Pardon Me, But Have We Met Before?

Angel of Courage

A very Happy New Year to all readers. I have had a harrowing experience, and wanted to share the same with you. Due to some technical fault, I couldn't access my own stories on the Internet from my account. All my e-mails were also showing a blank where the body of message should be. Finally, when the problem was set right, my folders have been hidden in the re-formatting process. And I am waiting for my technician to turn up for the past two months to retrieve the same. A warning to all writers - please do periodic back-ups of your files and to be written stories/plots/thoughts. It made me wish for the long lost days of ink and paper.

On a happier note, I am absolutely delighted with the response that this story has received so far. At this rate, I might become a 'romance' writer, I think (shudders at the thought). I am planning to list my humour fics, 'Casting Grouch' and 'Mission Implausible' as RLNT Romance fics too. (Hint! Hint!)

This chapter and the next one draw heavily on the article "Quirrell's Leave of Absence" by Melissa Erin Friedline on HP-lexicon.org. I have been remiss in thanking Kerichi for the line 'Remus smiled' in this series. When she gave the first chapter a once over, she suggested that line. But I liked it so much that I decided to end all chapters on that line. Thanks K! I have altered the interaction between Remus and Snape on her suggestion. I hate Snape, though!

And before you think that Remus is 'robbing the cradle', Remus and Tonks haven't fallen in love. Yet.

* * *

Remus was weary as he Apparated to the gates of Hogwarts. The world weighed heavily on his shoulders just then.

Though he had a meeting with Dumbledore on matters of some considerable importance, he quite looked forward to visiting his old haunts. As he entered the gates and looked around the grounds, a strange peace seemed to settle on him.

This was the only place where I was truly happy. Where I thought the world was perfect.

Where I ruled as a prince...

Remus felt that he was not far wrong in his thoughts as Hogwarts was indeed an Utopian dream for him. Hogwarts was where he was fully accepted. Where he grew confident with his powers and learnt to perfect them. Where he was looked up to by the majority of his peers. And, where he and his friends ruled as Princes.

Thinking about those perfect years, Remus sighed. It was a perfect world that shattered for him the moment he stepped out into the real world. The wizarding world did not take kindly to Lycanthropes, and Remus, despite his good grades and skill, was no exception.

That not everybody shared the unbiased view of Dumbledore was evident to Remus after he graduated from Hogwarts. Unable to get steady employment, he drifted from job to job with a sense of defeat.

What stood him in good stead was his gift of languages. He had traveled all over Europe, putting this skill to use and helping tackle problems with dark creatures. It seemed like a strange twist of Fate as he himself was one.

But Remus was not one to dwell on the irony of the situation. He enjoyed the travel and the money it brought, though it was not steady employment. And it was precisely during these travels that he came across something disturbing, thus his present meeting with Dumbledore to discuss the same.

As he approached the doors, he could see students coming out in small groups towards the gates.

Uh-Oh! Hogsmeade weekend! Remus sighed in irritation. He was planning to get some Firewhisky or mead at Hogsmeade, after his meeting with Dumbledore. Now, it would be over-run with the kids. Still, it would be interesting to see this generation of students, thought Remus.

Closer to the Entrance Hall, he could see some younger students forming a queue for their visit to Hogsmeade.

Should be third years. Is this their first visit? It was near the start of term. Remus chuckled thinking about the first Hogsmeade visit by the Marauders. It happened in their second year.

Why wait till the third? Of course Sirius and James were the first to ponder this question, which lead them to seek alternate routes and means of visiting Hogsmeade. Which lead to the discovery of the Hump-backed witch and the route to Honeydukes.Which lead to a lot of escapades.

'...and you will not bring back the following products from Hogsmeade.' Remus was shaken from his musings by a loud voice close at hand. He realized that he was near the third-year line, and it could be none else than Filch, making life miserable for them.

'You!' Filch turned on a third year who was playing with something small and fluttering. 'What is that dangerous object you have in your hand?' He snatched away the object which turned out to be a miniature model of the Snitch, down to the fluttery wings.

'Aha! Something full of dark magic! And you were smuggling it into the school.'

'But, Mr. Filch!' protested the boy, 'First of all, it is only a Snitch. Secondly, I am on my way to Hogsmeade. So, you are wrong on both counts.' The boy finished coolly, much to the amusement of his fellow-third years.

