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Chapter 5 - Remus Lupin

"What do you think, Harry?" Professor Lupin asks, looking over to him from the front of the class while his charmed piece of chalk jots down notes on the blackboard.

"Uhm, I think I'd probably use a full body-bind in that situation, sir."

Professor Lupin smiles widely. "Very good! And to think I'd been warned you might be a little behind after you started late this year."

"Do you see it now?" Kichiro asks.

Harry almost rolls his eyes; getting used to trying to talk to someone in his head without letting on that anything is happening to the outside world is more challenging than what he'd thought it would be. He has to keep close control over his facial expressions, especially when Kichiro says something he disagrees with. Several times he's found people giving him odd looks when he's in the midst of a conversation with the man, or whatever the hell he is.

"He's just making sure I'm keeping up because I started after everyone else. Professor Lupin treats me the same as every other student," Harry replies, though he's not entirely certain of his own words.

He's had only a few defense against the dark arts classes since coming back to school, and already Kichiro's got the idea that the Professor is more interested in him than the other students. As much as Harry still disputes him, he's starting to see hints of it being true. Kichiro's been going on about it from the very first lesson, but it's only now that he's beginning to see the truth of it.

The fact is, Professor Lupin seems to ask his opinion more than he does the others, though of course that's something that could easily be attributed to what Harry just said - that the new Professor is just making sure that he's keeping up. But it's the lingering looks that Harry catches when the Professor thinks he isn't looking - the way he stares at Harry like he knows him or something. Still, that could also be because he's is the boy-who-lived.

Harry just hopes its not another Lockhart situation, as unlikely as that seems. Lockhart had been completely obvious from the very first lesson, or even before that, really, in Flourish and Blotts. Professor Lupin though is completely different; he's disheveled and a little scarred, and he seems to be exhausted all the time. No, whatever reason this new Professor has to be interested in him, it's not like Lockhart.

"Okay, why don't we all line up across the room from each other. Everyone grab a partner," Lupin says. With a screeching of chairs across the floor, everyone moves towards the back of the room, an open area set aside for the sorts of exercises Lupin's going to have them doing. As usual, Harry partners with Ron.

"Today you'll be practicing the shield charm. If you remember from our practice yesterday, you'll know that the correct incantation is…"

"Protego," the class answer in chorus.

"Excellent. Now, the person's on the left, cast only light jinxes at your opponent, please. On the right, try to defend yourselves using the shield charm." With Harry being on the right, he's to start on the defensive. He gives a nod at Ron, who casts a light stinging hex at him.

"Protego!" Harry says loudly, swishing his wand in front of him. As expected, a thin, ethereal blue shield springs up in front of him, absorbing Ron's spell before it can hit.

"Excellent work Harry!" Professor Lupin claps from where he stands off to the side, observing.

"Yes, very good work, though your Professor should really be teaching the basics of defending yourself, before this," Kichiro adds.

From what they'd learned yesterday, Harry had the impression that the shield charm is the basics. "What do you mean? This is the most basic shield charm there is…"

"Shielding yourself is most definitely not the best way to defend yourself. The best way to defend yourself is to not get hit altogether," Kichiro explains.

Once again, Harry has to struggle not to frown. He's far from an expert on dueling, but evasion is definitely not a tactic he's heard of as being popular. Frankly, most spells are far too fast to properly avoid if they're aimed well, at least on purpose. He's managed to dodge a spell or two by instinctively ducking, but certainly not on purpose.

"Evasion?" Harry asks suspiciously. "Really? Theres only so much you can avoid. Even if you can manage to dodge a few, one is bound to hit eventually."

"Well that really depends on skill. The fact is, you should be learning about stance and movement before any of this. It's best to learn to make yourself as small a target as possible, and then evading attacks becomes a whole lot easier," Kichiro says.

Harry frowns, and Ron hesitates before he casts his next jinx. "Whats wrong, mate?"

"Professor Lupin?" Harry asks, ignoring Ron's question. "Would it be worthwhile learning how to avoid spells, rather than blocking them?"

