Chapter Twenty-Two: The Right Way?

"Take your seats class, take your seats, we have a guest coming today," their professor instructed and Remus walked past Lily who was too busy talking to her friend Mary to notice and without a word went back and sat in the last row with the other Marauders. James seemed a bit surprised but Sirius just grinned and gestured for Remus to sit next to him. Remus hesitated but did so, unsure if James and Sirius were consciously sitting with him in the middle to somehow protect him or if they had just done it unconsciously. Either way Remus appreciated it and allowed himself to feel some comfort in his friends, reminding himself that the likelihood of Mr. Howell returning was slim.

"Not another monster I hope," Thayer grumbled looking around at his fellow Slytherins' for their approval of the comment but no one paid him any attention as the guest entered. Remus resisted the urge to bury his face in his hands. Professor Corbyn had really gone and done it this time!

Several Slytherins scrambled onto their desks while multiple students from both houses pulled out their wands with varying levels of forced bravery etched on their faces.

"Calm down e iz armless," Hagrid assured the class, allowing none other than Skipper to walk beside him, not even on a leash. Skipper's ears were perked happily and he did not seem to care about the ten or so wands pointed at him. He even wagged his tail!

"Skipper, what are you doing here?" Remus asked, careful to make sure the words were just in his head.

"Wanted to see you, human brother. Silverstream would not come back to the humans but Skipper wanted to."

Remus shut his eyes trying to concentrate on the confusing jumble of words that he was hearing in his mind.

"Slow down Skipper you're talking too fast," Remus explained, completely losing track of what Hagrid or their professor was saying but assuming it was more or less effective as the wands had been retracted and everyone was back in their seats, albeit wearily.

"Human brother, human brother, Silverstream sick you must help,"

"What?" Remus asked, split between trying to pay attention in class and pay attention to the young wolf whose lack of fear around humans was certainly concerning.

"Now I have been informed that you have already had one of the Forbidden Forests wolves visit your class though Hagrid this is a different wolf correct?"

"That iz correct sir, most of em didn't want to come but this feller did." Hagrid clarified patting Skipper's head who was trying to communicate a great deal of information to Remus who simply could not follow two conversations at once. Making up his mind Remus closed his eyes again.

"Skipper. Talk after class."

"Class?"

"Talk….later, after other humans leave."

"Human brother ashamed?"

Remus winced and shook his head.

"No, just…..need to focus."

He wasn't sure if Skipper understood but the young wolf had quieted down, now laying down beside Hagrid looking at each and every student as if trying to count how many humans would have to leave until he could talk to Remus.

"That is correct, these are not ordinary wolves but they are awfully close to them. Hagrid has confirmed that their intelligence is quite high from the Centaurs. I believe this one's great grandfather was a werewolf, correct Hagrid?" Professor Corbyn asked and the large man shrugged in reply looking about as out of place as Skipper who seemed to finally realize the hostility and fear being directed his way. He even raised his hackles letting out a low growl at a Slytherin who had scoffed and had muttered about how werewolves were such monsters.

"Calm down," Remus pleaded feeling dizzy in the classroom as multiple students from both Gryffindor and Slytherin jumped to their feet and accused Skipper's warning grown as being one that would signify he'd leap on one of the students an start gnawing their face off.

Lily's hand shot straight into the air looking about ready to burst as Professor Corbyn assured the students they were not in danger.

"Yes, Ms. Evans?"

"So he can understand human speech? Even generations down the line from the original werewolf?" she asked with intrigue either trying to get the mutters of hate towards werewolves to calm down or because she was honestly curious. Probably both.

"Psst….hey…..so can….you like... talk to him?" Sirius asked awkwardly and Remus slammed his head on the desk. He didn't even care if it was suspicious though students would probably think he was just scared. He didn't care. He was just so done.

James touched his shoulder and Remus felt a great wave of gratitude to his friend who had accepted him from the get-go. Remus knew he had no right to be upset at Sirius especially not after his friend had stayed up with him last night the conversation about how awful Sirius' parents were somehow switching to Remus confessing his own problems. Sirius was easy to talk to and despite his eyes dropping he had stayed up much longer than he should have in an attempt to convince Remus the Whomping Willow attacking Davey wasn't Remus' fault. Only all of it fell a little flat after hearing Sirius talk about how dangerous dark creatures were for years. Wasn't Davey simply proof of that? Remus' being here was putting other students in danger.

Remus knew he had absolutely no reason to be upset by Sirius who had been exceedingly great upon digesting what Remus was. Sirius had even apologized to Remus which was more than he could ever have hoped for. But….he was confusingly upset. Remus decided it was being in this room with Sirius sitting right next to him that somehow led to him remembering all the nasty things Sirius had said about werewolves. With all of Sirius' scathing comments in his head it was hard to believe his friend was actually comfortable with Remus. No matter how determined Sirius seemed to prove it to Remus he still hadn't quite accepted it would stay that way. For some reason thinking of Sirius hating him again led to him coming dangerously close to feeling betrayed by Sirius. But that wasn't at all right! If anyone betrayed anyone it was Remus who had betrayed all his friends by turning out to be….to be….

