CHAPTER 7

The Illustration of Page 397

The holidays drew nearer, and Sirius found himself looking forward to his visit to the Potter's house. James had sent a letter home asking for permission. His parents had written back saying that they would be more than happy to house Sirius for the two weeks' break, and that they would set up the guest room as soon as possible.

Sirius was so overjoyed at not having to spend a Christmas alone at Hogwarts. Remus had been at the table when the mail had arrived, and he had listened earnestly to his two friends talk about the great adventures they would have over the holidays.

"We could make snowmen and bewitch them to dance around," James said, "and we always have a Christmas tree with all sorts of ornaments. Sprite always does a great job with the decorations. On Christmas Eve, we sit around the fire and tell stories and read books. We even roast chestnuts. And not with magic. No, the Muggle way. Father Christmas --- I mean, Mum and Dad --- set the presents under the tree, and there's a whole load of 'em when you wake up. I bet they'll be some for you, too, Sirius. You're our guest."

Sirius beamed. A real genuine Christmas without the stingy smell of the Lestranges overriding the scent of goose that was equally as bad. No cousins clawing for the closest toy box, no perfume wearing aunts, no disappointed parents. He was going to have the greatest time of his life.

And so would his mother and father. They wrote back saying that he had permission to spend the break at James's house, and it seemed to be a very joyful letter. He was sure that the disgrace that he had brought to his father's name had found its way through the family and back to his parents. He didn't care, though. Good riddance.

Remus looked at the letter and smiled sheepishly. "Sounds like loads of fun," he said. "Hope you two have a great time."

James's face dropped and he took the letter from Remus. "Well, you know, Remus, we'd be more than happy to have you, too. You and Sirius could share a room, or I could sleep on the couch and-"

"I can't, but thanks anyway," he said quietly and went back to his breakfast. "I --- uh --- well, you know. My mum and all --- "

Sirius held back a groan, and tried to look sympathetic. James nodded and patted Remus on the arm. "Well, I know that seeing you will make her feel loads better."

Remus smiled. If only it were true. He would be spending Christmas Eve locked up in his room again, clawing at the shredded bedpost. Christmas would be used up for a trip to St. Mungo's again, to be patched up. His parents hadn't enough money to buy any gifts. But he still felt warm inside, knowing that James had offered to give him a place at his house. He had heard about James and Sirius's gesture of friendship from Peter upon returning from the shack a second time. The thought of the two of them, saving him from detention, was enough for him to return James' smile.

"Thanks," he said, and he dug into his food.

"""""""""

The Christmas feast was short and sweet for the four of them. They were constantly being watched by Professor McGonagall, and Sirius couldn't enjoy his meal. He thought that the teachers were waiting for him to sprout horns and a pointy tail and start dancing on the table. They all knew that he had been the ringleader of their Halloween joke. They all thought he didn't deserve to be in Gryffindor. Oh, would he show them.

"I don't think they trust us, mate," James whispered to him as he jutted a finger to Professor McGonagall.

Their last lesson before the holidays was Professor Klein's. It was the last day of the semester, which meant that it was time for the class to turn to page 397 again. The face of the monster stared back up at Sirius, and he shut his eyes. He had avoided the illustration this far, and he was not giving into it now.

"Werewolves," Professor Klein said, looking at the picture in his book. "One of the most dangerous humanoids ever discovered."

The same chair in the back shifted, and Klein smiled again.

"Every month, when the full moon rises, the victims of the curse become crazed monsters, and wreak havoc on this world. The worst part of it all is that they are aware of what their actions," he paused, and directed his attention to the back of the room. "No matter what other theories say." He then started to write vocabulary words on the board, still talking over his shoulder. "This is where some of my expertise comes in. As I said at the beginning of this term, I am a retired Auror. Now how many of you are looking into the job of Auror?"

Remus raised his hand meekly in the air, and Klein snorted. "Mr. Lupin, I am sorry to say that you will never have the requirements. Anyone else?"

Sirius raised his hand and Klein nodded. "Very good, very good. Well, you should pay close attention to my story then. You see, I was in charge of one case in which a dark being had ransacked a town. This thing had bitten a little girl, and the girl was now feeling ill and not herself. Others had been affected by this beast, and I was called in to terminate their problem."

Sirius listened intently, and Klein went back to the chalkboard. "Now, upon entering the woods, I came across a monster. It looked almost exactly like the one in your book. Well, I asked no questions, but disposed of it as quick as I could. I was then put in charge of the Extermination of Dangerous Creatures cabinet in the Auror office, along with Mr. Antonin Dolohov, who is quoted in your text on page 398. In my career, I have terminated thirty-six beasts that called themselves human. Werewolves, ladies and gentlemen, are dangerous creatures, no matter what you may be told otherwise."

