Don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter 5- Remus Lupin an example for all

The following weeks were filled with tension for Remus. He was constantly worrying about whether the petition would get enough signatures or not, and if it did, should he take the job? Would it be dangerous to his students to have him as a professor? Finally Harry convinced him it would be fine. The only reason things had gone wrong the last time was because they'd had to face Wormtail the night Remus was supposed to drink his potion. And the job being cursed hadn't exactly helped. This time Wormtail was gone, and the curse had been lifted when Voldemort died. In the meantime, at Teddy's suggestion, Remus began outlining lesson plans. He might as well be prepared in case he did get the job.

Finally one day when Ron and Hermione were visiting, an official looking barn own arrived carrying two letters. Self controlled though he always was, his hands shook as he took the letters and paid the owl. As long as he hadn't read the letters yet, he could still have hope that he had been given the job. If he read them and learned he hadn't been hired, there would be no more hoping. He stared at the envelopes a moment before finally Tonks intervened.

"Oh for Heaven's sake Remus open it. If it's bad news you're no worse off than you are now. There are other jobs out there, so if you don't get this one it's just their loss."

Remus tore the one from the Ministry open first. A long list of names was inside. Seven hundred and seventy seven names. Far more than was needed to be a professor again. Also enclosed was a note saying the ministry had no reservations against Remus working as long as he continued taking the Wolf bane potion before the full moon. Now if only Hogwarts accepted his application.

Almost more afraid of this letter than the first, Remus intended to read it slowly, but as soon as he read the first words he couldn't help reading it aloud as excited as if it were the most impressive novel:

Dear Professor Lupin,

We are pleased to inform you that your application for the position of Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has been accepted. The staff looks forward to seeing you on September first, and trust you will have the first term's lesson plans prepared by that time.

Yours Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Headmistress

Remus almost fell back on the sofa in relief. He had a job. And it was a job he had always enjoyed. He could start to make a better life for his family. He was only half aware that his family and friends were all cheering and giving their congratulations.

"I can't believe it. I don't know how I can ever possibly thank you enough Harry. Helping to get the legislation abolished and setting up the petition and everything."

"Don't forget Hermione," Ron said. "She's done a lot to help do away with the unjust laws."

Remus nodded and smiled at Hermione. "I wasn't exaggerating when I said you're the cleverest witch of you're age I've ever met."

Hermione smiled herself, always delighted when someone complimented her intelligence, but merely said "Well it's only what was right. And if it hadn't been for that hag Umbridge and others like her, people would have seen that long ago."

Everyone had to agree with that.

September first was approaching fast, and before long it was time to go to Diagon Alley. Harry's children were too young to go to Hogwarts yet, but James wanted to look at brooms in Quality Quidditch Supplies, and all the children were outgrowing their old robes. So the day was planned as an outing for the two families, with shopping for school supplies for Teddy. Both families had of course been here many times before, but it always held a sense of wonder for Harry. This had been where he had first entered the magical world, and he would never forget his first sight of it. It looked much the same now as it had that day. The street was busy and the shops were full. The children couldn't wait to visit all the shops, although James seemed to think they were wasting time at Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions and especially at Flourish & Blotts. Teddy seemed entranced at the bookstore though, an obvious lover of reading.

After buying Teddy his textbooks and a copy of Practical Defensive Magic Its Use Against the Dark Arts just for something to read in his spare time, the group restocked on potions ingredients at the Apothecary and then made their way to Eeylops Owl Emporium. It had taken a long time after Hedwig died before Harry was willing to go there, but he'd finally realized how much he needed an owl, and Hagrid had surprised him with a beautiful barn owl named Darcey several Christmases ago. Teddy had often used Darcey, but this year everyone wanted to chip in to buy him his own owl. Teddy didn't want anyone going to any trouble for him, so he decided on an inexpensive little tawny owl who seemed like he was smart and eager but with a playful side.