Across from him, Ron looks at him like he's grown a second head. Harry can't blame him.

"Learn how to avoid them?" Remus asks, his voice lined with curiosity. "What makes you ask that?"

Harry shrugs. "Just wondering, I guess. I mean, if you can avoid a spell altogether, that's better than needing to use a shield charm, right?"

Remus lifts a hand to his chin, contemplating Harry's question. "I suppose that's a logical way to look at it, but it's not realistic. Spells are fast, and it wouldn't be feasible to expect to be able to dodge a barrage of curses or jinxes thrown your way."

Kichiro lets out a sort of huffing sound in his head, strange, considering he doesn't need to breathe. "I could've done it at seven years old." He doesn't say it in an arrogant, conceited sort of way, more just that it's mere fact. "It's all about chakra, and you wizards don't really know how to use it properly, even if you think you do."

That's a strange thing to say… If he's not a wizard, then what the hell is he?

"What do you mean you wizards?" Harry asks.

Kichiro makes a sound like a scoff in his head. "A funny state of things for me to end up with the one Uzumaki who has no idea what chakra is," he laughs.

"Can you stop speaking gibberish all the time? What does the even mean?" Harry asks shortly.

"If you ever decide to let me teach you, I'll tell you," Kichiro answers.

Curious though he is, it still seems like a bad idea to start 'learning' from Kichiro, whatever that could possibly mean. True though got rid of Tom and the scar, its not entirely impossible that it means that Kichiro is even worse than Tom. There's still the fact that he is stuck on Harry's body to consider, and in his mind, so it's a big risk to take. Even more, his arrival had Harry comatose for nearly two months.

As much as he desperately wants answers, he can't afford to be stupid about it. With a frustrated huff he simply refocuses on the class, wondering how in the hell he's ever going to get answers on his own.

"All righ' third years, gather round!" Hagrid booms from the steps of his hut by the forbidden forest.

Harry can't help but smile at the sight of his first and oldest friend now as an official professor at Hogwarts. For so long he had to live with the shame of being expelled from the school, and even though he never seemed to wear it publicly, he surely felt it. Now though, the real culprit behind the Chamber of Secrets has been revealed, and not only can Hagrid legally perform magic again, but he's allowed a role of greater responsibility.

Hagrid deserves it, too. As it turns out, his love of creatures is genuinely backed by an almost encyclopedic knowledge of them - even if his method of teaching is a little unorthodox and awkward. He gives Harry a little wink as the other students approach.

"I've got something real special to show you today," Hagrid says, unable to tear the wide grin from his face. "So make sure you pay attention. Most wizards never get to see this particular creature in the wild, though this one 'ere's domesticated."

Hagrid lifts two fingers into his mouth and lets out a sharp whistle before holding his arm out, the grin never leaving his face. There's the familiar singsong that Harry's heard before just a few times, but now he'd recognize it anywhere. After all, one doesn't forget a creature that helps in defeating a basilisk.

"Ahh, I hoped I'd get to see it in person - well, what counts as in person for me now, anyway," Kichiro says.

For a moment Harry is surprised, but of course Kichiro has seen Fawkes before, in Harry's memories. It's a strange sensation, that. Kichiro is interpreting everything Harry sees, everything he's seen before, but with a different take than Harry himself.

"You've never seen a Phoenix?" Harry asks, watching with a smile as Fawkes circles overhead, singing his beautiful melodic song. Even the Slytherins look content, and where Hagrid was met with sniggers and laughs before, now they seem enraptured in the beautiful bird, like watching a flying lick of flame.

"No. They're legendary where I'm from, but I've never seen one myself. In fact, I've never even met someone who has seen one. You are quite blessed to count one as an ally."

Harry can only agree, especially since Fawkes' expressive eyes are boring into Harry's as he lands gently on Hagrid's arm. Without any sort of communication, he can tell that Fawkes remembers him, almost like he's saying hello just to Harry with a simple look. Ever so slightly, Harry inclines his head and gives Fawkes just the briefest flash of a smile.

