The next morning I woke up much like I had after the full moon in December, Remus next to me with a tight grip around my waist and, again, totally naked. It didn't bother me as much as it had in December, though, and since we didn't have to worry about getting up for Lily I didn't feel bad about just laying there enjoying the feeling of Remus close to me. After a few minutes I could feel him begin to stir and turned over to face him.
"Good morning," I said quietly, but he still didn't open his eyes.
"Morning," he mumbled.
"How are you feeling?" I asked him and he finally opened his eyes to look at me.
"I've felt worse, but still not great," he said and kissed my forehead.
"Do you need anything?" I asked, already feeling hungry myself.
"No, just more rest," he said, closing his eyes again and rolling over to his back.
"Well I'm starving, so I'm going to go down and make something for breakfast. Want me to bring some up to you?" I said, getting up and putting my robe on.
"No, I'll probably be back asleep by the time you make it down the stairs," he mumbled and I smiled softly at him.
"Okay, I'll be in the kitchen if you need me," I said, kissing him quickly. Once downstairs I made my normal cup of coffee and opted for a bagel for breakfast, putting some butter and orange marmalade on it. Over the next couple of days I let Remus just rest, it was obvious that as we aged the process of the full moon cycle was not getting any easier on him and was taking a toll on him physically. Before we knew it, it was time to go back to Hogwarts to finish out the term and we flooed into Dumbledore's office before the students that had left for the break came back on the Hogwarts Express. Once I was settled into my office I sent a note to Lily, letting her know that I was back. After a few minutes there was a soft knock on my office door and I was glad to see Lily standing on the other side of the door. She gave me a tight hug when I opened the door.
"I missed you over the holiday. Did you have a good time here?" I asked her, closing the door behind her and she sat on the couch in front of the fireplace.
"I had a great time. Harry showed me all kinds of cool places in the castle that he'd learned from that map dad took from him. I had no idea there were so many little hidey holes and secret passages here," she said, beaming.
"Well that sounds fun. Though I hope you didn't get into any trouble doing all of that. You know, me and your dad used to know all of those passages and hidey holes around this place when we were students here. I'm not sure if we could find them anymore without the map, but it was fun to know them all back then," I said, pouring some tea for the two of us.
"How is dad?" she asked.
"He's doing just fine. I'm sure he'd really like it if you went over to see him before all of the other students got back," I said with a smile.
"I was going to at least go say hi, but I wanted to see you first. I'm ready for classes to start back again. It was fun being here when almost no one else was, but I'll be glad to have something to do every day again," she said, setting her tea cup on the table in front of the couch.
"I know what you mean, I used to stay here with Harry's mum during the holidays when she didn't want to go home. We had fun, but it does get a bit boring after a few days," I said. Lily stayed a bit longer before leaving to go to Remus' office. I knew it would be a nice surprise for him to see her before more students started to fill the halls again. Luckily the rest of the school year went by quickly and before I knew it it was the last full week of May, which meant it was time for final exams. My first years had just finished up their exam when Remus burst into my office as I began grading the third year exams from the previous day.
"Avery, please don't be angry at me, but I've talked to Sirius. He said he's going to go after Peter again. He wouldn't tell me when, he just said it would be soon," he said quickly and I put down my quill and stood up.
"He's going to get himself killed if he isn't careful," I said, making my way over to where Remus was pacing.
"I told him that, but you know how reckless he's always been. He has a plan set up and while I think it may actually work, I'm not sure he'll get away with it," he said. I took a good look at him and noticed the dark circles and bags under his eyes and realized the full moon was soon.
"Remus, when is the full moon? I don't usually do this but I've lost track," I asked him, making him stop and sit down.
"Tonight. Why?" he said, seeming to not have the energy to fight back.
"Because you look awful. I can't believe I let myself lose track of the days like this," I said, sitting next to him.
"We've got bigger problems on our hands here than when the full moon is. What are we going to do about Sirius?" he said and I sighed.
