Velvet Bond

Christmas 1977 / Start of January, 1978

"Albus- Albus we need- we need to take action" Minerva stumbled into the officer of the Headmaster, still soiled with blood, the blood of a sixteen years old boy, the blood of a child, the blood caused by none other than parents, the one whom should protect their kid, did this.

They willingly almost killed their child.

They willingly left him there, rotting in his own blood, drowning in his own misery, scared, alone.

They willingly hurt him until he was no more awake.

She still saw his closed eyes, his bloodied curls, his body trembling for the curses. Crucio curse, Poppy said to her and she trembled in fear and in pain for the younger Black.
What monsters they were?

She already had imagined it, when first Sirius came at Hogwarts and he started doing his trick and his prank with his friends, he had been scared to hell when Minerva said to him to go into her study because he would have received a punishment.

And- well- Sirius came.

His eyes wide open, his mouth open agape, but he entered the door with his chin up, the sleeves of his shirt turned on, his fist clenched.

"I'm used to this" he rolled up his sleeves a bit more, and she saw slashed stretches along his arms. "I'm not scared" he continued and Minerva felt guilt.
She felt his blood froze but she already knew that some families used that way to behave their child. Black were not the best parents a child could ask for, she already saw that with the three sisters when they first came, but she didn't know the damage.

"Mister Black, I'm not going to hurt you, I'm gonna ask you to clean something up, so you'll understand your lesson"
And she watched as his mouth took the form of an 'O'.
She already wanted to protect him.

"Oh- okay. That's good." He smirked and she knew that he surely would not understand nothing from that detention, no lessons, nothing at all. But she was happier that way.

"Mister Black, now Gazza will show you what to do." Sirius moved to go but then he stopped himself and returned to her, his eyes watching her frame carefully.

"Professor, can I ask you something?" She nodded at him, watching carefully his face, almost scared of his request. "Could you perhaps call me Sirius?"

"It's used to us professors, to address to their student by their last name, you know that."

"Yeah I know, I know, it's just-" he was so young but si measured with his words, like he was trying to tell her something but at the same time scared that it was something that could cause him some harm.

"Are you asking me because there is a particular reason why you want me to address you with your first name?" Minerva said, watching carefully at him, as he bounced on his legs and bit his lips.

"It's just that I don’t really- uhm- like my parents and- I don't want the reminder. We are here and they are not so- I thought that if it was possible- I could be seen as a different person, separate from them." He shrugged his eyebrows, like he himself was not sure about what he was saying, but she understood him.

"Very well. I think that we can make an exception at the tradition, Sirius." She quirked a smile seeing his eyes grow big with excitement. If it meant to make him feel better she would have twisted all of the tradition that school had. She was a human, a woman and a mom to his students before being a professor.

"Thank you professor!" Sirius said trotting out of her office and- well- she didn't know yet what she brought to her. A real menace.

"Minerva, what happened to your clothes, they are dirty" Albus slowly got up, with his usual cadence, unperturbed, like she came here bearing gifts and not with wet clothes, tears along her cheeks and blood that wasn't hers.

"We need- we need to save him, the younger Black. Regulus" she stuttered, it wasn't her thing, she always was collected, she always seemed strong and serious, after so many years of practice she was able to cover up her emotions around her students.
But that didn't meant- didn't meant that-

"I understand." Albus said humming, but he did nothing, he didn't move, he stood there, watching her with those glasses.
Minerva imagined him more shaken, ready to barge in his house and save him, take him out, at the Potters or with her if that was the case, but he just stood there.
She knew him well, he was not used to do something out of his everyday life, but- there was Regulus safety so she thought today could be an exception.

"They asked him to take the mark and he said no. They killed him. His heart stopped to beat for a moment. He's alive because the house elf came to me." Minerva explained quickly. Maybe knowing that Regulus didn't want to take the mark snapped Albus out of his trance, but no.
She knew that thinking like this was wrong, that thinking that someone was wroth saving only if he was good, only if he followed the light was extremely incorrect, but she hoped that maybe- maybe could move something.
But Minerva saw nothing in Albus eyes.

"I can't do nothing for him, Minerva. He's underaged, a minor, so under his parents' jurisdiction."

"You did it for Sirius" she responded. She didn't understand. They- Sirius- why not Regulus? Why not him?

