Chapter Twenty Three.

The Surprise in Dumbledore's Office.

"Eccles cake."

After the given password on the piece of parchment was spoken, the stony prominent Stairwell Gargoyle magically stepped aside from guarding the entrance leading to Dumbledore's office. A circular stairway appeared going upwards inside a castle turret. James, Sirius, and Peter had all three provided moral support to Remus in walking him to the doorway.

However, now it was time for him to walk up the stairs alone. He didn't know why Dumbledore had summoned him. None of them did. As they had walked together they discussed the mystery of how Dumbledore's pet Phoenix had known how to precisely identify Remus when it had flown to him on the grounds by the Black Lake and delivered the message.

Remus stepped away from the three of them into the stairway entrance but then suddenly paused to catch his balance. His knees felt wobbly. He was grateful they had walked with him. He hoped his trembling frame didn't show he was not appreciative of them.

"G-good luck, Remus," Peter said and then started aggressively biting a fingernail with a nervous expression.

"We'll be waiting back in the dorm to hear all about it," James assured him. He pushed up his round specs that had slid down his nose.

"Hey! Don't forget to breathe, Moony. I have a feeling it'll be alright, you'll see," Sirius added with a confident grin and a quick dismissive wave in the air.

Remus quietly nodded at them and then let out a deliberate large exhale.

Breathe.

Perhaps Sirius was right and he had momentarily forgotten to breathe. He gulped and entered the stairway. Then he turned and gave them a silent wave goodbye. They waved back. When he started climbing up the stairs, the door connected to the Stairwell Gargoyle suddenly slid closed swiftly behind him all by itself.

SLAM!

It startled him and he jumped a little. He paused on a step for a moment and rested a hand against the cool surface of the stone wall. He slowly inhaled a couple deep breaths to calm his racing heart. His knees felt wobbly again but he continued climbing anyway up the Headmaster's Tower.

Why did Dumbledore ask to see him?

He wondered if Dumbledore had somehow figured out about James and Sirius becoming Animagi.

Peter was still struggling to figure it out. He kept getting stuck halfway in his transformation to a rat. Sometimes they worried he would have a permanent worm-like tail he would have to hide forever in his trousers. He also had a difficult time with the requirement of sucking on the mandrake leaf properly the month prior to the full moon. There had been many months where Peter had accidentally had the leaf fall out of his mouth or he'd unintentionally swallow it with food.

What if Dumbledore had seen James and Sirius sneaking around as a stag and dog one full moon?

No. They wouldn't break their promise to him.

Remus had made James and Sirius promise to not come visit him in the Shrieking Shack until Peter had completely figured it out. They would never betray him that way. Plus they had determined that Peter's animagus form would likely be very useful to press the certain knot in the trunk of the Whomping Willow tree needed to paralyze it for the entrance to the secret tunnel. They agreed that his smaller rodent form would probably make it easier dodge the wild blows from its branches as well.

At the top of the tower stairs, he came upon a thick, oaken wooden door. From the crack at the bottom of the door, Remus saw a warm glow of spreading light across the floor. He heard a curious cacophony of sounds; ticks, whistles and clicking gears coming from the other side of the door. He reached for the door handle and then paused. Should he knock first, or just go in? He waited a few minutes outside the door feeling indecisive and fiddling with the tassels on his scarlet and gold Gryffindor scarf.

On the other side of the office door, Fawkes had already returned and flown back to the designated perch. Albus Dumbledore waved his wand by the bird's head and pulled out a silvery, white wisp of light. It was a memory he had deliberately given the bird of what Remus Lupin looked like so it could find him when commanded earlier. The stone Hogwarts pensive sat close by on the Headmasters desk with its ornately carved Saxon runes on the curved sides of the bowl.

Dumbledore returned the wisp to his own head and then sat at his desk with his mind racing as usual. He immediately looked up over his half-moon spectacles with a delighted smile spreading across his face when Remus walked hesitantly. Dumbledore exclaimed,

"Ah! Remus! Good afternoon. I see my faithful bird, Fawkes was successful in delivering my message."

