Disclaimer: Not mine.


His Calling

Chapter 40

Found Out


Remus found Sirius sitting on the floor of the Astronomy Tower after the sorting ceremony. He slid down to the hard stone floor not saying a word, keeping his silence and waiting for Sirius to start. He had noticed Potter and Black had not kept up their usual banter at dinner. They had not even commented on any of the girls, or what they planned on doing with them this year, and had ignored the barbs and cutting comments Mulciber threw at them in the hallway on the way in to eat.

After what seemed like hours, but in fact was minutes, Remus glanced at Sirius sideways and snorted a laugh. "I've never seen you so quiet when you weren't stoned."

"You still staying?" Sirius questioned quietly after a few moments had passed.

"I told you I was."

"Things change," Sirius mused. "People change."

"Your dad?"

Sirius shook his head and leaned forward, scratching his initials in dirt that covered the floor. "Not a chance."

"Who then?"

Sirius looked up and studied Remus' face. "My brother. I've heard about … He-who…shite, I can't do this. I've heard about Riddle…he wants to gather up all the…"

"I heard."

"I don't know what to believe. Maybe I am more like Peter than I thought. That kid is messed up, almost as much as…" he stopped talking, unable to continue.

"Your brother? Yeah," Remus said slowly, leaning back against the wall. "I haven't told you, I saw your aunt."

"Which one?"

"Which one?…Don't act stupid. The one with the crazy kid. Andromeda."

"Right," Sirius spat, clamoured to his feet and brushed off his trousers.

"She wanted you. She was right upset over your moving in with the Potters."

"She told you that?"

"The day Peter came looking for me. Crying she was," Remus said flatly. "You can cut the no one wantsme shite."

"It's hard, you know?"

Remus nodded and stood to face him. "How is it at the Potter's?"

Sirius shrugged his shoulders and walked to look out of the tower, surveying the grounds below. "It's tough. They have this dumb little what-are-you-doing-tomorrow and tell-me-what-you-did-today thing they do at tea every day. I don't get it. It's like…I don't know…everyone is into each other's business. Always talking about things, always pushing their noses into what they don't understand. Always asking questions and thinking they are somehow making it easier."

"It's called being part of a family," Remus said with a scowl. "You think my mum is just like that with company? When I was little I used to try to think up things just to keep her happy."

"Peter's dad says he wants him back," Sirius turned to look into Remus eyes, his own glistening with tears. "It's hard. You know? That mine…he doesn't want me."

Remus swallowed hard, not knowing what to do then found his arms instinctively pulling Sirius to him, hugging him tightly as the boy sobbed into his shoulder.

"Sorry," Sirius muttered as he pulled away, slapping Remus on the shoulders with both hands. "I don't go off like a…"

"It's okay," Remus muttered, finding himself ruffling his friend's hair, much as Rhea would ruffle his. "Come on, let's get out of here. We can grab the map and make a night of it."

"Sure." Sirius ran his sleeve over his face and started to the stairs. "I want to see if we can find a way into the girl's bath."

Rolling his eyes, Remus followed.

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Remus took the seat closest to the door, not wanting to be front and centre when the time came for the demonstrations to start. He put his hand into his pocket, running his fingers over his wand, wondering what he would have to do today.

At one time, he had looked forward to Defence Against the Dark Arts, but as of late he wished he could avoid the lessons. He had learned more from Dawlish and Moody than he had in this room and was finding it difficult to separate where he had learned what, without giving away his secret lessons. He watched as Peter walked forward and was paired with Wilkes, a tall Slytherin that Peter did not have a chance against.

He flinched when Peter flew backwards into the padded wall, and inwardly groaned when he slid slowly to the ground, not fighting back, and received another hit for his lack of attention and lack of shield. The Gryffindor had not even attempted to block the second spell.

Potter swaggered up for his turn, smugly grinning at the Ravenclaw girl he was pitted against. Taking a duelling stance, he nodded his readiness and turned to his opposition, too late to repel a spurt of water that hit him full in the face, knocking off his glasses and causing him to slip and fall on his arse, dropping his wand. Remus burst out laughing as the slight Ravenclaw blew on the tip of her wand and returned to her seat amidst a round of applause.

