Author's Notes:
Hi everyone! Remember how I was interviewing at that firm last week? I got the job! It's going to be part-time while I study for the bar and once I have my 2020 Temp License I'll start building my case load. Then I'll go fulltime! And it's in family law. I'm so excited! And I took my bar baseline; I'm advanced in 3 subjects, average for 1, and need improvement in 2. (this is pretty good! And average for first time takers).
This chapter is taking place over the course of a year and will take place, mostly, in the form of letters. PLEASE let me know what you think of this style. If it doesn't go over well I want to know so I can adjust for the next several chapters.
Midnitewanderer: Don't worry, we haven't seen the last of the Dursleys in my story. They'll get their comeuppance. This will definitely be a Romione fic, but I can't promise that I won't dabble a bit in Dramione. I must admit, that pairing is a guilty pleasure of mine. As for Hermione and her magic, I have a fun plan for that! Well, fun as in cute. You'll see in a few chapters!
As always, thank you for reading Ignoring Destiny!
Chapter Twenty-Four: Another Year Gone
James,
It's official; I sold my flat. I'm not sure how I feel about it but it's done. I agree with you that it's more prudent that I have a secluded property to be able to transform at and I think I've found the perfect space. It's out in the woods and comes with several acers of land. I think I'm going to renovate it so that it has a secured basement holding area and put up protection charms and repelling charms and the like.
Do you think Sirius could help me make the property unplottable? I know his father's house has similar protections to what I'm looking for. I also want to put up muggle repelling charms and the like so that no one happens to wander onto the property.
I've been researching into some of these ancient spells I came across while doing my research and I think I'm on to something novel. I don't want to tell you about it until I've completely figured it out but I think it could revolutionize how we as a society will be able to contain prisoners and werewolves during their transformations.
The first week of school has gone smoothly. My third years seem excited with my lesson plans and it's been a seamless transition for the older classes. Those that elected not to take the advanced course are scheduled into a class of my design so they can still sit their N.E.W.T.s in ancient runes while not being designed for those looking to enter into a career requiring rune translation or looking to take their A.C.C.E.N.T. certification (or Ancient Civilization Communication Examination and Nonverbal Terminology). I did decide to have one of the 7th year students looking to take their A.C.C.E.N.T. certification work as my research assistant. I've chosen a promising 7th year named Ashley Azolynn; she's been extremely efficient in sorting through documents for me. She's hoping to work as a curse breaker after graduating Hogwarts. If you happen to hear of any one at Gringotts that she can contact about that career, can you let me know?
How has Harry been? Did you decide to sign him up for muggle dueling? Can't wait to go to his match on Saturday.
Remus
~ID~
Sirius,
I decided to buy that property I told you about. Do you think you could help me put up wards around it similar to those at Grimmauld Place? I'm hoping to have it fully renovated by Christmas break so I can utilize it for my transformations.
How has studying for the Auror exam been going? Have you taken it?
Write back soon.
Remus
~ID~
Jean,
I hope my letter finds you well. I've been settling into work as a professor more smoothly than I thought I would. The other professors have been not only accepting of me but also kind and helpful. Our professor of medicine research has been assisting me with obtaining my prescription for my migraines; hopefully I notice a difference this month. It'll be nice to have some relief from this chronic issue.
How has Hermione been adjusting to her new school? Has she liked having Harry in classes with her? James is thinking about having Harry participate in Tai Quan Dao this year. I think it will do Harry some good to participate in such a physical activity.
How have you and Rick been? Any news in the romance department? If not, I'm sure he'll wise up soon. He can't keep his feelings in forever.
I need to get back to my research now. I'll write again soon.
All my love,
Remus
~ID~
Moony,
YOU'RE A MOTHER FUCKING PROFESSOR! Yes!
Ok, now that I have that out of my system, I'm glad you found some property. Of course I'll help you ward it! I just wish there was a way to make sure you could get off the property. Do you think we could build some kind of bubble or dome to do that? That would be so SICK. Anyway, let me know when you can come out to do it with me. It's best if the owner uses their own magic to protect the property, but I can add my own to it, too.
The auror exams have been…not going. I haven't been able to study for them. Things have been different here without you. Maybe I'll get to studying eventually. Right now I've been enjoying some time at the pub down the street with all those lovely birds that hang around. You'll have to come with me sometime; I'm sure we could find you a lovely lady or a handsome lad! No judgement here.
Till next time.
Padfoot
~ID~
Snuffles,
I really don't need you too hook me up with anyone at the moment. I'm more than capable of finding someone on my own, thanks.
