Harry potter and the Time of Retirement

Everything related to Harry Potter belongs to JKR

Chapter 57 – Year 3

"We will really miss you, Harry" said Hannah, sniffing a little and hugging him tightly. Outside of the open door, the sky – already getting darker – could be seen, as was the sight of Godric's Hollow being covered in snow.

"I'll miss you too, Hannah" said Harry, smiling and patting her on her back. "Make sure to share my candies, but not on the train. No doubts everyone is done with sugar for a while."

Hannah giggled and moved away from him. "True. My mom is preparing a special dinner for me right now with a farewell chocolate. But I can meet my parents in Hogsmeade, at least. And by the way…"

"Yes, yes" said Harry, rolling his eyes. "Sally hinted at that already since last October. I'll make an effort to be there on some Sundays. I look forward on us drinking butterbeer all together, actually."

"You better" added Hannah, now grinning widely. "I'll be going. Take care, Harry."

"Say hi to everyone" said Harry, stepping back and waving with his hand. Hannah smiled one more time and waved herself as she left Harry's yard, one big package in her free hand. Harry closed the door behind her.

'And she is done' he thought, not unaffectionately. 'But my day isn't over yet' he considered. He had another appointment for the night.

Climbing up the stairs to his bedroom, Harry started to change. He had a new set of robes, a little extra he granted himself after he finally, finally got some money out of his deal with the apothecary. With a condescending smile, the merchant had conceded Harry's potions were good and asked for more.

With no smile at all, and only after some long haggling and several grumblings, he also offered 22 galleons instead of 20 and Harry was adamant that he expected more rises until he reached a final share of 25. Something that the apothecary snorted at, as he said that such a price would require a lot more trust built between them.

Walking down to the kitchen, he picked up the bottle of muggle wine he had prepared for the occasion. Bought on credit, as he still had no time to organize another exchange of materials with the muggles he met at the local pub. Still, as they said, they were happy to extend credit for just a mere bottle – so long as their next, promised, load of wood would arrive soon. Something that Harry had no problem promising for.

With everything ready he picked up his wand and, few instants later, he was once again in front of Grimmauld Place. His mood was not as good as the night might require – in fact, Harry sighed a little at the sight of the place – but he had been pestered by owl to show up and give Lupin a second chance, and in the end he had caved. Hopefully the results would be less annoying, this time around.

Knocking, being hardly welcomed by the hostile face of Kreacher and the silence of Mrs. Black portrait, and walking inside a – at least – not that dusty anymore manor were all common things to Harry by that point. He simply moved on, opening the door to the living room from which some chatter could already be heard. With no hesitation or knocking, Harry walked in.

"Good evening, everyone" he said, tone only slightly cordial, as the faces of both Black and Lupin turned towards him. On the table, already set, he could notice an opened bottle and two half emptied glasses.

"Harry, there you are! Come in, come in" said Black, as both him and Lupin stood up. "You brought something again? You shouldn't have."

"No food this time" said Harry, offering his package. "But I still wanted to show up with a bottle, at least."

Sirius just smiled, and turned to place it on the table. Meanwhile, Lupin got closer too.

"Hello, Harry" he started, evenly. "Let me apologize for how it went last time. To think I promised to leave my teacher side at home."

Harry said nothing, just raising one eyebrow in dismissal. Not enough to deter the man, apparently.

"This time, I want to listen to you. I am, truly, curious to know how you are doing lately" said Lupin. "Let's have a nice dinner."

"Fine by me" said Harry, moving one chair right in front of where the two men were sitting. Following his example, Sirius and Lupin sat down themselves.

"So, am I late or did you two meet earlier today?" asked Harry, filling his glass up with some butterbeer.

"The latter" said Sirius. "We wanted to catch up with adult stuff before you arrived."

"Not that you are not mature yourself, Harry" hurried on Lupin, apologetic. "Just things that wouldn't interest you."

Harry shook his head lightly, sighing lightly, but didn't press on. "Sure. So, tomorrow starts the new school year. Worried about that?"

"Not really" said Lupin, as Sirius was snapping his fingers at Kreacher to start serving dinner. "By now I am used to giving lessons. And Hogwarts has always felt like home to me."

"Or better than home" added Sirius, warmly.

"One of my neighbours, in Godric's Hollow, is going back to school tomorrow" said Harry. "I don't know if she would consider Hogwarts home, though. She goes along pretty well with her parents."

"That's the difference allright" commented Sirius with a nod. "Here, try some roast beef. Kreacher's best."

