Phases

Phases Chapter Four: Meeting the Challenge (First Quarter Moon)

On the morning Thrusher and Dumbledore were due, Remus sneaked down to the formal parlour. He lifted down an Oriental ginger jar, removed its lid, and scooped out a small handful of the fine powder inside. He replaced the lid with difficulty, clutching the powder in his hand and fumbling the lid with his fingertips. He replaced the jar on the mantle one-handed, balancing it with the forefinger of his clutched right hand. Then, confident that his theft would go unnoticed, he crossed the corridor, going through the dining room and into the kitchens.

Nipsy, Tinny, and Quinsey, the house-elves, all stopped their preparation for breakfast. 'Master Remus?' Tinny squeaked in her solicitous voice. 'Is you wanting something, young master?'

Remus shook his head and passed the large butcher-block tables, heading for the furthest fireplace. But when he got there, he realised he needed help. 'Er, Nipsy?' he called, automatically seeking out his favourite of the family servants.

The house-elf bounded over to the hearth. 'Master Remus has changed his mind?'

'No, but I have to ask you a question: do you know where Mr Thrusher lives?'

Nipsy shook his head. 'Master could try the Floo board,' he suggested. 'Nipsy has seen Mistress talk to the Floo Directory.'

'Brilliant, thanks.' He knelt down by the hearth, hoping he had enough powder for two calls. 'Listen, don't say anything to my mum or dad, will you?'

Nipsy's lower lip trembled for a moment. 'Master Remus knows Nipsy cannot lie to the Master and Mistress,' he prevaricated. 'But Nipsy does not have to tell if they do not ask.'

'Good enough,' Remus said with a shrug. He opened his fist and groaned. The Floo powder had clumped together a bit, but some of it must have spilled; he only had enough for one call. Well, he probably had time to get more, if he had to do. 'Here goes,' he announced, and brushed his hands together to sprinkle the powder in the fire. 'Floo Directory!' he called into the fire confidently, and the flames turned green. He leaned forward and placed his head inside the large fireplace.

He was looking at a room filled with fireplaces. Witches and wizards knelt on plush, comfortable-looking pillows on the floor in front of the hearths. About half of them were leaning forward into their fires, talking to someone on the other side. Remus suppressed a laugh at the sight of all their backsides in the air. Then the witch manning his fireplace knelt down in front of him, obscuring his view.

'May I help you?' she asked brusquely as she knelt. Then she looked into the fireplace and saw Remus. 'Oh, hello, there. You're a little young to be making calls, aren't you?' she commented as she tossed her blonde, curly hair over her shoulders. She looked very young herself, Remus thought. No older than Miss Harper in the Crossing, and she'd gone off to university last autumn.

'Er...is there a minimum age?' Remus asked hesitantly.

'No, of course not,' the witch laughed back. She was wearing bright blue robes that rustled loudly as she laughed. 'Who do you want to call, dearie?'

'Mr Flavius Thrusher,' Remus said with more confidence.

'Home or office?'

'Well...home, I think. But can you tell me both, in case he's not there?'

The witch grinned again. She had eyeshadow that matched her robes, and her lipstick was carnation pink. Remus had a very close view. She seemed to be wearing perfume, too; it smelled strange over the soot of the fire. 'Sure. But let's try home first, shall we, considering how early it is,' she reasoned. Remus nodded. 'One moment....' She ducked away.

Remus watched the Directory witches and wizards around the room. Their backsides bobbed up and down as they leaned into their fireplaces, then straightened up. Several got up like his operator had done and walked somewhere to Remus's right, then returned moments later. The blonde witch came back.

'His home address is Flat Three, Number Thirty-six Northampton Court. Work is the Ministry for Magic...Werewolf Support Services Office.' Her voice grew a bit more curious as she recited the latter address. 'Would you like me to connect you?' she continued, regaining her professionalism.

She could connect him? He wouldn't need to sneak upstairs for more Floo powder! Remus's eyes widened, causing soot to flick into them. 'Ouch,' he said, rubbing his eyes distractedly. 'Yes,' he answered, nodding vigorously when he had got the soot out, 'that'd be brilliant.'

'There's a two-Knut connection fee,' she cautioned, and pointed to something that looked like an ash bucket sitting in the Floo fireplace grate.

