So, some of the passage in this chapter are taken directly from the prisoner of Azkaban. And I'm really bad at witting authors notes so, don't sue me if I don't put up the disclaimer in every chapter

DISCLAIMER:I do not own the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling does and we all know that don't we.


The classes had gone far better than Remus had anticipated. In a month, defense against dark arts had become everyone's new favorite subject. Remus realized how much he had missed doing something he loved rather than the menial jobs that he had held over the years.

He had met Harry and Hermione again in their first lesson with the boggart. He had knowingly not let them both face the boggart. He could justify that he hadn't let harry face the boggart because it might turn into you know who but he dint know why he hadn't let Hermione have a go. The thought of her facing her greatest fear even in the form of a boggart was not a pleasant thought for Remus.

He had also met the twins Fred and George who were as promised, pranksters. He couldn't help liking to them for their marauder spirit. He was also aware that the boy from the station earlier is Drako Malfoy, luscious Malfoy's son, whose attitude is not much different from his fathers'.

Overall, Remus had a pretty good feeling about his life now, usually this was when everything started going downhill.


Remus woke up on the morning of Halloween day in the shrieking shack. He was curled up on the bed with a thick blanket over him and a pillow under his head. The ache in his bones was much lesser than usual and the sun shined a little brighter though the blinds.

He knew that he wasn't supposed to be like this. He was supposed to be curled up bloody and broken in a corner. The wolfsbane had no effect on the pain of the transformation, the breaking and mending of his bones so he knew that he should be in a lot more pain right now. Moony even in his subdued state should not have been able to get in between the covers on his own.

He knew only one person alive who dared and cared enough about him to put him on a bed after a full moon but that person was also the one who had killed the rest of his family.

Remus got up with a sigh and proceeded to clean and heal himself. He felt a deep sense of dread knowing that there was not much for him to take care of anyway. But he couldn't tell about this to Dumbledore because that would mean revealing about their animagi and Remus was not ready to break that promise to the marauders.

So he got up and left towards the castle that was getting ready for Halloween. He had to face the twelfth anniversary of the worst day of his life.


Remus got out of his office in the evening to find a solemn looking harry walking down the corridor

"Harry?" Harry doubled back to see who had spoken and met his gaze.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Where are Ron and Hermione?"

"Hogsmeade," said Harry, in a casual voice.

"Ah," said Lupin. In the effect of the full moon, he had forgotten that today was Hogsmeade day. "Why don't you come in? I've just taken delivery of a Grindylow for our next lesson."

"A what?" said Harry and followed him into his office. In the corner, stood a very large tank of water swam the Grindylow.

"Water demon," he said. "We shouldn't have much difficulty with him, not after the Kappas. The trick is to break his grip. You notice the abnormally long fingers? Strong, but very brittle."

The Grindylow bared its green teeth and then buried itself in a tangle of weeds in a corner.

"Cup of tea?" Remus said, looking around for his kettle. "I was just thinking of making one."

"All right," said Harry awkwardly. Remus tapped the kettle with his wand and a blast of steam issued suddenly from the spout.

"Sit down," said Lupin, taking the lid off a dusty tin. "I've only got teabags, I'm afraid — but I daresay you've had enough of tea leaves?" he said remembering Minerva telling him about Harry's brush in with professor Trelawney.

"How did you know about that?" Harry asked.

"Professor McGonagall told me," said Lupin, passing Harry a chipped mug of tea.

"You're not worried, are you?"

"No," said Harry.

Looking at the uneasy expression on Harry's face, Remus said said, "Anything worrying you, Harry?"

"No," Harry said. He drank a bit of tea .

"Yes," he said suddenly, putting his tea down on Lupin's desk. "You know that day we fought the Boggart?"

"Yes," said Lupin slowly.

"Why didn't you let me fight it?" said Harry abruptly.

"I would have thought that was obvious, Harry

"Why?" he said again.

