Harry Potter and his whole world belong to JK Rowling. I am borrowing a few characters from her.
Back to Hogwarts
After they had cleaned up the mess from the wall, Mrs Weasley conjured up a new wall and they all returned to the kitchen. After an hour, Harry climbed the stairs and headed to Remus' room. He wasn't there. Harry then looked in the other rooms on the floor. Still there was no sign of Remus. Finally, he headed up the stairs to the main room, the room that Buckbeak was kept in. Holding his breath, he opened the door, expecting to see Remus sitting on the bed. He wasn't there.
Harry knew that Remus could take care of himself, but he couldn't help being worried. Especially so soon after he'd been injured fighting Voldemort.
He spent the rest of the day just waiting for Remus to turn up. He couldn't believe that Remus would just leave like that, especially the day before they'd be leaving for school. "He's okay, Harry," Hermione whispered a bit later, when they were once again gathered in the study.
Their trunks were down in the hall, waiting for the morning. Hermione and Ginny were playing wizard chess and Harry and Ron were playing Exploding Snap. Harry kept checking his watch and glancing at the door.
"He'll be back."
"Don't," Harry said quietly. "You don't know that, so don't say that he'll be back."
To add insult to injury, the card that Harry had been holding decided that he'd held on too long and exploded in his hand. Harry felt it singe his eyebrows. He couldn't help it. He burst into laughter. He held up another of the mirrors that Fred and George had brought and checked his reflection. His entire face was black and his eyebrows and hair had a slight singed look to them.
"Nice look for you, mate," Ron said, grinning. He handed Harry a towel to wipe his face. "Once you've cleaned up," Mrs Weasley said dryly, coming into the room. "It's bedtime."
*
"Harry?" Mrs Weasley was shaking his shoulder. Harry groaned and rolled over. "It's nearly time to go, dear."
"Did Remus-?"
Mrs Weasley shook her head sadly. "No, I'm afraid he hasn't."
Harry gritted his teeth as Mrs Weasley left the room. Where the hell was Remus?
"He's not going to let me leave without saying goodbye," Harry muttered to himself.
Ron glanced at him, but said nothing. They dressed quickly and headed down for breakfast. It was strange to go down the stairs and not be completely creeped out by the heads of all the former house-elves.
Harry glanced in the study as they passed. Remus wasn't there.
Mrs Weasley nearly had to force feed them their breakfast. All four of them were starting to get extremely worried about Remus and didn't feel much like eating. Once they'd eaten enough to appease Mrs Weasley, she shepherded them up the stairs to the front door. Harry was about to pick up his trunk when he stopped and looked up at Mrs Weasley.
"You may go and look, Harry," she said before he could say a word. "We're still waiting for Tonks, Mundungus and Mad Eye, so you can go if you go quickly."
Harry nodded and tore up the stairs. He looked in the study once more. Nothing. He searched each and every room, searching for his former teacher. His mum and dad's friend. His friend. Remus wasn't there.
Angry and hurt, Harry sat on the bed in Buckbeak's room. Why had Remus just left him like that?
"Harry, dear, we have to go," Mrs Weasley's voice drifted up the stairs.
Shaking off his feelings, he quickly fed Buckbeak and then hurried down the stairs.
*
"Have a good term!" Tonks called after them as they boarded the bus.
"Write to us," Mrs Weasley said with a smile. Dung and Moody waved but said nothing. Ginny had already found a compartment big enough for the four of them, plus Neville, who they had met at the gate. Ron and Hermione had to go to the Prefect's compartment first, but would join the others after the train had left. They stood at the door of the train, waving, as the train started and left the station.
"See you in a bit," Hermione said, smiling at Harry. "Don't worry Harry. Remus is alright." Harry said nothing, but nodded at Hermione.
They separated and Neville, Ginny and Harry entered the compartment. He hadn't realized it, but he'd been half hoping that Remus would be on the train, just like he'd been at the start of their third year. But again, there was no sign of him. Harry sat next to the window, Ginny next to him. She kept her hand on his arm. He wasn't sure why, but he appreciated it very much.
