Chapter 17. Harry and Lupin
Whether it was because Lupin was physically resilient or because Adrian Wesson's antidote worked well, Lupin's vital signs soon returned.
When he woke from his coma, it was already the next morning.
He opened his eyes slowly and found himself lying on a bed woven from vines, inside Wesson's plant shop.
Rubbing his eyes, he squinted against the sunlight pouring through the window; it made his eyes smart.
His body still felt stiff and numb.
At least his head was clear, and he quickly worked out what had happened.
He must have passed out after using that highly toxic Dittany.
Thankfully, he hadn't gone off to meet Merlin.
By a hair's breadth, he'd almost become the first wizard in history to be killed by Dittany.
Thinking of this, Lupin covered his face; it was mortifying.
Climbing down from the bed, he glanced at the clock on the wall. The hands pointed squarely at nine.
"Has a whole day gone by?" he muttered, looking round to find the shop empty and still.
He turned towards the counter. He remembered the door to the plantation was just behind it.
The door was shut; he guessed Wesson was still inside.
Just as he thought that, the door swung open.
A slight figure slipped out at speed, froze when he saw Lupin, then whirled and darted back through the doorway.
"Wait!"
Before Lupin could properly see the boy's face, Harry had vanished inside again.
A moment later, Wesson appeared in front of Lupin.
"Mr Lupin, you're finally awake," Wesson said, relaxing at the sight of him on his feet. "I thought you might never come round."
"Thank you for your help, Wesson," Lupin said bluntly. "I was far too reckless."
Wesson waved it off. "It isn't your fault, Lupin—these things are hard to avoid. But you should be more careful with my plants in future."
Lupin nodded. "Lesson learned."
Wesson moved behind the counter, pulled a thick notebook from a drawer and handed it over.
"What's this?"
"Some basic notes about the plants I grow," Wesson replied. "I stayed up last night to put them together, so we don't repeat what happened."
Lupin took the notebook, conflicted.
To be honest, he no longer wanted the job; it seemed even more dangerous than he'd expected.
"I think I need to reconsider the position," he said.
Wesson looked genuinely taken aback.
"Well then… how about triple pay?" he said. "Think it over, Mr Lupin. That's the highest salary I can offer."
This time, the lure of Galleons seemed to have lost its power; Lupin's expression stayed resistant.
His life was at stake, after all.
Remembering the helplessness of the poisoning, Lupin shuddered hard. A shadow had settled over him.
Money mattered, but not as much as staying alive.
Just as he was about to refuse, the door behind them opened again.
Harry came out, eyes shining, clutching a small vial in his hand. The clear liquid inside sloshed gently.
"Sir, I think I've got it right this time!" Harry said, brimming with confidence as he offered the vial to Wesson.
At some point, Harry had started calling Wesson "sir".
Wesson didn't mind; he had been teaching Harry to brew potions, after all.
Barring surprises, once they were at Hogwarts he would be Harry's Professor of Care of Magical Creatures as well.
Wesson took the vial and examined the liquid closely, then pulled the stopper and poured a little onto his hand.
"Mm. This is good—the essence is very pure. It looks like you've grasped the key technique, Harry," Wesson said, pleased.
Harry lit up at the praise.
While the two were talking, Lupin stood to one side, staring at Harry.
"Wait—what did you call him?" he blurted, having heard Wesson say the boy's name.
"Oh, I nearly forgot the introductions." Wesson drew Harry to his side, an arm around his shoulders. "This is Harry Potter. I imagine you've heard the name."
Harry turned politely to Lupin. "Hello, Mr Lupin. While you were unconscious, sir told me your name."
Lupin's face changed at once.
He stared harder at the boy.
Untidy hair. Green eyes.
Everything lined up with his memories.
"You… you're Harry Potter?" he asked, half disbelieving.
Harry looked from Lupin to Wesson, unsure why his name had caused such a reaction.
"Yes," Harry said, nodding.
Wesson noticed Lupin's expression and wasn't surprised; he had expected as much.
In the original tale, Lupin had been close friends with Harry's father—that much Wesson remembered.
Faced with the orphan of a good friend, anyone would be moved.
"Mr Lupin, this is the genuine Harry Potter—he lives nearby. As you can see, I'm teaching him to brew some simple potions. Harry is absolutely absorbed in Potions," Wesson added.
Harry's mouth twitched at being called "absolutely absorbed". He nearly contradicted him on the spot.
Absorbed in Potions?
That was news to him.
It was only because Wesson kept making him study the fussy bits of potion-making instead of teaching any real spells.
Once Wesson's confirmation sank in, Lupin steadied himself. He had never expected to meet Harry Potter here.
Wesson smiled at him. "So—have you decided, Mr Lupin? Will you work here?"
Lupin glanced at Harry, who was still beaming down at the Essence of Dittany in his hands, and his feelings knotted.
As things stood, he had to take the job.
For Harry's sake. Wesson didn't seem a bad sort, but Lupin still couldn't rest easy leaving Harry around him.
Even if Wesson meant no harm, his plants carried risks.
"Of course," Lupin said at last. "I'll take the position."
"Splendid!" Wesson nodded, smiling. "I'm glad you've decided, Mr Lupin."
Harry chimed in from the side, "Congratulations, Mr Lupin."
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