Chapter 737: Extra - Lupin
Chapter 737: Extra - Lupin
"Can you tell me why you're here?"
A small wizard sat nervously in his chair. "I came here on Wolfram's recommendation. He said you are a very wise person, running the largest multinational company in the world, and are the most trusted by that gentleman. But that's not all; you are also, well, one of us."
He glanced furtively at the person opposite him.
"Also one of your kind", Lupin added. "Yes, yes", the man said. Lupin looked kindly at the wizard. It was their first meeting, yet he felt a sense of familiarity. Perhaps it was because the man was wrapped in a tattered, patched cloak and scarf, looked sickly, had a mix of white hair, and had eyes full of unease. It reminded him so much of himself in those days.
"Mr. Lupin", the man, encouraged by Lupin's gentle gaze, spoke more smoothly, "I've been living in isolation in the wild for over a decade. I only recently heard from a group of explorers about what's happening outside. It's incredible, like a dream. People like us, on the fringes..." He opened his mouth, unsure how to continue.
Lupin waited for him to stop and nodded in agreement.
"I've seen many cases similar to yours. They come in with heavy hearts, perhaps the most helpless expressions I've ever seen, struggling to adapt to the changes in the world. But after some conversation, they leave content and start a new life. From what I know, they are doing well now."
"Really!" the man said eagerly, his eyes filled with hope. "Wolfram said the same thing! He said you have a way to transform werewolves."
Lupin smiled.
"I don't recall having any secret formula that must be kept confidential. I have indeed extracted some practical techniques from lycanthropy transformation magic, which are widely distributed among werewolves to help them learn and support each other. I also founded the Werewolf Rights Association, where, as long as they follow the rules, they can receive a monthly dose of Wolfsbane Potion for a very low fee. By the way, the association is currently training its own potion-makers and has already mastered the preparation of four out of seven types of Wolfsbane Potion. These benefits are available to everyone without needing to meet me."
The man looked at Lupin, still confused and a bit bewildered. He leaned forward slightly and tentatively said, "But I think you must have something special, right? Otherwise, why would all werewolves respect you? Well, just the things you mentioned are already worthy of respect, but the two kinds of respect are different. I can feel it."
"Oh", Lupin chuckled softly, "I am honored by your trust. I do have some stories and a few suggestions that might help you integrate better into the outside world, but in the end, there's nothing particularly special. On the contrary... I would be very happy to hear your story."
When Tonks came in from outside, she saw Lupin and the wizard emerging from the study, just as it had happened countless times before. The stranger's steps were light, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
Lupin handed the man a business card.
"You can contact Miss Temple. She will take good care of you. Her work is impeccable."
"Thank you, Mr. Lupin, thank you so much", the wizard said gratefully, looking at Tonks as she approached, "You must be Mrs. Lupin, right? Even someone as ignorant as me has heard about your love story. It's truly enviable. Mrs. Lupin looks like such a kind-hearted person..."
"I've noticed", Tonks said with a raised eyebrow after the wizard left, "that all the friends I get from you describe me as 'kind-hearted,' as if that's the only reason I'm with you!"
"I know. It's because of love", Lupin said seriously, "But to other werewolves, love is a luxury, especially with a beautiful and intelligent witch as a wife."
Tonks hummed happily.
Lupin opened his arms, holding her just as he did at their wedding eleven years ago, nothing had changed. He was content with everything he had—a smart and considerate wife, a healthy and lively son (with no werewolf traits, inheriting his mother's Metamorphmagus ability), a godson (Harry's youngest son, Albus), a bunch of relatives and friends, a successful career and social status. There was nothing to complain about.
He was deeply grateful for accepting Dumbledore's invitation all those years ago.
Since then, he had been 'gaining.' His heart was full, which is why he had the energy to do things for his kind—both the Werewolf Rights Association and the simplification of lycanthropy transformation magic, as well as the almost weekly conversations in his study.
Every year, werewolves from the mountains, forests, and wildernesses gathered the courage to step out, observing the unfamiliar surroundings with timid and wary hearts. As possibly the most famous werewolf in the world, Lupin had helped and comforted countless people.