Remus chuckled to himself. Something about the boy's demeanor reminded him of Prongs. Not to forget the obsession with Snitches.

But Filch was not swayed by the logical reasoning of the third year. All he saw was an impudent boy and such behaviour should be punished. 'Aha! What insolence! This will not go unpunished. Wait till I ...'

The audience never knew what the threat was as Filch never got to finish his sentence, courtesy Remus.

Knowing that the boy was in trouble, Remus did what any self-respecting Marauder would do.

'Snitchywasi!'*

The tiny Snitch attempted to shoot up Filch's nose, an impossible feat despite the size of his nose.

Filch started jumping about trying to swat the Snitch away. 'Begone! Begone!' he screamed.

Remus nodded to a Prefect who was standing nearby, a tall red-haired boy with long hair and a single ear-ring*. 'I think he wants you to go.'

The Prefect had been observing Remus's little trick, probably the only one in the whole crowd. He grinned at Remus and mouthed Wicked! and proceeded to herd the third-years to Hogsmeade.

'Ah, my good man!' greeted Remus as if accosting the caretaker with a lot of concern. 'You seem to be in trouble. Can I help you?'

Remus casually removed the Snitch with a wave of his hand and sent it flying over to its owner who was walking reluctantly to Hogsmeade, looking back at them anxiously time and again. A distant whoop of joy assured Remus that the Snitch was in good hands.

'Oh! It was only a Snitch, that too a toy one. It has now flown away,' Remus casually observed, hoping that the boy would have the good sense not to exhibit the same in front of Filch.

'Thank you, sir,' said Filch. 'You are..?'

'Late for an appointment with the Headmaster. Good day!' Remus swept up the stairs to the Entrance Hall, smiling at his escapade, Filch's stutters of thanks and confusion receding in the background.

Almost like old times! Remus was feeling upbeat as he stepped into the Entrance Hall, only to be cut down to earth, his Filch-induced euphoria crashing into fragments around his feet.

The reason? His old nemesis who seemed to cast a glow on any sunny day or mood - Severus Snape.

Snape was sneering at Remus in his usual way. 'Lupin! Up to old tricks as usual. I am sure you were responsible for the incident downstairs.'

Remus wondered how Snape could have seen him from where he stood in the Entrance Hall but decided not to let on.

'What are you talking about, Severus? Is it against rules to help somebody who is suffering? What is it to you anyway, Snape?'

'Professor! Professor Snape!' Snape said waspishly. 'I teach here and am the Head of Slytherin.'

Seeing Remus's look of incredulity, Snape started sneering. 'Of course, I am sure you are unemployed as usual. After all, who will employ a half-breed, a filthy animal?'

Let him not rankle me, it is not worth it, Remus kept muttering to himself. But Snape's words were like rubbing salt into Remus's wounds, as he was already dejected by the lack of steady employment and the treatment meted out to him.

Remus's silence only egged Snape on. 'Why are you silent? What happened to your Gryffindor courage? It is evident that you are a coward, who can't even stand up to being insulted!'

Remus was shocked by these words, but did not respond. Am I a coward? Why do his words hurt me so much?

Remus kept quiet, contemplating his stance. He knew that he could not afford to lose his temper. But Snape mistook the silence for submission and continued his tirade.

'Of course, you don't have the support of your buddies, who always defend you. Let me see, two are dead and the third is in Azkaban for causing their deaths. What fine friends!'

Remus boiled up at the mention of his friends, and whipped out his wand in an instant, preparing to hex Snape.

'That's enough, Severus! Remus is my guest here. Let it not be said that Hogwarts treats its guests disrespectfully.' Albus Dumbledore cut Snape down subtly as he exited the Great Hall along with other Faculty members.

He greeted Remus warmly and shook his hand. Remus was grateful for this welcoming gesture when he was smothered by another welcome.

There was a cry of 'Remus!' Remus turned his head to see Minerva McGonagall, his former Head of House, bearing down on him, smiling in delight. He least doubted whether Snape's behaviour spurred this cordiality for he knew that he had always been one of her favourites.

'Professor! How good to see you!' Remus shook McGonagall's hands, basking in the warmth of her cordiality after Snape's coldness.

There were some more Faculty members exiting the Great Hall, and those who knew Remus well and held him in favour hurried to him.