'Oh,' Remus replied, crestfallen. 'I...I haven't got two Knuts,' he admitted.

The witch waited a moment, while Remus chewed his lip anxiously.

'How old are you' she asked in a considering tone.

'Ten--almost eleven,' he answered with a shrug. 'It's really important,' he added, hoping it would sound sincere enough.

Something he did or said must have worked, for her look softened. 'Tell you what,' she proposed in an indulgent whisper. 'I'll connect you this time, but don't tell anyone, right?'

Remus beamed at her. 'Thank you very much!' he said, blushing. He decided it was the heat from the fire.

'Budge up, then,' she told him, and reached to her right for another pinch of Floo. She repeated the address, added her powder to the flames, and stuck her head in alongside Remus's. The scene changed again, this time opening out to his left, her right. The room they looked out on was obviously the home of a bachelor. The furniture was in good condition, but of ugly and mismatched plaid. A dark brown easy chair sat at an angle to the fire. There were two white doors along the far wall; one was propped open and he could see a small kitchen on the other side. Toast buttered itself on the countertop. The door on the left was closed. Remus could hear the Wizarding Wireless Network broadcasting in distant, tinny sounds behind it.

'Floo Board!' the witch barked so loudly that Remus's ears rang. 'Call for Flavius Thrusher!'

A moment later, the left door opened and Mr Thrusher came through it. He was in the middle of shaving, the straight razor still in his hand. A dollop of shaving cream clung to his ear.

'What is it?'

'I have a call for you, sir, from the kitchen fireplace, Aethenum Park, Somerset.' The witch nodded at Remus. 'Do you wish to accept the call?'

Thrusher, seeing Remus's head next to the Floo witch's, nodded distractedly. 'Yes, yes, of course.' He wiped off the shaving cream using the towel around his neck.

'Right, then,' the witch said. 'Cheers,' she told Remus with a sly wink, and her head disappeared. Remus felt a lurch and Mr Thrusher's sitting room was in front of him, instead of to his left.

'Remus?' Thrusher began immediately, sinking to his knees in front of the hearth. 'What's the matter? What's happened?'

Remus blushed again. 'Nothing's happened...I just need to ask you a favour. I'm sorry for disturbing you,' he added, torn between his urgency and his manners.

'That's all right,' Thrusher told him pleasantly, 'though it is a bit unorthodox. And damn early,' he muttered. Remus was sure Thrusher didn't mean him to hear that, so he ignored it.

'Sorry,' Remus repeated. 'Look, can you...can we meet at Owl Nook, when you bring Professor Dumbledore? Only I don't want my parents to get all excited, and if they know he's coming....'

'I see,' Thrusher sighed. 'Yes, I should have been more specific about the details. What's this Owl Nook?'

'The dower house, right next to my transformation area,' Remus explained.

'Oh, the little house just down the lane from the main gate?'

'That's it,' Remus nodded, relieved.

'All right. I had an owl from Dumbledore yesterday, by the way. I'm going to take him to lunch first, talk to him a bit more, and then I'll bring him round to you. Say about two?'

Remus fairly fainted with relief to resolve the problem so quickly. His knees were killing him, and his back ached from leaning into the fire. 'Yes, I can be there by then, easily. I've told my parents you're coming to check something about the forest; I'll just say I'm meeting you there.'

Thrusher looked sober. 'I'm really not sure about keeping this from them,' he cautioned. 'I know it's partly my fault, bringing it up to you without them, but don't you think it would be better to include them? They are your parents, after all.'

Remus lowered his eyes. 'I don't want to disappoint them,' he mumbled meekly. 'Please, if the Headmaster wants to talk to them, then we can explain then, but please...they don't need to know, if he says no....'

'Remus,' Thrusher reassured him, 'believe me, if anyone will let a werewolf study at Hogwarts, it's Albus. And if any werewolf deserved to be allowed to attend, it's you.' He slapped his thighs with both hands. 'Right, well, I've got to get ready for work, and you should go and eat something. Oh, and strictly speaking, we caseworkers aren't supposed to give out our home addresses, so if anyone asks--'

'--This never happened,' Remus finished ably. 'Thanks!' he added as an excited afterthought, and backed painfully out of the fireplace. His feet were about to fall asleep and his knees protested moving after so long on the stone hearth. Nipsy, faithful elf that he was, handed him a damp cloth to wash off the soot.

