[87] A Mother's House

Lupin's tone was filled with reminiscence and sadness. Sirius, unaccustomed to the atmosphere, coughed, breaking the silence.

He began jokingly recounting their school days with Lupin, in his own way. He even boasted about their most successful creation.

Hall felt a pang of pain. That creation was the Marauder's Map — which Dumbledore had taken from him and never returned. He considered having George and Fred spend time with the two men, hoping they could learn from the map and use it to craft other items.

The Marauder's Map clearly demonstrated the talent of the four of them. He just wondered how Peter Pettigrew had managed to join them. Lupin, though not exceptionally handsome, possessed a gentle, pleasing appearance. Sirius and James were both renowned heartthrobs.

Hall recalled Pettigrew's appearance from memory and became even more puzzled. They seemed from completely different worlds.

"Because he's the same kind of person as me," Lupin's gentle voice sounded in Hall's ear.

Hall realised he'd been lost in thought and asked the question aloud. "The same kind of person?" He looked Lupin up and down — then suddenly understood.

His other identity: a werewolf.

Lupin sighed. Of all the Marauders, he was actually the first to meet Pettigrew. Later, Pettigrew joined their group, largely thanks to him. Lupin felt like an outsider because of his identity, completely out of place at Hogwarts. Pettigrew, on the other hand, was ostracised by Gryffindor because of his appearance. They often worked in pairs on group projects and gradually became acquainted. Both unable to fit into Gryffindor, they were naturally kindred spirits.

Lupin pulled himself out of his memories and looked at Hall with gratitude. "You must be Hall. Sirius told me about you. Thank you for your help."

Hall's sudden realisation earlier had already revealed that he knew Lupin's identity. But Hall also knew Lupin's character — he wouldn't do anything about it. Otherwise, Hall would never have relaxed so much in front of a stranger.

"I actually want to thank you too. I was worried about not having any researchers to help with improvements." Hall said sincerely. Werewolves weren't easy to deal with. The biggest difficulty Hall faced in creating the Wolfsbane Potion was the lack of test subjects, and Lupin's appearance helped him. It also gave him the opportunity to understand the differences between born and transformed werewolves.

Lupin smiled shyly.

Ron's face was almost buried in his ice cream bowl. He was used to Hall saying things he didn't understand. Harry bit his spoon tightly, his eyes fixed on Lupin, hoping he'd tell more about his parents.

Lupin looked back at Harry. "Harry, we have plenty of time together in the future. I can tell you slowly." He took a photo album from his bag and handed it to Harry. The cover read "The Marauders."

Harry flipped to the first page. Four boys stood side by side, laughing heartily. One of them looked at least eighty percent like Harry.

Love this novel? Read it on NovelPhoenix to ensure the author gets credit.

"This is —" Harry's hands trembled as he held the album, not even noticing the spoon he'd dropped.

Sirius returned after paying and chuckled. "Aren't these our old photos? Lupin, you even made an album."

"Beautiful memories. Worth preserving." Lupin sighed, thinking of his kindred spirit.

Sirius looked at Harry, a pang of guilt in his heart. He sat down and tapped the table. "Harry, I need to talk to you about something."

"What is it?" Harry's hand still clutched the album tightly.

"Lupin and I, as teachers, need to arrive at school early to prepare." Sirius spoke cautiously, worried it would upset Harry. No one felt the same way at a train station farewell. He understood.

"Then I can go home with Hall!" Harry immediately perked up, his eyes sparkling.

Sirius was surprised. He hadn't expected Harry to accept it so quickly — and even seem happy. "Harry, aren't you sad? Your godfather can't see you off at the station." He pointed to himself, incredulous.

But Harry nodded without hesitation. "No way! I went to the station alone before too!"

His tone was light, but Sirius felt incredibly sorry. He wanted to stay with Harry and take him to school himself. Then he got a punch from Lupin, who looked a whole size smaller than him.

Sirius covered his head and hid behind Harry before Lupin let him go.

Lupin explained apologetically, "Actually, teachers can return to school about two weeks early to prepare and help with student orientation." He looked at Sirius, who was hiding behind Harry playing around, and rubbed his temples.

"Sirius feels like he's lived through a blank eleven years. This is the first time he's accompanied you to school, so Dumbledore allowed us to return a few days later. What other children have, he wants to give you. What other children don't have, he also wants to give you."

Harry looked at Sirius, deeply moved.

Sirius peered from behind Harry's chair. "Harry, do you need me to go with you to the train?"

"It's really nothing, Sirius." Harry ruffled Sirius's fluffy, spiky black hair. "I'm having a great time with my friends. You really don't need to worry."

Sirius didn't feel happy — he felt even more depressed, like an empty-nest parent whose child had left home.

Lupin couldn't bear it any longer. He grabbed Sirius by the collar, told the three he'd see them at school, and dragged Sirius away.

"Wow, Hall, that's the first time I've ever seen someone almost as strong as you!" Ron craned his neck, marvelling.

Sirius broke the silence with word that arrangements had been made.

"Sirius has already spoken to Mum. Harry, let's go." Hall ignored Ron's sigh. He picked up Harry's textbooks and led them home.

Harry clutched the photo album tightly.

At the Burrow, Mum comforted poor Harry with a very tight hug.

Harry's luggage was already in the living room, delivered by Kreacher. After delivering it, the elf stared at Hall with pitiful eyes, reluctant to leave.

Mum looked suspiciously at the strange house-elf. "Hall, what did you do to him?" Did he swindle the elf out of his money? That was the only reason she could think of.

"Mum, probably because I'm kind." Hall smiled innocently.

Kreacher had been exceptionally attentive to Hall during the summer holidays — even Sirius, the true heir to the Black family, hadn't received as much care. But Hall knew Kreacher's attention was only for his young master, Regulus.

The thought of Regulus gave Hall a headache. He needed to find a way to get the Inferi version of Regulus into the Chamber of Secrets. The array there was the source of everything. Perhaps he could switch the Inferi version with the real Regulus — that way, history wouldn't be altered, and there would be no danger.

---