"This is Fawkes," Hagrid says. "You all know what 'e is?"

Hermione's hand shoots up so fast it's a wonder her shoulder doesn't pop out. Nevertheless, despite the fact that most of them have probably never seen a phoenix, it'd be hard to believe that a single student amongst them doesn't know that's what Fawkes is, and Hagrid's question is probably rhetorical.

Rhetorical or not though, if there's a question, Hermione's probably going to be the one to answer it. "Fawkes is a Phoenix of course," she says. "They're incredibly strong, and their tears have healing powers. They have an unbelievable sense of loyalty. If you can manage to befriend a phoenix, you have a friend for life."

"Now there's a creature that knows how to use it's chakra," Kichiro says while Hagrid awards some house points to Hermione.

Harry nearly rolls his eyes. More words he knows that Harry doesn't understand. "Really? Again? Is the goal just to make me so curious that I have no choice but to let you teach me?" Harry asks.

"Apologies. Your world is so different from my own, it's difficult for me not to comment on it."

"But you can't comment without using words I don't know the meaning of?" Harry asks. It's probably a good thing that Harry has seen Fawkes in action already, because keeping focus on Hagrid's class and conversation with Kichiro is just about impossible.

"There's an easy way to solve that problem, isn't there?" Kichiro asks. "I can't even explain the meaning of the word chakra without explaining everything that comes along with it. Until you're ready to learn, it'll probably just be something to put up with."

Harry rolls his eyes. "And if I'm never ready?"

"The time will come when you learn you can trust me,"Kichiro says, his tone utterly confident.

It's only moments later that the air outside Hagrid's hut begins to grow cold, though the sun remains high in the sky and only seconds before there wasn't so much as a gust of wind. Now though it's like a freezing wave is rolling over the grounds, the grass becoming thick with frost and ice, and breath becomes visible on the air.

"On your guard, Harry!" Kichiro warns, sounding deathly serious.

"What's going on?" One of the Slytherins demands. "Is this some kind of weather charm?"

The hairs on Harry's arms stand on end, and its all too clear that it's not the result of some spell or charm. He begins to feel strange, almost like he's being sapped of his energy, and his head begins to swim.

And then Fawkes begins to sing. The relief is immediate. His mind becomes less boggled, and the frigid icy air becomes less severe. The effect is just as apparent on the others, even Hagrid, whose looking more haggard and pale than Harry has ever seen him. He's definitely the worst affected, though some others don't look to be faring much better. Neville has almost dropped to his knees, and one of the Slytherins looks as though he's about to vomit.

"Dementors!" Hermione says, her voice lined with more fear than Harry has ever heard.

It makes sense. He'd been told from Ron and Hermione that the dark creatures from Azkaban were here guarding the school to find Sirius Black, but what were they doing on the grounds? Sure enough, when Harry looks into the sky he can see them, like great wingless bats bringing despair wherever they go. The closer they get, the more the coldness sets back in, even with Fawkes' magical singing.

A flash of green fills his vision, and he can hear a woman screaming out his name. Its the most awful sound he's ever heard, and not by a small margin. It makes everything in the world lose its color, and everything lose its meaning. He wants to curl in on himself - just go to sleep and forget everything.

"It's a Genjutsu, Harry. Try to focus," Kichiro urges, though Harry can barely understand him through the dizziness and visions flashing through his mind's eye.

"What the hell is a Genjutsu?" Harry manages to think, only his frustration with another strange word enough to keep him focused."

"It's an illusion. Your phoenix friend is trying to counter, but his efforts are in vain. I can help you. You need to focus your chakra!"

Harry doesn't answer, or can't. His thoughts have been all but replaced by a flash of green light and a familiar, desperate scream.

"Your magic!" Kichiro tries to urge him. "Focus your magic and disrupt the genjutsu!"

