What if...

What can happen

To say Ron Weasley was surprised when a flock of students migrated towards him along with a professor as soon as he got off the train would be an understatement.

"What are you doing here, Potter?" He focused on his main enemy.
"Sorry, Mr Weasley, but I must be taking a look at your rat, we believe he has contracted a major contagious disease that results in loss of genitals." Remus lied swiftly. Ron went pale and quickly handed the squealing Scabbers over.

"Stupefy." He incanted quickly. "Afraid it's necessary, we don't want him running away and killing anyone, do we?" He asked Ron, who quickly shook his head. "Five points to Gryffindor." He said, then walked off. Ron walked away pretty pleased about the ordeal. As long as he got Scabbers back eventually.

Fred and George were clearly impressed while the Golden Trio were laughing their heads off. Remus was fighting back a smile as he held Peter Pettigrew in his hands.

"What are we going to do now, sir?" Fred asked in one of the meekest voices he had ever used, next to when his mother had found his and Georges' sweet prototypes.

"I suppose you really do have to call me, 'sir' now, don't you?" Remus sighed. The twins nodded energetically. "Fine. Not to sound like Dumbledore, but the Wizengamot is not a place for magicals as young as yourselves. Stay here at school. I should be back by tomorrow." He informed them.

"But we're in fifth year!" The twins whined.
"First I want to see him." Harry interjected.
"Me too." Hermione joined his side (not that she had ever left).
"Me three." Neville went to Hermione's other side.

"Honestly? So do I. First we need to move away from the train. Then, I need to owl Dumbledore to tell him that I'm leaving." Remus walked a good mile from the train before finally putting Peter down after stunning him again for good measure.

"Welcome, class, to our first unofficial Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson." Remus introduced.
"Good afternoon, Professor Lupin." The students chorused, catching on.

"Today we will be learning about a nifty little spell that will transform someone from their animagus form into their human form." He demonstrated the movement with a swish and a quick jab at the air with his wand. "The incantation is, 'revertur humanum'. Say it with me."

They all chanted the spell together, thinking that this was their best Defence class so far.

"Now, the practical side of the lesson. Who would like to demonstrate?" Remus asked his little crowd. Everyone shot their hands up immediately, making him chuckle slightly. Though he thought Harry deserved the right to be the one to expose Peter to the magical world. He picked Harry and the wizard stood over the rat, pulled his wand out and said the spell. Thankfully, the rat shifted into a very short but very fat human lying unconscious on the floor.

Everyone stared for a moment, some in disbelief, some in relief, some in anger. Remus then bent down and hastily scribbled something onto a note using his knee as support, then handed it to Fred, George grabbing for it, but missing.

"Take that to Professor McGonagall, she'll give it to Professor Dumbledore." He ordered. The twins quickly ran off, holding the note like it was a message from Merlin asking for advice on pranking Morgana. "I have a trip to make." Remus said darkly, before walking off and eventually apparating away, luckily not forgetting Peter in rat form. Hermione guessed that he had just passed the Hogwarts wards.

Harry was still staring in shock after Remus. Hermione looked worriedly at Harry, but with a hint of happiness.

"Harry... you have a godfather." She said softly, taking his hand tentatively.
"I know." He said quietly. "I still can't believe it." He gave a hesitant chuckle. "I hope this isn't a dream."