TrueConfessionsofaWerewolf Ch3

There were many struggles as I learned about being a wolf, but to tell it all would take too much time.  I feel it is more important to cover other major events in my lifetime, rather than cataloging time in learning about being a werewolf.  I feel I have giving you a sufficient idea of my condition.  I will freely admit that in the course of my writings, I may have become a bit nostalgic about it, but what is done is done.

Having grown up as I had I had grown accustomed to a lack of acceptance.  It was something well ingrained into me by my father.  I had come to expect it.  Some my wonder about my father’s up bringing of me but he only wanted to be sure to prepare me for the future.  He knew of the difficulties I would face.  I think this was also the reason he made sure I was well educated.

When my Hogwarts acceptance letter came, I wasn’t excited like most eleven year olds.  I took my letter with a grain of salt.  I was accepter, but would not be attending.  I kept my mouth shut on how I wanted to go.  I didn’t know that my parents were considering the possibility of my going.

*****

“John, Remus received his acceptance letter today,” remarked Sarah sitting now next to him as he drank his evening tea.  Remus was in his room studying.

“Did he now?” asked John opening one of his closed eyes, he was trying to read his wife.

“He wants to go John.”

“Did he say that?” questioned John opening up his other eye and sitting.  He let out a sight and took another sip of his tea.

“No he wouldn’t have dared, but I could see it in his eyes.  I want him to go,” answered Sarah in and unrelenting manner.

John rubbed his temple sitting forward; he could tell that Sarah was not going to give up on the subject easily.

“How do you propose we do this?” he asked, ever being the realist.

“Why don’t we contact the headmaster and explain the situation? Hogwarts is good about letting students attend.  Not to mention, I’ve heard good things about Dumbeldore as headmaster, he seems to have really turned the position around.  We would have to send a letter of non-attendance anyway.”

“You are right about the non-attendance letter,” agreed John setting the tea cup that was in his hand down, “But I’m not sure about the whole revealing of Remus being a werewolf.  Secrecy is key.”

“What is the risk John?  The worst that can happen is for Headmaster Dumbeldore to tell us it isn’t possible.  Remus won’t wind up any more isolated than what he already is.  We have to try.  He has a right to a normal education like anyone else.  Remus needs to socially interact with other students his age.  You yourself have said we need to make life as normal as possible for him.

“All right,” sighed John, “We’ll try it.  I’ll send Dumbeldore an owl first thing in tomorrow.”  With that John leaned over and kissed his wife.

[I]Dear Headmaster Dumbeldore,

I am sending this owl, because there is some great difficulty and concern about sending my son Remus Lupin to Hogwarts.

It is a difficult situation for me to admit to and explain.  You see when my son was a mere boy of six he was attacked by a werewolf.  From then on he has been condemned to suffer from lycanthopy.  With his condition in mind it seems near impossible for Remus to attend Hogwarts.

Sincerely,

John R. Lupin

Dear John,

Please call me Albus.  I am deeply grieved by your situation.  It is a shame that Remus had to suffer something so tragic and life altering at such a young age.  His condition certainly does present a problem, but not one without solution.

I have some idea as to what can be don to allow Remus to attend Hogwarts this coming fall.  Would you be so kind as to meet the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade? I feel it would be best and easiest to meet and explain my ideas to you in person.

Awaiting your reply,

Albus Dumbeldore
Headmaster of Hogwarts

Albus,

Thankyou, I appreciate your understanding and willingness to help in this situation.  I am more than happy to meet you at the Three Broomsticks.  This weekend would work best for me.  Seven o’clock?”

-John Lupin[/I]

John cleared his throat as he approached the Three Broomsticks.  He hadn’t anticipated Dumbeldore having a plan for his son.  When entering the pub it was easy to identify Dumbeldore. Remus had gotten so many Chocolate Frog cards of the man it was easy to pick out the tall thin man with a long silvery beard, not to mention the fact that he was wearing turquoise robes with a tall pointy hat to match.

“Albus Dumbeldore?” asked John approaching the tall man/

“John Lupin,” warmly smiled Dumbeldore taking his hand to shake, “It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“Same here,” answered John nodding his head.

“Madame Rosemerta had a room for conferences, which she has so kindly reserved for us.  I believe that a more private local would be most suiting, allowing us to freely talk about the matters at hand.”

“Yes, that would be nice,” agreed John following Dumbeldore’s lead.

“Would you care for a drink?” offered Dumbeldore taking a seat in the private room.

“No thank you,” answered John taking a seat as well.

“I guess we shall move on to business then?” asked Dumbeldore with another warm smile.  There was a twinkling in his eyes exuding a general merriment.   Dumbeldore continued on, his question having been rhetorical.  “I have come into possession of a shack at the edge of Hogsmeade.  There is a way that a tunnel can be produced that would lead from the school ground to this shack.  If my knowledge of werewolves proves correct, the shack will be most suiting for Remus during his transformations.”

“I am certain that your knowledge is quite extensive,” graciously agreed John, “but I would still appreciate it if I were allowed to look over the location myself.”

“Of course, after we are done with our conversation here we will head over to have a look.”

“Thank you, now, if you don’t mind me asking how would you keep students from accidentally entering the shack or going down the tunnel that will be created?”

