The room was barely lit at all but there wasn’t much to see anyways. The room was dirty and rundown. There was something familiar about this room, almost like a forgotten dream or memory. He had been here before, Harry was certain of it.

Suddenly Sirius flipped back through the pages and read the previous chapter.

“Hum, Sirius, the story…” Remus said pleasantly.

“Harry was sleeping in Dumbledore’s Quarters. What’s he doing in a barely lit, dirty and rundown room?” Sirius asked pointing at the last paragraph of the last chapter. The other three shrugged.

“Keep reading so we find out,” Lily said.

A man wearing a black cloak that hid his features entered the room. He was fidgeting nervously as he paced back and forth, muttering to himself. Looking at his hands, Harry noticed there were only nine fingers in total. It was Peter Pettigrew!

“What’s he doing there?” James yelled.

“I think I know,” Remus said biting his lips, “At least I hope I do and Harry isn’t actually with Wormtail.”

“You think he’s having another dream?” Lily said worried. Remus nodded.

There was an armchair facing the fireplace. A large snake was curled up by it, hissing softly. Harry didn’t know why but he needed to stay far away from that chair and the snake. Something about it just sent chills down his spine. Returning his attention to Pettigrew, Harry couldn’t help but notice that the man was doing his best to keep his distance from the chair and snake.

“Afraid of your master Peter?” James sneered.

“How do you know that’s Voldemort?” Sirius asked.

“Gut feeling,” was the answer.

“Stop that infernal pacing, Wormtail,” a cold, high-pitched voice hissed. “I have told you I won’t kill you…yet.”

“That must be so comforting,” Remus said dryly.

Pettigrew whimpered in fear. That clearly wasn’t what he had been hoping to hear but he stopped pacing and stood by the door still fidgeting nervously. The plump man was always high-strung but this was different. Something bad for Pettigrew had happened to make him this nervous and his companion short-tempered. The question was what could it possibly be?

The answer came as the front door opened quickly followed by the most unlikely of people entering. Professor Moody! What’s he doing here?!? Moody glared at Pettigrew before he walked to the chair and knelt, bowing his head in the process. “My Lord, I tried to fix Pettigrew’s mistake,” Moody growled. “I tried to recapture my father but Potter prevented it.”

“What?” Sirius cried.

“Moody a Death Eater?” Lily said disbelievingly.

James grimace, “That’s not Moody. Told you he was acting strange. He’s a Death Eater on Polyjuice and I have a feeling I know which. Just don’t know how.”

 

Father? My Lord? Harry’s eyes widened in alarm. Moody was talking to Voldemort!

“And how could a mere child prevent you from carrying out your orders?” Voldemort hissed. “Harry Potter should have been no match for you, Barty Crouch, Jr., especially with that eye you have.”

“Barty Crouch Jr.?” Sirius asked shocked ogling the book, “Wasn’t he dead?”

“I guess you’re not the only one that escaped Azkaban Paddy,” Remus said grimly.

“But how? He’s dead,” Lily asked.

“Didn’t he get a visit from his parents? Maybe one of them switched with them. Maybe the mother. Didn’t they say she died not long after? That would be the perfect cover. All they had to do is take Polyjuice and he is obviously fond of it,” James muttered at the end.

“His mother must have loved him an awful lot,” Lily said.

“You gave your life for Harry Lily,” James said sadly, “She must have done the same for her son. Even if he is a filthy Death Eater.”

Moody glanced over at Pettigrew hatefully before returning his gaze to the floor. “Potter found my father and sent one of the other champions for help,” he growled. “I tried to stun him but he cast a powerful shield to absorb the spell. I’ve never seen anything like it before. Potter then alerted Hagrid. The oaf used his body to protect the boy until the muggle-loving fool Dumbledore arrived. There was nothing I could do. I had to leave.”

“You have failed me Crouch,” Voldemort spat. “You have been out of practice for too long to be defeated by a fourteen-year-old boy. Crucio!”

They all cringed.

“I really can’t understand why people follow Voldemort with the way he treats them,” Lily said disgusted.

Moody screamed in pain as he withered on the ground. Harry wanted to cover his ears but the searing pain that erupted from his scar stopped him from making any movement. Pain filled his body as he screamed along with Moody. Harry knew Voldemort would hear him and know he was there but he couldn’t help it. There was so much pain.

