Puppet Strings (Hogwarts x Reader)

Chapter 5

"Hogsmeade," said Harry, in a would-be casual voice.

"Ah," said Lupin. He considered them for a moment. "Why don't you two come in? I've just taken delivery of a grindylow for our next lesson."

"A what?" said Harry.

They followed Lupin into his office. In the corner stood a very large tank of water. A sickly green creature with sharp little horns had its face pressed against the glass, pulling faces and flexing its long, spindly fingers.

"Water demon," said Lupin, surveying the grindylow thoughtfully. "We shouldn't have much difficulty with him, not after the kappas. The trick is to break his grip. You notice the abnormally long fingers? Strong, but very brittle."

The grindylow bared its green teeth and then buried itself in a tangle of weeds in a corner.

"Cup of tea?" Lupin said, looking around for his kettle. "I was just thinking of making one."

Harry was about to decline, but Y/n beat him to it. "Sure."

When Lupin's back turned, Harry gave Y/n an incredulous look.

She gave him a look that said, Knock it off.

Lupin tapped the kettle with his wand and a blast of steam issued suddenly from the spout.

"Sit down," said Lupin, taking the lid off a dusty tin. "I've only got teabags, I'm afraid — but I daresay you've both had enough of tea leaves?"

Y/n looked at him. Lupin's eyes were twinkling.

"How did you know about that?" Harry asked.

"Professor McGonagall told me," said Lupin, passing Harry a chipped mug of tea. He gave one to Y/n with a half-painted doe on the side. "You're not worried, are you?"

"No," said Harry.

"She probably just singled both of us out because she knew we were siblings," Y/n pointed out. "Thought it would make a good story or something."

Harry was silent for a moment.

"Anything worrying you, Harry?" Lupin asked.

"No," Harry said. He drank a bit of tea and watched the grindylow brandishing a fist at him. "Yes."

He put his tea down on Lupin's desk. "You know that day we fought the boggart?"

"Yes," said Lupin slowly.

"Why didn't you let me fight it?" said Harry abruptly.

Lupin raised his eyebrows. "I would have thought that was obvious, Harry," he said, sounding surprised.

"Why?" he said again.

"Well," said Lupin, frowning slightly, "I assumed that if the boggart faced you, it would assume the shape of Lord Voldemort."

Lupin gave Y/n a significant look.

Harry frowned. "Wha—that was you that happened to?"

Lupin opened his mouth to interject, but Y/n beat him to it. "Yeah, that was me."

"And you saw Voldemort?"

"Yes. Just him," she said. She saw Lupin nod out of the corner of her eye—he wouldn't tell Harry that he had been a part of the scene as well.

Y/n felt very appreciative of the professor at that moment.

"Well...." Harry said slowly. "I did think of Voldemort first. But then I — I remembered those dementors."

"I see," said Lupin thoughtfully. "Well, well . . . I'm impressed."

He smiled slightly at the look of surprise on Harry's face. "That suggests that what you fear most of all is — fear. Very wise, Harry."

Harry sipped his tea.

"So you've been thinking that I didn't believe you capable of fighting the boggart?" said Lupin shrewdly.

"Well . . . yeah," said Harry. "Professor Lupin, you know the dementors —"

He was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Come in," called Lupin.

The door opened, and in came Snape. He was carrying a goblet, which was smoking faintly, and stopped at the sight of Harry and Y/n, his black eyes narrowing.

"Ah, Severus," said Lupin, smiling. "Thanks very much. Could you leave it here on the desk for me?"

Snape set down the smoking goblet, his eyes wandering between Harry, Y/n, and Lupin.

"I was just showing the Potters my grindylow," said Lupin pleasantly, pointing at the tank.

"Fascinating," said Snape, without looking at it. "You should drink that directly, Lupin."

"Yes, yes, I will," said Lupin.

"I made an entire cauldronful," Snape continued. "If you need more."

"I should probably take some again tomorrow. Thanks very much, Severus."

"Not at all," said Snape, but there was a look in his eye Y/n didn't like. He backed out of the room, unsmiling and watchful.

Y/n looked curiously at the goblet. Lupin smiled.

"Professor Snape has very kindly concocted a potion for me," he said. "I have never been much of a potion-brewer and this one is particularly complex."

He picked up the goblet and sniffed it. "Pity sugar makes it useless," he added, taking a sip and shuddering.

"Why — ?" Harry began.

Lupin looked at him and answered the unfinished question. "I've been feeling a bit off-color," he said. "This potion is the only thing that helps. I am very lucky to be working alongside Professor Snape; there aren't many wizards who are up to making it."

Professor Lupin took another sip and Y/n had a crazy urge to knock the goblet out of his hands.

"Professor Snape's very interested in the Dark Arts," Harry blurted out, as if he had the same thoughts as Y/n.

"Really?" said Lupin, looking only mildly interested as he took another gulp of potion.

"Some people reckon —" Y/n hesitated, then plunged recklessly on, "some people reckon he'd do anything to get the Defense Against the Dark Arts job."

Lupin drained the goblet and pulled a face. "Disgusting," he said. "Well, I'd better get back to work. I'll see you two at the feast later."

"Right," said Harry, putting down his empty teacup. Y/n did so as well, and saw that the empty goblet was still smoking.