Disclaimer: Not mine. Leave it at that.

Becoming Moony: Persuasion

Remus sat in the booth, misery on his face. Things could not possibly get any worse than they were now. He had been evicted from his twentieth apartment only yesterday, he had no money, and he had lost what he had seemed like his billionth job. He had actually like the previous job. He had worked as a mentor to younger children who were a bit like him. They didn't have money, or many possessions, and most had no friends. He helped the kids get the companionship they needed while helping them to learn.

This job had been one of the more enjoyable he had worked, but with the newest werewolf code put into place he couldn't get a job that included being alone with children for long periods of time. At least, not with the employer being ignorant to the fact that Remus was a lycanthrope and having Ministry approval. Only four hours after the code had passed the Ministry had burst into the room he was working in. The poor little boy Remus was talking with was frightened nearly to death. Remus had only worked with muggles and having five fully grown wizards bursting into the room was bound to be startling to anybody, much less a seven year old little boy.

Now he was sitting in the Leaky Cauldron, waiting for Albus Dumbledore to come and talk to him. Why Dumbledore wanted to speak to him was beyond Remus. He couldn't imagine why the Headmaster of a school would want to talk to an unemployed, homeless werewolf who couldn't work with children.

"Remus."

Remus turned to see his esteemed headmaster standing behind him, wearing robes of mauve and baby blue. It was an odd combination, but for some reason, looked okay on the odd professor.

"Headmaster Dumbledore." Remus replied, standing to greet the man.

"No need for the formalities, my dear child. What has society done to you?" said Dumbledore, shaking his head and putting his hand on Remus's shoulder. Remus shrugged and looked to the table, there were some really interesting grain patterns there. He couldn't believe that his old headmaster could possibly care that much about an old student.

"Shall we sit? This old body can't much take standing for long anymore."

"You're not old, Professor."

"You always were too kind," laughed Dumbledore. Remus grinned slightly and sat back in his seat.

"So, Remus, how have you been? I understand that there have been a few more…advances in the particular department you're involved in."

"I'm well enough. Thank you for the discretion. Things have not been so wonderful now that a lot of people know what I am. It has made finding a new job interesting. No one wants to hire a werewolf in the wizarding world and it's near impossible to get a decent job in the muggle world." Remus found himself pouring his entire life story into Dumbledore's ears. The man let Remus speak, not saying anything until he was finished.

"I am so sorry. I wish there was something I could do for you."

"That's alright, Professor. Nobody can do much for me anymore."

"Although," started Dumbledore, a smirk on his face and a twinkle in his eye, "Maybe there is something I can do for you."

Remus raised his head up and stared in shock, "What?"

"You see, Remus, Hogwarts is currently in need of a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. I haven't been able to find one that is, let us say, capable of the job. I think you would be rather good at it."

"I wish I could, but I can't. The new code placed prohibits it."

"It states that you cannot work with children without the employer knowing about your werewolf status and without Ministry approval. I assure you, I can get the necessary approval. I am a member of the Wizengamot, you know."

"Are you sure? I mean, am I really worth all the trouble your going to be put through?"

"Remus! I will thank you to not belittle yourself in my presence." Dumbledore stated, looking over his glasses at Remus. Remus nodded and looked at the professor. What he was offering was a dream. To go and teach at the very institute that he had been admitted to beyond all odds was amazing. But…was it truly worth it?

"I don't think I can do this professor. I don't want the school's reputation to go downhill just because of me. I also don't want this to be charity. I'm sorry, Professor, but until you can definitely get this done without making it into a charity event, I won't do it."

"I…understand, Remus. I do understand your feelings and respect them. I do, however, feel that you would be the best for the job. Would it be permissible for me to owl you if there is any change in the situation?" asked Dumbledore, as he placed his fingers together.

Remus nodded and stood. There was nothing else to say. He left, feeling slightly betrayed by his old headmaster. Remus knew that the man didn't mean to make it sound as a charity option or as a pity job, but it didn't change the fact that Dumbledore wouldn't be offering the job to a person who had no qualifications as a professor if said person wasn't an old student that needed help!