“No! He’s feeling it! STOP THAT!” James cried desperately.

As quickly as the pain came it vanished. Harry fell to his knees as he slowly looked up to a wand moving from pointing at Moody to Pettigrew. Oh no! Not again! Voldemort shouted Crucioagain and this time Pettigrew fell to the floor in pain as pain once again flared from the scar on Harry’s forehead. Both Harry and Pettigrew screamed in pain for what felt like forever.

Lily was sobbing openly. James kept tugging his hair almost ripping it off. Remus was biting his nails and Sirius hands were shaking as he kept reading in a wavering voice.

When it finally ended neither Harry nor Pettigrew could move. “Your incompetence has risked that muggle-loving fool discovering my plans, Wormtail,” Voldemort hissed. “If your blunder has cost me Harry Potter one Cruciatus curse will be the least of your worries. It seems that we will need to contact someone else. This is your last chance, Wormtail. You better not mess this up.”

“Harry! Harry, wake up! Please wake up!”

“Yes, please,” Lily sobbed.

Opening his eyes, Harry found himself lying in a bed with numerous blurry faces looking down at him. His scar was still burning in pain and his body was shaking uncontrollably. Someone lifted his upper body off the bed as they sat down beside him. His head rested against their chest as a hand started to rub his back in a soothing manner. Harry could only let out a moan as his eyes closed. He didn’t think he would be able to move on his own for quite some time.

“What was that?” a voice that sounded a lot like Professor McGonagall asked.

“It must have been another vision,” answered a voice that sounded like Remus. “He had one this summer but it wasn’t nearly this bad.”

Harry groaned as he tried to turn his head. A vision? It had only been a dream? Harry didn’t know whether to be relieved or more panicked. It felt so real. Also, Remus was here? What was he doing at Hogwarts? Was Sirius here too? “Moony?” Harry asked in a raspy voice.

“Of course I am! I always come when you need,” Remus said.

“We know that,” James said, “But how did you know to come?”

Remus sat down on the edge of the bed and gently squeezed Harry’s arm. “Right here, cub,” he said gently. “Padfoot’s here too. Madam Pomfrey should be here soon. Are you still in a lot of pain?”

Harry partially opened his eyes and looked at Remus’ blurry face. “Just my scar,” he said tiredly. He suddenly remembered his dream and tried to move only to have the arms wrapped around him hold him in place. After a minute he gave up resisting and just remained where he was. “Moody,” he said as he fought to stay awake. “The spy is Professor Moody.”

Professor McGonagall gasped as the arms around Harry tightened. “Harry, that’s not possible,” Remus said carefully. “Alastor Moody would never join Voldemort. Are you sure that’s who you saw?”

“Yes! What do you think? Harry wouldn’t lie!” Remus said angry. The other three stared at him and Sirius said patting his arm in a calming gesture:

“Moony, that’s you you’re yelling at.”

Remus glared at him.

Although his body had finally stopped shaking Harry was still having difficulty moving which was really starting to get annoying. “I saw him but…Voldemort called him Barty Crouch, Jr.,” Harry said unable to hide his confusion from his voice. “I thought he died.”

“Unless someone took his place in Azkaban he did die,” Sirius said bluntly. Silence filled the room causing Sirius to let out a scoff. “I was kidding! Who in their right mind would do something like that?”

Harry didn’t have to think long on that question. “I would,” he admitted sleepily. “If someone sent you or Moony there, I’d take you place, Midnight.”

“Oh Harry, that’s so sweet. But don’t you dare!” Sirius said sternly.

“I’d hate to admit it but Harry does have a point,” Remus said softly as he brushed Harry’s hair out of the teen’s eyes. “Any parent would take the place of their child. Wouldn’t you take Harry’s place, Padfoot?”

Sirius let out a sigh. “In a heartbeat,” he agreed.

Lily hugged Sirius, “Thank you Padfoot.”

Sirius patted her and said, “Knew I’d eventually grow on you.”