So, it's funny you mention keeping me on the property. I've been translating an ancient tablet that contains some modifications to what we know as the modern day shield charm. It looks like these modifications will, essentially, reverse the charm. Meaning, instead of keeping something out or at bay, it would keep someone, or something, IN. The incantation is Ogetorp (oh-get-OR-P). If I'm correct, and with some modifications, we might be able to cast this charm to stay permanently around the property so that they only access is by floo. If we can, we wouldn't have to worry about my furry problem hurting anyone else. Flitwick said he would meet with me to discuss my findings and see if we can work on the charm to do what we want. This is all extremely exciting research! With modifications, I wonder if we could create temporary, portable prisons for the magical law enforcement and auror offices at the Ministry!
Why don't we get together next Saturday?
Remus
~ID~
Moony,
All of that is so exciting. Harry says he misses you lots and wants to know when he can come to Hogwarts to visit you and Minnie.
Wait, why am I even responding to your letter? I just saw you yesterday at Harry's match. Whatever.
Anyway, I did sign him up for that muggle dueling you told me about. Funnily enough, Jean decided to sign Hermione up as well! Harry's excited for his first lesson tomorrow. He's working on his reading skills and something called sight words? right now. He's been reading up a storm here; I don't have enough kids books to keep him occupied! I took him to the muggle bookstore so he could pick out a few more to keep him satisfied but I'm going to have to figure out a way to keep him in new books without spending a small fortune doing it.
See you next week.
Prongs
~ID~
Rem,
I'm so happy you mailed me. I decided to sign Hermione up for Tai Quan Dao with Harry at the center in the mall. She's so excited to learn self-defense she can't sit still.
Hermione misses you and wishes you were here so you two could talk about all the books her and Harry have been reading. You should see these two; I've never met children as into reading as they are. I'm honestly surprised that Harry has surpassed Hermione in reading skills. She's not overly happy about that and has been working twice as hard to catch up with him.
Rick has been…Rick. I've been hinting to him that I'm interested but you know how he is; thicker than a tree. Are you even sure that he likes me? I hate getting my hopes up if I find out that you were wrong or I misinterpreted something. Any advice? Maybe I just need to seduce him one night when Hermione is visiting her grandparents.
Please write again soon, Rem. I miss my best friend.
All my love,
Jean
~ID~
Uncle Moony,
I learn to write! I miss you. When can you see me? I visit you soon?
Love,
Harry
~ID~
Bucky,
I'll see you very soon! Remember, I'm coming to all of your quidditch matches. Congratulations on making seeker! I told you that you'd be a natural. Maybe your dad will let you come visit me and Nana at Hogwarts soon.
Love,
Uncle Moony
~ID~
Moonliman,
Are you sure I can't convince you to come out and get a shag with me? I'm telling you, it's quite satisfying!
That charm sounds perfect! Let me know what Flitwick says and we can test it out on the property. We might need Dumbledore or James to come assist us since the property is so large.
Can you send me your recipe for the dreamless sleep drought? The one from James' potion book tastes awful and…the nightmares are back. I—I haven't been able to sleep again. But, don't worry about me. I can handle this.
Yours,
The most handsome man
~ID~
Prongs,
I'm glad Harry's been doing well in school these last couple of months! How has work been? I've been follow Portree in the running for the world cup! Do you think you'll make it this year?
See you for dinner Sunday.
Remus
~ID~
Snuffleupagus,
The most handsome man? I didn't realize I had written a letter to myself. Talk about conceited, Padfoot!
Are you sure you're ok? Do you want me to come home earlier this weekend and we can talk? Is it the one about Orion?
I enclosed my recipe but, really, you could just add some mint or chocolate to the regular one and have the same results.
Yours,
Moon of everyone's lives
~ID~
Jean,
How have Hermione and Harry been enjoying their self-defense lessons? James told me Harry has been doing well. And how about school?
So, remember how I told you about that gentleman who I went to school with? Snivellus? You wouldn't believe it but he's a professor here, too! I went to get my medication and I found out he is our medicine professor. Is Dumbledore insane? This man is a bully and that's putting it nicely. Honestly, it's taking all of my restraint to not prank him or anything of the sort. It's so tempting to put some bleach in his shampoo…wait, what am I saying? Severus doesn't use shampoo! The greasy git.
I'm making so much headway in my research. Hopefully we can talk about it when I visit in a few weeks.
As for Rick; I think he'd have a heart attack if you seduced him so maybe that should be your last resort option! Have you tried just telling him? From what I remember, Rick can be sort of—oblivious to things.
Write back soon,
Remus
~ID~
Moony,
I'm sure you've read that Portree is out of the running for the world cup, but we gave it our all! I was just excited to finally be a starting player this season. We've already begun strategizing for next year. I think in a few years we'll have a real shot at the cup.
Isn't it exciting that Harry's little league team won their championship? His coach decided to have a pizza party for the kids in Diagon Alley and family is invited. He wanted to make sure you were coming.