'And no hugs for me, Remus?' queried Madam Pomfrey, coming up to the little group. She had been privy to many of the tribulations that shaped Remus in his school years.

'Madam Pomfrey!' cried Remus, giving her a warm hug. 'My ministering angel! How is your 'little' hobby?' Remus was one of the few people who knew about her passion for painting, to while away the time in the hospital ward.

'Trust you to remember! But then you were always a considerate one, unlike certain others,' said Madam Pomfrey. Remus was unsure if she had grimaced at Snape and thought he had imagined it.

.

Remus was always thinking of ways to repay the care Madam Pomfrey took of him after his transformations. He would surprise her with some everlasting flowers or look up references that she might be interested in with regard to Healing or painting. Though she did not expect anything in return for the care she took, she was touched by the thoughtful ways of the quiet schoolboy.

Soon, he was accosted by Professors Flitwick and Sprout, who enquired about Remus cordially. Hagrid stopped by and crushed him in a bear-hug that had Remus gasping for breath.

'Stop, Hagrid!' chided McGonagall, 'you are suffocating him.' She continued after Hagrid took leave, 'You must join us at The Three Broomsticks later, Remus. We need to catch up! By the way, it's Minerva.'

Snape looked put out at the cordial reception and invitation that his colleagues accorded Remus.With a curt bow to Dumbledore, he left for Hogsmeade.

Remus took leave of his former Professors and Madam Pomfrey after promising to meet them later and followed Dumbledore to his office.

At the words 'Acid Pops' the Gargoyle leapt aside providing access to the stair-case beyond.

'Still on the sweets binge, Professor?' said Remus in a lighter vein.

'Definitely!' twinkled Dumbledore, 'and please call me Albus.'

'Thank you, Prof.., er.., Albus!' stammered Remus, taken aback at the Headmaster's words. 'I'll be up with you in a moment. I have to greet someone here.'

Dumbledore gave a knowing smile and went up the stairs.

Remus turned to an old friend. 'Hello, Arkksss!'

'Oh no! Don't tell me that you are in trouble again!' shot back his old friend, the Gargoyle.

Remus smiled happily at his friend, nick-named 'Snarkky' by him. They had had interesting encounters in the past, but that is a tale for another day*.

'I came across your relative at the Notre Dame in Paris*. I think he is called Phirskksss? I couldn't talk to him for long without attracting undue attention from some Muggles.'

'That's our Grand Stonehead. It is a term denoting a patriarch in our community,' said Arkksss. What could at best be described as a grin lit up the stony face as the Gargoyle continued. 'But we generally call him 'Ol' Pisspot'. Always on and on about dignity and decorum. And what does he do? Have pigeons relieve themselves on him!'

Remus and his friend sniggered together.

'I guess you have important matters to discuss, Remus. Thank you for stopping over.'

'The pleasure was mine, Snarkky! Hope to be back soon!'

'And just when I was enjoying some peace and quite!' grumbled the Gargoyle good-naturedly.

Remus smiled and entered the Headmaster's office. It seemed the same, except for some additional instruments that twinkled and fumed.

Fawkes flew down from his perch and sat on Remus's shoulder, nipping his ear affectionately and trilling softly. Remus made soft cooing noises as he lifted the phoenix off his shoulder and settled him on his lap.

Dumbledore shook his head in wonder at this interaction. Remus never ceased to amaze him with his capacity for getting along with all creatures.

'How are you, son?' The words were softly spoken but Remus felt that he was in the embrace of a concerned father.

Emotions from years of being taunted and relegated to scum broke free and rose to the surface as he recounted to Dumbledore his travels over the continent drifting from job-to-job.

'I first visited the last of Europe's Ancient Forests where I had the opportunity of meeting a variety of magical beings, Sapient and Sentient. Then I traveled through France to Germany, Italy, Greece, Romania, Austria and back to Germany. Wherever I traveled, it was always through forests and I also visited well-known places of magic. It is something that I learnt on these travels that troubled me and I thought that I should share it with you.'

'By the distress evident in your mail and in your voice now, I am sure that this has something to do with Voldemort, right?' queried Dumbledore.

Remus was amazed at the perceptiveness of Dumbledore. 'You are right, Albus. You know that I have always got on with all creatures, maybe because I am one,' Remus said, smiling deprecatingly.

'Now, Remus, I know that there was no call for Severus to taunt you so much, but I am digressing. Please continue.'