"Sirius is different"

"Because he's good? A Gryffindor?" She was gettin angry, she was so tired of this. She saw her fucking student gettin hurt and she couldn't do nothing?
What the hell?
In what world they were living in?
Why?

"Because I need him where he is. I need him next to Lupin. And I'll need him in the future in the Order."

"For you it's always something else, right? Not the person but what you could achieve from them, right? Can't you see that we are talking about a teenager being beaten up? Can't you see how sick this is? Can't- what? What should Regulus do for you, for being worthy?"

"I already told him, and he said no. Question closed."

"Question open. What did you ask him, Albus?" She was speechless.
She couldn't believe that a student went to his headmaster asking for help, asking for a guide, to the only men who could province him so, and that man turned the kid down. She- she felt disgusted.

"I asked him to take the mark for me. To be my spy. As I always said we need one. Voldemort is becoming more powerful as the day goes on and we can't be unprepared like this. We need someone to do that. And I would have took action for later, I would have spared him the prison, Azkaban. But he said no."

She couldn't believe what Albus just said.

She couldn't what she just heard.

He asked a child to be a spy?

To go to the most scaring men to this planet and play cat and mouse with him?

The kid must have been so scared. And instead of helping him out, of asking someone responsible to take action, to protect him, they turned him down, they made him go home, scared out of himself, dealing with his problems alone.

"You asked a child to be a spy? Even though he's a minor, and we are talking about a sociopath who kill everyone who breathes wrong around him? He came to you scared to death, crying for help and all you said to him was to be your spy? When even the adult couldn't bring themself to be one? Is this what you are saying?"

"I don't expect you to understand why I am doing this. It's for the future. It's for peace."

"What future will we have if we treat like this our child? The person who we should protect, who are our future?"

"We will have no future if no one will take action against him. It's for the greater purpose. The greater good." He said to her, returning at his desk. He was done today.
And Minerva, Minerva maybe really didn't understand the great purpose, maybe didn't see ahead, but- well- she couldn't accept this.

"Well, either way I see no future."

That night she went to Poppy, who was still shaken up, who was still watching at her hands, sobbing quietly in her room.
She went to Poppy and she couldn't watch in her eyes.
She went to Poppy and couldn't bring herself to say that the child was lost, that Albus would do nothing for him, that he was not worthy his saving.

But Poppy understood perfectly.
She saw it in her face, in her eyes.

Poppy shook her head and opened her arms and Minerva slowly reached her, needing all the contact she could achieve from her. Minerva put her heads on her neck and sighed aloud.

She was so tired.

The stayed like this for a long time, maybe all night, Minerva didn't exactly know.
Time went slow, she tried to not think about Regulus, about what he was feeling right now, alone, scared, without any help.

At a certain point she started crying too.

But there was no reason. The damage was done.

And so she passed the night like that, hugged to her love, trying to hope for a better future, a future in which they would find joy and calmness again.

*

It was the first school day and all the students returned at Hogwarts after Christmas. Minerva was bouncing in front of her studios, already ready from dinner but too early for really going down there. She would visit Madame Pomfrey but she didn't want to disturb her, but then she opted to do a quick round on the school grounds. So she started walking when she met the person who occupied her thoughts in those days, Regulus Black.

The boy was lightly and repeatedly beating his head on the wall, with shrugged eyebrows, dark circles under his eyes and tremor from the after curse that still went on in his body.

She froze, she didn't really know what to do, asking him how he was? But how could she know? How could she admit in to his face that she saw the conditions in which he was and doing nothing to bring him out of that house?
Did Regulus remember the night?
Did he forget?
Did he take the mark?
Did they beat him again?
Was he better? Did he still fell pain? Did he go to Poppy?

Too many questions.
Too less answers.

"Mister Black?" But he went on like he didn't heard her voice.

"Regulus" she said at the end, giving him the same treatment that she was giving at his brother.
His eyes snapped open, he watched around and he saw her face watching at him so he quickly moved away from the wall, his gaze fell black, like he hadn't the slightest problem in his head and his chin was held up, looking at her unimpressed.

How a person could do that she had yet to understand.
How a person could shut up all of his emotions in one second always mesmerized Minerva.

"Professor McGonagall" he said, his voice decided and strong.
"Do you need help?" he then asked like she didn't just witness him having a mild mental breakdown.