The same chair in the back shifted again.

"They may seem quiet, calm, and passive. But remember, every month this," he pointed at the picture on page 397, "is what they become. This is what they are, class. Monsters. Yes, Mr. Lupin?"

Remus lowered his hand and whispered something.

"Speak up, Mr. Lupin. I can't hear you."

"Not all of that is true, sir," Remus said quietly. "My father has done research on werewolves --- they are human beings, sir. They don't-"

"Well, as I said, Mr. Lupin, there are many theories out there," he interrupted as he shut his book, "but there is one truth. I have seen these monsters in their habitat. I have killed them with my own bare hands. I know what they are capable of." He turned back toward the entire class. "People may try to culture them. Domesticate them. Find loopholes in the law. Educate them." He looked at Remus and then glared. "But they are still animals. They are still werewolves. They are still that illustration."

Remus felt tears well up in his eyes. But he couldn't cry. He couldn't let his friends know.

Klein saw his anger and smiled that smile again, "And as for your father, Mr. Lupin, I've heard of his dealings with a Mr. Fenrir Greyback. I wouldn't call him a reliable source, sir."

He then sat down in his chair, crossed his legs, and instructed, "Now please read the chapter, and I want a report tomorrow on the five most dangerous things about these creatures. And Mr. Lupin," he added as Remus went to open his book, "ten for you, for your cheek."

Remus glared, and Peter turned back in his seat to get a look at him. Remus was bright red and looked as if he was on the verge of bawling or strangling Klein. Peter turned back toward his book and began to read.

""""""""

"Happy Christmas, Peter," James said as he and Sirius exited the dormitory room. "Happy Christmas, Remus."

"Happy Christmas," the two of them shouted back, and the boys followed Mr. And Mrs. Potter out of the common room and into the corridor.

"Ah, hello, young Potter," Nearly Headless Nick said, stopping to greet them in the Entrance Hall. "And Sirius, what a surprise. Not staying for the holidays?"

"No, I'm visiting James's house," Sirius said, jumping with excitement. He wanted to get going.

"Ah, well. Have a wonderful time," Nick said, and continued floating down the hall.

"Come, Sirius," Mrs. Potter said, taking Sirius by the shoulders and leading him into the bright sunlight. "We have seats on the next train to London, but first James's father must meet with the headmaster. When we get home, we'll show you around the house, and you can get yourself acquainted with your surroundings before dinner. I've prepared lamb, is that all right with you? Do you like lamb?"

"Sure," Sirius said, at a loss for words, and he followed James and his mum down the stairs and onto the path leading to Hogsmeade. Mr. Potter had taken a left at the main hall and clambered up some stairs towards the great griffin statue.

"You'll have to meet our house elf, Sirius," James said. "Her name is Sprite, and she's about as old as Professor McGonagall. Do you have a house elf?"

"Yeah," Sirius grunted, "his name's Kreacher. He hates me."

"Well, Sprite isn't cranky. She'll love you. She fusses over any sort of company. She loves her job. Dad offered her a mitten once, but she refused it. Of course, she still wears it, but she stays around to help out with the cooking and the cleaning. Hey, Dad, remember when you gave Sprite that old mitten?"

Mr. Potter chuckled to himself and continued walking.

"And you'll meet Uncle Charlie. He's Dad's brother. He's sleeping on the couch since Remus isn't coming. And you'll get the guest room. Mum's been working day and night to get it ready. Isn't that right, Mum?"

"Oh yes, Sirius dear. We are very excited to have you for the holidays. The more the merrier. Now, I must apologize beforehand, the guest room belongs to Wendy, James's elder sister. Well, she hardly comes round anymore. She's very busy in Morocco. But she comes home once in a while, and she likes to see her old room untouched and still the way it was when she left it. So, the walls are a bit pink. I hope you won't mind."

"That's fine," Sirius said, not really listening. He was too excited. He was going to have a real Christmas.

"""""""""""

Remus jumped off the train and immediately saw his parents standing on the platform waiting for him. He smiled and ran to them, arms open wide. His mother grabbed him and swung him back and forth in her lap.

"Oh, darling, you've grown so much," she said, taking a good look at him. "At least an inch."

Remus knew that she was lying. He was still a runt. That's why it didn't bother him that she grabbed him in the middle of a crowd. He looked about eight years old, and so it seemed appropriate.

His father patted him on the back and grabbed his trunk. "So, how was Halloween? Better than you thought?"

"Yes," Remus said. He wasn't lying this time. He smiled at the memory of Sirius bailing him out of trouble.

He had real friends now. And nothing could take that away from him.