Madam Pomfrey came running in a moment later and forced everyone but Harry to leave. Harry groaned in protest as his godfather lowered him back on the bed and left with everyone else. He was barely aware of the tests Madam Pomfrey ran before she helped him swallow several potions. His headache had lessened considerably and he was able to move his limbs but he was also extremely tired. Satisfied that she had done all she can, Madam Pomfrey let the adults re-enter the room.

Sirius and Remus hurried back to Harry’s side while Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall remained in the doorway simply taking in the scene before them. Each Marauder sat down on opposite sides of the bed. Sirius was running one hand through Harry’s hair, an action that seemed to comfort the teen, while Remus was making sure Harry was comfortable. It seemed criminal to interrupt a family moment such as this but it had to be done.

“No it hasn’t,” James crossed his arms, “Let them be!”

“Do you feel up to a few questions, Harry?” Professor Dumbledore asked.

Sirius looked over his shoulder at the Headmaster appearing to be ready to object but only let out a sigh and looked back at Harry. “Just say the word, Pronglet, and we’ll kick them out of here,” he said softly. “We can do this in the morning.”

James laughed.

“Prongs, this isn’t a laughing matter.”

“I just got a mental picture of you kicking Dumbledore.”

Harry shook his head slowly. He knew he needed to get this over with so there was no point in delaying it. “I’m okay,” he said but could see that neither man believed him. “I’m just tired and sore. I think two Cruciatus curses is my limit.” It was a bad joke and the judging from the sharp intakes of breath he heard Harry knew it was probably the last thing he should have said.

“Not a very bright moment, no,” Remus said shaking his head.

“Why don’t you start from the beginning, Harry,” Professor Dumbledore proposed as he entered the room. “Whatever you can tell us will help.”

Harry closed his eyes and relayed his dream. He managed to make it until Voldemort had cast the first Cruciatus curse before he faltered. He could still remember the pain he felt. With a shaky voice he continued speaking, ignoring the tightening grips his guardians were giving his hands. By the time he had finished Sirius pulled Harry into a fierce embrace. Harry was caught by surprise at first but relaxed in his godfather’s arms. He was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to sleep.

Sleep came.

“Then sleep,” James said patting the book and humming a lullaby. The other three looked at him strangely.

---

Harry awoke the following morning to find his guardians asleep in chairs at his bedside. Sitting up, Harry found his glasses on the bedside table allowing him to see clearly. He crawled out of bed as quietly as possible, grabbed the set of clothes set out for him and entered the adjoining bathroom. After cleaning up and changing, Harry walked back into the bedroom and saw that his guardians hadn’t moved. He was uncertain of what to do. Should he wait for his guardians to wake or should he leave? He did have classes today and knew that Ron and Hermione were probably wondering where he was.

But I’ll worry Sirius and Remus if I leave.

The decision was made for Harry when the door slowly opened and Professor Dumbledore poked his head in. Seeing Harry dressed, he motioned for the teen to follow him and led the way to his office. As he entered, Harry suddenly felt nervous when he saw Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape sitting in front of Dumbledore’s desk. He remembered the ‘scolding’ he had received from Professor Dumbledore last night and couldn’t help but fear that had only been the beginning.

Dumbledore conjured a chair between Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall as he walked over to his desk and sat down. “Please have a seat, Harry,” he said pleasantly. “There are a few things we need to discuss.” Harry silently obeyed and sat down, keeping his gaze on the floor. “You’re not in trouble, Harry,” Dumbledore said gently. “I would tell you that our search for your attacker last night was unsuccessful but you already knew it would be. We have searched Professor Moody’s quarters and made a startling discovery. It seems that the impostor has kept the real Alastor Moody locked in his trunk so he could use his hair for the Polyjuice Potion. Alastor is recovering from the ordeal in the hospital wing but we don’t know how long his recovery will be.”

“Told you the real Moody wouldn’t cast Unforgivables on the students,” James huffed.

“Yes, James. You did. But there’s no use huffing at us!” Sirius rolled his eyes.

Harry looked up at Professor Dumbledore surprised that the man was telling him so much. He doubted the rest of the school would ever hear any of this. It would be extremely difficult to explain the majority of the truth without revealing Harry’s visions, something Harry didn’t want anyone to know anytime soon. If the school’s reaction to him speaking to snakes was any indication, Harry knew people would probably believe he was losing his mind.