"Enough!" The professor snarled. "This is not a game. This is life or death!"

"She cheated," Potter muttered as he struggled to stand up on the slippery floor.

"Perhaps you need to go back to the first year, Potter. Have you forgotten your drying spell? Now clean up that mess and get to your seat." The professor glared at him, then lifted his head and looked back at the class. "Lupin, front and centre! Let's see if there is at least one Gryffindor that may live though a classroom duel. However, I somehow doubt it."

As Remus stood and made his way to the front of the class, he heard Snape's name called out and cursed his luck. The dark haired Slytherin was the best by all standards. Remus only hoped not to land on his own arse as he turned and raised his wand, waiting for the signal to begin. He locked his eyes on Snape, hoping to see a flicker of what was to come; trying to discern which form the curse would take. What he saw was a hesitation, a momentary lapse of concentration, an uncharacteristic look of doubt. Surprised, he brought up his left arm, and just as the command to commence was given, he saw Snape do the same.

He grinned and set his shield as Rhea had taught him, surprised to see Snape follow his lead. His first spell shattered in an array of sparks against the Slytherin's shield, his second was deflected, sent over the heads of the students and into the back wall. Confused as to why Snape had not yet tossed out his first spell he hesitated for a split second, just enough time to enable Snape to send a coiling rope towards him, slithering across the floor only inches from his feet.

Jumping away, Remus levelled his wand again, and again blasted at Snape, ready to repel Snape's spells with his shield. They circled each other, evenly matched, each seemingly growing stronger and more assured. Remus crossed his left foot over his right, circling back to the centre, trying to keep Snape off balance. He felt too late, something under his foot, and as he instinctively looked down at the floor, at the rope that still moved in front of him, he lost his concentration and found himself flying into the desks behind him.

"Fuck," he muttered as he attempted to climb up from the rubble, only to totter on the broken furniture and crash down to the floor again. Looking up sheepishly he saw Snape extend his hand down to help him up. He grabbed the offered hand and pulled himself up, quickly letting go and brushing off his robes.

"I always suspected you to be a street fighter," Snape intoned coldly. "Tell me, do you spend your summers in the gutter?''

"Not too bad at it yourself," Remus spat. "Who are you trying to impress, Snape? You act all uppity but are no better then a guttersnipe yourself. Where do you get off acting like some rich kid? You're from Spinner's End!"

"Both of you," Professor Tate yelled, "take your seats. Pettigrew, you and Potter clean up this mess. Maybe you can be made useful for something."

"I only needed two spells, one to draw your attention and one to finish you. I do not waste my energy on the likes of you. If you want to fight like a real man, let me know." Snape hissed as he turned away and rejoined his housemates.

"What was that all about?" Black asked when Remus slumped down in his seat.

"Hell if I know. He won and he's still pissed off at me," Remus muttered. "Bloody hell, I'm going to be sore for a week."

"You should head down to the infirmary," Black said with a snigger, seeing the growing lump on Remus' head.

"Won't give him the satisfaction." Remus glared across the room at Snape.

"Right, better to let him see you in pain. That'll teach him."

"Shut up, Padfoot," Remus grinned.

"We should go into town this weekend. You know, sort of the last outing before the snow flies."

"I don't think so. It's getting worse. Even with you guys around." Remus lowered his voice. "I need to stay close. We should just keep to the lake, maybe a run down to Hagrid's place, but not off the grounds."

"Getting scared?" Black said by way of challenge.

"Listen, you said yourself that he is gathering us up…" he paused as students walked by, heading out to the hallway, "if I get caught out there…if you are caught with me…don't you see?"

"So we stay here," Sirius sighed. "At least Peter will be happy. He is always grousing about being left behind."

"Screw Peter," Remus muttered. "Sorry, it's just that I am getting sick of his bellyaching. You too, you know that Black?"

"What'd I do?" Sirius said incredulously.

"Forget it, forget everything but what you want," Remus slid out of his seat and headed for the door. "Tell Potter to knock it off too."

"Bloody hell," Sirius stammered, jumping to his feet and running after him. "What's got into you?"