"Where's Dean?" he asked her quietly. She grinned at him, but didn't remove her hand. "Somewhere in a compartment with Seamus, I expect," she answered. "I told him I'd see him at school."
Harry nodded. It was still hard to imagine that Ginny, Ron's little sister, was dating.
"Look, Harry," Neville said eagerly, pulling something out of his bag. For a moment, Harry thought it was his mimbulus mimbletonia again, but it wasn't. He was pulling out a wand. "Gran got me a new wand. Holly and phoenix feather! 15 inches."
Harry started. He stared at the wand in Neville's hand.
"What did you say it was made of?" he demanded.
Neville looked at him curiously. "Holly and phoenix feather."
"But...that's odd," Harry said. "That's not a...normal combination is it?" He didn't know why, but he didn't want to say that it was the same as his wand.
"Well, Mr Ollivander did say that he'd made one other holly and phoenix feather wand, but that that wand was much more powerful than this wand. He said that he used a female phoenix feather in this wand, which he doesn't normally do, so to expect that my wand might be...erm...temperamental at times." Neville smiled at his wand and placed it in the pocket of his robes. "I wonder where the other holly and phoenix feather wand is. He said he'd sold it five years ago, so I imagine someone our age will have it. But who knows, maybe someone needed a replacement."
Harry nodded mutely, still unwilling to tell Neville who had the other holly and phoenix feather wand.
Harry and Neville started a game of Exploding Snap. Ginny pulled out a new issue of The Quibbler and a quill and started flipping pages. Ron and Hermione joined them just as the lunch cart came by. Harry bought something for everyone, and they settled in to enjoy the long trip to school.
*
There were no incidences on the train ride, although many had been expecting it. Even Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle hadn't shown up in their compartment, which had to be a first. Harry hadn't been too worried himself, but he knew that many of his classmates had been. He saw Parvati Patil as they were leaving and noticed that she was white as a sheet. Harry could see Hagrid beckoning the first years to him. He waved to him, and Hagrid waved back.
"Looks scared, doesn't she?" Ginny whispered quietly to him, indicating Parvati. He nodded. "I bet she's not the only one. I wasn't worried much; I figured Professor Dumbledore did something to protect the train."
"I think he did too," Hermione agreed.
They approached the carriages that would take them up to the school. Harry couldn't help but wonder if Ron, Hermione and Ginny would be able to see the Thestrals now, because of Sirius. He watched them as they approached the winged horses. None of them appeared to be able to see them, so he figured they couldn't. The five of them clambered into a carriage which set of to the school right away. Harry closed his eyes as they swayed slightly. He was quite tired and desperate for any word of Remus' whereabouts.
As soon as they reached the steps leading to the castle, Hermione cast a weightless charm on all their trunks and they dragged them into the Entrance Hall, leaving them with all the other trunks.
They nearly ran to the Great Hall for dinner. Harry didn't even glance at the Head Table as they entered, just headed to the Gryffindor table. Seamus and Dean grinned at them as they joined them.
"Did you see who our new Defence teacher is?" Dean asked with a huge grin on his face. Harry glanced up and his mouth fell open with shock.
Sitting to the left of Professor Dumbledore was Remus.
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny all stared at the head table, shocked beyond words. Half the summer they'd spent with him, and he hadn't said a word.
"No wonder he kept leaving whenever someone would mention the position!" Hermione exclaimed, smacking her forehead with the heel of her hand. "He didn't want to give it away that he was coming back!"
Harry felt a huge smile spreading across his face. As angry as he was at Remus right now, he couldn't help but feel very excited for him. And for them. He knew that for once they would have a decent professor. He tried to catch Remus' eye, but Remus seemed determined not to look their way. His face was still taut with anger and he seemed to be shooting dirty looks in Snape's direction. Snape, Harry noticed, was refusing to look at anybody but Dumbledore. He wondered if Snape would still behave the same toward Remus as he had in their third year.
