The Tameness Of A Wolf

Remus was nearly dancing with joy when he arrived home from the meeting with Dumbledore. Yet the next six days passed without a single owl, and in spite of himself Remus was starting to worry. He could tell that his normally patient parents were tense as well - though they didn't say anything, he noticed that they seemed to be avoiding the topic of Hogwarts, always changing the subject when he mentioned school. Determined not to dwell on it, Remus tried to follow a normal routine, and kept himself busy reading, sketching, or helping his mother in her vegetable garden.

On the seventh day of waiting, he felt as though he just might go crazy from the anticipation and nerves. He tried to read, but he couldn't lose himself in a book the way he normally could. Nor was he able to concentrate when his father invited him to play wizard chess. Even flying, one of his favorite hobbies,didn't hold its usual allure. Suddenly the surrounding countryside seemed dull compared with Hogwarts' gleaming lake, mysterious forest, and soaring stone towers. The Lupins' small home felt oppressive; he longed to be anywhere else.

Finally, late in the afternoon, he couldn't stand it anymore. Nearly bored out of his wits, he moved toward the back door and pushed it open.

A wave of stifling, humid summer air hit him as he stepped outside, blinking in the bright sunlight. On a hot day like today everyone was inside, seeking solace from the unusual blazing heat of the past few days. The atmosphere was still and stagnant; a heavy stupor hung over the yard, the eerie silence only broken by the occasional lazy chirp of a bird. Suddenly, the interior of the Lupins' little home seemed cool and welcoming, but Remus didn't reenter the house. Instead, he crossed the yard to what looked to be either a tiny cottage or a large shed, pushed the door open, and entered.

It wasn't dark inside the workshop, but after the blinding sunlight outside the place seemed dim and shady. There was a window in the far corner and a magic-powered light hung from the ceiling, but these were the only sources of light.

The space was furnished practically, if not fashionably. A single chair sat near the door. Shelves and cupboards lined the walls. A lone bookshelf next to the window contained several books with covers in faded colors, and a table stood in the center of the room with a few miscellaneous items on it. There was nothing to indicate what sort of work was performed here, which added an air of mystery to the otherwise-plain area.

Remus knew exactly why the workshop was there, and what his father's job was. The air of mystery in the room was misleading. No Dark magic was practiced here, no esoteric magical potions or equipment being developed. Samuel Lupin was a magical jeweler and metalworker - a fascinating occupation in its own right, though hardly dramatic or mysterious.

Samuel was standing next to the window thumbing through a slim volume in tiny print. He was completely absorbed in his work, and hadn't noticed his son enter. After a moment he snapped the book shut, replaced it on the shelf, and turned to the table. He picked up his wand and the object that sat next to it - a small block of gold. Then with a flick of his wrist and a muttered "Wingardium Leviosa!" he sent it spinning into the air, where it hung at eye-level, unmoving. He uttered another incantation, and the gold slowly melted, leaving a blob of golden liquid hovering in the air.

Although he had seen it many times before, the sight of Samuel Lupin using magic to shape a piece of jewelry never failed to fascinate Remus, and today was no exception. With a deft movement of his wand, Samuel molded the metal into a perfect pendant in the shape of a heart. Another spell, and as he traced a pattern in the air a ring of engraved flowers appeared around the locket's edge. This did not satisfy Samuel - he frowned slightly, shook his head, and replaced them with the initials DJC in graceful, flowing letters. After a moment's pause, he added the engraved flowers once more, changing their style several times before it pleased him. He spent nearly fifteen minutes putting and adjusting the final touches on the beautiful piece of jewelry, then performed two simple charms to solidify the gold and shrink it down to a reasonable size. Finally, he Summoned a fine gold chain, strung the locket on it, and placed the necklace in a small box to present it to the customer. Only when this process was complete did he speak, still not looking up.

"The locket is for Morgan Clark," he explained. "His daughter Dorothy is turning sixteen next week, and he thought that it would make a nice gift."

Remus nodded. Although he didn't know most of the people who lived in his tiny town, he was familiar with the Clark family. They were acquaintances of his parents and often sought his father's services.

