The Marauders and the Arenotelicon

Remus decided halfway through the first week that he absolutely loved school. He knew that was bizarre but he was enjoying himself immensely. The classes were interesting, his friends could make each other laugh, and people all around him were friendly. Well, most of them anyway. The Slytherins were the exception to the friendly rule, especially Snape. Remus wasn't sure if it was because he and James already had a bad relationship or what, but Snape took great delight in doing nothing but sneering and insulting them everytime they met in the corridors, class or the Great Hall.

Other than Snape, though, things were going quite well. Remus dreaded only one thing: the coming full moon. In truth, it was still two weeks away but he'd confessed to none of his friends his situation and was starting to worry about what he'd do or say to escape before the end of the evening of the full moon.

The day drew closer and closer. The more Remus tried to think of something else, the more the situation bothered him. Finally, knowing that the Head of Gryffindor House, Professor McGonagall, would know of his circumstances, he decided to try and speak with her privately after Transfigurations.

The lesson seemed to take forever and Sirius' clowning around didn't seem to help speed time up either. Once the bell rang for lunch, though, Remus slowly gathered his books. "I've got to speak to Professor McGonagall about something," he told the other three boys when they noted he wasn't moving very fast. "I'll catch up."

He waited until the classroom emptied and then approached the stern matron's desk at the front of the room. McGonagall looked up, her eyes glittering strangely when she realized who wanted her attention.

"Yes, Mr. Lupin?" she asked crisply, putting aside her quill and parchment as if realizing it was an important conversation.

"P-professor," Remus stammered, "I need to talk to you a-about next week." He swallowed hard, trying to figure out how to say what he needed to say but not really say it. He hadn't even said what he was outloud anywhere in case someone wondered why Remus Lupin would be even speaking about werewolves.

"You need an excuse?" she guessed. "Your mother is ill, Mr. Lupin. You have permission next week to visit her."

His brow furrowed. "But my mother's been - oh."

"Do your friends know your mother is," she lowered her voice to a whisper, "passed on?"

Remus' brow furrowed in thought as he recalled all of his conversations with his friends and classmates concerning family. "I don't think so."

"Very well, we shall use that then. You are excused to visit your mother once a month, due to her dire circumstances in the hope that seeing you frequently will bring about improvement in her health." Remus nodded slightly and his doubt must have shown on his face. "If that does not work, we shall simply conjure another reason, Mr. Lupin. Just make certain that you start mentioning your mother's poor health. Perhaps an owl to your father so that he may send 'updates' concerning your mother's condition?"

"I really think we should think of something else, Professor," he said hesitantly. "I mean, what if someone mentions it to their parents who know better. Or -"

"Mr. Lupin, merely keep it between you and those who have to know," McGonagall interrupted. "Stress to them that it is something you do not want gossiped about or mentioned due to your mother's sensitivity about the situation." She suddenly smiled at him. "Invent."

Remus looked at her in shock. "You mean lie?"

She gave him a considering look. "More like evasive truth. Your mother was ill before her death, was she not? It was not an illness she wanted people to know of?"

"She died of a broken heart," Remus replied baldly.

McGonagall frowned. "I know. I schooled with your mother, you know," she said softly. "We weren't great friends but she was a nice woman. Until it no longer suffices, the excuse will do, Mr. Lupin."

Resigned and still uncertain, Remus nodded. "Yes, Professor." He paused, sensing that the moment to ask question that had been plaguing him since being Sorted into Gryffindor was right. "Professor, may ask if you were hesitant about having me in your house?"

She blinked at him in surprise and was silent a few moments before answering. "At first, I was concerned, but I'm confident in the headmaster's precautions. You also seem eager to avail yourself of your good fortune and even in these few short weeks you have proven to be a very able student. No, Mr. Lupin, I might have been at first, but now I'm very pleased to know that you are a member of House Gryffindor."

Remus hadn't realized how important her 'blessing' was to him, but it was as if he'd been knighted. He beamed a smile at her and, clutching his book bag, hurried off. He stopped at the door, turned around and said, "Thanks, Professor."

"You are most welcome, Mr. Lupin, now off to lunch." He did as he was bid.