"I'm quite fine, Regulus. And you? How were the holidays?"

"Never been better" he smiled at her politely and she almost gasped in disbelief.
How- how could- he was lying but she would have believed him if she hadn't witnessed his departure in first hand.

"Are you having any problems?" She asked then, she couldn't stop to worry about her guys and well- if he didn't want to talk about that, it was okay. But he really should get some help.

"Thank you for your concern, Professor" he moved to go away, or better, limping away. "But I'm brilliant"
Minerva was not so Flabbergasted by his coldness, they had never been very acquainted, since he was under Slughorn house and Regulus must not like very much since Sirius was sorted in a house different from his.

She couldn't let him leave like that.
"Do you perhaps want a cup of tea?" She asked suddenly and she saw the young men turn on and watched her attentive, like she was joking with him and he didn't know what about. She hold his gaze firm.

"You know what?" He sighed like he was firming his way to death and not accepting a cup of tea "Gladly" he said at the end, finding something in her look that she didn't know but it was enough for him to take action.
"Make your way" he moved his hands and Minerva didn't know if he made her go first because of cavalry or because he didn't want to be seen limping.

But she went on without any further question.
Maybe they would be able to talk. If he asked for her help she would have given him.
She couldn't say no to a student asking for help. She would have kept opened the school every summer, if it meant that Regulus Black was safe.

But Regulus had to ask her, she couldn't know what was going on with his parents and Regulus wasn't even in her house at school.

“Did you see madame Pomfrey?” She asked when the sit on their chair and took a sip of tea.

“I already said that I’m fine” he shrugged at her question and she rolled her eyes.

“I’m sure about that” Minerva said, he didn’t want to acknowledge the fact that he was injured, fine by her.
“However I didn’t ask you about that- did you see Pomfrey for whatever you clearly don’t have?”

Regulus hummed, a light smirk on his lips, so subtle that she almost missed it.
“I’ll go when things are settled”
He sip his tea once again, looking at her with his grey and deep eyes.
He was almost scary, imponent. Even though he didn’t have the behavior of his brother his presence was felt in the room as big as Sirius’ one.

"What kind of things?" It was a weird game, like she was watching a cat and she had to do exactly the right thing to not make it go away.
It was like if she got too close he would bachelor but if she did too little he would find their meeting boring. And this situation was almost funny, considering that cats were something she knew very well.
She felt under observation, he was pondering something, like a chess game made up of glances

“Well- we are already here- can I ask you about something, professor?”
She nodded to him, pouring about her cup of tea. She was waiting. She was almost scared. What would she do? What would he ask?

“If- I’m talking hypothetically- I did- uhm something awful-” he scratched at his harm and she immediately knew. Minerva knew that she was too late for him.
That she was too late- too late- too late.

He had taken it.

But how could he have stopped his parents if they tried to kill him the first time?
It wasn’t his fault.
It was theirs.
It was her and Albus’ fault.
He was just a kid who had grown up too quickly.

“Go on” she said when he stopped midway, looking at her with icy gray eyes, thinking about his next words.

“And I betrayed someone’s trust. Like- stabbed them around their back. What should I do? Should I go away? Ask their forgiveness?"
She arched an eyebrow, she didn't expect this question.
Betrayed someone's trust?

“Tell them why did you do it in first place, tell them that you didn’t want to, that there is a reason behind your-“ if he was talking about his brother she was sure he could understand him.
If he told him that they coerced him to do-

“Because I was too weak” he step, almost whispering and he almost regretted saying that, because he stopped himself at that.

“What?” She breathed hard-
He couldn’t think that-
That- it was his fault-

“My weakness made me do something I didn’t want” regulus repeated to her, his look almost bored now, the insecurity of before disappeared. He shrug his eyebrows, not meeting her eyes anymore and she died inside.
The child thought that it was his fault.
The child thought that he could have prevented that.

“It sounds to me that you were almost obliged to do so” she chip in, trying to sound objective, even though she was aching in her seat, even though she felt the pain he felt that night.

“If I was better no one would have made me do anything. So it’s my fault. If I had understood earlier nothing of this would have happened, maybe prevented.” he blinked at her, like she was the one weird, like she was the dumb one who didn’t understand something so easy.

