Unexpected Guests

Will sat by the fireplace, his face illuminated by the dim glow of the fire. His father's journals lay before him, open to pages filled with small handwriting that Will could barely make out. He was gleaning information from these old pages about his parents' past, their connections to the Dark Lord, and the Death Eaters. Each new discovery deepened his resolve to find and punish those responsible.

The silence in the house was broken by a sudden knock at the door. Will tensed, his heart started beating faster. He carefully placed the journal down and stood up, heading to the door with his wand in hand. An increasing sense of unease built inside him, which, despite all his efforts, he couldn't ignore.

When he opened the door, his gaze fell upon two strangers. One of them was old, with long silver hair and piercing blue eyes — it was Dumbledore. Standing beside him was a man dressed in worn-out clothes, his appearance sickly and gaunt.

Dumbledore smiled gently, despite the exhaustion in his eyes. His voice was full of politeness and respect:

— Good evening, Mr. Lupin. I understand that you're probably not happy about an unexpected visit, but please, allow us to enter. We have come to discuss matters that concern you directly.

Will hesitated, but seeing that Dumbledore posed no immediate threat, he nodded and opened the door wider, letting them in. His gaze lingered on Dumbledore's sickly companion, but the man said nothing and walked behind them into the house, not letting go of his wand.

Will led Dumbledore and his companion to the living room, where the dim fire still burned in the hearth. He gestured toward the sofa and offered:

— Please, have a seat. May I offer you something to drink?

Dumbledore nodded politely:

— Thank you, Mr. Lupin. Tea would be quite appropriate. We would appreciate your hospitality.

Dumbledore's companion, in his shabby clothes and sickly appearance, sat down on the sofa, staring blankly into the space in front of him. He was clearly exhausted, and his eyes showed signs of fatigue and painful worry.

Will went to the kitchen to brew the tea, his mind occupied with wondering what had brought these people to him. When he returned with a tray full of cups and a teapot, he noticed that Dumbledore had already started the conversation, his voice soft and respectful:

— Thank you for your hospitality. Sadly, this has become quite rare nowadays, — Dumbledore took a sip of tea. — Very fine tea!

Will continued to look at Dumbledore and his companion warily.

Taking another sip, Dumbledore continued:

— Let me introduce myself, young man. I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Will replied impatiently:

— I know who you are. I have a whole collection of Chocolate Frog cards. Yours is among them. Who is your companion?

Dumbledore nodded in acknowledgment:

— I'm glad to hear that my card is in your collection. This man is Remus Lupin, your uncle.

Remus, sitting next to Dumbledore, tried to smile, but his expression was more apologetic than joyful. He looked at Will, and in his eyes, there was a mixture of regret and uncertainty.

Will stared at Remus warily, his expression filled with disbelief and shock:

— My what? Uncle? But... I never knew I had an uncle. Why didn't my parents ever tell me about an uncle? Remus Lupin... So you're a relative of my father?

— You see, William, allow me to speak informally — Will nodded briefly in response. — Until recently, Remus didn't even know that he had relatives other than his parents. Just yesterday, we had a conversation, and I told him that he has a nephew.

Will continued to refuse to believe that Remus was his uncle:

— Uncle... Nephew... I don't understand.

Dumbledore kindly continued:

— William, give me a few minutes, and I'll explain everything, just as I explained it all to Remus yesterday.

Still full of disbelief, Will sat in the armchair opposite Dumbledore and prepared to listen.

— Remus's father and Malcolm's father — Lyle Lupin and Veronique Dufanfan, — began Dumbledore, — were in love with each other when they were young. Lyle traveled through France and met Veronique in Provence. They liked each other. Eventually, he proposed to her. But Veronique was the heiress of an ancient aristocratic pure-blood wizarding family, the Dufanfans. Her parents, especially her father, were opposed to this marriage. So, Lyle and Veronique ran away to America and secretly got married there.

Dumbledore paused, giving Will time to absorb the information.

