From the Eyes of the Werewolf

Chapter Seven

Catching Up

As the end of his first week drew to a close, Remus realized that there were two things he desperately needed to attend to before any more time passed. First he had promised Katie he would write to her, letting her know how classes had gone and giving a full account of changes at Hogwarts. Katie had never attended Hogwarts, but she always listened intently whenever Remus would share stories with her. Most of the tales involved experiences with James and Peter...and Sirius, and thus were too painful and emotional for him to relive. But every now and then, a memory would fill his mind, and the desire to share it would press so heavily upon him that he would tell Katie. He had so far managed to exclude the names of James, Peter, and Sirius, always referring to them as "my friends," and much to his pleasure, Katie never pressed him to reveal more.

The second task that needed addressing was a visit to Madam Pomfrey. He had yet to see her since his return, and he was quite anxious to catch up with her. She always had a calming effect on him, like his mother had. Most of the students regarded her as an overprotective bother who would keep them in the hospital wing overnight for cuts on their fingers. But Remus appreciated her doting and the care she always took in making sure he was well. He knew she really did care about his safety.

On his first Saturday morning, Remus awoke with the sun and took great pleasure in lounging in his sitting room in his robe, sipping tea, and composing his letter to Katie. He had taken out his quill and parchment and brought the only photo he had of her to the writing desk.

Amused, he wondered if Katie had any idea that he had this. Mrs. Noyes had given it to Remus before he left as a reminder of home and friends. Katie would probably put up a fuss if she ever saw the photograph, as she wasn't very well put together - a smudge on her chin and hair in her eyes - but she was still beautiful.

Why are you thinking this? It's just Katie. Stop it and get on with the letter.

Shaking his head at his thoughts, he began writing.

Dear Katie,

Well, as you can tell by the simple fact that you are receiving this, I have arrived at Hogwarts, and I have survived my first week of classes. Some things never change, particularly when it comes to such important matters as 'breaking in' new professors, although being at the receiving end as opposed to the delivering end was an interesting change. I seemed to have startled two of the more active pranksters here at the school by being fully cognizant of what their trick quills, fireworks, and other whatnots were about to let loose. I think, however, I gained a few points by returning most of the confiscated objects to them at the end of the session. Of course, I was delighted to hear that the returned firework was in fact utilized in Professor Snape's class....

I think I told you at some point about Severus Snape. I was rather startled to actually see him again; I thought I was prepared for it. I wonder, when he looked at me, was he as shocked to realize I was not the young man he had last seen? In many ways Snape hasn't changed at all (particularly his charming personality, which actually seems to have become rather more testy), but I am still vaguely surprised when I look at him, and suddenly remember exactly how much time has in fact passed. I think...Katie, so much time was lost for me; it all just blended together. I think I see that now.

It is both terrifying and overwhelming to be back here; I'm remembering so much, good and bad. I won't bore you with maudlin details. I will simply say that I am having a good laugh here and there in odd corners as I suddenly remember something particularly silly or daring that happened there. And it feels good, in a bittersweet way, to feel those things again. You were quite right about that.

By the way, you would be amused to know that I have in my class the son of two people I knew here at Hogwarts, and it rather startles me how much he reminds me of them both. I guess, quite a long time has passed since I've been here after all.

You had asked I describe the castle to you with fresh eyes, not as I remembered it. I think my remembered physical descriptions still do it justice, but the sensations I did not impart to you with the same intensity. Perhaps I did, and what I tell you now are the new sensations that I feel as a grown man who has seen much returning to the cherished home of his youth, remembering a time when everything was much simpler. The Great Hall, with its huge high-enchanted ceiling, is as breathtaking as ever. I found myself staring up at it and watching the sky change and move just as I would as a boy. It is rather odd to be up on the dais at the teachers' table looking down on the students as they eat. We had a pretty good idea that the teachers had a good view of everything we were up to from that vantage point, no matter where you sat at your table. Now I can confirm that in fact they had an excellent view of what was going on, and it's no surprise that I ended up in detention faster than you can say 'ridiculous' that time I hexed the Slytherins' dinner plates; MacMillian saw my every move. At least he was good enough to let me finish what I was doing before he put a stop to it. I've watched Snape nearly break his neck twice leaping from the dais and descending on some poor Slytherin student under the impression Snape can't see what's what. Rather entertaining; I notice that McGonagall has her Gryffindors under the same situation MacMillian had us; don't even bother to try it.

The layout of the Castle remains essentially the same, through what with all the moving staircases and wandering rooms about the place, it took me a day or two to get used to it again, despite how well I knew this place from my youth. And I have finally seen the one place we never managed to gain access to when we were boys: the staff wing. As you might imagine, it is probably the most heavily guarded section of the castle. My rooms are comfortable; they are decorated as my dorm was in Gryffindor when I was a student, which I find oddly comforting. But they lack the warmth of the house, of course, and I've no garden to stare out the window at as I work. I wish you could see the school, as I know you would love it. Someday, perhaps, we might be able to arrange that. I think Dumbledore would be happy to show off his school to you.

It has been tiring, what with all the nervous energy of being back and the full class schedule I manage. The older students are dreadfully behind, thanks to not having a proper DADA professor for two years, and they are going to have a long year getting caught up. I'm working on making it as enjoyable as I can for them, despite the workload I'm going to give them. Speaking of making classes more enjoyable, can I ask a favour? Remember the Grindylow we discovered in the pond beyond the close? Would it be too much to ask if you might round him up and send him to me? I'm trying to give the students some practical experiences, and the Grindylow would be good for the third years, who are worse off than most of the others, seeing as they've only had Quirrell and Lockhart to teach them, and should be much further along than they are. If that's a little too disgusting to ask, never mind. If you do go after it, remember to focus on breaking its fingers. Don't worry if you do that - they grow back rather quickly and I won't need him for a few weeks.

