History and Truth

Silver Dishes?

"Is there any particular subject that interests you more than others Mr. Lupin?" the Headmaster asked.

Without hesitation I answered, "Yes sir. Defense and Transfiguration."

Feeling a little ray of hope I went to help myself to a more hardy breakfast. I picked up a spoon but dropped it immediately and looked at my hand. There was a nasty burn where the spoon and touched me.

"Ah, my apologies. All of our dishes are silver. Let me take care of that for you."

And with that he healed the burn on my hand and with a flick of his wrist all of the dishes around me glowed for a moment.

"I do apologize for not thinking of it sooner. All of those around you are now steel, though they look basically the same."

"Thank you sir."

The chair beside me was suddenly pulled out and a rather stern looking woman sat down beside me. I could feel her eyes on me but didn't know what to say so I remained quiet.

"Ah, Minerva, allow me to introduce Mr. Lupin. He is the son of our fill in nurse. Mr. Lupin this is Professor McGonagall."

"I'm pleased to meet you Professor," I said. I heard Professor Dumbledore chuckle softly behind me. She on the other hand seemed taken aback. I am still not exactly sure why. I should try to remember to ask her about it one day. Anyway, before she could say anything Professor Dumbledore continued on my behalf.

"Minerva, young Mr. Lupin has asked if he could sit in on some of your classes while he is with us. Do you think that could be arranged?"

She looked at him for a minute and then down at me. I was desperately trying to control my enthusiasm but I daresay I failed. She looked down into my eyes for a long moment before asking me, "Have you been taught any transfiguration at home Mr. Lupin?"

"Yes mam. My father has his first wand and loans it to me for lessons. I hope to have my own wand someday."

I saw a flicker of something in her eyes. In that moment I felt like I had ruined everything. I lowered my head in shame and sank down in my chair before asking, "May I be excused sir?"

Meeting Hagrid

"I got up from the table and walked out of the Great Hall. Once I was in the entrance area I ran out the door. I ran blindly not knowing where I was going. I ended up on the edge of the lake underneath a beech tree. I sat there lost in my thoughts. I kept thinking that I had come close to having a dream come true before I ruined everything. I don't know how long I sat there crying.

The next thing I knew a large shadow fell over me. I looked up to see a huge man with wild hair and beard staring down at me. I looked back across the lake and didn't say anything.

"And just who may I ask are you, Young'n?"

"Remus Lupin. You must be Hagrid."

"That'd be me."

"My parents told me about you. They like you a lot."

"Lupin, aye. That would make you who I be lookin' for. Professor Dumbledore wants to see you. Told me to find ya and bring ya up to 'is office."

When we got to his office I was shocked to see Professor McGonagall waiting for me as well. I instinctively hung my head again. I braced myself for what was coming feeling quite certain I was not going to like it.

"Remus, please have a seat."

"Yes sir."

"Mr. Lupin, why do you appear so embarrassed or is it shame I see?" she asked me.

"Because I let everyone down," I said quietly as the tears streamed down my face. "I was so close to being able to be in a real classroom for just a little while and I ruined it."

"Remus, do I understand you to say you have never been inside a classroom?"

"Yes sir. I have always been homeschooled."

"And who are your teachers, Mr. Lupin?"

"My parents and grandparents."

"And what sort of things do they teach you?" she continued.

I wiped the tears away and felt a surge of pride as I answered. "Greek, Latin, French, math, literature, writing, music, flying, anatomy, basic healing spells and potions, British Geography and History, American Geography and History, philosophy, theology, theatre, baseball, American football and football. That kind of stuff. They teach me some defense and dueling as well as transfiguration but none of them are great at those."

"Remarkable. Very impressive Remus. Would you mind telling me what is your favorite in literature."

"My favorites are William Shakespeare and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle."

"Minerva, what do you think?"

Routines

"Your dad was 9 and was reading those authors?" Harry said.

"I'm not sure who those people are," Teddy confessed.

"Doyle wrote Sherlock Holmes. Shakespeare wrote plays as well as poetry," Harry answered. "Not what 9 year olds generally read."

"Well, my Dad wasn't your average 9 year old either," Teddy said with a sense of pride.

Harry smiled at his godson with a sense of pride of his own. He motioned for Teddy to continue reading.

"Exceptional mind, particularly for one so young. What concerns me is the sadness and shame which are, odd for such a young child."

"Remus, do you know how old you were when you were bitten?"

"Yes sir, I was 4."

The 2 of them looked at each other. She gave him a small nod. I was confused.

"Mr. Lupin," Professor McGonagall continued. "What routines does your family follow leading up to, during and following the full moon?"

"We schedule all trips so that we are at home before the full moon by at least 2 days before. We have a basement at home that has protective spells, wards and silencing charms cast on it. That is where I spend my transformations. Some of my father's friends from the Auror department come by and check everything before I go in and recheck once I'm locked in. They stay the night with my parents and grandparents in case they need extra help healing me afterwards. I stay at home to heal and do not leave the house at all for a couple of days to ensure no wounds reopen and for the pull of the wolf to subside. Also my heightened senses are very sensitive so it's good to stay on familiar turf."