"I just told you," Remus turned on him angrily. "I am a target. I'll have a fucking sign on my back and you want to run around like nothing is wrong."

"I won't give into it. If I do, if we do, he wins. That fucker wins and my father wins. Are you ready to just roll over and die?"

"Easy for you to say, it's my arse that is hanging out to dry."

"And such an arse it is," Sirius sniggered.

"Shut up, Black."

"No, really." Sirius draped his arm around his shoulders as they walked to their next class. "Think of it this way, whoever finds you out will have to take all of us on. We'll have your back."

"Right," Remus couldn't help but grin at the thought of a rat protecting him. "Just…promise we will stay on the grounds this time."

"I am hurt," Sirius stopped and clasped his hands over his heart. "You doubt me."

"Doubt? I don't doubt you…I know you are lying…no doubt about it."

"I'm wounded," Sirius sighed deeply. "Fine, we stay on the grounds. Promise. Potter wanted to do something special this time. Maybe we can raid the kitchen."

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Remus left the infirmary with a blanket tucked under his arm, used the back staircase and left from the entrance nearest the Quidditch Pitch. He glanced over his shoulder, and seeing no one watching, sprinted to the Whomping Willow. A large brown rat scurried in front of him and slinking forward on its belly, pushed its nose into the knothole, stilling the branches and allowing Remus to enter before turning back toward the castle.

"Peter!" Remus hissed, seeing Peter run off. "Great, even the rat leaves."

Tossing the blanket in the corner of the dirt-floored room at the top of the tunnel, he pulled off the rest of his clothes, intending to take the blanket to the end and up into the shack. He waited as long as he dared for the others, then as the prickling of his skin began, he stooped down to pick up his belongings.

"Moony, come on," Potter panted, still on his knees in the tunnel. "Don't bother changing up there, do it here. We want to leave as soon as we can."

"What the hell are you doing?" Remus balanced upon seeing James dare to enter. "You can't change in here! Your antlers don't fit in the tunnel. Get the fuck out. God's Potter, hurry…you'll get stuck in here with me."

Remus fell to his knees as he felt the change beginning, his bones lengthening and his back snapping and realigning. "Get out!" He snarled at Potter. "Get the fuck out!"

"It's okay," Potter craned his neck to see back over his shoulder, smirking as he did. "Come on Moony, come over here. You can change the rest of the way outside. Come on… hurry," he pleaded, crawling backwards.

Remus smelled Potter's fear, and snarled again, barring his teeth, needing to chase him away but unable to talk past the pain. Lifting his head, he rotated his shoulders, still able to see clearly he stumbled toward the tunnel, shoving Potter roughly into the dark passage, and lifted his still forming muzzle to the ceiling, letting out a howl of warning, feeling the roof of his mouth split open and his jaw slide forward.

He dropped to his hands and knees, no longer human, no longer able to hold his mind on what was in front of him as he fought the pain, the grinding bone and the steady increase to the beats of his heart. It hurt, it hurt, it hurt, was all that he could understand and even that began to recede into the back of his mind as the wolf lifted its massive head and sniffed the air.

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.

"Moony? You awake?" Peter poked his shoulder. "Get up."

"Leave me," Remus moaned and rolled over on his back. "What the fuck happened? God's…it is worse than it's been in a…what happened? You guys left me, I don't remember a blasted thing."

"Nothing, really…only...something."

"Good Peter, as clear as always. Shite," Remus gasped as he sat up and saw the marks and bites on his arms. "You guys weren't here. You should have told me. I could have put the salve on."

"We were, sort of," Peter stood up nervously and looked back over his shoulder. "You did something last night."

Remus felt the blood drain from his face and his stomach lurch, turning his face away from Peter he looked around for his clothes, only to find a pile of tattered rags. "I need clothes."

"Black is bringing them. Listen Remus, it wasn't my fault. I didn't know what was happening. It was Potter, him and SIrius."

"What did he do?"

"Snape, they brought him here, sort of…he set him up."