The doors to the Great Hall banged open, and Professor McGonagall entered, followed by the new first year students. She led them to the head of the Hall, where the Sorting Hat sat waiting. Everyone stared at the Hat. The rip near its brim opened and it began to speak.
"The founding four of Hogwarts
Began the school with a common goal in mind.
To give a proper education to the
Young wizards and witches that could be found
All over the world.
Divided, they were strong.
Godric Gryffindor.
Helga Hufflepuff.
Rowena Ravenclaw
And Salazar Slytherin.
United, they were unstoppable.
They coexisted peacefully for a time.
United.
Unbeatable.
Godric Gryffindor wanted everyone to have a fair chance.
Salazar Slytherin wished to be more selective.
They grew divided.
In times of trouble we must unite.
Divided, we are strong.
United, we are unstoppable."
The hat stopped speaking and was still once more.
"Interesting," Ron said quietly to Harry. "A bit shorter than usual."
Harry nodded, watching as McGonagall unfurled a scroll.
"Adams, Trevor!" A small boy stumbled up the stairs.
"Hufflepuff!"
Harry watched as the Sorting continued, trying to catch Remus' eye again. Still, Remus didn't look his way.
He was barely listening and started when Professor McGonagall called out:
"Evans, Mark!"
"What?" Harry exclaimed loudly. Several heads swivelled toward him and he clapped a hand over his mouth, flushing slightly.
"Gryffindor!" The first new Gryffindor of the year grinned broadly and joined the table. Harry watched him approach, his jaw slack with shock. He knew that boy. He'd grown up in Little Whinging. Dudley had spent most of last summer tormenting him. He'd even beaten him up on at least one occasion. How could that be? Harry was the only wizard in the area, according to the Ministry of Magic. Mrs Figg was also in Little Whinging, but as a Squib, she wasn't even on the register. What on earth? Harry glanced at the Head Table again, this time looking at Dumbledore. Dumbledore was watching the Sorting, his eyes twinkling merrily.
Harry noticed that Remus was looking his way for the first time that evening. He thought of ignoring him, but he was very interested to know why nobody had told him that there was another wizard in his area. He allowed Remus to catch his eye. Remus nodded once and mouthed, "Come speak to me later," then turned his attention back to the Sorting.
After the Sorting was over, Professor McGonagall carried the stool and the Sorting Hat from the Hall, and then joined the Head Table. Professor Dumbledore beamed as he got to his feet. "Welcome to another year! There are a few announcements, which can wait until after we've all enjoyed this excellent feast. Tuck in!"
The table actually groaned as the plates filled. Harry felt his stomach give a jolt of hunger as he noticed all his favourite dishes laid out on the table before him. Wasting no time, he dished himself some food and sat quietly eating, listening to everyone talk around him. Most were discussing Voldemort and the house that had been destroyed.
"I heard it was abandoned," Seamus was saying eagerly. "I wonder why Black and that Lestrange woman destroyed it."
Harry stopped eating immediately and glared up at Seamus. Neville was staring at Seamus, horror struck. Ron and Hermione had both dropped their forks in shock. Ginny placed her hand on Harry's arm again.
"He doesn't know, Harry," she said softly.
Seamus was looking round at them all, confusion written all over his face.
"Know what?" Seamus demanded. Ron was looking somewhat murderous. "Why are you all staring at me like I've sprouted a set of ears out my nose?"
Dean, too, looked round at them all curiously. Harry noticed his eyes flicker over Ginny's hand on Harry's arm before coming back up to their faces.
"Because Sirius Black was no murderer," Harry spat quietly. Angrily.
Dean raised an eyebrow. "Why did he go to Azkaban for twelve years then?"
"Because the Ministry of Magic is full of idiots!" Ron answered.
"He was never given a trial," Hermione said quietly. "He was set up, and sent to Azkaban without a trial."
Seamus looked at them all, his eyes suspicious. "And you know all this how?"
Harry glared at him and carefully set his knife and fork down on his plate. He kept his eyes on Seamus'.