To finish out the day, they decided to a visit to George at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes before going out for dinner at the Leaky Cauldron. Everyone enjoyed a nice talk at the joke shop, and Albus and Lily each left with a pygmy puff and James left with a box Harry could only pray didn't have portable swamps or Wildfire Whiz-Bangs.

"Specially made and free for our best customer," George said, laughing as Harry shot him a look.

Remus was laughing himself. "That James reminds me more than a little of his grandfather," he said fondly.

Meals at the Leaky Cauldron were usually fun, but it was too crowded today for Teddy's liking. It seemed like everyone out shopping had the same idea the Lupins and Potters had. Teddy loved making friends, but he was still very shy, especially around girls, and uncomfortable in crowds. It didn't help when a girl came up behind him.

"Hi Teddy."

He groaned.

"Oh, hi Emma."

The girl was grinning and giggling, acting as if Teddy had just asked her on a date.

"Who's this, Teddy?" Tonks asked.

"Emma Leavesden. She's in my year."

Everybody greeted Emma and started talking with her like she was an old friend. Teddy could only hope she'd go away soon. She was a nice enough girl, but Teddy never knew what to say around her, or any other girl for that matter. Anything he thought of to say, he was sure it would sound silly to them. Thankfully he was rescued when his godfather's friend Hagrid and Hagrid's son Harry Albus walked over. Seeing that she wouldn't have much chance of talking to Teddy alone, Emma quietly left, and while the adults all chatted happily, Teddy started his own conversation with Harry Albus.

"Got all yer school supplies?" Harry asked, with just a touch of his father's accent.

"Yup. Got a new owl too."

Always the animal lover, Hagrid was quick to praise what a beautiful owl the little tawny was.

"Decided on a name for 'im yet?"

"Name?"

"Well yeah, 'e's gotta have a name, don' 'e?"

Teddy looked at the owl a minuet, hoping a name would come to him. Finally one did.

"Talbot," he said quietly, and the newly named owl gave a hoot of approval.

That got everyone talking about magical creatures they'd known, especially Witherwings, a beautiful gray hippogriff. Now growing old, the hippogriff was still as proud as always and living happily in Hagrid's care.

With so many people in the pub talking excitedly, it could be a bit difficult to hear, but suddenly there was one voice that could be heard very clearly.

"What do you think you're doing here wolf boy?"

Teddy though for a second someone was taking the chance to pick at him or his father, but when he turned he saw a muscular looking boy who could have been part troll staring down a smaller boy who looked a year or so younger than Teddy.

"Just leave me alone Flint. I've never bothered anyone."

"Even during the full moon? You know your kind can't be trusted. I'm surprised they haven't put all you werewolves in Azkaban for safe keeping years ago."

Teddy, Remus, Tonks, and Harry Potter all got up at the same time, an identical look of anger on each of their faces, but Teddy gestured for them to let him handle it. Teddy had met Flint before, and knew best how to deal with him. Remus felt pride for his son swelling next to the anger at Flint. He knew the people who would stand up for a werewolf were few and far between, and that doing so took a lot of courage.

"I'd lay off him Flint, if I were you."

The bigger boy turned on Teddy.

"Well if that isn't sweet. The freak sticking up for the wolf. Of course you've got wolf blood in you too, haven't you? Beasts of the same fur run together in a pack, is that it? And it isn't even the full moon yet. It's getting so a pureblood family can't even go shopping without running into people like you."

"Well for being from a pureblood family you don't seem to have learned any manners."

Teddy seemed to have struck a nerve.

"At least I have a family, which is more than you can say."

It was a taunt that Flint had used against Teddy many times before, but this time it wouldn't work.

"Actually I have a family. My father's going to teach Defense next term," he said quietly.

"You mean your godfather? You love throwing up the fact that you're connected to the famous Potters don't you?"

"When I said my father, I meant it. Professor Remus Lupin."

