After enjoying a hot bath, changing into clean clothes, and washing his Wizarding Robes, he hung them by the window to dry in the sun.
Before long, Old Tom, the tavern owner, brought in a steaming meal.
A large serving of aromatic Roast Suckling Pig, a small dish of Pickled Eel, a little plate of Fruit Salad, and a glass of Butterbeer.
Anton raised his index and middle fingers, gesturing a two. "Two servings, sir."
Old Tom gave his stomach a curious look. "You might not be able to eat that much."
Anton laughed and patted the trunk beside him. "I have a sick uncle who needs to eat, too."
"???" Old Tom left with a strange look on his face.
He'd spent most of his life running a tavern. He'd seen all kinds of things, but, hey, this was one he'd never seen before.
What kind of bizarre behavior was it to carry a sick uncle around in a trunk?
When he brought the food back, he was astonished to find that Anton really had been telling the truth, and what's more...
"Lupin?!!!"
Lupin lifted his pale, sweat-drenched face and smiled. "Old Tom, long time no see."
Old Tom showed no joy at their reunion. He glared coldly at Lupin, then looked at Anton. "Other people might not know, but I do. Lupin, we don't welcome Werewolves here!"
Lupin fell silent for a moment, then sighed. "I'll leave right now. Let him stay. I barely know him."
Old Tom hesitated, then eyed Anton suspiciously.
Anton smiled and beckoned. "No need for that. I'll go with him."
"No, I can't even look after myself in this condition!" Lupin said urgently. He stared at Anton and spoke seriously. "Listen, child. I'm a Werewolf, and I can't keep you by my side forever. It's too dangerous for you."
Anton shrugged. "Then why don't you stand up and take a couple of steps?"
Lupin struggled for a moment, then flopped back onto the bed.
The result was obvious. Anton hadn't expected the Cruciatus Curse to have hurt Lupin so badly. Or was this what it did to most people, given that it was one of the Three Unforgivable Curses?
Anton vaguely remembered Neville, the one the internet had dubbed the "Gryffindor Sword Saint." His parents had been both Ministry of Magic Aurors and Order of the Phoenix members. Despite their strength, Voldemort's follower Bella had tortured them with the Cruciatus Curse until they went mad. They'd spent over a decade being treated at St. Mungo's Hospital and never recovered.
Lupin was clearly badly injured, but Old Tom still insisted, "You can't stay here!"
"I'll leave," Lupin said dejectedly.
Anton looked at Old Tom with a smile. "Before we go, could you let me enjoy this lunch? I haven't eaten meat in ages."
Without waiting for Old Tom's answer, he rubbed his hands together, sat down, and started eating with relish.
Old Tom looked at the two of them, pressed his lips together, then smiled at Anton. "Go ahead." With that, he turned and left.
The Roast Suckling Pig tasted amazing!
The skin had been roasted until it was incredibly crisp, with a layer of nearly melting fat underneath. One bite, and the richly sauced pork belly—with its perfect balance of fat and lean—burst with flavor.
Anton, who hadn't expected much from British food, was practically glowing.
"Delicious!"
Good heavens, he hadn't smelled meat in two months!
Excitedly carrying the plate, Anton put Lupin's portion on the bed. "You can sit up and eat some. It might help you regain a little strength."
Lupin lowered his head without a word. His disheveled bangs covered his eyes, and Anton couldn't tell what he was thinking.
"Discrimination is everywhere in this world." Anton smiled as he tried to cheer him up. Lupin looked up in surprise.
"Among Wizards, Pure-bloods look down on Half-bloods, Half-bloods look down on Mudbloods, and Mudbloods look down on Muggles who can't use Magic. People who went to a Magic School look down on wandering self-taught types. And if you look at the bigger picture, humans discriminate against every other kind of Sentient Being: Goblins, House-elves, Werewolves, Vampires, Centaurs, Veela..."
Anton picked up his Butterbeer and took a big gulp. "Even among Pure-blood Families, some are high and mighty while others are looked down on."
He chuckled. "Discrimination is everywhere. Everyone is somewhere on the discrimination ladder. Unless you're as powerful as Dumbledore, there's no way to avoid it."
Lupin looked up at Anton, who was speaking so confidently, and a trace of emotion appeared on his face.
He'd never heard anyone put it that way. Usually, even his kindest friends encouraged him to show the best of himself so others would accept him.
"Don't expect other people to accept you." Anton waved his arms, his small body seeming to house a mighty Master of verbal sparring. "You need to recognize this discrimination, accept the reality of it, and find a Way of Survival that suits you!"
"Way of Survival?" Lupin murmured.
"Exactly!" Anton grabbed a pig's trotter and bit down hard. "Your Charms seem pretty impressive. Maybe you could become a professor."
Lupin smiled, but it was bitter. "Who would want a Werewolf for a teacher?"
Clatter—
A filthy cloth bag tipped over, spilling Gold Galleons across the bed until they piled up like a little mountain.
Anton smiled and pointed at himself. "I would!"
"My teacher is gone!" Anton said mournfully. "You killed him, and he died horribly. I don't have a teacher now, no one to teach me Magic. Even surviving has become difficult."
"You have to make it up to me by teaching me Charms! Of course, I'll pay you!"
Anton looked at him earnestly. "I can't find anyone more suitable than you."
Lupin's mouth twitched. He wanted to say, You killed your teacher!
Clatter—
Anton's clean left hand scooped up a handful of Gold Galleons and placed them in Lupin's palm. Their golden gleam was dazzling.
"Then it's settled. We're agreed, right?"
Lupin wanted to refuse, but the gold was just too dazzling. He was down on his luck and really needed the money. He wrestled with the decision until all that remained was a dejected sigh under the pressure of life. Then he looked at Anton sternly. "Every Full Moon, you have to stay far away from me!"
Anton polished off the sumptuous meal in no time. He went to the window and watched the traffic outside, tapping lightly on the glass with his fingers.
"Maybe we should live in the Muggle world. Both magical ingredients and Gold Galleons will be important resources in the future."
"What do you think, Professor Lupin? I have to take your opinion into account."
He turned around, looking serious, only to see Lupin clutching his fork with a trembling hand. He struggled to spear a piece of meat, but couldn't manage it.
"???"
Anton hurried over and stared at Lupin, his expression grave. "Did the Cruciatus Curse really hurt you that badly?"
Lupin looked up and struggled to smile.
"I'm fine."
Then his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed.
"Watt?!!!" Anton was stunned.
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