Author's Note: Most people seemed either neutral or negative on the OC front, so I'll just toss that idea. Thank you to all who voiced their opinions. As for this chapter, a request was made, and I didn't have anything in particular planned for this chapter, so…

[Remus Lupin]

Friday, February 6, 1981

Hello Harry!

It's great to see you again- I've missed you. It's been a great while, hasn't it? I'm very busy, unfortunately, but your mother insisted that I came over as soon as I was able. She worries too much about me. She's always been prone to mothering, but since she became an actual mum it's gotten worse.

Well I say worse. It's very kind of her, and it's nice to have close friends, especially in these times.

Speaking of friends, I haven't seen Sirius very much as of late. I'm not quite sure why, either. But of course he's probably incredibly busy as well. The war has taken its toll on all of us- Sirius must just be feeling it heavily recently. I'm sure that I will see him again soon- we are likely just missing each other by accident.

I haven't seen Peter lately either, which is also odd. Of course I don't see him as often as I usually see Sirius, so maybe it isn't too surprising. He'll turn up soon enough, I expect.

And while I may have been coerced into visiting by your mother with promises of a home-cooked dinner, I enjoyed spending time with you as well. You're not the most stimulating conversationalist, but you certainly make up for a lack of any real words with a stunning amount of enthusiasm.

It probably won't much longer before you start actually talking. And if you're anything like James, you'll have trouble ever stop talking! Maybe there's some Lily-genes in there too, or we'll all be doomed. Though that isn't to say that Lily's reserved. No, when Lily wanted something known she certainly knew how to get her point across very effectively. When Lily wants something Merlin help whoever stands in her way, because she will tear them down in an instance. It's scary to watch, sometimes. Don't get in her way, okay Harry?

She probably has a soft spot for you, though. Lily's also fiercely protective when she wants to be. Your father as well. I feel bad for any (potential) sisters you may have, Harry, it's very possible that between Lily and James, any potential suitors will be driven off.

I kid, of course. I mean, mostly. Almost completely.

You've gotten much more active, which makes interacting with you that much more interesting. James got you a ball that's patterned like a quaffle, and you played with it for ages, just rolling it back and forth, sometimes tossing it away. You do seem inordinately surprised to see that it comes back every time, though you're delighted each time. James is certain that this means that you'll be a quidditch player. Though, to be fair, he seems to regard many of your normal behaviors as indicators of quidditch success.

There's music playing right now, some witch singer that Lily likes. Apparently she read in one of those numerous parent books that music is good for children your age. James keeps trying to introduce you to what he refers to as 'good music' (Lily and I remain unconvinced).

I suppose I have to talk about myself, though I don't particularly enjoy it. Still, you're probably interested, so I'll say a little. I'm still doing work for the war effort of course, unpleasant as it is. I have been looking in to getting a teaching license, though. I told you about that, right? I think so. It seems almost like an impossible dream, but I still can't help but want it.

The other Mauraders liked to make fun, but I suppose I've always had an interest in teaching. Hogwarts would be ideal of course, but I've had difficulty in finding a job at all, never mind one at Hogwarts. If people can't stand to be around me, I can hardly expect any of them would want me near their children. And I guess I can't really blame them. It's still frustrating, though.

Maybe I'll look into teaching at a muggle school after the war. It wouldn't be as ideal as teaching at a magical school, but I wouldn't have to tell my muggle employers about my 'furry little problem'. I'd have to catch up on some muggle schooling, but it might be worth it.

I don't know. I can't do it now, obviously, but I'll revisit the idea after the war. Here's to hoping it doesn't last much longer, yeah?

But that's enough about me- besides, there's hardly anything to talk about. I can't ask you about yourself, obviously, but I can wish you well. You're in Hogwarts, right? In your last year, if you've started it already.

Oh, that reminds me. I don't really and to bring it up to Lily and James in case it flops, but I can tell you, Harry. There's this potioneer- Damocles something or other. There's been some talk in the werewolf community that he's trying to cure lycanthropy. I don't want to get my hopes up, but at least someone's working on it. At least there's someone studying it.

I doubt he'll be able to do anything. Surely if there was a cure, it would have already been discovered. What's important is that this Damocles is studying lycanthropy like it's an illness. I'm telling you Harry, it's nice to be seen as something other than a half-human by a stranger. I'm hoping that this guy's research will bring attention to werewolves, maybe help some people realize that it's a condition, not a whole other species.

So that's hopeful, and I am glad to end on a happy note. With the war, it's sometimes difficult to notice the good parts in life.

Well, I must go now, Harry. Your mother's cooking, and I don't want dinner to get cold.

With love,

Moony

Author's Note: Damocles is, according to the Harry Potter wiki, the potioneer who created the Wolfsbane Potion "sometime after the mid-1970s". :) So Remus does have a reason to be hopeful.