Remus jumped as Sirius gave his foot a kick from under the table.

"You were asked a question," he whispered out of the corner of his mouth as discreetly as he could. Remus wanted to ignore Sirius but was painfully aware of the fact that the drone of voices had come to an abrupt stop. Surely Corbyn wasn't calling him out! He wouldn't do that….would he?

He sat up stabbing his nails into his legs as hard as he could to keep from crying, he had to get a hold of himself!

"Sorry….what did you say?" he asked, feeling his face turn red as the Slytherins snickered at him.

He had spent all day hearing people whisper about how dangerous the Whomping WIllow was. Every second a reminder of what his presence cost people. He didn't deserve to be here, he didn't deserve to have friends. Did he?

"Mr. Lupin I understand that you were in the infirmary with a fever the other day and while I admire your diligence in coming to class if you are just going to sleep you should leave," Professor Corbyn stated pointedly, a slight edge to his voice that somehow Remus knew was so that it would appear like the comment was to chew him out rather than saving him.

"Sorry professor. I'm fine though," he insisted and could feel James gaping at him and even more problematic Sirius' sharp eyes burning through him as if he could somehow glimpse the deep level that Remus' self hatred was currently at.

He tried to convince himself he was staying for Skipper, because he had promised the young wolf he'd talk to him after class. But he knew he was remaining in his seat for no other purpose than because he knew he deserved to hear these comments. He was a monster. That was an undeniable fact he would never escape. But he was never supposed to hurt anyone, never supposed to act like a monster and yet somehow Davey made him feel like he had.

"Very well Mr. Lupin," Corbyn replied stiffly and then went back to the lesson that Remus could hardly pay attention to. Instead he kept hearing the insults about werewolves bouncing around in his mind and more often than not the voice that kept cropping up wasn't his dad or even his uncle but Sirius' voice. Being in this classroom was making it really hard to forget all those comments, those cruel comments made by his friend, comments that he had meant. Was it really possible for someone to change so quickly?

He wasn't sure if the fact that Sirius was still staring at him like he was some sort of bizarre creature was confirmation that Sirius could not escape his prejudice that quickly or that he was just trying to figure out why Remus was still sitting there when it was clearly killing him. Remus just knew he was going to be chewed out about this later and if not by Sirius most definitely by Lily. At the moment the red-haired girl was on her feet arguing vehemently with a Slytherin student who was trying to use Professor's Bavatnik's old comment about werewolves breeding mutts as proof that they were savage beasts.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Professor Corbyn shouted loudly, his palm slamming against the blackboard. "Everyone close your eyes. NOW!" he demanded in such an authoritative tone that everyone did.

"I want you to picture the person you love most in the world right now," he commanded, his tone less sharp now. "Picture them clearly. Eyes closed Mr. Ganell thank you. Now picture them clearly in your mind, picture their smile, the sound of their voice. Now would you stop loving if they were turned into a werewolf?"

Remus had been picturing his mother, as she used to be. Memories almost forgotten of her in her long summer dress spinning around on the beach and beaming at Remus encouraging him to join her. Twirling to some old song and holding out her hands for Remus to come dance with her. But at the question, his eyes snapped open in horror glancing around at the ashen faces of his classmates who for some reason had not yet opened their eyes. Remus glanced at the front of the classroom where Hagrid was sitting on the ground his eyes closed as well, Skipper was tilting his head clearly finding humans stranger by the instant, and Professor Corbyn had his wand out and was gesturing in short sharp movements his eyes on the mass of students before him as he whispered some sort of spell. Remus' insides squirmed, unsure if their professor was allowed to do something like this or even what the point to it was.

"Would they stop being that person to you? Would they really be a monster to you?"

Such a heavy silence followed that Remus thought about pushing back his chair to scrape it against the floor wondering if that would pull everyone out of their trance.

"Human brother?" Skipper asked tentatively his voice a whine in Remus' head. Remus didn't respond though as Professor Corbyn's eyes had met his and the deep frustration in them shifted to shame. He lowered his wand looking away from Remus and cleared his throat looking rather pale himself.

"Ahem. You may open your eyes now," Professor Corbyn stated once his wand was safely back in his robes.

Eyes slowly opened but no one spoke. No one said a word. Remus was beginning to think they would all just sit here frozen in their seats for the rest of class when Jeremiah cleared his throat and spoke in a shaky voice.

"Blimey….never….thought of it like that….before…."

