Author's Notes:

Hi everyone! It's that time of the week again! Aka update time. I have two more weeks until bar prep begins and once that does I'm hoping to stay consistent with my updates but I'm not going to promise that! It'll be once a week, just maybe not always the same day because of study schedules. But I'm seeing my writing as a nice escape from the endless drudgery of bar prep.

Midnitewanderer: I'll make sure to give a heads up with a trigger warning before Sirius' blow up so you can have that beer. Might I suggest an Allagash white? That's what I've been drinking lately. So good! I think it's still a while away, though. As for Draco, we'll see. I haven't quite decided where I want his character to go and whether an early friendship will change him much. I'm letting his character develop naturally. Vipinbjain1: I'm glad you've enjoyed this story! I try to update as fast as I can but I just finished law school in the US and am preparing to take the bar exam so my time is often limited. Geekymom: Thank you! I always look forward to your reviews. Guest: Can I just start calling you Clydesdale? I know when you review because of your comments and writing style and I just LIVE for your reviews now. They're literally hysterical. Thank you for the bar exam tips! PA is a little weird with our exam (part MBE part state made) so all the info helps! I have a feeling your daughter will come around to her going to law school in her own time; I know I did after years of my dad saying I would! Nitregate: We're doing ok here, thank you! The CARES unemployment is helping for sure but I can't wait to get back behind the bar. Hope you're keeping safe and healthy!

Thank you everyone for all of the reviews! This is the most I've gotten with one update since I started posting my story! Your reviews remind me that I'm writing for more people than just myself and push me to make sure my updates are on time. I can't wait to see what you've all got to say next!

Enough rambling, please enjoy the new chapter of Ignoring Destiny!

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Slytherin and Gryffindor

Remus stepped into the kitchen at Potter Manor yawning. He hadn't slept well that night; with the full moon only a few days away he was finding it hard to tune down that wolfish part of him and the noises that normally don't bother him at night had continuously reverberated in his ears, keeping him awake.

He scanned the room and noticed that, like usual, he was the first to wake up. So, he made himself a latte, taking care to grind the beans extra fine and to pull the espresso just the way he wanted it. This morning he decided to steam some extra milk so that it was extra creamy. He decided to add some mocha to his cup this morning; Remus often enjoyed his coffee tasting more like hot chocolate than actual coffee. The elves had also learned that when Remus wanted a latte, he enjoyed the small pleasure of making it himself.

As he sat down at the kitchen table, Remus pulled out the letter Dumbledore had mailed James the other day. He looked carefully over the paragraphs about him and the open posts at Hogwarts. It was no secret that Remus had always wanted to be a teacher. He had tutored classmates while at Hogwarts and had made some decent money doing so, but he had never been comfortable allowing himself to be alone with those much younger than him who couldn't properly defend themselves if his wolfish side over took him. But, really, how different would it be being a teacher at Hogwarts, where the other professors would be if something happened, then when he was a tutor at Hogwarts?

But if something happened to a student because of him, he would never be able to forgive himself.

Remus' eyes fell on the middle paragraph of the letter once again.

I understand his concerns regarding his ailment. That would not be a problem here as we do still have his room available for use as well as a potion master willing to brew the wolfsbane potion as necessary for him. He would be no potential danger towards the students or staff of Hogwarts. My determination regarding postings is whether the candidate has the necessary credentials and temperament to be a professor here at Hogwarts.

As he reread it he continued to wonder if Dumbledore truly believed they could make it safe for him to teach. He still had the Shrieking Shack available and there was someone to brew some potion called the wolfsbane? He had heard rumor that there was a new potion but he hadn't had the opportunity to research it yet let alone test what it does. From his understanding it was currently being tested with the Ministry and seemed to have favorable results for whatever it does.

Remus folded the letter back up and drained the rest of the coffee in his cup before getting up. As he walked back toward his room to get ready for the day he continued to turn over the offer in his mind. If he decided to take the position at Hogwarts, if Dumbledore even offered it to him officially, that would mean he would have to break up with Jean. Was that something he really wanted to do? He and Jean got on well and she had been a good friend to him since he moved to Potter Manor. But this is his dream job. To be able to teach and study Ancient Runes and be paid for it was something Remus had never thought would be possible for him.

