What Was Foreseen...

Chapter 5

Somehow, when Professor Dumbledore told him that he had a "secret admirer," it made Remus feel alive. It had been since Lily and James died that Remus felt as though he had a friend. Then, Albus Dumbledore came along, showing Remus the kind of friendship he could only dream about. Dumbledore offered Remus acceptance and understanding, something he had forgotten about since his days with the Marauders. By offering Remus a job and a place to live, the place Remus revisited often in his dreams, Albus Dumbledore had given Remus something he had never dreamed to recover: hope.

Now that Remus was back at Hogwarts, back to the place that housed his happiest memories, Remus has been offered another chance at companionship. He has a "secret admirer." There is someone on these grounds that wishes to know Remus. This someone apparently feels it necessary to know Remus, as Dumbledore has mentioned the persistence this individual has shown. She would be coming to Remus's office sometime for a conversation, and Remus needed to ensure that he would be ready when she did. He could not alienate a potential ally. Although, the thought had entered his mind on several occasions that once she found out the secrets Remus hid, that she would not be so willing to be his friend.

He shook those thoughts from his head. Today was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, tonight was a new moon, and so he could calmly take his potion and not worry about anything...unnatural for a few weeks. As his last class of the day left, he began to prepare, just as he had every other day this week, in hopes that today would be the day his new friend would arrive.

As he casually waved his wand to clear the room, Remus wondered who this potential friend could be. Dumbledore had just told him that he had a female "secret admirer," but he would not elaborate on her identity. Dumbledore would just smile at him and turn to leave as he asked Remus if he had met anyone new that day. It was really becoming quite annoying, now that he thought about it. Dumbledore knew something that he didn't, and all he could get from the old man was a twinkle in his eye and a cautious "you'll know soon enough."

Remus shook the thoughts from his head, and continued tidying up his office. Lets see now, shall we? Yes, we must make sure all the books are back in their proper place...we can't have a boggart running rampant, so back in the cupboard you go...what else, what else...ah, yes, the table set for two...some tea would be good...Remus thought to himself. Soon, Remus found himself with nothing left to do to prepare for his "surprise" visitor. He sat at his desk and looked at the clock. It was one hour until dinnertime, and his guest still had not arrived. Damn! It had been that way every day that week, and Remus was beginning to wonder if his new friend would ever appear.

At that precise moment, he felt it. Someone was walking this way, standing in front of his door, summoning the courage to knock. He jumped up from his desk, rushed to the door, and opened it. There stood Sibyll Trelawney, in a plain set of work robes, with her hand poised to knock on the door. Remus caught his breath and welcomed her in. So this is my secret admirer...

"Would you like to come in, Professor Trelawney?"

He closed the door and thought to himself, well, this will be interesting...

They had only met twice before, but Remus could not help but feel after the third meeting that Sibyll Trelawney was more than what she seemed. The first two times they met, Prof...er, Sibyll had only discussed divination with him, and had the nerve to bring up the full moon with him. At the time, Remus was under the impression that all the Hogwarts staff had been informed of his lycanthropy, but it appeared he had been mistaken. For some reason, he could only imagine why, Professor Dumbledore had not shared the information with Sibyll. It was a mistake, to be sure, but not a very good mistake, and now Remus was faced with revealing that information to her.

He was weak, and he knew it. For some unknown reason, Remus enjoyed talking to Sibyll, and he couldn't bear it if she had found out what he really was and thus refused to speak to him again. He knew it had better occur sooner than later, so he wouldn't miss her too much, but he still didn't have the heart to turn away his first friend in a long time. Remus was not altogether sure that he could survive the loss of another friend, not after what happened in 1981.

Remus and Sibyll walked to the Great Hall together in silence, each lost with their own thoughts. Remus worried about what would happen once Sibyll discovered his secret.

Sibyll, on the other hand, grew terrified that Professor McGonagall would be at dinner, and that she would say something to embarrass Sibyll in front of Remus. She was not sure that she could handle losing Remus so soon. To be sure, Minerva would say something, since it was clear that she disdained Sibyll and her gift. As they neared the Great Hall, Sibyll began to panic.

It was quite embarrassing, really, although Sibyll could not help her behavior at that moment. She began to breathe heavy, and her entire face turned to a most shocking shade of claret. Remus turned at the sound of Sibyll's breathing, and his eyes widened in shock at the almost purple tinge of her face. "Is everything okay, Sibyll? Is there anything I can do?"

Remus was suddenly alarmed at the abrupt change in his new friend's appearance. He found himself at a loss; he was quite unsure of what to do to help. Thankfully, at the same time that Remus was about to panic, Professor Dumbledore had happened to appear.

"Is everything okay, dear Sibyll? What happened, Remus?"

"I'm not sure. We were coming to dinner, and then suddenly Sibyll began to breathe heavily and her face became a curious shade of red. I didn't know what to do, Headmaster."

"Sibyll? Can you hear me?" Dumbledore asked the very shaken Sibyll. She slowly nodded. "Would you like to go back to your room?" She fiercely shook her head at this thought. "Tell us, what do you need?"

Sibyll opened her mouth slowly, closed it to think of what she was going to say, and then spoke so softly that her words were garbled.

"What did she say, Headmaster?"

"Minerva..." Sibyll whispered again. "Minerva will..."

"Ah, yes, I understand completely," Dumbledore said with a smile. "We shall find a more suitable place for your dinner. Would you like to accompany her, Remus?"

"I don't understand, Headmaster. What is the problem?"

"Sibyll's boggart would take the unfortunate shape of Minerva McGonagall, Remus. I'm afraid Minerva has been taunting Sibyll far too much lately, and that Sibyll would rather not eat in her presence. Is that correct, Sibyll?"

Sibyll nodded deliberately; astounded that Professor Dumbledore would share that information with Remus so casually. She hoped that this would not have any negative effect upon their relationship. She slowly looked at Remus, and saw him hiding a grin.

"Follow me, if you will, I know just the place..." Professor Dumbledore stated, and gestured toward them to come along.

Sibyll and Remus found themselves in the Hogwarts kitchens for dinner that evening. It was pleasant, but quite unnerving, to eat among the house elves. Every time Remus or Sibyll either finished eating something on their plates, or paused momentarily to talk to each other, a house elf would appear and ask if they needed anything.

At the conclusion of the meal, they both were rather unsure as to whether the meal was enjoyable. Sibyll did hope, though, that Remus would invite her to dinner again. However, as they left the kitchens, they arrived at Sibyll's room much too early for any such question could be posed. Remus said goodnight, and quickly turned to head back to his room. Sibyll sighed, and went into her room, sure that she would venture forth again to see Remus.