"Padfoot? Wet? What do you mean?" Professor Lupin asked.
"Padfoot?" Harry echoed.
"Oh, well, we had names for each other… while we were in our … er… other forms… I was Moony, James was Prongs, Peter was Wormtail, and Sirius… Sirius was Padfoot," Professor Lupin said slowly. "I still think of them like that sometimes."
The air between them hung heavy as Harry ingested his words. He mulled over what it would be like to lose all of his friends in one night… and not only that… but how it wasn't just that they were gone, but that all the time they'd had before was a lie… that the friendship wasn't what he thought it was… he wasn't sure he'd be able to survive if Ron, Hermione, Neville, or Gemma turned out to be siding with Riddle… plotting to kill him.
Harry realized he had been quiet for a long time when Professor Lupin prompted: "You said you figured out why the dog was wet?"
"Er, right. When we were down in the tunnels… you know, beneath the Center, we learned that the water had an effect on the nulling magic… from the vessel that McCarthy placed there. It was like the water calmed its power and he used water to control the amount of null it was releasing into the Center. It reminded me of the way Mei uses water to control their magic. So maybe Black used the water in the tunnels to get away from the nulling magic so that he could transform? So that he could get closer to us without being affected by the null zone?" Harry said.
"Hmmm. But no one said that Sirius was working with this Bill McCarthy bloke! Do you think he was?" Professor Lupin asked, scattering pebbles as he jumped up and started to pace in front of Harry.
"I guess I don't really know. McCarthy seemed pretty bent on getting Mr. Khan… he didn't say anything about anyone else or Voldemort, or anything," Harry said as Nio nudged his elbow. He put his hand down and the little snake slithered up his palm and coiled around his wrist. "And he didn't seem to care who I was… which, gah, it's weird to say that…"
"But you get that a lot, don't you? Wizards noticing you; acting differently around you."
"Yeah," Harry sighed as he sagged. "I hate it."
"Hmmm. You're different from James… more like Lily," Professor Lupin said as he stopped in front of Harry, his voice directed at him like he was observing carefully.
A silence grew between them as Harry felt warmth snaking up his neck into his ears.
Suddenly Professor Lupin was next to him, pulling him into a side hug and jostling him while mussing his hair, "Oi! That's not such a bad thing, you know! Your Dad, James… Merlin's pants how I miss him! But he could be full of himself sometimes. I'm glad you got some of Lily's sense. Really I am!"
Professor Lupin let him go with a sigh that sounded a bit like a strangled sob. And they sat quietly for a little bit.
Harry ran his fingers through his hair and listened to the birds that were flitting between the branches of the tree above them and the rooftop surrounding the courtyard. Their chittering, whistling song reminded him of early mornings at Privet Drive.
"So where were you when all of this happened? The null thingy shutting down the school and all?" Harry said, sitting up straighter and turning his face toward Professor Lupin.
"Oh. Well, I was with Arig. We had actually gone to some lengths to travel to Hogwarts since the Egress was closed. Healer Jordan gave us permission as we were working on setting up Arig's secure place for when he transforms and I wanted to show him what I had used while I was a student at Hogwarts. It was different from what is set up at the Center and he was curious about how the wards worked. We were discussing the pros and cons of the location and wards. It was on our way back to the castle that we saw Mei's signal from the lake. She… er, I mean… they were looking for someone to help Healer Jordan. That's when we learned about all the trouble at the Center. I was able to use the floo network to contact the Ministry of Magic and then we traveled through the floo to get back to the Center."
"So did Mei come back to the Center with you? It seemed like they were okay," Harry said.
"Er, yes. I didn't know they had been in danger."
"Mei got the null vessel from the bottom of the pool and there was a lot of ice, too. They had to melt through it to get through the egress," Harry explained.
"How could they lift the null vessel? Wouldn't it have affected them? I heard it was harder on magical creatures than witches and wizards."
"Yeah, it was. But we had a cloak… it could shield us from the effects of the null zone."
"Blimey, Harry. You've been through the wringer… the lot of you," Professor Lupin said.