"It looks nice," he commented. Samuel had completed this particular locket very quickly - sometimes he spent a week working on a project, giving a cauldron the perfect shape or putting tiny engravings around the edge of a ring. "I think Dorothy will like it very much."

"I hope so." Samuel had been writing something on a piece of paper, but he frowned slightly and straightened up to look at his son. "Has there been any news from Dumbledore?"

Remus shook his head, suddenly depressed. "Nothing." He looked away. "He - he will write, won't he?"

"Of course he will. He said he would, and Dumbledore is a man of his word." Samuel spoke in his customary calm, logical manner, and as always he succeeded in comforting Remus, who relaxed slightly. "Now . . . " Samuel checked his watch. "It's nearly time for dinner. Why don't we go inside and see what your mother's been doing while we've been out here?" He didn't wait for an answer; none was needed. The two left the workshop and began to walk back to the house.

~*~

There was no word from Dumbledore that evening, and when Remus finally fell asleep that night his slumber was restless and tormented with unnerving dreams. He woke the next morning much later than normal, but feeling as though he'd barely slept at all.

When he went downstairs for breakfast his father wasn't there, but Amaryllis was at the table, sipping a cup of tea and writing a letter to someone. She looked up the moment he entered the room.

"Remus, a letter came for you very late last night."

He scanned her face, trying to discern some sign of its contents. "I haven't opened it," she explained, correctly guessing his motive. "Here it is." Reaching into her pocket, she handed him a parchment envelope. Remus flipped it over, saw the Hogwarts seal in purple wax, and slowly ran a finger under the flap of the envelope, easing it open. His mother watched in silence.

The envelope contained three pieces of parchment. Stomach twisting anxiously, he unfolded the first. It was a letter from Dumbledore.

Remus -

As I write this letter, the Hogwarts clock is chiming eleven p.m. Technically I am still within the time limit that I set, but I know that my owl will not arrive at your house until tomorrow morning, so I will apologize in advance for any anxiety that I may have caused you. I met with the school board one last time this evening. The meeting ran much later than we had intended, but we accomplished everything that needed to be done. Enclosed, please find a letter from Sasha Felle, Hogwarts' Herbology professor and Deputy Headmistress. I look forward to seeing you at Hogwarts.

Regards,

Albus Dumbledore

I look forward to seeing you at Hogwarts. Remus blinked, still looking down at the note in his hand. Hogwarts. But - but no. It was impossible, it couldn't be true . . . Heart thumping and hands shaking, he unfolded the second piece of paper.

Dear Mr. Lupin,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry . . .

Startled, almost disbelieving, Remus looked up and met his mother's eyes. She was still watching him, her face expressionless. "Mum . . . " His voice failed. He tried again but could not speak. Finally, he simply handed her the letter.

She read it quickly, but it still felt like ages before she looked up, smiled, and stepped forward to hug him tightly. "Remus. You're going to Hogwarts."

"I know." It was a strange feeling. He was almost numb, sure that it was the truth but unable to believe it. It was impossible. There was no way that this could be happening, he couldn't possibly be this lucky. But it's true. I'm going to Hogwarts. I'm going to become a wizard. He looked up suddenly, met his mother's gaze and saw the relief in her eyes as he smiled. "I can't believe it," he said slowly. "I'm going to Hogwarts!"

Amaryllis, always organized, began to think aloud. "We'll have to go to Diagon Alley. I'm sure there's a list of supplies . . . "

Remus unfolded the third page of the letter and nodded. "We've got most of the books - your old schoolbooks are still in the attic, and they're in good condition - but the rest of the things will be expensive," he added, frowning. "A wand, a cauldron, glass phials, a telescope, brass scales, and I'll need new robes . . . "

"Remus, don't worry about it. Your father can make scales and a cauldron for you in his workshop, and we'll be able to pay for all of your other supplies." She paused. "Are you excited?"

He grinned broadly. "Of course I'm excited! I mean, this is Hogwarts, this is . . . " His voice trailed off. "It's amazing. I never thought the school governors would let me go. If Dumbledore hadn't become headmaster, I suppose I'd be stuck. I don't know what would have happened."

"You'd better go out to the workshop and tell your father. I'm sure he'll be thrilled to hear that you've been accepted."