Remus blinked a few times surprised as nearly everyone nodded in agreement. A sickening split feeling inside him threatened to tear him in two. Surely what Professor Corbyn had done was wrong, professors were not allowed to use magic against their students. Were they? But also…...it seemed to work…...it actually seemed to work! No one muttered under their breath about how awful werewolves were and everyone listened in varying levels of melancholy as Professor Corbyn continued explaining the only other account of werewolves mating on the full moon in history and then began to go over simple defensive spells as if there wasn't still a wolf lying on the floor. No one else forgot though and the glances shot at Skipper were weary but no longer straight out hostile. Remus really thought his professor had done it, had successfully broken through the prejudice of his classmates until right at the end of the class when Severus Snape raised his head.

"What is it Mr. Snape?" their professor asked as students began packing up and Hagrid wordlessly moved to the opposite side of the class with Skipper who he had tried to get to leave several times but who had refused to. At least he was no longer looking directly at Remus though Remus could practically feel his desire to do so palpitating from him.

"Professor Corbyn," Severus began with such a level of politeness that Remus knew whatever was to follow it would not be good.

"It appears that we were placed under an advanced illusionment spell and unless the…..," he wrinkled his nose glancing at Skipper who sensed the shift and turned his head to look back at Severus who quickly looked away. "...the uh...wolf can somehow perform magic then you are in danger of getting sacked."

Grins were exchanged amongst a few of Sevrus' fellow Slytherins.

"Furthermore," Severus continued with a cruel tilt of his lip, "your….exercise doesn't change the fact that it was a werewolf who supposedly turned our loved one into a werewolf in the first place."

Severus glanced at Lily very quickly before staring down Professor Corbyn who just looked tired. Remus half expected him to say he quit being a professor and walk out.

"Mr. Snape, you bring up two good points. You will find that the enchantment I used was placed on the room however not the individual students."

Remus wasn't sure that was entirely true but he was never going to admit that.

"Furthermore," Professor Corbyn continued in the same polite tone Severus had used though with him it came across sounding sincere, not forced. "You are quite right."

There were gasps at this because it seemed like Professor Corbyn had just conceded that werewolves were indeed monsters. Remus felt his eyes burn and he squeezed them tightly, glad neither James nor Sirius had touched him or looked at him since Professor Corbyn's 'exercise'.

"I think Mr. Howell put it quite elegantly when he was here. Some werewolves are evil just like some wizards are evil."

The class shifted collectively, all of them thinking of one wizard and one wizard only.

"That does not mean all are, however. I was merely trying to show the class that should your loved one be turned into a werewolf you would not want others calling them a monster and I ask that you in turn demonstrate the same courtesy to all my guests who are different for they are all someones loved one."

"Even the wolf," Gary ventured a bit uncomfortable.

Hagrid stood a bit taller.

"Even the wolf," he informed the class proudly and Skipper's tail gave a hesitant wag so that everyone was forced to recognize that the wolf really could understand every single thing they had been saying.

"I want 300 words on my desk next week about the proper defensive forms used in duelling and the different effects those stances have on the user. Class dismissed," Professor Corbyn declared with a clap of his hands.

There were some students that hurried out as if being in the class was putting them in mortal danger but most lingered. Remus sat there and could feel his friend's eyes on him. But someone, probably James, seemed to convince them to give him space and they started shuffling towards the front where several girls were asking Hagrid through giggles if they could pet the wolf.

Skipper tossed his head in annoyance and if Remus wasn't feeling so overwhelmed he might have laughed at that.

"If ee lets you. He likes the back of his neck scratched."

Skipper looked at Hagrid with a look and a slight tensing of his left paw coupled with his ears flattening momentarily that Remus somehow knew meant Skipper was as close to scandalized as a wolf could come. Only Mary apparently was braver than Remus had previously considered her or just stupid because she immediately touched Skipper's fur.

"Oh he's soft!" she squealed with delight and Skipper looked past the three girls now petting him directly at Remus seeming to say with his eyes 'this is your fault.'

"Sorry Skipper. They'll leave soon."

Then what?

Remus hadn't considered the fact that him staying behind might be odd and it's not like he could tell Hagrid he could communicate with Skipper. If Hagrid found out the gamekeeper would probably drag him into the forbidden forest first chance he got to translate the wolves for him.

"What happened to Silverstream?" he asked, focusing carefully again so he didn't just say the words out loud.

Skipper tilted his head as Marlene scratched behind his head and his tail involuntarily wagged a few times.

"I am not a bred pup," Skipper huffed and if Remus didn't know any better he would think the young wolf was embarrassed. "Sick. She needs help."

Remus bit back his exasperation. They had already established that. He wasn't quite sure what Skipper expected him to do about it though! What could he do? He did want to help Silverstream though. She and Skipper were nice and the wolves had saved them from the acromantula. Remus felt uncomfortable thinking he was helping them because he was somehow like them but he really did owe them for saving his life.