“Until Alastor is able to teach we need a temporary replacement,” Dumbledore continued. “I asked Remus if he would consider the position but he wasn’t sure of how you take it since he’s your guardian.”

“Yes. The return of Professor Moony!” James cried delighted.

“Oh, Harry would love that!” Sirius beamed.

To say Harry was confused would be an understatement. “He was my guardian last year when he taught me,” he pointed out.

“But the entire wizarding world wasn’t aware of it then, Harry,” Dumbledore clarified as he leaned forward. “Some students and parents may claim that we are favoring you by employing one of your guardians as a teacher. We know you are under a lot of stress and we don’t want to add to it, your guardians don’t want to add to it.”

“I can handle whatever students try to throw at me, Professor,” Harry said firmly. He couldn’t believe Dumbledore was more concerned about his ‘stress’ rather than what Remus would go through. “I would be more worried for Remus since not everyone is going to approve of his condition. That was why he resigned last year. No matter what Remus may say I know it bothers him when people see the wolf and not the man.”

Remus shrugged, “I can handle it. Don’t worry.”

“Moony, we always worry,” James said seriously. Lily and Sirius nodded.

“You will not try to take advantage of your relationship with Mr. Lupin in class?” Professor McGonagall asked sternly.

“Hey! He’s not Malfoy!” Lily cried outraged.

Harry looked at her with a raised eyebrow. How could McGonagall think he would ever do such a thing? “I didn’t last year and I certainly won’t this year,” he said sounding slightly offended. “I respect both of my guardians too much to do something as childish as that.”

“Professor McGonagall didn’t mean anything by it, Harry,” Professor Dumbledore said calmly.

“Wouldn’t be so sure of that,” James narrowed his eyes.

“Most teenagers would try to take advantage of a situation such as this. I am sorry for the misconception you would act the same. Sometimes it’s hard to think you’ve only known Sirius and Remus for such a short time considering how close you three are.”

Harry was still confused. Why would anyone try to take advantage of their guardians teaching them? “I still don’t understand,” he said. “Why would kids act that way to their parents or guardians? Acting like that is only asking for trouble from other students.”

“Oh Harry. To think like that requires foresight and not many have it. They usually just think of what will happen next. So the only thought would be the advantage they’d get not the trouble that could come,” Lily said sighing.

Professor Dumbledore glanced at Professor McGonagall then Professor Snape before returning his gaze to Harry. “That is true,” he admitted. “I don’t think I need to remind you of Draco Malfoy. He uses his father’s position as school governor to get what he wants. It’s not that uncommon.” Harry looked horrified in being compared to Draco Malfoy, something Dumbledore noticed. “I am not saying you would do the same thing. We just wanted to be certain this arrangement wouldn’t cause problems. If you feel you can handle it then I’ll inform Remus he will start teaching this morning.”

Closing his eyes, Harry fought to keep his emotions under control. He was prepared for Draco Malfoy to give him a hard time along with many of the other Slytherins. He just hoped he wouldn’t receive much from the other three houses. Opening his eyes again, Harry looked at Professor Dumbledore with a passive look on his face. “Professor, my position on this matter hasn’t changed,” he said evenly. “Remus is more of a target for ridicule than I am. He takes all of the slander given to werewolves without visibly showing how much it’s really hurting him. I know being called a half-breed hurts him. The fact that the wizarding world views him as less than human hurts him.”

Remus was engulfed in a hug by the other three. He smiled. Yes it hurt. But knowing that there were people that didn’t care and loved him helped.

Dumbledore enfolded his long fingers as a slow smile appeared on his face. “I will discuss this with Remus and see what can be done to make his stay here more pleasant,” he said with his eyes twinkling. “Another matter we need to discuss is what happened last night. It wouldn’t settle well if the student body found out they had been taught by a follower of Voldemort for nearly an entire school year especially with the Tournament still in full swing. To prevent a panic, I must insist you refrain from speaking of what happened last night to anyone other than those who already know.”

