Chapter Nine.
Gobstones with Dumbledore.
The Lupin family had never had house guests after Remus was bitten. Never. They had never had anyone; whether it be a Muggle, Witch or Wizard.
Even if a friendly Muggle neighbor came to the door to welcome them to a new neighborhood, Remus had grown accustomed to the familiar sad routine of his mother greeting the person politely but quickly finding an excuse of being rather busy with something and turning them away.
When Remus first saw the sight of Albus Dumbledore standing nonchalantly in their living room, he was so overcome with paralyzing astonishment that he couldn't even get a word out of his mouth.
Dumbledore had asked if he would care to play a game of Gobstones with him. Remus felt his face grow warm in embarrassment as the moments passed and he didn't respond. His heart rate accelerated and was thumping wildly inside his chest.
The tall, thin, bearded wizard with silver hair simply smiled kindly at him while he casually took the large stone Gobstones tablet propped up next to a book shelf and set it carefully on the floor. He continued talking to Remus as if he were having a chat with an old friend.
"It's been quite some time since I've last played the game but I've always enjoyed it. It always brings me great joy to see students playing this game in the Clocktower courtyard every year at Hogwarts. If I remember correctly, your father was a member of the Gryffindor Gobstones club in his first year or so. Ah, good, I see you have a box of thirty stones ready to go here."
Remus watched him in amazement as he easily floated the box of gobstones with his wand down to gently land on the stone playing board. Then Dumbledore made himself comfortable seated on the floor on one side of the tablet and begun dividing up all the Gobstones in half; rolling them into two groups of fifteen for them.
Remus slowly walked to a window and slid it open. He finally managed to say nervously,
"Uh... My, my mum prefers the windows open when I play."
Dumbledore nodded and replied with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes,
"Oh yes, what a wise woman. You know, my family always preferred to get the precious metal sets of Gobstones, but I actually preferred the regular stone sets better. It's been my experience that it's the regular stones that will spit the looser in the face with the most unbearable smelling liquid."
Remus smiled shyly and lowered himself down on the floor; folding his legs so he was seated opposite of Dumbledore. Then he self consciously pulled at the fabric of his sleeves double checking they were pulled all the way down to his wrists.
Dumbledore raised his wand and made another window toward the kitchen slide open. Then with another tiny flick of his wand he made the group of fifteen gobstones roll neatly over to Remus.
They took turns back forth shooting their gobstones into the etched white circles. Remus asked awkwardly,
"Forgive me, Mr. Dumbledore, um, Headmaster, I don't know where I lost manners... but is it too late for me to offer you a cup of tea and perhaps, a bite to eat of some sort?"
Dumbledore paused his finger positioning over one of his gobstones on the stone tablet and looked up at him with a wide grin.
"No harm done, my dear boy. It's not at all too late. Yes, why thank you, I would be delighted to have a cup of tea and anything you have to offer to eat. I'm not fussy. Come to think of it, I suppose I am a bit peckish after the travel from Hogwarts here to your home. Whatever you have to offer is just fine."
Remus nodded and exhaled a sigh of relief. Then his eyes darted around as he quickly thought through their current food options and explained hesitantly, "I'm afraid it may just be crumpets... I, I'm, I'm not that good at cooking much yet, but I can do crumpets if that's alright, sir?"
Dumbledore nodded and replied, "Oh yes, of course. That sounds perfect. Mmm, I'm a big fan of crumpets. Thank you kindly, Remus."
As Remus walked to the kitchen he felt like he was still in a daze of disbelief. Was he actually playing a game gobstones with the Hogwarts Headmaster and now fetching him tea with crumpets? He pinched his arm to check if it was a dream and despite the resulting pain he still questioned whether the entire situation was real.
He prepared the tea and crumpets in the kitchen; thinking about what a tremendous shock was going to be for both his parents to see once they arrived home from their dinner date.
He wondered if Dumbledore knew ahead of time that his parents would be out for the time being and it would only be him home alone. So many unanswered questions flooded his mind.
Did his parents already know about this?
Did they forget to mention it or did some misunderstanding happen with their agreed upon meeting times?
It didn't matter, though, as the wizard seemed in no hurry to leave and acted so delighted to play the game with Remus. That alone made something warm stir deep inside his chest. He felt thrilled that such a prestigious wizard cared enough to play with a lowly boy as himself.
Surely, Dumbledore had some type of business matter with his parents. Whether or not it was planned or accidental that it was only Remus home for the time being really didn't matter. He felt a rush of gratitude that the ever present dull ache of loneliness gnawing inside him was momentarily paused. Something about Dumbledore made him feel so at ease.