He knew that if Dumbledore offered the job again, Remus would have to work harder to say no. It would still be a fifty-fifty shot with the Ministry. Remus did want the job, Goddess knew he did, but there was no escaping the fact that he wasn't qualified for it. Sure, he loved kids, he did tons of tutoring, and probably knew way too much about the Dark Arts than was considered healthy, but he had no Ministry approved qualifications. He knew that if Dumbledore offered the job more than twice, Remus would have to take the job, no matter his feelings on it.

/page break/

Dumbledore sent another letter, two and a half weeks after their initial meeting. He informed Remus that the Ministry had not yet approved the appointment, but that they were thinking about it. That didn't give much hope for Remus, however, the professor had asked him to take the job one more time. It was a frightening concept, as Remus knew the older man was a very persuasive and determined man.

Remus had managed to get a new job, albeit a rather dull one. Remus loved books, but shelving a bunch of them for six hours a day at a slow library was not a piece of cake. It was very dull and Remus didn't enjoy it one bit. But it was a job and so Remus worked.

It was the end of July before Remus heard from Dumbledore again. Remus had begun to think that maybe the headmaster didn't really need him that badly and, while it hurt, Remus knew that it wasn't personal.

The rather short note asked Remus to be back at the Leaky Cauldron, but to be very careful. After all, who knew what the mass murderer Sirius Black would do to an old school chum?

Sirius. That was a sore subject, wasn't it? Remus was amazed, but not quite surprised by Sirius's breakout. He had always been a brilliant student, thinking further ahead than most. He was always coming up with new ideas and plans that almost always went off without a hitch. It actually made Remus feel warm and fuzzy to know that, even if he was an insane murderer, Sirius was still as brilliant as he always had been. Which could be a frightening concept for some, Remus supposed, but it wasn't as though Sirius was that malicious. Sure he was always a little odd and he could be a total shit, but Remus didn't think that he would intentionally harm hundreds of people.

Remus knew that Sirius could have murdered Peter; in fact Remus was sure that Sirius murdered Peter. He just didn't think that Sirius would have murdered thirteen innocent muggles. It just wasn't in his personality to be that cruel. Something else must have happened to cause the "Muggle Massacre of Piccadilly Station". Something behind the scenes, quite possibly an accomplice of some sort. However, Remus knew that Sirius didn't have it in him to commit sixteen murders in twelve hours!

He didn't know what to think about Sirius's connection to Lily and James's murders. His rational mind told the hopeless romantic side that he was responsible for the killings, even if Voldemort was the one to "pull the trigger". The hopeless romantic in him told the rational side to "shove off" and that his mate would never betray his family like that and there must be some sort of explanation. Remus didn't know what to do. He felt that the H.R. (Hopeless Romantic) was right in one aspect; he believed that there was another explanation for Sirius's involvement. He could have been tortured to reveal the information. A large dose of Veritaserum would have done it as well.

However, Remus was also with his R.M. (Rational Mind) in that Sirius was the one who had the secret and that he should have protected himself better so as not to reveal anything. Remus knew that Sirius had something to do with the Potter's murders, but wasn't necessarily the sole participant.

/page break/

Remus sat once more at the booth in the furthest corner. It had always been his favorite spot as a child. His parents would bring him to the Leaky Cauldron every once in a while and they would sit in this very spot. Remus would sit in the middle of them and stare out at the millions of people who seemed to visit the pub every afternoon. When he started going to school, he would come to this spot with James, Sirius, and Peter before the fall semester started and would chat. After all the time that had passed this was still one of Remus's favorite spots. He would sit and watch the people go by without being accused of something nefarious.

Remus stood once more as Professor Dumbledore approached him. It was the moment of truth. Remus was apprehensive about this meeting. It could be good or bad.

"Remus, you look well."

"I am, I guess. I could be worse." Joked Remus, sitting as the Headmaster slid into his seat. Today he was wearing very vibrant robes of purple with orange stripes. They were bordering on painful, quite honestly.

Dumbledore laughed and ran his hands over his beard, "I suppose so. Well, how about some lunch and a little chat? I daresay we need to have one."

Remus hung his head and sighed, "Yes, sir."

"Now don't look so trodden upon, Remus! Times like these deserve laughter and joy!"

Remus grinned; his old teacher was so odd sometimes. "I agree, Professor Dumbledore."

"Now, now, none of this Professor stuff, we're going to be colleagues aren't we?"

Remus was confused, "We are?"