Remus reached to the rags in the corner, his hands trembled as he sorted the tattered remains until he found his trousers. Feeling his eyes fill, he passed his hand over the ripped cloth, repairing them the best he could and stood trying to lift his leg to put them on. Unable to stand on one leg he stumbled into the wall, a sob escaping his throat.

"Here," Peter said softly, holding the trousers open for him to step into. "Remus, they are still all ripped up."

"Leave," Remus choked out.

"You didn't get him, you didn't."

Remus snapped his head up and studied Peter's face. "You sure? Really sure? You've seen him or just… just heard about it?"

"I heard Potter talking to Dumbledore. Sirius too, he says…"

"Get the fuck out of my sight!" Remus pushed him with both hands, knocking him down to the dirt floor. "You ran. You ran away. Don't tell me you didn't know what they were doing!"

"I didn't! Honest! If I knew I would have stopped them!"

"You? You have never stood up to them a day in you life! This isn't a joke! This is my life. My life and you fucked it up with the rest of them!"

"But…," Peter stammered, "he's okay. He got scared is all. Yeah, he is making a fuss but McGonagall is talking to him."

"Not Pomfrey? He is okay then? I didn't… I didn't get near him?"

"No, I told you that."

Remus picked up the blanket and wrapped it around his shoulders. "Tell them to keep out of my way. I don't need their help."

"You shouldn't go out like that," Peter muttered, crawling backwards to the tunnel.

"I told you to leave," Remus said evenly. "Now get out of my sight."

He waited until Peter had left then started down the tunnel himself, unsure what would happen. He was not surprised to find Madam Pomfrey waiting for him at the edge of the clearing. Taking the clothes she offered, he changed quickly as she turned her back to afford him some privacy. When he was done, he called her softly, ashamed to be standing in front of her.

"Let me see your arms," she sighed, shaking her head. "Oh, Remus, why?"

"You think I did this?"

"I know there are two sides to every …"

"Yeah, right, but I am sure it won't matter." He turned and walked up to the castle ignoring her calls to return and have his arms healed.

He heard Rhea's voice as he walked to the castle, and remembered all those years ago as they sat at the kitchen table. She had said he would make his father proud, that her son would make him proud. Proud, he thought, how could a registered werewolf, no longer called human, ever make her proud.

"Mr. Lupin," the Headmaster's voice brought him out of his memories as he reached the front door. "You will come to my office at once."

"Yes, sir."

"Mr. Snape will be joining us."

"He is okay? Peter said he was but …," Remus stammered with his voice cracking, "he hadn't seen him."

"He is physically well, however that is not due to you. Mr. Potter put an end to the prank, for which we should all be thankful."

"Yes, sir. Sir, I…" Remus swallowed hard, and then seeing the look on the Headmaster's face, he knew now was not the time for vain excuses and promises.

Snape was already waiting in the Headmaster's office, sitting stiffly in one of the chairs opposite the Headmaster's. He did not turn when the door opened and Remus walked in with the Headmaster, but instead stood staring straight ahead, making no attempt to acknowledge Remus' presence.

"Snape, I'm sorry. I know that sounds…not enough…but I don't know what to say. I didn't know you were going to be there. If I did…I would have…" Remus stammered to a stop, not knowing what to say. "I would have done something…you have to believe me."

"I, Mr. Lupin, do not believe you. Nor your so called …friends." Snape said coldly, still not looking at him, but nodding at the Headmaster who took his seat at the desk.

"Please, gentlemen, be seated."

Remus sat down uncomfortably. Facing Severus, he licked his lips and tried again. "Severus, listen…I know what you think. But you're wrong. I never, I never meant to harm you. I will take Veritaserum if you want. I will take any truth serum you chose."

"Mr. Snape and I have spoken about this at length and have reached an impasse. I have asked you here only to ascertain if there is a solution to this problem. Other, that is, than bringing the Ministry into Hogwarts' business."

Remus felt his stomach fall; nodding quietly he lowered his head and breathed through parted lips, trying not to sob aloud. "I will agree to what ever you decide."

"You have no choice," Severus sneered. "Werewolves have no place here. You should be locked up someplace with other dangerous animals."

