How to Save a Life (The High Enough Crescendo) [Harry Potter; Remus Lupin, original character, gen]

[melle-mal.livejournal.com]

Title: How to Save a Life (The High Enough Crescendo)
Author: lupinslittlesis
Summary: Working for Werewolf Support Services might have been one step up from being a werewolf yourself, but Alastair Finch wouldn't have wanted to work anywhere else.
Rating: PG
Fandom: Harry Potter
Title, Author and URL of original story: The original story (and the summary, which I totally stole) was written by rian219 and is titled High Hopes.




His mother's friend Dotty looked down at him over her glasses. "You work where?"

"Werewolf Support Services," Alastair Finch answered calmly as he took off his cloak and sat beside his mother.

Dotty shuddered delicately. "Working with such awful beasts would give me nightmares."

He decided not to tell her that working there had made his own nightmares stop.

***

"Mr. and Mrs. Lestrange, please come with me." Alastair smiled at the young couple who stood in the waiting room anxiously, clearly uncomfortable. They both held the hands of a five-year-old boy, who looked absolutely terrified and very, very pale. He'd been released from St. Mungo's yesterday, his chart said. Alastair sighed. Stupid regulations. The kid looked like he could use a solid week in his own bed, the attentions of a teddy bear and a grandmother wielding chicken noodle soup, and hugs and kisses and reassurances.

But then, he looked better than most children that had been attacked. At least he was still alive. Alastair pulled up a smile for the boy.

"Hello, John," he said, extending his hand. "My name is Alastair Finch. I'm going to be one of the people you see all the time, and I hope we can be friends."

The boy nodded slowly. He had sandy brown hair like his mother and big, sad amber eyes like his father. The father, Damien, the chart said, sat with his arms crossed, glaring at Alastair from behind wire-rimmed spectacles. Alastair swallowed and reminded himself just how rare this couple was.

"Now," he said, consulting his charts. "Marilyn, I see that you are a Muggle, am I correct?"

"Yes."

"And you are a … a chemist?"

"Yes." She named a company that Alastair had never heard of, but from her manner it was clear he should have.

"I see. I have to apologize, Marilyn, I'm not sure what a chemist is."

He was right; Marilyn thawed far more easily than Damien. "Oh! Of course. It's sort of like Potions, from what I understand, but without magic. To make a long explanation very short, I try to make new plastics."

"I see." Truthfully, the thought set his head reeling, but it also wasn't important. "So you do have a very steady job in the Muggle world?"

"Steady enough," Marilyn said. "If I were to lose it," she glanced at Damien, "it would be for a far more mundane reason, and I'm sure I could find another one."

"Excellent. Damien, I understand you are an Auror?"

"Not anymore," Damien growled.

Alastair raised his eyebrows. They worked fast. "I'm very sorry to hear that. Are you employed?"

"Yes," he said grudgingly. "I'm still working for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."

"I see. If you could forward your new papers to me once you have them, I'd be most appreciative. Now, you know that the Registry requires that each werewolf be renamed, for better identification."

Marilyn looked away and Damien's face hardened. John leaned against his mother. "I don't want to change my name," he said. "I like my name."

"Well, you can keep it as a middle name," Alastair suggested. "That's what a lot of werewolves do." When they bothered to follow it at all. Oh, sure, they all did it on paper, but the practice was designed to warn the general populous that the bearer was a werewolf. It was no wonder the victims weren't leaping to obey.

"We had a hard time thinking of a first name," Marilyn admitted. "We wanted something that complies with your regulation, but wasn't too obvious. And you have no idea how hard it was to come up with a name the first time around."

Alastair pulled out his list of accepted names. "I certainly understand," he said. "What about Adolf?"

"No," Marilyn snapped, and belatedly Alastair remembered his Muggle Studies classes. "Of course not. Leavitt? It means wolf cub." John wrinkled his nose, and Alastair laughed. "All right then. How about Lowell? Rafe? Remus? Syaoran? Ulf?"

"Remus is okay," John admitted. He looked at his parents. Damien shrugged and Marilyn nodded.

"You're old enough to choose," she said.