A warm breeze brought the scent of fresh baking bread into the courtyard and Harry's stomach rumbled in response. "How long until breakfast? Is the kitchen even up and running?" he wondered. "Dobby!"
"What?"
"Is Dobby okay?" Harry transferred Nio to his neck so swiftly that the slumbering snake hissed in protest. He stood up abruptly and then realized that he didn't have his cane; he felt along the wall until he found it, then shook it out, listening as the pieces snapped together.
"Who is Dobby?" Professor Lupin asked.
"He's a house elf who works in the kitchen. The null zone really got to him," Harry said over his shoulder as he walked back to the infirmary to get his shoes.
He felt a bit ashamed that he had been so tired the night before that he hadn't thought to check in on his friends.
"Say, Professor. Do you know what day it is?"
"Ah, yes. I imagine it did feel like an eternity down in those tunnels. It is Thursday, July twenty-second."
"So, we were down there for more than a day? Blimey. No wonder Nio was so hungry."
The Professor's footsteps followed him and he held the door open as Harry passed through. From his neck, Nio hissed terse directions (still grumpy from his rude awakening) and Harry used his cane to navigate through the maze of camp beds until he found his. He slipped on his trainers and stuffed his invisibility cloak into his pocket.
"Ah, James' cloak," Professor Lupin muttered. "I'm glad you have it."
"That's what I was telling you about. This cloak… it protected us from the null vessel. Mei was able to get the vessel from the bottom of the pond because of it. Outside of the cloak, we'd all faint. But under it, we were able to do magic," Harry whispered at first, afraid to wake Gemma and Peter, but then he remembered that it would take a blast from a foghorn to awaken them, so recounted how they'd used the cloak to send the null vessel back to the temple that Bill McCarthy had stolen it from.
"It's that powerful? I mean, I knew it was something special… all the times that James used it and it never tore, no matter how many curses bounced off it. But blimey. To protect you from the null… and then send it back. That's…" he whistled when his words fell short.
A niggling question erupted from Harry's lips, "Why did you call him 'Wormtail?' That's an odd name."
"Ah, well, you see… er… that was because Peter transformed into a…" but Professor Lupin was cut off by a shout.
"Harry Potter! What on earth are you doing out of bed?" Professor McGonagall's Scottish brogue seemed especially harsh, punctuated by her hard-heeled footsteps. "And Professor Lupin! Why didn't you insist that he stay in the infirmary? I'm surprised at you. The boy in his condition. Wandering the halls. And Black is still at large…"
Both Harry and the Professor came to an abrupt halt. Harry felt the hair on his neck stand on end as he considered the possibility that Sirius Black could be slinking around the Center's halls… the wards had been down a long time.
Anyone could have come in.
Nio squeezed him gently, reminding him to breathe again and Harry brushed his fingertips across the snake's silken scales.
"Medusa's toenails! The boy's got a snake! There's a snake strangling Harry!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed as she lurched toward Harry. "Remus, get it off!"
"Minerva, please. Here, allow me to conjure a chair for you. I'm guessing that you rushed here as soon as you heard of the kerfuffle at the Center," Professor Lupin had stepped in front of Harry. "I sent you an owl when I learned that you weren't at Hogwarts. I presume you received it?"
A pop of magic warned Harry, and he wasn't so surprised when he heard a large piece of furniture drop in the middle of the corridor.
"Er, yes, I had just popped over to Dingwall to visit Malcolm, er… my brother," Professor McGonagall said, sounding twitterpated.
There was another pop and the stinging odor of Scotch wafted through the air.
"Really, Remus. It is not even 6 am," Professor McGonagall objected as she sank into the chair, but Harry could hear the smile in her voice as crystal tinged against metal. Rings, Harry guessed. On her fingers.
"Then, it is yet the wee hours and completely acceptable to take a little nip to settle your nerves," Professor Lupin said as he turned toward Harry. "Harry, why don't you tell the Professor about your snake?"
