Remus finally felt like his strength was back the next morning. His leg still had some stiffness, but otherwise he felt stronger and healthier then he had in years. His mindset was much more positive than it had been since learning the terrible news about his friends. He had some goals in mind for the future, and now all he needed was the courage and funds to follow through with the ideas that had taken seed. He could not picture true happiness in his future, but he would do what he could to help others.
Remus assumed he would be leaving soon, but something told him he couldn’t leave just yet. Walking out into the common room, he took a seat at his normal table. Fewer people were around then had been visiting the pub past few days. Blenkin walked over and brought a tray with pancakes, syrup, orange juice and tea.
“I have the feeling you will be leaving us soon. A hearty breakfast always helps one travel. Have you come to any conclusions while visiting us?” Blenkin took a seat and faced Remus.
“Well, I have no definite plans, but I think I will continue my education and work towards a teaching degree. I don’t think anyone will ever give me a chance, but studying has always been enjoyable to me, so what do I have to lose? I have resigned myself to being lonely and true happiness shall never come my way. My curse had seen to that.” Remus gave Blenkin a half smile.
Blenkin watched Remus for a minute, making Remus nervous; it was as if he were searching Remus’ soul. “We have one more person for you to meet. She is dealing with a lot of heartache, and can not tell you her name. Tilly has asked me to have you speak with her, and insists you are the only one who can help. After you are done eating, wave Tilly down and she’ll take you over.”
Remus ate his breakfast, and pondered Blenkin’s request. This person must be from the future, for them to be so secretive about her name. Curiosity filled Remus and he wondered why he was the best choice to help. The only way to find out was to go and talk to her.
When his tray was empty, Remus looked around for Tilly. She was on the far side of the room, talking to a young woman with mousy brown hair. The younger woman looked totally lost and depressed. Remus waved his hand and the movement caught Tilly’s eye. Motioning him over, Tilly put a caring hand on the younger woman’s shoulder and squeezed.
Remus walked over and slowly moved around the table so he was across from the woman. She was just about his age, but dressed in odd combinations of Muggle and wizarding clothing. Looking drawn and ill, dark listless eyes glanced up and met his. Suddenly, she gasped as if in recognition. Whatever was making her ill couldn’t hide her natural charm. Remus knew he had never met this beautiful girl, for she would have stuck in his memory; regardless of her sickly and listless appearance he was greatly attracted to her.
The woman jumped to her feet and would have run, but her feet tangled in her cloak sending her toppling towards the floor. Remus’ fast reactions had her in his arms before she could reach the floor. Quickly standing back up, he helped her catch her balance.
“I’m sorry if I’ve frightened or startled you, I was asked to come over and speak with you for a few moments.” Remus smiled down at the woman. “I won’t ask your name, but you can tell me anything you feel I need to know in order to help you.”
“Here is the perfect person to help you, dear. Talk to him, and I’m sure you will be feeling better soon.” Tilly gave the woman one last shoulder squeeze and then walked over to the bar.
Remus noticed Tilly’s eyes stayed glued to the table he was standing by, but he turned his attention back to the woman still in his arms. The woman raised her head, and pure love stared out of her eyes. Remus held back a gasp and helped her back into her chair. He took a seat across from her with his heart racing.
“Wotcher.” The woman greeted him, with some life stirring in her dark eyes. “I don’t know what to say really. I’m in love with a man that I know loves me, but he won’t let me get near him. He keeps saying his life is cursed, but most of it is because of his own doing. He won’t accept happiness in his life, because he believes that he isn’t worthy of anyone’s love and fears something will destroy it.”
Remus thought about what she said for a few moments before looking in her eye. “It sounds like this man is acting very foolish. Everyone deserves to be happy, and unless he has done something evil, he is worthy of love. I know what a cursed life is like, but even I have had great friends that I know cared enough for me to go to some extremes.” Memories of the Marauders flashed through his memory, bringing tears to his eyes. “Sometimes one of them will go bad, but that still leaves the others who would die before letting something happen to their friends.”
“You sound a lot smarter than the man who keeps turning me away. Maybe he just needs me to get in his face and give him a good telling off.” The woman had a small grin beginning on her face. Her entire being shined from the inside when she smiled like that.
“Maybe he does.” Remus smiled back as he tried to catch his breath, lost to her glowing beauty.
Tilly walked back over at that point. “Looks like you both have gotten the help you need. Blenkin would like to talk to you, Remus, over at the other table. He figures you will be ready to leave in the next hour or so.”
Remus smiled once more at the young woman and walked back towards Blenkin. He had a feeling that he didn’t totally understand what had just happened, but he was glad the woman seemed happier.
Nymphadora Tonks watched as a young Remus Lupin walked away from her. At a younger age, he had believed he deserved to be loved. Maybe there was a way she could help the older version understand that it truly was love she felt for him, and she was old enough and strong enough to live with what he called a curse. She simply called it a great inconvenience.