The boy sighed. "It's better than anything else you said. But I want to keep my name."

"Very well." Alastair wrote Remus John down on the form. "And have you decided on the last name?"

Damien looked up. "Lupin," he said. "But we're all changing it. We're all going to be Lupins."

It might be unprofessional, and certainly unmanly, but Alastair had to wipe away a tear.

***

Rolf McKinnon came in after the family had left. "How'd it go?" he asked Alastair, handing him a cup of tea. Alastair drank it down gratefully and Alvin produced a refill.

"Far better than I expected," he said. "They're going to keep him."

"You think it's for good? They all say that, but after the first transformation they change their tune very quickly. You know how it goes."

"I know. How many hours have I spent complaining about it? But the parents, they changed their last name, too."

Rolf whistled through his teeth. "You're right," he agreed. "They're going to keep him." He pulled the file to him, then raised his cup. "To the Lupins."

"To the Lupins," Alastair agreed.

***

Alastair couldn't sleep that night. He kept wondering what he could do to help make things easier for the Lupins. They deserved it.

That kind of devotion was rare. The wizarding world in general had such a fear of werewolves, and a vivid memory of a flayed body reminded Alastair that it wasn't invalid. And Rolf was right. So often, after that first transformation, parents, children, brothers … sisters … they gave up on the person who'd been bitten. It was too hard, too scary, and it defied everything they knew. Everything they believed.

The Lestranges-now-Lupins were willing to defy everyone and everything in order to keep their son with them.

He shuffled out of bed and went over to pull out the file he'd found when he'd cleared out his mother's things. Pictures and articles and an obituary … he stared at them all for a long time, wishing his mother had had even a fraction of the courage that this couple possessed. But he still didn't know what to do.

***

"But why would you do something like that?" Dotty asked him. "It's career suicide!"

"Not really," Alastair said as pleasantly as possible. "It's probably the most secure job in the entire Ministry, unfortunately."

"But no decent woman is ever going to want to marry a man who works with those beasts!"

"Your definition of 'decent' and mine are different, then," he replied. "My girlfriend is in Goblin Liasons. She understands better than most people."

Dotty looked at his mother. His mother simply shrugged. But Alastair noticed the smile playing at the corner of her lips.

***

"Remus, we're running behind today," Alastair told the young boy. "Can you go with Mr. McKinnon for your physical, and I'll talk to your father?"

Rolf held out his hand and smiled, and Remus nodded solemnly. "All right."

"I want to see you afterwards," Alastair shouted after them. "I have some caramel cremes that need a home!"

Damien was watching Alastair levelly. "The waiting room is nearly empty."

"I know. But I felt it was better perhaps if you and I had this conversation alone. Would you like tea?" Alastair led the way into his office and poured the tea anyway, adding two sugars and a generous splash of milk.

Damien was looking better these days, Alastair thought. He noticed the man's cuffs were still slightly frayed and the robe was a little worn, but he didn't have that awful, desperate look he'd had a few years ago. "I see you've been to St. Mungo's again recently. How's your heart?"

"It's fine." Damien was a very young man to have suffered a heart attack, but then, when your son is chased into the woods by rock-throwing cretins and disappears for three days, it's certainly a reasonable response.

"I'm glad to hear that," Alastair said. "And Marilyn? How is she settling into her new job?"

Damien's smile was much more genuine this time. "Very well, thank you. She likes the university she's lecturing at, and it looks promising that she could have a long tenure there."

"I see you're all moved into your house, too?"

"Yes. No neighbors, which is good. You're coming around to inspect the shed tomorrow?"

"Yes. Hopefully you'll be able to stay for a while."

"I hope so," Damien said wistfully.

"And Remus's primary schooling?"

"We contacted Lupita Grauzurück, like you suggested. My wife's been pleased."

"And you?"

Damien shrugged. "She's the educator."

They both chuckled. "Speaking of schooling," Alastair began, "I know you told me Remus showed signs of magic before he was bitten. Have you seen any signs recently?"

Damien's face hardened, but he nodded. "We still have a flock of butterflies every time Marilyn attempts to serve carrots."