As he stepped into his room he closed and locked the door. He headed toward the attached bathroom as he peeled off the night shirt and pants he had slept in before turning on the hot water. As he watched the glass steam he thought more of Jean, of her warm hair and smile, and of her wide and soft hips. He couldn't help but wonder as he stepped into the hot spray what she would look like without her warm sweaters and tight-fitting jeans, her luscious breasts laying on her as she looked up from him.

Suddenly, another face filled his imagination as he remembered how Jean looked at Rick and how Rick at looked at him. Remus knew how Jean felt about Rick. And Rick is a muggle; he knows Hermione well and Remus didn't think that Jean knew how Rick felt back. He wasn't sure that either knew how the other felt.

But maybe Jean really was ready to move on. Maybe she didn't feel that way about Rick any longer. Remus could certainly see him and Jean getting along well. But there would always be the worry in the back of his mind; putting a muggle and her small child in the direct line of danger of a werewolf. How could he do that to anyone let alone someone he's grown to care about?

Remus sighed as he turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. He was going to have to make a decision and he was going to have to make it soon.

He quickly dried off and got dressed in his best robes. They were black and only had two patches on them so far but Remus could tell another was going to be needed soon; you can only magically repair fabric so many times before it required a nonmagical fix.

Remus gathered his Runes research and dictionary before headed back to the library. He stood looking at the fireplace for some time, contemplating whether this was the right or best idea. Was it even polite to just drop in on a potential employer this early in the morning?

He glanced back down at the letter Dumbledore had sent him two days ago.

Stop by any time to discuss your potential future at Hogwarts, Remus.

Did he really mean any time? Surely not. But, this is Dumbledore, he's always been quite eccentric and it might be good to have one of the Marauder's keeping an eye on the old coot for Harry's sake. Remus' eyes hardened as he thought of Dumbledore's advice regarding Harry. Looking back up at the fireplace, he grabbed a large pinch of floo powers and threw it onto the burnt wood.

For Harry, Remus thought as he stepped into the flames and headed to Hogwarts.

~ID~

When the flames in his office turned green, Dumbledore looked up and waited for his visitor to arrive. He smiled as the familiar face of Remus Lupin stepped through the fire and into his office.

Remus looked up at Dumbledore worried that he had interrupted the headmaster's early morning and let out a deep breath as he saw the smile on the old wizard's face.

"Good morning, Albus, I hope I'm not interrupting your morning," Remus said as he used his wand to clean the soot off of himself.

"Not at all, Remus," Dumbledore said as he held out his hand toward the chairs in front of his desk, "Please, take a seat. I had hoped you would come visit me soon. I was beginning to get worried that I would have to start searching for someone else to take over the Ancient Runes post."

Remus furrowed his brow as he took a seat across form Dumbledore, "Search for someone else? Albus you haven't even interviewed me."

"Remus there is much more that goes into filling a post at Hogwarts than a simple interview. I have, of course, spoken to the professor you had during school in the subject and she couldn't recommend you for the position more than she did. I have also read your research about some of the new runes discovered in Chile; it was fascinating. But, I fear you are hear to discuss more than what the position would entail or your qualifications?"

"Albus, you can't possibly believe that the students of Hogwarts would be safe with me here, can you?"

"Why not? They were perfectly safe while you went to school here, weren't they?" Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his blue eyes.

"Severus almost died because of me!" Remus shouted.

"Because of Sirius," Dumbledore corrected, "Sirius was the one who convinced Severus to wander down to the Whomping Willow that evening, not you. Had Sirius not done that, you would have never come close to injuring any student or professor of Hogwarts. And now that the wolfsbane potion can be brewed, I have no doubt that you would be as safe as any professor I could hire."

"What exactly is the wolfsbane potion? I've heard of it but haven't had time to look into or try it."

"It's a potion that allows your mind to remain when you change. That is, the wolf does not truly take over and you will remember who you are. It also causes you to become drowsy so that you can sleep during your transformation. It has been tested extensively by the creator and the Ministry and our Potions Master has agreed to make it for you so long as you decide to teach here. The cost of the potion will go to the school as part of your contract for employment."

"How much does this potion cost to make, exactly?" Remus asked carefully.

"About 100 galleons per month. Some of the ingredients are expensive but can be utilized for multiple batches."

