Remus was staring at the many cloaks and jackets lain across the bed nervously, muttering repairo to quite a few of them, sewing together various tears and loose threads.
He shook his head in annoyance as he held up one of the suit jackets in front of the mirror, before swapping it for the one in his opposite hand and considering them both carefully.
"Won't matter what you look like," Emeline quipped, standing in the doorframe and watching her father, carefully. He glanced back at her through the mirror as she stuffed her face further with another bite of biscuit. "She's got it out for us anyway."
"Perhaps," he shrugged, choosing the darker brown jacket. "But this is about us, not her. I only have one chance at this, whether she's pre-decided or not." He sighed.
Emeline crossed her arms and looked off thoughtfully for a moment.
"And what if she has?" She finally asked.
"We will cross that bridge when we arrive at it." He replied quickly, sliding on the jacket and moving to his shoe rack. There were three worn down pair.
"Well, what are you thinking? I mean it's very likely she wont allo-"
"-Emeline, enough." He groaned as he sat on the rocking chair to slip his shoes on.
She threw her hands up in surrender and rolled her eyes. "Forgive me. I thought it was my future on the line." She turned to leave but he called after her quickly.
"No, wait." Running a shaky hand through his hair, he looked up at her desperately. "I'm sorry, Emma. A lot is riding on this; I just want to fix it for you. And I am afraid that I cannot. I pray that is not the case."
She shrugged. "Well, if you can't, we should have a second option. A fail safe." She came to sit beside him and rested a hand on his shoulder. "I don't blame you, and I won't blame you if this goes south. Just don't give her reason to send you off or something. She's a nasty bi-"
"-Emma." He warned sternly, resting his hands on his knees.
"Bird." She finished smoothly. "A nasty little bird."
"Mmm." He laughed. "Naturally, I'm completely convinced."
•
"Come in!" Dolores called after Remus' soft knock.
Her voice was a sweet venom that he couldn't describe, but could certainly smell.
It took every morsel of self-control that he had not to make a facial expression when he walked into her office: a room thrown up in pink and kittens.
"Goodmorning, Headmistress. Thank you for making the time for a meeting." He extended his hand to her, which she declined with a curt nod and faux chuckle.
She motioned for him to take a seat and he did so quickly as she followed opposite him, her desk with various knick-knacks and photos of the minister separating them.
"It's no trouble, Mr. Lupin. I'm sure you have questions regarding your daughter's termination." Another chuckle as she lifted her tea cup. "Care for a spot?"
"No, thank you. You are correct in that I have questions; my biggest question is certainly, why?"
She took a calm breath and smiled sweetly at him.
"I thought that much I had made clear: we do not have the accommodations for someone like Emeline."
His knuckles were white as he gripped the chair.
"Someone like?" He inquired, his voice low.
Umbridge sighed and twisted a pink quill between her fingers.
Was that the quill that had harmed his daughter?
Was it in this room?
His heart began to race.
"I mean no ill-intent. To be quite honest, I'm not familiar in fraternizing with…" she trailed off and tried to hide her discomfort.
Remus would have been offended when others could barely meet his gaze, however this gave him satisfaction.
The nasty bird certainly deserved to be uncomfortable.
"Werewolves?" He finished politely.
She nodded tensely and offered yet another fake smile.
"We simply cannot accommodate a werewolf and there's no way around it considering I have these." She held up Emeline's registration papers before slapping them down quickly.
Remus winced at how loud it was.
"That's interesting to me, Headmistress, considering Hogwarts has never discriminated before."
The buzzword rubbed her the wrong way and she fidgeted in her seat uncomfortably.
"No, Mr. Lupin, there is no prejudice here-"
"-who said anything about prejudice?" He smiled, leaning back. "Why ever would there be prejudice?"
She looked at him incredulously; there was no way he was really gaining an upper hand here.
"I specifically feel it is discrimination, considering that Willow," he pointed out the window, then to himself. "Was planted for me. It was planted for me to transform safely in the Shrieking Shack, awarding security for both myself and the entire school, so that I could receive the education I deserved. My daughter deserves the same accommodation, considering she was viciously attacked and this condition saved her life."
He stared at her unwaveringly as he awaited a response.
She tossed this over in her mind many times before opening her mouth once more.
"I appreciate your passion for your daughter, it's heartwarming, really. But I've no aid for her-"
"-Madam Pomfrey always aided me just fine. She's offered the same for Emeline."
Umbridge swallowed thickly and glanced around with nerves.
"I haven't spoken to h-"
Remus furrowed his eyebrows.
"-Haven't spoken to her? To the head healer on the grounds? Before you sent a letter saying you've no accommodations for my child? Doesn't that sound like some red tape is missing, to you?"
She was at a loss now, and Remus stood, straightening his suit.
"I'd hate to bring this to the ministry, Headmistress. But knowing there are appropriate accommodations, and those willing to assist in upholding them, for my daughter, I'll have no choice. She's entitled to a school education at the very least."
Umbridge stood also, and held out a stack of paperwork to Remus.
He grabbed it off her quickly and began reading through, his eyes widening as she smiled.
"Miss Lupin may finish term if she'd like, however these legislations are going to prove difficult for her to hold down work, or even attend Hogwarts next term. I'm terribly sorry, but I've no say. It is the minister's final decision. I'd choose wisely, Mr. Lupin."
A final sickening laugh echoed through her room as he gripped his fists together.
"Thank you for your time." He choked out angrily.
"Happy to help." She smiled.