"You think she'd quit," Alastair said with a smile, but Damien said nothing. Alastair could understand. "I wanted you to know that I plan on writing to the Headmaster of Hogwarts. I want to explain Remus's case. I have ideas for how he could attend school safely, and --"

Damien shook his head. "Dippet will never let him in."

"Do you have objections to me trying?"

"It's your time to waste."

"All right then. I'll keep you informed."

"Don't. We'll know if he's accepted. I don't want to hear what that old fool will call my son otherwise."

***

Dear Headmaster Dippet,

I am writing in regards to Remus John Lupin (formerly John Lestrange). As I am sure you aware, Remus has significant magical ability. I am sure you are also aware that the child is a werewolf.

I realize that the boy is only eight, and is not eligible for admittance to Hogwarts for three years yet, but in this rare instance, I think it is best to act well ahead of time, as safety precautions must be taken.

As you are aware, I have no doubt, it is rare that a child bitten by a werewolf survives. It is even rarer that the child remains in his or her parents' care. My records indicate that no other werewolf has attended Hogwarts after they were bitten; however, my records also indicate that there have been very few children who survived to have the option.

Remus Lupin has not only survived a frequently deadly condition with strength and courage, but he is also a strong student. I have attached copies of reports from his tutor, and as you can see, the boy is quite bright. I have also attached his father's statements concerning his accidental use of magic. This is a boy who deserves an education.

It would be a small matter to keep other children safe. A werewolf is only dangerous when transformed, and that would be one night a month. At present, the Lupins confine Remus to a shed. While the experience is immensely unpleasant and Remus requires medical treatment afterwards, it serves its purpose and no one else is harmed or infected. At a school such as Hogwarts, Remus's situation would undoubtedly improve, particularly as he would have access to better medical care. While the days before the transformation may sap his strength, I have every confidence that Remus could keep up with his studies.

I've studied the layout of Hogwarts, and come up with what I believe to be an eminently reasonable plan. The old Karstark house has been abandoned for more than twenty-two years after Richard committed suicide. Despite the rather benevolent nature of most ghosts, people avoid the place as if it were a Muggle haunted house. I might suggest that the reputation of the place and its isolation from Hogsmeade or Hogwarts would make the house ideal for containing a transformed werewolf, particularly after other protective measures are taken?

I realize it would be an effort for all involved, but I think that denying this young man an education would be a real injustice. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Alastair Finch.

***

Headmaster Dippet never did respond.

***

"Your girlfriend really doesn't mind that you work for Werewolf Support Services? Is she one of those beasts herself?"

"Hardly. She's just a very compassionate person."

His mother rallied. "She's also Muggle-born. But really, Dotty, she is a very nice girl. And at Alastair's age … I mean, I do hope to see grandchildren someday. Time is running out."

"You're exaggerating, Mother. But, well, that's part of what I'm here to tell you."

His mother gasped and rose to her feet, delight in her eyes. "Oh, Alastair, really?"

"Really."

***

It was a rainy day -- Alastair remembered it very well. It was the sort of rain that felt like it would pour steadily, forever and ever. Not that Werewolf Support Services merited much of a window, but he had been drenched in it coming in, and the dripping of his umbrella and cloak reminded him all day. It was the kind of day for curling up in bed with a mug of hot chocolate and a good novel. Which was why he was so surprised when 11-year-old Remus Lupin positively bounced in for his appointment, beaming.

"You look happy today, young Remus," he said.

The boy grinned, a huge grin that startled Alastair, who'd always thought of him as a somber, serious child. "I'm a Wizard! I'm going to Hogwarts!"

Alastair knew, of course. Headmaster Dippet had never answered his numerous letters, but once Albus Dumbledore was promoted to Headmaster, he did. And he met the case with far more compassion and vision that Alastair ever would have hoped. But this child -- all hope and smiles and glowing eyes -- didn't need to know those details. "Is that right? That'd be about right, with you being eleven now and all. You've got lots of preparing to do. What House do you think you'll be in, then?"

