When it came to deciding Jane Yu's summer arrangements, Dumbledore had already employed a process of elimination.
Aberforth was absolutely out of the question—Dumbledore didn't want to risk the child never returning. The Flamels might spend the entire summer playing magical gaming devices with her, neglecting her studies. Slughorn, with his habit of dragging people along on social visits, didn't seem like a safe option either. And as for the Weasleys, their home had been thoroughly scouted by Pettigrew, making it an unsuitable refuge.
Then there was Newt Scamander—
Who had boldly declared his intention to resign and take Jane to Romania to study fire-breathing dragons.
"Do you think Yu Jane would mourn for you?" Dumbledore thought wryly.
After much deliberation, he realized there weren't many viable candidates left.
This person had to be highly skilled in magic, someone Dumbledore trusted implicitly, without any questionable habits. Ideally, they would also be capable of teaching Jane, answering her questions, and supervising her homework.
Sirius Black seemed to meet most of these criteria—
But recalling his past escapade of sneaking into the Slytherin girls' dormitory, albeit with some misunderstandings involved, Dumbledore couldn't shake the feeling that Sirius might have picked up some unsavory habits during his time in Azkaban.
Moreover, Sirius had a godson he adored, Harry. Balancing attention between two children in a "second-child family" was bound to be tricky. If Jane felt neglected or got into a fight with Harry, Sirius would undoubtedly take Harry's side.
Dumbledore couldn't help but imagine Jane's summer under Sirius's care—
His poor, small, helpless child, forced to cook and do laundry for Sirius and his beloved godson under the oppressive presence of a large black dog.
No, absolutely not! This was out of the question!
Dumbledore shuddered at the thought.
His gaze finally settled on Severus Snape.
"Severus, I'm entrusting this to you," he said.
Snape remained expressionless as he nodded, but Jane keenly noticed the corners of his mouth twitch upward by one degree.
Hearing this decision, Sirius raised his head in disbelief, trying to change Dumbledore's mind.
He couldn't believe he had lost out to Snivellus!
"Sirius, I'm sorry," Dumbledore explained. "But Harry will need to stay with his aunt for a while... and I need you to help me track down Pettigrew."
Though Sirius longed to spend more time with his godson, his rational side prevailed. He was, after all, someone who prioritized the greater good, especially since his nemesis was still at large.
But Harry, feeling abandoned, looked utterly crestfallen.
Jane was gone. His godfather was gone. His summer was ruined!
Having resolved Jane and Harry's summer arrangements, a relieved Dumbledore turned to Lupin.
"Remus, although I've received your resignation—"
"I hope you'll reconsider. The students truly enjoy your classes."
Professor Lupin, who had been silent until now, gave a bitter smile. He looked exhausted, his face drawn and weary.
"Thank you, Headmaster. But I don't think I should stay at Hogwarts any longer... I'll see to it that this term's exams are completed."
He glanced at Jane, a hint of contemplation in his eyes, before shifting his gaze to Snape.
Jane sensed that he was making some sort of decision.
"I... read the articles," Lupin said haltingly.
His old friend Sirius immediately jumped in, his voice urgent:
"Rita Skeeter is a lunatic! You're taking her words to heart? We've never cared that you're a werewolf—"
Lupin gave him a sad smile, then turned his complex gaze to Jane.
"No, it's not that, Sirius."
"In fact, I've been reflecting... I never thought I'd learn this from you..."
Jane felt utterly bewildered.
What was Professor Lupin talking about?
She thought their only interactions involved Defense Against the Dark Arts classes and Wolfsbane Potion.
"You see, barriers can be broken... prejudices can be overcome..."
Lupin spoke slowly, his eyes fixed on Jane.
"You made the effort... and you succeeded. I've never seen students from different houses come together... for a common goal..."
"I read the articles they wrote. To be honest, they're brilliant."
He paused, his gaze shifting away before settling on Snape.
"I'm ashamed of what I've done in the past... Perhaps I owe you an apology."
The words of apology left Lupin feeling unexpectedly at peace.
Perhaps three-quarters of Rita's and Pettigrew's reports were fabrications, but at least one thing was true—
He had indeed participated in—or at least turned a blind eye to—bullying.
Dumbledore had once made him a prefect, hoping he would keep the Marauders in check—
But he had never had the courage to tell them they were wrong.
And Jane Yu, this young Slytherin witch, was entirely different.
She not only helped her fellow housemates but also extended a hand of friendship to students from other houses.
Her invention of the gaming device brought joy to all students, breaking down house barriers and uniting them against public opinion.
In his year of teaching, he had often overheard Gryffindor students singing her praises.
Who would have thought Slytherins and Gryffindors could coexist peacefully, even become friends?
He had lived for so many years but had never been as brave as this child.
Perhaps he could learn from her and make an effort.
Starting, perhaps, with an apology.
Meanwhile, Snape, caught off guard by an apology from one of his old adversaries, looked utterly mortified.
His face twisted, and his hand, gripping his wand, trembled violently.
The sensation was as revolting as swallowing a live fly—stuck in his throat, neither up nor down.
He would have preferred mutual insults and hexes!
As Sirius's voice rang out in the background—"Remus, have you lost your mind?"—Snape snapped:
"What kind of game are you playing?"
But Lupin didn't respond. He walked over to Jane, offering a somewhat awkward smile.
"Thank you... I don't think I'll ever forget what you've taught me, even if I leave Hogwarts."
Jane was utterly confused.
What had she taught him?
What had he learned?
Why did people around her always speak in riddles?
Why were they always playing these inexplicable games?
Faced with this sudden and seemingly groundless gratitude, she felt goosebumps rising all over her skin.
Fortunately, Harry diverted everyone's attention just in time.
"Where will you go after you resign?"
Lupin gave an embarrassed smile, spreading his hands to indicate he hadn't decided yet.
"Well—now that everyone knows I'm a werewolf—"
At this, Jane's eyes lit up.
She recalled Aberforth's recent complaints about being short-staffed and overwhelmed with orders—
Professor Lupin's image immediately transformed in her mind into that of a humanoid... or rather, wolf-shaped workhorse.
Highly skilled in magic, capable of creating tools like the Marauder's Map...
Given that werewolves weren't exactly in high demand in the job market, his overall salary expectations were likely low...
And judging by his ability to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts for all seven years at Hogwarts, he seemed quite capable of working overtime...
Not to mention, she could brew Wolfsbane Potion herself...
The more she thought about it, the more satisfied she became. She was practically ready to send him off to the Hog's Head Inn on the spot!
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