Chapter Two
Remus re-entered the lake in the same manner as before. The journey down was much quicker this time; light reached down with him in hazy tendrils, and his strokes were much more sure than before. The mer-chief didn’t seem at all angered by his presence, just curious. Remus knew not to mince his words.
“Wizarding law dictates that we are allowed to propose removal of your people from one place to the next whenever we please. And that while you may set the price, you may not veto it.”
Around him, merpeople had begun to hiss at him.
“I am not here to demand anyone move, and I am not here to play pointless games with my memories. I believe you should all of you be in charge of your own destiny. And that is what Maya wants too. It’s been 300 years since you’ve had any contact with your cousins the selkies, and Maya believes you have much to learn from each other. I hope that you are able to learn more about yourselves and each other through this, but I will not ask you to share with me anything that you learn here. It is for you alone to learn this for your own benefit; to decide your fates. If you agree, I will gladly accompany Maya on her journey, and ask nothing in return. Please, think it over.”
Without waiting for a reply, he briskly left the chambers. Ideally, he would have swept elegantly out, but this was hard to achieve under water. Sighing, he swam for the surface. Of course he couldn’t find answers in books written for wizards. The way they wrote of old lores was so seemingly definitive - as if there was no room for interpretation. But so much of it was utter nonsense! How many rules had Remus learnt at school that had no bearing on reality? Back at the school, he wrote an owl to Rowan.
Gave a speech. Freaked me out, ran away before receiving reply. Just had an instinct it was the right move - can’t explain. Will send more news soon. DON’T BE ALARMED.
Remus.
Two days later, he had his reply. An egg was sent to his room. Remus ran a bath, and rolled up his sleeves to dunk it in the water and listen. The merpeople had agreed; Maya was going to the sea.
Remus was getting ready to leave Hogsmeade, when a second note came through. He recognised the spidery handwriting, and a curl of fear went through him.
Remus Lupin,
This undeserving yet repentant old man kindly requests a moment of your time for a matter that is sure to be of great interest to you and indeed to your current employer.
If willing, please meet me in my office at your earliest convenience.
Yours,
Albus Dumbledore
PS - The password is Liquorice Allsorts
Remus didn’t really want to see Dumbledore. He didn’t ever want to hear that name, or listen to that melodic voice that had danced his friends to their deaths. But he thought of Rowan, and his numerous attempts to contact Dumbledore for help with their cause. Remus knew this was an opportunity he could not simply walk away from. So he found himself making his way towards the castle.
As he turned into the corridor leading up to the main hall, he encountered a distraught Madame Pomfrey hurrying towards him.
“Oh!” She stopped short. Remus looked down awkwardly. Time, he knew, had not been kind to him. How could she even recognise the boy he once was? But apparently she did, because next thing he knew, Remus was being enveloped in a large hug that lasted at least a full minute. Remus didn’t mind. In fact, he realised he was feeling something he hadn’t felt in years - a feeling he’d been running from, and a large part of the reason he’d been so keen to avoid the castle - he felt at home.
When they finally broke apart, Poppy sniffled and then drew herself up to her full height. “I suppose you’re here because you heard the news?”
Remus opened his mouth in confusion, but Poppy gave him no time to speak.
“You tell him, when you see him - you tell Albus that he’s too young. I saw what it did to you - all of you, my poor boys, and I won’t see it happen again. Harry is to be kept out of this - whatever it is.”
Remus felt the room become desaturated. His vision was going at the edges, and he lurched forward as gravity seemed to tilt. “I - what’s - Harry… is he… is he?”
But he couldn’t finish his sentence.
“He’s fine.” Poppy held his shoulder to steady him. Remus focused on that feeling, and let the world rebuild itself around her hand. “Remus, he’s fine. He’s under my care, in the hospital wing. But it all could have been so different. It’s Professor Quirell you see…”
And Poppy filled him in on everything that had happened at Hogwarts that year.
It’s hard to say ‘Liquorice Allsorts’ in an angry and threatening manner, but Remus managed it. He strode into Dumbledore’s office, and the second the old man turned towards him, he started in on him.
“How COULD you.”
Dumbledore turned serenely, as if this was the most normal way to have entered into an office. He hadn’t changed at all, despite it having been 10 years since Remus had been in a room with him. His beard was, perhaps, an inch or so longer, and he’d started wearing half moon glasses. But that was all.
“I suspect” The older man started, “That Minerva has filled you in. I’m afraid she’s rather unhappy with me.”
Remus’s heart sped up at the mention of his old professor’s name, but he tried to steady his voice to match Albus’s. “Poppy, actually.”
“Ah. Yes, well. I’m afraid everything I feared is true. Remus, I would like you to take the job of Defence Against the Dark Arts. As you know, our current teacher is no more, so we have an opening.”
Remus chuckled darkly. “And why, pray tell, do you think I’d do that for you?”
Dumbledore surveyed him coolly. “Not for me.” He responded, “for Harry. Because Voldemort is still alive, and one day soon, we will once again be called forward to fight him. But you’re right, Harry is too young. That’s why you will step up. Even if you can’t forgive me.”
They stood facing each other for some moments. Remus imagined the scene as if he was floating above it; Remus would be barely visible in the shadows, like a monster in the dark, while Dumbledore stood elegantly in a shaft of sun. How could a man be cloaked in warmth, yet be so stone cold, all the way through?
“He’s bright boy, you know.” Dumbledore mused, unperturbed by Remus’s silence. “Engaging, curious, and willing to do anything for his friends. And he’s the spitting image of James.”
Remus’s mouth tightened at the mention of his old friend. The weight of what was being asked of him ran through him, sank to the bottom of his feet and then stopped. Once again, his battles were picking him. He thought of Harry. Remus would never be able to make amends to Lily - to James - but if he could protect their son, that would be something. And someone had to keep an eye on Dumbledore.
He looked up. “When do I start?”