"Er, Professor McGonagall, this is Nio hus cherio kisa," Harry paused as Professor McGonagall hissed when he spoke Parseltongue and then continued. "He's a friend of mine who just helped us save the Center, along with a rather large adelphi, a nest of snakes, from some bloke who was trying to frame Aminah's father for a bunch of crimes that he didn't commit. And the Aurors came and arrested Mr. Khan instead! They didn't even listen to us. Not even Healer Jordan and then they took her, too! But I guess they let Healer Jordan go… but I don't know what's going on with Aminah and her dad. Do you know what's happened? Have they released Mr. Khan yet?"
"Goodness, and here I thought this all had to do with that limmer Sirius Black… but all this time there has been another villain threatening the safety of Hogwarts students! I believed the Center was secure and that it would be a safe place for you, Harry!"
"It is. It is the safest place I've ever lived," Harry sighed as Professor Lupin scoffed. "Excuse me, Professor McGongall, I was on my way to check on someone. Do you know where Healer Jordan is? Or maybe Besel?"
There was a pause and Professor Lupin made a small sound that made Harry think he was mouthing something; he tried not to be irritated. He imagined that Professor McGonagall had shaken her head and that Professor Lupin was reminding her that Harry didn't know she'd responded.
"Er. Right. I imagine they are sleeping. I came to give them a break and to help restore the wards. The Ministry put up temporary ones last night, but Healer Jordan was wanting something more robust. She requested that I work with the Flamels to strengthen the wards," Professor McGongall said in a rush.
"Oh. Well, I'll check in the kitchens, then," Harry said as he swept his cane in front of him, making sure he was clear of the stuffed chair and its inhabitant.
"Harry, you can't just go off wandering by yourself," Professor McGonagall said, her wool skirts protesting being pulled across the stiff fabric of the chair as she struggled to stand up. "Hasn't Healer Jordan told you? You're never to be alone!"
"Er, no. No one has said that," Harry said as a flash of anger erupted in his throat.
"Remus, please go with him. I'm fine. Really. I insist," Professor McGonagall said fell back into the chair. Her rings clinked against the crystal again as she sipped her beverage and made a little smacking noise with her lips. "I'm sure no one else will be along at this hour and I'll cast a notice-me-not spell if someone does hop along. You're absolutely right. I am not myself and need to gather my wits before I try to set the wards to right."
"I don't need a nanny!" Harry said, stamping his foot in indignation.
"Harry, let's just humor her for now… she's clearly flustered," Professor Lupin whispered near his ear as he slipped an arm over Harry's shoulder and started steering him toward the kitchens.
"Harumph! I hate that she treats me like I'm made of glass!" Harry objected as they made their way down the corridor; he felt bad for shaking off Professor Lupin's arm, but he was too irritated to be able to tolerate the camaraderie. Trying to distract himself from the discomfort, Harry wondered if there were visible signs that the Center had been breached and asked the Professor if he noticed any.
"No, it looks as calm and peaceful as ever… all bathed in shadows cast by gentle waters," Professor Lupin confirmed. "Here's the door to the kitchens. I'll get it for you, shall I?"
Harry realized that he was about to walk right past the door, had not Professor Lupin said something. His chest contracted as he thought about his staff, wishing it hadn't shattered.
"Is my stuff still out here?" Harry asked, stopping and turning an ear to the corridor, straining to listen, as if his belongings would be whispering their dismay at being abandoned in the corridor. He brushed his fingers over Nio's body and realized that the snake had fallen asleep. He gently guided the limp form under his T-shirt and settled him at his belly in his tucked-in shirt.
"What stuff?" Professor Lupin asked as he pulled the door open on creaking hinges.
Harry swept his cane in front of him to find the entrance and then adjusted his stance to enter.
"Everything from my…" his words were cut off by a high pitched squeal and the impact of a small body against his shins.
"Harry Potter lives!" Dobby cried, his tears soaking through Harry's trousers as he pressed himself against his knees.
"Dobby! You're alright. I was worried about you," Harry said as he struggled to stay upright.
"Harry Potter worries about Dobby?" the elf wailed, squeezing harder.
