Magnolia Crescent
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Remus
"So, do you have time to explain yourself?" Remus asked, looking at Sirius. The Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher looked over his morning paperwork. He didn't respond but continued to look over the papers on his desk. "Well?" Lupin pressed.
"I went back over a few of Harry's potions. He is rather good at them, but for some reason, his grades aren't reflecting that. In fact, despite everything, they seem to be getting worse," Sirius answered. "So, I decided to do a little investigation of my own."
"You should have talked to Dumbledore instead of sneaking around Severus's potion closet," Remus chided with a frown. "You could have lost your job."
"It's not his – he gets all his funding from the school. Everything in this school is open access – no matter how much he cries fowl if something goes missing," Sirius replied, continuing to look over his papers.
"Well, you missed out," Remus said after a moments silence. "I've got some practice to get to and Harry will be joining me. If you feel the need to let me in on what you are doing that you couldn't just buy, it would be appreciated."
"My so- godson," Sirius said, catching himself as he put the parchment aside. He stood up and the quill began to move on its own. "Has, by his actions, proven that Dumbledore cannot always see everything that he should. So I am making sure that I give him something that he cannot just glance over – evidence that Snape is not just negligent, but hampering the growth of students and their studies. I will not allow any insult or barb he has get at me. But Snape seems content to let the sins of the father fall on the son. And if Harry loses, the Wizarding world will be a much darker place."
"I see your point. But why not let me in?" Remus asked. Sirius leaned against the wall and chewed over his answer.
"It's more than that, a lot more and you have enough black stains on your record as it is. No thanks to Snivellus," Sirius growled, releasing a sigh. "I found Harry on the street, running away from his relatives. What kind of man puts a child in a place where even a convicted killer is capable of finding him?" he asked, looking at Lupin.
"It was dumb luck, Sirius. You know a lot more about how Muggles work. It would take a lot more," Remus said but Sirius cut him off.
"Oh, Remus, I know what you're doing but there is more to it. I know Snape was behind your decision to leave. He set people up to follow the breadcrumbs and Dumbledore let him get off scot-free. Neither had a single person speak out against them. The other teachers have their own issues and anyone outside of Dumbledore's full loyalty have enough saying power or proof to force his hand. I am the only one that has crossed him with doing anything underhanded by the simple fact that Harry genuinely likes and respects me. And from what I have gathered, is seldom few. He seems committed to facing any danger alone rather than try and find help outside of Hermione and Ron. So, I am going to show him, and you, that there are people outside of this school who are willing to help him fight the dark forces," Sirius said in a surprisingly even tone.
"And what does this have to do with sneaking into the Potions Master's closet?" Remus asked, crossing his arms.
"By fixing the small ones first," he said with a coy smile. "Now then, I do believe you have an appointment to keep?"
"Sorry about Harry," Remus started. "I should have been there for him." But Sirius cut him off.
"Your little monthly problem puts combat on any solo parenting. I understand, besides, Harry seems more than happy to have you around. So, holding it against you would be unfair on all of us," he interjected.
"It's more than that. While everything was going on, I was seeing a Potions Master and offering me and my ailment as a means to finding a better suppressing agent. It left me drained and unable to do much outside of recover."
"Who was helping you with that?" Sirius asked, brows creasing together in thought.
"A mixture of people, some of which were the Tonks family. That was only in recovery and I tried to keep the exact reasons for my visits spotty as best," he admitted.
"Ah, they let us use their place as a safe house," Sirius said, brightening when he remembered the pair. "Distant relatives of mine, good people. I really should put them back on the family tree," he mused, slouching back into his chair. "So many memories. Reminds me of the time we were almost on the run from Voldemort. Lily and James sure did give him a run for his money that night. Well, mostly Lily but you know, when we showed up, he turned tail and ran. I wish it was still that easy but the damn bastard isn't nearly as bold as he used to be," Sirius lamented.
"Maybe he learned his lesson and will try a new approach," Remus suggested.
"Hmm, he may if he can get his body back. I'm not too concerned. If Harry can handle him, I've got a feeling the lot of us won't have too much of an issue," he said, regaining his mirth.
"Don't get too overconfident. It was the death of many a great wizard, try not to join them," Remus warned. Sirius playfully rolled his eyes, pulling out a pocket watch and beginning to twirl it by the chain. "Crap," he said, his face falling as he rushed for the door.
Remus jogged through the halls, students watching warily and giving him a wide berth. He ignored the looks; he had figured they would happen. He took the familiar stairs and before he could catch his breath, burst into the designated room.
"Ah, Lupin," a familiar voice greeted.
"Tonks," he said, spotting the young Auror. Harry was, as per his habit, sitting quietly on a bench in the long and mostly empty room.