"We certainly don't want his worst" added Lupin, sniggering, while Kreacher – silently – tried to hide a scowl and went back to his corner of the room.

For a while they were busy cutting and eating, or commenting on the meat itself. Eventually, they slowed down enough to restart conversation.

"So, Harry" started Lupin. "About that living into James's house. Do you like it there?"

"Yes, sure. It is even too large for me only" answered Harry, while pouring some more butterbeer in his glass. "It took quite a lot of work to make it habitable again, though."

"Right, it does seem well kept whenever I come to visit. And you fixed it all yourself, uh?" said Sirius.

"All professors at Hogwarts had only compliments for your talent, Harry. Not your dedication, mind you. The talent" said Lupin, snorting mid way. "Professor Sprout said you are the smartest and laziest Hufflepuff she ever met."

"Hard to say if it was a compliment or not" commented Sirius, smiling.

"Probably not" said Harry. "Sprout seems like the kind of person to value intentions more than results."

"But not you?" asked Lupin, while finishing his last piece of roast beef.

"No, not me" concluded Harry, curtly, doing the same. Sirius turned towards Kreacher, and waved at the pudding that the house elf, still grimacing, started to serve.

"Godric's Hollow is not the liveliest place" continued Harry, while drinking more butterbeer. "And having to worry about muggles is a bother. Maybe I should move to Hogsmeade, but then my classmates would show up every Sunday" he concluded, with a small smile.

"Sirius told me one of them is your girlfriend or something?" asked Lupin, only for Sirius to glare at him, horrified. Harry snorted.

"In his imagination, maybe" he countered, amused. "One of the girls has a crush on me, but that's all."

"So casual" commented Lupin, smiling. "You don't let women impress you, eh? James was a lot more biasé towards your mom, even in the beginning."

"He did deny he liked her time and time again, but he also stared at her too whenever she was around" added Sirius, mouth half full.

"Not my situation" said Harry, looking at Sirius. "Beside, if we are to talk about women, I want to know how it is going with your new lady friend. Is it true love or what?"

"A lady friend, padfoot?" asked Lupin, turning towards the man with a sly smile.

"My cousin insisted to introduce her" he said, a little embarrassed. "I will dump her one of these days, there is no rush."

"Oh, so she is still around" said Harry, between one mouthful and the other. "After more than two weeks, too! I hope you are not a threat to her virtue."

"Who is she?" asked Lupin, amused.

"No one" stated Sirius, with as much authority he could muster. "Just a pretty face to take out for dinner. Mind your own business, guys."

"Oh, so you think she is pretty" said Lupin, turning towards his dish with a smirk.

"Oh, she is" confirmed Harry with enthusiasm. "Attractive, of the right age, and clearly interested in him. Perfect match."

"I already said she is not…" started Sirius, only to stop mid way and scoff tiredly. Half embarassed half irritated, he didn't continue while Lupin and Harry shared a smile.

"As you say" said Lupin. "You both are lucky to have those problems. I haven't flirted with a woman in years."

"I already told Hagrid professor Trelawney is single" stated Harry. "But he wasn't interested. You could make a pass at her."

"I doubt we are compatible" said Lupin, politely, as Sirius recovered his spirit and snorted.

"Technically McGonagall, Sinistra, Sprout and Hooch are, too" added Sirius. "It's like Hogwarts is the last stop for spinsters."

"I fit in perfectly, then" commented Lupin, sighing. "Well, nevermind us faculty. I think we are done with food. Time to share presents!"


"Oh, I was looking forward to this" said Sirius, grinning widely and standing up. "I shook my presents quite a lot, trying to guess what's inside" he continued, while picking up several packages from one of the cabinets in the room, and placing them on the table.

"I fear mine aren't as hard to guess" said Lupin, picking up the packages he got from Harry and Sirius. Harry's was clearly bottle shaped while Black's, soft as it was, must have been some kind of garment.

"Mine is better than Harry's, just you wait" claimed Sirius, picking up his own presents and placing those for Harry in front of him.

"And mine better not be school stuff" said Harry, sizing them up. He had two flat envelopes in front of him.

"They are not, you killjoy" complained Sirius with a smirk. "We took great care in choosing something that could please even you. Come on, open them."

"Shouldn't we open them at the same time?" asked Harry, amused.

"No, no. Part of our presents is to see you open yours" stated Lupin, kindly. "Go ahead."

"Very well" said Harry, eventually, opening the first one. "From Remus Lupin, to Harry James Potter. Merry Christmas" he read, from a card attached to the folder.

