The feast lasted late into the night. Above them, the stars and moon grew dim. Since the full moon had likely passed and the next wasn't due for three weeks, Lupin was in high spirits; he hadn't needed to take any potions, and he finally attended a formal dinner, clinking glasses with Hagrid and sampling every dish and drink Hogwarts had to offer. A look of pure satisfaction settled on the face of the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
Melvin reflected on how difficult the past few months had been for his colleague. Lupin had spent his first months teaching worried sick about Sirius Black's escape and agonizing over whether to reveal their secret as unregistered Animagi. Just as that was resolved, he was now plagued with anxiety over the exposure of his lycanthropy. But at this moment, Lupin had dropped his guard. No longer burdened by secrets, he drank and laughed with his fellow professors, making up for the Christmas feast he had missed.
As the alcohol took effect, Hagrid's dinner-plate-sized cheeks flushed deep red, and he eventually slumped onto the table, half-asleep. Lupin, looking a bit bleary-eyed himself, leaned over Hagrid to speak with Dumbledore at the head table. In the three weeks since Christmas Eve, the Board of Governors hadn't breathed a word about Sirius or Peter, but old friends from the Order of the Phoenix had been sending letters—some seeking the truth and others offering help.
With the trial being dragged out so long, everyone knew something was off. Dumbledore had been holed up in his office for most of the break, only seen occasionally when Professor McGonagall visited with paperwork; he seemed to have no intention of meddling in Sirius's legal matters. Lupin was worried but didn't dare ask, finding it difficult to face Dumbledore. He felt he had botched everything the Headmaster had entrusted to him—from his school days wandering the grounds instead of staying in the Shrieking Shack, to hiding the Animagus secret after returning as a teacher, and finally exposing his condition to the students. Fortunately, none of it had led to a disaster.
Lupin took a deep breath and murmured, "Professor... Dumbledore?"
"Ah, Remus!" Dumbledore turned, seeing his friend's flushed face. With a flick of his wand, he tapped Lupin's glass, turning his Butterbeer into orange juice. The old wizard offered a playful smile. "I actually have a favor to ask. Flitwick and Melvin have planned a special session for the Dueling Club, and they need your help."
Lupin was stunned, his unspoken words dying in his throat. He looked past Snape toward Melvin and Flitwick, who were deep in conversation about charms. The diminutive professor waved at him from atop a high stool. "Technically, it falls under the Defense curriculum," Melvin added with a nod of agreement.
"A special session?" Lupin asked, confused.
"Yes," Melvin said, raising his glass toward him across several feet, the two glasses clinking together with a clear chime as if they had touched. "A masterclass on the Patronus Charm. The students just returned from break and their spirits are high. If we channel that positivity and use the thought of family to fuel their protective intent, it will be a major success. Remus, we need you to provide the demonstration!"
Melvin had stopped Lupin from appealing to Dumbledore because he knew exactly what the answer would be. The Headmaster's greatest principle was to never touch power directly, respecting the Ministry's laws even when Fudge and Umbridge were clearly obstructing justice. Dumbledore was content to wait in his office for the results—a level of restraint Melvin found deeply admirable.
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Friday, January 14, 1994.
Term had started mid-month. Classes began on Thursday, and after a quick review of last term's work and turning in holiday assignments, it was already the weekend. The students were thrilled with the schedule.
On Friday afternoon, the third-year Gryffindors were in Defense Against the Dark Arts, studying the Kappa—a water-dweller that looks like a scaly monkey with webbed hands and a water-filled hole in its head, which is the source of its magic. They live in shallow ponds and prey on humans, often strangling the unwary. While there isn't a specific hex for them, throwing a cucumber carved with your name into the water can prevent an attack, or you can trick the monster into bowing so the water spills out of its head, draining its power.
Because only Harry, Ron, and Hermione knew the truth about Lupin, the class proceeded as smoothly and casually as always. The first half was theory, made interesting by Lupin's personal travel stories, and the second half was a practical demonstration for the students.
When the bell rang at 4:00 PM, Harry and Ron packed their bags and headed for the library to help Hermione with her research. On their way down the stairs, they saw a crowd gathered around the bulletin board. They craned their necks to see, feeling curious. The term's calendar had just been released, and they didn't recall any major events scheduled. The Easter holidays were far off, the Hogsmeade trip wasn't for another week, and the next Quidditch match—Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw—wasn't until the following Saturday.
"Justin!" Harry called out to a passing Hufflepuff. "What's the big news? Why is everyone crowding the board?"
"Harry! You still haven't told us about your holiday adventure!" a few Hufflepuffs teased. Hannah Abbott chimed in, "It's Friday! Professor Flitwick posted a notice about the Dueling Club. Almost every professor is acting as a teaching assistant tonight. They're setting it up outside by the school gates, and word is Dumbledore might even show up!"
"Plus, we get to see Professor Levent's Patronus!" another student added.
"Flitwick mentioned it in Charms this morning," Justin said. "He urged everyone to attend if they weren't busy. Professor Snape is even brewing Cheering Charms to help everyone get into a positive headspace for summoning their Patronus. Professor Sinistra even postponed tonight's Astronomy class to be an assistant."
"Not just an assistant," Ernie Macmillan corrected. "Tonight's moon is weak but Venus is brilliant; the professors are going to channel the celestial energy to help us manifest our guardians."
The group buzzed with excitement about the upcoming lesson.
"What time does it start?" Harry asked.
"Right after dinner. The prefects will lead the way to the clearing."
"Thanks! We'll see you there," Ron said cheerfully. Ever since Dumbledore mentioned their "adventure" at the start-of-term feast, their legend had grown, and their classmates were more eager than ever to chat.
Harry stood still for a moment, then turned to head back upstairs.
"Harry, where are you going? The library is this way!" Ron called out.
"I'm skipping the library," Harry shouted back. "I've got plenty of time. I need to go talk to Dumbledore!"
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