"Of course. You're my friend," Harry said matter-of-factly, but then he stepped back when an ear-piercing siren erupted at his knees.
"Dobby a friend? Oh, never has a wizard called Dobby a friend. Never! But this is no ordinary wizard. This is a great wizard! This is Harry Potter! Harry Potter is calling Dobby a friend," Dobby sobbed.
"Dobby, I didn't mean to upset you. I just, well, I was worried about you," Harry said, bending down to pat the elf on the back.
"Harry, I suggest you stop saying that," Professor Lupin muttered over the keening.
"Er. Right," Harry said as he continued to try to soothe Dobby. He cast around trying to think of something that would distract the distraught elf.
"Say, Dobby? Do you know if there is some way to move all of my stuff that spilled out of my staff into the hallway into my dormitory? I need someplace to store it while I wait for Figora to finish repairing my staff?"
"Yes, Harry Potter. There is a way, but Dobby knows something even better. Dobby will…" There was a pop of magic and Harry's knees and shins were suddenly cool, absent the elf.
"Huh?" Harry asked, straightening up and turning toward Professor Lupin. Harry became aware that there were other people who must have been watching them, because suddenly the kitchen came to life again as they returned to their tasks.
"I don't know, Harry. But it seems as though your friend has recovered fully. Should we see about getting you breakfast?" Professor Lupin's footsteps receded as he walked through the kitchen.
Harry stood where he was, concerned that if he moved he'd be in someone's way. Occasionally something whizzed through the air just over his head and he imagined floating bowls with magically motivated mixing spoons stirring batter.
Harry had lost track of where the Professor was in the hubbub of activity in the kitchen and could feel the panic rising in his gut as he realized how alone and exposed he felt as everyone around him moved with purpose. He thought about waking Nio, but then remembered that he could cast the navigation spell with his wand.
He flicked it out of his holster and whispered the incantation, "Navigant dining room." He made his way through the bustling activity, listening intently to the warnings of flying frying pans and floating food—he caught the scent of sizzling bacon and ripe pineapples and his stomach rumbled in response.
"Ah, Harry. I've got your breakfast. Mine as well," Professor Lupin said as Harry pushed open the door to the dining room. "There's a table straight ahead that we can sit at. There's a chair slightly to your right. That's it."
Harry sat down and folded his cane, then flicked his wand back into the holster. He made sure he wasn't suffocating Nio and then felt the edge of the table until he found the tray that Professor Lupin had set down in front of him. "Is it bacon, tomatoes, and toast?"
"Yes, er. Bacon at 9 o'clock, toast at noon, and tomatoes at 6 o'clock. And would you like some pumpkin juice or tea? There's a pitcher just to the right of you and the tea is here, next to me."
"Oh, tea, please," Harry said as he found his fork and poked around the plate confirming the location of the various items. He picked up his spoon and used it and the fork to capture the tomatoes and place them on top of the toast. He worked on carefully slicing through them. Next to him, Professor Lupin seemed to be tucking in just as enthusiastically.
There was a pop and Harry turned his nose toward the sound, expecting Dobby.
"Figora is understanding that Harry Potter is wanting the staff. While Harry Potter is sleeping, Figora is working on the staff," the breathless elf explained as if he hadn't just disappeared for a quarter of an hour.
Harry's face exploded with a smile as the familiar wood was pressed into his outstretched palm.
"My staff is already repaired?" he exclaimed in disbelief, running his hands over the staff and finding it whole again.
"Harry Potter's things are no longer in the corridor as well. Dobby put all of Harry Potter's things back in the staff."
"Thank you, Dobby!" Harry said, reaching out for the elf and pulling his thin form into a hug. "Please, can you join us for breakfast?"
"Oh, Dobby mustn't. Dobby must return to the kitchens. But Harry Potter is so gracious to invite Dobby to dine," Dobby said, as he backed away.
"Well, maybe we can do something later when you're not working?" Harry asked.
"Yes, Dobby would like that very much. Dobby thanks Harry Potter and now, Dobby must return to the kitchens."
