Chapter Fifty-Eight - Departure

Blaise convinced Harry to come to the Great Hall the following morning, where he swallowed a few hasty mouthfuls of breakfast while waiting for the post to arrive. Hedwig was prompt that morning, and brought with her Harry's subscription to the Daily Prophet. He dove for the paper immediately, sparing a moment to give his owl an affectionate pat before directing his steps to the hospital wing, the newspaper tucked under his arm.

He was relieved to see Sirius sitting up in bed, a tray of pastries and other delicacies before him. It didn't seem like Sirius had touched much of the food, in spite of its tempting aroma, though Harry soon noticed a nearly empty mug of cocoa on the bedside table, as well as a half-eaten box of chocolate frogs.

"Was Professor Lupin here?" Harry asked as he took the empty seat next to Sirius's bed.

Sirius directed a look of surprise at him, until Harry pointed to the tell-tale chocolate.

"Professor Lupin always had chocolate after we practiced the patronus charm," he explained, picking up a frog that was attempting to escape the box and popping it into his mouth.

Sirius laughed, "It's nice to hear that some things haven't changed! Yes, he came by earlier this morning to apologize for my interesting new scar."

He lifted the edge of his shirt for Harry's inspection. There were four long gashes where the werewolf had ripped his flesh, but thanks to Madame Pomfrey's skill, he had not required stitches in the muggle fashion.

Harry stared at the marks, nearly healed, but still red and livid. When he next met Sirius's eye, it was with a look of deep concern.

"Oh, you should see him," Sirius said with another laugh, though it did nothing to soothe Harry's anxiety, "He's much worse for wear than me."

"Did he... Was it just a scratch?"

"You're asking if he bit me," replied Sirius was a sad smile, "That was his fear, as well. But no, Harry. I'm afraid you'll only be able to boast of one werewolf among your friends."

Harry breathed a sigh of relief, making a note to visit Professor Lupin later. He found himself wondering if what Sirius said about him being "worse for wear" was a joke, and realized suddenly that he hoped it was. In spite of everything, he still liked the professor. He didn't want him to suffer.

"You seem happy," Harry observed next.

"Of course I am," Sirius said, "Pettigrew has been captured, and the world will finally know what he is."

Harry was shocked that he'd already heard the news. He suggested that Lupin must have said something to him during his visit, but Sirius quickly dispatched this theory. He told Harry that Dumbledore took the liberty of speaking to him in the hospital wing the previous night, after Harry had already gone to bed.

Harry was very bitter. Dumbledore had sent him away with the excuse that Sirius would need rest. If he was going to the hospital wing himself, he could at least have taken Harry along with him. But Harry didn't want to spoil Sirius's good mood with his petty complaints, and he did his best to smother his slighted feelings.

It helped that Dumbledore had left out a few details. Sirius was eager to know the full story of Pettigrew's capture, and Harry happily explained it all to Sirius in his own way. He began with the Dementors by the Black Lake, though he avoided any mention of Professor Snape. He didn't think Sirius would enjoy hearing that he'd been rescued by an old enemy. Instead, he described the meeitng in Dumbeldore's office that followed, the use of the time-turner, and finally the moment Millie's magnificent transformation was revealed.

"So she did manage it, after all!" Sirius said, settling back into his freshly fluffed pillows with a contented sigh, "I knew she would. And it was a falcon, you say? Brilliant! It's a trial to become an animagus, but to be one that can fly...!"

"That's not even the best news," said Harry. He'd waited until that moment to produce the Daily Prophet, fresh from the morning presses. The Ministry had issued a public apology to Sirius, and the story made the front page headline. They were still using the deranged photo of Sirius, taken the day he was arrested, but next to that was an image of Pettigrew, recently transferred to Azkaban, where he would be occupying Sirius's old cell.

Sirius skimmed over the article. With a bitter smile, he observed that Pettigrew would be getting the trial that he had never had. It filled Harry with indignation as well, but he was willing to be satisfied with this result after Sirius tossed the paper aside and said, "Good. A trial will mean that the whole wizarding world will know what he did."

Harry, pleased that he saw it this way, added, "The important thing is that your name is cleared. You don't ever have to go back to Azkaban. You're free."

He expected Sirius to smile at this, but instead he looked down at his hands, folded gently on his white bedclothes.

"Yes... I wanted to speak to you about that, Harry. You see, there's something I wanted to ask you. I couldn't do it as a fugitive, but now that things have changed..."

He had started twisting his hands about. This was a shy side to Sirius that Harry had never seen before. He thought he knew what was coming next, though he tried to be patient and give Sirius the time he needed to gather his thoughts.

