Chapter 15.

Fake it till you make it

The sun had just slipped over the horizon casting a warm glow over the majestic Highlands and the village of Hogsmeade, Scotland. When the sunlight shone on an abandoned, boarded up, dilapidated house, just outside the village, there was prominent shrieks of agony that floated outward from it.

It marked the end of Remus Lupin's first full moon night of being a werewolf away from home and while being a student at Hogwarts. However, at the time there was very few that knew the the true source of the disturbing sounds.

"Anyone else hear dreadful shrieking from dat ol' abandon house outside the village last night?"

"Aye! Wondered if 'twas ghost of me uncle lost during the rise to power of Grindelwald!"

"I wouldn't go near that abandoned house with a ten foot broomstick."

An old silver bearded wizard's ears perked at the name Grindelwald sitting farther down the long wooden bar at Madam Rosmerta's Three Broomsticks pub and Inn.

The other men were having a natter and starting quite early pounding shots of fire whiskey. But the aged wizard was just sipping butter beer and shamelessly eavesdropping on their conversation. Suddenly, a new voice commented,

"'For the greater good'...was Gellert Grindelwald's slogan, however, it did not necessarily take into account the spirit world after all those countless souls were murdered."

The other men who had been oblivious to the old wizard sitting further down the bar, looked up to see who had spoken. One of them said in recognition,

"Why, it's none other than Albus Dumbledore!"

"We raise our glasses to you, Albus, for putting a stop to Grindelwald!"

"Aye! 'Twas da' greatest duel ever fought between wizards."

"To Dumbledore!"

"Cheers to Dumbledore!"

"No. STOP!!!!" shouted Dumbledore immediately with a booming voice that reverberated throughout the entire pub. He held up a flat palm at them. The walls and the bar shook a little. An awkward silence filled the room.

Dumbledore said determinedly,

"Do not raise your glasses to me. Grindelwald has been locked away in the very prison he built to hold his opponents, Nurmengard castle, since my duel with him twenty five years ago. The time has long past for celebrating the defeat of a lesser villain who genuinely believed what he did was best for the wizarding world."

The entire pub had grown dead still absorbing his every word. He continued,

"The First Wizarding War has begun and we must be mindful of a much greater enemy now who operates completely on self-serving actions. There are a great deal of Muggles plus both Wizard and Witch kind that have been senselessly murdered, snuffed out of this world into the spirit realm... so there should not be any doubt an old abandoned house could be filled with their anguished cries from lives cruelly cut short."

One of the other men nodded his head in agreement, raised his glass of fire whiskey and replied, "Well then, to the souls departed!"

"To the souls departed, may they Rest In Peace!"

Glasses all throughout the pub of the Three Broomsticks slowly raised upward including Dumbledore who was feeling secretly pleased to help Remus by perpetuating the rumors of the abandoned house being filled with souls of the departed.

Inside the Shrieking Shack, young Remus was lying on the floor flat on his back blinking and panting in confusion after the painful transformation from the werewolf form back to human form.

Where the hell am I?

He thought to himself, feeling throughly disoriented with the surroundings. His confused eyes darted around the unfamiliar room that he would come to know very well in the years ahead.

Then his mind cleared and the memories rushed in of Madam Pomfrey bringing him there yesterday. He felt a small comfort remembering she had promised she would be there soon after sunrise and would not keep him waiting long. Usually, his mother faithfully appeared to help him after a full moon and sometimes both parents. He heaved a big sigh and felt home sick.

Still lying on the wood floor, he decided to do a bodily assessment by wiggling his arms and legs checking for injuries. Everything felt like the usual monthly post ailments from his condition so far.

His joints and muscles had the usual aches and overall exhaustion. His skin felt prickly as the surface and nerves had switched from furry to smooth skin again. His jaw throbbed aching from the massive shift in size from the large snout and teeth. He squeezed his fists tight to put counter pressure on his fingernails which still burned from the recent shrunk claws that had protruded from the tips.

Involuntary shivers racked his body and he suddenly realized it was cold in the room. He looked at an empty fireplace and had a fleeting thought cross his head of summoning his wand to light a cozy fire. But then he remembered it was probably packed into his rucksack. What about his teddy bear?

He glanced around the room and saw a disturbing half of teddy bear head looking back at him with one eye and bits of white stuffing lying around it.

Oh well, there goes another one. He had really only expected comfort from it for this first full moon cycle at Hogwarts, anyway.

Remus tried to sit up but his arms weakly wobbled, his head grew dizzy and he fell back onto the floor. Ugh. He hated feeling so wrung out, limp and helpless with the moments crawling by agonizingly slow.