"I don't know what we can do, Remus. But you don't need to be worrying about this right now, you need to rest," I said, rubbing his back.
"I suppose you're right. Madam Pomfrey will be expecting me soon," Remus sighed and stood up. I stood and followed him to the door of my office.
"I love you, go get some rest," I said, leaning on the door frame.
"I love you too. Don't stay up too late grading," he said and gave me a quick kiss. I just shook my head at him as I closed the door, going back to the third year exams I had been grading before. Suddenly I was jerked awake by the door of my office slamming open. I had fallen asleep grading exams and was more than surprised to see Lily standing there, breathing heavily.
"Lily, what's wrong?" I said, bolting out of my chair at the look on her face.
"Mum, you have to go help. Harry. Hermione. Dad. Just go! They were at the willow, I saw them on the map," she said between breaths and I ran as fast as I could outside to the whomping willow. I looked around frantically but didn't see anyone. Just then I saw movement on top of the hill next to the lake and ran up there, finding Severus with Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"Lupin, what are you doing here?" Severus barked at me.
"Lily told me I needed to get out here," I said, noticing Ron's leg had been torn to pieces at the ankle.
"Avery?" I heard behind me and turned to see Sirius, Remus standing behind him.
"Oh my god, Sirius!" I said and threw myself at him, but not before seeing a familiar look on Remus' face.
"Oh no. Remus. Remus, look at me," I said, pushing Sirius away from me and rushing to Remus, but I knew it was too late. "Sirius, you know what to do!" I yelled to him, going to Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Severus.
"What's going on?" Harry asked as I helped him get Ron to his feet.
"We have to go. Now!" I said, but it was too late, Remus had transformed and I couldn't see Sirius anywhere. Severus threw himself in front of us, though I wasn't sure how he thought he was going to fend off a fully grown werewolf. Just then, a big black dog slammed into the side of Remus and I ushered the three teenagers in the opposite direction, Severus behind me protecting us.
"Professor, what is going on?" Harry asked as he and Hermione supported Ron.
"Harry, I promise I'll answer all of your questions later, let's just get out of here," I said, urging them towards the castle. There was a piercing howl in the distance and I whipped my head around at the sound, stopping in my tracks.
"Avery, don't be stupid," Severus hissed at me.
"Make sure they get back to the castle safely and warn Madam Pomfrey they're coming. I'll be right behind you," I said to Severus, pushing him towards Harry, Ron, and Hermione, and sprinted off towards the edge of the Forbidden Forest, hearing my name being called behind me but knowing I had to do something. I kept running in the tree line of the forest until I could hear running ahead of me, but I didn't expect to see Harry and Hermione running from Remus. "What in Merlin's name are you two doing?" I mumbled to myself, running after them. Suddenly, Buckbeak put himself between Remus and the two teenagers, allowing Harry and Hermione to get away and Remus ran after Buckbeak instead. I kept running in the direction I'd seen Harry and Hermione go and found them behind a bush on the shore of the Black Lake.
"Harry, Hermione! What are you two doing here?" I hissed at them as I approached them from behind and they whirled around to face me.
"We should be asking you the same thing," Harry answered and turned back to the lake, ignoring me.
"Harry, no one's coming," Hermione said and I looked between them, confused.
"He'll come. Right there," Harry said, pointing out to the lake and I finally looked out to the lake, seeing Sirius and Harry being attacked by the dementors. I looked between the Harry beside Sirius and the Harry in front of me and it was like something clicked in my head.
"Oh my gosh, the time turner. You've had it all year, Hermione?" I said and she and Harry looked surprised.
"How did you figure that out?" Hermione asked suspiciously.
"That thing has been sitting in Dumbledore's office for years. I noticed this year that it wasn't in it's usual place, and now I know why," I said and glanced back to the lake. "If neither of you are going to do anything about this, I will," I said, going to get up, but Harry beat me to it.