'I came across a variety of magical beings across Europe, even some Fauns and Sileni* which are pretty rare, and it was interesting to meet them all. First, you must understand that there is an unusual harmony among creatures in these forests. Of course there are natural enemies that attack one another, but generally, all beings live in harmony.'

Remus continued, refusing Dumbledore's offer of tea or (shudder!) Lemon Sherbets. 'But, it seemed to me that these creatures were not exactly comfortable. In fact, they seemed wary of one another. After a point in time, I was able to trace a pattern wherever I visited. The senior members usually gather together in closed circles and discuss some serious matters. Strangers are distrusted. Other creatures with whom they once used to mingle freely are not allowed close to their habitat.'

'At first I thought that it was a distrust of me, as they can sense that I am a werewolf. I later realized that there were events happening in the forests that alarmed them.'

Seeing Dumbledore's expectant look, Remus stated, 'There were talks of a Dark Shadow* possessing small creatures. And always a mention of the same word. Parseltongue!'

Dumbledore softly exhaled the breath that he had been holding, and all of a sudden, he seemed to have aged considerably.

'Could it be...?' Remus felt hesitant to even mention the name.

'Highly probable. I have been waiting for some report or the other on Voldemort,' replied Dumbledore, looking thoughtfully through the window.

'But, I thought that he was vanquished that Halloween night by Ha..Harry?' Remus felt emotional mentioning Harry's name as he re-lived the losses of that night.

'A man like Voldemort would have taken safe-guards to ensure immortality, at least, to ensure that his soul survived. That's why I have been waiting for some indication about him,' said Dumbledore.

'You mean like a Horcrux or a Soul Siphon*?' queried Remus.

'What do you know about Horcruxes?' asked Dumbledore swiftly.

Remus knew that it was highly restricted Dark magic and felt guilty of the knowledge. But he owned up truthfully to Dumbledore, 'I was looking up some books on Blood Pacts. Just a Marauders' quest for immortality and to-getherness. But there was so much of evilness in most of them.'

'And where did you come across this information?' queried Dumbledore intrigued, as most books pertaining to that subject were banned in the Hogwarts Library.

'From the Black Library. Sirius Black.' Remus shuddered at the mention of Sirius's name. It was all right to talk about Padfoot and the Marauders, but mentioning the name of Sirius seemed to sent shivers down Remus's spine.

'Albus?' Remus enquired hesitantly, 'do you think Sirius is guilty?'

Albus remained silent for the moment. 'I am unsure. But Sirius has not been exactly forthcoming, though it's a pity that Crouch sentenced him without a trial. Whatever it is, I can't understand the massacre of Peter and the Muggles.'

Remus looked into the fire and quoted as if in a trance, 'When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth*.'

'Hmm?' asked Dumbledore.

'A famous quote from a Muggle book. I thought that Peter was the key to unraveling the truth, because, whatever way I look at it, I cannot explain Peter,' replied Remus.

'Unless we get some more concrete evidence, we can only live in surmise. Maybe this latest development will throw some light,' replied Dumbledore, steering the conversation expertly to the matter under discussion.

Remus tried to re-collect where their conversation had let off earlier. In the back of his mind was a niggling doubt as to whether he should inform Albus about the illegal Animagi that his friends had become. What purpose will it serve now?

'Do you think that it is the spirit of Voldemort that is haunting these forests?' Remus asked apprehensively.

'We cannot say no. This needs looking into. Is there any particular area that needs to be scrutinized?' asked Dumbledore.

'Most trails lead to the Black Forest*,' replied Remus. 'I would have further examined the matter, but I have to be in India next week. I am meeting with an ancient Indian Wizard who lives in the Himalayas. I met him in a New Moon Affirmation ceremony* in France. I have just come back home to meet you and to settle some personal affairs.'

'I will send a trusted person to scout that area. Hagrid is too conspicuous, maybe Severus,' said Dumbledore.

'But...' Remus began agitatedly, 'Albus, he's a Death Eater. I will not question your choice in appointing him here, but to send him after Voldemort?' Bad enough to have the Marauders' enemy lording it over in the School.

'Remus! I know you well enough, so I am entrusting you with this information. Severus is a Death Eater, agreed. But, he has been working as a spy for me for the past few years. And before you ask, he has given me irrefutable proof of his loyalty to me. He has my full trust; I trust him with my life.'

