Chapter 18: "Lupin, You Were Born to Wear This Suit"

Chapter 18: "Lupin, You Were Born to Wear This Suit"

Remus Lupin: a member of the original Order of the Phoenix. Bitten by a werewolf in his youth, he was forced to spend his life battling not only the beast within, but also the prejudice and pain that came with it.

Leon looked at the slightly awkward man before him and extended a hand with practiced elegance.

"It is a pleasure and an honour to meet you, Mr. Lupin. My name is Leon Shelby. Please, call me Leon."

Although he had already been briefed by Moody's letter, Lupin was still visibly surprised when he saw Leon. Nonetheless, he politely shook the boy's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Leon."

Leon was about to say more, but he was promptly nudged aside by Moody.

Faced with his old friend for the first time in years, even the stoic Auror's face softened with concern. He looked at Lupin's weary, dishevelled state, and his worry came out as a complaint.

"You've been off the map for years, Remus. Were you planning on never seeing your old friends again?"

Lupin blinked awkwardly, scratching his greying hair instead of answering.

"Gentlemen, I've had afternoon tea prepared for you both. Please, go and get something to eat. Our cook is quite exceptional," Leon interjected, noticing Lupin's discomfort. He was the picture of a thoughtful host. "I have some other matters to attend to, so I won't disturb you."

In truth, Leon had nothing else to do. He was simply exercising good judgment. He knew two old friends, separated for so long, would need space to catch up.

He called one of his men to escort Moody and Lupin to the dining room while he himself returned to practicing his spells.

Early the next morning, Moody arrived with Lupin.

Lupin was still wearing the same tattered old robes, but he looked significantly more refreshed. His hair was neatly combed, and the weariness had vanished from his face.

"Alright, Lupin, he's all yours from now on," Moody muttered, before beating a hasty retreat as if fleeing for his life.

The large study fell silent, leaving Leon and Lupin to look at each other. Lupin still seemed ill at ease, opening his mouth to speak several times before closing it again. He looked more nervous than his new student.

Leon, by contrast, was perfectly relaxed. He retrieved a set of clothes from under his desk and placed it in front of Lupin.

"A suit, a cap, and a pair of leather boots," Leon said, presenting the standard Peaky Blinders attire. "Most of the people here are Muggles, Mr. Lupin. Dressed as you are, I'm afraid you draw a bit too much attention."

In reality, Moody's own mode of dress was just as bizarre. The "drawing attention" was just an excuse, a way for Leon to spare Lupin's pride.

Lupin, being an intelligent and sensitive man, understood immediately. He looked at Leon with gratitude in his eyes as he accepted the clothes. "Thank you, Mr. Leon. You are a very considerate person."

Lupin flicked his wand, and in an instant, his clothes changed.

A tall, sharp, melancholy man stood before Leon, a world of difference from the downtrodden wizard of the day before.

Leon nodded in strong approval and said, with utter sincerity, a phrase that was becoming familiar: "Mr. Lupin, you were born to wear that suit!"

After a moment of admiration, he produced a heavy bag from under his desk. It clinked and chattered with the sound of Galleons.

"Mr. Lupin, I trust Mr. Moody discussed the terms with you. The five hundred Galleons we agreed upon was the price for your protection," Leon said. "But now, you will also be acting as my tutor."

He pushed the bag forward, a bright smile on his face. "I'm advancing you this one thousand Galleons, in case you have any immediate needs. Please, accept it. I look forward to our lessons."

Lupin was taken aback and immediately tried to refuse.

But Leon had no intention of taking back money he had already offered. He insisted, and the Galleons in the bag began to jingle and shout, as if scandalized at the very idea of a wizard who didn't want them. The room was, for a moment, in a state of chaos.

Just then, a sly, sarcastic voice drifted in through the open window.

"Just take it, Lupin. The boy is so rich it's disgusting. He's got nothing but money. No need to help him save it."

"I knew he'd pull some stunt like this. Didn't I tell you?"

"Shelby, I've seen this trick before. Can't you at least be original?"

"Oooh, 'Mr. Lupin, you were born to wear that suit!'... How come you never offered to get me one of those suits, eh?"

It was, of course, Mad-Eye Moody. A core member of the original Order of the Phoenix, a former Head Auror, hiding under a window and eavesdropping.

Leon put a hand to his forehead. He was utterly exasperated.

Thanks to Moody's interruption, however, Lupin finally agreed to accept the gold. He looked at Leon, his entire demeanor shifting as he stepped into the role of teacher. "Mr. Shelby, Moody tells me you have a keen interest in the Dark Arts?"

He didn't wait for Leon to answer. "Like Moody, I will not be teaching you the Unforgivable Curses."

This was expected. Leon showed no reaction, simply waiting for him to continue.

"Moody also said," Lupin's voice was slow and encouraging, "that you are the most talented young wizard he has ever met. That being the case, I thought I would try to teach you a very useful, and very advanced, spell: the Patronus Charm."

At the mention of the charm, Lupin himself became animated, his words flowing with a rare passion.

"It is one of the oldest and most powerful defensive charms in the wizarding world."

"I thought about it for a long time," he said, "and I feel this is the only spell that would truly justify the Galleons you are paying me."

"When cast correctly, it conjures a Patronus, a guardian of pure, positive energy. It is effective against most Dark creatures, but it is the only true defence against Dementors and Lethifolds."

"Of course, the Patronus has other uses. It can even be used as a messenger."

"Back... back during the war, we often used them to deliver messages."

"It is widely considered to be one of the most difficult spells to master. Only a very small percentage of the wizarding population can cast a fully corporeal Patronus."

Leon nodded intently. Outside of Expelliarmus and the Killing Curse, the Patronus Charm was probably the most iconic spell in the entire series.

"Expecto Patronum!" Lupin incanted. A stream of silvery light burst from the tip of his wand, taking the form of a great silver wolf.

The wolf leaped and bounded silently around the room, never once touching the furniture. Its form was solid, corporeal, and radiated a quiet power. After a moment, Lupin gave his wand a small flick, and the Patronus dissolved.

"To cast it, you must concentrate all your will on a single, very happy memory," Lupin instructed patiently. "You only have a few weeks until school starts, which isn't much time."

He paused, offering a kind smile. "Before the term begins, if you can even manage to produce an incorporeal wisp of light, it would be a remarkable achievement."

Leon analyzed the intonation and wand movement Lupin had just used, committing them to memory. He then closed his eyes, focused, and spoke.

"Expecto Patronum!"