"Expecto Patronum!" he yelled, a glowing stag emerging from the end of his wand. I put my hands up to my mouth and could feel tears forming in my eyes. James' animagus form. The glowing stag went after all of the dementors, taking them out one by one until there were none left. The three of us ran over to Sirius and he woke up with a gasp, looking over to us in surprise.
"Come on, Harry, help me get him up," I said to Harry, the two of us pulling Sirius up to a standing position.
"Avery, I can't believe it, I really can't," Sirius said, nearly in tears.
"It's so good to see you, Sirius. Come on, we'll go up to the courtyard and sit down," I said, helping Harry support Sirius up the hill from the lake. We sat down on the low rising wall surrounding the courtyard. I walked away from Harry, Hermione, and Sirius, needing a moment to myself to try to process everything that had just happened. I paced, my mind racing, before I heard Sirius say my name. Harry and Hermione were a good ways off to the side to give us a moment to ourselves.
"Where will you go?" I asked Sirius, embracing him in a tight hug.
"Grimmauld Place I suppose. I'm the only one left anyway," he said, hugging me back just as tightly.
"Me and Remus will come visit soon, I promise," I said, pulling away from him and putting a hand to his face. He just smiled at me and nodded and I could see tears in his eyes. Buckbeak was in the courtyard waiting on Sirius and I stood with Harry and Hermione as we watched them fly away.
"You'd best be on your way back to the hospital wing. Ron isn't going to know what to think," I said with a small wink to Harry and Hermione and they rushed back into the castle. I made my way back to my office slowly, not sure that I would even be able to sleep that night after everything that had happened. When I got to my bedroom I opened one of the windows, looking out over the grounds, and heard a familiar howl in the forest. I hoped Remus wouldn't hurt himself too much the rest of the night and I hoped he would still come home with me and Lily despite everything that had happened. Before I knew it, I was being woken up by the sun shining just over the horizon. I knew it was early, but that just meant I would be able to see Remus. I got up quickly and made my way down to the hospital wing. I turned the corner just before the hospital wing and was surprised to see Remus limping out the door, heading my way.
"Avery, what are you doing here?" he said, just as surprised to see me as I was him. I rushed to his side to help support him the best I could.
"I was going to come see you. What are you doing out of the hospital wing?" I asked him as we walked slowly past the Great Hall.
"I've resigned already, I need to get my things packed so I can leave," he said, refusing to look me in the eye.
"Resigned? But why?" I asked him, surprised.
"Severus is sure to spread the news of my lycanthropy. I can't imagine many parents would want their children being taught by a werewolf," he said, finally looking at me.
"Personally I wouldn't mind it myself, but I'm also married to a werewolf so I may have a bit of a bias," I said, able to get a small smile from Remus.
"Yes, I believe you might just be a bit biased there," he said and I smiled softly at him.
"You're a great teacher, Remus. I wish your time here didn't have to end this way," I said as we turned a corner. His classroom was up ahead on the left and I almost couldn't believe this would be the last time we would be in there together. He smiled at me and walked over to his desk when I stopped at his office door.
"I'm sorry for whatever negative effects this might have on you and Lily. I know some students have become aware of our relationship at this point," he said and started getting some of his things together to pack.
"Here, let me help you," I said, picking up one of his suitcases off the floor when I saw him visibly wince bending over. "I don't care what anyone might say. You're my husband, even if I can't use your last name just yet. And I'll love you regardless of what might happen," I said, taking his hand. Remus looked down at the map and got a small smile on his face.
"Harry is on his way here," he said, pointing to the map and just like he said, I saw Harry's name walking down the hallway our classrooms were on.
"I'll leave you two to talk then. Don't you dare leave without telling me goodbye," I said and kissed him before heading back to my classroom. I waved to Harry as I saw him walking down the hall and once I was in my office I sent a note to Lily, asking her to come to my office.
"Hey mum, you wanted to see me?" I heard her say about 30 minutes later from my office door.