"So formal, Remus" said Sirius, shaking his head. "It's a miracle the wrapping paper is colored, at least."

"Ow, mind you own" countered Lupin, smiling, and focusing king again at Harry. In Harry's hand was a set of hand written notes.

"Thank you, of course, but… what are these?" asked Harry, puzzled.

"A collection of advanced counter courses hand picked from the forbidden section of Hogwarts' library" said Lupin. "They are meant as a challenge, too, since everyone claims you are absurdly advanced for your age."

As Sirius tried to snoop in and read some of the notes, Lupin talked on. "For each one you learn and can cast in front of me, I will teach you the real curse or jinx, I promise. Even years from now."

"Wow" said Harry, after some reading. He recognized several on sight, but a couple seemed unknown to him. "Ok, this one I like. Thank you, and I am not saying this out of politeness."

"You are welcome, Harry. Show me what you can do" said Lupin, clearly satisfied.

"Mine, Harry, mine! Open mine, now!" said Sirius, raising his hand in the air. Lupin stared at him with a smile, and then snorted. "Kids" he murmured.

Black's present was even smaller than Lupin's, and had no card attached. Opening it, Harry found what seemed three hand-drawn coupons, with two crossed brooms crudely drawn in their middle. "Valid for the big event?" he read, frowning and staring confused at Sirius.

"Oh, yes" he said, as satisfied as Lupin now. "This summer, Harry, they are going to have the finals for the Quidditch World Cup here, in England. Think about it! I would have bought the tickets already, but they are not for sale yet. Consider those my official promise to go there all together."

"Is this why there are three?" asked Harry with a smile. Unfortunately for him, Sirius's grin grew even larger. "Don't worry, kid. If you want to invite your little girlfriend I can easily buy a fourth one, no problem."

"Three will do" said Harry, drily, while pocketing them. "Well, I'll thank you appropriately after the big game but for now I'll admit these looks promising. Merry Christmas, Sirius."

"You are welcome already, kid" said Sirius, smiling and turning towards Lupin. "Your turn, old pal. Start with mine, we know what Harry's is."

"Don't be so sure" said Harry with a small frown. Lupin just sighed at them both, and opened Sirius's present. Inside there was a luxurious tweed jacket, with two conspicuous patches on the elbows. Lupin snorted when he noticed them, and turned towards Sirius. "Really?"

"It's perfect for a professor!" he complained immediately. "I charmed it personally too, to buzz if anyone sticks a note on your back. Completely prank-proof."

Lupin laughed softly, and gave a pat on Sirius' back. "Thanks, Padfoot. Professor Moony thanks you."

"As he should" said Sirius. "Now, let's see Harry's obvious one."

With a condescending smile and a murmured "Who knows what's inside" Lupin opened Harry's bottle-shaped package, only to remain puzzled by the content. Inside the package there was a transparent plastic bottle, filled with several more, much smaller, glass ones.

"What is that?" asked Sirius, surprised.

"Surprise present" bragged Harry, a smirk on his face. "I found it in London, while searching for sweets for Malfoy. Each bottle is a different brand of muggle booze. Rum, gin, whiskey and so on."

"Not bad" said Lupin, nodding. "I am not the greatest drinker around, but I am looking forward to trying all of them. Thank you Harry."

"You gave muggle sweets to Draco?" asked Sirius, impressed. "The reaction must have been... interesting."

"I transfigured the packages to make them look normal" said Harry, with a smirk. "But yes, they are still muggle stuff. Good for him to try new things."

"So devious" stated Lupin, amused. "Your turn, Sirius. Start with mine."

"Better not be homeworks, professor" said Sirius, grumbling. "From Remus to Sirius, Merry Christmas, yeah yeah. Way too formal, pal."

"Just open it" said Lupin with a roll of his eyes. Sirius did exactly that: inside the package, a compact black book.

"Hogwarts' rulebook?" he asked, astonished.

"I personally went through it, underlining in red all the rules we broke back in our days and how" said Lupin, smiling widely, as Sirius started to scroll through the book.

"Oh, yes, I remember this one! And this! Oh, did we get one good detention out of this one" started Sirius, enthusiastically. For a couple of minutes the two men just went down memory lane, as Harry watched them shaking his head. Still smiling, though.

"You must go back to Hogwarts and complete the collection, Harry" said Sirius, eventually, pushing the book towards him. Harry just snorted and pushed it back. "Don't even dare to ruin my mood, Black. And open my present."

