A/N: This is a much shorter chapter than the last one, but I wanted to get this banged out. I think it's pretty crappy, but I promise it's going to get better. I might expand this later when I'm not too tired and such. Anyways, read and review :)
12 years later.
June 1993
For the fourth time in a year, Remus Lupin found himself without a place to live. He couldn't call Kingsley again; he couldn't keep staying with him every time his land lord found out he was a werewolf. Plus Remus was pretty sure Kingsley had a girlfriend, and wouldn't appreciate his company anyway. Moody never had visitors, and certainly wouldn't put up with Remus for however long it took to get back on his feet. Maybe it was time to immigrate to America, take up a new identity, and pretend that the past 13 years never happened. He could be Raymond Lewis, a suave Brit looking for a teaching position at the Salem Witches Institute. He would teach Defense Against the Dark Arts…it would be perfect.
But that would mean leaving Harry.
He hadn't met him yet, as much as he wanted to. Two years ago, when Harry was 11, he wanted so much to be the one who introduced Harry to the world of magic, but when the time came, it had been a full moon, and Remus was in no shape to drag Harry around Diagon Alley. So Hagrid was sent instead. Then Dumbledore had advised him against seeing him through the year, something about not overloading the boy. Then last year began Remus's housing troubles and Harry didn't need a homeless man coming and telling him all about his parents…that wouldn't be proper.
Well maybe he could take out a room at the Leakey Cauldron while he looked around for a place to stay that didn't want background check.
Then Remus remembered he was broke.
Well that shot that idea….
Remus took his suitcase and made for Diagon Alley. He had enough money to get a meal at least before he resigned himself to being homeless.
Tom the barman took one look at Remus and told him he could have a room and board for free for a week and work as a waiter until he was back on his feet. Remus thanked him profusely, never expecting such kind action from someone who knew of his condition. As he stammered his thanks Tom put a plate of fish and chips in front of him and told him to eat up.
And so, Lupin's life took a turn for the better. After twelve years of flitting from job to job, flat to flat, he now had a room and three meals a day (which Tom continued to let him have for half the salary he was making as a waiter). He saw friends he hadn't seen in years working at the Cauldron, and he felt healthier than he had in years. Before the full moon came on the fourth of July, Tom made sure he had the Wolfsbane potion the week before and made sure his room was locked the night of. Every time that Remus asked Tom why he was treating him so well, Tom just grinned his goofy grin and told him to go wipe down another table. For a few weeks, life was better than he ever imagined.
On July 31, that changed.
For the second time in his life, Remus Lupin awoke in the early hours of the morning to find Albus Dumbledore in his room. Well that was a lie, the last time he was waiting in the kitchenette. But it was still in the same vein.
"Pro-Albus! What's going on , what are you doing here?"
"Ah Remus, awake I see. Excellent."
"Yes Albus, I'm awake. What's the matter? Is something wrong?"
"This is another case of good news-bad news."
"Well, what's the bad news then? Is there something wrong with Harry?"
"What? No, Harry's fine, aside from his Uncle's sister visiting of course. And I want to tell you the good news first!" Dumbledore smiled his half-smile and patted Remus on the shoulder.
It seems that we have a staff vacancy at Hogwarts for the upcoming term. Defense Against the Dark Arts. If I remember correctly, that was a subject at which you excelled back in your Hogwarts days. And I know for a fact that you have done your best to get research jobs when you have gotten jobs at all."
"But, sir, Albus, I'm not qualified! I've never taught a class before in my life!"
"Ah, but has it not always been your aspiration to be a teacher?"
"Well yes, but…I'm quite happy in my position here."
"As a waiter?" Dumbledore looked incredulous.
"Well…."
"Then it's decided. You'll teach Defense!" Dumbledore clapped his hands together in joy.
"But, what about my condition? Parents won't want a werewolf teaching their children!"
"There are things that the staff of the school are privy to that the rest of the world need not be. Don't worry. Severus can brew you the Wolfsbane potion, and of course the Shack will be available should you ever need it."
"Severus? As in Snape?"
"Yes, of course. He's been teaching Potions for the past 12 years. and is completely qualified to make the Wolfsbane potion."
"He can put aside the childhood grudges then?"
"Yes, Severus has my complete and utter trust in all matters."
"Then, I will take the job. I'll have to give Tom my notice though if I'm to be back on the first of September."
"Tom never expected you to stay past then. He's always known this was a temporary job for you. Though he has told me you're the best employee he has ever had and he will be devastated to see you go. You need time to set up lesson plans, so I've gotten you a flat in Diagon Alley until September first. Tom said you can work when you want, but it's no longer set hours. Come in when you have the time."
"How much is the flat going to cost? Diagon Alley is an expensive place."
"Consider it the first part of your teaching salary" said Dumbledore with a twinkle in his eye.
"Wow," murmured Lupin, shocked at the conversation. The last time Dumbledore had visited him at home his life had been shattered. This time…
"Wait, a minute, you never told me the bad news!"
"Ah well, there has been an escape from Azkaban…." Dumbledore was ringing his hands.
"Oh?" Remus's stomach dropped. For the first time in his life, he wished for Bellatrix Lestrange to be behind something. For if Bellatrix had escaped, it meant that…that he hadn't"
"It's Sirius. It will be in the Prophet in the morning. I just thought you ought to hear it from me first."
"Um, right."
"If you need someone to talk to Remus, remember, I'm always only an owl away. Enjoy the flat, I look forward to seeing your curriculum for the upcoming year" And with one last wan smile, Dumbledore left Remus's room.
Remus didn't move for an hour. Sirius was out. He had escaped. Remus hated himself for being slightly happy that he had escaped. Hated himself for not telling Dumbledore about his Animagus capabilities. Hated himself for wanting Sirius to find him, to explain what happened.
Remus knew why he had been offered the job, Dumbledore wanted to keep an eye on him. Dumbledore knew Remus better than he knew himself. Was Remus going to decline the job? Of course not. It was a teaching position at the best school of magic in the world! Far better than the Salem Witches Institute. So what if Dumbledore wanted to make sure Remus didn't help Sirius? Given their history, it only made sense.
Remus smoothed back his hair. Look at it this way, he told himself, you'll be teaching Harry.
It was August 31, and Remus was packing up his flat in Diagon Alley. He had few belongings, just a few sets of robes, bed sheets, some photographs, and his entire library. All in all, he managed to fit it all into his worn suitcase. All the photos he had managed to collect for Harry had been passed along to Hagrid during Harry's first year. Even though Remus had hoped to pass them onto Harry himself, he thought Hagrid's photo album idea a splendid one, and wanted to contribute as much as he could.
All the furniture had come with the room, but even with the chairs and bed in place, once his scant personal items had been packed it seemed much emptier than it had just the day before. For the fifth time since the morning, Remus checked to see if his train ticket was still in his pocket. He thought it to be a bit silly for a teacher to be taking the train with the students, but even though he told Dumbledore he could apparate to Hogsmeade, Dumbledore insisted that he take the train.