The next month passed quickly. In no time at all, Defence Against the Dark Arts had become most people's favourite class. Lupin's next few lessons were just as interesting as the first. Harry's other classes weren't going as well. He was beginning to dread the hours he spent in Professor Trelawney's tower room. Nobody really liked Care of Magical creatures anymore, which, after the action-packed first class had become extremely dull.

Quidditch training had officially started. Oliver was determined to win the Quidditch cup this year and had the team training almost every day. Harry often spotted a black dog in the stands watching. Even though Harry knew it was risky he couldn't help but smile every time he saw Sirius. He always tried extra hard on those days because he wanted to impress his godfather. The first-time Sirius had seen Harry fly he'd smiled wildly and told Harry that his dad would have been proud of him. Harry hadn't been able to wipe the smile from his face all day.

Things had been a bit tense between Harry and Sirius. They kept their conversations light, Harry talked about his classes while Sirius insulted Snape for being into the Dark Arts during school. Even though neither of them had mentioned their disagreement about Pettigrew it hung over them every time Harry visited. Harry was still upset about being kept out of the loop. He was constantly searching for signs of Pettigrew and second guessing every person in Hogwarts. It was hard knowing that Malfoy was regularly visiting Sirius and that they were probably talking about ways to capture Pettigrew without him. Harry grit his teeth every time he saw Malfoy sneak out of the Great Hall with food.

The stress was getting to him and Ron and Hermione had noticed.

'Just talk to us, Harry,' Hermione said. 'Whatever's going on, we can help!'

They were sitting in their favourite chairs in the Gryffindor common room. Crookshanks was sitting in Hermione's lap starring unblinkingly at Ron.

'It's just homework,' Harry lied, pulling his divination star chart out of his bag.

'You can copy mine if you like,' Ron said.

Hermione pursed her lips but didn't say anything.

Without warning Crookshanks launched himself at Ron.

'Oy!' Ron yelled. 'Get off, you stupid animal!' He tried to push Crookshanks away.

'Ron, don't hurt him!' Hermione cried. She grabbed Crookshanks around the middle and pulled him away.

'He was after Scabbers!" Ron yelled. 'That cats got it in for him!' Ron pulled a frail, frightened looking Scabbers from his pocket. 'Scabbers was here first, and he's ill!'

Ron turned and marched towards the boy's dormitories.

'Ron -,' Hermione tried to stop him, but Ron was already gone.


Remus knew it was immature and cowedly but so far this year he had managed to avoid interacting with Snape. Sure, they both had to attend staff meetings and they'd both been in the staff room at the same time, but Remus had avoided making eye contact. He might have felt worse about it if he didn't know Snape was doing the same thing.

But, he couldn't put it off any longer. Even without the moon cycle calendar hanging back in his office Remus could tell the full moon was approaching. He was aching all over, he hadn't been sleeping, and he was hungry all the time even though the thought of eating made him feel sick.

Before he had accepted the Hogwarts job, he and Dumbledore had discussed Remus's condition and Dumbledore had ensured him that Snape would have no trouble brewing Wolfsbane Potion. Remus had yet to talk to Snape about it but with the full moon approaching he knew he had no choice.

Remus took a deep breath, summoned his Gryffindor courage, and knocked on the door.

He didn't have to wait long before the door flew open and he came face to face with Severus Snape. Snape's mouth was set in a hard line and his frown only deepened at the sight of Remus.

'Lupin,' he said. 'To what do I owe the pleasure?' His tone left no doubt that he didn't want to see Remus any more than Remus wanted to be here.

'Severus,' he greeted, ignoring the way Snape sneered at the use of his first name. 'I came to see about, ah … my potion.'

'It will be ready by the weekend,' Snape said. 'Is there anything else?'

Yes. I'm sorry for everything that happened when we were at school. Can we put it behind us and work together professionally?

'Do you, umm, need some help with the potion?' he asked instead.

Snape raised an eyebrow. 'Do I need potions help from you? If I recall correctly, you could only ever brew a decent potion if Black was whispering in your ear.'

Remus froze at the mention of Sirius. Snape took advantage of his silence and shut the door in his face. Remus walked back to his quarters in a bit of a stupor. No one talked about the Sirius Black who had attended school anymore, they only ever talked about the mass murderer. To hear Snape mention their old friendship had shocked Remus.