~*~*~*~

Owl Nook brought new meaning to the term 'rustic cottage.' The dower house was built during the mid-eighteenth century, back when the Tigworths held the land. It had survived various periods of use and refurbishing since then. In 1908, Emeritus Lupin, the second Lupin to bear the title of Aethenum, had installed his Muggle mother-in-law there to appease his new wife. In an insane show of extravagance, Emeritus had also authorised putting an addition on the back of the cottage to replace the outhouse. The rough stone bathroom jutted out from the small two-story building and, although it was obviously an afterthought, the architect had at least taken care to match the slabs forming the foundation. The rest of the cottage was typical for the countryside, its dormer windows sticking out of the sloping roof, its rooms small and its amenities sparse. It had been vacant since 1935.

Remus walked down the broad, open lawn of the Park toward the patch of warded forest where the wolf spent its nights. Lucky for him, the cottage was also the western boundary of his hunting ground, so he was not exactly lying to his parents when he told them he was going there. He was also lucky that Owl Nook was locked only with a charm that would admit any Lupin at the touch of his hand on the latch. He had no idea where his father kept the ancient keys.

He paced nervously round the lower floor: starting in the kitchen, across the single corridor to a barren sitting room, back out and to the front of the house to pace what had been a study, back across the corridor to the dining room, and back through the adjoining door to the kitchen. Each time he crossed the corridor, he glanced out the front door. Each time he passed through the kitchen, he looked out the side door. He chanced going upstairs to check for any stick of furniture he could offer his guests. The largest room in the house took up the whole eastern side, above both kitchen and dining room and sharing their chimney for its own fireplace. It was bare. Across the corridor, on either side of the staircase, were two tiny rooms, equally empty.

He trudged back down the narrow staircase, back to the rear of the cottage and the disused bathroom. He looked out the doors and windows again compulsively on another trip round the ground floor. Just in time, too, for as he approached the main entrance, he glimpsed two men in robes strolling up the lane. Biting his lip, he steeled himself for an encounter with the world's greatest living wizard. His future lay in this man's hands.

He opened the door as they passed through the iron gate at the end of the short walkway. Professor Dumbledore was tall, richly dressed in purple robes and a high Phrygian cap atop long, auburn hair flecked with silver. It contrasted sharply with Mr Thrusher's typically conservative robes of brown tweed. From his half-moon glasses to his block-heeled and buckled boots, Professor Dumbledore was utterly unlike anything Remus had ever seen.

'Good afternoon, Remus,' Mr Thrusher said as he reached the threshold. 'May I introduce Professor Albus Dumbledore. Headmaster, this is Mr Remus Jupiter Lupin.'

'Very pleased to meet you, sir,' Remus said without disguising his awe.

'Delighted,' Professor Dumbledore replied. He offered his hand without hesitation, as if Remus were an adult...as if he were completely human. Remus shook hands reverently, hoping the trembling he felt in his stomach didn't travel all the way down his arm.

'Come in,' he said automatically, leading them into the cottage. 'I'm sorry there's no real furniture. No one's lived here for a while.'

Professor Dumbledore smiled benevolently and shrugged with eloquence. 'No trouble,' he said amiably. He stepped into the room on the left, drawing his wand. Almost lazily, he flicked it a few times in a vaguely square shape. Remus's eyes widened in surprise: Dumbledore's wand flicked, and an overstuffed chair appeared in the dusty chamber. A second series of flicks, and its twin appeared, facing it at a cosy angle.

As if on cue, Mr Thrusher cleared his throat. 'Well, I think I'll check those Muggle-repellent charms on your transformation area, Remus,' he announced with deadpan delivery. With an encouraging smile, he wandered back outside.

'Have a seat,' the Headmaster invited, gesturing to the chairs. Remus instinctively went to the chair with a better view of the door. With a cryptic smile, Dumbledore took one step to the other chair and settled himself languidly.

Remus bit his lip, caught himself, and stopped. Professor Dumbledore seemed content to sit in silence. Remus wondered if this was a test to see whether he could contain himself. Then he thought perhaps it was a test to see if he would open a conversation. He couldn't think of anything to say.