“Did you say yes? At what you are talking about, did you say yes?"

“No!” He sound almost disgusted by her assumption but he quickly returned normal. His face neutral.
His eyes vacant.
The empty shell he was before.

“Well that can change-“
But he stood abruptly, putting down his cup, and holding his arm against his torso.

“Thank you professor, I think that it's almost time for dinner and I still have a lot to do."

“You're welcome here any time, I didn’t do anything for you Regulus”
He was hard to read.
And she hadn’t had too much time with him to understand better.
But Regulus Black was a real puzzle, he had more in the inside that the average teenager. He hid so much things that she almost felt her head explode.

“Well you are wrong professor. I did understand a lot from this discussion. I should tell them why that happen- That I was too weak to chose them. And too late. Maybe, When I’ll be more powerful I can stand beside them once again, but until then I’m off”
He nodded at her, like she really did something and it was not all inside his head, it was his parents' fault, his parents' excessive pretense.
They twisted his mind into thinking that he was someone not worth fighting.

She didn't agree with him but he had decided, and minerva knew that when a Black made a decision that was it. She experimented that with Sirius and Regulus was similar too.

Both proud and stubborn.

“If you ever have the necessary of another cup of tea, feel free to come to my study”
He watched day her, contemplating, his eyebrows furrowed like he was trying to understand the catch there, the trap.
But there was none.
And she felt bad he felt like that.

“Sure."

*

Later at dinner she watched as the younger Black missed, with his friends. Their usual spot empty. Minerva furrowed her eyebrows, a little worried for the younger Black, it was in her nature to worry about everything, every child in there.

So Regulus must have told him- right? But why he wasn't at dinner? Did he felt sick? Regulus felt too bad for Sirius? For what he had done but he didn't rally because his parents obliged him to do?
Their argument didn't go well? Sirius most of the time was impulsive and loud but he wasn't bad. It was just a lot to take in, nothing more.

Sirius loved Regulus very much, she was sure of it, so whatever they said to each other could go into his right place.

She could help them reunite in some way.

Minerva didn't do anything before- she would be damned for it- but she wouldn't stay still as she watched two kids get hurt for the sake of the adults.

But when Minerva looked at her table, at her boys, at her sons- well- it was weird to see a very normal Sirius Black but a devastated James Potter.

But the one who-

Why did James had that hunted look on his face?
Why was he trying to hide his red eyes and to smile even though the very thought of smiling seemed to repulse him? To made his blood recoil?
Why was James watching the Slytherin table like the thing itself did something awful to him and betrayed him?
Why were his hands trembling, his lips wobbling, his legs bouncing and his breath so deep?

James, Oh James
What had happened James?
It's not like you, James. Minerva thought.

James, the sun itself, the one who gave strength and affection at everyone was struggling with his own breath, the one who took care of everything was having a breakdown during the dinner and still was able to control himself, to control his sobs his broken sighs.
James tucked his head on his arms and he put his forehead on the table as if breathing was taking him a lot of effort, as if something painful had been craved inside his bones and it was fighting to came out, as if he had lost his light, his will to go on.
The man who probably was the column of hope, who was the one who brought smiles and sweet and cherry pie was now at his bottom and Minerva didn't know if he would be able to get up and go on, to fight, to risk it all.

And Minerva spiraled, and spiraled again.
What did they do to them?
Who had reduced him like that?

And well the words of Regulus returned to her like a frisbee.
I betrayed someone's trust he said.
But- who was that trusted him if not Sirius?
Why James?
What happened between them? Who was Regulus Black to James Potter?

Who was Regulus Black talking about before?

The puzzle of Regulus Black became more hard and deep as the minutes went on.
But the wheels began to turn, pieces to come together, Minerva was beginning to understand things she had previously taken for granted.

What relationship did they have?

The only thing she was grateful for was the fact that from the bottom you can only get back up, and the only person capable of having enough strength to get back to the way it was before was James Potter himself.

------------------

"I can't believe you let him do this every fucking month"
Minerva entered once again in Albus office, remembering of another time when she went there, that time covered in blood and scared, this time she was not so much different. No blood but still scared. And angry.
Very angry.

