Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters or any of the buildings, plots etc. They belong to the fabulous JK Rowling. I don't get any kind of monetary benefits from this fic. This is all from my imaginations.
A Teacher or a Student
Remus Lupin just wanted to be a normal wizard when he grew up. He wanted to have a nice job and a girlfriend whom he might marry if she is the right one. But like most dreams about happiness this one was also shattered by one crazy wizard who in act is also a werewolf. Yes Remus was bitten at the age of five and he turns into a fully fledge werewolf once a month when the full moon is out.
Remus knew that he might not get a change to go to the best magic school in the world, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But of course he wouldn’t get in if Professor Dippet is still the Head. Dumbledore on the other hand is a trusting person and that is what happened when Dippet stood down and Dumbledore got the top job.
Remus got his letter from Hogwarts stating that certain security measures were put in place for him to come to Hogwarts. He was ecstatic and couldn’t wait to start school. He promised himself to do really good. Regardless of the fact that he wouldn’t have friends, because who would want to befriend a werewolf, he went to Hogwarts.
Like most strange stuff things in our world, stranger stuff happened to young Remus when he got onto the train that takes the students to Hogwarts, three boys of the same age asked if they could join him. Seeing as he was lonely he agreed and they sat down, two opposite him and the third one next to him. From that day they never left each other’s side, they were inseparable. The Marauders were created from that first encounter: Remus Lupin, James Potter, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew.
James and Sirius were the brightest in their year not only that but they had most of the girls after them and some were after Remus. They were probably the most handsome in the school. James and Sirius being so clever wondered where Remus was disappearing to every month. Remus told them that he was visiting his mother, who was sick. They did their ‘homework’ on Remus and found that he is a werewolf. Except of running the other way and told teachers, they looked for a way to be with their friend. They became illegal Animagi.
Six years after they met on the train ride to Hogwarts and a year after James, Sirius and Peter finally perfected their Animagi transformations, Remus is in the middle of his sixth year at Hogwarts and facing a new challenge. He is being required to teach a class of first years the basics of Defense Against the Dark Arts.
He opened the door of the classroom and entered, slowly at first then gaining courage he walked briskly to the desk in front of the class. Professor Stephen looked up and smiled. Remus, James and Sirius were probably the best in Defense even getting better grades than those in seventh year and he had asked them all to consider teaching a class. He knew that Remus would take up the challenge and teach, bearing in mind he was always willing to help others that are struggling with their work. Remus wanted to be a teacher and James and Sirius were not interested in teaching little first years, they liked to plan a joke rather than a class.
“Class this is Remus Lupin and he will be teaching you this week” said the Professor. A hand rose into the air,
“Yes, Kevin?” asked the Professor. Remus knew what was coming before the kid opened his mouth to speak.
“But he is still a student and what can we learn from him?” asked the boy. He was surrounded by a small group of kids; it looked like he was their leader of sorts.
“Well Mr. Thompson, Remus has achieved straight O for this subject since his first year and all his other subject are either that or an A. I think you will benefit a lot from his knowledge,” the Professor finished and turned on heel and left the room.
“First I want you all to read the chapter on the shielding-” began Remus but got interrupted,
“I asked what we can learn from you?” stated Kevin.
“Well seeing as you are so eager to know that. I have a week to teach you how a good shield charm looks, then we are going to learn a few jinxes and curses and on the weekend we are going to learn the Patronus charm,” said Remus to the class and ignoring Kevin. The class started to talk amongst themselves. A girl with blonde hair raised her hand,
“Yes?” asked Remus.
“I was just wondering if it is necessary or us to learn and know the Patronus charm now. Isn’t it a sixth year spell?” the blonde finished her question and the whole class had fallen silent at the question.
“You are right. The Patronus is a sixth year spell but Professor Dumbledore has asked me to teach it to you. It is his meaning that being prepared for unknown is better than being under prepared for the obvious. We at war.” said Remus, pushing himself away from the desk.
“You will now read the chapter on the shield charm and after that we will practice that what you have read.” The class did as they were told, even Kevin Thompson.
With about twenty minutes left Remus spoke to the class again,
“If you have read the chapter thoroughly you would have seen that the Shield charm can deflect most curses and jinxes. Of course it won’t work against the Unforgivable Curses. Now who would like to show us their shield charms?” No one raised their hands.
“No takers, ok. I am going to choose two people tan,” said Remus. He nodded to Kevin to come to the front and then he made his way to the blonde and asked her her name. Laila Ross. She joined Kevin in the front.
“Kevin you will attempt the shield charm, while Laila is going to try and stun you, ok,” said Remus. The kids nodded their heads to show that they understood the command.
“Protego!”
“Stupefy!”
Kevin’s shield wasn’t strong enough and Laila sent him flying with her stunner. Remus revived him. The reversed the rolls, so that Laila could practice the shield charm.
“Stupefy!” yelled Kevin trying to catch Laila of guard, unfortunately for him Laila was quicker than he had expected and his stunner returned and hit him square in the chest and he was again flung into the air. Remus revived him again. The class clapped as Laila made here way back to her seat, as she passed Kevin’s gang they hissed at her.