Harry couldn’t believe it. How could you keep something like what happened last night a secret from everyone? Secrets don’t stay secrets for long at Hogwarts. Harry had learned that the hard way. “What about Viktor?” he asked. “He knows I was attacked—”

“—but that is all he knows,” Dumbledore interrupted calmly. “I can’t deny that you were attacked last night but no one besides the staff and your guardians know who it was. We will acknowledge your attack and admit that the attacker escaped but any information pertaining to Barty Crouch, Jr.’s presence here will simply be held back. This is for your safety as much as anything, Harry. If the wizarding world were to learn of your visions you could be put in serious danger. The Ministry could try to use you for information on Voldemort and his followers.”

“As much as I think people should know that Crouch Jr. isn’t dead and dangerous I care more about protecting Harry,” Lily said grimly.

A chill went down Harry’s spine causing him to shiver. More visions? The one last night was enough to last a lifetime. Professor McGonagall noticed Harry stopped paying attention and reached out and grasped his hand firmly. Harry didn’t even notice it. He was too caught up in his fear. He didn’t want to be seeing what Voldemort was up to. It hurt too much.

“Harry?” Dumbledore asked gently. “Harry, are you all right?”

Snapping out of his thoughts, Harry looked up at Professor Dumbledore and nodded although he really didn’t feel fine at the moment. “I’m sorry sir,” he said softly, hoping that Dumbledore would let the matter drop. “Er—what were you saying?”

Dumbledore held Harry’s gaze for a moment before answering. “I was reminding you that we are doing everything in our power to ensure Hogwarts is safe, Harry,” he said pleasantly. “Sirius has agreed to remain at Hogwarts for the time being to help out but we don’t want the entire school knowing about his presence as of yet. If the students knew we needed someone like Sirius here for security they may overreact. Do you understand?”

Harry really didn’t understand what the big deal was but wasn’t about to say so, especially with Professor Snape sitting next to him. It struck Harry as odd at how quiet the Potions Master was being but once again he wasn’t going to voice his thoughts. Snape was badmouthing him or his father so it was best to not stir the pot. “Yes sir,” Harry said obediently.

“Well then, if you don’t have any questions I believe breakfast is just starting,” Professor Dumbledore pleasantly.

Taking that as his cue, Harry bid farewell and walked to the door. As he reached for the doorknob Harry felt a chill rush through him. Something didn’t feel right about all this. “Sir, I know it’s not my place but history has proven that secrets have a habit of coming out,” Harry said as he looked over his shoulder at the Headmaster. “I just hope you are ready for the repercussions that come with it.”

All three teachers stared at Harry in amazement as the teen left the office. No one said a word for quite a while. “That boy is too bright for his own good,” Professor McGonagall said at last. “It was almost like he was channeling his mother for a moment.”

Lily puffed proudly.

“Now we’re never going to hear the end of it,” Sirius groaned.

“What can I do if I am so bright,” she said superiorly.

Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape had to agree.

---

By the end of the day Harry desperately needed sanctuary. Everywhere he turned there was someone asking about the attack last night, wanting to know every single detail. Cedric Diggory had cornered Viktor Krum before breakfast wanting to know what was so important last night and had received quite a shock when Viktor told Cedric everything about the attack he knew, including Harry’s collapse. Panicked, Cedric hurried into the Great Hall with Viktor following him to see Harry mindlessly playing with his food. There were a few students from each house at their respective tables but their conversations had abruptly ended when Cedric marched up to Harry and demanded to know what happened.

“Cedric is quite fierce,” Remus said, “I like him.”

Harry had tried to push off the attack as nothing to worry about which left Cedric and Viktor in a shocked silence. The older champions grabbed Harry by the arms and pulled him out of the Great Hall to an empty classroom where they demanded an explanation. Harry told them what he could which wasn’t more than what Viktor had told Cedric. Although Cedric was impressed that Harry managed to defend himself he wasted no time in ranting at both Harry and Viktor for doing something so stupid. This caught Harry by surprise and apparently Viktor too. Cedric finished his rant by making Harry promise he would never do anything like that again. Harry quickly agreed and let out a sigh of relief when Cedric seemed to relax.

Of course Cedric hadn’t kept his mouth shut about the whole thing so by the time the first class of the day was over the entire school Harry had been attacked last night trying to protect Mr. Crouch and the attacker got away. Hermione was another who scolded Harry for sending Viktor for help since the Bulgarian was older and had more knowledge of defensive spells forcing Harry to bite back the question of how she could know that.

