July 25th, 1971
March 10th, 1971
Despite popular belief, Remus Lupin was not upset about not getting into Hogwarts. He saw this coming. Even though he’s displayed accidental magic a few times, he knew there was no chance he was getting that letter. Four months ago, when Remus turned eleven, he wasn’t expecting a letter. Nor did he get one. A werewolf at Hogwarts? Remus can already hear the outrage. James, Auntie Ephie, and Uncle Monty may be accepting, but dad says they’re the only purebloods like that. The other wizarding parents or any of the professors would never let him attend.
Primary school wasn’t even that bad anyways. The other kids were alright, even if a few used to be freaked out about his scars and the teachers thought his parents were abusing him, it ended up alright. He loves reading and writing and history. Maths is alright, but it’s not his strong suit. He’s friendly with some of the kids, but never enough to have them over. For years he’s begged Auntie Ephie to send James to his school, even if it’s only until year six before James has to leave. But she kept saying no. Something about he’ll never use the information and needs to be prepared for Hogwarts. He’s not sure he’s ready for James to leave just yet. They may not go to the same schools, but James normally floos over once Remus is done with class (James ends his lessons at two then he spends the next hour flying just in time for Remus to be done with school).
James has tried as hard as he could to not seem excited about Hogwarts, but Remus knew better. James has been preparing for his letter his entire life and now he can’t even enjoy it with his friends because Remus is a werewolf. Sometimes it feels like everything in his life revolves around his lycanthropy. He’s covered in scars, he can’t go to school with James, he can’t even tell his muggle friends the truth about anything. He doesn’t mind muggle school or even the muggle life, but some days he wished it was a choice and not just because he’s a werewolf.
He sat in the living room across from James. He was simply reading his book while James was cleaning his favourite broom and the adults were sitting in their kitchen.
“You’ll never believe who became the schools headmaster a few years back.” Uncle Monty started his second class of scotch. Dad must have made some facial reaction, because Uncle Monty kept going. “Albus Dumbledore.”
“Really?!” Dad sounded so shocked, Remus put down his book. Even James looked up from his broom.
“Who is Albus Dumbledore?” Mum asked.
“He is an eccentric man who has managed to alienate himself from most of the ministry because he does anything he wants and always gets away with it because no one can ever catch him.” Dad explained. Remus did not think this man should be allowed to be in charge of a school if this was true.
“The man’s a genius and a good friend.” Uncle Monty smiled. This man was getting more and more confusing to Remus. James looked simply intrigued. “Half the population thinks he’s a complete nutcase, the others know that his worst guess is more correct than someone’s best explanation. He knows magic better than anyone I know but that may just because he’s a loon.”
“Monty do not speak ill of your son’s headmaster and the man you invited over for dinner the other week.” Auntie Ephie teased her husband. Uncle Monty smiled and laughed. James didn’t know this, but Remus wondered what it was like to have parents that never fought. His parents loved each other of course, but there were still times where they didn’t always see eye to eye. James never had to worry about that.
Their parents started talking more about the headmaster but Remus didn’t want to hear more. He didn’t care about that school (really he didn’t).
“Wanna go upstairs?” He asked James.
“Sure.” Luckily James was always down for pretty much anything.
——-
Remus was still reading, but now James was flipping through his ‘incredibly fascinating’ muggle school books and asking questions about them. It’s been going on for a while.
“So you said maths is just numbers in a line but these numbers are over other numbers.” James interrupted this page four times so far. Remus was never going to finish this book.
“Those are fractions. They’re parts of numbers. Like one over two is half of a full number.”
“Wicked.”
Silence. Remus was not foolish enough to think this was permanent however. James was still flipping pages after all.
He made it one more paragraph before the next interruption. This time however, was by the doorbell. Remus didn’t think anyone else was coming over. Mum never has her friends over when the Potters are here. James closed the book and went to the bedroom door. Always the adventurer his friend.
Remus could hear his parents same confusion. The only ‘gift’ about being a werewolf was his heightened senses. Better smell and hearing specifically. He’s not overly sure about eyesight.
The door opened and Uncle Monty was the first to speak.
“Albus?”
Then dad.
“Professor? To what do we owe the pleasure?”
Then a new voice he’s never heard before.
“Oh good you’re all here, I do think I’ll speak to young Remus first though.” And then footsteps going up the stairs.
James shut the door.
“That’s Professor Dumbledore! And he’s here for you!” James was just as shocked as Remus. Remus couldn’t form a single word, he just stood there and waited.
And wait he didn’t really have to for suddenly there was a knock on his door. He looked to James but James was looking back at him expectantly like he should be doing something. Oh. Right.
He opened the door to see a tall man with a long white beard and long white hair. Despite his appearance, his eyes seemed very young and lively.
“Good evening Mr. Lupin and Mr. Potter.” His voice was soft but still powerful and confident.
Remus had no idea what was happening so he instinctively looked to James. Luckily his best friend was also good at catching on.
“Good evening Professor. How are you enjoying this summer?” James has been almost trained to talk to adults for fancy party’s and wizard things. Remus had never been more thankful.
