Chapter Eight:- Once a teacher, always a teacher.
"Ooooowww" Ron groaned in pain as he woke to find himself lying on a bed in a room that was undoubtedly in the Leaky Cauldron. He was very surprised when he heard an oddly familiar voice from a chair close by to his bed.
"How are you feeling Ron?" Remus Lupin said with a gentle smile handing him a glass of water.
"Sore" Ron muttered with a groan. His whole body was throbbing and felt he was unable to identify any one source of the pain. He also had the worst feeling that he was going to be sick.
"Augh, professor please, can't you fix this" he groaned miserably.
"I will Ron. But you would be wise to remember this feeling before you ever get involved with drinking with muggles again". Lupin watched him carefully for a moment before saying the spell that would cure him of all aches and pain.
"Ill never drink another muggle drink again" he muttered, moving to turn away from Lupin's watchful eyes, unsure how to face the man standing before him.
"I know I was a prat"
"I'm not here to scold you Ron. Although as I was once your teacher if you don't mind me saying I hope now you know the effects you won't allow yourself to be put into such a position again".
"No sir" Lupin smiled softly, Tonks was right. Sometimes Harry reminded him so much of James, and oddly enough Ron reminded him of himself at times. Like himself he could see that Ron was not confident in his own abilities and worth and sometimes allowed his behaviour to reflect that insecurity. Remus had arrived soon after they had gotten back from the pub, and upon hearing the story from Bill he felt compelled to at least offer Ron some somewhat teacherly advice. After having spent so much time in the company of the Weasley's over the last two years from school and of course the 'order', he almost felt like another part of their very extended family.
"I couldn't save Sirius either Ron". Ron looked up at him startled. This was about the last thing he would have expected Lupin to say to him.
"I couldn't stop you from being attacked, I couldn't help Hermione, Ginny, Nevielle, or Luna at the ministry. I couldn't save Harry from the pain of loosing his God Father. I couldn't save one of my best friends. I couldn't help Tonks…." He stopped suddenly, looking at Ron with a soft expression.
"I felt helpless. And I imagine so did you then, as you did this afternoon"
"Yeah" he muttered, looking away embarrassed.
"It's ok to be scared to loose the ones you care about Ron. We're all scared".
"I didn't see anyone else making a fool of themselves"
"Ah Ron, muggle's have their own potions that can have just as strong an effect as magic can have on a person's mind. But I would've thought by now you'd realise though Ron, it's when you're together as a team that you are stronger. I look at the amount of times you, Hermione and Harry have worked together to pull off something amazing, usually with the help of others somewhere along the way I might add. As a team we are stronger Ron. No one will be defeating Voldermort by themselves without the help of others. No one!".
"How did you know professor? I mean since….when I saw… when I couldn't help. I'd been feeling pretty useless" Ron asked him confused, until now he'd been unsure of how to describe how he'd been feeling even to himself.
"You're not alone in feeling helpless Ron. I only hope you'll believe me when I tell you that you are not useless, far from it. We all need to be reminded of our own worth at times Ron. That's what makes us human, and our friend's they are what keep us sane. Don't be afraid to fear for your friends, it's how you know that you care!
This reminds me. Tonks had the ingenious idea of conjuring a pool table in the middle of the Leaky Cauldron. She informs me that she will be quite happy to try and teach you the game before dinner".
"Professor…"
"By the way next time you want to learn about muggles Ron may I suggest a lesson from Harry or Hermione. Something tells me their lesson's would be less painful!".
"Yes Professor" Lupin had finally succeed in making him smile. Impressed by this effort he decided it was time to leave, he had a job to prepare for and he knew Tonks would try to talk him out of it if he didn't leave soon".
"Hey Professor" Ron called to him as he turned to leave.
"Thanks" Lupin gave him a parting smile.
"Once a teacher, always a teacher. I guess old habits really do die hard"……….