…And Werewolves
Was he ever going to get a reprieve? Were the explanations ever to stop? When was this damn world going to stop spinning? Of course if Ron were to voice the swirling mess that was his mind at the moment to his friends they would probably just shut him up ready for the next lesson- well Hermione would anyway. The potions lesson had helped calm him down and slow the amount of information but in the short walk to defence against the dark arts everything had seemed to pile on again as he passed unrecognisable students. Smith's intentions were yet another layer to the enigma of the silent mechanics of this world.
Lupin's classroom looked just as it did in third year except that it had a more homely, settled feeling. Weird and wonderful creatures surrounded the room. Aquariums darkened by weeds and empty cages precariously resting on top of each other in clumsy piles also added to the cluttering, casual atmosphere. For the first time that day Harry and Hermione rushed to the front tables, slowly followed by Ron who was taking a moment to enjoy a feeling of nostalgia.
Lupin had easily been the best defence teacher Hogwarts had ever seen during Ron's time there and to experience him again in a school setting was defiantly a plus point for this world. Teaching agreed with the man as the professor had gained a healthy amount of weight, fitting snugly into his worn, but no longer patched robes. Lupin's face held more colour and his voice sounded fuller as he took the register, leaning informally on his desk.
At Ron's added name he paused and sent a slight wink in his direction.
"He knows," Hermione muttered into Ron's ear, "Dumbledore must have told him about you. Usually he just passes over the new students, he doesn't treat anybody differently."
The class soon began in earnest with students battling with awkward defensive spells. They were learning a complicated shield charm that Ron soon completed with ease.
"How did you manage that?" asked Harry in awe as he threw a jelly-legs jinx at Ron jumping back when it ricocheted in his direction.
"I'm just naturally talented," Ron sighed back in feigned smugness trying his hardest not to laugh at Hermione's thin lips that were pursed with annoyance.
"No really, how did you manage it so quickly?" Harry questioned again also fighting a wide grin at Hermione's disgruntled look.
"Okay I suppose I may have had a little more practise being as I learnt this about a month ago and did something similar in DA last year," Ron confessed.
"DA?" Hermione questioned.
"Long story, but basically it was just a club we set up because the Umbridge was so awful at teaching defence."
"Who taught you then?" Harry asked after another close attempt at the charm.
"You did. You weren't that bad to be honest."
"There you go Harry," Hermione suggested, "You could always teach if you've had enough of real duelling by the end of your school life."
She meant it lightly of course but the reference to the end brought the prophesy to the forefront of the trio's minds. However they were soon disturbed from their shared reverie by Lupin's appearance.
"Well done Rob," he said admiring Ron's charm and giving him a conspiratorial knowing smile proving that he did indeed know Ron's true identity.
Ron flushed slightly and glanced away from the eyes now critiquing his work. "Thanks," he muttered. When he looked up again and met the professor's eyes he noticed what he'd missed earlier- deep worry lines.
Ron recognised the etched creases around Lupin's eyes from the ones he'd seen at their infant stages on the face of the teacher's twin in his world. At home they'd always been there of course, to some extent, but it hadn't been until Sirius' death last year that the stress and worry of a werewolf's life had really begun to show. In his world Lupin was still grieving whilst here he'd had to cope with the loss of his surviving best friend for years. The worst of it though, to Ron who felt a squirming in his stomach at the thought, was that it was all based on a lie.
After giving Harry and Hermione a bit of advice they both easily completed the charms and Lupin moved on to the next group. His friends were all smiles until Ron remembered their words before they had been interrupted in potions.
"What did you two mean about Lupin and image earlier?" Ron questioned.
Again the noise of the room made discussion possible and Hermione quickly spoke after making sure that Lupin was far enough away not to hear.
"I don't want him to know we're talking about him," she explained after his quizzical look and then settled into her typical answering tone. "You know how I can't disappear for certain reasons, "Ron nodded, "Well the same sort if thing goes for Lupin. Everyone knows that he's a werewolf, it was deliberately slipped to the Prophet."
"Why's he still here then?" questioned Ron.
"Because they released it as a sob story that's why, human interest and all that gunk. To the outside world the government is becoming more open-minded and is extending a hand to misrepresented groups but behind the scenes the truth is very different. Werewolves, centaurs, merpeople, even house elves, are having their rights slowly torn away whilst the rest of the world doesn't realise what's happening right under its nose."
"Lupin is disgusted by it and the way they're exploiting his position," Harry supplied, "He'd quit if it weren't for the fact he'd be destitute in a matter of weeks."
"And again no one does anything?" Ron asked incredulously.
"Rob you know what a lot of wizards are like." Hermione rationalised, "You've seen how Hagrid has been treated- you found out about that in one of Rita Skeeter's articles as well didn't you," Ron nodded ",And you know about pure blood prejudice. To be honest the average magic user can't be bothered until it's sitting on their doorstep and by then it's too late to do anything anyway."
The three of them silently returned to work feeling even more pessimistic. To Harry and Hermione it was an enlightening, if horrific, experience to inform Ron of what was happening all in one go rather than experiencing it slowly creep into their lives. For the first time they had really had to think about what was happening and suddenly secret conversations in disused corridors seemed inconsequential.
Class continued without interruption as the professor taught some more defensive spells, many of which Ron already knew. This eased the pressure and he could think in peace without having to really concentrate- a novelty in itself that he would have rather savoured. He thought back to the night the split happened between the worlds, the night where everything changed because a tree did not know the script. He knew that he was missing something important. Something else needed to be said and worked out. What was it!?
"Ron-b!" Harry yelled as his friend lost control of a powerful charm during his frustrating contemplation.
"Sorry," Ron muttered. He looked again to the front of the room at Professor Lupin. Lupin… Reamus Lupin… Moony! Of course, that was the answer! What else had happened on that fateful night, why hadn't the marauder's map shown everything? Lupin had known part of the truth, so why had he not defended his best friend back then?
For a moment Pettigrew's face flashed in Ron's mind but the epiphany was lost with the ring of the bell. He tried to hang back to speak to the teacher but the class rushed out with Lupin close behind leaving Ron without the chance to talk to him. Heaving his bag over his left shoulder and cursing under his breath Ron grudgingly followed behind Harry and Hermione as they left the room. Thank Godric the first day was over.
AN: I know this should have been out last friday but things never quite work out do they. Anyway it works in your favour as I'm posting two chapters this week.
As always a thankyou to my beta and all of you lovely people who review.
To Grim Sister- The real influence for this story was the rise of Nazism in Germany though I did read 1984 just a few weeks ago so some of that may seep through.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