“Very well thank you, James. I hope you don’t mind, but I was hoping to have a chat with our mutual friend here.”
Don’t do it. Don’t do it. Don’t-
“Of course! I’ll go back downstairs!” James smiled wide, gave him a big thumbs up and left. The nerve.
“What are you reading there?” The professor asked, he sat on the chair by his desk. Remus sat on his bed. Remus looked down at the shabby, hand-me down book he was holding. It had been one of his mother’s favourite when she grew up and Remus found himself liking it too. A boy becomes a noble and good king after being chosen by a wizard, but that not what he likes about it. The boy is completely average. He’s not the smartest or the strongest or even the biggest. But he was still chosen to be the king of Camelot. That’s what Remus likes. He doubts some fancy high end wizard will care for it though.
“It’s just some muggle book.” He shrugged. He assumed once the professor heard the book was muggle, he would loose interest immediately. But the wizard surprised him.
“What is it about?”
“Oh, um it’s about this muggle boy who pulls a sword out of this stone.” Remus kept it broad, but the old man seemed to be wanting more. The professor didn’t say anything and Remus got a feeling he wasn’t going to until he was given an answer he liked. So Remus kept talking. He talked about Merlin and Arthur and the people that bullied Arthur for being so weak and small. And how even thought his bullies were all right, Arthur never gave up.
“It sounds like a very good story to read. Can I ask you one more question about it?” The professor was calm and really genuine, so Remus nodded yes. “Why did you think I would not want to hear about it?”
Was it not obvious? Why would a wizard professor care about a muggle book?
“Because it was written by a muggle and you’re… y’know” Now the professor looked taken aback. Remus was so confused.
“Literacy will always be literacy no matter who had written it.” Dumbledore sat forward slightly. “May I?” He reached for the book and Remus gave it to him. “What about this makes this a book?” Remus was starting to doubt Uncle Monty’s claim that this man is a genius.
“Erm, the pages and words on the pages have to tell a story with characters. And there has to be a title.”
“Anything else?” Remus shook his head. “What about pictures?”
“Pictures?” Remus questioned, “A book doesn’t need pictures to be a book.” Unless it was a book for babies maybe.
“You are correct. A book does not need pictures, but some still have them. Are they not books as well?”
“Of course they are-“
“Exactly. And what about books that do not tell a story with characters but merely an educational retelling? Are they not books?”
“They are too.”
“So we agree that multiple things can be a book. This book has stories and characters, but not all books need that. To me, the only quality a book must have is someone to read it.”
Remus liked that answer. He nodded, but didn’t say anything else. He didn’t know what to say or why the professor was even here.
“Magic is a lot that. You see, Remus, some wizards believe that wizards can only be people who were born from magic and came from magic. But as you and I have already discussed, wizards like books can be many different things and come from many different places and families. Any magic that can be utilized is magic that should be taught and that is why I am here today. Mr. Lupin, would you like to come to Hogwarts?”
What. No. Remus couldn’t, he was too dangerous. He couldn’t be around other students. He would harm them or they would never accept them. Dad has told him how wizards treat werewolves. He would hurt them all on fulls and they would get him back every other night. Why would Dumbledore invite him? Did he not know what Remus was? Did he not know the risk?
“I- I’m sorry sir, but I can’t!” Remus thought the man would understand this, but he only looked dumbfounded. He didn’t know. That was the only real explanation. He had no idea the truth of the monster Remus was.
“Oh? Why not?” The professor was still calm, but Remus knew he wouldn’t be for long.
“I’m- I’m dangerous! I’m a-!” Remus was cut off by the professor simply holding up his hand.
“I am aware what happens to you one day a month, but I am more interested in what happens every other day. You are a very good person to sacrifice your own happiness for the wellbeing of others. That is a very admirable trait that not many have. However, I do hope in the future you will trust that I would not be having this conversation if I thought you would be any harm to Hogwarts and those who live in it. I will discuss the details again with your parents, but I’ve had a house built far from both the school and the neighboring village. The only way in is guarding by a tree that likes its personal space very much. And no one will ever have to know what happens every couple of weeks. Our healer, Madam Pomfrey, is already learning the best ways to treat someone with your condition and I am hoping Euphemia will teach her more should you decide to attend. Everyone will be kept safe. So, I will ask you again, would you like to come to Hogwarts?”
It sounded so good. So promising. But was it too good? Was it not real? Would he be kept safe just be an outcast anyways? What if he’s horrible at magic or James finds cooler non-werewolf friends? The professor was still starring at him. This was a question that required an immediate reaction. Hogwarts brought so many questions, but he realized for the first time in his life, he had them. The muggle life was predictable and while it wasn’t that bad, he finally had a choice. He could be accepted to the wizardingly world right now. This was his one shot. He could join James and he may be the worst student there, but he’ll be there.
“Yes sir. Thank you.”
“For what?” The professor stood up.
“For letting me in even though-“
“Of course I’d let you in. You’re no different than any other student.” The old man smiled with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Remus was wondering if he would ever truly understand what the headmaster was saying. But honestly he did not care one bit. He was going to Hogwarts. He would be a wizard not just a werewolf! He couldn’t believe it!