He closed his eyes and meditated for a while on a past happy memories of broomstick rides with his father. Then he thought of Dumbledore showing up unexpectedly with his Hogwarts invitation and how this structure was prepared just for him before he even knew about it. He started to somehow feel warmer reflecting on the pleasant memories.

When he opened his eyes he was startled to see Madam Pomfrey leaning over him tucking a warm blanket around him. How had he not heard her come in?

"Good morning, Remus," she said kindly.

Breathing somewhat rapidly still from the startle of her appearing so close to him all a sudden he replied,

"Hi... Madam Pomfrey."

"Sorry to startle you, dear. I wasn't sure if you were sleeping and didn't want to wake you."

"No, I, I wasn't sleeping. I've been awake for a little while, I think?"

"Yes. The sun popped up not too long ago, so that's probably about right. I would of been here sooner but the Whomping Willow seemed to recognize me from yesterday and was particularly feisty trying to thrash its limbs at me in revenge. So it took me longer than I expected to hit that special knot on the trunk.

Let's see... I didn't see any major injuries before I covered you... just a few minor scrapes and cuts. Okay if I apply some dittany?" she asked tugging on the edge of the blanket.

"Yes, that's fine. Thank you."

She skillfully treated his wounds while preserving his modesty keeping the blanket draped across his hips. Then she pulled out some potions and helped him take them lifting up his head and shoulders.

Remus tried to explain awkwardly, "I'm sorry, I'm not sure if I'm strong enough to walk back yet, I-"

Madam Pomfrey held up her palm at him and interrupted him saying,

"Nope, no apologies, Remus. Like I said yesterday, no need for apologies for any of this, dear boy. For Merlin's sake, I've been a healer for decades, don't you think I've mastered levitation of a body by now? I can float you back to the hospital wing with no problem at all."

Remus grinned at her spunk and ability to make him feel at ease. He told her gratefully, "Thank you, I appreciate everything, really."

She nodded briefly and took off Remus's rucksack that was on her back. She said, "Here, I brought this in from outside the doorway to the tunnel. I think you mentioned you packed an extra set of clothing in there. Do you need any assistance getting dressed?"

"No! No thank you," Remus said feeling a bit ashamed that burst out of his mouth so fast. Although he knew she had just seen his naked body prior to covering him with the blanket he still felt extremely self-conscious and modest.

"Very well, dear. I shall wait outside this room. Just knock on the floor when you are ready for me to come back in. Take your time. I have no pressing or urgent matters in the hospital wing so the timing has worked out well in your favor that way."

"Thank you," he said earnestly.

She left the room at once. Remus suppressed some moans and groans as he painfully struggled to dress himself with the little energy he had in his pathetically weak arms and hands.

However, the strengthening potion she had just tipped into his mouth was beginning to take effect and thankfully gave him the needed extra boost to do it.

When he was dressed, he knocked on the floor as she had instructed, Madam Pomfrey walked back in and said, "Merlin, Remus, what is it? You looked like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders!"

Remus had a very worried expression looking up at her from the floor. He sighed and told her,

"What if I can't move by tonight and my mates come looking for me?"

She slowly sat down on the floor by his side, took his hand and squeezed it once saying,

"Remus, listen, what-if, what-if, and more what-ifs can drive a person mad. We do our best in the moments now that we are given. You will likely be just fine. I already put in an order with the kitchen elves to bring up an extra plate of breakfast because I'm 'extra hungry' this morning," she snickered and continued,

"So I'm sure the meals today will strengthen you up, plus those potions and I insist you get some good rest before you head back to the dorm tonight. If you're not one hundred percent, then as the popular Muggle saying goes lately, you'll make it till you fake it. No, hhm, is that right? It doesn't seem right," Madam Pomfrey's eyes momentarily grew distant and she paused scratching her head.

Remus corrected, "My mum is a Muggle. I've heard her say the phrase. I believe it's Fake it till you Make it."

Her eyes grew wide with delight and she continued,

"Oh yes! Right. That's it. I got it turned around. You know, I really don't get out much as I should. Oh well. I do love what I do. Remus, rest assured when we get back I'll keep you inconspicuous with another invisibility charm so you don't have to fret about being discovered in the hospital wing, alright? You ready to float on back now?"

Relief washed over him at her reassuring words. He sighed and said, "Thanks. Yes. I'm ready."

Suddenly an unexpected loud popping sound occurred in the room and both Remus and Madam Pomfrey jumped in fright.

A few plumes of black smoke appeared and swirled in the air. Then they cleared to reveal a tall, thin wizard with a silver beard tucked into his belt. He was standing and staring curiously down at Remus over his half-moon shaped spectacles.