"Hey Lilybug. Here, come sit down with me," I said, motioning to the couch.
"Harry told me everything that happened last night. Dad's going to get sacked isn't he?" she asked me sadly.
"No, he already resigned actually. He's packing up right now and will be leaving today," I said, putting my arm around her shoulder.
"Will he go back home?" she asked, a glint of hope in her eyes as she looked up at me.
"I believe that's the plan, yes. We have plenty of protections we can use on the house to make sure we all stay safe," I said, squeezing her shoulders.
"I'll miss seeing him here, but it'll still be nice to have him home," Lily said and gave me a small smile.
"It will be, won't it. Come on, let's go help him finish packing. He doesn't feel the greatest after everything last night," I said and stood up, Lily following me across the hall to his office. When we got to Remus' office, he was finished packing and Dumbledore was there speaking to him.
"Headmaster, I didn't expect to see you," I said when I walked in with Lily.
"Ah, Avery, Lily, hello. Yes, I was just leaving actually. Just having some parting words with Professor Lupin. Goodbye," Dumbledore said and left, closing the door behind him.
"I wish you didn't have to go, dad," Lily said, going over to Remus and wrapping her arms around his waist tightly.
"I know, but it's for the best. I'm sure now that word has gotten out about my condition owls from parents will be coming in droves tomorrow. No parent wants their children to be taught by someone like me," he said, hugging her back and kissed the top of her head.
"If it counts for anything, I don't think my mum would mind that," Lily said, looking up at Remus with a grin and he smiled down at her.
"No I don't suppose she would, would she? Especially considering that your mum doesn't mind that your own father is a werewolf," he said with a chuckle.
"We were going to help you finish packing, but it looks like you've already finished up," I said once Lily peeled herself away from Remus and started looking at one of his many books.
"Yes, well, since I am finished packing I suppose it's time that I get going. Dumbledore just informed me that the carriage is here to take me to Hogsmeade," he said with a sigh.
"I'll miss you being here dad. It was actually kind of cool having both of my parents here this year," Lily said, putting the book back in its suitcase.
"Well now I'll be waiting for you both at home when you get your breaks from school. That'll give you something to look forward to, won't it?" Remus said.
"That's true I guess. I love you dad," Lily said, hugging Remus again.
"Lily, go on back to my office or if you want to go back to Gryffindor tower that's fine too. I need a minute with your dad," I said when she was finished hugging Remus again and she just nodded, closing the door behind her as she left.
"I still wish your time here didn't have to end like this," I said with a sigh, leaning on the side of the desk. Remus walked over to me and put his arms around my waist.
"I know. You'll have to tell me who fills my spot come next year. Hopefully it'll be someone you can get along with," he said.
"I hope so. I know I won't get along with them quite as well as I do with you, but if they're any better than Quirrel or Lockhart was I'll be happy with that," I said, resting my hands on Remus' forearms.
"I should get going," he said with a sigh, leaning his forehead against mine.
"Me and Lily will be home in a couple of days. Try not to get too bored being all by yourself," I said with a small smirk.
"I'll try not to. Are you riding the train home or using the floo network?" he asked me.
"Floo network. I asked Lily and she was very adamant that she can ride the train home by herself. Apparently she's already got plans to ride with Harry. I'm starting to think our daughter may be developing a little crush on the boy who lived," I said and Remus looked surprised.
"What? How can you tell?" he asked.
"I just can. Don't take this the wrong way Remus, but I know Lily better than you do," I said and his face fell almost immediately.
"I suppose you're right," he said with a heavy sigh.
"I love you, I know you need to get going," I said after a moment of silence.
"Yes, I do. I love you, too. I'll see you and Lily at home," he said and gave me a lingering kiss before pulling away from me and picking up his suitcases to leave. I watched him walk down the hallway a bit before going back to my own office, sitting at my desk with a sigh. I wasn't sure what might happen to me now that Remus' secret was out, but I knew if need be, Dumbledore would help me sort things out one way or another.