"When can we go to Diagon Alley? Tomorrow, maybe?" Remus asked. Although he tried to remain calm, he was bursting with excitement. He was going to Hogwarts, he was finally going to school!

"We'll see about that! School doesn't start for another month."

"I know, but I want to start studying right away . . . "

Amaryllis sighed good-naturedly. "Tell your father about the letter first. Then we'll talk about Diagon Alley."

Remus was only too happy to comply. Retrieving the letter from the kitchen table, he exploded through the back door and ran across the lawn, oblivious to the summer heat. His mother watched him go, smiling.

~*~

As it so happened, the Lupins were unable to travel to Diagon Alley for another few weeks. The August full moon was nearly upon them, and it was a few days before Remus had recovered fully. By that time, Amaryllis, a freelance writer and researcher who contributed to many wizarding periodicals, had several deadlines coming up and was too busy to leave. She suggested that Remus and Samuel make the trip to Diagon Alley alone. On August eleventh, the two set out for the Leaky Cauldron in London.

When they got there, the shabby little pub was nearly empty. A few people in hooded cloaks sat at a table in a dark corner, conversing in low voices. The bartender was reading a newspaper and did not look up as they entered. Never one to waste time, Samuel led Remus directly into an empty, walled courtyard. He tapped the wall several times, and in a matter of moments, they were looking through an arched doorway into a bustling street lined with shops.

"Do you have the list?" he asked, turning to Remus.

Remus nodded and procured a bit of folded parchment from his pocket. "I need my uniform, a set of glass phials, and a telescope. Oh, and a wand."

"Madam Malkin's is just across the street - that's the best place for robes. Why don't you get your uniform while I find those phials and a telescope?"

"All right." Remus accepted the money that his father handed him and headed toward Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions - a large, elegant shop with a sign that advertised "Every Style, Every Size" in large, loopy letters.

Considering the huge crowd in the street outside, Remus was surprised to note that Madam Malkin's shop, like the Leaky Cauldron, was nearly empty. A young girl with long, dark braids stood next to a rack of cloaks, examining them. Madam Malkin, a plump little witch with a perpetual smile, was at Remus' side the instant he entered the store.

"I need Hogwarts robes," he began.

"Ah, yes. Simone is here for her school uniform as well, aren't you, Simone?" This last question was aimed at the girl, who looked up, nodded briefly, and turned back to the cloak that she held. "Follow me, dear."

Remus followed Madam Malkin to the back of the shop, where she stood him on a footstool. "Just hold on and I'll find something that will fit you to a T." She turned to a rack of identical robes, selected one, and held it up next to Remus. "No, too small. I believe this one ought to - " She plucked another robe and held it up. With a wave of her wand, it adjusted itself to Remus' build, becoming shorter and more fitting through the shoulders. "Oh, yes. Perfect fit."

Remus studied the robe. It was the same style as the one that he had at home, though slightly larger. The Hogwarts crest was embroidered near the left shoulder, and it had . . . white trim?

As though reading his mind, Madam Malkin responded, "One can never tell which house one will be in until one is Sorted, of course. Once a student knows their house, their uniform will change from white to their house colors. A particularly clever little spell of mine," she added with a proud smile. "Now, then - Accio uniform, size 10!" An array of clothing came soaring through the air and landed in Madam Malkin's arms, perfectly folded. She used a spell to tie them neatly with a piece of string and handed them to Remus. "There's your uniform - you'll just need to choose a cloak. I believe the list calls for a plain black one, doesn't specify the fastenings. It's odd, really - last year it said silver fastenings, but not this year. Strange, hm?"

Remus realized that Dumbledore must have changed the list, and he smiled. "Yes . . . strange."

"It must have something to do with that new headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. I've heard he's a wonderful man, but a bit queer in the head, if you know what I mean." She sighed. "Well, go on and pick your cloak, dear."

Remus quickly selected a nice black cloak with plain gold fastenings and paid Madam Malkin. His father walked up to the shop just as Remus was leaving. "Do you have your uniform?" he asked.

Remus nodded and explained what Madam Malkin had said about the clasp on the cloak. Samuel smiled. "I wouldn't put it past Dumbledore. He's sharp - he never misses a thing. I imagine he'll be a wonderful headmaster."

"He seems nice."