“Yes, Hermione, how do you know that?” Sirius wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

“She does have a point,” James said nodding.

By the time lunch was over the gossip mill was in overdrive. Harry’s attack was still on everyone’s lips along with the return of Professor Lupin and absence of Professor Moody. As far as the student body was concerned Professor Moody had fallen ill so Professor Lupin was his temporary replacement. Looking up at his guardian who was sitting at the Head Table, Harry noticed Remus mouth ‘Marauder’s Quarters’ and nodded in response. After everything that happened last night neither guardian had the chance to reprimand Harry yet, something he really wasn’t looking forward to.

That night after dinner, Harry went to the Marauder’s Quarters thankful that the password hadn’t been changed. Entering the common room, Harry noticed that Sirius and Remus were sitting by the fire talking quietly. For a moment Harry considered leaving so he didn’t disturb them but Sirius noticed Harry’s presence and their conversation was quickly dropped.

Much to Harry’s relief Sirius and Remus didn’t scold him for what happened. Sirius was actually proud of how Harry handled everything but also made Harry promise to never do something like that again. Remus, on the other hand, expressed his concern that Harry used such a power draining shield which left him defenseless. Harry had to agree that Remus had a point. That shield had been one of the more powerful that he had learned but he didn’t know how powerful the spells coming at him had been. If he had underestimated the spell would have gone through the shield and hit him.

As punishment, Harry had to spend two hours a day for the next week researching shields and other protection charms under the watchful eye of either Sirius or Remus. Harry knew it wasn’t much of a punishment since he probably would be researching the topic anyways for the third task. There was also the matter of Sirius making the two hours more fun by having practical lessons whenever it was his turn to ‘monitor the punishment’.

“I am always fun Pronglet. Always.”

Word had reached the Ministry within a few days of the attack about Mr. Crouch’s presence at Hogwarts. Cornelius Fudge had arrived along with Percy Weasley and a medi-witch from St. Mungo’s hospital to determine Mr. Crouch’s ‘state of mind’. The prognosis wasn’t good. The medi-witch concluded the same as Madam Pomfrey: Mr. Crouch had suffered brain damage due to a severe memory charm. He was sedated and moved to St. Mungo’s for an ‘undetermined amount of time’. Fudge had turned completely white when Crouch started talking about the Dark Lord getting stronger and nearly ran out of the hospital wing (from what Sirius described since Harry and Remus had been in class when Fudge had arrived).

Since Fudge had been in the hospital wing he had seen Professor Moody who was still recovering and therefore learned that Remus was his substitute. He wasn’t too happy about the temporary replacement and demanded to supervise a class which just happened to be the one Harry was in at the moment.

“Hey, it’s not your decision, it’s Dumbledore’s!” Sirius cried outraged.

“Moony is a great teacher!” James yelled.

When they entered the classroom they saw the students in groups of three talking quietly as one from each group took notes on a piece of parchment while Professor Lupin strolled around, observing. After about five minutes of this Remus instructed everyone to put their quills down then called on one member from each group to write their findings on the blackboard.

Once everyone was finished, Professor Lupin took a look at the lists of spells, charms and hexes before addressing the class. “Only one group thought of the Protego charm,” he said thoughtfully. “Most of you have written down offensive spells but what about defensive? If someone were to cast a leg-locker curse on you how will you free yourself?”

Sirius and James raised their hands and kept crying, “Professor Moony, Professor Moony. Pick me.”

Remus and Lily smacked their heads and Remus said, “Just read Sirius.”

Several hands raised in the air. “Dean?”

“Finite Incantatem?” Dean Thomas suggested.

“That is one way but not the only way,” Professor Lupin said with a smile. “Your assignment: one roll of parchment on the defensive side of dueling. Select three spells, hexes or charms and find at least three ways to counter it. We will discuss your findings next time. You are dismissed.”

“MOONY! You gave homework! How could you?” James cried horrified.

Sirius shook his head, “Straying so far from the good side. We may be too late to save him,” he choked a fake sob. James patted him and he waved a hand dismissively, “I’ll be fine. I’ll get over it… eventually,” he finished in a strained voice and hugged James fake sobbing deeply. Remus and Lily groaned.