"Well," said Lupin, frowning slightly, "I assumed that if the Boggart faced you, it would assume the shape of Lord Voldemort."

Harry stared. Not only was this the last answer he'd expected, but Lupin had said Voldemort's name. The only person Harry had ever heard say the name aloud (apart from himself) was Professor Dumbledore.

"Clearly, I was wrong," said Lupin, still frowning at Harry. "But I didn't think it a good idea for Lord Voldemort to materialize in the staffroom. I imagined that people would panic."

"I didn't think of Voldemort," said Harry honestly. "I — I remembered those Dementors."

"I see," said Lupin thoughtfully. "Well, well… I'm impressed." He smiled slightly at the look of surprise on Harry's face. "That suggests that what you fear most of all is — fear. Very wise, Harry."

"So you've been thinking that I didn't believe you capable of fighting the Boggart?" said Lupin shrewdly.

"Well… yeah," said Harry. He was suddenly feeling a lot happier. "Professor Lupin, you know the Dementors —" He was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Come in," called Remus.

The door opened, and in came Snape, carrying his wolfsbane.

"Ah, Severus," said Lupin, smiling. "Thanks very much. Could you leave it here on the desk for me?"

Snape set down the smoking goblet, his eyes wandering between Harry and Lupin.

"I was just showing Harry my Grindylow," said Lupin pleasantly, pointing at the tank.

"Fascinating," said Snape, without looking at it. "You should drink that directly, Lupin."

"Yes, Yes, I will," said Lupin.

"I made an entire cauldronful," Snape continued. "If you need more."

"I should probably have some again tomorrow. Thanks very much, Severus."

"Not at all," said Snape and left the room.

Harry looked curiously at the goblet. Remus smiled.

"Professor Snape has very kindly concocted a potion for me," he said. "I have never been much of a potion-brewer and this one is particularly complex." He picked up the goblet and sniffed it. "Pity sugar makes it useless," he added, taking a sip and shuddering.

"Why —?" Harry began. Lupin looked at him and answered the unfinished question.

"I've been feeling a bit off-color," he said. "This potion is the only thing that helps. I am very lucky to be working alongside Professor Snape; there aren't many wizards who are up to making it."

Professor Lupin took another sip and Harry had a crazy urge to knock the goblet out of his hands.

"Professor Snape's very interested in the Dark Arts," he blurted out.

"Really?" said Lupin, looking only mildly interested as he took another gulp of potion.

"Some people reckon —" Harry hesitated, then plunged recklessly on, "some people reckon he'd do anything to get the Defense Against the Dark Arts job."

Lupin drained the goblet and pulled a face.

"Disgusting," he said. "Well, Harry, I'd better get back to work. See you at the feast later."

"Right," said Harry, putting down his empty teacup and left.


Remus woke with a start at the bang at his door. He looked up from his bed to see a silver cat, McGonagall's cat sitting on his nightstand

"There has been an intruder. Come down to the great hall right now" It said in her stern voice and vanished in a puff of smoke. Remus quickly pulled up his robes and practically ran down the stairs to the great hall.

The great hall was filled with Gryffindor students running haywire. He ran to professor McGonagall who was sending out another Patronus.

"What happen?"

"Sirius Back attacked the portrait of the fat lady when she refused to let him into the common room. Now both of them are missing." She said.

"Remus we need to search the castle but you don't have to-"

"Why"

"I know how close you were to Sirius Remus and it was a full moon last night so I don't want you straining yourself because we can handle it."

"That's not a problem I will search the astronomy towers" He said. Knowing that Sirius had most probably left by now.

"Alright then. Just be careful." She said and turned away to address some of the students.

As Remus climbed up the stairs of the tower, he felt heavy with guilt. He knew he should tell someone about the Animagus and all the secret passages that Sirius might have used to get in the castle but he found that he couldn't. Maybe it was to protect him from the dementors, they were horrible. Maybe it was a way to repay Sirius for all that he had done for him. Sirius better be grateful for whatever he had done to make Remus protect him.