"Mmm." Samuel checked his watch. "Well, that leaves your wand. Are you ready? Ollivander's is down at the other end of Diagon Alley."

"All right."

~*~

As Samuel had said, Ollivander's was the last shop on the other side of Diagon Alley - a shabby, dark little store with peeling gold letters over the door. As Remus and his father entered, they heard voices coming from the back of the shop. "Here, why don't you give this one a try - ten and a quarter inches, willow, unicorn hair." There was a pause, and then the voice spoke, clearly delighted: "Excellent! A very good show, Miss Evans. Here you are, then." There was a jingling of coins, and a young girl with light, coppery hair emerged from the maze of shelves, smiling broadly as she exited the shop. Remus glanced up at his father, who was silent.

Soft footsteps echoed through the shop, and the next moment an old man with wide, glittering eyes approached Remus and Samuel, extending his hand. "Welcome to Ollivander's, sir. The finest maker of wands in all of Europe."

Samuel returned the man's handshake. "My name is Samuel Lupin. My son is here for his first wand."

"Ah, yes." Mr. Ollivander turned to Remus. His pale gaze was piercing, and it unnerved Remus slightly. "I've been expecting you. I've heard many interesting things about you, Remus Lupin."

"Yes, sir?" Remus inquired politely. There was really no need for him to ask; he already knew what the man would say.

"I received a letter from the Ministry of Magic the other day. It said that you are exempt from clause three of the Code of Wand Use. No non-human creature is permitted to carry or use a wand." He paused. Remus said nothing. "Are you a magical creature?"

Remus glanced up at his father, who met his eyes reassuringly. "Y-yes, sir. I'm a werewolf."

To his near astonishment, Mr. Ollivander smiled. "Well! This shall be interesting. I've never sold a wand to a werewolf before. Hmm . . . " He paused. "Which is your wand hand?"

"My right, sir."

"If you would be so good as to hold out that arm." Remus did so, and Ollivander pulled a tape measure out of his pocket and began to take a series of measurements. "Just a moment, if you please."

Ollivander disappeared into the back of the shop and returned a moment later carrying several long, thin boxes, which he set down on a chair. "Now, then . . . why don't you try this one first? Mahogany, twelve inches, unicorn hair."

Remus had to admit that Ollivander seemed to have a better idea of what to look for than he did. Remus was handed wand after wand, but he had barely picked them up before Ollivander snatched them back, saying, "No, that's no good at all," or, "Try again, now, Mr. Lupin." The process was more than slightly mystifying to him.

Finally, Mr. Ollivander reached the bottom of the stack of boxes. "Well, I'll simply go and collect some more. Never fear, I've never failed to find a match for a customer." He picked up the array of boxes and began to walk toward the back of the store - then stopped suddenly, set them down on a desk which stood in one corner, and strode over to a shelf. "I'd nearly forgotten about this wand . . . curious. Why not?" he mused to himself. In one swift movement he was at Remus' side with another box. "Twelve and a half inches, aspen, phoenix feather. Go on, give it a wave."

The moment that Remus accepted the wand from Mr. Ollivander, an odd, humming feeling coursed through his hand and up his arm. He was suddenly filled with a strange confidence, and without hesitation he gave the wand a careful, practiced flick that he had seen his father perform many times. A stream of bright light flared from its tip, illuminating the dusty shop for a moment before dying away.

There were a few moments of silence as Remus, his father, and Ollivander gazed at the spot on the wall where the last pinprick of light had faded. Finally, Ollivander spoke in his usual vibrant manner. "Wonderful, wonderful! A perfect match." Remus realized that he had been holding his breath. He released it and relaxed his painfully tense shoulders. Mr. Ollivander busied himself wrapping the wand in tissue paper and laying it gently in its box as though setting a young infant in a cradle.

Remus looked up to see his father smiling at him. "Good job, Remus." Unsure quite how to respond, Remus nodded and accepted the box that Mr. Ollivander was holding out for him. "Thank you, sir," he said.

"There's no need for that, young man," Ollivander assured him. "It's been a pleasure to meet you. You'll do well at Hogwarts, I'm sure."

"Are you ready to go, then, Remus?"

Remus nodded. Glowing with pride, he turned and followed his father out of the shop.