The man grinned, pocketed his own rulebook and then picked up Harry's package – the largest so far. After unwrapping and opening it, he scoffed with a laugh. "Another kit for muggle brooms. Are you for real?"

"It worked well enough for me, right?" asked Harry. "And it will keep you busy too, until you restart with the aurors."

"What is that, padfoot?" asked Lupin, sipping his drink. Sirius smirked.

"This crazy kid, Moony. I found him once test riding a trashy, horrible muggle broom turned magical with the help of a box like this on. The slowest, most uncomfortable ride of my life."

"You weren't complaining when coming up with ideas on how to improve it" stated Harry, half offended.

"Yes, because I was not the one destined to ride it anyway" countered Sirius, amused. "I am buying myself a Firebolt just to balance your present, Harry."

"Still, a way to turn a muggle broom into a normal one" said Lupin, intrigued. "Maybe we should trade presents, Sirius. You were always the drunkard anyway."

"No way, professor" said Sirius instantly. "I am going to create the broom and give it back to Harry. Just so I can tell him how two trashy brooms don't make one good Firebolt."

"You are welcome, Sirius" said Harry, rolling his eyes. At this Black laughed, and thanked Harry profusely. For a while they all admired their presents, drank a little more, and ordered a constantly glaring Kreacher to remove the discarded wrappings.

After a while, things calmed down. Eventually, Lupin and Sirius exchanged a weird stare and Lupin addressed Harry.

"Well, this was really entertaining but we should move on. Harry, not to ruin your mood, but in all friendship could you explain me your long term plans?"


"Oh, so we are moving to that part of the conversation now?" commented Harry, casually. "And I was having so much fun, too."

"A bit of nagging is unavoidable, kid" said Sirius, sipping his firewhiskey. "I am still your godfather, and…" he stopped, turning towards Lupin.

"And I care" said Lupin. "Your dad's ghost will haunt me, if I let you down."

"No offense meant but my father's ghost left you alone all these years, Mr. Lupin. You should be fine in the future, too."

"You were safe and sound with your aunt and uncle, Harry" said Lupin, shaking his head. "You had no need for us. But now…"

"Now we are also able to help, too" added Sirius, proud. "This day last year I was barely out of Azkaban, and Moony was still… around. Now we are both big shots. Sort of."

"I appreciate the feeling" said Harry "but I don't need help at the moment. Sirius, you should know that, too. My life is already safe, comfortable and boring."

"Yes, I have been told that" said Lupin. "Obviously you can take care of yourself, short term. But what about 5 years from now? What about ten?"

"What about it?" asked Harry.

"You need some education, especially once you reach the age to work" said Lupin, as Sirius nodded and murmured "Exactly."

"I am great at self studying. Dumbledore can vouch for me" commented Harry, rolling his eyes. "Between that and my family's vault, I should manage."

"What about friends, then" moved on Lupin, sending a side glance to Sirius. "I assure you, life is hard if you have no one to count on."

"You keep insisting I have you two, right?" countered Harry, with just a tiny touch of sarcasm in his tone. "And I am on friendly terms with everyone in my year. Well, former year, at Hogwarts."

Lupin just closed his eyes, and shook his head. Sirius scoffed, but added nothing more. They all went back to their almost empty glasses, emptying them. Thanks to Kreacher, though, were soon refilled.

"Well, I won't insist any more for tonight" said Lupin. "I am glad to see you are ok and that we go along well. There is still time."

"Besides, Dumbledore is going to call on you eventually. And what is the deal between you two, anyway?" asked Sirius.

"We share a common project" said Harry, casually. "Neither of us is happy at having to work with the other but we are adults, we can deal with it."

"Adults?" said Sirius, skeptical and sizing him up.

"Trust the headmaster a little more, Harry" said Lupin, sadly. "I swear he is a great man, to be listened to. I have several debts of gratitude towards him, too."

"Yes, I might have heard something about that" said Harry. "Nice of him to welcome you at Hogwarts, back then… whatever was the problem. I wasn't told the details."

At this, Lupin tensed and sent a side glare to Sirius that immediately shook his head. "Nope, don't look at me. I told him nothing."

"Which confirms there is something to tell" said Harry, smiling.

"There is" said Lupin, somberly "and one day we could be such good friends I will share the story with you. Not tonight, Harry."

"Sure, don't worry" said Harry, shrugging. "We are all entitled to our privacy. Just saying, of course. In case you forgot."