Finally Dumbledore seemed to take pity on him. 'I must admit I looked forward to seeing your parents again,' he said in a bemused sort of voice, 'but Mr Thrusher tells me that you were quite reluctant to include them in this interview. Would you like a sherbet lemon, by the way?' he asked, digging in a deep pocket of his robes. 'I have half a packet in here, somewhere.'

'Er, no, thank you, sir,' Remus said, bewildered. 'You see, sir, my parents.... I've heard some horror stories from the Healers about other families,' he went on, feeling that Dumbledore expected an explanation. 'I know that by comparison, my parents have been as supportive as possible. But sometimes, I think they can be a bit overprotective. I don't want you to think I don't appreciate what they've done, or what they want for me. I just.... Right now,' he tried again, 'they're resigned to me not going to Hogwarts.' Dumbledore raised his eyebrows and Remus paused.

'Ah, here they are!' Dumbledore said in triumph, pulling out the packet of sherbets. 'Please, continue,' he requested, popping one of the sweets into his mouth.

'Well, if they thought there's a chance, they'd get their hopes up, sir. And I don't wish them to be disappointed.' Remus fell silent, unsure what else to say.

'I see,' Dumbledore nodded appreciatively, and sucked on his sherbet lemon. Another silence stretched between them. 'Do you follow Quidditch at all?' he asked after a time.

'Er...not really, sir,' Remus answered. 'My mother occasionally listens to matches on the wireless, but she says it's not the same as seeing it. Father couldn't care less.'

'And you?'

'I've never been to a match,' Remus volunteered. 'And I don't much like flying.'

'Really?' Dumbledore asked with a twinkle in his eye. 'I'm rather fond of my Cleansweep Four, but then I confess I don't have time to fly much. Not for pleasure, anyway. Are you afraid of falling?'

'No, sir,' Remus answered honestly. 'I just don't like to be away from the ground.' He cut himself off, aware that he had just said something else to emphasise his lycanthropy.

Dumbledore simply nodded. 'But you clearly love the outdoors, is that true?' He paused to accept Remus's embarrassed nod. 'And what else do you like to do? Do you have many friends around here?'

'Not really,' Remus admitted. 'There are a few children round my age, but Father says it's not a very good idea to get too mixed up with the tenants, and mostly they're Muggles anyway.' He did not mention that his parents thought it better in his case not to form close friendships out of which questions could arise. 'They did take me to an egg hunt one Easter, at the parish rectory, when I was seven, but I didn't like it.'

'Why not?' the Headmaster asked mildly.

Remus shrugged. 'I don't like hard-boiled eggs.' Dumbledore laughed. 'And I didn't know anything about football,' he added, as if an afterthought. He shrugged again. 'It was sort of boring, really. I was always allowed to go with the other children to see Father Christmas, but I'm too old for that now.'

'How do you get on with Flavius? He's very fond of you, you know.'

'Mr Thrusher?' Remus confirmed. It was difficult to think of him by his first name. 'I think he's very good, sir. He took his time to get to know us; I know other caseworkers don't get so involved with their...clients,' he finished, unsure what to call himself.

'Quite true,' Dumbledore said. 'Flavius has always been a fair man,' he added to his assessment. 'I never pictured him working with children, but then, I think you're his youngest client.' Whether Dumbledore deliberately used Remus's word or simply felt it an appropriate term, Remus did not know. 'He tells me you're quite studious. I expect you like to read?'

'Yes, sir,' Remus told him with a nod.

Dumbledore chuckled. 'With Julius and Athena for parents, I can't imagine otherwise. What have you read recently?'

Remus decided not to mention his most recent foray into the house library. Instead, he told Professor Dumbledore about The Count of Monte Cristo, Astronomy: A Beginner's Guide to the Stars, and Vambery's excellent study on Vampiric Tribes of the Carpathians.

'Ah,' Dumbledore seized on the titles. 'Do you know, I met Arminius in 1910, at the International Confederation conference in Prague. He was most upset that while the Muggle world seemed to devour novelised accounts of vampires, Polidori and so on, the wizarding community seemed to resist his more serious work on the subject. Have you read any of the Muggle books on vampirism?'

'Yes, sir, I read Dracula last year; that's why I went looking for more. Father mentioned that people believed Stoker had corresponded with Vambery, who conducted a full study of the legends and the realities.'

