Chapter 3- An unexpected Arrival

It was nearly Remus Lupin's eleventh birthday and he had almost become accustom to his excruciatingly painful transformations. He was extremely relieved that they only occurred once a month as during those painful periods where his wolf form takes over, he loses all conscience and control to the level where he attacks himself as a blood-thirsty predator, unable to be satisfied with the lack of human flesh.

As they keep moving from town to village, Remus could hardly make friends, anyway, to his annoyance, he was kept away from any children in case they discovered who, or what, he was. Lyall did this for Remus and the family's own safety and so his son's heart wouldn't break every time they left the village as people were getting suspicious, or every time he was ditched if he accidentally let's slip his condition.

One night as Remus couldn't sleep, he snuck downstairs to find his parents arguing about him again.

"Then just home-school him then!"

"But what about my work, it's helping him isn't it?"

"Yes, but he needs to learn to control his magic and actually learn something that will help him find a job!"

Remus had been hearing rants like this more regularly recently as he was approaching the age of eleven, the age normal wizards and witches would usually be attending Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, but seeing as he had a certain condition transforming him into a blood-thirsty monster once a month it didn't seem likely.

"My job will help him succeed because I will find a cure!"

"Its already taken years and it will be likely to take more!"

Finally bored of their arguments, he grumpily retired to his bedroom. He was fed up of being reminded every night that he was unable to have his greatest dream come true. His father's stories were beginning to feel more and more distant, as if they happened in another universe entirely.

The next morning he woke to a sharp tapping on the front door. Lazily, he got up to wake his parents. Remus dragged his aching feet towards their room but noticed they were already awake, and, as Remus suspected, answering the door. He walked down a few steps to listen in on the conversation. He heard the door knob twist open then the creaking of the door, and soon afterwards, a gasp.

"P-Professor Dumbledore, what an um... unexpected surprise!"

Lyall sounded sleepy, most likely due to the argument the night before.

"Hello Lyall! There's no need to call me Professor now you've left school, is there? You may just call me Albus. And this is your wife?"

"Hope Lupin, what a pleasure to meet you um, Albus,"

His heart thumping, Remus took another step down to get a glimpse of the famous Albus Dumbledore he had heard so much about.

"Sorry if you find this offensive, so do excuse me if I'm incorrect, I don't think I had the pleasure of teaching you, Hope, so don't mind me if I'm being nosy, but did you go to a foreign school or are you a muggle?"

"Yes, I am a muggle. I have heard lots about you and your school though, Lyall speaks about it a lot."

"Good things I hope!" Dumbledore smiled and Remus noticed he had twinkle in his eye.

"May I meet your son?"

Remus was so surprised he tripped over his rather old and scratched Gobstones set and tumbled down the stairs. Just as he did Lyall and Hope looked at each other before blocking the doorway.

"Um sorry but I don't think he's able to attend Hogwarts." Lyall said timidly.

"Nonsense, nonsense. Every young witch and wizard have a chance."

Remus quickly picked up his Gobstones set and began to return it to its usual home by the fire when Dumbledore walked into the room. He quickly apologised to Remus' parents and reassured them he wouldn't kidnap their son.

"So I take it you play Gobstones, Remus?"

Remus was a little surprised Dumbledore knew his name, then he realised of course; he's an amazingly clever wizard whom Remus had collected several chocolate frog cards of.

Remus nodded.

"Would you care for a game?"

Remus nodded again and looked into Dumbledore's twinkling eyes before dropping them to the floor, after realising how rude he was staring at him.

Dumbledore bent down to sit down so Remus sat opposite him and set out the stones. During the game they laughed a lot every time someone lost a stone and was squirted by the horrid-smelling liquid. By the end of the game they had also got through quite a few crumpets and the floor was littered with crumbs and the oozing liquid. They laughed for about a minute even when the game had ended. Lyall and Hope were delighted Remus was having so much fun as they rarely had time to play Gobstones with him, or even play anything with him.

"Good game Remus! But you won fair and square! How could I ever think I stood a chance against you?"

Remus laughed and Dumbledore chuckled a little more.

"Well I think as I assisted in making the mess, I'll clear it up"

"but- "Remus started, but with an elegant flick of his wand, Dumbledore cleaned the mess.

Dumbledore smiled.

"Well, as the bright young man you are, I assume you know why I'm here?"

Stunned, Remus looked up at him in. Surely he can't be here to offer him a place at Hogwarts.

"I am here to offer you, Remus, a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Lyall butted in.

"I'm sorry he can't come."

"I am aware of his condition Lyall."

"He can't- "

"Well obviously necessary arrangements have been made and – "

"Excuse me Albus but how do you know?"

This was what Remus had been wandering.

"I have spies among dark creatures, and a few told me how a werewolf by the name of Greyback has been boasting about how had bitten the child of Lyall Lupin, called Remus Lupin. I imagined you must have been suffering and believe everyone should have a shot at education and a normal life no matter who they are."

Anger was swirling like a tornado inside his body. Had Greyback really been boasting about ruining a child's life? How dare he, he thought. How dare he.

"Anyway, on the night of the full moon, I have arranged our fabulous school nurse, Madam Pomfrey, to transport Remus to a passage way guarded by a Whomping Willow"

Remus looked slightly panicked; he'd read about Whomping Willows in 100 Magical Herbs and Fungi, and knew how dangerous they could be when fully grown.

As if he was reading Remus' mind, Dumbledore reassured him.

"We have also created a way to still the Willow, all you have to do is prod the knot at the base of the tree's trunk with a long stick, which we will provide and you will follow the passageway to an old shack covered with powerful enchantments and spells to prevent any unwanted guests entering at an unwise time it as a joke or accident during the period of the full moon."

Lyall and Hope also looked reassured by this and excitement began bubbling in Remus' insides. His dream was coming true- he really was going to Hogwarts.