The warm moment didn’t last long. A ten-year-old boy burst in, his footsteps thudding loudly on the stairs. Lupin and Tonks exchanged a glance and looked at their son.
“Dad, Mom, Sirius wants to know when you’re coming over!” Teddy Lupin shouted.
“Soon,” Tonks said sternly, “if you stop causing trouble.”
“But if I don’t speak up, you two will just keep hugging and never stop!” Teddy called out.
Tonks pouted and scrutinized the young boy from head to toe.
“What’s up with your hair?”
Teddy’s hair was a brilliant shade of fiery red, different from the ginger it had been at breakfast. He had inherited his mother’s ability to change her appearance at will, including her hair color, so her comment was more of a nitpick. He proudly shook his head. “I met a red-haired girl, and she was so silly. I told her I was related to the Weasleys!”
Tonks and Lupin exchanged another look.
“What’s the girl’s name?”
“Not little Rosalie, right?”
“No way!” Teddy exclaimed, looking incredulous. “Sirius brings her over to our house at least half the month, and the other half we meet at Godfather Harry’s—”
“Is it Victoire?” Lupin asked.
Teddy pondered for a moment before slowly replying, “I think that’s her name.”
“Good heavens,” Tonks said, “that’s Bill Weasley and Fleur’s daughter. You two used to play together when you were little.”
Ten minutes later, when Lupin came out of the living room, he saw Tonks and Teddy staring at each other, their hair colors changing like a revolving lantern. This was one of Tonks’s specialties, but Teddy was no slouch either. The first thing he could do after birth was change his appearance, even before he could speak his first word.
Lupin leaned against the windowsill, savoring the scene with immense satisfaction. After another ten minutes, Teddy conceded, his hair reluctantly settling on black. In contrast, Tonks looked triumphant.
“Let’s go,” she said cheerfully.
Outside, the sun shone brightly, and the hotel was bustling with tourists. They made their way to the third-floor banquet hall. Even before they entered, they could hear the deafening music. Lupin was momentarily stunned, a sense of foreboding creeping into his mind. The next second, his premonition was confirmed.
Sirius was happily singing on stage, guitar in hand, dressed like a hippie. Behind him, Bill Weasley’s fingers glided effortlessly over the keyboard, his ponytail swaying from side to side, and the small fan earrings in his ears flashing in and out of sight. Ron’s drumming was clearly struggling to keep up with the rhythm, as if he had been drafted into the band. Lupin wondered if he had arrived earlier, would he have been the one sitting there, or perhaps Neville, who was standing by the stage, holding a saxophone and looking around as if he had bought a standing ticket.
Lupin suddenly felt an urge to close his eyes.
It was Sirius’s ‘Fur Kids Band.’ Worse yet, he realized he was a member of the band (albeit reluctantly). Even the band’s name was a joke Sirius had come up with to tease his new nickname, ‘King of the Fur Kids.’
The audience’s expressions varied. The performers’ families were trying hard not to laugh, except for Luna, who seemed genuinely delighted. She held a rainbow-feathered bird in each arm, her head nodding in time with the music. The Weasley family sat together, their expressions focused. Ginny was desperately trying to hold back a boy, James, who was bursting with the desire to perform. Mrs. Weasley and Fleur both stared at Bill’s swaying ponytail, but Lupin was sure their thoughts were vastly different—both were written all over their faces! Severus sat in the corner, his mouth slightly open. Beside him, the rotund Slughorn was chatting merrily with Draco and Astoria. At the next table, Sirius’s former students were enthusiastically whistling.
“Fairly decent, I suppose,” Mad-Eye Moody rumbled from near the door. “What are they singing?”
“A great victory,” Lupin said instinctively.
“Right, that’s it,” Moody laughed, humming along to the melody. With his raspy voice as a contrast, Lupin could finally appreciate the beauty in Sirius’s singing.
When the organizer, Harry, arrived, he saw everyone singing together. Sirius and Bill’s stage presence had become even more rugged, leaving him bewildered. Did his godfather really have a talent for singing? Amelia had said only Kreacher had ever praised his singing, hadn’t she?
Harry took that as ‘unconditional flattery,’ much like if he asked Dobby, Dobby would swear his singing was absolutely wonderful.
(End of Chapter)
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