'Quite so. How are your parents, at any rate?'

Remus shrugged. 'Fine, I suppose, sir.'

'Your mother was in my House, you know,' the old wizard said with pride. 'Now, tell me,' he leaned forward, and Remus thought they were finally coming to the interview, 'what is the meaning of that inscription on the fountain in the village square up here?'

Once again, Remus had to take a moment to process the Headmaster's question. 'Um...' he stalled, wondering at the significance of the sudden change of topic, 'the fountain was erected by my great-great-grandfather, Olympus Tigworth. He was the third Lord Aethenum. He put a well in the square in 1785, because there was a drought. He bewitched it so it would never dry up. The Crossing would have failed without the well, but because they had a source of fresh water, the Muggles survived. The next year the stream returned to normal levels and everyone's wells returned, but although Olympus knew he had to lift the spell, he didn't want to suddenly take away the well. So he proposed they change it to a fountain, and the tenants made the plaque so they'd remember how the family looked after the village. The inscription says "May sweete water faileth never."'

'Fascinating. Do you know what spell he used to draw the water to the well?' Dumbledore leaned forward, resting his elbows on the arms of his chair and lacing his fingers.

'The family journals say it was a dousing spell modified with a summoning charm, and then he placed an extrusion charm over that, to freshen the salt water. He reasoned that with the drought, the nearest safe source of water would be the coast.'

'Amazing. How resourceful! And your family have managed to remain hidden from Muggles for six generations, despite constant interaction as their lords?'

'Mostly hidden,' Remus amended. 'There are some tenants who know, and others who suspect. And of course there some who are witches or wizards themselves. Mostly, though, I think they know we're good landlords, and they don't want to lose that, so they keep the Crossing fairly small and quiet. Sort of Somerset's answer to Brigadoon. Hardly anyone new ever moves here. There was a new tenant a few years ago; he's the only person who's come here since I was born. People leave, of course. But I guess they protect the community, because they know they've got a safe place to live thanks to us.'

'Even on the full moon?' Dumbledore asked shrewdly.

'Oh,' Remus felt his cheeks grow hot. 'Well, to tell you the truth, sir, I think my parents have simply let a few rumours grow. There are some folks who've been here long enough to know the truth, but they're trustworthy. They help us, actually. They've told the others that it's a "tourist attraction" to be haunted.'

'Haunted?'

Remus bobbed his head side to side. 'Cursed. Haunted. What you like. They've got half the county convinced we're home to a padfoot or ghosts. The charms work perfectly--no one ever comes anywhere near that patch of forest, and the wolf can't get out at all--but beyond that, they're just superstitious enough to believe that the bogeyman will get them if they venture out too late or too far on a full moon night. In and around the village, they know they're safe. There are other wolves here and there, too, so that helps.'

'Haunted,' Dumbledore said again, as if trying it on for size. 'Hm. Well, Flavius has surely gone back to the Ministry by now. Would you care for a game of bowling?'

'Excuse me, sir?' Remus asked, feeling stupid.

'Bowling. I just thought that with this lovely empty house, and such straight inlaid floors, we could set up a very nice alley.' He sprang out of his chair and ducked across the corridor. 'Mm, too small,' Remus heard the Headmaster say from the dining room.

'Try the master bedroom, upstairs,' Remus found himself saying. He rose and trailed after the professor.

'Ah,' Dumbledore said as he found the stairwell in the rear. They climbed the stairs and Remus pointed back around the railing to the door of the large room. 'Ah,' Dumbledore said again with satisfaction. 'Perfect. Have you ever played?'

'No, sir,' Remus told him, 'but my grandfather taught me to play bocce.'

'Close enough,' Dumbledore announced.

They played a full set, Dumbledore commenting on Remus's form and helping improve his control of the heavy ball. It was very strange, especially when Professor Dumbledore kept using spells to clear away the fallen pins, reset them, or summon the bowling ball. But play they did. At the end of the match, Dumbledore shook his hand again. 'Yes, very good!' he congratulated them both. 'Excellent conditions.' He took out a curious, twelve-handed watch and consulted it. 'Well, I think that will do,' he said, looking more sober than he had done in half an hour. 'Remus, it has been a pleasure. I'm afraid I must be going now, but I think I have seen enough to make a decision.' He waved his wand a final time, and the bowling equipment vanished.