"Because Sirius Black was my godfather."
Both Seamus and Dean's eyes widened and they stared at Harry, apparently speechless. Harry's jaw clenched as he glared at Seamus. He wondered if they believed him, and then found that he didn't really care.
"He's your godfather?" Dean repeated. "How?"
"He was my dad's best friend. They named him godfather when I was born. I didn't know until he broke out. But he didn't break out to come after me; he broke out to come after Peter Pettigrew."
"But Peter Pettigrew-" Seamus started.
"Was apparently dead, killed by Sirius Black," Ron said. "We know the story, Seamus." Seamus' eyes narrowed at Ron. He turned back to Harry. "So what happened?"
"Well, the night Buckbeak was to be executed, we snuck out to visit Hagrid. Hermione was pouring milk into a jug and found Scabbers. Ron's pet rat. Remember him?"
Seamus nodded. "I thought your cat ate him?" he asked Hermione. She scowled at him.
"No, Scabbers was in hiding, apparently from Crookshanks. When we were going back to the castle, we were attacked by a huge black dog, which dragged Ron to where Sirius Black was hiding."
Harry didn't mention that the big black dog actually had been Sirius.
"Hermione and I followed and soon Remus...erm, Professor Lupin, showed up. He told us about his friends at Hogwarts. Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew and my dad, James Potter." Seamus was listening raptly as Harry told the story. Dean was also, but he kept glancing up at Remus. Harry did too and found Remus watching him intently.
"It took a while, but they managed to convince Ron to let them see Scabbers."
Ron scowled at the mention of his former pet.
"They cast a spell and Scabbers the rat turned into Peter Pettigrew the wizard." Harry sat back. "You see? It wasn't Sirius that betrayed my parents, it was Wormtail. When Sirius tracked him down, Wormtail screamed that he'd betrayed my parents and blew up the street. He had his wand behind his back. Then he transformed into a rat and took off, leaving Sirius to wait for the Ministry officials. Pettigrew found a wizard family to take him in so he could listen for information about Voldemort." He ignored Seamus and Dean's cringes. "Sirius nearly became a free man that night, but it was a full moon, and Re...Professor Lupin hadn't taken his Potion...and everything went to hell and Pettigrew got away. Sirius had to go back into hiding; Pettigrew found Voldemort and helped him to regain his body."
"So Black never was in league with You-Know-Who?" Dean asked.
Seamus said nothing and Harry noticed that he still looked sceptical.
Harry shook his head. "Never."
He picked up his fork again, but didn't eat. He stared at his plate.
"Sirius Black died in June. He died protecting us from Voldemort."
Harry heard a fork clatter against a plate and knew that Seamus had dropped his fork. He didn't look up. Hermione reached over and took his hand, giving it a quick squeeze before letting go again. He finished his food quickly, still not looking up. Only when the plates became clean and Dumbledore had stood up, clearing his throat, did Harry look up. But only at Dumbledore.
"Well, now that we are all full to the brim from that excellent feast, it's time for a few announcements just before bed. First years should know that the Forest in the grounds is out of bounds to students, as is the village of Hogsmeade to anyone in first and second year. Quidditch tryouts for the house teams will begin in two weeks time, starting with the winner of the Quidditch Cup from last term. Anyone interested should contact the team captains.
"And now I would like to say welcome back Professor Lupin to the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts. For those of you who weren't here, Professor Lupin taught Defence three years ago, but resigned due to personal reasons. He is now back and will be teaching you how to prepare yourselves. However," Dumbledore held up a hand to put a halt to the customary applause that had started for the new teacher. "There is one thing that Professor Lupin and I have decided that must be brought to your attention this time."
Dumbledore broke off, waiting, for a buzz had broken out over the Great Hall at the last announcement. Harry looked at Hermione and Ron, who looked back, eyes huge. Dumbledore cleared his throat and the Great Hall went silent once more. "Thank you. As I was saying, there is something that we wish to bring to your attention. Professor Lupin suffers from a condition called Lycanthropy."