"Of course, dear boy! The Ministry has approved your employment at Hogwarts! You'll start in September, or at least, I hope you will."

Remus didn't know what to say to that. The Ministry had approved it?! How was that possible? But, what happened if something happened and he got loose? He couldn't take the job, even if he did want it so badly.

"I'm sorry, I can't. There are too many risks and I…I just can't."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Well Minerva will be disappointed, as will Poppy, but I suppose that it is up to you," replied Dumbledore, standing. Remus nodded unhappily. It was for the best.

"Oh, I brought something for you! I thought you would be interested to see how much Harry has grown up. He's starting his third year, you know," said the professor, plopping a picture down onto the table. Remus pulled it to himself, his heartstrings tugging painfully.

It was a great picture; Remus didn't know how Dumbledore managed to get it. It was obviously of a slightly younger Harry, second year perhaps, and he was wearing a Gryffindor Quidditch robe. He was grinning at the camera, his arms around his other teammates. It reminded Remus of James. Remus sighed and glared down at the table.

"Fine."

"Pardon?" asked Dumbledore, the infernal twinkle back in his eyes.

"You win, you manipulative old man! I'll work for you." Remus murmured, not able to lift his eyes from the picture long enough to glare at the man.

Dumbledore smiled, "I'm glad, child. I'm glad. I'm sure that Harry would be delighted to find a link to his parents. He doesn't know much about them, you know. For some reason, his relatives don't much like talking about Lily and James. Pity. They were great people."

"There were." Remus agreed, running a finger down the side of photo Harry's face. He was so grown up and looked so much like his father. Except the eyes, his eyes were Lily's eyes, always.

/page break/

Remus stared up at the one place he thought he would never return to. Hogwarts was as magnificent as ever, rising high above the land, it was a stone marvel to all who viewed it. Remus felt instantly at home and comfortable.

Remus climbed the stairs that led to the front door with some trepidation. He hadn't seen these people for who knew how long and a lot of things had happened between then.

"Remus! I'm so glad you're here!" came an older sounding Minerva McGonagall. He smiled up at her and allowed the Scottish woman to give him a brief hug. It was nice to know that some people were still happy to see him.

"How are you, Professor McGonagall?"

"Now, none of that! We're both adults, I believe we can act like it and call each other by our first names. Don't you?"

Remus grinned, "Yes, Minerva."

"There we go. I'm fine, although I have heard you've had a real trip."

"Merlin knows it."

"Well come inside and let me show you where to put all of your things. Then we'll go down for the traditional staff dinner."

Remus was lost in a whirlwind of stone, colorful tapestries, and metal armor as Minerva swept them down a hallway Remus had only seen once or twice. A hallway that lead to the teacher's boardrooms. It was exciting to know that the last time he had been here he had no idea what was in these rooms. The Marauder's Map…he wondered what Filch had done to it after taking it from them back in sixth year. He wondered if he'd be able to convince Filch out of it.

"Here we go, your new rooms. I hope you like them."

Remus loved them! There was an incredible amount of space with bookshelves lining the walls. It was all stone of course, but the red tapestries brought the harshness down a bit. Remus walked forward and encountered a piece of furniture that he was sure he'd never see again. A red velvet couch stood off to the side of the room. It was the red velvet couch that was in his old apartment, Remus was sure of it. The nicks and bumps were far to close to the original not to be.

"Minerva, where did this couch come from?" he asked, turning to look at her. She frowned faintly, but answered.

"Albus had it brought in, he said something about sentimentality value. Why do you ask?"

Remus paused, but decided to tell her, "It was in the apartment Sirius and I shared once upon a time."

Minerva stood straighter with a shocked look on her face. "Oh…that man! He always did meddle too much. Would you like it to be removed?"

"No. It can stay. It is a great piece of furniture if you look pass the gaudy fabric." said Remus, smiling. Minerva smiled slightly as well.

"I can imagine. I have a rather wonderful armchair in my chambers, it belonged to my grandmother and it is covered in the worst fabric I believe I have ever seen!"

Remus laughed and moved towards the door. His things could be put away later. He wanted to see the castle one more time before the students took over.

"What fabric?" he asked as the wandered down the hall. The stern woman gave him a full fledged grin and replied:

"Dark green satin with silver trim."

A/N: There we go.