Remus kindly served the tea and crumpets on a tray to Dumbledore who was busy contemplating his next move in the game. He also thoughtfully brought two tea towels for them to tidy themselves for the inevitable stinky gobstone fluid even though he was well aware of the cleaning charm. When the stinky fluid from the gobstones did squirt the looser, they enjoyed the laughs together and thankfully managed to keep it from spoiling their tea and crumpets.
Before the end of the game, Lyall & Hope returned home from their dinner date in the local town center. Remus was having such a good time with Dumbledore that he completely forgot to listen for the sound of the car being parked outside.
The couple walked in the front door and both immediately gasped at the sight of the two of them happily playing Gobstones and nibbling on crumpets.
"Merlin's Beard! P -Professor Dumbledore?!" Lyall exclaimed.
Hope looked nonplussed gazing from her husband to Dumbledore and then back again to Lyall waiting for more information.
The wizard looked at Lyall and Hope with an expression of amusement at their shocked expressions. Remus also had an amused smirk on his face; gathering that Dumbledore's visit was not a prearranged meeting with his parents; but a surprise to all three of them.
"Yes, yes it is I, indeed.
Lyall Lupin, it's a pleasure to see you again after so many years. This must be your lovely wife, Hope, I presume?
Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, how do you do?"
Dumbledore greeted them warmly shaking hands after he stood up somewhat stiffly from the floor. Remus wondered if he ought to have offered the old wizard a hand up but missed the chance.
Lyall's mind immediately thought of the fact that Remus was of the age to receive a Hogwarts invitation. His heart began to sink heavily in despair with the presumption that Dumbledore must not know yet about his son's lycanthropy.
Almost as if Dumbledore was reading Lyall's thoughts, he announced with an air of formality,
"I am here to deliver an official invitation to Hogwarts for Remus and I assure you that I am well aware of his condition. Before you raise any objections, I request that you kindly listen to my proposed special arrangements."
All three Lupin family members were speechless. Dumbledore turned around from the parents to face Remus who gazed back at him thunderstruck.
"I'd beg to say you won the game, Remus, as I had only two left. Close enough. Good game, thank you."
The shocked facial expression on Remus faded slightly and he managed to make a shy smile with a tiny nod back at him.
The two remaining gobstones acted like they were listening to the declaration of the game being over from Dumbledore and both squirted a final small amount of unpleasant smelling liquid in his direction. But the putrid liquid landed pathetically on the stone tablet like a tiny fountain making a couple of puddles. Then the two depleted gobstones magically rolled themselves over to Remus' side of the playing board.
Hope quietly held up her hand in front on her nose as the stench wafted toward her.
Dumbledore noticed Hope's gesture covering her nose and waved his wand at once. He muttered firmly the incantation, "Foetidus Desino." The stench in the room instantly disappeared.
Then he flicked his wand again and said softly, "Suaveoleus Flos." The living room suddenly filled with a pleasant, floral fragrance.
He lowered his wand, turned back to Hope, and said politely, "My apologies, Mrs. Lupin. Better?"
She smiled and replied, "Yes, thank you."
Lyall gestured to their sofa and said, "Please, have a seat, Professor. Please don't mind, um, well, the shabby condition."
Remus glanced at the violently torn lines of fabric on their sofa from the last full moon, he looked downward at the circles on the stone tablet and felt his face grow red with shame.
Dumbledore replied, "Oh not at all, not at all."
The old wizard walked slowly over to the sofa and intentionally waited until Remus looked sheepishly up from the Gobstones playing board. He quietly tapped the sofa, Reparo, before he sat down and the all damage instantly disappeared. Then he looked boldly back at Remus with a loving twinkle in his eye and winked at him.
Hope had gathered up the tray of tea and crumpets her son had served. In passing she gave Remus a quick kiss on the top of his head and whispered proudly, "Thank you, sweetie." Then she took it to the kitchen to refresh the pot of tea for them.
Lyall and Dumbledore conversed together for a while Hope put another brew on. His former professor congratulated Lyall on his fine work on the advancement of knowledge of mysterious ghost-like non-beings. They vaguely discussed the First Wizarding war in progress without giving away any of their own personal direct resistance strategies against the Dark Lord's insurgency and resulting widespread terror.
Remus quietly cleaned the Gobstones game and put it away. He listened to the discussion but his mind could not stop reeling over and over the statement Dumbledore had just made about the Hogwarts invitation for him.
Could it really be true?
Did he even hear what he said right?
Special arrangements... what could they be?
