Remus unpacked his box. While he put his books on the shelf, he wondered how many more times they would have to move. The reason was quite clear. He, Remus Lupin was a danger to the neighbourhood or he would be pelted with sticks and stones by the other children when they found out what he was. Now they moved to a cottage, nice and secluded. No neighbours for miles. It was a perfect life of solitude, which was the fate of having a werewolf in the family.
His eleventh birthday was also only celebrated quietly in the cottage. How could he have celebrated in a big way? He had no friends. No one wanted to be friends with a werewolf. He was getting used to the idea of being alone. At least he still had his books and his parents. Sometimes he played goblin stone with his father. Sometimes they went shopping in the village. That was how it healed on the day after his birthday. The Lupins were returning to the cottage laden with shopping bags when they saw a figure standing outside their door.
As they came closer, they saw Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts standing at the doorstep. "Professor Dunbledore. To what do we owe the honour?" asked Lyall in awe.
Dumbledore smiled kindly. "I'm here to meet Remus," he said. Lyall hesitated. What did the Headmaster want with his son? Hope opened the door. "May I invite you in? Would you like some tea?" she asked.
"Thank you, tea would be fine with me and as long as you're making it, I'd love to have a chat with Remus," Professor Dumbledore replied.
The Headmaster turned with a gracious smile to the eleven year old boy, who at first seemed shy and unsure.
"Remus, I would be delighted if you would show me to your room," he said. Remus looked surprised for a moment but then he was happy that someone wanted to keep him company. He ran excitedly into his room and showed him everything. "These are my books and here is my goblin stone collection."
"Do you like playing goblin stone?" inquired Dumbledore. Remus nodded. "Yes, because I can play it by myself," he replied.
"But you can play it in pairs as well?"
"Yes."
"Would you like to play a round with me?"
Remus was taken aback at first, but then he was pleased. The boy spread the game on the floor and he explained the rules to the headmaster.
Soon they were sitting on the floor together playing Goblin Stone. Lyall stood silently by the doorway, watching the bizarre image of an old man sitting on the floor with a boy, flicking little balls. Hope put a hand on her husband's shoulder. "Lyall, honey, I think it's better if we leave them alone," she whispered, leading him into the living room. "I'm sorry, but it's not normal for an old man to just march into the house to play goblin stone with an eleven year old boy. What does Dumbledore want with our son anyway?"
"Let's wait and see. I'm sure he'll come around," Hope replied in her usual gentle way.
"Won!" gloated Remus, and Dumbledore rose and settled into an armchair. "That was a refreshing game. Makes you feel 90 years younger," he said, glaring at Remus over his half-moon spectacles.
"Tell me Remus, I'm sure you know I'm the Headmaster of Hogwarts," Dumbledore put in. "I'm here to ask you if you would like to come to Hogwarts."
Remus's heart leapt. He want him to go to Hogwarts?! But then he felt his courage leave him.
"I shouldn't go to Hogwarts because of the monster," Remus muttered sadly.
"Monster?" asked Dumbledore, turning his head from left to right, as if looking around searchingly. "Where is there a monster? I don't see any monster."
Remus thumped his chest.
"Me!" he exclaimed. "I am a monster! And that's why I shouldn't go to Hogwarts!"
Dumbledore smiled warmly at the boy in front of him.
"I don't see a monster. All I see is a young wizard eager to develop his talent. So Remus, I ask you again, do you want to go to Hogwarts?"
Tears of joy gathered in Remus' eyes. He actually got to go to Hogwarts! The Headmaster had invited him!
The answer promptly came out of Remus' mouth.
"Yes!"