"So you were the one Moody wanted to give a refresher course in," Nymphadora Tonks said, crossing her arms and looking at him. "It's been a while; my mum said you ended your consultation with her over a year ago. Feeling better, I hope?" she asked, watching him. Her gaze made him feel uneasy and he rubbed at the back of his head.
"Well, I had to put my teaching responsibilities first," Remus admitted, inwardly cursing Moody for his replacement being her of all people.
"Understandable. It's good to see you, seeing you as how that potion you took regularly, well, it gets worrisome if you don't contact your friends once a month," she said. Remus felt his face reddening. Tonks sighed and shook her head. "I am sounding like my mother. Anyways, I got to talk with Harry. He got here kind of early and he seems like a good kid, good choice for your first adoption with your boyfriend Sirius," she rambled. Remus felt his jaw slacken and drop while she carried on. "Have to admit, a former inmate, never would have guessed. I would have thought someone fun, you know, like me. But you think you know a guy," she said, stretching her hands out to the side.
"Ah," was all that Remus could say. But he looked at Harry and mouthed "help me." Harry only smiled nervously at him. "So, where is Moody?" he finally managed.
"What, am I not good enough?" she asked, her hair turning red.
"Not at all, in fact I don't feel so bad shooting of stunners at you, considering his age," Remus backpedaled.
"That's what she said," she smiled, her hair turning pink. "Moody had his own things to deal with and I had some vacation time saved up. So I agreed to get you back into shape. If you needed to, you have just asked me outright. We are friends, right?" she asked, a dangerous glint in her eye.
"Of course," Remus replied, never even noticing it. "I just figured you were being a very productive Auror. I didn't want to presume you would have time for me," he said honestly, smiling warmly. He continued speaking as he walked past her. "Just let me take my cloak off. I've got a feeling this is going to be a bit more active than my normal stretches," he said, failing to notice the red blush creeping up her face. He tossed the cloak aside where it landed on the bench beside Harry. He quickly scooted away from it as though it were infected. Remus pulled out his wand, and without a word, folded it into a neat pile with a simple twist of his wand. He rolled it between his fingers before adjusting his tie.
"You know, Moody would get on your case for having your wand so close to your face," Tonks pointed out. Remus put his hands behind his back, turning the wand in his fingers.
"True, but as a former Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, I think I am qualified to adjust my tie before a friendly spar," he said calmly. "So long as you don't tell him," he added with a smile.
"Our little secret, now then," she said and they both readied their wands. Harry waited, expecting the normal dueling etiquette but Tonks settled for sending a stunner at Remus. He kept a calm stance while the spells bounced off his shields. He seemed content to keep his feet planted one in front of the other. He was calm and collected, more so than any duelists Harry had seen before. Tonks let off more spells, each one arching and twisting to show amazing control over each one. But Remus had no issues, his wand twitching as he deflected the spells that tried to circumvent his shield.
"Now that the warm-up is over, shall we?" she asked, giving a coy smirk. Remus retaliated, sending off a series of spells that Harry did not know but it caused the floor to ripple. Not even bothering to put up a shield, Tonks just started running and cast a similar spell. Remus bent his knees while a faint orb of almost transparent magic slammed into his shield. But it only went sailing overhead, colliding with the back wall. Remus was already sending off a series of Stunning spells while copying a much stronger version of Tonks' last spell.
Tonks was already sweating while Remus stood his ground, seeming to ignore anything that she could dish out. All the while, he was forcing her to move by cannon-balling any shield she could hope to put up. Remus was not asked to be a teacher for nothing. Unlike his old friend Sirius, he didn't have a flair but simple style that was all about defense and bringing down the opponent.
Tonks glared at older man who had her running circles. She tripped but her footing seemed to shift and she fell into a roll. She spun, landing on one knee and sent off a massive spell. It consisted of about five Stunning spells that spun around each other. Remus had been backpedaling, not expecting her to trip, but he quickly stopped attacking to defend.
The spells each hit their mark and she began to close the distance, rushing him with spell after spell. Before Harry had realized it, he was clinging to the bench with Remus almost running in reverse. He smirked, suddenly making a sharp turn. His spells stopped and with a quick zigzag motion of his wand, a wall rose up in front of him. Tonks blasted into the wall, sending up rock and dust. Remus let out a Stunning spell, but it hit the rocks that she was now levitating in front of her. She sent them flying but Remus tossed them away easily. He dived to the side, letting off another spell while the rocks crashed into the spot where he had just stood. Tonks swatted them away as Remus did a quick spiral with his wand. She hit him with a Stunning spell, sending him skidding across the floor.
A low creaking sound echoed around the room. A glance upwards told them that the ceiling was cracking around the chandelier. They jumped out of the way as it shattered to the floor. The dust erupted into flame around the fallen candles.