Say hello to Mrs. Noyes for me. Write and let me know how things are down there if you've a spare moment here or there.

Hope you are well.

Remus

He looked over the letter and realized that he had gone on for quite a bit. He hadn't planned on writing such an extensive letter, but it felt comforting to be able to share these things with her. He folded up the letter and, glancing down at his robe, decided upon dressing before heading off to the owlery. He hadn't been there since his own Hogwarts days and was hoping he would find it in the same place it had always been. As he told Katie, things like to move around at Hogwarts, including entire rooms. He dressed and managed, much to his surprise, to find the owlery right where it should be.

Now to find Madam Pomfrey. The hospital wing was at the opposite end of the castle, which gave Remus the opportunity to see some areas of the castle he had yet to revisit since his return. On his way, he passed the History of Magic classroom, which was empty, and couldn't resist the urge to peek inside. His mind had been on Sirius far too much lately, and this classroom brought back one very fond memory. Smiling, he nodded at the suit of armor in the far corner and returned his journey to the hospital wing. Would she recognize him? Surely she had been told he was returning. She hadn't made an effort herself to visit him. Perhaps she didn't want to visit him.

Now stop that, Remus. Why wouldn't she want to see you? She always was extremely polite and friendly.

His mind drifted to the first time he ever met with Madam Pomfrey. That week leading up to his first full moon at Hogwarts had been dreadful. He had never spent a full moon away from his parents and was quite fearful for what would happen. Before he had left for school, Dumbledore had met with his parents and informed them that he had a private place for Remus to go, where no one would disturb him and he would be safe. But he was nervous to find out where that place was. At first he had thought they would put him in one of the dungeons, but at his initial meeting with Madam Pomfrey, she had shown him just what they had in store for the transformation.

He came to a stop outside the doors to the infirmary. This place he would never forget for as long as he lived. This was where he spent every day after the full moon. How many lies had he thought up to try and dissuade his friends from knowing the truth? How many times did they come and visit him after they knew the truth? With a deep breath, he opened the door and poked his head in the room.

"Hello?" he said softly.

"Mr. Lupin?" the woman behind the desk said. Remus just stared back at her. "Are you Remus Lupin?"

Not saying a word, Remus shut the door behind him and nodded.

"Well, don't be shy, my boy, come in!" She stood up and walked over to him, grinning widely. Remus took only a few steps toward her before she met up with him, placing her hands on his shoulders. "Well, let me get a look at you. Such a fine boy you are, and I've been told you're off to a excellent start with your classes."

Remus shrugged. "I guess." He wasn't used to people knowing about the wolf. So far, his parents, a few doctors, the local apothecary, and Professor Dumbledore were the only ones who knew. He always expected to feel hatred from someone once they knew the truth, but so far, everyone had been remarkably kind.

"So, the Headmaster and I have worked out a plan that we think you'll find satisfactory. Come, look out this window."

She led him to the far window overlooking the Hogwarts grounds to the south. Pointing at rather vicious looking tree she said, "Do you know what kind of tree that is?"

"Er," Remus stammered, "it looks like a willow."

"It is a willow, and a very rare breed at that. It's a Whomping Willow." She looked down at Remus for a sign of understanding, but he just frowned up at her. "That tree will swat at anything that comes near it...unless you happen to know that there is a knot located on the base of its' trunk that when prodded will cause the tree to freeze. The Headmaster had it planted just for you."

"You're going to stick me under a tree?" Remus didn't like the sound of that as he wouldn't be very protected.

"No, heavens!" she chuckled, leading him over to one of the beds where he could sit down. "Underneath that tree is a secret passage way leading all the way to Hogsmeade. At the end of the tunnel is an old, abandoned house. I will take you there on the evenings of the full moon and bring you back here afterwards for a recovery."

Remus looked down at the ground feeling his face getting hot from embarrassment.

"There's nothing to worry about, dear. You'll be just fine. And I'm a good one for secrets, so yours is safe with me!"

Madam Pomfrey had been true to her word. She had never mentioned anything about Remus and his "condition," as she referred to it, to anyone. Not even after Remus had told her that his friends had found out about it. She still managed to never speak about it without Remus' consent.

As he glanced around the room he noted that nothing had really changed, including Madam Pomfrey. She darted over to him with arms wide. "Hello, dear! So good to see you!" She hugged him fully and made Remus feel like a kid again.

"Good to see you, too. Sorry I haven't been up here sooner, but...."

"No need to find an excuse. I, myself, should have gotten down to see you."

Remus grinned at her. "Well, you do tend to get busy with the start of term, so no need for you to make any excuses either, Madam Pomfrey."

"Oh!" she said, startled. "How dare you! Make me feel old like that? Madam Pomfrey indeed..." she teased. "I expect you to call me Poppy from now on. After all, we're more than just co-workers...considering how much we've been through."

Remus nodded. She was considerably much more than a co-worker to him. "Poppy it is then, although it may take some getting used to. Do forgive me if I muddle it a few times."

They talked for almost an hour, catching up on the lost years. For the first time in ages, Remus felt free to actually share some of his fears with someone. He knew that Poppy would keep them in confidence and some how that knowledge eased him into sharing more about his life with her. He told her about some of the Muggle jobs he had worked, his return home, and even a bit about Katie. She told him about the last year with the petrified students and all the dangers of that incident.

After a while, a student came in complaining about a sprained ankle received in a fall down the stairs. Poppy, knowing that the conversation had come to an end, went to tend to it dutifully. Remus thanked her for the chat and headed back to his rooms. Some people never change...I just wish I could say that about everyone.