A/N: Sorry if the formatting on this and the last chapter is screwed - I'm in a massive hurry.

Still don't own it - you know the score.

Apologies for the lameness in advance

Take Your Places

When the sun rose the next morning, Remus ached. But it wasn't the usual aches and pains he felt after a transformation. He had no cuts or bruises. In fact, he had spent most of the night curled up under the desk asleep. No, this ache was in his heart. During his time as a student at Hogwarts, he had grown used to having company as he roamed the Forbidden Forest at night. Despite not remembering anything about his time as the wolf, Remus could feel it once again mourning the loss of it's pack. The wound was much fresher here.

He untied himself from the table and stood up, unlocking the knots in his muscles. I could use a shower, he mused, stumbling over to the bathroom.

The water droplets sliding over his stinging flesh made him feel fresher and more human. Once he left his quarters, he would once again become Remus John Lupin, Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, whereas, while he was alone in his rooms he was merely Remus John Lupin, the werewolf.

Teaching finally gave him the focus he had needed since Sirius's betrayal and it was a shame that he probably would not be there long. He had heard that Severus was taking over his classes while he was 'ill'. No doubt the old git was trying to get one of the students to guess what he was, since he himself had been sworn to secrecy by Dumbledore.

He pulled on his old tattered robes and sat by the window. Dumbledore had told him to take the day off since most of the day was being taken up by a Quidditch match anyway. Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw. Or was it Hufflepuff? Sirius and James had loved Quidditch - Remus remembered the endless conversations about various matches and teams with disturbing clarity since he had taken part in none of them.

His window was a good vantage point for the game. Perhaps now he could get to see if Harry was as good at seeking as his father had been.

The weather was abysmal. Vision was low for both teams, but it looked as if Harry had a water repelling charm on his glasses so he could see better than the other team's seeker. He spotted the snitch surprisingly quickly and shot up into the clouds after it. There was no sign of him for a long time.

Remus's breath came out in puffs of mist in front of his face. He flung open the window. Oh Merlin, let him be all right.

From the edges of the Forbidden Forest, Sirius was having similar thoughts. He had been watching the game in his dog form, drawn by the promise of seeing Harry play. He abandoned the dog guise in favour of his human eyes when Harry shot up into the clouds and didn't come back.

He shivered and rubbed his arms. It was certainly colder for a human than a dog. During his moment of distraction, a figure fell from the clouds, followed by a broom flying in the opposite direction.

He gasped, taking a horrified step back.

Two voices yelled as one. One from the castle and the other from the ground. "HARRY!"

Seeing a flash of black shoot towards him, Sirius leapt back into his dog form and took off into the forest, hoping and praying for his godson's safety.

A sickening crunch from behind him indicated Harry's broom meeting the Whomping Willow.

Remus covered his mouth with a shaking hand as he watched Dumbledore slow down the boy's fall. Surely he would be all right?

The Dementors... What were they doing inside the grounds? Dumbledore would be furious.

The wizard in question looked up at Remus's window and smiled. Remus sighed in relief. Harry was going to be okay.

He pulled the window shut and settled down to sleep some more. The full moon always made him tired.

The next day was much more pleasant weather-wise. It was also the weekend. Feeling much better, Remus decided to take a walk in the grounds to clear his head.

He hadn't been walking long when Harry caught up with him.

"Professor Lupin! Professor!"

Remus smiled at the Gryffindor. "Good Morning Harry. I trust you're feeling better?"

"Yes. Why weren't you teaching last week sir?"

"I have been ill Harry. I have always been unfortunately prone to sickness. I heard about the Quidditch match. I suspect that Dumbledore is most displeased. I am sorry about your broom by the way."

Not knowing what to say in reply, Harry shrugged. "What was it like growing up in Voldemort's time?"

"It will probably sound strange and disturbing to you young Harry, but I can't say I noticed much while I was inside Hogwarts. I only really started to feel scared when I left. Si- Um- I was most scared when I left Hogwarts to find my own home. It was then that I realised that I could lose any of my friends or family, or indeed my life to him at any time. But thanks to you Harry, no-one is living in fear anymore."

"Professor, how could I do something that big and not even remember it?"

A fond smile crossed the werewolf's lips. "You were very young. It is wrong of anyone to expect otherwise. Your mother's love saved you. I'm afraid Voldemort does not understand the power of love."

They walked in silence for a time, each thinking about their own secrets and past.

"You can fight the Dementors," Harry exclaimed suddenly.

Remus raised a questioning eyebrow. "I don't pretend to be an expert, Harry."

"You made that Dementor on the train go away!"

"It was only one. The more there are, the harder it becomes."

"Can you teach me?"

Remus made as if to refuse, but Harry continued talking.

"What if they come back? I need to know how to fight them!"

He sighed. "All right Harry. But it will have to wait until after the holidays. For now, I must rest."