A Werewolf Denied Peace

Fudge's face lit up with joy, but he quickly put on a serious expression, adopting the air of a minister as he frowned. "Change it to New York... change it to America? Didn't we agree last time to hold it in Britain?"

"The specifics are still unclear." Umbridge, equally serious, said, "I suspect there's a huge secret hidden here, sir. We must get back as soon as possible!"

Fudge's smile was almost impossible to hide. He glanced at Dumbledore and said loudly, "You see, Albus, it's not that I don't want to discuss this with you, but I have more important matters to attend to. Let's call it a day, and we'll talk about Dementor another time."

Goodbye, Albus!

After Fudge finished speaking, he happily picked up the comical dark green top hat and hurried away.

"The International Confederation of Wizards ..." Dumbledore repeated, then, composing himself, he called out in a deep voice towards the back of the shelf, "Come out, Remus."

Light footsteps sounded, and Professor Lupin came out with a wry smile, "This is really... I just wanted to learn about Wormtail Peter, but I didn't expect to run into the Minister for Magic visiting."

"Have a seat..." Dumbledore picked up the teapot. "Black tea, Pumpkin Juice, mulled wine, or something else?"

"Pumpkin Juice, I guess. We probably won't be able to eat anything sweet for the next two weeks." Lupin looked nostalgic. "It feels like I'm back in school 20 years ago. Every time the moon turned full, I would come to your office, and you would ask me the same thing back then."

"Well, I didn't offer you any alcoholic beverages back then, and I remember you stopped coming after fifth grade... Try my special maple syrup hot drink."

Dumbledore smiled gently, shook the teapot slightly, and poured out steaming brown Maple Lemonade. "Actually, you didn't need to hide at all. If you had helped with the conversation just now, Cornelius might have already agreed to remove the Dementor."

"The case of Greyback's attack on my family is on file at the Ministry of Magic. The Senior Undersecretary who proposed the Anti-Werewolf Law might know me." Lupin smiled and shook his head, picked up his hot drink and took a sip, frowning at the sweetness.

He put down the cup, gently shook it, and looked at the viscous liquid inside, Lupin silent.

This isn't a hot drink, it's practically syrup.

"Remus, if she really knew you, even just your name, she would have already come to the school with the law to arrest you and hold you accountable." Dumbledore picked up the syrup and took a sip without changing his expression. "Minerva told me that you plan to teach the Patronus Charm at the club."

Seeing the headmaster calmly drink it down, Lupin began to doubt himself. He tentatively took another sip, then decisively put down his teacup. "I have this idea, but I'm not sure if it's feasible. The Patronus Charm is too difficult for a young wizard."

A sly smile flashed in Dumbledore's eyes, but he said what a headmaster should say, "I have always believed that young wizards have endless potential, and besides, some of them have already learned it, haven't they?"

"You mean Loren and Hermione, right...? They're a bit special," Lupin said somewhat awkwardly.

Having taught for almost half a month, Lupin had long noticed the two young wizards' precipitous lead. They were on a completely different level from the other young wizards of the same age; Harry could barely see the backs of the two ahead of him.

Dumbledore nodded slightly. "How is Harry's learning going?"

"His situation is very special..." Lupin fell into thought. "Perhaps the deaths of James and Lily had too much of an impact on him, or perhaps it's because of that strange protective charm; his soul seems to..."

Lupin frowned, seemingly unsure how to describe it.

Dumbledore wasn't surprised. "Just get the club up and running first, and I'm sure the students will give you a pleasant surprise."

"I hope so." Lupin nodded, his expression turning serious. "By the way, regarding the International Confederation of Wizards's decision to hold the meeting in America, New York, could there be a conspiracy by the Dark Lord behind this?"

"Because of the Anti-Werewolf Law, several of my Werewolf friends have fled to the America to make a living. I heard that the Werewolf community there is expanding very quickly, and there may be someone behind this."

"Miss Beetle mentioned this in her letter too..." Dumbledore stared at the slowly flowing syrup in his glass, lost in thought. "Werewolf... the International Wizarding Congress changing its venue... is there a connection between these two things..."

Lupin paused for a moment, then said firmly, "If needed, I can go there. With the invitation from my Werewolf friends, no one will doubt me."

"Remus, it's far from that time," Dumbledore said softly. "I thought you preferred life at school."

"Who wouldn't like that... a vibrant little wizard, warm food and a soft bed..." Lupin's eyes showed a hint of daze. "It's precisely because I like it that I'm willing to go there and do what I should do."

"No one is obligated to do anything, Remus, about the Human Transformation Spell ..."

"After everything is over, if I can really live a peaceful life, no one will appreciate every full moon night more than me."

"Yes, Remus, I assure you."

In the evening, after the last Charms ended.

Loren left Hermione a piece of Coconut Ice Cake, which was from Neville's deluxe gift package. The filling was coconut flakes and red bean paste, and the slightly translucent glutinous rice flour crust looked pink. It was sweet but not cloying.

The two walked side by side toward the courtyard. Seeing Hermione, who looked exhausted, become happy because of the Coconut Ice Cake, Loren smiled and said, "Why do you look even more tired than last time? You've clearly got experience by now."

"Sigh~" Hermione sighed as she ate her dessert, lamenting, "Last week was the beginning of the semester, and the professors spent a lot of time explaining the course schedule. Although using the Time-Turner for the first time was a bit awkward, it was still relatively easy. This week, the classes have officially started, and I have to pay full attention in every class. It's so tiring!"

"Let's drop the course."

"Don't want."

Looking at the stubborn girl, Loren felt both sorry for her and amused. "It's fine if you don't want to withdraw from the Muggle Studies, but why don't you withdraw from the Divination either? Don't you dislike Professor Trelawney?"

Saving the fullest portion of red bean and coconut filling for last, Hermione ate it in one gulp, mumbling, "But she made a real Prophecy, um, I'm not satisfied, I want to see more."

The Coconut Ice Cake was a bit sticky, Hermione chewed it while talking. The sticky rice skin stuck to her throat, and she started to look uncomfortable.

Loren found it amusing and quickly patted her back to help her swallow the last bite. "You'd rather just keep forcing yourself to swallow like this?"

"Oh, let me study a little more before we talk about it. I'll give up if I get too tired." Hermione pouted and changed the subject, pointing to the horizon, "Look, the Dementor outside the school haven't left yet."

"Perhaps it's still going through the process." Loren wasn't concerned about the Dementor; he was more interested in the darkening sky.

"The sun has set. I've brewed Potions at the Room of Requirement and need to adjust the heat. I'll be leaving for a bit." Loren patted her shoulder and hurried away.

Watching his departing figure, Hermione tilted her head, a smear of pink red bean and coconut flakes still clinging to the corner of her mouth.

"Potions?"