"I know that I've mentioned this once before... That your parents... They made me your godfather, and well... I should have been the one to care for you after they died. Since I'm a free man now, I wonder..."

"Whether I would come live with you?" Harry asked eagerly, no longer able to contain himself.

Sirius looked up at him hopefully, "Have you given it any thought?"

In truth, between exams and Quidditch and trying to find Pettigrew, Harry hadn't the time to think of anything else. But now that Sirius had made the offer a second time, and a future with him was no longer an impossible dream, Harry wanted to accept him instantly. And yet he still hesitated.

Mrs. Zabini had already opened her home to him. He could only imagine the trouble she had to go through to secure his guardianship from the Dursleys. He did not want to seem ungrateful now.

Fortunately, he would not have to ask her. Blaise arrived at that moment, having heard part of their conversation through the open doors of the hospital wing.

"What are you being quiet for, Harry?" he demanded as he made his appearance, "You should accept his offer! It's what your parents wanted for you, isn't it?"

Harry couldn't hide his worry from Blaise. He needed only to murmur Mrs. Zabini's name for his friend to understand.

"You leave mum to me," Blaise said with encouragement, "She'll come 'round eventually. And besides, it'll be fun getting to visit you for a change!"

Sirius, having spent plenty of time among Harry's friends that past year, grinned at the idea of playing host to them.

"Was that your only objection, Harry?" he asked, already seeing the answer from the smiles on the faces of both Harry and Blaise. "If so, just give me a week. That's all I'll need to get the house ready."

There was only one thing left to do. Harry was determined to see Professor Lupin before the end of term. He felt there were things they still needed to discuss, but more than that, Harry wanted to thank him. It wasn't merely for teaching him the patronus charm, but for taking a chance on Sirius when he could have allowed Snape to curse him into oblivion down in the Chamber of Secrets.

His good intentions were forgotten as he observed the state of Lupin's office. His books and papers had all been packed away in boxes. The tanks of interesting creatures he'd displayed in class were likewise curtained and labeled in the professor's neat hand for shipment. The trunk that once held the boggart sat open on the floor, now devoid of its unpleasant inhabitant, and the professor was busy storing his clothing inside of it with a simple flick of his wand.

Sirius had not been lying about Lupin's appearance. He seemed more frail than usual, like he might collapse at any moment. His complexion was ashen except for a few bright red scratch marks along his cheek, adding to the constellation of old scars he already wore.

Harry was afraid that Sirius had hurt him during their fight, but Lupin corrected him.

"It's not as bad as all that," he said with a tired smile, "Most of these are self-inflicted."

Harry was horrified. He couldn't understand why Lupin would scratch at himself while under the effect of the curse, but it seemed impolite to ask about it now. Instead, he turned his attention back to the packed boxes. It seemed like more than a teacher preparing to leave for the summer holidays.

"Are you leaving?" Harry asked.

"I'm afraid so. In my condition, it would be too dangerous... It would be irresponsible for me to remain."

"But you're the best teacher we've ever had!" Harry protested. He did not mention that compared to Quirrell and the absolute disaster that was Gilderoy Lockhart, Lupin had not had much competition.

Lupin's smile was genuine, but sad, "It means a lot to hear you say so, Harry. But the fact remains that I never should have accepted the position in the first place."

"Did Dumbledore know you were a werewolf when he hired you?" Harry challenged, "Because if he didn't think it was an issue, then I don't see why you should."

Lupin's expression darkened at this mention of the headmaster, but he didn't utter a word against Dumbledore's judgment. Instead, his next words were a reflection on himself.

"When I think of what might have happened to you last night, Harry. One slip-up like that..."

He couldn't finish the thought. Instead, he put on another smile, ironic this time.

"Any moment now, the letters will be coming in from angry parents. The truth couldn't stay hidden forever. I'd much rather quit on my own terms than be sacked."

Harry remembered Mrs. Zabini's angry attitude the night before. Lupin had not been there to witness her rage, but Harry couldn't forget the private word she had wanted with Dumbledore after they had all gone to bed. Harry had a sickening feeling that Mrs. Zabini was the real reason behind Lupin's resignation. She might even be one of the angry parents Lupin referred to.

Harry's respect for Mrs. Zabini was great, but whatever her feelings might be on the subject, Harry still thought it was unfair.

"Will I ever see you again?" Harry asked.

Lupin had been in the process of shutting a few more rolls of parchment into his briefcase, but Harry's question gave him pause. He looked at Harry with a bewildered expression before heaving a deep sigh and saying, "He hasn't told you."

It was a statement, not a question, which was fortunate because Harry didn't know what to say. Lupin continued, "I spoke to Sirius this morning. I believe he was going to ask you to come live with him?"