Remus suddenly felt as if a thousand icy worms wriggled through his veins and he shivered. He knew that he would be able to recall this exact feeling in later years.

Dumbledore saw that Remus was uncomfortable and tried to put him at ease. 'Son, Severus may not be a very congenial person, but he is on the side of the Light and has repented his past. However, I do agree that he still refuses to let go of some Schoolboy grudges.'

Dumbledore continued. 'Don't let anyone put you down, Remus. I know that you choose your path everyday. You choose to walk in the Path of the Light. That takes enormous courage.'

*

Much later, after finalizing plans with Dumbledore, Remus left for Hogsmeade. It was decided that Severus would visit the Black Forest environs to scout around, failing which, Remus would visit the place on his return from India.

As he walked, Remus contemplated the events of the morning.

On the forefront of his mind was the discussion with Dumbledore on what could possibly be Voldemort's whereabouts. Did Albus believe a Horcrux was created? That was certainly one way to immortality, but at a terrible cost as he recalled from the time spent pouring over books in The Black Library. Surprisingly, the only Black offspring that was interested in those tomes was Regulus and not Sirius. Remus grimaced. Now, Regulus was a regular Black and a regular Slytherin.

Unwittingly, another Slytherin came to mind and the taunts that he threw his way.

What really got to him was the fact that Snape was now well-ensconced at Hogwarts. By now, Remus had developed a wall of indifference as an armor to protect himself from comments such as Snape made. But something about those barbs struck home and made Remus cringe.

In what way am I inferior to him? I made top of class in NEWTS whereas he topped only in Potions. Now he is teaching in Hogwarts, a Death Eater! What did he do to earn Dumbledore's trust?

The Faculty's warm welcome had given Remus some confidence in himself, only to be shattered by the doubts that assailed him as he walked to Hogsmeade.

Remus was most devastated about Snape's comments about his friends. It was the most vicious barb yet, as it was undeniably true.

What a lousy Prefect I made, thought Remus. Dumbledore had always said that it took a greater deal of courage to stand up to one's friends than one's enemies. Maybe, if I had stood up to the other Marauders more, many deaths could have been avoided.

And as Remus entered Hogsmeade, he questioned himself on the so called 'Gryffindor Courage' as he suddenly felt that he was a coward to let even Severus's words get to him.

He was broken out of his musings by a blur of black that crossed the periphery of his vision and seemed to launch at an immovable wall. Remus turned his head to watch the development and intrigued by what he saw, moved towards the source of the fracas.

He saw that there were three near behemoths, apparently Slytherins by their robes, tossing what looked like an orange fur ball* between them and a girl half their size pummeling them with her fists trying to snatch the fur ball from them. And of course, that the girl's robes were distinctly Gryffindor.

'Brutes! Beasts! Give me that kitten!' cried the girl, kicking and scratching the Slytherins. The boys laughed and one of them tossed the fur ball high into the air and cast a stupefying charm on it and another to suspend it in the air. The kitten now looked as if a ball of orange wool was drifting in the breeze.

Remus took in the scene as he approached the group and quickened his pace as he saw one of the boys push the girl away roughly and another with a drawn wand, poised to hex the girl.

'Oh no, you'd better not! Lower your wands and step away from the girl immediately!' commanded Remus in a steely voice.

'What the-'said a near behemoth, cut off in his blustering by some wandless magic from Remus, who cast a Petrificus Totalus on the three of them.

He stooped slightly and asked the girl if she was all right.

The girl looked taken aback by her frozen tormentors. Her eyes growing round and with a wrinkling of her forehead she squinted up at Remus and asked him, 'They have been put in a body-binding curse. Will I get blamed?'

Remus laughed as he saw hope and not apprehension in the girl's eyes. Smiling, he replied, 'You can always say that a stranger did that.'

'Thanks!' said the girl prettily. She then caught sight of the floating fluff ball and yelled, 'Growltiger!'

'Growltiger?' queried Remus, releasing the kitten from its frozen state and examining it. He noticed the striped orange fur, the slight bandy legs, a chewed ear and one bruised eye and exclaimed, 'Oh! Growltiger*!'