"Albus!" Madam Pomfrey cried out in surprise and then put her hand over her chest to catch her breath.

"Professor Dumbledore, sir, um, hello," Remus spluttered out awkwardly. He felt pathetic greeting him while lying supine on the floor but also relieved he was at least clothed.

Dumbledore nodded at Madam Pomfrey and using a causal, pleasant tone of voice he said,

"Lemon drops and Acid pops, I'm delighted to see you two haven't left here yet. Hello Poppy. Hello Remus. Pleasure to see you both. I was over at the Three Broom Sticks and thought I'd pop in. That reminds me, here you go, Remus, to aide in your recovery today. Healthy for the soul, I say."

With a loving twinkle in his eye, the kind wizard pulled out a bottle of chilled butter beer from beneath his robes and stooped down to hand it to him.

Remus wondered what it was about Dumbledore that seemed to make him feel speechless. He took the bottle and could only manage to rather lamely say, "Yum!"

Dumbledore smiled contentedly at him and then asked peering around the walls inquisitively, "Did my enchantments secure the building okay?"

"I, I think so? I mean, I woke up here which is much better than outside," Remus answered.

"Indeed," Dumbledore said in agreement.

Madam Pomfrey added approvingly, "I checked around the structure inside when I first came through the tunnel this morning, Albus, and it all seems fine. You did good job."

Remus really wanted to sit up and drink the butter beer. He tried to push himself up but ended up weakly slumping forward towards his legs. Dumbledore conjured a large pillow cushion and quickly floated it behind Remus's back.

Remus looked shyly up at him, leaned back on it for support and told him, "Thanks."

When Remus looked down at the bottle, he watched the cap twist and make a hissing sound as if it was opening itself. The cap floated upward in small swoops like a large dancing insect in the air. It went towards Dumbledore who then reached out and grabbed it.

"I don't know why I collect these bloody things, but I just do," he muttered looking at the cap closer and then shoving it into a pocket.

Remus took a nice, long swig of the butter beer. Madam Pomfrey took the liberty to look through Remus's ruck sack and pulled out a pair of socks. Seeing that he hadn't put them on yet she started pulling them over Remus's feet. The corners of Remus's mouth twitched as it slightly tickled.

"Albus, I got a bit delayed getting into the tunnel this morning as the Whomping Willow was particularly enraged at me immobilizing it yesterday. It was thrashing its limbs ferociously at me from far away when I approached it. But I still managed to trigger that knot somehow," Madam Pomfrey explained with a sigh.

"Ah yes, I'm not a bit surprised to hear that. It is a fascinating tree to have the ability to remember and recognize you in that manner," he commented thoughtfully.

"I just wish students would stop all the feather-headed dares to be the first to touch the trunk. I swear one of them will come to the hospital wing one of these days and nearly loose an eye from it."

"Well, you can't say I didn't warn them since I mentioned it at the start of term feast. I can't blame them for their natural curiosity about the new addition of the tree, it is after-all a very rare sentient species of magical plants."

Madam Pomfrey finished putting on Remus' socks, exhaled a little huff, and replied, "Natural curiosity is one thing, throwing caution to the wind and acting like a nitwit is another."

Remus felt a soothing sugar rush surge through his body from the butter beer. He had emptied the bottle rather quickly.

Dumbledore said softly, "Accio teddy bear parts."

Tufts of fluffy white stuffing, fabric pieces and teddy bear limbs whizzed through the air towards him from all over the room. A chunk of mostly white stuffing with a tiny scrap of fabric on it even came whizzing through the doorway from somewhere else in the house. It almost looked like a tiny white cloud being blown by swift wind in a storm.

"Reparo!" he commanded pointing his wand at the pile.

The teddy bear parts magically wove back together into one piece as if it had never been ripped apart. Then Dumbledore made it float over to Remus's rucksack on the floor and it slipped inside like the bear was playing a game of hide-and-seek.

Before Remus had a chance to even thank him for the repair, Dumbledore turned towards Madam Pomfrey and remarked,

"You know, Poppy, I've used the strategy of levitating a nearby stick or a stone to hit the knot on the Whomping Willow. Perhaps you could try that next month?"

Madam Pomfrey nodded and replied, "Ah-ha. Yes. Good suggestion. Indeed I shall give that a try. Well, with all due respect, Albus, as much as I'd like to stay for a nice chinwag, I do need to get Remus back to the hospital wing in order for him to rest properly before returning to the Gryffindor dormitory."