“Ok settle down. For tomorrow you must all practice the shield charm and read the chapters on the Jelly Legs Jinx, Impedenta Jinx and the Full Body Bind Curse and summarize them to be handed in to Professor Stephen. Thank you, see you tomorrow,” said Remus and he left the class, he still had to get to his own class; Transfiguration.
~*~*~*~
The week had passed fairly quickly for Remus and he couldn’t believe that the following day he has his last class with the first years. Lily had noticed that he was kind of down when they were at Potions. She wanted to know what was wrong with him. Remus and Lily were good friends, even with James Potter and Sirius Black being friends with Remus. They knew when the other was down or upset. They could read each other’s features so good and know that something was wrong, many thought that they were related.
“Hey Remus, wait up!” Lily shouted coming up the corridor leading to the Gryffindor common room. Remus stopped and turned towards Lily.
“Hey Lils,” said Remus, knowing that Lily was concerned about him.
“What’s wrong? You have been down since we had Potions and all through dinner.” said Lily
“I have been giving a class to the first years,” Lily nodded and replied,
“I know how you feel. I have been giving Potions to the first years.”
“It is just that when I started they thought of me as just a student like them, but they soon realized that I could learn them something. This one kid, Kevin Thompson, came up to me yesterday and told me that he was sorry for what he had done the first day. He has changed and he has started to respect others. I can’t believe that I have taught them that even though I wasn’t aiming to do that.” Remus finished looking like he was going to cry. Lily thought of something to say to that,
“Remus you should give yourself more credit. You are a fabulous person and people adore you. You are truthful and respect others. That is where they learn it. You help others before you help yourself.”
“Lily, thank you. So have you been able to create a Patronus yet?” asked Remus.
“See there you go again. To answer your question, no I haven’t,” replied Lily. Looking a bit ashamed. Remus smiled at her.
“Well if you want I can help you tomorrow. I am teaching the first years that tomorrow, just for fun,”
“You are going to teach the Patronus charm for the first years just for fun,” said Lily making Remus laugh.
“Yes they need a treat. So will you be joining me?” asked Remus.
“Sure just tell me where and what time,” said Lily. Remus gave her the time and place. Then they headed through the door to go do their homework.
~*~*~*~
“Welcome to our last lesson together. Like promised we are going to learn the Patronus charm. With us we have Lily Evans whom will learn the charm with us.” said Remus walking to the desk, Lily following closely behind. Kevin raised his hand. Remus was proud of how Kevin has changed towards others.
“Yes Kevin?” asked Remus.
“Sir isn’t she supposed to be able to do the charm already. I mean it is in your exams, right,” finished Kevin.
“You are correct but also wrong. See the charm is in the theory paper, meaning Lily knows the theory, but we aren’t required to do the actually charm.” finished Remus.
“So if there aren’t anymore questions, let’s get started,” said Remus. The class nodded and moved from the desks, Remus made the desks move up against the wall with his wand. Everyone gathered around, Lily stood in front of the class but behind Remus.
“First you need is to get the incantation correct. It is Expecto Patronum. Everyone repeat that, please,”
“Expecto Patronum!” chorused the class.
“Excellent. Now for the hard part. Who can tell me what makes a Patronus strong?” asked Remus, Laila’s hand shot into the air, Remus nodded at her to continue,
“A happy memory,” Laila answered.
“Yes, happiness is a poison for a Dementor it can’t handle it. So I want you all to think of a happy memory, make sure it is really strong,” Remus gave the class a few minutes to think of their memory.
“Ok so now with your memory fresh in your head, raise your wands and say the incantation loud and clear.”
“Expecto Patronum!” rang out as thirty six students shouted together. There hang a thick cloud of mist in the air and between it was a beautiful dove/antler. Remus asked whose it was, nobody raised their hands. Remus turned to Lily to see the dove landing on her shoulder.
“Well done. Let’s try it again,” said Remus. The class did as they were told. This time more Patronuses appeared. Including an owl from the wand of Laila and a bear from Kevin. They continued until everyone could create a Patronus. The class was in high spirits until Professor Stephen came to the class.
“Well class it has been fun. Good luck with the rest of your studies, Good bye,” said Remus. Kevin came forward and held out his hand,
“Thank you Professor and sorry,”
“It was my pleasure and don’t worry,” replied Remus. Every one left until it was only Lily, Remus and Professor Stephen.
“Remus I must congratulate you. You have taught a class of first years the strongest spell against evil in less than four hours. You have shown them what they can do if they just believe in themselves and to top things off you got their respects as a teacher as well as a student. Your grade will of course be an O. If you want to you can become a teacher and a very good one. You did well,” said Professor Stephen, he stood and shook hands with Remus.
Lily and Remus returned to the common room.
“Remus you were brilliant and I think that you will do well in your future, thank you,” said Lily. Remus smiled. He had become a different student the past week, a different person and a different man. As they walked into the common room Remus thought to himself
This is what I am going to do, I am going to teach.
<(^^,)> Thank you for reading. Please vote for my fic if you liked it or leave me some feedback
DW