"I fear that I will not be able to accomplish anything, Professor." Remus sat opposite of his former Headmaster, looking rather grim. He hadn't touched the cup of tea that he had, just moments before, accepted.
"Albus, Remus. You haven't attended Hogwarts for a number of years." The old man smiled, kindly. "Why do you think that?"
"Both of the boys avoid me, Pro...Albus. I've tried to speak with them alone but when I ask them to stay after class they never do. They, instead, accept their punishment for not staying. They're very suspicious of me." Remus stared down at his tea cup.
Dumbledore watched the younger man sitting across from him. "They are very...suspicious because, and I dare say that it was my fault, of a mistake that we made. We revealed ourselves too soon. Severus, apparently, made an impression on the boys during their first year at Hogwarts and they recognized him right away. And us showing up at their house...It didn't go over as we had planned"
"Why wasn't I contacted sooner? I thought I told you that I wanted informed if Harry was found? Why wait this long? James was my best friend and I swore to him and Lily that I would help look after Harry if anything ever happened to them." Lupin never looked up from the tea cup. "I failed them."
"We should have called you, again a mistake on my part. We never thought that Harry or Ron would recognize Severus, at least not so quickly. We were just so relieved to have finally located them that we left our relief cloud our judgement." Albus took a sip of his cooled tea. "You did not fail your friends, Remus. There was nothing you could have done to prevent Lily and James premature deaths and the Ministry would have never granted you custody of young Harry. You did all you could by helping us clear Sirius."
"Has Molly and Arthur been informed that their youngest son has been found?" Remus finally looked up at the old Headmaster. He changed the subject not wanting to talk about the two deceased Potters.
"Yes. Both Molly and Arthur have been informed that Ron has been found. The location has been withheld from them, though. I didn't want them doing anything rash." Dumbledore settled back in the chair and stared into the fireplace, watching the flames. "They are waiting anxiously for news on young Ronald."
Remus sighed. "He's nothing like James." He mumbled. "When he was a baby I would have sworn on my wand that he would have grown up to be like his father. But now... He reminds me more of Lily." He shook his head and again changed the subject. "Sirius is going batty waiting for news on Harry. I had to threaten to hex him to keep him from coming with me."
Dumbledore smiled. "I would not expect anything less from Sirius. I remember the day that Lily and James announced him as young Harry's godfather. I don't think I had ever seen him so happy before."
Remus let a small smile appear on his lips, remembering that day as well. "Yes." He said quietly. "I think that was the day that he finally decided to grow up.
Albus looked at the younger man currently sitting across from him. "All you can do is keep trying, my boy. Is there anything that you need to continue this assignment?" He asked, seriously.
After a few minutes of silence, Remus answered. "Yes, send Snape back to Hogwarts. The boys aren't going to let their guards down with him still around." He said, bitterly. His dislike for Snape was just as strong as it was during his days at Hogwarts. "He's just making matters worse by being here."
"I do believe that you are correct, Remus. Harry and Ron have a clear dislike for Severus." Dumbledore ignored the snort that came from Remus. There was no longer any doubt in his mind that Jamie and Will were truly Harry and Ron. "I will inform Severus that he may excuse himself from this assignment for the time being." With that, he got up and disappeared out the door. Leaving Remus alone with his thoughts.