"That joke doesn't sound very good, kid," Lupin said helplessly.
Professor Dumbledore was incredibly old. How could he possibly have such a young child?
And even if the boy really was Dumbledore's son… shouldn't he be in Gryffindor? Why Hufflepuff?
But the boy clearly seemed happy there.
"Hey... I know you don't believe it," Blake said. "I didn't either, at first. My old man doesn't really want people to know, so my last name at Hogwarts is Green. You can call me Blake Green."
He leaned in, voice lowering confidentially. "I think Professor Dumbledore made you a professor even though he knew you were a werewolf. That means you're one of us. That's why I'm telling you this."
Lupin's pupils suddenly contracted.
"You... how did you know..."
His biggest secret—his identity as a werewolf—was something he guarded with his life. He'd only just returned to Hogwarts, and yet this boy had already figured it out?
Blake shrugged casually. "You have bloodshot eyes. That's normal sometimes. But even when you're well-rested, they stay red. Your face is pale, your teeth a little long. You look clean, but there's a faint scent—metallic, like blood. The kind that lingers after a painful transformation."
"I figured you were either a vampire or a werewolf. And I'm very familiar with vampires. You're definitely not one."
Blake tilted his head. "Also, when you talk to people, you don't make eye contact. That's not shyness—that's habit. A lifetime of being judged. So I concluded... you're a werewolf. One who's been discriminated against deeply."
Lupin gave a bitter smile. "You guessed right. I... I am a werewolf."
He looked down. "I suppose that means I can't stay on as a professor. Once word gets out, there will be complaints. Dumbledore was kind to give me a chance—I won't let that kindness be repaid with backlash."
Blake immediately objected. "Who says you can't stay?"
"Dumbledore trusts you. I won't say a word. You can teach without worry."
"Honestly, the last few Defense Against the Dark Arts professors have been completely useless. We desperately need someone with real skills."
He grinned. "Besides, if Professor Bullydo finds out that it was my big mouth that cost you the job, he'll smack me silly. And trust me, that old man hits hard!"
Lupin stared at Blake, surprised.
"You... you don't mind that I'm a werewolf?"
He had seen it so many times—people who were kind at first, only to recoil once they learned the truth. Their warmth would vanish, replaced by fear and disgust.
But this boy...
"Of course I don't mind," Blake said simply. "Still, it's best to keep your identity quiet. Other people might not be as understanding."
Though Blake promised secrecy, Lupin remained worried. He truly needed this job. His life had been unstable for years.
"Don't worry, Professor Lupin. Dumbledore and I are on the same team. Which means we're all on the same side. Why would I betray you?"
Lupin let out a long breath. "Thank you... I really do need this job."
"You're welcome. That's what teammates are for." Blake rummaged through his bag and pulled out a bottle. "Here, drink this. It's a nutritional supplement."
Lupin blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in topic. Still, he hesitated only briefly before accepting the potion.
He took a cautious sip—and immediately felt its effects. Strength returned to his limbs. The overwhelming fatigue that had gripped him faded away. The drowsiness lifted.
Blake smiled. "Glad it's working."
"This... this is an excellent potion," Lupin said gratefully. "Thank you, Blake."
"Oh, no problem. I got it from Severus."
Lupin winced.
"Wait... Snape made this?"
"And you took it?"
Also... wasn't it a bit improper for a student to refer to Professor Snape by his first name?
Lupin was still grimacing when a voice came from outside the carriage.
"Blake, so you're here."
He turned and saw two girls standing at the door.
"Oh, there you are! Come in!" Blake said cheerfully.
He helped Hermione and Cassandra with their luggage, then pulled them over to sit beside him. Without hesitation, he plopped down between the two girls, arms casually brushing both of them.
The sight made Lupin's eye twitch.
The seats were large enough to fit three students comfortably, but Blake's ease and confidence were striking.
"These are my good friends—Hermione Granger and Cassandra Worley," Blake introduced proudly. "Hermione, Cassandra, this is Professor Remus John Lupin, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year."
"He's not like Quirrell or Lockhart—he's the real deal."
Cassandra and Hermione immediately tensed. They had been caught off guard, thinking they were joining Blake and another student. But this was a professor?
They both shot Blake irritated glances and tried to wriggle free from his embrace, but he was stronger than he looked.
Eventually, they gave up and sat stiffly on either side of him.
Lupin raised an eyebrow.
So this Blake not only had two girlfriends, but they were from rival houses—Gryffindor and Slytherin?
And more surprising still... the two girls didn't seem to hate each other.
That alone was remarkable.
Hiss... this kid's dangerous, Lupin thought.
Blake leaned back smugly, still settled comfortably between the two girls. Hermione looked mildly annoyed but resigned, while Cassandra simply rolled her eyes.
Lupin couldn't help but chuckle softly. For a moment, the weight of his past seemed lighter in the presence of this strange, bold, and oddly wise boy.
Perhaps, just perhaps, things at Hogwarts were about to get interesting again.