'Yes?' Remus swallowed suddenly. During the game, he had forgotten all about the fact that this encounter was still, in essence, a trial.

Dumbledore smiled a secretive smile. 'I still must consult with the staff, of course,' he warned the boy. 'But you have given me much to think about. Flavius is a good man, and I can see why he wanted to intercede on your behalf. I should think we can make a determination in time to include you in the upcoming term--if, indeed, it is possible.'

'I...I understand, sir,' Remus replied, setting his jaw. He hadn't realised until just now how much he had been hoping for a positive answer right away. He had been so concerned about protecting his parents from disappointment; he saw now that he had left himself entirely vulnerable to it.

'Whatever happens,' Dumbledore continued as he walked down the stairs and turned round to head for the door, 'I very much enjoyed meeting you, Remus Jupiter Lupin. I am confident that, Hogwarts education or no, you will be a credit to your family.'

'Thank you, sir,' Remus choked out of a mouth gone dry.

Dumbledore stepped over the threshold politely before Apparating away.

~*~*~*~

Two days later, an owl arrived with a letter for Mr and Mrs Julius Lupin. Julius rose from the breakfast table to read over his wife's shoulder. Remus noticed the by-play and returned to his eggs and toast studiously.

My Dear Athena and Julius,

I am delighted to inform you of a conspiracy in your midst. As you are no doubt aware, your son, Remus, would under normal circumstances have received his acceptance letter to Hogwarts last month. Of course, given his unusual condition, I regret that his letter was withheld. Knowing you as well as I do from your own Hogwarts days, I am sure you have had a great deal of difficulty coming to grips with the unlikelihood of a Hogwarts education for Remus. Fortunately, you are not the only ones who had trouble accepting that injustice.

It happens that Flavius Thrusher, Remus's Support Services Office caseworker, is an old friend. He has been quite impressed with Remus over the six years of his case management, and with good reason. Two weeks ago, he came to see me. He presented me with a compelling argument, intriguing enough that I agreed to come to Aethenum Park to meet with the three of you.

And here is where I must confess to complicity in a plan to exclude you from a process that would determine your son's future. It was not my intention, I assure you. Remus, it seems, was very concerned that to include you at all would be to give you false hope, and apparently he was willing to go to great lengths not to disappoint you. He prevailed upon Flavius to arrange my visit so that you would have no knowledge of it.

Despite his deception, I believe you have every reason to be proud of your son. He is an engaging and sensible young man, polite, intelligent, and extremely adjusted to his condition. I would expect no less from you as parents that regardless of his affliction, he has excellent manners and a promising intellect and talent. I see no reason to deny him the training he deserves. Moreover, something he said about the arrangements you have made for him here gave me an idea, which I have since put into action.

I have consulted with the staff, including the heads of each house and Madam Pomfrey in particular. We have already put plans in motion to ensure Remus's safety--and everyone else's--during his transformations. I have also written to Flavius and to his superiors at the Werewolf Registry, to inform the Ministry of my decision to admit Remus with these safeguards in place. Flavius will supervise our precautions and has promised to inspect the new location well before the first full moon of term.

Remus should receive his acceptance letter soon. I urge you to share certain details of this letter with him, especially the need for secrecy regarding his new transformation location. Based on my interview with him, I believe he has the discretion and the perceptiveness, even at his young age, to keep these arrangements confidential for his own protection. It is a sad fact that the other students will not possess the same maturity. Above all, I congratulate you on a job well done, and trust that Remus will be a credit both to Hogwarts and to your families.

Fondly,

Albus Dumbledore

Headmaster

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Shocked, pleased, and very grateful, Julius and Athena looked up from the signature on the letter to see a second barn owl arrive with a thick envelope in its beak. The owl dropped its delivery in front of Remus's plate and swooped out. With a deep, nervous gulp, Remus leaned forward to gaze at the green ink proclaiming:

Mr Remus J. Lupin

Aethenum Park

Somersetshire, England

He picked it up and turned it over, blinking uncomprehendingly at the Hogwarts seal. Then he looked up at his parents, who were both beaming and fighting tears.

'Well, Remus,' Julius found his voice, and if his customary dry tone was tinged with emotion, no one brought it to his attention. 'What does it say?'