"Thank you again, Dobby!" Harry called, though the pop of magic meant that the elf had already disappeared.
"What did you do to endear yourself to that elf?" Professor Lupin asked in awe.
"What? Oh. Well, I suppose it was freeing him from the Malfoys," Harry said through a bite of tomatoes and fried toast.
Professor Lupin burst out laughing and thumped Harry on the back.
"No, seriously, what did you do?"
"I said. I freed him from the Malfoys. Tricked Draco's dad into giving Dobby a sock," Harry said, exasperated. "Freed him."
"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant… but how on earth did you do that?"
"Er, well, it was just after we'd escaped from the Chamber…" Harry paused as he heard hard-heeled steps approaching them through the dining hall and cocked his head in the direction.
"Oh, it is Professor McGonagall again. Perhaps she's going to join us for breakfast," Professor Lupin said. When she stopped near them, Professor Lupin offered her a cup of tea and she sat down at the table with them.
"I'm settled now. Thank you, Remus, for your thoughtful intervention," Professor McGonagall stated. "I do have a matter to discuss with Harry… and thought that this would be as good a time as any to broach the topic."
Harry's gut seized as he wondered if the topic she wanted to discuss was related to brooms and flying and the tomatoes in his belly seemed to be trying to escape.
"As you know, when you are done with your training, you will have to return to the Dursleys for the remainder of the summer holidays. . ." She paused when Harry drew in a sudden breath.
"But, you will have a companion. You will not return to them alone," she said obliquely.
"Yes, Healer Jordan told me that," Harry said, reaching for his tea and wondering where she was headed with this.
"Someone who is well-suited for the job," Professor McGonagall answered and Professor Lupin sighed and pushed his chair away from the table.
"Please excuse me, Professor McGonagall. I'm going to check the wards," Professor Lupin said as he muttered the incantation to send his tray flying toward the kitchens and walked briskly away.
"Well," Professor McGonagall said with an exasperated sigh that made Harry wonder what was going on. "Healer Jordan and I believe that the Dursleys need someone to keep an eye on them."
"Oh," Harry said. "When will I meet this companion?"
"Ah. Well, that's why I wanted to talk to you," Professor McGonagall said. "I will spend my summer holidays with you. I will travel to and from Hogwarts with you. I will live with you at the Dursleys."
"What?" Harry nearly shouted.
"It is a surprise. I understand. I wish… well, that is done. I cannot change the past, but I can personally assure that you are not left alone with those people ever again," Professor McGonagall's voice was fierce. Determined. Her lioness had appeared.
"You're going to come live with me at the Dursleys? All summer?" Harry sat up straight. "And have you told them?"
"Yes, they have been informed. And no, they were not happy. But that is neither here nor there," Professor McGonagall said.
"And are you happy about this? Won't it be awful for you?" Harry said before he could stop himself.
"Listen, I know this is not your idea of a good time to spend the summer with your transfiguration Professor, but we can't get around the blood protection wards and Professor Snape flat out refused to live in the same house as … "
"Professor Snape!" Harry exclaimed.
"Yes, well. And Hagrid was happy to do it, but he's too large to go unnoticed in the neighborhood, isn't he?" Professor McGonagall seemed to be wiping her hands.
"What about Professor Lupin?" Harry asked, without thinking it through.
"Ah, yes. Well, he did want to do it, but unfortunately, he'll be… unable to stay the entire time because he… er… it falls at a bad time of the month for him."
Harry understood now… the reason why Professor Lupin left so abruptly.
"And, really, as your head of house the duty really falls on me, doesn't it. I should have stopped Dumbledore that night when he placed you on their doorstep. I, who saw what they were. And well," there was a heavy regret in her voice that made Harry's throat feel tight. "This is what I can do."
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Author's note: Dear Readers, Thank you so much for your patience. I've been working on this chapter since July... but being a teacher and a mother during a pandemic has consumed all my time. I'm hopeful that I can return to my normal writing schedule soon. I hope you and yours are all well.