Remus then proceeded to clean up the kitten quoting softly under his breath, *

"His manner and appearance did not calculate to please;

His coat was torn and seedy, he was baggy at the knees;

One ear was somewhat missing, no need to tell you why,

And he scowled upon a hostile world from one forbidding eye."

'I actually like Mr. Mistoffelees*, but Growltiger seemed to suit him,' said the girl, pointing to the kitten.

'There!' said Remus, handing over the kitten to the girl. 'I think that you should show him to your Care of Magical Creatures Teacher.' Remus did not voice his suspicion that he suspected the kitten to have some Kneazle in him.

'So, why were the bullies after your pet?' queried Remus.

'This is not my pet. I saw it wandering on the edge of Hogsmeade and wanted to feed him, so I sent my friend to buy him a Chocolate Frog. But these bullies came by and started tormenting him.'

'Chocolate Frog?' queried Remus.

'I thought that he would feel happy. I feel happy when I eat chocolate.'

A girl after my own heart, thought Remus. 'Would you like to keep him as a pet now?' queried Remus.

'I can't keep pets,' wailed the girl. 'My mother says that it is too dangerous!'

'I am sure this kitten is not dangerous,' said Remus.

'My mother says that I am dangerous for pets,' said the girl, looking embarrassed to own up. 'I am too clumsy.'

Seeing the girl's embarrassment, Remus sought to put her at ease. 'I am sure you make up for it with bravery. How many Wizards or Witches your age, do you think, would fight for Growltiger against these bullies? You are a courageous girl!'

'Really?' said the girl, her eyes shining with delight.

'Yes,' Remus said truthfully, 'never let anyone undermine the courage that you have. Wizardkind needs more people like you to fight for the rights of the under-privileged.'

'Thank you, Sir,' said the girl, blushing at the praise. Remus least realized the influence these words were to have on that girl's life.

They were interrupted from further conversation by the arrival of a boy who resembled a boiled lobster* from head to toe, clutching a couple of Chocolate Frogs in his hands.

'Sorry! Honeydukes was crowded,' the boy said panting for breath. 'Whoa! What happened?' The boy pointed to the immobile bullies.

Though they were on the outskirts of Hogsmeade, Remus suddenly became aware of a small crowd gathering around them. Remus saw a boy in Slytherin robes return to the scene with his Head of House in tow - Snape.

'Uh-oh!'said the girl's friend. 'Snape's here!'

'What's the meaning of this? Who did this...You?' Snape cut short his enquiry on seeing Remus.

'Well, Snape, I did what any Wizard would have done in the circumstances,' said Remus nonchalantly, hoping that Snape will take the bait.

'Preying on innocent schoolchildren?' snapped Snape.

With a triumphant gleam, Remus moved in for the kill. 'Precisely! They were hurting this kitten and they hit out at this girl who had come to the rescue and were preparing to hex her. So, don't you think I should stop bullies from preying on the innocents?'

Snape knew that he was cornered as he heard his own accusations being flung back at him. Remus was enjoying Snape's discomfort but he also thought that it was time to release the bullies from the spell and did so with a silent incantation.

The bullies thought that they could bluster their way through the situation. They had apparently got away with bullying before as their Head of House seemed to turn a blind eye to their activities. All three of them started talking simultaneously.

'- Professor Snape-'

'- this man-'

'-this girl-'

Remus cast a wandless Silencio on the trio and turned to Snape, a wicked gleam in his eyes.

'There are plenty of witnesses to their act of brutality. What are you going to do? Condone this behavior? I am sure they are exemplary, outstanding representatives of the House of Slytherin, if all that Slytherins are taught is to prey on the weak and innocent. I am sure that is how they show their bravery.'

'Or,' continued Remus, with a steely, forbidding look in his eyes, 'you can take me on if you think that your students are innocent.' Remus carelessly twirled his wand and whistled softly.

Snape came out of his shock as he did not expect to be pinned down so publicly. 'Krank! Purvis! Slough! Report to my office immediately! I will not have Slytherins disgracing themselves in public.'

The three bullies walked back to the school shame-facedly.

Remus said in a clear voice, 'I will be letting Albus and Minerva know about this. I am sure Minerva will demand some points to be adjusted.' He deliberately stressed that he was on first-name basis with them.

And as Snape was about to walk past him, Remus called, 'Oh, Snivellus!' reverting to the Marauders' name for Snape. Gesturing to the girl, he said, 'We, Gryffindors, have not lost our courage; we merely passed the baton to the next generation.'

