is there. Still, the item needs to be gone for it to stop," she instructed, and then tended the wound on the foot and tucked the boy in.
"That's what I thought. Don't worry, I'll take care of the item he had. Don't tell anyone, not even Albus," Xander said, thinking he might go to the forest and dispose of the diary. There was no way that it was a normal book.
"Okay, Xander, but you better have a very good reason. It is my duty to report all happenings to the Headmaster," she chastised, taking one last diagnosis of Zabini and then turned to the man who brought him in.
"I do, but I don't want it to get out. So, trust me I've got it handled," he assured her. 'I hope,' he thought. This world was still relatively new to him, but he had dealt with cursed items before. Hopefully, it would come in handy now. He then left the Wing and went to the forest. He put the book down in a clearing that was far from the castle.
The first thing he did was shoot the book, but it only bounced off. The next thing he did was try and cleave it in half, but the axe did little damage. He picked up the book to see if he could find out what made it tick. The book was blank, and as he thumbed through it, he felt something try to attach itself to him. Doing something really stupid, he pulled out a pen and started to write.
Alright, you stupid book, what are you? he wrote.
And who might this be? the book wrote back.
Someone who is going to find a way to end you, Xander replied.
Well, then I feel no need to speak further, was the comeback.
No matter what Xander wrote, the book was like a dead weight. Still he used everything in his arsenal to destroy the book, but no weapon he had would kill the damn thing. Giving up for now, since it was getting late, he tucked the book back in his pocketspace and returned to the school. He might talk to Remus. The man knew more about the Dark Arts then anyone in the school. He made his way to the Great Hall and sat next to Lupin, who was still in awe of him. "Remus, can I talk to you after dinner?" he asked, scooping up some mashed potatoes.
"Of course," was the reply. The man didn't even ask what for. If Xander told him to do something, he'd do it.
"Great. Now tell me how it's been going. Classes are doing well?"
"The kids have a lot to catch up on, but since most homework is practical's, it makes it much easier," the werewolf replied.
The two spent dinner talking about nonessential things and soon it was time to depart. Xander got up and Remus followed. They went to the DADA classroom and Xander threw up a shield to keep people out and to prevent being overheard. He pulled out the book, and Remus growled.
"That thing is evil, I can smell it. There's a spirit trapped in there and it's dark," the man said, his eyes glowing yellow.
"That's what I thought, but can you tell me what it is and how to destroy it?" Xander asked, keeping calm and broadcasting the same. It worked, Remus settled down and took a good sniff of the book.
"That's a horcrux."