Harry nodded.

"And have you accepted him?"

Harry nodded again, though he was still at a loss for what this had to do with his question.

"Sirius knows my situation," Lupin went on, "He's offered me a place to stay. It looks as though you and I will be seeing a lot of each other this summer."

Harry's surprise was rivaled only by his extreme happiness. He would be living with Sirius and Remus, his father's two closest friends. Sirius had already hold him so many stories, and he could only imagine what Remus might add. With his joy overflowing, Harry threw caution aside and wrapped his arms around the professor in a hug he'd never been brave enough to give before.

He figured it would be okay, since Remus was no longer his teacher. Remus lifted his arms in surprise at first, but then timidly returned the embrace.

His thoughts must have been running in a similar direction to Harry's, because he broke away first, gently pushing Harry away to look him in the eyes as he spoke, "Now then, as I am no longer your teacher, I see no reason why I shouldn't return this to you..."

He turned away and retrieved a piece of parchment that had been left on the desk, seemingly for this purpose. Without further ceremony, he laid the item into Harry's hands.

It was the Marauder's Map.

Harry looked up at Lupin in confusion. The map had completely escaped his mind until that moment. Lupin returned his look with a beguiling smile.

"I must have dropped it when I transformed," he explained, "Which was lucky. I might have torn it to shreds otherwise. Fortunately, Snape had the presence of mind to pick it up."

"He returned it?" Harry asked. It seemed so out-of-character for the Potions Master. Harry wasn't sure what to think.

Remus seemed to understand his confusion, because he added, "Severus and I... We were friends once. I can only guess at his intentions, but perhaps it was for old time's sake?"

"You were friends?" Harry nearly shouted, certain now that he'd heard everything, and he would never be surprised again.

"That was before I was a Marauder," Remus explained, "I'll tell you about it sometime. Perhaps over the summer?"

Harry was incredulous and dying to know more, but Remus waved all his questions away with a smirk. He still had packing to do, and there would be plenty of time to tell Harry his stories when they were reunited under the same roof.

Blaise and Harry would not be taking the Hogwarts Express home. Instead, they would be staying in Hogsmeade with Mrs. Zabini for the first week of their summer holiday. This would give Sirius all the time had had asked for, and when Harry was at last ready to travel away from the village, it would be to his godfather's home.

Blaise's charm had worked its magic on his mother faster than even Harry could have hoped for, and she agreed to Harry's change of lodging, provided that she inspect the premises herself when the time came. For now, Harry and Blaise escorted Millie down to the platform, where she boarded the train back to King's Cross alone. She was going to see her parents before she too would join Harry in his new home.

"Not that you deserve any favors," Blaise said, gently chiding her, "I still can't believe you kept it a secret that you'd completed the animagus ritual!"

Millie rolled her eyes, "I already told you. I didn't actually know it would work until I tried it. The last bit requires a full moon. Lucky for me, we happened to have one that night."

"And unlucky for Professor Lupin," Blaise added.

Harry decided it was best not to speak his mind about the professor's predicament in front of Blaise. Instead, he observed, "Pity the secret is out now. We could have had fun messing with Draco."

Millie shrugged, "Yes, but Professor Snape already wrote to my parents. They're going to force me to register this summer. Sirius will have to as well, now that everyone knows."

Millie complained of her parents' interference, but Harry knew better. They were proud of their daughter for accomplishing such a difficult piece of magic at her age, and Harry could tell that Millie was proud of herself as well.

"I think Dumbledore saw me, by the way," Millie abruptly added, "Not when I first transformed. That would've been impossible. But in the hallway, with Hermione. After she used the time-turner, we were in such a hurry to make it to the Whomping Willow that we nearly ran into all of you."

Harry remembered that afternoon and Dumbledore's strange behavior. He realized that this must have been what the headmaster meant when he asked Millie about her relationship with Hermione. It must have seemed very suspicious to see her lurking at the end of the hall with the Gryffindor while she was also standing at Harry's side.

"Shame she gave up the time-turner," Blaise mused aloud, "Registered or not, we can make the most of having an animagus in our group. But if he also had a time-turner..."

"Forget it," Harry said, shuddering at the thought of twisting back time on a whim. He had enough trouble moving through time in a linear fashion, "Anyway, we still have the map. With Millie's new skill and the Marauder's on our side, next year should be really exciting."

"That's if we survive another year," Millie said drolly, "I don't know if I can take another term like this one."

Harry and Blaise laughed their agreement as the whistle blew for the train to depart. Side by side, they stood on the platform, watching the red steam engine pull away as they wondered what their next year at Hogwarts would have in store.