Lupin also cast an inquiring glance his way.
Dumbledore's eyes flickered, as if he had already guessed, and he tentatively asked, "You mean... Sirius?"
"Bingo!" Draco snapped his fingers.
"You got it right, Old Dumbledore."
"I think that after this period of rest, Sirius should have recovered enough from the shadow of Azkaban and his obsession with hunting Peter."
"Having him as a professor at Hogwarts would not only allow him to teach the students the survival skills and defense knowledge he honed in Azkaban, but more importantly..."
"He can legitimately watch over Harry every day, protect him, and teach him. Even if you don't give Galleon, just provide food and lodging, he'll be overjoyed and come running over."
This suggestion is reasonable and almost perfect.
"A wonderful offer, Draco," Dumbledore said. "I'll consider it. I think... he'll find it hard to refuse such an opportunity to both be with Harry and utilize his talents."
"I'll take that person with you!" Draco said casually, pulling Hermione along and gesturing for Lupin to follow.
" Remus, I wish you all the best on your new journey," Dumbledore said to Lupin as he watched them leave.
"I will, Albus. Thank you."
Lupin nodded solemnly.
The next day, on the Hogwarts Express.
Draco, Hermione, and Professor Lupin were in the same carriage, along with Neville. Neville was most confident in Professor Sprout's Herbology, but he performed best in Professor Lupin's Defence Against Dark Magic class. Professor Lupin's patience and encouragement gave him great confidence.
At this moment, although he was reluctant to see Professor Lupin leave the school, he knew that the professor had found a better place and was genuinely happy for him. Lupin also chatted gently with Neville, urging him to be more confident next semester.
The train arrived at the bustling King's Cross Station platform. Draco and Hermione first took Hermione home.
Mrs. Granger was already waiting at the door.
Seeing her daughter return safely, accompanied by a seemingly gentle and refined wizard, Mrs. Granger immediately greeted her warmly and gave Hermione a big hug.
" Minmin! Darling! You're finally back! Oh, and this is..." Mrs. Granger looked at Lupin.
"Mom, this is Professor Lupin, my Defence Against Dark Magic teacher, and also a friend of Draco's and mine."
Hermione explained.
"Hello, Mrs. Granger, I am Remus Lupin," Lupin greeted her politely.
Mrs. Granger, seeing that Lupin, though simply dressed, possessed a gentle demeanor and was her daughter's teacher, warmly invited him:
" Professor Lupin, hello! Come in, have a seat, have some tea, and relax!"
Lupin was somewhat surprised by the Muggle's friendliness and enthusiasm, but he politely declined. "Thank you very much for your invitation, Mrs. Granger. However, Draco and I have some matters to attend to, but we will certainly visit you another time."
"Oh, I see... Well then, you must come next time!" Mrs. Granger was a little disappointed, but she didn't insist.
She looked at Draco with concern and gave him a few words of advice, such as "be careful."
Draco and Lupin bid farewell to Mrs. Granger.
The two returned to the Malfoy Manor Malfoy Manor. Stepping into the neatly manicured, expansive courtyard, Lupin once again felt the sense of alienation that belonged to an ancient, Pure-blood families.
But this time, he wasn't brought by a wary enemy, but by a young employer who was extending an olive branch to him.
Draco didn't take him to the main house, but instead led him to a separate villa next door with a small garden and greenhouse.
He took out his key, opened the door, and gestured for Lupin to go inside.
"Professor, you'll be staying here from now on," Draco said to him. "This house is just sitting empty anyway, and it's a bit far from the main house, so it's quieter and convenient for your research."
"It's fully furnished and equipped. The House-elf will come to clean and prepare three meals a day. Just tell them if you have any special needs."
Lupin entered the house, which was bright and clean, elegantly decorated yet cozy, and fully equipped—far better than any other place he had ever lived.
Looking at everything before me, I felt a mix of emotions.
Accustomed to a simple life of constant movement, being suddenly placed in such a comfortable and independent environment left him somewhat disoriented, but also deeply moved...
" Draco... this is too much," Lupin said awkwardly, glancing around the spacious living room and the spiral staircase leading upstairs. "I can't live in a house this big by myself."
"Professor, you're overthinking it," Draco retorted.
"Our family estate, apart from the main house where my parents and I live, these other secondary buildings are originally for entertaining guests or important family members."
"It's just sitting empty anyway, having someone live here will make it more lively. Besides, you're the research director I invited, so having better accommodations will give you more motivation to work, won't it?"
Without further ado, he arranged the accommodations, and then Draco made a proposal that shocked Lupin even more.
"By the way, you can convert this house into your own magic laboratory. Just make a list of what you need and give it to me, or tell the House-elf directly, and I'll have someone buy it."
Draco walked to the window, looking out at the garden bathed in summer sunlight, and said, "As for research..."
"You can continue in the field of magical creatures, which you're good at, or... try something more cutting-edge."
"For example, could we research a drug that can improve or even completely eliminate Werewolf bloodlines? Or could we develop Calming Draught that can effectively extend the interval between Werewolf transformations and reduce the pain of transformation?"
These words resonated deeply with Lupin!
He stared at Draco's profile in disbelief.
Eliminating Werewolf bloodline? Extending the transformation interval? This... this was a dream he dared not even dare to hope for, hidden deep in his heart!
Over the years, he had long accepted his Werewolf fate, enduring the pain of the full moon and the discrimination of society.
I never imagined that one day someone would take this so seriously, proposing to solve this curse as a viable research topic and promising unlimited support!
After the immense shock came an overwhelming wave of emotion!
Lupin's eyes instantly welled up with tears!
Having lived all these years, enduring countless scornful looks, fear, and expulsions, no one had ever sincerely extended a helping hand to him.
It's not just about giving him a job and a place to live; it's about giving him hope and a platform to regain his dignity, pursue his dreams, and potentially help countless others in similar situations!
" Draco..." Lupin's voice choked with emotion. He took several deep breaths to calm himself down.
Looking into Draco's eyes, which were filled with unprecedented determination and resolve, he then bowed deeply to him.
"What are you doing?" Draco quickly stepped forward to help him up.
"I... I don't know what to say. I, Remus Lupin, will forever remember this kindness."
"I will set up the lab as soon as possible, and the research direction will be as you suggested. I will do my utmost to live up to your trust and... this opportunity to change the lives of many people."
"You're welcome, Professor," Draco said earnestly. "You contribute your talent, I provide the stage; it's a win-win situation."