Flint was laughing sinisterly. "Your parents are dead."

Teddy looked over at the table where his family sat.

"They look alive and healthy to me."

Flint was about to say something when he finally noticed the man with gray streaks in his hair and the woman who's own hair was bubblegum pink staring at him with disgust. Flint had seen their picture in a textbook at Hogwarts once, and recognized them easily. Remus got up again and made a move as if he were about to walk over. Flint was pretty thick, but not so thick that he didn't understand Remus obviously wouldn't stand for bullying, especially of his own son. Flint sneered, but not wanting to get off badly with the teacher of a subject he was already close to failing, he slunk off. He made sure to get in one last insult though.

"Better watch yourself. Your pack won't always be close by to protect you. And I wouldn't count on your werewolf father lasting too long. Looks like one good curse would finish him off. And I know a fair few curses that would be especially effective against a werewolf. People would thank me for getting rid of a dangerous beast if I did."

Teddy was tempted to put his own wand to good use, pulling it out of his pocket for a moment, but knew he couldn't outside school grounds. Instead he called after him.

"Brilliant idea. I'm sure a defense professor couldn't handle a curse from a student. Good thinking." It was a fairly lame comeback, he thought to himself, but at least Flint knew he wouldn't back down.

The smaller boy ginned at Teddy.

"Thanks."

Teddy shrugged. "No problem. I hate seeing people treated like that. I'm Teddy, by the way. Teddy Lupin."

The other boy's jaw dropped.

"Really! That wasn't a bluff? Your dad really is Remus Lupin? And he's really alive and going to teach Defense?"

"Yeah."

"Oh Merlin! Do you know how much I've heard about him? He's famous, at least in my family. Whenever I'd run into people like Flint my mum would always remind me that with werewolves like Remus Lupin who were war heroes and everything I had nothing to hang my head about."

Teddy felt a slight warmth hearing his dad was so highly thought of, but wasn't quite sure what to say until the other boy suddenly said

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Ulrich."

"Er, Ulrich? Why don't you come sit with my family? I'm sure my dad would love to meet one of his future students. You're going to Hogwarts this year right?"

Ulrich beamed at the idea of joining them, and the talk turned to classes and the castle and what house Ulrich would probably be in. Now that Ulrich had settled down, Teddy could see he was a sweet natured kid, rather like a puppy, and couldn't help thinking he had Hufflepuff written all over him.

Remus listened to the children talk, watching them carefully, especially Teddy. Seeing the way Flint had taunted Teddy about werewolves, Remus couldn't help wondering if his son had endured that from others his entire life, just because of who and what his father happened to be. He thought briefly back to that night when he'd considered leaving Tonks and their then unborn son because he'd thought they would be better off without him. He knew the extremes the hatred and prejudice for his kind could reach and had hoped his family would be spared that. He should have known better. There would always be those who would treat Teddy like a lower life form, someone who didn't belong in the same world as normal wizards, because of him, even if he hadn't been able to be with his son for years.

Over time the laws had thankfully been changed, but old prejudices and fears were still there. It didn't matter that werewolves were helpless to stop their transformations. Yet Teddy just seemed glad to have his parents back in his life. It wasn't just that the problem of his father's illness didn't matter to him. He acted as if there were no problem. And he had just shown courage worthy of any Gryffindor, showing no fear at standing up for what was right. Remus had often been looked to as a teacher, and from what he just heard other werewolves had come to look up to him with the closest thing to pride they were ever allowed to feel. But now he was finding it was time he learned a lesson in bravery from his son.

Author's note: Any new characters except for the owls and Flint belong to DanMat6288, a very gifted writer, especially of creating new characters. If you enjoy my story I urge you to read the series Dan will be putting up soon, called The Periwinkle Years. It borrows some ideas from this, and has many exception new ideas. Bound to be wonderful. I owe the inspiration to make this chapter from both Dan's characters and a video on you tube.