"Yes Professor, um, good afternoon to you," Remus politely replied.

Remus's eyes flicked over to the Phoenix on its perch. Fawkes cocked his head sideways, looked back at him nonchalantly and chirped a small squawk of recognition. Then it got busy apparently keen on preening its bright red wing feathers with its golden beak.

"Take a seat, take a seat, my friend. Help yourself to the dish of coconut ice there on the corner of my desk," Dumbledore said warmly pointing to a candy dish and a couple of armchairs that were positioned in front of his desk.

There was a fireplace with a roaring fire that gave the entire room an comforting orange glow. Something about the warm glow reminded Remus of the beach cottage that his family had rented for past summer holidays. They often had a similar warm glowing fire in the fireplace there, too, for the cool nights at the coast. Remus really did enjoy a good fireplace as he found the heat soothed his aching muscles.

He seated himself in an arm chair and reached for a piece of the coconut ice candy that was offered.

"Thank you, Professor. These are my mum's favorite from Honeydukes."

"Is that so? Smart woman. They certainly are delightful. Help yourself, dear boy, to as many as you fancy. I'll put a brew on for us."

"Cheers, Professor."

For a moment Remus chewed the sugary, fluffy flakes of shredded coconut that coated the exterior of the candy. Then he bit into the soft, cold center that magically transformed into what felt like a burst of creamy coconut flavored ice cream swirling across his tongue.

He declined Dumbledore's offer to take another candy. His stomach was feeling uneasy not knowing why he had been called to his office yet. Remus curiously looked around the room at the former Headmaster portraits hanging on the walls and noted that most of them were sleeping.

Remus's eyes drifted across the many whirling, mysterious, noisy gadgets on the bookshelves. Now he knew where the odd sounds were coming from when he wondered on the other side of the door before he walked in. If Dumbledore was not present making the pot of tea for them, Remus was sure his secret, inquisitive, childish desire for getting his hands on all the peculiar objects on his shelves would lead him to investigate them further. He thought about how even a chance to peak through his large mixed book collection would be exhilarating.

He remembered the lunar cycles watch he had been gifted long ago at St Mungo's Hospital after he had just been bitten. Despite the kind gesture of the gift, he secretly loathed it as it reminding him a ticking time bomb until his next monthly torture session. He thought about how Dumbledore would surely be fascinated with it and even enjoy having it amongst his collection of oddities in his office. But it remained with his parents as they did like to use it when he was away at Hogwarts to think of him when it was his least favorite time of the month.

Time of the month... ha, listen to yourself, Remus. It's almost as though you can relate to women and their cycles of the not-so-fun time of the month. Ugh. This truly had to be a much worse blood condition.

The self-loathing thoughts vanished from his head when he noticed sudden movement that occurred inside the frame of one of the former Headmaster portraits on the wall. Remus looked up at the moving portrait and was a bit startled to see an older, clever-looking man blinking back at him with both an air of haughtiness and a slight disgust.

He had slick, midnight-black hair and sharp, pointed facial features. He was dressed in an elegant, deep-green velvet coat adorned with shiny silver buttons and an unmistakable snake logo. Remus immediately recognized the familiar facial features of Sirius in him and knew beyond a shadow of a doubt he must of been part of the Black family. The man stopped staring at Remus and shifted his gaze over towards Dumbledore who was pouring two cups of steaming tea.

Suddenly, the man in the portrait spoke out with a snide tone of voice,

"Albus, you're 'flogging a dead horse' if you think the ignorant likes of him is going to pull that wretch of great great grandson of mine into any better behavior."

Dumbledore put down the teapot and quickly drew his wand out. He pointed his wand menacingly at the man in the portrait but yet said rather calmly,

"Phineas, I did not ask for your opinion on this matter nor does anyone care to hear it. I kindly ask that you refrain from any further commentary at this time."

A dark, sardonic grin spread across Phineas's face in the portrait as though he was amused to stir up agitation in Dumbledore. He quipped,

"Don't say I didn't warn you. It'll be like pushing water uphill with a broomstick."