"What can I do?"

Skipper tilted his head confused and let out a slight growl growing fed up with the many hands petting him.

"That's enough of that then," Hagrid said so calmly that it stopped the girls from screaming. They backed away from Skipper but Mary gave him one more pet before she did and all the Gryffindor girls and two Slytherin girls were smiling as they left. It seemed Skipper had something of a fan club now.

Remus was momentarily distracted by his friends especially Sirius who was bouncing slightly on his feet physically holding himself back from petting the wolf which Remus figured he thought would probably offend Remus somehow.

"Are you alright Remus?" Professor Corbyn asked and Remus realized he still hadn't moved from his desk. Luckily the whole class had cleared out besides the Marauders and Lily who also hadn't petted the wolf though didn't seem to want to much unlike Sirius whose desire was written all over his face. Remus had no idea how to answer Professor Corbyn without bursting into tears for what felt like an infinite amount of reasons.

"Go ahead," he sighed, addressing his friends instead and Sirius immediately understood and walked forward before hesitating before Skipper, his excitement turning into nerves.

"Skipper. He's a friend."

Remus' assurance brought Skipper to his feet, his tail wagging. Apparently, he trusted Remus that much. It was a little odd since Remus had done nothing to deserve it, he hadn't even agreed to help Silverstream yet. Skipper's friendliness to Sirius was correctly linked back to him. He didn't miss the awed looks James and Lily shot him or the surprised then delighted look from Corbyn. Hagrid seemed happy that Skipper was happy and letting Sirius pet him with an affection he hadn't had with the girls but then Hagrid spoke and Remus realized the gamekeeper didn't know the actual reason why the wolf was more relaxed now.

"Canines sure do like you," Hagrid pointed out to Sirius who was now comfortably petting Skipper as if he really was just a big dog. James had approached the wolf as well, a lot less enthusiastic about it but fascinated all the same. Peter was standing over by the door looking like he wanted to leave but knowing he would get flack for it if he did. Lily still seemed a bit upset and Remus wasn't sure why until she approached Skipper.

"Is it alright if I pet you?"

Skipper seemed stunned for a second then he let out a musical bark of delight and held his paw out to Lily who grinned and shook it now gushing over the wolf as the other girls had.

"Like the friends. Even though human," Skipper communicated with Remus as if he had just made a big joke. Remus didn't get it but he was quite impressed by Lily and knew James was too as he was glancing at her with as much awe as had been originally directed towards Remus. Sirius was pouting and pointing out that he wanted to shake the wolf's paw too. Lily said something sharp to him but Remus was no longer paying attention trying to decipher the directions Skipper was giving him to reach Silverstream and the pack in the woods.

It made no sense though!

"Skipper….can't….you meet me at the edge of the forest. Then lead me. Take me to Silverstream."

Skipper took a few steps and Remus shook his head as his friends backed away all of them respecting what they took to be Skipper being tired of the pets. He probably was but Remus knew that wasn't why he started walking.

"No, not yet. Tonight."

"Tonight?"

"Um…..when the moon is out."

Skipper dipped his head in a show of respect looking a great deal like Silverstream as he did so, appearing more solemn and older. But then Lily made a whispered comment about how strong he looked and Skipper's tail started wagging once more.

"I think it's probably for the best if you take our guest back home. Thank you for coming." Professor Corbyn addressed Hagrid and then Skipper.

"Can see why no one else would come to the humans," Skipper whined to Remus but it wasn't all that convincing with his tail still wagging. Remus let out a slight sound of amusement and all heads turned to him.

"Sorry, I was just thinking Sirius would probably be wagging his tail if he had one," Remus supplied quickly, aware that Hagrid was unaware of what everyone else was.

"Hey!" Sirius retorted loudly but just like Skipper his outward verbal complaining did not match his body language as he couldn't keep the stupid grin off his face.

"You lot should come fer some tea and biscuits," Hagrid offered, which caused the smile to slip slightly from Sirius' face. Remus still shuddered everytime he thought of Hagrid's concoction of tea.

"Oh, that would be lovely Hagrid!" Lily replied happily and James suddenly seemed all for the idea and Sirius' smile shifted into one of pure deviousness. Remus would have to warn Lily not to drink the tea ahead of time.

Hagrid was pleased by them agreeing to meet up with him and since Lily was a practical person she scheduled some time on the upcoming Saturday with Hagrid which of course meant they would all be there as James wouldn't miss a chance to be in the same room with Lily Evans.

"When the moon is in the sky?" Skipper asked Remus as he followed Hagrid out, Peter scuttling out of their way as inconspicuously as he could manage.

"When the moon is in the sky," Remus confirmed having no clue how he would help Silverstream but knowing he would at least have to try.