— They lived a year of happy married life. But Veronique's father found out about their marriage and forced her to return to France, threatening that Lyle would be found dead if she didn't obey. Veronique was terrified for her beloved and decided to obey her father to protect Lyle. She told him that it was just a passing fancy for her. She annulled the marriage and returned with her father to France. It was only later that she discovered she was pregnant. Her parents hurriedly arranged a marriage for her with one of their acquaintances, a pure-blood wizard, so that no one would know she was pregnant by a man of unknown lineage. Soon, she gave birth to a boy. And her new husband didn't live to see the birth of his son. He died from dragon pox. Veronique raised her son alone.

Will looked at Dumbledore with a bewildered expression.

— And what happened next?

— She no longer wanted to think about the past or the marriage. When her parents died, she changed her son's surname to Lupin, in memory of the child's father. Malcolm Lupin grew up and at the age of eleven went to Hogwarts. Veronique went there to persuade Headmaster Armando Dippet to accept him for admission. As for Lyle, he never learned during his lifetime that he had an older son...

Dumbledore continued:

— Remus never knew of his older brother's and nephew's existence. All these years, he thought he was alone. And now, when he learned about you, he came to be close and help you during these difficult times.

Will rubbed his eyes and said:

— All of this... On one hand, your words seem logical. But on the other... I never could have imagined that Veronique's grandmother could have made such a decision as to run away with the man she loved. When we visited her with Ketty, she was quite strict with us and always instilled aristocratic manners in us. It's a pity she passed away five years ago.

Remus, sitting next to him, said:

— Will, I understand that this is all very complicated for you. But I'm here to help and support you. I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner.

Will, listening to these words, tried to process the new information. Emotions still raged within him, but now a new family member had entered his life, one who might help him find a way forward.

Dumbledore paused, as though gathering his thoughts, and then continued:

— William, I understand that this news about Remus is shocking for you, and you may not yet be ready to fully accept it. However, there is a matter I need to discuss with you. Since you've lost your parents, and considering the difficult circumstances you're in, I would like to propose that Remus become your guardian until you turn seventeen.

Will looked at Dumbledore, confused:

— Guardian? I'm not sure I need a guardian.

Dumbledore, maintaining his calm, replied:

— I understand your desire to remain independent, but given the current situation and your condition, the help and support of an adult, especially during such a difficult time, may prove very important. Remus has experience and understanding of the situation; he will be able to support you and help you in your endeavors.

Will turned to Remus, who looked at him with an expression of expectation and sympathy.

— Remus, are you willing to be my guardian? — Will asked, still not believing what was happening.

Remus nodded, and there was determination in his eyes:

— Yes, Will. I understand that this is a tough time for you. I'm ready to do everything I can to help you and support you. I would be happy if you agreed.

Will hesitated, battling with his emotions and the new understanding of his situation. He realized that Remus could become an important support for him, but he still wasn't ready to fully accept the offer.

Dumbledore noticed his indecision and added:

— I understand that the decision is difficult. If you need time to think, I won't insist. But consider that support and help during this hard time may make your path easier.

Will thought for a moment, then looked at Remus and Dumbledore, and finally nodded:

— Alright, if Remus agrees to be my guardian, I'll accept the offer. I'll need some time to get used to these changes.

Dumbledore smiled and nodded in gratitude:

— Thank you, William. I'm sure Remus will be an excellent guardian for you. But there's one more thing I wanted to discuss. I suggest that you go to Hogwarts in the fall and continue your studies. This is important not only for your education but also for your future.

Will frowned, and his face tensed again:

— Hogwarts? I don't see the point in that. I have my own goals and plans. I don't want to sit in school when I could be doing something useful.

Dumbledore, maintaining his patience, replied:

— I understand your frustration, William. But Hogwarts is not just a school. It is a place where you can learn more about magic and prepare for the challenges ahead. There, you will meet people who can support you and help you grow as a wizard. Perhaps you will find friends, which is something we all need.

Will continued to argue:

— I can't just sit and wait. I need to act. As far as I understand, the Ministry has dismissed all my claims about Voldemort's return as complete nonsense. Which means they won't be looking for the real killers of my family. And now you're asking me to reconcile with this? I'll be honest. I thirst for revenge. I need to find them and make them pay. If I end up losing my life in the process, so be it. But I can't just sit idly by.

