Disclaimer: The following story contains characters and language used in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.
AU: Hello followers and newcomers! First of all I would like to saw thank you to my reviewers; encouragement can only get me to post chapters faster. Secondly, I did edit the ending of Chapter One by adding more description, but if you don't feel like reading the changes you really won't be missing vital information. Anyways, I hope everyone enjoys Chapter Two! And Happy Christmas (or Holidays)!
Chapter Two: Remus, The Grateful
Remus Lupin was grateful to Albus Dumbledore for a number of reasons, all of which revolved around the inescapable fact that, from the age of five, Remus was a werewolf. As such, he had never expected to be admitted into Hogwarts School, but Dumbledore had made it possible given that certain precautions were met. Then as a graduate desiring to fight against Voldemort but distrusted as a dark creature, Dumbledore gave him a chance to fight in a vigilante group known as the Order of the Phoenix. The war with Voldemort had cost Remus the family of friends he had made at Hogwarts and pitted him in a lonely depression. Then, last year, Dumbledore had asked him to become the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and it had been the beginning of a brand new life like he hadn't known since the war.
Remus had never considered teaching as a possible jobs and it had been a terrific surprise to him that he loved teaching. There was a challenge in making his lessons understandable for a variety of age groups and learning styles, and nothing he had done in the past decade could compare with the excitement he felt when his students asked him questions about his favorite subject. Being around people that didn't flinch when he spoke to them was another plus of the position; almost all of the professors had taught him when he had been a student, and even those that had not known him before did not mind his affliction thanks to the Wolfsbane potion that kept him calm during full moons. On top of this, Remus been able to meet and teach Harry James Potter, the son of his best friend.
The school year had ended on a bittersweet note; Remus, Harry, Harry's friends and Dumbledore had discovered that Sirius was innocent, that Pettigrew was the traitor, but they had been unable to retain proof of the truth. It was something Remus still blamed himself for. If only I hadn't turned into a werewolf; if only I had paid more attention to the map and noticed Pettigrew at Hagrid's hut. So many things could have been different, but it didn't do to wish on what could have been. They lost Pettigrew, and Harry had just barely been able to save a Sirius from the Dementor's Kiss by having him fly away on the stolen/saved Buckbeak. Snape, in his anger and hate, had told the Slytherins that Remus was a werewolf, which had put an end to the greatest job Remus had ever had.
Remus had saved enough money over the year to be rent a house far in the country, but as he'd not found a steady job to take on Remus knew it wouldn't be long before he would have to move. Again. He'd been in the process of packing up and preparing for the move when Dumbledore had knocked on his door and told Remus of a plan that could potentially put them all in Azkaban.
"What do you think, Professor Lupin? Is it something you and Mr. Black might be interested in?" Remus stared in disbelief at Dumbledore's absolutely illegal plan to track down Sirius and hide out with him and Harry for a week in a safe house provided by Dumbledore. I'm dreaming; I've fallen asleep on the couch and I'm dreaming that Dumbledore is offering me a chance to be together with my nephew and my best friend. "As I said to Harry not too many hours before, this isn't a dream, Professor Lupin."
"I'm not a professor anymore, sir." The words slipped out and Remus could have smacked himself for the ridiculous response. Of all the things to say, I have to be picky over a title. Dumbledore chuckled lightly, his eyes twinkling. It had taken Remus almost the same amount of time as it had for Harry to believe the plan. It would be interesting to know how Sirius will take this information when Remus finds him, Dumbledore thought with pin of regret that he would not have the chance to witness the explanation himself. That had been part of the plan too, Dumbledore knew he wouldn't be able to explain why Sirius couldn't have more time with Harry than the one week in a way Sirius could accept. Remus would have to be Dumbledore's go-between.
"You are right of course, but old habits die hard. Additionally, I'm still having trouble finding a replacement for the DADA post. I don't suppose you will reconsider?" Remus looked at him sadly but did not respond, which was what Dumbledore had expected to begin with. "Very well, I suppose we should carry on with the plan to see Harry. Since you haven't declined the offer, I will take it that you are interested." Remus gave a nervous chuckle and nodded for Dumbledore to continue. "Excellent! Now then, I told Harry I would come for him at 9:13 on Saturday morning. I will give you a portakey that will activate at 8 o'clock on Friday night so that you and Sirius will have a chance to navigate the house beforehand. Will you be able to track down Sirius in time?"
It wasn't a lot of time for Remus to reach Sirius, but he knew that any owl Remus sent would find Sirius and at the mention of Harry's name, Sirius would come running. "Yes, sir. I can find him by then."
"Wonderful!" Dumbledore stood and took out an old baseball card before handing it to Remus. "I shall see you on Saturday morning, then. Goodbye, Mr. Lupin." Dumbledore turned away and raised his wand to apparate back to Hogwarts.
"Wait." Remus said, causing Dumbledore to turn back. I don't know what to say. How to tell him, for everything he's done for me, everything I have… "I just wanted to say thank you, sir. I know that's not enough and that I'll never be able to repay you but…"
"Ah Remus, there is nothing the need be repaid. What you have is due to you, and as far as this week with Harry…" Dumbledore looked sadly now at his ex-student and wished that things could be different for them all. "If I could give you more time, Remus, believe me when I say I would do so."
Both men nodded at one another before disappearing from the cottage with a loud pop. The first, to ministry of magic, where he would distract the higher ups from noticing the activation of a portkey. The other, to the old haunts of a wanted criminal, with an invitation for a personalized vacation with his godson.