June 27th 1994
The Three Broomsticks brought back a lot of memories of various Hogsmeade weekends as a student and a few as a Professor. Remus smiled happily as Rosmerta winked at him from the bar and pointed him towards a table at the back.
Moody was waiting for him, back to the wall and at a seat which afforded him a complete view of the rest of the tavern. It was a beautifully defensive position. Remus shook Moody's outstretched hand and subsided into the opposite chair.
"Thanks for meeting with me," Moody said briskly, "I really have no idea why I agreed to the job so anything you can tell me about how to survive it would be appreciated."
"It's not a problem." Remus said amused. "We need to be finished by three though as I'm meeting Minerva then."
He noticed the discarded paper on the table with a half-smile.
Brian's press offensive had continued that morning with the exclusive story of Sirius's escape from Azkaban all to save his godson from the traitor Pettigrew. There had been more quotes from various important people suggesting that such an act surely should be rewarded with guardianship. Fudge had gone on record as saying that he was in support of a wizarding guardian for Harry Potter. The paper was also full of various sightings of Sirius from France to the Caribbean as the question of Sirius's whereabouts vexed the press and the public.
"Have to admit Cutter's doing a good job for Black." Moody said noticing the direction of Remus's glance. "Although I suspect you already know that."
"I couldn't possibly comment." Remus said as Rosmerta came over and took their orders for lunch.
Moody waited until the innkeeper was well away from them before he erected a privacy bubble. "You know I know you know more than you can say. I won't ask you about Black's whereabouts – I don't deserve to know since I was one of the idiots who dropped the ball where he was concerned – but I would appreciate knowing the kid is safe and away from the muggles."
Remus regarded him, faintly stunned. He cleared his throat. "Harry is safe and away from the Dursleys."
"Good." Moody took down the privacy bubble with a swish of his wand. "Now, about this bloody school business…"
It was a good lunch. The food was excellent, and Moody was entertaining and frighteningly good at deconstructing Remus's old lesson plans into real life stories. He made meticulous notes of the students and Remus could see that he already had a copy of the final exam results.
Moody was appalled at Albus's choices of DADA instructor before Remus calling Lockhart 'a slimy fraud' and Quirrell 'a blithering idiot.' Remus also took it upon himself to inform Moody of the events of Harry's first and second year. Moody was about as impressed with what had happened as Remus was.
"What were they thinking?" Moody grumbled as Remus finished up the story of the basilisk. "Anyone with an ounce of common sense would have known it was a basilisk after the ghost got hit."
"Beats me." Remus agreed amiably.
"The lad's got a penchant for being in the wrong place at the wrong time." Moody said thoughtfully.
"Or the right place at the right time." Remus pointed out.
"No, I think my version is more apt." Moody argued.
Remus laughed. "It probably is at that."
Moody suddenly looked towards the front of the inn and gave a snort. "Heads up. Albus has entered the building."
Remus turned and found an annoyed looking Minerva marching up to him with Albus walking serenely behind her. "Minerva."
"Remus." Minerva glared at Albus. "I apologise but when I mentioned I was meeting you, Albus insisted on coming along."
"Albus." Remus greeted him politely. He felt a little nervous; he had taken the Headmaster to task at their last encounter.
Albus smiled at him. "Remus, forgive the intrusion but I wished to apologise for the other day. You are quite correct and I promise I will caution Severus before the next school year."
Minerva harrumphed. "As if that has ever done any good."
"Minerva…" Albus began.
"I have been telling you for years that his behaviour as a professor is unacceptable and you assure me you talk with him but then he carries on regardless." Minerva argued fiercely, her Scots brogue thickening with her anger.
Albus looked completely taken aback at her outburst and Remus fought the urge to applaud.
"What did Severus do now?" Remus asked, getting to the heart of the matter as he saw Moody erecting another privacy charm. It wasn't like Minerva to be so indiscreet about a colleague.
Minerva grimaced. "I don't wish to say, Remus." But her eyes fell to the copy of the Prophet and Remus guessed that Severus had said something about Sirius.
"I see." Remus could hear his inner wolf growling and breathed in deeply. "I expect Sirius would be rather unsurprised at Severus's attitude." He glanced at Albus. "I'm sure you'll agree, Albus, that if Severus were to make any derogatory remarks to Harry about Sirius that he would be acting very unprofessionally."
"It seems I will be having a rather long conversation with Severus." Albus conceded with a sigh. "Have you heard from Sirius yet, Remus?"
"Not since you and I last talked, Albus." Remus said truthfully. "Have you sent word to Harry?"
"Alas, he and the Dursleys have not yet returned to their home." Albus informed him with what looked like sincere regret.
Remus pushed himself out of the chair. "Alastor, it was good to see you." They shook hands and Moody thanked him again as he undid the privacy charm he'd put up. "Minerva, we should leave or the goblins will get upset at our tardiness."
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