"A hun—a hundred galleons?" Remus asked, his eyes wide as shock filled his face, "Albus that's too expensive I couldn't let—"

"It wouldn't be the most expensive potion this school has provided for one of its staff members," Dumbledore interrupted, "Truly, one of the previous headmasters of Hogwarts needed a potion daily that cost 200 galleons per batch and each batch would last about two weeks. He was employed by Hogwarts for nearly 40 years before his untimely passing. And Professor Sprout has so kindly agreed to plant and grow some of the more expensive magical plants used so that by this time next year the costs of your potions will decrease by about 40 galleons a month."

"Next—How long is this contract for, Albus? I haven't even agreed to work here yet."

"For as long as we would like it to be. So, does this mean that you don't want the position?" Dumbledore asked as he sat back in his chair.

"No, I just, I have to talk to James and Sirius and I have to—can I make a decision by the end of the week?"

"By all means. But if you do not answer me by Friday, I'm afraid I will have to search for someone to fill the post as classes do begin in almost a month."

"I understand," Remus said as he stood up, "I just, I need to talk to someone before I can give you an answer."

"I look forward to it," Dumbledore said with a smile, "Please, go enjoy your day. I'm sure you have plans."

Remus threw floo powder into the fireplace before turning back to Dumbledore and saying, "Have a good one!" and then flooing back to Potter Manor.

By the time Remus stepped back onto the carpet in the library at Potter Manor he had made his decision. He quickly ran upstairs and changed into jeans and a sweater before headed out of the house.

Remus wasn't worried about waking Jean up; he knew she was an early riser, too, even when Hermione was visiting her grandparents. As he walked he contemplated how to talk to Jean about this opportunity and about them. He has never been good at discussing his emotions despite being more in tune with them than the other Marauders. The only person he had ever been comfortable discussing those with had been Lily mostly due to the fact that they had been friends for so long and, possibly, because she tended to understand him more than other people. He and Lily had always been close but they had never fancied one another. For him, while he enjoyed Lily's company, she was just not what he had been looking for in life and for her, though she didn't realize it, it had always been James.

Remus quickly found himself in front of Jean's little house and smiled when he noticed her perky bum sticking up at him from the flower bed. He took a moment to admire the tight curves of her arse and thighs before clearing his throat.

Jean jumped and turned around as she kneeled and smiled when she saw Remus. She quickly stood up and brushed the dirt off of her before engulfing Remus in a large hug and giving him a long kiss.

When they broke apart Jean smiled, "Well, this is quite the surprise! Good morning, Remus."

"Morning," Remus said, "I came over to talk to you about—"

At that moment the front door to Jean's house burst open and Rick walked out carrying a squealing and laughing Hermione upside down.

"Mr. Rick!" Hermione squealed, "let me go!"

"Ninny!" Rick squealed back, mimicking Hermione, "Give me my muffin back!"

Hermione giggled as she produced a chocolate muffin seemingly out of thin air and waived it as close to Rick's face as she could get.

Rick held her legs with his forearm and took the muffin, smiling, "And where was my Ninny hiding it, huh?"

"Secret," Hermione said, her face alive with mischief.

"Uh huh, we'll see about that!" Rick shouted as he stuck the muffin on the railing and began tickling Hermione mercilessly.

Hermione squealed with delight and shouted, "A magician never tells!"

"Where was my muffin, Ninny?" Rick asked as she smiled, "Where was Ninny keeping it?"

"My pocket!" Hermione shouted as she laughed.

"I'll believe you. This time!" Rick said as he stopped tickling Hermione.

Hermione looked around for her mom and squealed when she saw Remus standing there and struggled to get loose from Rick, "Mr. Lupin! Is Harry here?"

"Not today, Hermione. We have a park date later this week, though."

"Morning, Lupin."

"Rick," Remus acknowledge.

As Rick flipped Hermione over his shoulder and then onto the ground, Remus couldn't help but notice how good with Hermione he was. Yeah, they were in good hands.

"Jean we wanted to let you know the muffins were done. This little sneak-thief stole mine right from under me, didn't you, Ninny?"

Hermione giggled as she ran over to her mom and hugged her legs, "We made chocolate!"

"Did you?" Jean asked enthusiastically, "I love chocolate. Do you want one, Remus?"

"Uh, sure, I can come in for a moment."

Jean lifted Hermione into her arms as they walked, "So, what did you want to talk about?"

"What? Oh, that can wait. Now I really want one of these muffins."

