Moonlit Horizons

Chapter 41

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Decided I needed a few tie ins with the actual HP5, so I am throwing in a few references etc.  Sorry its been such a gap between me writing chapters, im all busy buying things for  Uni … YEAH I GOT INTO CAMBRIDGE!!! YAY !!!!!!!!!! (personally, I think they made a big mistake letting me in, im not really up to it, but I spoke my ass off in the interview, I was so pleased)

Song of the update: Still Moulin Rouge's Bolero

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Remus was in the unenviable position of not knowing what to do.  It was certain that Sirius wanted to be left alone on his cold window frame, Anna was nowhere to be found, presumably still in the Hospital Wing helping Poppy Pomfrey with the remaining Aurors and Order members from the Tintagel Castle ambush.  It was a clear two weeks until the Christmas Holidays and after the success of the Yule Ball last year, Dumbledore had decided that perhaps a lower key, but equally as entertaining celebration was in order for the students and teachers of Hogwarts.  "Brighten the spirits a little." He had said.  It was going to take a little more than an evening's celebration to brighten some waning stars that Remus could name.  What was it that Draezyc had once said about Sirius?  "I can tolerate his 'sadness', because it's the usual glowering." This was more than glowering, this was grief.  Sirius was like a boiling pan of water, if he wasn't checked up on regularly, he could boil over and burn people.

Then there was Dumbledore.  Remus didn't want to be in his presence at the moment at all.  Dumbledore was still brooding over his decision about Severus, well aware that Draezyc could well convince him that his loyalties were misguided and this recent event just proved how right she was in believing this. Then again, Remus thought it was better that the Snapes and Sirius were kept apart, and it wouldn't be wise to send Sirius to his only other refuge – Grimmauld Place.  Severus had to go, even if it was only for a short time.  Out of sight, out of mind, right?

Harry Potter.  According to McGonagall, he had been experiencing strange dreams that somehow were connected to what Lord Voldemort was feeling at that time.  This was not at all good, what would happen once the Dark Lord found out what Harry could do? Surely he would use it to his advantage?  There was only one real answer, Harry had to learn Occlumency, like Dumbledore had suggested.  Dumbledore and Harry had barely spoken since the Triwizard Tournament and although Remus knew no reason for this, he thought Dumbledore was being rather callous by ignoring the boy he had doted upon for the previous years.  Who was Harry going to ask advice from, real advice, not the daring schemes of Sirius Black, or the half hearted ideas of Ronald Weasley?  Dumbledore was the only accomplished Occlumencer that Remus knew of, but he assumed there must be another if Harry was to start lessons in the subject.  Even Hermione would not know where to begin with this tricky art.  No book could teach it to you, it had to be person to person tuition. Harry had been incredibly understanding when he heard the news of Edea's death, having experienced death himself only a few months before.  He had sat in silence with Sirius for over three hours, just being the comforting presence.

The arrival of an owl interrupted Remus' thoughts.  He took the scroll of parchment from the bird and gave it the two sickles charge for delivery.  Opening it, Remus' face clouded over with distaste.

"Mr R J Lupin,

Our records show your Werewolf Licence has recently expired, and your failure to attend the relevant Ministry Office Co-Ordination team within the stated two week licence renewal period has resulted in a fine of fifty two Galleons and Twelve Sickles.  Your immediate attendance is required for the payment of the stated fine and renewal of your licence.

Yours truly,

      Herbert Wanningtower III"

Remus had forgotten entirely about his license in the light of recent events.  He pulled the metal tag from around his neck and saw the registration number had changed from a silver to a deep shade of red, indicating the passing of renewal date.  Like a library book, I am.  Remus thought bitterly.  He hated going to the license office like some piece of dirt, the workers there treated you like you were about to give them all rabies, making eye contact as little as possible.  Waiting in a horribly damp room with tattered armchairs in each corner to have your name stamped down in their file, occupation (or lack of) noted and then sent on your way as fast as possible.  Every five years.

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"Name please?"

"Remus Lupin."

"Sit over there."

Remus sighed and headed towards a chair towards the middle of an empty row of seats.  The padding was seeping out from the tattered arms of the chair and the material was frayed on the seat, rejected furniture from other offices always ended up being used here.  The Ministry was all very good with funding the capture and containment of werewolves but when it came to werewolf relations and what they liked to call 'probation services' the Ministry funding dried up like an African river in high summer.

He had barely sat down when a young pale girl scampered out of the office door and taking her coat from the stand fled from the room and out into the anonymity of the Diagon Alley crowds.  She must be new. Remus pondered, the old ones never showed such embarrassment and fear. 

"Mr Lupin, R J?"

Remus nodded and walking into the office, sat down in an even less comfortable chair and looked up at the figure before him.

"I see you have let your license expire, Mr… Lupin."

"I was unaware."  Remus began, "So much has been going on recently, it must have slipped my mind."

"Now, it is true there have been outside goings on, but if you would care to tell me the relevance this has to you?"

"I…" Remus realised just how ridiculous it would sound to tell the truth and settled for the simple anonymity that the pale girl had been so desperate to achieve. "Nothing, I just spend a lot of time reading the news, some of it has been most disturbing."

"I see."  A flick of a quill, "And your current profession?"

"I… teach in substitution for Miss DuCruet."

"Ah." Another flick of the quill, "For Dumbledore?"

"That's right."

"And you've had this employment before, but you resigned, why is that?"

"Animosity between the parent governors and myself."

"Because you are a werewolf."

"Yes."

"You have dwellings within the school grounds?"

"Yes." Remus could see exactly where this was heading

"And yet you transform every month anyway? In such near vicinity to hundreds of children?"

"Professor Snape... he prepares a draught of Wolfsbane for me, I become harmless… I…"

"Professor Snape no longer works at Hogwarts."

"Im sure it will still be prepared." Remus muttered

"Wolfsbane is not recognised by the Ministry as a safe medication for Werewolves, it has not been fully tested or approved."

"I understand that, but it works fine for me."

"How can you tell when your mind is severely incapacitated during your transformation?"

"I…" Remus pinched the bridge of his nose.  "I cannot."

"I see." The quill was placed neatly on the table.  "Well, in such times as we are, I cannot afford to bring you to a jury for decision upon your actions, but an investigation will take place independently into your situation of employment."  He stamped Remus' license card and the metal tag turned slowly to a silver colour again.  "You may go."

TBC