"Enough!" Dumbledore shouted with irritation.

He swiftly waved his wand and a blue light zapped across the room and formed a swirling bubble around the portrait. Remus could see the mouth of Phineas moving but sound could no longer be heard through the silencing iridescent bubble. Then Phineas folded his arms indignantly, closed his eyes and turned his head up away from them in a snooty manner.

Dumbledore lowered his wand and then gazed back at Remus who sat looking somewhat bewildered by the interaction. The professor tucked his wand back inside his robe. He gave little sigh of frustration and said handing Remus a cuppa,

"Phineas Nigellus Black... as you can see, I'm sure it comes as no shock to hear that he was the least-popular Headmaster Hogwarts ever had. My apologies you had to experience that little kerfuffle, Remus."

"Not at all, sir. Thank you for the tea."

Dumbledore cast another annoyed glance up at the portrait and then looked satisfied that the bubble continued to hold over the entire frame. He settled himself down in his chair behind his desk and took a sip out of his teacup with a thoughtful expression. Then he said,

"Most of the time he is quite unreliable and unwilling to provide any help. However, I can't deny there has been a few times his opposite portrait hanging at the Black home at Grimmauld Place has been of use to me. It's only been when I've needed to contact them in a hurry, you see, which certainly is not very often. Phineas was adept in magical knowledge of goblin metalwork...I'll give him that. Well, I'm also pleased his great great grandson has chosen to take a bolder, more controversial path from his family ways in the house of Gryffindor. He's one of your close mates, is he not?"

Remus was sipping of his tea and trying to keep his hand from nervously rattling the cup against the saucer. He was trying to brace himself for bad news. Had Dumbledore seen Sirius in his animagus dog form somehow? He answered him back shakily,

"Yes, Professor Dumbledore, he is indeed."

Dumbledore stared at Remus and started to pick up on the his troubled, anxious expression. His bushy, white eyebrows scrunched together in concern and he asked,

"Are you alright? Is there something you need to tell me, Remus?"

Don't cry. Just don't cry, don't loose it here of all places, Remus. Dumbledore was still giving him that knowing, penetrating stare. He pushed away the fear as best he could and mustered up what little courage he had left at the moment. After a long awkward pause, his words seem to spill out of him.

"Professor, it's just that, I, I don't know why you've asked me to come to your office and if I've caused any trouble please accept my sincerest of apologies. If... if the urgent matter is because I am just too much of a liability or causing you to feel an intolerable, gnawing concern to have someone like me endangering the other students here, I can go quietly. Oh Merlin, my choice of words, gnawing concern? Did I really just say that? Ugh, really. Disgusting coming out the mouth of someone like me. Sorry for that poor word choice."

Remus took some heavy breaths and broke eye contact with Dumbledore. He looked at the four burning logs in the fireplace and thought about it being somewhat symbolic of his past four Hogwarts years being diminished away.

After his words had spilled out of him, Dumbledore had a surprised expression and stood from his chair. He shook his head and walked towards Remus's chair.

"No-no-no, Merlin no, Remus. It's quite the contrary. You've been no trouble at all. I don't know why I didn't say it sooner. Why the urgent matter was to ask if you'd accept the honor and privilege of me offering you the position of Gryffindor prefect next school year?"

Dumbledore gently put a hand on his shoulder. Remus looked up at him wide-eyed and speechless for a moment. Finally, he meekly uttered,

"P-Prefect? Me, sir?"

Dumbledore kindly smiled back at him. Nodding his head, he said reassuringly,

"Yes. Yes you, Remus. I think you would do just fine for the job. You've proven yourself to be a fantastic student here and by now you know the rules throughly. I dare say broken maybe a few from time to time with your mates but it's likely not as much as Sirius and James. See, I think you could rather help keep them in line this way. You will be an exemplary role model for new, younger students. I have complete confidence in your abilities."

Remus cast a quick glance upwards and observed the silencing bubble was still holding over the portrait of Phineas Black. Then he whispered,

"But what about... my condition ?"

