Harry's stomach rumbled and he glanced outside the window. The sun was low on the horizon, the sky a multitude of colours. He checked his watch and knew that dinner would soon be served in the Great Hall. He decided that now was a good time to take a break from his task and go and eat.
Harry was very impressed with the renovations that had been done on the castle after the battle. The castle looked as it always had, no evidence remained of the aftermath of the fighting.
The enchanted ceiling in the Great Hall showed the last rays of the dying sun. Harry looked around for a place to sit. A few of the Gryffindors shifted up so Harry could sit between them. They looked immensely proud that Harry had chosen to sit with them. He knew that he was still considered a hero in the eyes of the public. He hated it but had learned to live with it. He always refused to be given special treatment.
Harry glanced up at the staff table and saw Hagrid grinning at him. Harry waved to him. There were a few teachers missing, Professor Snape being one of them. Harry felt a pang of guilt at the thought of Snape but brushed it aside quickly.
The food appeared and Harry tucked in, joining in the conversation with the other Gryffindors, despite not knowing some of them at all. He felt good sitting in the old hall, eating the delicious Hogwarts food, surrounded by friendly faces.
Following the meal, Harry returned to the headmistress' office. He wanted to view one more memory before retiring for the night in the room he had been given. He picked the next phial up in the row, and poured it into the pensieve.
Harry landed up in Hogwarts yet again, but this time Dumbledore was a lot older. They were in his office, and there was a boy pacing up and down in front of the Headmasters desk. Harry recognised him as being Severus Snape, and he was angry about something.
"But sir, they tried to kill me!" he said angrily.
"Severus, I'm sure their intentions were merely a practical joke, not an attempt on your life. But," he continued before Snape could interrupt him, "I do agree that it was a joke in bad taste, and it was dangerous to trick you into going to the Shrieking Shack when Remus was under the curse. I shall discipline them as I see fit. However, the twenty points off still stands. It was irresponsible of you to think that you could catch Mister Lupin."
Snape sat down angrily on the chair in front of the headmaster and folded his arms. "That group thinks they are infallible. They are arrogant bullies. Especially that Potter and Black. But they better watch out. I'll get them back. I know one of their biggest secrets." Snape had a malicious smile on his face, and he looked triumphant.
"Severus, I must implore you to not tell anyone of Remus Lupin's secret. He is innocent of this whole incident, having no control over his transformations." Severus looked outraged at this. "Severus, you have to keep this a secret." Severus looked defeated and Dumbledore softened. "Imagine that you had a curse you had no control over. If anyone revealed that secret, you would probably be shunned. Being a werewolf is hard enough as it is. Don't make it harder for poor Remus."
Snape stood abruptly and turned to leave. "They will never be forgiven, no matter what anyone says," he said before storming out of the office, slamming the door behind him. Dumbledore sighed.
Harry felt the tug of another memory and allowed it to wash over him. He was back in the Headmaster's office, this time there were three boys sitting in chairs in front of the Headmaster's desk.
"Mister Potter, Mister Black, please explain yourselves," said Dumbledore sternly. A boy that was obviously his father sat up straighter in the chair.
"Sir, it was just a joke. If Snivellus – er, Snape – can't take a joke, then it's not our fault."
"He has no sense of humour anyway," added Sirius.
"A joke? Do you think that was funny, Mister Potter, Mister Black?" said Dumbledore darkly.
The two boys shifted uncomfortably in their seats under Dumbledore's glare.
"Uh, no sir," they said quietly. "Sorry."
"Don't apologise to me, Mister Potter. I expect the both of you to apologise to Mister Snape tomorrow."
James looked up, aghast. "But sir, I saved his life! He would have gone into the Shack had I not pulled him back!"
"Mister Potter, he would not have attempted to go into the Shack had you not tempted him. I expected better of you." He paused, then said, "Fifty points will be taken from Gryffindor for your foolish actions. Fifty points each." The two boys looked as though they were going to protest, but were silenced by Dumbledore's glare.
"As for you Mister Lupin," said Dumbledore, his voice softening as he turned to Remus. Remus looked utterly pale and ill. He had a few light scratches on his face. "I have spoken to Mister Snape, and he has sworn to keep your secret. You can rest assured that if it comes out, there will be serious consequences.
"Thank you Professor," croaked Remus hoarsely.
Dumbledore looked over the boys once more before dismissing them. James and Sirius stood up and left. Remus took his time standing. "Thank you Professor," said Remus before he walked slowly out of the room.
Dumbledore stood up and went to the window and gazed out pensively. Fawkes gave a gentle hoot, and Dumbledore turned around. "What else could I have done, Fawkes? Mister Lupin has no control over his transformations, and I cannot deny him an education. He has as much right as anyone else. As long as Horace continues to make the Wolfsbane Potion every month, Remus should be able to control his transformations." He sighed.
Harry felt the tug of the pensieve and allowed it to pull him out of the memory. Harry was annoyed after seeing his father being the arrogant bully Snape had always said he was. Harry knew that his father had not been perfect but he didn't like that fact being reinforced.
Harry opened the letter and read.
Harry
I think you have always wondered what happened with your father and Severus Snape. I know that it was probably not very nice to see your father and godfather in a bad light, but I had to show you the truth. This was probably one of the main reasons that Severus hated your father as much as he did.
I wanted you to know that your father did apologise to Severus, eventually. He changed his attitude after he began dating your mother. I don't think he ever forgave himself for his near fatal error, and Remus Lupin felt guilty about it for months.
A.D.
