the Bet

Year 3 part 2

October 31, 1993
    
    Remus Lupin was sitting in his office when he heard someone walking past. He thought that all the students were in Hogsmeade and the footsteps were too loud to be a first or second year, but too soft to be a fellow professor.

    The night before was the full moon, so Remus’s senses were very heightened. He stood up and walked to the doorway and saw Harry Potter walking aimlessly in the halls.

    “Harry?” he asked.

    Harry turned around and saw that it was Remus.

    “What are you doing?” said the man. “Where are Ron and Hermione?” Remus was surprised that the two weren't at Harry’s side as they usually would.

    “Hogsmeade,” he replied, trying to act casual.

    “Ah. Why don't you come in? I've just taken delivery of a grindylow for our next lesson.”

    “A what?” Harry asked as he followed Remus into his office. Remus motioned him to a large tank of water with a sickly green creature inside.

    “It’s a water demon.” he paused, “We shouldn't have much trouble with him in class.”

    Remus walked over to his desk. “Do you want a cuppa? I was just about to have one myself, but daresay I have enough tea leaves?”

    Harry looked at the professor in shock but Remus just winked at him.

    “How did you know about that?” he asked.

“Professor McGonagall told me,” said Remus as he passed Harry a chipped mug of tea. “You’re not worried, are you?”

“No,” said Harry. Remus could see Harry hesitating whether he should say something else.
“Is anything worrying you, Harry?” he asked.

“No,” Harry said. The boy drank a bit of tea and looked past Remus at the Grindylow. “Yes,” he said suddenly, putting his tea down on Remus's desk. “You know that day we fought the boggart?”

Remus held his breath. He knew where this was going. Harry was going to ask about Voldemort. About when James and Lily were killed.

“Yes,” Remus said slowly.

“Why didn’t you let me fight it?” said Harry abruptly. The man raised his eyebrows.

“I would have thought that was obvious, Harry,” he said, surprised.

“Why?” he said again.

“Well,” said Remus, frowning slightly, “I assumed that if the boggart faced you, it would assume the shape of Lord Voldemort.” would else would it be? What or who could be worse than the monster who took away two of the best people in the world?

Harry looked shocked— he was not expecting that answer.

“I didn’t think of Voldemort,” the boy said. “I — I remembered those dementors.”

“I see,” said Remus thoughtfully. “Well, well . . . I’m impressed.” He smiled slightly at the look of surprise on Harry’s face. “That suggests that what you fear most of all is — fear. Very wise, Harry.”   

Remus couldn't help but think if Voldemort came after the Potter just a little bit later, if Harry would remember them.

“So you’ve been thinking that I didn’t believe you capable of fighting the boggart?” said Remus shrewdly.

“Well . . . yeah,” said Harry.
Remus set his tea on the desk. “I'm sorry for giving you that impression, Harry. I believe that you are very capable of fighting the dementors off, it is just that I don't believe the other students would not be able to cope with an image of one of the darkest people in the modern era to appear right before them.”