That night, when Sirius returned to Remus's dreams, he was as young, carefree, and innocent as he had been during school.


All too soon it was Halloween. Every muscle in Remus's body ached when he woke up. He knew he'd have to start taking the Wolfsbane Potion today. But the Wolfsbane potion wasn't what was upsetting Remus most today. He rolled over to face the picture on his bedside table. James Potter's happy face grinned back at him. James had an arm around a much younger looking Remus. As he watched, James ruffled photo-Remus's hair fondly and laughed at the fake outrage that appeared on his face. Remus smiled softly and tried not to think about who had taken the picture.

Today was the anniversary of the day he had lost everyone: James, Lilly, and Peter too. He wished he knew what Peter was thinking, going after Sirius. They weren't even close to evenly matched, Peter never stood a chance. It was hard knowing that the only other remaining Marauder was the person responsible for the death of the others.

Remus remembered he wasn't the only one who had lost everything today. He'd have to write his annual letter to Peter's mother later. He also wondered how Harry was coping. He promised himself he'd keep an eye on him during the Halloween Feast later.


As it turned out Remus spotted Harry much sooner. He was in his office, with the door open, when Harry walked past looking lost.

'Harry?' he called. 'What are you doing? Where are Ron and Hermione?' Harry shouldn't have been left alone today.

'Hogsmeade,' Harry said.

'Ah, why don't you come in?'

Remus showed Harry around his office and pointed out the Grindylow they'd be studying in their next lesson. It soon became clear to Remus that Harry didn't know the significance of the date, no one had told him. He supposed telling Harry now would only upset him. Instead, they talked about the creatures they'd covered in class, and about the Boggart Remus had kept Harry from fighting. Harry had just started to ask about Dementors when Snape delivered Remus's potion. Snape was slightly politer this time around but that didn't keep Harry from eyeing the potion suspiciously after Snape had left.

'I've been feeling a bit off-colour,' Remus informed Harry, answering the un-asked question. He took a sip of the potion and had to stop himself from shuddering, it was truly disgusting.

'I … I've heard Snape was into the Dark Arts when he was younger,' Harry said hesitantly.

Remus went to have another sip but stopped. 'Who told you that?' he said sharply. If someone was talking to Harry about Snape's school days they might know about his connection to Sirius, or Sirius's connection to his parent's deaths. Learning that was the last thing Harry needed.

'Oh … it's just something people say,' Harry stammered. Remus instantly felt bad for snapping at Harry.

'Of course, well I better get back to work. I'll see you at the feast later.'

'Right.' Harry put his tea cup down and gave the potion one more suspicious look before he left.


Harry felt off-kilter after leaving Lupin's office. The conversation between Lupin and Snape had been really odd and Harry was sure that whatever was in the potion couldn't have been good. He'd had to fight the urge to knock the potion from Lupin's hands. Worse, he'd repeated what Sirius had said about Snape, that was something only a few people could have known. Harry was lucky Lupin had been distracted enough to let it go.

Harry wasn't sure what to do now. Ron and Hermione wouldn't be back yet, he'd already visited Sirius, and he didn't feel like going to the common room. He had just decided to head to the Quidditch pitch when someone grabbed his arm and pulled him forcefully into a classroom.

'Hey!' Harry found himself face to face with Draco Malfoy. 'You're not in Hogsmeade,' Harry said.

'Thank you for pointing out the obvious, Potter,' Malfoy said. 'I came back early.'

'Oh.'

Malfoy huffed impatiently. 'Have you been to see Sirius today?'

'Yeah.'

'How was he?'

'He was acting a bit strange actually,' Harry said. 'He was defiantly quieter than usual.'

Malfoy swore. 'I'm worried he's going to do something stupid because of the date.'

'Because of Halloween?' Harry looked at Malfoy in confusion.

Malfoy frowned at Harry for a moment before his expression changed. Was that pity on his face? 'You don't know,' he said.

'Don't know what?' Harry said.

'Nothing,' Malfoy said, turning to leave .

'Hey! Malfoy!' Harry called. 'Wait! If there's something going on …'

Malfoy stopped. 'I'll deal with it Potter. Go talk to a snake, or free a house elf, or whatever you usually do in your free time.'

He was gone before Harry could respond. He took a deep breath, today had been a strange day.