Evening.
After seeing off the officials from the Wizarding Examinations Authority, the oak door of the Headmaster's Office opened once more for the three of them.
The flames danced merrily in the fireplace, casting flickering light over the portraits of past headmasters on the walls.
Douglas, Sirius, and Lupin walked in. The air held the peculiar sweet scent of old parchment and Sherbet Lemons.
"Tea. I think you could use some."
Dumbledore waved his wand, and three delicate china cups floated over, settling steadily on the coffee table before them.
His blue eyes watched Lupin gently through his half-moon spectacles.
"Remus, how are you feeling today?"
Deep exhaustion lined Lupin's face, but a genuine smile curved his lips.
"Far better than I imagined, Headmaster."
"I never thought that a werewolf would one day be welcomed by children like a knight from a story."
Sirius paced irritably around the room, his leather boots making almost no sound on the carpet.
"That's because you're a good man, Remus."
He stopped, his sharp gaze sweeping toward Douglas.
"If he weren't worried about missing letters from fellow werewolves who genuinely needed help, I'd have had Douglas magically block the name Remus Lupin long ago."
Douglas ignored his complaints, feeling the warmth of the teacup against his fingertips.
He blew aside the curling steam and took an unhurried sip.
"If you want a hero's halo, you have to be ready for the stones people throw at you."
"Flowers and stones usually come as a package. You just have to get used to it."
Dumbledore's long, silvery-white beard trembled gently, like a cobweb brushed by a breeze.
The amusement in his eyes deepened, carrying a hint of slyness.
"Oh? It sounds as though our young Douglas knows quite a bit about being a hero."
"Have you