"Fuck off, Snape," Remus stood up and turned to glare at him. "I am not as dangerous as that monster you call Lord. At least I haven't hurt anyone. I would rather die than do that. What about Voldemort? What about that Malfoy you hang around with? Should we send the Ministry over to their place too?"

Severus stood so quickly the backs of his legs toppled the chair, his hand slid into his pocket as he felt his ebony wand. "You do not know what you are saying."

"No? Want to take me to your Lord? I hear he has quite a collection going."

"Enough!" Albus roared as he came to his feet, leaning his hands on his desk and glowering at the pair of them. "Mr. Snape, you will not belittle any student within these halls, and Mr. Lupin, you will not cast aspersions you cannot back up. We are here to settle this for the last time. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Headmaster," Severus said smugly and righted his chair, sitting on it and looking straight ahead.

"Clear," Remus smirked. "Yeah, let me know what cage to crawl into." He turned on his heel and left the office, all but running down the circular stairs and apparated as soon as his foot touched the ground outside of the gates.

"Remus?" Rhea opened the door having heard the sound of uncontrolled apparation, and cried out, seeing Remus sitting on the ground. "What happened?"

She ran to him, falling on her knees, and reached up to pull his face to her, looking for damage he could have sustained from the night before. "None the worse for wear. Your arms? Roll up your sleeves."

"They know," he locked his eyes on hers, "Potter played a prank. It … they know. Nothing happened… no one was hurt. But...I could have. I could have killed him. Mum, what do I do now? I don't know what to do."

Rhea swallowed hard and glanced down to the barn. "John is still here. Should I …"

"No, Mum…if it gets to the Ministry that he has been hiding me he will lose his job."

"He knows that," she said softly. "It is one of the things we are ready for. We put back money each payday just in case. So don't worry about that, we have saved up enough for a few months."

"You could lose the farm. If people like Spencer…"

"Stop this. You cannot live your life on what may happen to us. Now tell me how bad it is."

By the time he had finished telling her what had happened, they were sitting in the kitchen, a pot of tea sitting untouched on the table and breakfast cold and uneaten.

"Then I …I left. I figured they were going to kick me out."

"You don't know that," Rhea sighed.

"No, but what else could they do? Everyone will know about me. I don't think Snape will keep his mouth shut."

"Do you blame him?" John asked from the doorway, where he had been standing unbeknownst to Remus.

"No," Remus answered honestly. "But…I think I would at least give the other guy a chance to explain. Dad, he would not even look at me. He didn't give me a chance."

"I once had a call to a house down in Knockturn, domestic problem. Nothing special, but this guy wouldn't look at me. He kept telling me, quite clearly, what I could do with my wand and what the Ministry could do …well, you get the picture. It bothered me. I kept on at him until he looked at me. That is when all bloody hell broke loose. He could keep his anger under control until then, but looking at me…he had to deal with me…and he did not want to. I forced him into it. Learned a lot about domestic cases that day."

"You think this boy is doing the same?" Rhea asked, looking at Remus. "Maybe your dad is right. Maybe you should give him a chance. At least talk to the Headmaster."

"I'll take him," John said, pushing away from the wall.

"I'll have to be registered now."

"Yes," John agreed. "I had hoped you could have finished school first."

"What if I can't finish?"

John looked at Rhea and saw her eyes fill with tears before she turned back to the sink and started sorting the breakfast dishes. "What if you do?"

"John, please," she spun back to plead with him. "Not now, we don't need to get into this."

"I think we do. Son, whether you finish or not, if you are a registered werewolf you will never get a job in this world. Even unregistered where do you plan on working? Do you know a place that will give you time off every full moon and not catch on to what you are?"

"It will change," Remus said firmly. "Someday it will change, and where will I be then if I don't finish? The Headmaster said that I am only the first, he said that …"

"Exactly." John said flatly. "If you don't fight this, if you don't get back in that school, there will never be another. There are a lot counting on you lad. More than you can imagine. Not just werewolves, but people like that gamekeeper up there. You have a chance your brother never had."

"You didn't see him. You didn't see how angry he is."

"Give him a chance. If he is any kind of wizard, he will see the point. He may not like it, he may always be right around the corner, waiting for you to make another mistake, but give him a chance."