Tilly smiled over at her. “Men can be pig headed sometimes, but most of them had some intelligence at some point in their lives. Sometimes they just need to be reminded of what they know to be true. The Remus here has just lost Lily and James Potter. He knows what true friends are. I think the Remus of your time has gone too long by himself. He doesn’t remember what it is like to have close friends. You tell me that he does get Sirius back for a short time. It just doesn’t sound like long enough. Maybe you need to remind him.”
Tilly looked Tonks in the eye as she continued, “Remus won’t remember this meeting in a true sense of how it happened. After you return from this pub, he will get most of the memory back in a much clearer sense. Hopefully it will help knock some sense back into that thick werewolf skull of his.”
Tonks smiled over at Tilly. “He truly was the only one that could help me out. Thank you for leading him to me. I really do appreciate it.”
Tonks walked around the table and gave Tilly a hug.
“It was my pleasure, dear!” Tilly hugged her back and then headed towared the bar and added under her breath, “After all, circumstances like this are what we designed this pub for.”
Tonks walked out the door with a sense of hope and clarity she didn’t have when she had stumbled across this inn.
Remus reached Blenkin and turned so he could take one more look at the young woman, but she wasn’t there anymore. Blinking in surprise, he turned back to Blenkin.
“You did what you were needed for, so now she has gone back to where she belongs most.” Blenkin answered the question in Remus’ eyes. “You have helped us out a lot in your time here. That is what took the weariness from you and has given you new energy. I’m afraid it was more time then you realize. I really can’t say how much time has gone by in the real world for you, but I’d imagine a few months. Dumbledore will gladly answer that question for you when you return. Also, don’t forget that Declan is there anytime you need his help. Our paths will probably never cross again, but it has been an honor to know you, Remus Lupin.”
Remus took Blenkin’s offered hand. “Thank you for all you have done for me. My leg is good as new, and the cooking here has been fantastic. I have never been a great tea person, but I couldn’t get enough of the tea you serve. I can’t repay you for how well I feel.”
“Tilly has one more gift for you. I’m afraid it isn’t new, but hopefully along with the scarf that Declan gave you, it will see you home safe and warm.” Blenkin handed Remus a slightly used cloak.
“I’m sure it will. Give Tilly my thanks, since she seems to have disappeared on me.” Remus then gathered his scant belongings and headed towards the door. Before he could reach it, the door opened, and he almost fell when he saw who had pushed it open. “James?”
A black-haired young man with glasses and messy hair looked up at him. It was at that moment he knew it wasn’t James, because Lily’s eyes stared out at him. This had to be a grown up Harry Potter.
“Professor Lupin?” Harry looked worn and tired. Dirt covered his face and clothes. Before Remus could answer, Blenkin had gathered Harry under his arm and was leading him away.
Tilly came and gave Remus a hug, as he eyes were glued to James and Lily’s son. “You have done enough. It is for others to help him.” Tilly urged him towards the door.
Sighing, Remus went outside. Harry had called him Professor. Maybe his goal of one day teaching would come true. A little giddiness filled him at that thought. He took one more look at the inn that had most likely changed his life, and then headed down the road. After walking a ways, some of the memories from the inn began to fade, especially those concerning the young woman and Harry. Remus didn’t even notice. Finally tired of walking, he decided to just Apparate to his house.
Walking in the front door of his cottage, he realized Blenkin had been correct. Months had to have passed. Dust covered everything. After a few cleaning spells, Remus dug through the cupboards and scrounged together a meal. He would have to run to town for some groceries tomorrow or dinner would be hard to come by.
Remus found himself reflecting on the people he remembered from the Green Dragon. He wanted to do some research on Arthur Gryffindor and William Slytherin. He also would have to look up Declan at the Ministry. It would never hurt having a friend to count on.
A tapping on his window brought his attention back to the present. A barn owl sat outside, with a message that Remus had no doubt was from Dumbledore.
Walking to the window, Remus looked around for some treat to give the owl. Nothing seemed to be any good, so he would have to send the owl back without a treat this one time. Remus opened the window and the owl landed on his arm. He took the message and looked at the owl in sorrow. “I’m sorry my friend, I’ll just have to owe you. There is nothing even remotely edible here right now.”
The owl blinked in understanding, and flew out of the window. Remus closed the window and sat down to read:
Remus,
Welcome back to the real world. Three months have passed while you were finding your way. I hope that the time afforded you the opportunity for rest and relaxation. I am sure that your mind is more settled now, and I hope that you have some goals for the future. If there is anything I can do for you, I am always an owl away. Don’t let yourself become lonely. There are still those around that care for you.
You probably don’t know, but James Potter left a few books and a small amount of money to you. I have seen the books left on your table, and the money put in your account at Gringotts. Perhaps it will help you with your endeavors. Please keep in touch.
Albus Dumbledore
Remus was shocked to learn that James had left him anything. He was truly going to miss his friend. Now it was time to focus on the future. Remus walked to the table and opened the box that was sitting there. Inside were some high level text books. These would give him a great start on his training to become a professor. He vaguely remembered Harry calling him that at the Green Dragon, and he hoped he could live up to the respect that Harry had seemed to have for him in the future.