Thanks for the tip about the muggle library. It's been a lifesaver in getting Harry new reading materials. Did I tell you he loaned Hermione a copy of Beetle? She loved the book and didn't want to give it back. I had to come up with an explanation as to why Jean couldn't find a copy in the bookstore. I got Hermione a copy and told Jean that the author was some no name from abroad. I think she bought it? I had to give Harry a very stern talking to about the Statute of Secrecy and how Hermione or Jean could have found out about the wizarding world by doing this. He has some belief that Hermione is a witch and that's why he's did it. I've been observing her but haven't witnessed any indication that she's a muggle born witch. I think he's just hoping so much that she is and imagining what he wants to see.
Oh! What's even better is that Harry and Hermione have been teaching Ron and Draco all of their muggle self-defense moves! Molly and Arthur don't particularly care one way or the other but Narcissa has been in a right state over Draco learning to muggle duel. Apparently it's "not becoming of a future lord and pureblood." Whatever that means. She's been letting it go and still letting him visit though. I think because Draco has been enjoying learning from Harry. I think Harry's been a good influence on Draco. He and Hermione have become quick friends. The four of them have been nearly inseparable the last few months.
Sirius told me the renovations to your property are done! I went over and took a look. It looks awesome. Adding in a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom was a brilliant idea. This way you can eat once you change back and go sleep without having to travel. And that new spell you used on the property to keep yourself in is ingenious! Have you submitted it to the ministry to have it made an official spell? You should, I think it would be useful.
I've been researching all those options Dumbledore told me about Voldemort. I've found a few more viable options we can go over the next time you're home. I think I've ruled out a philosopher's stone at this point. Without a body, would he even be able to drink the elixir if he had created one? Dumbledore seemed to agree with me on this. Apparently he has a meeting scheduled with some guy in Azkaban who killed a few muggles a decade or two ago. I'm hoping this meeting sheds some light on which direction we need to research. Have you found any more information on Horcruxes yet? Let me know.
See you soon,
James
~ID~
Padfoot,
Why haven't you Owled me back? I'm getting worried about you.
Remus
~ID~
James,
I highly doubt Hermione is a muggle born witch. Jean or I would have noticed some peculiarities involving her by now. I'm sure it's just Harry's imagination. I think you handled the situation appropriately.
How has Harry's defense lessons been going? I heard Hermione has been doing extremely well. Jean says their instructor wants her to spar when she's older because she's doing so well!
I've been doing research into Horcruxes and those potions like you asked and I think I found some information. It looks like an Egyptian Pharaoh hundreds of years ago had dabbled in Horcruxes. He never succeeded in making one, but he did work on and advance the spell and potion needed. I've enclosed my translations and research in this letter for you.
Have you talked to Sirius lately? He told me those nightmares were back, but now he's refusing my letters. I'm worried about him. Can you try to talk to him?
Thanks.
Remus
~ID~
As Remus sat in his office at Hogwarts contemplating the events of the last year, he sliced open the letter he had just received that James had forwarded to him from Potter Manner. He read the letter over his desk where several books and documents spread out related to his translation of an ancient Mayan text he believed might indicate the next direction his lycanthrope research should go. He smiled as he recognized Jean's handwriting in the document.
Rem,
I was so excited to receive your letter in the mail today. I'm happy your first year teaching has gone as well as it has. I can't believe the school year is already over; we'll have to go to the pub when you come back.
Things haven't changed much here. Rick is still being Rick despite all of the hints I've been dropping. Maybe some day he'll figure things out.
Hermione has been excelling in her school work and at Tai Quan Dao with Harry. I think this new extracurricular has been influencing her to be more outgoing. You wouldn't believe what she's been doing! I've noticed she's started climbing up the bookcase in the living room to get to the books on the top shelf! Of course, I can't ever catch her doing it, so I haven't been able to properly punish her for it. I'm happy she's become so outgoing and unafraid, but climbing up there really isn't safe. And I think Sirius or Rick have been sneaking her sweets! I keep finding empty sweets wrappers in her room but she won't tell me where they came from. I have no idea, but I'll get to the bottom of it!
I miss you, Rem. I miss having you here, to be able to talk to you about everything and not having to wait on the post. Hermione and I might be moving soon. Now that I've completed my schooling I've been applying for positions and I'm worried I'll have to move to find a job. I'm hoping it won't be far. I'd miss you, James, and Sirius too much at this point. As annoying as the three of you are, you've become like a second family to Hermione and I.
Hurry home, Remus, so I can have my two best friends back.
All my love,
Jean
Remus smiled. He would only be at Hogwarts for a few more days before the professors got to head home but he decided to write her a letter anyway. Maybe it would get to her before he did.
End Notes:
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