Chapter 152
Creak… creak…
The old wooden door opened slowly as the person outside pushed it inward.
Lupin stood at the doorway for a moment, unmoving. His eyes swept across the entire room, as if trying to fix every detail in his memory. Only then did he step inside.
He was reluctant to leave.
His teaching career had begun here—and now it would end here.
This was the office of the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. Soon, he would no longer belong to Hogwarts.
"Harry? Ron? Hermione?"
Lupin looked at the three students standing beside his desk and called their names softly, a grateful smile appearing on his face.
"Hermione already knew I was a werewolf. Aren't you two afraid of me?" he asked gently.
He already knew the answer. Even asking the question eased something inside him.
"Of course not, Professor," Harry and Ron said together. "You're the best Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher we've ever had. That has nothing to do with you being a werewolf."
Hermione couldn't help adding, "Last year someone practically worshipped Lockhart and kept saying he was the best teacher—and even hoped he'd teach Snape a lesson."
Ron's face turned red. "Harry and I haven't even blamed you for keeping this secret from us! At least I've changed my mind now. Professor Lupin is the best teacher. Can't I say that?"
"All right, that's enough," Lupin said with a quiet laugh. "I was the one who asked Hermione to keep it secret."
Watching them argue, he felt as if he were seeing his younger self and his old friends. The tightness in his chest eased a little.
"I'm very glad you came to see me," he continued gently. "But it's class time. You should go back."
He reached out and ruffled their hair.
"No—we won't let you leave!" Hermione said quickly. She pulled out a sheet of parchment and handed it to him.
It was covered with signatures—neat ones, messy ones, hurried ones, even a few written in colored inks. The handwriting was chaotic, but the intention written at the top was clear.
A student petition asking him to stay.
"Professor, most of the students have signed it," Hermione said, her eyes bright. "You don't have to resign now."
"Yes," Harry said firmly. "We don't care if you're a werewolf. We just know you're a great teacher."
"Exactly," Ron added. "If you leave, who knows who we'll get next? Can you imagine being taught by that old bat? I heard she's been eyeing this position for ages."
"Thank you."
Lupin's smile froze for a moment. He spoke the words with difficulty. The fine lines at the corners of his eyes trembled.
He ran his rough fingers over the parchment, reading the names carefully.
Then he handed it back.
"But I still have to resign."
"Professor!" Hermione said urgently. "This represents what we want! We really don't mind your identity!"
"Some people will mind," Lupin said quietly. "Their parents' owls will arrive soon. Perhaps tomorrow."
He walked to his desk and began packing.
With a soft incantation, books leapt from the shelves and arranged themselves neatly inside an old suitcase.
The suitcase was not even full.
He had never owned much. The clothes he wore now were provided by the school.
"I'm truly grateful for your kindness," Lupin said as he cleaned the desk and shelves he had used.
"But in life, there are always partings. I hope you can understand that."
He paused, then added with a faint smile, "Besides, this position is said to be cursed. None of my predecessors left it unscathed. Perhaps I'm the lucky one."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood in silence.
The one who was leaving seemed calm. Those staying behind were the ones who needed comfort.
"You don't need to worry," Lupin said after finishing his packing. He stepped between Harry and Ron, resting a hand on each of their shoulders.
"Perhaps we'll meet again someday—under different circumstances."
He raised his eyebrows slightly.
Harry and Ron nodded.
"One day," Hermione said firmly, clenching her fists, "this unfair discrimination will disappear. I'll make sure of it."
"Then I'll look forward to that day," Lupin said warmly. "And I believe you can do it, Hermione."
Knock! Knock! Knock!
A hurried knocking interrupted them.
"Perhaps your teacher has come looking for you," Lupin said calmly. "I'll send them away. You three go back to class, all right?"
They nodded reluctantly and watched him open the door.
But the person outside was not a teacher.
A tall figure stumbled into the room.
Everyone froze, staring in shock.