Love The Heartless

Chapter Twenty-Four

November 3rd, 1971

"Professor Nott?"

Aurora looked up to see James Potter and Sirius Black standing in the doorway of the defense classroom.
"Gentlemen, come in. How can I help you today?"

James walked in, leaving Sirius to close the door to the classroom.
"We were wondering... what all do you know of werewolves?" James asked.
"I know quite a bit. As do you two, if I recall your papers on how to identify a werewolf. Why do you ask?" Aurora placed her quill on her desk, focusing on the two boys.

"Jus' curious," Sirius mumbled.
"Well, I know that werewolves can be dangerous," Aurora removed her glasses and set them on the desk. "As they have no control over themselves whenever they turn. Their human brain is taken over by the wolf, leaving the person they are behind. But, as I said in class. I believe in equality for all magical creatures." 
"Is a werewolf contagious outside of the full moon?" James asked.

"No. Seeing as a werewolf only comes out during the full moon, the human is not contagious. You can only be turned if you are bitten during a full moon. You may turn with a scratch, but it is highly unlikely. You will most likely just have some... wolfish tendencies during the full moon. Such as fevers, chills, nausea, or persistent hunger. It depends on the person." Aurora paused. "Are you boys trying to tell me something?"

"No!" James said, a little too quickly. "We-we uh, just wanted to know more. You're a good teacher and we both were interested in learning more about werewolves."
"Alright then." Aurora nodded. "Do you have any more questions?"

Both boys shook their heads.

"Off you pop then. Oh," Aurora reached and grabbed the small stack of papers. "Please give Mr. Lupin his assignments for yesterday and today. I've heard he's taken ill."
"Oh, yeah. He's real sick." Sirius nodded quickly. "He was throwing up and everything."

"Right then." Aurora waved them off, watching the two boys leave.

She turned and looked at the calendar on her desk. Well, that couldn't be a coincidence, could it?
Remus Lupin had been sick multiple times that school year. Most noticeably, the fifth and sixth of September, the fourth and fifth of October, as well as yesterday, and today. 

Aurora stood, marching out of her office, and up to the Headmaster's office.

"Chocolate frogs!" She called out, walking up the stairs that the gargoyle revealed.
Aurora paused for a moment, before knocking on the Headmaster's door.

"Enter."

Aurora walked inside, taking in the sight of the Headmaster's office. It had always been a place of comfort for her during her school years.
"Ah, Professor. Please join us." Dumbledore smiled, as he motioned to the empty seat next to Minerva.

"Headmaster. Minerva." Aurora dipped her head in greeting, sitting next to the older witch.
"Now, as I was saying, Minerva. Mr. Lupin will be back in classes tomorrow. He does not want special treatment, due to his condition, but I must insist that the Professors give him a small extension during certain times of the month."

"You mean during the full moon," Aurora said calmly.
"I knew you must have figured it out, Professor." Dumbledore nodded. "But I must insist on Mr. Lupin's condition staying between the three of us. You know how society views people like him."
"I do. Which is why I came up here and wanted to know why I wasn't told. Who is helping him with his transitions? He is just a boy!" Aurora demanded.

"We're doing the best we can, Professor," Dumbledore said calmly.
"I want to help Poppy with his healing after the full moons."

"Aurora, Poppy is an experienced healer-" Minerva started.
"I am quite handy with healing and glamour spells, Minerva. Or perhaps you forget who my parents are."
Aurora had spent most of her first and second years learning all the glamour and healing charms she could. Her Father had a bit of a temper, and it was easier to just heal herself and glamour bruises and cuts rather than having people ask questions.

"You have my permission to assist Poppy. As long as young Mr. Lupin gives his consent." Dumbledore nodded.

"Right, then. If you need me, I'll be in the hospital wing with Poppy." Aurora turned and marched out of Dumbledore's office.

November 4th, 1971

"There, there, Mr. Lupin. You're alright. Not as bad as last month." Aurora heard Poppy soothing the boy from behind the curtain. "Now, Professor Nott is here and would like to assist in healing you. Would that be alright?"

Aurora couldn't hear a reply, but when the curtain gently opened, she was ushered in by Poppy.

"Hello there, sweet boy. How are you feeling?" Aurora brushed back the mop of curls from the boy's forehead and saw a new gash across his eyebrow.
"Who-who told you?" Remus stuttered.
"Figured it out myself, didn't I? I'm the DADA teacher. I know a thing or two, love." Aurora gave him a soft smile as she gently dabbed essence of dittany on the wound.

"You aren't scared?"
"Why would I be scared?" Aurora waved her wand, closing the wound. It would still scar, but it wouldn't be as noticeable.

"I'm a monster." 

Aurora looked down at the boy, who was looking up at her with tears in his eyes.
"You are a boy," Aurora said sternly. "You are a survivor of a situation that someone else put you in. You're a boy who happens to be a werewolf, who needs some help."
"Professor," Remus took a deep breath. "Why are you so kind to me?"

Aurora choked back the sob that was threatening to escape. She gently swept back his hair from his forehead, like she used to do to Andromeda when she felt ill. "You deserve nothing less than kindness, Remus. You're a good boy. A good friend to your friends. You deserve the best in life."

Remus let out a quiet sob, and latched onto his Professor, holding her tight. She imagined that he had waited his entire life to hear those words. Aurora hugged him tightly, giving him comfort that only a Mother could give.