"Minerva, what a pleasure to meet you. Who are we talking about in this lovely day?"
It was, in fact, not a lovely day.
It had rained all morning and the breeze was freezing out everything out there, all the animals retreated in their shells to protect themself from the strong wind.
It was almost like the weather itself was rebelling against that tragedy.

First James Potter and Lily Evans.
And then- that.
Simply that.

Poppy had told her a bit with a patronus and things were not good for Remus even though he was strong and he did that every month.
But this- this time things went different.
They made him go there.
They caused there.

"About Remus Lupin"
She pointed out rolling her eyes, he was not a fool, he must already know everything.

"Ah- I heard about Lupin, what an unpleasant news."
He strolled around his desk, pacing here and there, his pass counted like he was doing a game or he was playing cheeks with the floor as board.

"You just heard? You didn't even bothered to go and see him? This is was your doing after all." She spat at him and he furrowed his eyebrows like he was the most innocent person in the world.
And well- he didn't do nothing to not be innocent.
But he didn't even do anything to be one.
He was a weir man.

"I didn't injured him Minerva. I didn't lay a finger on him. These are very different things. And I had been busy. I'll go see him in the afternoon."
He out his hands behind his back and Minerva huffed.
Nothing could move this man.
Not even death.

"You told him to go there. It's basically the same."
She pointed out again and he adjusted his glasses on his nose, pondering in what saying next.

"I kindly asked and he went"

"Did you give him a choice?"

"There is always a choice, Minerva. You already know that."

"Not for him. Not for someone who is hiding himself from the authorities. Not for a werewolf who isn't signed. Not for a former student to his headmaster. You perfectly know that." She was going crazy.
What was so difficult to understand?

"It's a war Minerva. Choices are to be made. And unfortunately I'm the one who needs to make them."
Minerva closed her eyes, she wanted to scream that she knew.
She knew, but this wasn't the answer either.

"Like with Regulus Black, right? You see them like properties. Regulus was mark and only a mark. And Remus is an animal to keep caged and to use him when you need him."

"You are saying this. I've never said this of them."
Minerva scoffed.
Hypocrite.
He believed this of them since the first time they step foot in this fucking school.

"But you thought of this."
Albus only hummed, not responding but not denying either.

"You know that he'll not be stopping doing this? That the next month he'll be going there? That he need to go there, to turn the pack in our side for win the war?"

"You want him to go with people who despise him."

"Despise- wha a strong word."

"Well- they see him like a fucking noble between tramps. He went to school, he went to Hogwarts, he had an instruction, he's not signed, the ministry doesn't know him, he can have a job, he has everything they don't have in their eyes. The'll not follow him. They hate him."

"Never say never. Remus is young but very intelligent. You are not giving him enough credit"

"Is that why he's lying on Potter's couch unconscious right now?"
He stiffened closing his eyes.

"I heard he killed Greyback so- well- that took a lot of effort, don't you think?"

"But-"

"I don't want to do this Minerva. Don't mistake my decision. If we want to finish all of this, if we want the young Harry to live save and free we have to do this. If we want to have a school after this we have to do this. I'm not happy but it's for the greater good. With this, I must greet you. Have a good day, Minerva"

And well- she was left there. Once again.
With nothing than a bunch of words, while her kids were getting killed or injured in front of her eyes.
A lonely tear went down her cheek and she huffed.

But she must be strong.
For them.
It was the only thing she could do, be there and help them through everything.

----------------

"Good evening boys, how are you doing? How's Remus? I heard, I'm so sorry"
Minerva entered the house, in was almost dinner hour, but it was the only time she could got out of the school without scaring his students.

"Good evening Minerva, come inside" Euphemia always caring, immediately took care of her, and she smiled politely, but she didn't missed her dark circles under his eyes, Monty was taking care of Harry but she didn't see nor James neither Sirius.
"He's-" Effie glanced at the room "-resting now" she finished her sentence and Minerva nodded.

Euphemia took her in the living room and she saw Madama Pomfrey sleeping in one fo the chair, worn off from all the work she had to do, and she caressed her head kindly. She didn't have the courage to watch at Remus but she had to sooner or later.

"Minnie" James said to her, grinning a bit, but even his eyes were tired, his smile little, and he was holding up on his legs only thanks to his willpower.
"We are happy to have you here"

"Thank you James. So? How is he?" She asked again and James sighed passing a hand through his face and Minerva saw how much they had all grown up since they went to Hogwarts. And what a way to grow up- they still had so much to live but so much worries on their shoulders.