But the Dementors are almost on them now, and Harry can barely register that Kichiro is saying anything at all.

Before he blacks out, a silvery wolf dances across his vision.

Two months in a coma, and Harry's back in a hospital wing in a matter of days. Without even opening his eyes he has no doubt that it's where he is. He's been there so many times that the odd aroma of combined magical disinfectant and potions fumes is unmistakable, and deeply frustrating.

"Easy, Harry," a calming voice sounds next to his bed. "Just take it slow."

He'd been expecting to hear Madam Pomfrey bustling about the infirmary, or perhaps her admonishing tone for him ending up there so soon into the school year, but the distinctly male voice has his eyes snapping open.

Sitting next to his bed is Professor Lupin, his scarred features looking even worse when worry lines are also stretched across his face. Still, he manages a light smile when Harry opens his eyes. "It's okay, just relax."

The brightness of the room is enough for a brief bout of dizziness, and his head still feels light from whatever the Dementors had done. He squeezes his eyes shut again, as if he can will the feeling away.

"Here," Professor Lupin says, holding out something to Harry. "Eat this, it'll make you feel better."

"Is that chocolate?" Harry asks, squinting open one eye to protect himself from the brightness. Remus doesn't answer, just pushes the chocolate into Harry's hand and closes his fingers around it. His hands are warm over Harry's, still cold from the attack at Hagrid's hut.

Warmth spreads through Harry as soon as the chocolate goes down, spreading to his frosty fingertips and all the way down to his toes. Even his head feels better, and Harry is able to open his eyes fully without any pain or sensitivity.

"Better, right?" Remus smiles.

Harry nods, but he has way too many questions to bother with niceties.

"I passed out?" Harry asks. "What happened?"

Remus lets out a sigh. "The Dementors were never meant to enter the grounds, but that's what happened. A swarm of that many… it's lucky I got there in time."

"You sent them away?"

Remus rubs the back of his neck. "I could feel their presence on the grounds even from within the castle. I'm just sorry I didn't get there sooner. You should never have had to suffer such creatures."

It's not the fact that it happened that's bothering him though. At this point it would be more surprising if danger wasn't a constant possibility at Hogwarts. What concerns him more is that he is the only one in the hospital wing. All the other beds are empty, and there's nobody besides he and the Professor in the long room.

"Am I the only one that passed out?" Harry asks. "Out of everyone, I was the only one affected that badly?"

Harry lifts his hand to the tattoo that is the source of Kichiro. It must be the cause of why he is the only one who came to genuine harm. What else is different about him?

Remus eyes the movement of Harry's hand. "I know what you're thinking, but that mysterious mark isn't why you were the only one to lose consciousness," he says. "What do you know about Dementors?"

Harry shakes his head in answer. He'd missed Dumbledore's opening address at the start of the year. If it weren't for Hermione telling him about it, he wouldn't even have known there was anything guarding the school at all.

"Well, as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, you should believe me when I say that they are amongst the most foul and loathsome creatures in our world. They feed on despair and misery, and their mere presence is enough to make their victims relive their darkest moments."

"But still, I was the only one to need the hospital wing? If it's not this," Harry motions to the tattoo, "then what? Am I just weak? Is there something wrong with me after the coma?"

Remus shifts forward in his seat next to the bed so he can look Harry dead in the eye. "You are not weak, and Madam Pomfrey assures us that there are no lingering effects from your ordeal over the summer holidays," he says. "The Dementors affected you so because there is true tragedy in your past, memories the likes of which your classmates could never understand."

It hits him like a bombshell, the realization of what he'd heard when the Dementors came near. The woman screaming his name. If it was a memory, then… "My mother," Harry murmurs softly, barely loud enough to be audible at all. "She was screaming my name."

Professor Lupin turns away for a moment, pushing his chair back and away from the bed with a sniff. "I'm so sorry. It's not something you should ever have to remember."

"He's right, and I'm sorry you had to hear it," Kichiro interrupts, "but did you see his reaction just now?"