When his mother returned to the room passing them each a fresh cup of tea, Remus felt a huge wave of nervous excitement swelling in his belly. He could hardly even stomach taking any sips. His heart rate hammered quickly inside his ears from the sheer thrill of the idea he might actually be able to attend Hogwarts.
When they were all seated, Dumbledore patiently explained about the arrangements he had been diligently working on for Remus to have a safe place for his monthly transformations. He also assured them that Madam Pomfrey had also willingly agreed to assist him.
Lyall stared at Dumbledore gobsmacked at his explanations and finally said,
"Professor, I -I am simply at a loss for words as to what to say. For so many years, I suppose I had written off the possibility entirely he could go... I'm just so, so utterly astounded and amazed you've found a way to make it possible."
Hope silently slid her fingers to interlock with Lyall's hand and then gave it a gentle squeeze. Her eyes grew misty and she said,
"We are much obliged. You're truly a hero. I don't know what else to say."
Dumbledore pulled out an envelope that was tucked inside his robes; leaned forward flashing an enormous proud grin at Remus and handed him the invitation. Then he said,
"Well, I am greatly hoping to hear you say a 'yes' answer but technically you have until the thirty first of July to give a final answer of your decision."
Remus felt his hands nervously shaking as he looked down at the envelope with a wax seal on the back. Stop shaking, Remus, stop shaking, he told himself silently while feeling aware of the others in the room watching.
The front of the envelope was personally addressed to him in hand written in green ink:
MR R. LUPIN
27 Trafalgar Avenue
Witherton
NORTH YORKSHIRE
For a moment he considered getting a letter opener to open the envelope properly but then in his excitement he decided he didn't want to wait any longer and tore into it.
Inside the envelope was two pieces of parchment. It felt surreal as he unfolded the first piece and saw the Hogwarts emblem with the four house symbols on the top of the acceptance letter.
It read:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Dear Remus,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Students shall be required to report to the Chamber of Reception upon arrival. We await your owl no later than July 31.
Please make your way to Kings Cross Station and onto Platform 9 3/4 where you will meet the Hogwarts Express. Term begins on the 1 September.
We very much look forward to receiving you as a part of the new generation of Hogwarts Heritage.
Yours Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Professor Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster
Office of Albus Dumbledore
Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chief Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Con-fed. of Wizards
The second piece of parchment was the supply list and it read:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
-The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
-A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
-Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
-A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
-One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
-Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
-Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
-The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK
He looked up from the invitation at Dumbledore gazing kindly back at him. Remus felt like it was too good to be true but yet he wanted so badly to believe it.
All a sudden, like a punch to the gut, he felt his stomach tighten in fear about his werewolf status. What if I bite someone?
Remus worked hard to blink back tears and with a wavering voice said,
"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore. Thank you so much. I am very grateful for the letter. But, I just, I really don't want to hurt anyone. Are you sure everyone will be safe from me?"
Dumbledore reassured him,
"Yes, Remus. As long as you remain in the designated safe-house, where Madam Pomfrey our very competent Healer in charge of the hospital wing will escort you to in secret for your monthly transformations, then everyone will be safe and you will not hurt anyone. The abandoned house has no working doors or windows that allow entry or exit of the premises...and as I said before, I understand given the superhuman strength of a werewolf when transformed that it shall be imperative for me to cast protective enchantments around it to help the structure to be abnormally durable."
Unbeknownst at the time to Remus, his next comment would later haunt his conscience with guilt for many years.
"Okay, thanks Professor. I promise I will stay there each month."
Dumbledore lingered a while later to answer any further questions from the parents. When it was time for him to go, he bent down to Remus and told him,
"Thanks again for a most enjoyable game of Gobstones, my young friend. I very much hope to see you at Hogwarts this September."
Dumbledore's spoken words immediately echoed in Remus's mind, 'my young friend 'and he felt a warming sensation in his chest.
At a loss for words, he suddenly had an uncontrollable urge to hug him. Before he could give it a second thought his arms flew around the old wizard's waist in a excited embrace.
Lyall and Hope both giggled in surprise. Dumbledore chuckled, gently pat him a few times on the back and remarked with a big grin,
"Well! I daresay you're chuffed to bits, Remus!
Hope added, "We're all very pleased, Mr. Dumbledore, sir, we shall always be most truly obliged and sincerely grateful for your kindness."
Lyall said, "Yes, thank you ten thousand times, Professor Dumbledore. It's been such a pleasure to be graced with your presence this evening. Have a safe journey back."
None of the Lupin family could get a wink of sleep that night excitedly thinking about the unexpected, life-changing new magical education opportunity that now was a viable option.
Remus went to bed with the letter under his pillow.