Remus Lupin walked quickly down Diagon Alley, paying little attention to the familiar shops full of after-work shoppers. He looked up ahead, saw The Leaky Cauldron, and crossed the street in that direction. Suddenly, in an explosion of papers and groceries, Remus stumbled backwards and found himself face to face with Percy Weasley.

"Professor Lupin!" Percy gasped, struggling to hold the remaining papers slipping from his arms.

"Percy! Hello!" Remus replied. He bent down to retrieve the papers and keep his apples from rolling down the street. "Here, let me help you with this. I'm so sorry – I really should have been watching where I was going."

"Oh, don't worry about it, Professor. I wasn't watching either." Percy took the remaining papers from Remus and slipped them back in his bag, then bent down and gathered up the groceries that spilled from the bag that Remus had been holding.

Remus leaned back down to help Percy. "So, Percy, it's been a long time since I've seen you. How are you getting along?"

"Quite well, thank you," Percy said, "Work at the Ministry has certainly kept me busy. I've enjoyed working with – Oh!"

Remus looked down quickly. A small bag had spilled over, and several brilliant emeralds had fallen out onto the ground. They glittered and looked exceptionally bright against the dirty street. Remus quickly scooped them back in the bag and straightened up, everything now in the grocery bag.

Clearing his throat, Remus said pleasantly, "So I hear you've made quite a name for yourself, Percy. Personal assistant to Mr. Crouch!"

Percy, who had been staring at Remus's bag a little more openly than he might have realized, shook his head slightly, then replied, "Oh, thank you, Professor!"

"Please, call me Remus," Remus said, smiling. "I hear things are going well with the Tournament?"

Percy let out a deep sigh before replying. On closer inspection, Remus could see that the impressionable young man was almost to the breaking point. Percy looked stressed and distracted, but replied in a forced, cheery manner. "Oh, yes, things are going very well! We've just finished the second task, which was very successful. There was no doubt an article in The Daily Prophet. I enjoy very much being able to attend the tasks. However, it's a great inconvenience that my boss, Mr. Crouch has been unable to attend."

"Yes, I read about that in the paper. Most unfortunate," Remus replied, "I do hope he's feeling better?"

"Well, he is still too sick to come into the office. He sends frequent owls with instructions to me. This has been a very busy year for the Department of International Magical Cooperation, understandably, what with the Quidditch World Cup and now the Tri-Wizard Tournament…"

As Percy continued, Remus began to open his senses around him and feel for Percy's thoughts and emotions. He could tell right away that this boy was being stretched to his limit. But now, as he felt through Percy's many levels of emotions, he sensed fear… and anticipation… the need to prove himself… ambition…

"… however, I feel that Mr. Crouch will make a fast recovery and be back in the office in no time."

Remus smiled. "That's good to hear. So, have you actually seen him recently?" He hoped he didn't sound too suspicious. Percy replied that he hadn't. Remus felt out again… and knew that Percy was telling the truth. He didn't know more than he was letting on…

Remus brought his senses back to himself and looked at Percy. "Well, it's a good thing Mr. Crouch has such a capable assistant to run things at the office, isn't it?" He gave Percy a warm smile, and Percy fairly grinned back.

Percy's chest swelled, and he replied pompously, "I think it has been a great relief to Mr. Crouch to know that his department has been left in good hands. And I've just loved my time spent there; it's quite an amazing experience."

"Well, Percy, I wish you the best of luck in the future," Remus said with a smile, reaching out his hand. "You have a good evening."

Percy shook his hand. "Thank you. And you, too, Professor!"

"Remus," Remus reminded him.

Percy nodded gravely and said, "Remus." He then turned around and continued his way down the street.

Later that evening, Remus wrote:

Dear Snuffles,

Don't worry about Harry. I'm sure what you're saying is getting through to him. You can surely remember, and I imagine this is what Harry has in mind as well, how reckless and adventurous you were at the age of fourteen. Granted, you didn't have an Evil Dark Lord after you, but Harry would still feel resentful of having his convicted murderer godfather telling him to be a "good boy." He's very aware of what is going on within and without Hogwarts, which is more than you can say for most students.

In other news, I saw Percy Weasley today in Diagon Alley. He is so overwhelmed about his job at the Ministry and is absolutely exhausted. I also sensed that he knows nothing more than we do on Barty Crouch's condition – well, let me rephrase that. He knows nothing more than the general population does on Crouch's condition. Percy, of course, doesn't know that his boss has been sneaking up to Hogwarts in the middle of the night. Crouch just sends Percy instructions from home (or from wherever he is) by owl.

I can't help but wonder if his disappearance has anything to do with the stirring of the Death Eaters. But how can it? Unless Crouch is just using the crisis at the World Cup to feather his cap with one more capture.

And on the subject of Death Eaters, you might want to tell the children about the Death Eaters' Dark Mark tattooed on their left forearm. I know Death Eaters don't go parading that around, especially in front of students, but they should at least be aware of it.

In my dealings in Knockturn Alley, I've heard some rumors that Ludo Bagman has quite a reputation of being a gambler. You don't suspect that he's offering to help Harry because he's got some money wagered, do you? I can't imagine Bagman would have anything to do with the Dark Arts.

Take care, Snuffles, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Love,
Remus