Several people gasped, those who knew what Lycanthropy was. The rest stared at Dumbledore and Remus in bewilderment.
"What does that mean?" a second year from the Slytherin table hollered.
Hermione snorted derisively. "If you actually looked in your Defence books, you would know, wouldn't you?" she said under her breath. Harry laughed. Dumbledore, however, smiled at the Slytherin second year.
"It means that Professor Lupin is a werewolf."
The Slytherin recoiled as though Dumbledore had struck him. Several people gasped with horror, and Mark Evens let out a yell of fright.
"It does not, however, mean that Professor Lupin is in anyway a bad person or dark wizard. If I hear of any person treating Professor Lupin with anything less than the highest respect, that person will receive detention."
Dumbledore made this last statement in a bland sort of voice, but Harry was certain that he saw Dumbledore's eyes flicker in the direction of Malfoy and his cronies, Crabbe and Goyle. "During the full moon, the Defence Against the Dark Arts classes will be taken over by a temporary professor, and Professor Lupin will return as soon as he can."
Harry glanced around the silent Great Hall. Everyone was staring up at Remus with their mouth hanging open. He kept his chin held high and looked out at the students. Harry felt a surge of happiness, knowing that Remus would be teaching them again.
"That is everything for now. Bedtime!" Dumbledore said a moment later, beaming at them all. Harry started and realized he'd missed the rest of Dumbledore's announcements. He waited for all the other tables to leave, then stood up to go to the Head Table. Remus wasn't there.
"What is he playing at?" Harry growled, turning to talk to Ron and Hermione. A hand clapped his shoulder and he turned to find Remus standing behind him.
"What's who playing at?" Remus asked mildly.
"Welcome back Professor Lupin!" Seamus and Dean said, grinning up at him.
"Thank you, Dean, Seamus," Remus said with a nod and a smile.
Seamus and Dean left the table. Harry, Hermione and the two Weasley's followed. Remus walked with them.
"I'm sorry for making you worry, Harry," Remus said quietly. Harry said nothing, just kept walking. "Harry, I truly am sorry. I just...it makes me very angry that they're still blaming him when they've come out and said that Voldemort is back."
Harry stopped walking, but didn't look at Remus. Remus came around in front of him. Harry could tell from his face that he genuinely was sorry.
"How come you didn't tell us that you were coming back?" Harry asked curiously.
Remus smiled. "I wanted to surprise you," he said, his eyes twinkling. Then he grew serious again. "I saw you telling Seamus and Dean about that night in the Shrieking Shack."
Harry stared at him. "You could hear us?"
"I heard Sirius' name. I started listening after that. Then I heard Wormtail, Scabbers and Peter Pettigrew. I figured out from that what you were telling them."
Harry nodded, starting to walk again. Ron, Ginny and Hermione had gone on and were already halfway up the second staircase.
"Did you know that Mark Evans was a wizard?" Harry asked suddenly, as he and Remus started up the stairs.
Remus paused, and then nodded.
"Did you know that he lives in my area?" Again, Remus nodded. "Well, who is he?"
"I'm not sure, Harry. All I know is what you just said. He is the son of Muggle parents and he grew up in your area. And he shares the same last name as your mother and your aunt." Harry turned to look at Remus so suddenly that he missed a step and nearly ended up on his face. Remus grabbed his shoulder to steady him.
"What did you say?"
"His last name is the same as your mother's maiden name," Remus repeated. "Your mother was Lily Evans. And your aunt is Petunia Evans. Or was, before she married your uncle. Other than that, though, I know nothing about the boy."
Harry nodded. His head was spinning. Could he be related to Mark Evans? He'd never even realized before that his mother's last name was the same. He knew, of course, that her maiden name was Evans, but it hadn't dawned on him...
"Are you coming?" Ron yelled down the stairs. "I'm not waiting all night to give you the password!"
"You should get up to bed, Harry. I'll see you tomorrow," Remus smiled and squeezed Harry's shoulder once before turning and heading back down the stairs.