Dumbledore responded gently:

— I understand your desire to act and the vengeance you feel. But Hogwarts will provide you with the knowledge and skills that will help you in your pursuits. Education and preparation are crucial, especially when it comes to fighting powerful forces like Voldemort. You need to be ready for the trials that await you.

Will looked at Dumbledore defiantly and asked:

— And you? Do you believe that Voldemort has returned? That it was he, along with two Death Eaters, who were in our house and killed my entire family? Perhaps you know what really happened to Evelyn Hart?

Dumbledore continued to look at Will calmly and began to answer his questions:

— Yes, William, I fully believe your version of events. I have certain contacts in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. And I have received full and reliable information about what happened here. As for Evelyn Hart's death... Well, sometimes we struggle to control surges of anger and rage. I won't judge or accuse you of anything. What's done is done. However, moving forward, I will insist that you learn to control your anger and the darker impulses within your soul.

Will thought for a moment and said:

— Alright, I agree to go study at Hogwarts. But there's one condition. If the time comes when I have to act, when I have to fight or seek justice, I don't want anyone holding me back or stopping me. I want your word that you won't interfere and won't obstruct my actions.

Dumbledore, maintaining his calm and wisdom, replied:

— William, I promise you that if the time comes when you need to act in the name of justice or self-defense, I will not stop you. My goal is for you to be prepared and protected, but I respect your desire to act.

Remus, who had been silent up until now, stood up and approached Will:

— I also promise that I won't stop you when the time comes to act. But I hope you understand that my role is to be here to support and protect you, as much as I can.

Will nodded, feeling that their promises gave him some reassurance:

— Alright. That's all I needed to know. If something happens, I'll act as I see fit. But for now, while I'm at Hogwarts, I'll focus on my studies and follow the school rules.

Dumbledore added:

— William, before we conclude this conversation, I have one more request. Before the school year begins, I'd like you and Remus to spend the rest of the summer at Sirius Black's house on Grimmauld Place, Number 12. This house will be a safer and more protected place for both of you during this time. Additionally, it will give you a chance to get to know each other better and prepare for the new phase ahead.

Will frowned slightly:

— And how will this help us?

Dumbledore answered calmly:

— The house on Grimmauld Place is not just any house. It is one of the hidden hideouts of the Order of the Phoenix, and it has magical protection. It is currently empty, and its owners have no objections to you staying there. This will allow you both to be under protection and safe while preparing for the new beginning. And perhaps it will give you time to think about how you want to proceed.

Remus, sitting nearby, added:

— I agree with Dumbledore. It will be better for both of us. And if it helps ensure your safety, Will, then it's worth it. We'll be able to be more prepared for what's ahead.

Will paused for a moment, then nodded, agreeing with the suggestion:

— Alright. If it gives us more safety and time to adjust, I agree.

Dumbledore smiled, as if relieved:

— Thank you, William. I'm sure this will be the best decision for all of us.

Will stood up from his chair and said:

— I need to pack my things.

He went to his room, opened the wardrobe, and took out everything he needed. Soon, his things were neatly packed in a bag, but Will didn't rush to leave. He had one more thing to do.

Going down to the basement, he approached the secret compartment that only he knew about. Inside, he found the family dagger that had belonged to his father. Will carefully pulled it out of the box, feeling the cold metal in his hands. This dagger was part of his heritage, and he didn't want to leave it behind, among the things that now felt so foreign to him. With regret, he packed it into his bag, deciding to keep the weapon with him.

When he returned to the first floor, Dumbledore and Remus were already ready to leave. Dumbledore, with his characteristic calm, began casting protective charms on the house. The magic he used was complex and powerful, creating an invisible shield around the house that would ensure its protection and safety during their absence.

Will stood by the door, where he could see the charms enveloping his home. Every moment of farewell felt heavy to him, but he knew it was necessary. He turned around for one last look at the place that had once been his home. The memories of his loved ones, their laughter and happiness, now seemed distant and elusive.

— Ready? — Remus asked, standing nearby, trying to keep optimism in his voice.

— Yes, — Will replied, casting a final glance at the house. — Let's go.

The three of them, led by Dumbledore, set off for the house on Grimmauld Place, Number 12. Will knew his life had already changed forever, and his journey was just beginning. But he was ready to face the future, even if it wasn't the way he had imagined it before.