"I mean- when he first came here-" a shiver run along his back. "It was bad, really Minnie- I- we didn't even know-" James put a hand in his hair, a habit he got since Hogwarts.

"We thought he was dead, Minnie" Sirius came in to her vision and her breath stuck in her throat. She- she didn't ever see anything like that, not from Sirius who always wore a grin, even when he was in pain.

But not today.

Today it seemed that the life had been taken out of him.

Today he was a dead man walking around.

Today Sirius Black didn't have a soul. He died there, in front of Remus Lupin's body.

"Oh Sirius- came here. I'm so sorry this happened to you. To all of you." she opened her arms and circled Sirius' shoulders. "But he's strong. He's so strong."

"It was my fault. I failed him so much Minnie."

"Do not blame yourself, Sirius. What has been done is in the past, and we cannot change that. Focus on being here for him right now. I'm certain your mere presence is helping him."

Sirius sniffled and she patted his back patiently, she didn't give a lot of effusion but she tried to be the best pillar they all could have. Once professor always professor.
"You think so?" The boy interlocked eyes with her, his big blue eyes so scared, so lost so afraid, they had lost their natural shine and Minerva hoped they would soon turn to sheen like before. She was so angry, they didn't deserve that-

"Of course, my dear." Minerva looked to the couch, at the man that layed there, his breath was slowly, his chest was getting up and down but barely, his frame pale, the only thing that stood up were his scars, red and swollen.
"And I know he does not blame you either. He would do anything for you. For all of you."

They heard a knock on the door and they all turned to see who was at the door, hoping that it was nothing bad. No one had still strength to fight anymore.
But there was no need.

Hope Lupin entered from the door, her eyes red, her breath fast and thick, her lips trembling from the stress, the cold, and the worry. But her body was holding her up, her eyes searching through the room, ready to be there for her only son.
"Good evening" she said in a whisper.
"Where is he? My son? Is he okay?" She was almost having a mental break down, but fortunately Effie as the woman of the house quickly went to her.
"Please he must be okay, he must be." And everyone from at that, their heart clenched.

"Hope, hi. He's fine. He's a lot better. Come, he's here" she took her hand and Hope almost gave up at that news. They all could see the tears streaming on her face, a tissue was already in her hand and she started sobbing when she saw how Remus was sleeping on the couch.

"Oh Remus- son, heart of mine, why this happened to you? Why? My poor child, my sweet boy- I'm so sorry"

Minerva slowly woke up Poppy, she would have liked more to let her sleep of her tiredness, but probably Lupin's mother would have liked to be updated about his son wellbeing.
In the mean time even Remus woke up, his eyes were red and swollen, his hands trembled a bit but he was able to smile a little when he saw his mother.

"Do you know what happened?" She asked, her gaze firm on Remus, starting to wipe clean his son' hand from some blood that remained since before, she she started stroking his hair, whispering something onto his hear, like a lullaby.

"No-" Sirius started to say, his posture stiff near the couch, watching carefully Hope Lupin. "No" he coughed trying to found his voice. "Uhm- I was saying, no we don't. He was- too-" he watched the room as for asking for some help. "Injured to talk or to remember."

"Mom?" They got interrupted by Remus voice "What are you doing here?" His voice was hoarse, Remus coughed a little, his breath a bit rugged, but his eyes were able to focus on his mother.

"I heard you got injured. Of course I'm here, silly" Minerva saw that Hope probably wanted to cry a bit more but she was holding back for Remus. Minerva didn't want to think what Hope went through in this life since Remus got bitten. Seeing your son hurt and in pain once a month it must be something no parents would want to see.

"I'm sorry mum, I didn't want to scare you. But I'm fine- there is no need to fuss- I'm fine." Sirius behind her scoffed and Remus looked right through at him, and then- she saw finally a real big smile. And she smiled with them. They really found each other.

"Sirius!" Remus smiled and Sirius smiled with him. "You are here!" And then he saw her and her grin became even bigger.
Remus the pure soul you are.
"Professor!"

"For a wise guy like you, you are really dumb, darling. Of course I am here" Sirius said and Hope made some space to make him sit near her and pat on the couch..
"No- no- Miss. Lupin- I wouldn't dare- this is your tim-" he quickly said, but Remus eyes darkened.