As usual, Kichiro makes himself known at the exact time that Harry isn't expecting him to. Still, he has a point. Lupin's reaction to Harry hearing the final words of his mother is more than it should have been. Even now he's looking at Harry with genuine sadness, rather than sympathy.

"But what does it mean?" Harry asks.

"I can only draw one conclusion. If he's visibly sad at the mention of your mother, I can only imagine that he knew her personally - at the very least, that he cared about her," Kichiro says. "It would also explain his interest in you."

It's sound logic. Even the fact that it's Lupin here by his bedside, rather than one of the others that he knows better, or even one of his friends, is proof enough that there is something strange. But try as he might, Harry can't think of a single reason other than Kichiro's which could make sense. It's not impossible that he's just diligent in his duties, but that doesn't feel like the right answer. Kichiro must be right.

"You knew my mother, didn't you?" Harry asks, though his certainty of the answer sets in even as the words leave his mouth.

Lupin's eyes widen in surprise before his mouth twitches upwards into a small grin. "You're either remarkably perceptive, or I'm not as subtle as I try to be," he says. "Yes, I knew her. Quite well in fact. She was in my year at Hogwarts, so I knew her even beforeshe married James."

"So you knew-" Harry begins, but Lupin is nodding before he can even get the question out.

"James was… well, he was one of my best friends. I know you've probably heard this before, but you really do look just like him. People had told me that, of course, but to someone who knew him at that age - it's a bit chilling."

It's not the first time someone has told Harry that they knew his parents, but it is the first time that he's been told with real emotion. Others say it in a way that is sympathetic - poor Lily and James died at the hands of Voldemort, leaving their only son an orphan. If they ever knew his parents, it was only from afar, not enough that they ever left a hole in their heart.

Lupin is different. His wistful tone and mournful features are enough to be certain that he truly knew them, cared for them - misses them. Lupin can understand what Harry's lost, because he's lost it too.

"Do you think…" Harry asks. "Do you think you could tell me about them?"

Lupin shifts in his chair and moves a hand to Harry's arm. "I could, absolutely. I could tell you stories about them that I doubt anybody else would even know, and I will, if you like. Right now though, I need to rest. It's been a taxing afternoon, given everything that's happened."

He hadn't noticed it before, but now with him mentioning it, Lupin does look tired. His eyes have heavy dark bags hanging under his eyes, and his movements seem a little slow and staggered. He looks as though he's been awake for day on end, and every moment is a struggle not to be asleep.

"Then, do you think I could maybe come to your office one day?"

Lupin slowly rises from his seat, and a smile stretches across his face. "I'd like that very much, Harry."

It's not too long after Professor Lupin leaves that Madam Pomfrey is bustling back into the infirmary. As usual for her she admonishes Harry for ending up back there, despite him being faultless, and makes him drink several foul smelling potions.

"You should also know that the headmaster is doing absolutely everything in his power to make sure that the Dementors won't enter the grounds again without permission," she says.

Harry instinctively screws up his nose at the mention of Dumbledore, but he nods silently. Another run in with Dementors is just about the last thing he wants. Even with Lupin's chocolate and Pomfrey's potions their effect isn't completely gone, not to mention the sound of his mother screaming. Now that he's heard it, it'll probably be impossible to forget.

"If you let me, I can teach you the skills necessary that those creatures could never harm you again," Kichiro tries.

Harry's genuinely tempted at that. If it means that he wouldn't ever have to hear his mother's scream again…

Saying no is going to be so much harder, now.

Notes

Woops, didn't mean to make you guys wait that long :/

Believe it or not, I've actually been writing more in 2019 than in previous years, it's just taken me quite awhile to get back to this fic.

A bit of a slow chapter, but it starts to get more exciting from the next chapter onwards, and while I'm not going to set myself an exact time to get the next chapter out, I can tell you with absolute confidence it wont be anywhere near as long as the wait between the last chap and this one.

Anyway, hope you guys enjoyed it at least.

PS - Remember to join my discord!