"You are so subtle, Harry" commented Sirius with exhasperation, as Lupin relaxed.

"Since being subtle didn't work, I am trying being blunt" said Harry. "Anyway, I am doing fine and should I need help I will run to the two of you, promise. Is that ok?"

"It will have to do" said Lupin. "I don't know how much help I can give next year once I lose my position at Hogwarts, though."

"Don't be like that, Moony" said Sirius. "The curse is bad and Snape is worse but it's not a sure thing." Lupin didn't seem convinced, though.

"If necessary, between me and Black I am sure I am sure we could be the ones to provide help" said Harry. "He is a soon-to-be well connected auror, after all. And I started a small side business."

"Well connected?" commented Sirius, snorting. "I was the newbie even back then, and I think Bones was under pressure to get me back just to make the ministry looks better."

"Still, an auror is an auror, mister big shot" confirmed Lupin with a smile, before turning again towards Harry. "You are working already, Harry? Are you mowing lawns in Godric's Hollow now?"

"I can do better than work for muggles" commented Harry, with an haughty tone, before relaxing. "No, I am selling hard to make potions to an apothecary in Knockturn Alley. Last batch was of Wolfsbane."

This time, both Lupin and Black tensed noticeably while Harry served himself one more glass of butterbeer. "Don't make that face. I know it's not the easiest potion to brew, but I am quite competent. The apothecary even ordered a 2nd batch."

"….good for you" stammered Lupin, eventually. "And why are you telling us this?" asked Sirius.

"To brag?" said Harry, shrugging. "And to make sure you know, in case you meet some potential customers. I get 22 galleons for one, but the ingredients and the bottle costs me 10."

"That's… great" said Sirius. "If they are really working, of course. Hard to brew doesn't make them justice."

"Tell me about it" said Harry, sighing. "It takes forever, there are dozens of stages, and all the ingredients have to be cut in their own ways. Good thing I am not lacking for time."

"Yes" said Lupin, uncertain. The conversation didn't flow easily after that, and since the bottles were empty it wasn't long until Lupin stood up, saying it would be better for him to be back early at Hogwarts, new term and all that.

He hugged a stiff Harry, promised to remain in contact and to see him again at Black's or at Hogsmeade, and left the room with Sirius – both asking Harry to stay back while they exchanged their final greetings. Greetings that went on a little too long.

As Sirius walked back into the living room, his face was stony. Sitting down in front of an innocent looking Harry, he wasted no time in addressing him.

"I know you by now, kid. Spill it out. Who told you Remus's secret?" asked Sirius.

"You see how being blunt is better, sometimes?" said Harry, smirking. "What about Lupin, what did he say?"

"He accused me of snitching on him, and when I denied it he said maybe it was just a weird coincidence and we shouldn't be so paranoid" said Sirius, frowning.

"How naïve" commented Harry, shrugging. "I guess he really, really hopes his secret remains so. Technically, it is."

At Black's inquisitive stare, Harry shrugged again. "The wizards in Hogsmeade are not stupid, for once. It's impossible to confuse a werewolf growling and howling for a bunch of ghosts, even if that is the common story nowadays."

"What else?" asked Sirius, shaking his head and drinking more firewhiskey.

"Oh, I connected other pieces of the puzzle. For example I heard stories of you Marauders being animagus, except for him. Moony. And I heard once a worrisome rumour of how you all tried to kill Snape, yet none was expelled for it."

"No one would guess everything just from that" said Sirius, frowning.

"I might have had other hints" said Harry, smiling "but those are private. Sorry."

"What are we to do with you, Harry" said Sirius, depressed. "I hope you were really offering help before."

"I was, and I half regret it already" said Harry, sipping his own butterbeer. "A spur of the moment, since his present was really toughtful. But I expect him to pay for my bare expenses, once he quits Hogwarts."

"He is not going to quit, he loves that job!" protested Sirius, only to deflate when Harry shrugged and murmured about the curse.

"Well, that's it" said Harry, finally. "The night is still young, and you are not starting back with Bones tomorrow morning already, right? Let's play cards."

"Why not" confirmed Sirius, standing up, only to send Harry a glare. "I really wonder if I will end up arresting you, one day."

"Is this what I get for offering help to my father's friends?" asked Harry, amused. "How ungrateful, really."

The rest of the night went on pleasantly, and Harry left Grimmauld's Place leaving behind a happy, half drunk Sirius to Kreacher's rough care. He, too, felt somehow happy. 'Not a bad night' was his last coherent thought, before falling asleep.