Remus shrugged, still beaming, and reached for the sweets bowl Alastair kept on his desk, chomping a caramel industriously as he kicked the legs of his chair with his feet. "I don't know," he said with his mouth full. "My dad was in Ravenclaw, so maybe I'll be in that one."

Alastair smiled again as Remus shoved some more sweets in his mouth and started chewing them enthusiastically. "Maybe you will be. I was in Ravenclaw myself."

Remus' eyes grew as round as saucers, and Alastair had to stifle a laugh at how comical he looked. "You were? I'll bet I am, then!"

Alastair did laugh then, he couldn't help it. "Maybe you will be. There's no telling, really, until that Sorting Hat is on your head."

"Yeah." Remus nodded, then smiled brightly again. "It doesn't matter anyway, because wherever I am, I'll get to learn magic!"

Alastair laughed again. "Yes, you certainly will."


***

After Remus left, the light and joy drained out of the room, leaving it a dull gray. Alastair idly looked at the calendar, and then it hit him.

Uncle Donovan had died twenty years ago today.

Well. That explained a lot. Alastair sighed and stood up, kicking his desk.

"I'm going out," he yelled to Rolf, and pulled on his still sodden cloak.

He didn't know where he was going, or at least, he didn't plan it. It was really the kind of day where one should visit the grave of their loved one, but there hadn't been enough of a body left to bury. Besides, the Werewolf Capture Unit had "taken care" of his uncle's remains.

He found himself in the neighborhood of his childhood home. It had changed, naturally, in the fifteen years since his parents had moved, ever since Alastair had left Hogwarts and started his own life. But the house was still there, wedged between a white house resplendent with lawn trash and a green house still sporting Christmas lights. Judging from the state of repair and the grooming of the garden, the wizarding family in residence was more meticulous than the neighbors.

He didn't see signs of people home, so he let himself into the garden and walked around back. This was where they'd found Uncle Donovan. The picture was still ever so vivid in Alastair's mind, which was funny, because those nightmares had been fading ever since he started working at Werewolf Support Services. Ever since he'd started making a difference. But yet, when he stood there, he felt nothing. No feeling of hallowed ground, no sacred peace flooding him. Only disgust at his mental image, and the vague urge to cry.

He Apparated away.

Should he have been surprised when he appeared in front of the old Karstark house? Probably not. But he was. He turned and walked towards Hogwarts, ignoring the rain that was now trickling down his neck.

"Alastair," Headmaster Dumbledore said when Alastair arrived in his office. "I rather thought I might see you in here."

"Really? I'm glad one of us did."

"I believe you saw young Mr. Lupin today."

The sun came out again, and Alastair realized he knew exactly why he was here. "Yes. And I wanted to thank you, Headmaster, for admitting Remus to school. You have no idea how much it means to me."

Dumbledore raised a bushy eyebrow. "To you?" he asked with an amused air. "I was under the impression your education was complete."

"Do we ever stop learning?" Alastair riposted, and was rewarded with a chuckle. "No, it meant a lot to me. You see, I take my work seriously."

"I know you do. That's why I opened your letter."

There was something about Dumbledore that inspired confession. "When I started, I thought, if I could just save one. If I could just give one a better life, it would all be worth it. And since I've started, I've done all I could, but it was never enough. But this time, maybe someone is doing enough. So thank you."

He pulled his cloak closed, bowed to Dumbledore, and walked out before the Headmaster could say a word. After all, who wanted to have the most powerful wizard in Great Britain see him cry?

***

Alastair's mother was still hugging him. She'd hugged him when he told her the due date, the wedding plans, the flat they'd selected, and what they'd done to prepare for the baby's arrival. "And names?" she asked. "Do you have names?"

"Not for a girl, not yet. But if it's a boy, we're going to name him Donovan. Donovan Remus Finch."

Tears filled her eyes as she kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you," she whispered, so softly he could barely hear it. "Thank you."

Alastair smiled.

Comments

[47-trek-47.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is excellent. Wonderful use of an original character, and I absolutely loved the depth you gave to him and to his career. One of the most interesting, deep parts of JK Rowling's world, IMO, is the dark side, the prejudice. This dealt with that beautifully.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. The OC (which rian219 created) was what drew me to this particular story in the first place.

