A/N: I'm back! Sorry, it's been a while, but I did warn you they wouldn't be regular! Thank you so much for the favorites, follows and reviews, they really do help!
This one is from Lupin's point of view, and it's set just before the Prisoner of Askaban. I was reading the Remus Lupin bit on Pottermore and got the idea for it. I hope you like it :)
Remus started in surprise as a loud chime echoed through his sparse living room. Looking round in confusion, his eyes came to rest on the round marble on his mantelpiece that was now glowing a soft green. He stared, picking his memory. What did that mean again? It had been a gift from his father so he would know... something. Another musical ding! emanated from the marble. Remus set down his book and moved to the fire-place, a frown on his face. He picked it up and used his patched shirt to wipe off the thick dust. It wasn't until it chimed for the third time and shone a slightly brighter green that he twigged and whipped out his wand with a gasp.
"It alerts you to someone's presence outside your house." His father had told him, whilst ignoring Remus' frown.
His eyes flicked around to all the possible entrances as he moved silently into the hall, his wand trained on the wooden door. He should have prepared for this, he thought bitterly. It had been a week since he'd heard the news of Black's (he tried not to think of him as Sirius anymore) breakout from Askaban, and since then he'd been constantly on edge - always expecting his ex-best friend to appear at his door.
He stopped a meter away from the door, highly aware that a well placed kick would have the weak wood down in seconds. Remus nearly fired a curse when the marble, which was still gripped in his fist, made another slightly muffled chime. He took a few deep breaths and forced himself to calm down.
"Who's there?" He called out, happy that his voice was steady in spite of his pounding heart.
A familiar voice drifted from the other side, but, he noted in shock, it was slow and elderly - completely different to the one he was expecting. "Albus Dumbledore."
Surprised, Remus lowered his wand and swiftly opened the door. The aged face that looked back at him was so achingly familiar that he just stood there and stared.
"Come now Remus, wont you invite me in? The night has gotten rather chilly - I might have to ask Pomona to knit me some new earmuffs." Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled in amusement as Remus came to his senses and pulled the door open for him to enter.
"Professor! I don't - what are-" Remus blurted as Dumbledore stepped passed him. He took a deep breath and smiled. "Hello, sir."
Dumbledore chuckled. "Good evening, Remus. I apologise for coming by unexpectedly, but it was remarkably difficult to track you down. I thought I ought to strike while the iron is hot, as the muggles say." He gestured to the living room. "May I?"
Remus, still in shock, nodded and followed him through, grimacing slightly at the mess.
"Sorry, Professor. I don't usually have much company." He quickly organised the bits and bobs on his table into piles to try to find some semblance of neatness.
"Not to worry, Remus." Dumbledore said, conjuring himself and armchair and sitting in it. "I've seen much worse. Although, I would appreciate some brandy if you happen to have any in. It's been a long week."
"I've got butterbeer?" He offered.
"That would do nicely."
Remus summoned it from the cupboard along with two glasses and poured some for them both. He handed it to Dumbledore and sat himself back down in his own, less cushy, chair. Dumbledore was watching him over the tops of his glasses and Remus couldn't help but shift slightly, embarrassed. He looked around his little cottage and sighed. He'd only been living there for just under a month, and hadn't managed to find a job yet - his possible employers were curious about why he had failed to hold a job for more than a 6 months. In the first few years after Lily and James' death it hadn't been too hard to explain away, but now after having 8 different jobs in 10 years it was getting more difficult.
"I'm not going to pretend I don't know why your here, Professor." He said tiredly.
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows and sipped his drink, but said nothing.
"You want to know if Black has contacted me." Remus said and when Dumbledore still didn't reply, he continued. "I haven't heard a word, and to be honest I doubt I will. Sirius probably knows I would tell you immediately."
Dumbledore chuckled. "Although I do indeed hope you'd tell me, that is not the intent of my visit, Remus." He looked into his glass as he swirled his butterbeer. "I have come to make you an offer."
Remus felt his heartbeat quicken as a memory of Dumbledore inviting them into the Order flashed across his mind. He smiled and leant forward, "Go on."
"Yet again, Hogwarts seems to be in need of a new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor and we don't have many applicants after the regretful instances that happened to the previous two." He said, not sounding particularly regretful. "I have discussed the matter with Professor McGonagall and we are both in agreement that you would be perfect for the role."
Remus was amazed. For the last ten years he'd dreamed of Hogwarts: it's long stone corridors, the armchairs by the fire, and most of all the absence of loneliness he'd felt there. Hogwarts had by far been the happiest time of his life, and to return as a Professor! Not only would he have comfortable living arrangements, but it would be intellectually challenging too. There was nothing he would like more... but there was no way he could return. It was for the same reason that was so picky about where he lived - the middle of the Yorkshire moors was safe, not just for him, but for others.
"Dumbledore," he said, trying to keep his voice casual. "My... condition. It simply wouldn't be appropriate to-" He took a deep breath. "I'm not safe to be around children!" Around Harry, he thought.
Dumbledore placed his glass on the table and looked Remus in the eye. "There are precautions we can take-"
"Precautions! Dumbledore, I'm not sneaking down to the Shrieking Shack every full moon - we both know how well that went last time." He took a big gulp of butterbeer and stared down at the marble he still held in his hand, avoiding Dumbledore's sharp eyes. How was it, that even after a decade, he still felt like a boy in his headmaster's presence.
Almost of their own accord, his eyes flicked up and met the piercing blue ones.
"Remus, you know that my students' safety is my first priority." He leant forwards slightly. "Present and past."
He looked down, ashamed. He understood that if he was at Hogwarts, Black would be far less likely (although, Remus knew full well that he knew ways in that even Filtch didn't know of) to be able to target him. But, he was not willing to risk the students safety for his own.
"It would be amazing - really, it would - but I would be a danger to the children. The parents would never allow it."
Dumbledore smiled, and it reminded Remus how hard it was to tell what the man was thinking. "I trust you've heard of the Wolfsbane potion?"
Remus had. It was big news when it was announced a few years back, as it was said to subdue a werewolf once it had transformed. Remus, of course, had immediately researched it in detail and was dismayed to discover that the ingredients were rare and far too expensive for him to buy. They were inviting werewolves to sample it, but that obviously meant admitting his condition to the Ministry.
"The school would be perfectly able to supply you with as much of it as you needed, and I'm sure our potions professor would be delighted to make it for you." The twinkle in Dumbledore's eye had returned, and Remus got the distinct feeling he was missing a joke. Not that he much cared at the moment.
"Really?" He said, not managing to keep the hope from his voice. "But - but the parents..." He added, rather weakly.
There was no denying the mischief in his smile any longer. "I don't see why they would need to know."
Remus threw back his head and laughed. Hogwarts! Finally!
A/N: How was it? Did I get Lupin right? Please review!