The students instantly started talking about what their three choices would be as they packed up their things and left the classroom. Harry motioned for Ron and Hermione to go ahead without him and stayed behind and when everyone had left approached his guardian, unaware that Professor Dumbledore, Mr. Fudge and Percy Weasley were standing at the back of the classroom.

“So, have I lost my touch?” Remus asked Harry with a grin.

“Not at all, sir,” Harry said returning the grin.

Remus smiled proudly and sat a little straighter.

Remus returning as a formal teacher felt a little odd for both of them. “You have a point. No one really thinks of the defensive side of dueling. In second year it was always attack first, attack hard.”

Remus let out a sigh. “I know,” he admitted as he packed up his things. “That’s usually how everyone thinks.” He looked at Harry with a raised eyebrow. “You do know that I am expecting your essay to be on material you haven’t already learned. Let the other students handle the easy charms and jinxes. Think of this as practice for the third task. You need to defend yourself, Harry. I won’t say any more on the topic.”

“I thought the teachers weren’t supposed to help?” James raised an eyebrow.

“Who’s helping? I am assigning homework. If by a coincidence it happens to help Harry what can I do?” Remus said innocently.

Harry nodded. “Mr. Bagman already told us what we would be facing,” he said firmly. “Trust me. I have no intention on taking the easy way out on this assignment. I planned on researching the topic anyways.”

“That’s good to hear,” Remus said as he walked around his desk. “Although I wouldn’t let your godfather know. He already thinks I’ve poisoned your mind against him—”

“Yes,” Sirius eyed Remus evilly, “Encouraging research and trips to the library.”

The sound of someone clearing their throat made Harry jump and turn to see their observers. Not liking that Cornelius Fudge (the same man who tried to sentence Sirius to the Dementor’s Kiss without a trial) was there with Percy Weasley; Harry took a subconscious step back and felt a protective hand on his shoulder. From the firm grip Harry could tell that Remus had the same apprehensions he did.

“Who would like Fudge?” Lily asked scornfully.

“Is there something I can do for you Minister?” Remus asked politely.

“Not at all,” Fudge said stiffly. “I had learned you had returned to teaching and wanted to see for myself—”

“—if I were a danger to my students?” Remus offered.

“Moony! Don’t say that!” Lily cried.

Remus shrugged, “No use pretending that’s not what he’s thinking.”

 “I assure you, Minister, that this position is only temporary until Professor Moody recovers. I was the only one available on such short notice.”

“And Mr. Potter receives no privileges from your new position?” Fudge asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Hey, Harry said he wasn’t going to abuse that you, you, … I give up there isn’t a word bad enough for Fudge,” James growled frustrated.

Harry’s eyes narrowed at the accusation. Why did everyone believe he would take advantage of Remus being a teacher? “I am harder on Harry than any other student,” Remus said calmly. “I do not let any student—no matter who they are—slack off in my classes.”

“Ha! In your face!” Sirius cried satisfied.

“As you can see, Cornelius,” Professor Dumbledore said pleasantly. “Remus is more than capable of covering for Alastor…unless you would prefer Sirius Black to take the position instead.”

“Dumbledore! Don’t joke like that! I would never join the enemy like that!”

“Never say never Paddy,” Remus said wisely.

Sirius looked at him in shock and said almost in a whisper, “Never!”

Fudge quickly looked at Professor Dumbledore in alarm. That seemed to put any objections Fudge may have had to an end. “N—no, that’s fine,” he said quickly. “I’m sure Professor Lupin will have no trouble since the position is only temporary. We should really be going…loads of paperwork and we need to find someone to take over for Barty.”

Fudge and Percy left shortly after that much to everyone’s relief. Harry had to wonder why Fudge was so against Sirius teaching. Sirius had taught him for the entire summer and was actually quite good at it. He had his beliefs and grudges, especially against one Potions Master but nothing deeming him unworthy to teach. Of course Fudge has been rather jumpy whenever the topic of Sirius Black is mentioned ever since the trail that proved his was innocent. Harry had to wonder if Fudge simply feared Sirius and what the Animagus may say to those who were willing to listen.

“A lot Harry. A lot,” Sirius said.

“He says a lot even when there is nothing to say,” James told Lily in a staged whisper. She giggled. Sirius glared.