Dumbledore put his wand away and replied with a polite smile,

"Oh. Oh yes, indeed. I don't mean to hinder you, Poppy. I must be going on my way, too. Thank you so much for your wonderful care as always for our students. Remus, wishing you a fast recovery and return to full health soon."

"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore."

CRACK! POOF!

Another swirl of black smoke appeared in the air where he had been standing and disapperated away from the Shrieking Shack.

Madam Pomfrey floated Remus down to the doorway to the underground tunnel. He had never experienced his whole body being magically levitated before. It was surprisingly comfortable like the invisible cushioning charm when riding a broomstick but cushioning the entire body underneath instead.

He was grateful she was so adept at assisting him back to the hospital wing in that matter. Despite the strengthening potions given and sugar rush of butter beer, he knew he was still not strong enough to walk back yet. At some point of her floating him along he decided to close his eyes to protect them from any specks of dirt falling from the ceiling of the tunnel.

Once Madam Pomfrey cast an invisibility charm over his bed in the hospital wing, made sure he ate a hearty breakfast, Remus got extremely drowsy and passed out asleep right away exhausted. He slept most the day apart from Madam Pomfrey waking him to eat again and checking up on him when no other students were around so it didn't look like she had gone mad talking to an empty bed.

When evening rolled around and it was time to return to the dorm, Madam Pomfrey handed him a small, square metal biscuit tin. Remus slowly took it and with an expression of puzzlement asked,

"What's this?"

Madam Pomfrey explained, "It's a fresh batch of hobnob biscuits. I requested the elves to bake them and I made sure they were not served in the Great Hall. I figured you could share them with your mates in the dorm and say your mum sent you back with them. Perhaps it will help you better 'Fake it till you Make it' as we talked about earlier."

"Right. That was so thoughtful and kind of you, Madam Pomfrey. Thank you, thanks again for everything," he told her tucking it away carefully into his rucksack.

When he wandered quietly back in the dorm room, James, Sirius and Peter all welcomed him loudly like a cheering section at a Quidditch game.

"Remus!"

"Hip hip hooray! You're back!"

Welcome b-back!"

They piled on hugs to him and he tried hard not to grimace visibly at the squeeze of his sore muscles. Sirius pointed to a large white card laying on Remus's bed and announced, "We made you a sympathy card and had people sign it."

Remus replied, "Um, thank you, you really shouldn't have."

The words "Sorry for your loss" were floating magically at the top of the front of the card. Then there was a three dimensional bouquet of roses underneath the words.

Suddenly the picture of the rose bouquet changed. The roses wilted, all the flowers then exploded on the surface of the paper and then faded away completely. Sirius cringed and then said, "Ugh, sorry about that, mate. I'm still working on how to do that properly."

The corners of Remus's mouth twitched upwards as he tried not to laugh. He patted Sirius on the shoulder and said, "It's fine. Thank you for your work on it. Really."

James asked, "How was the funeral?"

Remus answered, "It went well. It was well attended, good to see family and friends... and helpful to swap stories from her life. My mum insisted that I bring back some of her fresh baked hobnob biscuits to share with all of you. There was lots of leftovers after the service at the reception."

"Oh nice," Peter said licking his lips in anticipation. Remus sat on his bed, took out the biscuit tin from his rucksack, pulled off the lid and passed it to Peter right away.

Peter asked with his mouth full of biscuit, "D-did the robes come in h-handy being b-b-black?"

Sirius slugged Peter in the side and said, "His grandmother was a Muggle, you Prat!"

Peter flushed pink and said, "Oh, right. S-sorry."

Remus said, "It's quite alright, Peter. No harm done," then he turned to James and asked, "Did I miss a lot in classes?"

James was nibbling on a hobnob biscuit and then answered, "Nah, not too much. Except in potions, I dare say Snivelus might be onto us."

"What do you mean?" Remus asked pressing him for further information.

James swallowed a mouthful of biscuit and said, "Slughorn has been especially hard on us when we're brewing and that slithery moron looked a little to pleased every time he was coming down on us."

Sirius chimed in, "Yeah, he cast some sour looks at your empty spot in class like he was suspicious where you were, Remus. I guess the ignoramus hadn't heard you were out for an important family matter."

Remus said, "Everyone doesn't need to know where I went."

James said, "Even if Snivelus did know, I don't think it would matter much to him anyway. He probably probably thinks his miserable, scrunched up face towards us shows Slytherin team spirit since it's their house against ours at the Quidditch game this Saturday."

There was the sound of crunching hobnob biscuits now filling the room and Sirius remarked, "You know, I got a excellent prank idea for those Slytherin broomsticks if we can get to them right before the game..."