In fact, there is indeed one more thing...
Remus revealed a wry smile, impressed by the young man's wisdom and maturity.
"First, sit down and talk, Remus."
Although because of some resentment, the close friend who Remus must avenge had put a wonderful hat on Professor Snape, one thing should be separated from another; Amos was not inclined to become overly narrow-minded.
Remus hesitated for a moment, thanked Amos by nodding gratefully, and then sat down on the other side of him.
Although respected by those children at school, Lupin never forgot that in the magical world, he was just an unwelcome werewolf. Like Amos, those who knew of his werewolf nature and were still willing to converse with him calmly were only a handful over the years.
"There's something that concerns me, Amos. It is myself who hopes you can help me with a favor--"
Amos rested his hands under his chin, listening quietly, not offering any opinion at the moment.
"You know, Amos, I turn into a werewolf before every full moon," Remus said calmly. "Normally, after I transform into a werewolf, I become extremely aggressive and am naturally unable to attend classes."
"Do you want me to substitute for you classes every month?" Amos furrowed his brow.
"Regarding the teaching matters during this period, as early as the summer vacation, I have made a decision with Dumbledore to let Professor Snape take over temporarily."
Amos smiled. After all these years, their old professor was finally able to indulge in the role of the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
"--Next month will mark the first full moon after I entered Hogwarts. In a few days, I will start taking the diluted werewolfsbane according to Professor Snape's instructions, but he told me that since I have never taken this kind of medicine before, it is possible that the inhibitory effect of the drug may not be as ideal as I imagined...So, I reported this to Albus. As you know, Amos, if I were to lose control in school, it would be a terrifying thing. I cannot take any risks at all..."
Remus said it in a very calm tone, as if he was talking about someone else.
Amos fell silent for a moment, then smiled with a slight squint of his eyes.
"So then, the wise Dumbledore must have given you some good advice?"
"Albus suggested that I find a powerful wizard to restrain me for those two days--" Lupin looked pleadingly at the young wizard across the table,
"That's why I thought of you, Amos... Indeed, Millie and Flitwick are both excellent wizards, but to be honest, if I really went berserk, even if they could subdue me, they might sustain serious injuries... Albus has so much on his mind every day; I can't bear to burden him any further..."
"Has to worry about a lot of things every day?" Amos rolled his eyes, were he worrying about finding more delicious candy or figuring out how to scheme people?
But...it seems like I've been schemed again.
Although Lupin was experienced in society, at his core, he was a kind werewolf, and he didn't want to think too poorly of others. He thought Dumbledore's suggestion was just a heartfelt one, but Amos, who was just as cunning, saw through it immediately. Dumbledore was using the opportunity to make a move... He was testing to see whether Lupin would be willing to rekindle ties with Hogwarts.
"If you're willing to come to my office every month on the full moon, and keep an eye on me, Amos," Remus' voice was filled with sincerity and request.
"I will be eternally grateful!"
Lupin was pleading sincerely, it seemed he was quickly settling into the role of the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts.
To be honest, seeing such sincerity from the 'younger generation', Amos felt quite satisfied. But...was the effect of the werewolf potion 'different for each werewolf'?
Amos was not as proficient in potions as Professor Snape, who had been devoted to them for decades. However, those years of making money had honed his skills to a high level. Even after graduation, he had never let this craft fall by the wayside... So, this remark was probably just a small prank from Professor Snape. Unexpectedly, it was exploited by Dumbledore's penchant for finding opportunities...
"I refuse..."
Amos yawned lazily, but before Remus could show a disappointed expression, he added, "I think I don't need to go to Hogwarts. You can stay with me during the full moon days."
Remus's wrinkles on his face relaxed, and his expression became as bright as sunshine.
Today in the morning, there's a Defense Against the Dark Arts class for the fifth year to attend, and I'll have to walk with Hagrid for a while shortly. After expressing his heartfelt thanks, Lupin followed Amos to the bedroom.
"Zombie Glide--"
Lupin took out his wand and said something to the sleeping Hagrid on the bed. Then, like being pulled by an invisible rope, Hagrid's wrist, neck and knee were forced up from the bed.
Amos couldn't help but twitch his lips as he looked at the visibly sunken bedplate.
"Right, Amos--"
Before stepping out of the living room, Remus glanced at the open Daily Prophet newspaper on the table,
"Albus told me that the wizard who tried to break into the Black family manor last night was not a Black, but might be a black magician who was after the bounty from the Ministry of Magic... I agree with him. We both know the Blacks, and we know they don't have that kind of ability."
"Oh?"
Amos responded to Lupin's gaze, calmly smiling.
"So, what does Headmaster Dumbledore think the black wizard is?"
"Albus is also at a loss," Lupin calmly said, "But he has confirmed one thing: Sirius Black has not been hiding in the Black family manor."
Before Amos could question, Lupin explained.
"Phoenix Black was the former headmaster of Hogwarts, and his portraits are in both Dumbledore's office and the Black family manor. Last night, Dumbledore asked for Headmaster Black to check the old manor, and he has confirmed that there is no one living in that house."
"Thank you for sharing that information, Remus. I was actually going to ask around about Sirius Black last night from some friends in the Ministry of Magic... I am increasingly convinced that it was a wise decision to work with you."
Amos picked up the wakening bitter tea, sipped it lightly, and nodded to Remus.
As the sun retreated from its rosy hue and rose higher into the sky, an unlucky wizard who disregarded the temporary regulations of disappearing and reappearing in Diagon Alley was loudly cursing as he paid a fine to an unknown enforcement officer of the Ministry of Magic. But when he turned around, he pocketed the fine himself.
"What does it matter?"
Amos gave a distant smile and walked to the door, gazing at the now clearly defined hill in the distance.
Under the golden sun, the isolated house on the hill shed its gloom and revealed its dilapidated essence. Amos's eyebrow suddenly twitched. He suddenly thought that Screaming Shack would be a good place for studying the blood curse, where it was quiet and secluded, no one would accidentally wander in, and he didn't have to worry about Dumbledore having spies in that mansion.
"What does it matter?"
Amos returned to the bedroom and prepared to fix the bedboard that had been crushed by Hagrid. As he turned around, he smiled lightly again.
..............
"Please tell me!"
At the edge of the Forbidden Forest, in Hagrid's hut, Professor Lupin, who is usually composed and courteous, seldom turns a frown. After covering Hagrid with blankets and covering up the emptied half of the cellar of Snitch pub's collection of spirits, he turned to look at Harry, Ron frozen with fear, and Hermione blushing with shame so intense she could have died right there.
"If I'm not mistaken, Harry, Ron, and Hermione, you three should be in Professor Sprout's Herbology class, not in Hagrid's hut."
......
Reading Room