Jean eyed him quizzically but continued on through the small house and to the kitchen. The four of them all grabbed muffins and ate them quickly. Remus had to admit that they were quite good. The chocolate chips were still warm and gooey as they ate. Once they were done, Hermione dragged Rick upstairs so she could show him how well she can read the book she got at the library. Rick simply mooned after Hermione and followed her upstairs, listening to her babble.

Remus turned to Jean and looked into her brown eyes, "Jean—"

"You just want to be friends, don't you?" Jean asked, her eyes sad.

"I—how did you know…?"

"I could tell when you got here. That and you said you wanted to talk. That typically means someone just wants to be friends. What changed, Remus?"

"I got a job offer in another country at a private boarding school. I won't be living here starting in September and they don't have phones at this school. They're strictly off the grid so to speak. It isn't fair to you or Hermione to keep going when I can't be here."

Jean smiled sadly, "No, I suppose it wouldn't be. What will you be teaching?"

"History," Remus lied, "Ancient civilizations and the like. Rise and falls of empires. They're also going to allow me to continue conducting my independent research."

"Wow. This sounds like an incredible opportunity. I hope that you like it there," Jean said before frowning, "This doesn't mean that Hermione has to stop playing with Harry, right?"

"No, no I would never do that to them. James or Sirius can bring Harry to see Hermione and she would still be welcome over, of course," Remus hesitated before continuing, "Jean, I think you should consider asking Rick out. I know you said he doesn't have feelings for you but, I think you might be wrong. And he really seems to care about Hermione just as much as he does you."

"I appreciate your suggestion, Remus, but I already know he isn't interested in me. I'm not going to pine after someone I can never have. I hope that you write to me, though. I'll miss your company."

"Of course. You've become a good friend to me, I don't want to lose that. Plus, Hermione is an intelligent child and I'm interested to see where that takes her in life."

Jean smiled, "Me too."

Remus looked up as he heard Hermione and Rick coming back toward the kitchen. He saw Hermione run in, laughing, as she came to Jean, "Mummy, reading time?"

"Sure sweet pea," Jean said.

Jean pulled Hermione into her lap and looked at the book before opening it and beginning to read. Remus simply waived goodbye and saw Jean smile and nod before he headed back out of the kitchen and towards the door. He found Rick standing in the living room with his arms crossed.

"Leaving already?" Rick asked.

"Yes. I have to get home. I've been offered a job out of the country and I need to prepare for the trip there."

"So you won't be hanging around as much anymore?" Rick asked.

"No. And I've broken up with Jean. She deserves someone who's here more than I will be. Plus, she's in love with someone else. I can't keep her from that no matter how stubborn she is about telling that person."

"Who is he?" Rick asked, his eyes darkening.

"I think you know him. You love her."

"Of course I do, she's my best friend."

"That's not what I meant."

Rick paled, "Well, even if I did it wouldn't matter. She would never be interested in me."

"I think you would be quite surprised at who she's interested in. Tell her. I think you'll be quite shocked."

Rick frowned, "Well, have a nice one, then."

Rick watched as Remus nodded and headed out the door. He stood there for a few moments processing the conversation that had just transpired between the two men before shaking his head and wandering into Jean's kitchen. He smiled, his eyes softening, when he saw Jean and Hermione sitting at the table finishing her book.

He waited patiently for a few moments as they finished. Once they had, Hermione looked up and smiled, "Uncle Rick I read the book!"

"I heard! It was wonderful, Ninny. You did a lovely job."

"Upstairs, nugget," Jean said, "It's time for you to go get dressed for the day. Can you handle that on your own today?"

Hermione nodded, "Will it be hot or cold?"

Rick laughed, "Hot, Ninny; it's summer remember?"

Hermione giggled as she jumped down and ran out of the room, leaving Jean and Rick alone.

"Lupin told me he ditched you."

"He didn't ditch me," Jean said, frowning, "He took a job abroad."

"Same thing in my book," Rick said bitterly.

Jean rolled her eyes, "And why are you suddenly so interested in my dating life? You certainly never cared before."

"Well, you haven't dated anyone since Greg so there was no dating life."

"Of no fault of my own," Jean said bitterly.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing." Jean said as she began getting up from the table, "I should check on Hermione.

Rick watched as Jean walked out of the room and sighed. He wasn't sure how much longer he could keep his feelings a secret.

~ID~

James and Harry were waiting patiently in the library for Narcissa and Draco to arrive for the day. Harry was looking through a children's magic book while James was reading Quidditch Through The Ages when Sirius wandered into the room.