Snape's face darkened. He fixed the girl with a glare and with a muttered 'bloody Blacks and Dark Creatures' that left Remus puzzled, Snape swept away in a billow of robes.

'And I thought bats were nocturnal,' commented Remus to his young friends, who laughed with relief.

'I know,' said the girl, nodding sadly, 'he's going to be nastier to me than usual, but I'll manage. Professor McGonagall will understand.'

'Don't worry, my brave warrior, I'll put in a word for you as I am meeting Minerva now. What is your name?'

'Er, Dora, fourth year,' said the girl, seeming reticent to give her full name.

Remus smiled and said, 'Well, Dora, what do you plan to do about Growltiger? Maybe, if you do not wish to keep him, you could send him to the Magical Menagerie. Somebody will offer him a home.'

'Thank you, kind Sir,' said Dora, 'We will take Growltiger to the school now.' She turned to go but stopped suddenly to look up at Remus. 'May I offer you a Chocolate Frog?'

'Sure,' said Remus smiling, 'chocolate makes me happy too!'

With a delighted laugh, the girl offered a Chocolate Frog to Remus and sped off with her friend.

Little did she know that in the future, the orange fur ball she clutched would repay his debt to her to another of her blood, or that her whole life would revolve around the stranger who helped her.

Remus felt happy as he walked towards The Three Broomsticks. He munched on the Chocolate Frog and looked at the card. 'Godric Gryffindor! How appropriate!' murmured Remus in surprise.

Remus was generally leery of Divination and omens, but somehow the card seemed to signify a portent of things to come. You were never one to run away from life. Face it boldly. You are a true son of Gryffindor!

He thought of physical courage when faced with threats and moral courage when faced with discouragement and realized that he had faced both and triumphed. Do not let the hero in your soul perish*! Remus quoted.

Remus was surprised at the turn in events. When he set out to Hogsmeade, he had questioned his bravery whereas now he was declaring himself as a true son of Gryffindor. He realized that the change occurred when he saw a brave warrior taking three bullies head on.

'Angel of Courage!' whispered a voice in his ear.

Remus smiled.

* * *

Author's Notes:

It should be mentioned that Tonks was reluctant to share her name as she did not want any association with the House of Black, or her first name. Minerva would have seemed reticent about the girl 'Dora' because of her relationship to Sirius, and thus Remus may not have got to know about the girl fully.

There are some extensive references here and I have listed them in detail. Have you guessed some of the characters?

* Key:

Snitchywasi: I arrived at the word from the components of Waddiwasi as listed in HP-lexicon.org. Strictly non-canon, or Quidditch matches would be a cake-walk, right?

A tall red-haired boy with long hair and a single ear-ring: Guess who?

A tale for another day: Which will get told one of these days.

Notre Dame in Paris: I have based this on photos of the Notre Dame, especially from the Galerie des Chimères. Chimera are similar to Gargoyles, but minus the waterspout.

Fauns and Sileni: Fauns are the Roman Satyrs and Sileni were half-men/half-horse that walked on two legs.

Dark Shadow: This is similar to the premise in GoF, about Voldemort in Albania.

Soul Siphon: Don't know if this is canon, but it fits the sentence.

'When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.': One of the well-known quotes of Sherlock Holmes, from the series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Black Forest: When I was younger, I came across a magazine that had photos of Unicorns in the Black Forest. That innocent, gullible me was convinced that it was a magical place.

New Moon Affirmation ceremony: Absolutely no idea what it means but the words sounded nice together in my mind.

Orange fur ball: You should have guessed it right - Crookshanks. The owner of the Magical Menagerie told Hermione that Crookshanks had been around for some time.

Growltiger & Mr.Mistoffelees: Both are well-known characters from 'Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats' by T.S.Eliot, though, Mr.Mistoffelees is quite popular as he is a 'Conjuring Cat'. The lines quoted are from the poem 'Growltiger's Last Stand' in the book.

Boy who resembled a boiled lobster: Guess who?

Do not let the hero in your soul perish: This is part of a quote from Ayn Rand that seemed appropriate for Remus to muse over:

"Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark, in the hopeless swamps of the approximate, the not-quite, the not-yet, the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish, in lonely frustration for the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle.

The world you desired can be won. It exists, it is real, it is possible, it is yours."