“I don’t mind you asking at all,” assured Dumbeldore, gesturing with his hands to additionally express his feeling of no ill will.  “As you may be aware there are roomers of the shack being haunted.  I have helped to encourage this roomer. As to the tunnel entrance, a whomping willow will block that.  This willow will have a mechanism attached to it, so that it will not allow others save Remus through.”

“It sounds like you have it all well planned out,” mused John, “ What about recovery time?  And Remus’ academics?  How many of your staff would have to know?”

“All excellent questions,” nodded Dumbeldore, “ I anticipate no more than myself, Madame Pomfrey the school healer, and the Deputy Headmistress, Minerva McGonnagall, possibly his head of house, but only if necessary.  As to Remus’ academics he will be excused from any missed classes and be permitted to make up and missed work.  The general excuse will be sickness or any other excuse you deem worthy of being used.  Recovery time should only be a day.  The potions mater Horace Slughorn is quite accustomed to making a regular supply of healing potion for Madame Pomfrey.  I am certain he would not think twice if the call for that particular potion increased.”

“It seems you have it all planned and figured out,” remarked an impressed John.

“Everyone is deserving of an education, something such as lycanthopy, should not be an exception.”

“It is good to hear that.  I’ll admit that I myself was prejudiced against werewolves but having watched Remus grow up, I’ve come to discover that he is my one.  One of the sweetest and most mild mannered people I know.  It is hard to believe what he becomes that beast every full moon.”

*****

Having already accepted the fact that I was not going to attend Hogwarts I was shocked to walk into my room one day to find schoolbooks and uniforms, and an owl sitting on my bed.

“Mum?” I called, she wasn’t far, just down the hall a bit but obviously following me though I wasn’t aware of it at the time.

“Yes Remus?” she answered stepping to my doorway.

Turning to her I asked, “What’s this?”

“Your school things, she smiled.  It was a small and mischievous.

“My – school things, but I thought…”

“It turns out you can go!” her excitement for me was shining through.

“But how? What about my - ?”

“Your dad has gotten it all worked out with your Headmaster Dumbeldore.  But let’s not worry about the details now! Come on let’s get you your wand!”  My mum held her hand out for me to take.

I looked at my new things for a moment and then took her hand, “I’m going to school!” I breathed as we headed down to the fireplace to floo to Diagon Alley.

I’ll admit that going to get my wand was a bit nerve wracking.  I didn’t know what to expect.

“Ah, Sarah McCormick, fancy seeing you in here again.  I remember I so you a seven and three quarter inch ash wand with an unicorn hair core, swishy thing, excellent for charms!” greeted Olivader coming down from a step ladder that was set toward the back of the shop.

“Yes,” answered my mum with a small nod and a smile on her face.

“I never forget a wand.  And who might this be?”

“This is my son, Remus Lupin.”

“Son of John Lupin?  Nine inched birch wood dragon heart sting, firm and most excellent for transfiguration.  Now, then first things first, we need to take your measurements.”  

Olivader looked me over once almost seemingly able to look right inside of me as he set his tape measure to work.  It took measurements of all sorts of proportions on me.  I had to have been standing there for about three minutes while the tape measure did its work on me.

“Hm, interesting,” remarked Olivader stepping away taking his measuring tape with him.  He started to peruse his shelves of wands.  I looked to my mum in a questioning way.  This certainly was an unusual experience.

“What is interesting?” my mum asked, watching as Olivader selected a wand from the shelves.

“He has unique measurements which dictates the need for a unique wand,” answered Olivader approaching me with the wand he had selected.

“Try this one eight and a half inches unicorn hair, willow, quite flashy.”

Olivader presented me with the wand.  I looked down at it and then over at my mum.  She nodded at me.

“Take it and wave it about,” instructed Olivader.

Taking the wand in my hand it didn’t feel right, I waved it and nothing happened.

“No obviously no.  Let me see. Oh here. Nine inches Dragon heart sting and ash, very unusual combination.”

I took the wand and instantly a fire exploded on the counter.

“Nope that’s not it,” continued Olivader in his search while my mom produced her wand to put out the fire.

We were in the shop for over an hour.  I felt like I had tried every wand in the store and caused plenty of damage.

“There is one more wand I would like to try,” remarked Olivader turning and heading all the way to the very back.  “This is one of my most unique wands.  One I created back when I had been experimenting with different mediums.  Here try this one.”

I took the wand and it felt as if it were and extension of my arm.  It was warm to the touch.  Knowing the routine, I waved it and instead of the typical disasters I produced gold sparks.

My mum smile at me as I looked on with awe, a smile of relief creeping onto my face.  Mr. Olivader gently took the wand from me to wrap it up.  “Ten inches, holly, werewolf hair, one of my most unique wands.”

When my mum and I heard Olivader describe the wand we exchanged knowing looks of surprise and shock.

“Thank you,” simply stated my mum taking the wand and paying for it.

“Good day,” greeted Olivader as my mum and I left.

“Why don’t we get some ice cream?” suggest my mom as we left Olivaders, he tone somewhat quite.

I nodded my head in agreement, wanting to not really think about what had just happened, hoping that ice cream would help both of us forget.