Remus waved his hands, parting the fire away and leaving him unharmed between two pillars of fire. He could feel his hair clinging to his face as the fire roared around him. He made another motion, causing sand to fall from the sky. As the fire was extinguished, it was only replaced by more. A wind picked up in the room suddenly and Remus realized what Tonks was planning on doing. And he all but helped her. He could see glass shards forming around him, his coat getting slashed as they moved through the air. Harry had a mixed look of horror and awe on his face.
"I can't keep this up," Remus realized. He smirked, flicking his wand and blasting the wind away from him as Tonks ended her bombardment. His legs began to shake; the exertion off so much magic had left him winded. "I concede," he breathed out, dropping to his knees and weakly holding onto his wand.
"Lupin, you didn't need to push yourself that hard," Tonks chided, rushing to his side when she saw him. Harry sat, blinking owlishly, his hair looking as if he had just been in a cyclone. The room was covered in sand, rock and scorch marks, especially where the floor and ceiling had been.
"Lupin, that was amazing!" Harry praised, rushing over when he sensed something was up.
"He still didn't need to push himself this far. With your condition, your body can only take so much stress as it is," she scolded, frowning at the older man.
"Did you learn anything?" Remus asked, looking at Harry as he caught his breath.
"Yeah, I think so. I need to be careful because anything I bring into the field can be used against me. And rock makes a good shield against Stunning spells," he said.
"And even the Killing Curse," Tonks added. "While they love to say there is no defense, most solid objects – at least an inch thick and not made of paper – can, in fact, protect you in most cases. However, it's worth trying since your best bet is just to run instead of conjuring up walls. Which is very time consuming and draining, I might add. You used up your practicality and went far too flashy," she said, her explanation turning again to scorn.
"I needed to show him rather than tell him. He is a Champion, remember?" Remus said. Her eyes went wide at the realization. He clapped her on the shoulder and Harry pulled him to his feet. "Now she gets it. I think a drink and some chocolate, that always makes me feel better."
"That was amazing," Harry said, looking up at his former teacher.
"I try. Unlike your father and Sirius, I did in fact want to be, not just a duelist, but a wizard on par with Dumbledore. But my little problem makes it impossible to push my body and my mind to its limits. What you just saw is only a fraction of what a true sorcerer can do. It's sad really; the magic could be so much more if so many pureblood families didn't take every secret to their grave," Remus bemoaned, thinking over all of the lost knowledge.
"What do you mean? I thought Hogwarts had all the practical and nonlethal magic around," Harry asked.
"They would like you to believe that. The trouble it, that's not the case. A lot of magic is kept in pureblood libraries and some vaults at Gringotts. Not to mention, all the dusty crap the Ministry has around. In most cases, if a family dies off, any family magic or spells go to a close family member. More often than not, the goblins seal up the vault, robbing us of any magical knowledge we could get.
"There must be some way of getting it back," Harry said thoughtfully. Remus grabbed a mug of butterbeer and chugged it.
"Well, there are two ways: recreate it or black magic. Both you can see in full with Dumbledore and Voldemort respectively. It's hard, and you have to be a special kind of person to get into the more hidden magicks. Even then, it's rare if you can get out without a blood oath of some kind to keep you from teaching it," he replied, wiping some foam off his mouth.
"Sounds selfish," Harry commented. Remus pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at his forehead.
"It is. The Muggles may have developed socially, but the Wizarding world is not so quick to change. Just like the magical creatures that surround us," he said.
"And sometimes for good reason. We don't need powerful wizards, just practical," Tonks added, eyeing Remus dangerously.
"Aye, but sometimes a practical wizard is no good against the dark forces. And if people are still gunning for Harry, I need to be able to do the work of five wizards," he retorted with a confident but warm smile.
"Men," Tonks sighed, shaking her head as she stood up. With a wave of her wand, the sand vanished and the room began to repair itself. "Now then, I think that is enough. Do let me know if you need your arse kicked again. Perhaps some personal time as well, so we can see how long you can really last," Tonk said, winking at him before walking off in a rather sensual manner.
Harry and Remus sat on the bench for a few minutes more, enjoying the silence.
"Well, Harry, I think she's right. That's enough for now. This summer, I think it would be a good idea to start teaching you some of the more fun spells," he said, smirking.
"Thanks, Lupin. I appreciated it, even if you did almost get burned," Harry replied, concern in his voice.
"Doting on me, just like your mother," he said, chuckling. Then he sighed halfheartedly. "I would have had her if she hadn't tripped." He laughed, leaning back against the wall. Harry relaxed as well and after a few moments, heard deep breathing. He glanced over and realized that Lupin had drifted off to sleep.
Merry belated Christmas! And here is your Christmas present, dear readers. A chance to follow Lupin in a day at Hogwarts. Hopefully he can get Sirius under control soon, though. Anyways, R&R and let us know what you thought of this chapter.
~LE