"Mum I already told you, he doesn't want to sit here because we fought don't make him-" his eyes big and sad, scared of his rejection but somehow already reassigned. Minerva frowned.

"No Remus! I didn't mean like that! You dumb as-" Sirius started to deny but then he stopped himself when he saw Hope sit there watching him.
"It's just that this is your moment, you need to talk through everything."

"Sirius, honey, came, the couch is big enough for the three of us" Hope quickly shut them out and Sirius quietly obeyed, Remus grabbed his hand almost scared and Minerva didn't quite understand their dynamics.
She pointed a look at James who shook his head and decided to leave the room.

"Remus how are you feeling?" Poppy intruded quietly and Remus nodded at her.

"It's almost as a truck has passed on me repeatedly but don't worry I'm a lot better than before- but still I don't remember a lot, it's all foggy. " Remus explained, and Minerva saw his fatigue, his eyes were already closing even though he stayed awake for only few minutes. Poppy shrugged her eyebrows, still worry about her patient, and she could understand her.

"How is the pain from 1 to 10?" she questioned again and Remus seemed to think a bit, his mother holding his hand.

"Uhm- like three?"

"It's more like six" Sirius interrupted him and Remus looked at him a it hardly but Sirius only shrugged his shoulders.

"Sirius-"

"What? It's real, isn't it?"

"Come on Remus"

"Ugh- okay more like five- a little more maybe."
Poppy nodded in agreement, signing something on her notebook.

"You have no deep injury, your organs are fine, you just lost a lot of blood and had some mild concussion at your head with some broken bones that i adjusted. Obviously you have to take it slow, because they need time to reassess themselves. I expect you to sleep a lot and every time you feel tired, you must adjust yourself and your body needs rest."

"Thank you, Madama Pomfrey. I couldn't be more grateful for your work. I think that he's alive thanks to you." Hope said turned and the nurse smiled at her.

"It's my job. And Remus is an angel, like a son to me. But yeah- this time he made us take a big scare. Please Remus pay attention to your health. And if he doesn't you will in charge of it" she pointed at Sirius who grinned at Remus while the last one rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath.

"Don't worry, I'll make him think twice of scaring me this much next time."

"Mum don't-"

"Shut up Remus. I love you with my soul. Every month my heart fucking breaks because you have to endure this and you have to endure this alone. For ours fault. I haven't sleep a single peaceful night since you were four, so now just shut up and let me do my job as your mother and let me protect you. Even though I failed once I'll not let this happened again." His mother hissed while she kissed his knuckles and Remus' lips wobbled a bit.

"It was not your fault- never your fault- and neither dad's one. It's- his- just him- you know Greyback"

"It was his-" Sirius interrupted them, smiling with a strange glint in his eyes and Minerva trembled a bit at that gaze.
If greyback had not died yesterday thanks to Remus, Sirius would probably have searched the world over for him and made him pay for all the pain he had caused Remus.
"You killed him, yesterday night, darling." Sirius said again when Remus watched him with a question gaze on his face.
He really must not remember what happened that night.

"Oh" Remus said, he probably was so out of him that he didn't even were able to remember what he did in that night. "Oh-"

And well-
Minerva was ready for everything but not for the bubble of laughter that came out from Hope's mouth. She was laughing like her son was getting married, like he won a vacancy far from there, like all of her problems got resolved in a nick of time.

"Fucking hell- it was time. Good job son, sooner or later I would have done it. That shit deserves only pain or death. Hope it was painful as fuck" she said while Remus laughed with her-

Hope Lupin was a very strong woman.
She had witnessed something no mortal or wizard could ever.
She saw her own son scratch his own skin every fucking month.
She was a warrior.

"And now son, I see you are closing your eyes off. Do you want a bedtime story? Like the old times?" And Remus nodded along his mother, his eyes really closing, relaxing against his mother's frame.

"Thanks mum, I'd really like that." He mumbled between sighs. "Sirius- will you stay here?"

"I'm not leaving you again love."
And Hope hugged her two sons, so Minerva took her leave.

Minerva saw everything she needed.

Maybe Remus was not safe yet, but he had people who took care of him plenty.
And she would be one of them.