Dumbledore gave Remus that penetrating stare again and said intently,

"Oh I don't see how that matters at all. What matters is the person you've grown to be, Remus, despite the past unfortunate turn of events. What matters is the choices you've made... to be brave and kind-hearted regardless of the challenging circumstances. You've chosen kindness over bitterness, love over resentment, and courage over cowardice. Those closest to you see that very best in you and so will the younger students over the course of the school year. You've made it this far without anyone finding out and it shall continue as such in the time to come. And perhaps in the meantime you might even inspire your mates to be more... honorable role models, yes?"

Remus felt a huge wave of relief wash over him.He suddenly could not hold back a big smile. Dumbledore immediately matched his joyful grin.

"Yes. Thank you, Professor Dumbledore. I shall try to do my best. It would be an honor, truly."

"Ah very good. It's settled then. I'm chuffed you've accepted the position. That was all, my friend. More coconut ice?"

Dumbledore popped another fluffy pink candy in his mouth and Remus took another from the dish that the Professor lifted towards him.

"Cheers. I better get back to studying for the end of term exams," Remus told him while chewing the delicious tropical concoction.

"Indeed! Best of luck to you, chap!" Dumbledore replied.

The walk down the castle turret steps from Dumbledore's office was much faster then the slow, fearful climb he had made earlier. He whizzed downward feeling as though he was almost flying on his broomstick. Remus had an extra spring in his step and felt thrilled to get back to the dormitory to share his good news.

"Tickety-boo."

When he finished speaking the password at the entrance to the Gryffindor common room the Fat Lady commented, "My my, why that's a happy glow I don't often see on you." Remus blushed and declined from saying anything further.

As he came through the door of the dorm room, James was lounging on his bed lazily reading, Quidditch Through the Ages, while Sirius was floating Peters toad in circles around the room in a sort of giant leaping motion. Peter was munching on crisps seemingly enjoying the amphibian magic show. Remus walked and Sirius slowly lowered Peter's toad back to the floor. It hopped a couple of times and then made a small disappointed croak. James set down his book right away. The three of them stared at him waiting to hear what had happened with bated breath.

Remus faked a solemn face and said one word gravely,

"Detention."

James burst out, "For WHAT?"

Peter looked puzzled and stuffed his mouth with another handful of crisps.

"He's bluffing," Sirius remarked with a sly grin not buying it at all. He folded his arms and continued,

"Alright, out with it, Moony. Now for the real story. Come on, enough of that poppycock."

Remus's face broke into a huge smile and he said, "Okay, you got me on that one, Padfoot. Dumbledore, he um... he said he wants me to be the Gryffindor prefect next school year."

Peter gasped and started choking on crisps.

Remus quickly drew his wand and pointed it strait at Peter's throat. He spoke the incantation of a healing spell,

"Anapeo!"

The crisps stuck in Peter's airway immediately vanished. Peter grasped at his throat and then with a look of sudden unexpected ease told him,

"Th-thanks Moony. Th-thats a g-good one."

"Prefect? Really?" James asked in disbelief.

Remus chuckled, shook his head a bit and told him, "I know, that's about the same thing I first said to him in response, too. Really? Me of all people?"

Sirius popped off his bed and hustled over to give him a hearty handshake.

"Congratulations, mate! You'll be a fantastic prefect. No doubt. Why, I've always wanted to try out that big bath in the prefect bathroom."

Remus gave him a poke in the ribs and rolled his eyes.

"Ha! Well, I'm not sure about that... but speaking of exploring other areas of the castle, I was thinking about us perhaps starting to make a map..."

A/N: Big thank you to everyone who has followed this story thus far. It means so much to me. Shout out to miniandminie - your faithful reviews have brightened dark days & have been really encouraging!

I'm starting my college semester soon and will have to put this story on hold. I will continue it on my winter break in December and summer 2022. I'm not giving up... and I will get to the intersecting timelines of Remus & Tonks! :)

Lots of love, ~EmeraldChicken