James glanced up, "Morning, Sirius. Didn't think we'd see you up this early!"

"I wouldn't miss the opportunity to annoy my dearest cousin, now would I?" Sirius asked with a hint of mischief in his voice.

James frowned, "There will be no pranking anyone today. I don't know what her end game is, but I really don't want to make it worse if it's already not a good one."

Sirius pouted, "You never let us have any fun, Prongs."

"Uncle Sirus can you read to me?" Harry asked from the floor as he held up his book.

Sirius frowned and ran his fingers over his chin, "Uh, I don't know, BK. I was going to try to get some stuff done."

"Oh, ok," Harry said, disappointedly.

As Harry looked down at his book, dejected, Sirius sighed, "I guess I can read it once with you while you wait."

Harry jumped up and ran over to Sirius and gave him a big hug before handing him the book and dragging him to a couch. Sirius sat uncomfortably next to Harry and began to read. They had gotten about halfway through the book when the fireplace lit up and a woman holding a young, blond boy stepped out.

Narcissa looked around the library as she stood up straight, her head high, "Well, this is nearly as large as the library at Malfoy Manner. I'm rather impressed, Lord Potter."

"James," He corrected her, "And it goes back that way for a bit yet. You're welcome to explore it if you would like."

Narcissa's eyes lit up as she looked around the corner of the room took in the full extent of the library, "I think I would very much like to puruse your shelves. If Draco doesn't mind going off with Harry to play by themselves?"

"I have toys in my room!" Harry announced excitedly to the blond haired boy.

"Mother," Draco said as he clung closer to Narcissa, "Come?"

"Draco, we do not cling. Please go with Harry and play. I promise he is a very nice boy and you will have fun."

Draco frowned at Harry as Harry spoke, "I have blocks and espoding snap! Wanna play?"

Narcissa placed Draco on his feet next to Harry, "What are blocks?"

Harry's eyes grew wide and his mouth dropped open, "They're the best! We can build stuff! Come on!"

Draco looked back at Narcissa as Harry grabbed his hand and drug the boy out of the room and up the stairs.

Narcissa frowned, "What are blocks?"

"They're a muggle toy," James explained, "They're made of wood and kids use them to build towers and all sorts of things. It's supposed to promote creativity in the child. Harry seems to like them well enough."

"I'm not sure Draco should be playing with muggle toys," Narcissa said as she pursed her lips.

"I promise there's nothing to worry about with them. They're all the rage with muggles. Every muggle child has a set of blocks."

"Hmm."

"Most of Harry's toys are muggle toys. If you don't want your son playing with them then maybe you should take him home. Or you can let him explore on his own and you can investigate my library."

"Leave it to my cousin to doubt chucks of wood," Sirius said, laughing.

"Fine," Narcissa said as she put her nose in the air, "I shall explore your library. Please have your elves check in on the children. We shall be leaving at 3."

Before James could answer, Narcissa had swept off down the rows of books, her eyes alight with excitement as she read the titles on the bindings. James sighed and decided to leave her be as he went back to studying. Sirius simply shrugged and headed out for the day. James had often wondered what Sirius did during the day; to his knowledge he had not found a job or completed his examination for the auror department. But that wasn't something James had time to worry about or investigate today.

Harry and Draco had spent the better part of the day playing together. Once Draco had understood not only what blocks were but also how to play with them, the two boys had created block forts and had a battle between humans and dragons. The game only ended once the dragons had destroyed the human's blockade and the humans had trained the dragons to be ridden.

After blocks Harry had shown Draco their quidditch pitch where he showed off his toy brooms. Harry was excited to learn that Draco also enjoyed riding brooms and the boys spent time racing each other around the pitch. As they were half way through their third race, Harry had won twice and Draco would have won the third, Gus showed up to tell Draco it was time to leave. Draco successfully pleaded with Narcissa to stay until dinner time because he was having so much fun. Really, it didn't take much convincing as Narcissa had found a muggle book that she didn't want to put down.

Just before dinner Draco and Narcissa bid their farewells, promising another playdate soon. Harry also made a hasty invitation to his birthday party the next weekend which Narcissa accepted gratefully. Draco was excited to hear that the Weasleys would be there as Harry had told him all about them. Draco was anxious to meet the children and hoped that they liked him.

End Notes:

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