Thanks again!

[castaliae.livejournal.com]

I always liked the first sorry and this one is such a wonderful addition. Thanks.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I was very impressed by the first story, too. Glad you enjoyed it!

[such_heights]

Completely wonderful! I adore the explanation for Remus' name (one of canon's oddities), that's great. And excitable young Remus is adorable, too. An excellent OC portrayal, and a very fine story all round!

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much!

I could have handled Remus's name if Fenrir Greyback hadn't existed. At that point you just have to really wonder, don't you? :)

Glad you enjoyed it!

[sunisshiningnow.livejournal.com]

yeah! I always thought the whole wolfy name thing was just a coincidence until he turned up! I mean Fenrir? Greyback? no kidding - there's gotta be something more to it :D
&& loved the story by the way - getting to imagine remus' past is always interesting, and in this case, kinda cute (wait a sec, cute? in the middle of an angsty fic? omg - hallelujah :D)

[lilacsigil.livejournal.com]

Wherever there's prejudice, there's people like Alastair working against it, even as he is part of the system. I loved the backstory, and his superficially disapproving mother, and the way Remus's story tracks against Alastair's. Wonderful remix of a wonderful fic.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! The character of Alastair was what really drew me to this fic- he was such a well-written OC. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[rian219.livejournal.com]

Thank you, mystery remixer! I must admit that when I thought about what story of mine someone might remix I didn't think about this one, because I thought that most would prefer to stay away from a story that had such a large OC component. But you've done such a lovely job with Alastair, a really lovely job, of him and of the whole fic.

And also - my heart. The way they all change their names to stay a family, and the way Remus turns his carrots into butterflies, bless him. And the way you weaved in more of the uncle, and Dumbledore as well, was really lovely. You did a great job. I loved it. Thanks so much!

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

::phew:: :) I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I was a little worried because of the OC, but he's such a wonderful character... I couldn't really resist it. I was going to do The Tyranny of Petty Things, but just couldn't get into the angle I'd picked, and clicked on this just for fun. I'm glad I did- it was a fantastic story and great fun to work with.

Thanks so much, and thanks for writing such a great story to work with!

[rian219.livejournal.com]

I was going to do The Tyranny of Petty Things, but just couldn't get into the angle I'd picked

That happened to me with magnetic_pole's fics, too. There were quite a few false starts before I hit on the story that worked for me. Maybe that's a common thing when doing remix, I don't know. This year was the first time I'd done it.

And thanks so much for saying that he's a good character, and not a Mary Sue. This fic was born out of an omniocular prompt, but it was only after I took it that I realised just how big a role the OC was going to have to play, and I freaked out all over the place. But it turned out OK, it got a good reception at the time, and you've done some lovely things with him too. Thanks again!

[st-aurafina.livejournal.com]

Lovely! I love the story of the Lupins, and what they gave up to remain together as a family - it fits snugly besides Alastair's commitment to helping people who had been bitten.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

I've been thinking the Lupins really must be exceptional. I mean, Fenrir likes biting kids, right? I'm sure a lot of them die, but then he takes them and raises them in the wild. And then add in that it sure seems like Remus is the only werewolf to have ever attended Hogwarts as a werewolf (unless someone's done it with Wolfsbane). To me, that's implying that most parents whose kids survive don't keep them, or don't make a huge effort to get them back from Greyback. The Lupins must have really been something else.

Thanks for reading! :)

[fleshdress.livejournal.com]

That was a really interesting look at a missing part of canon! And you wrote an awesome OC, very real. :)

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! The OC rian219 wrote was what really drew me to this fic.

Glad you enjoyed it!

[wisdomeagle]

Oh, awesome. You did marvelous things with the original fic -- and them all changing their names (which has the added bonus of, hem, solving Jo's interesting naming choices) was just great. Thanks for writing. :)

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. And yeah, I could handle Remus Lupin, but Fenrir Greyback as well? It starts to get to be too much. Eek. :)

Thanks for reading!

[sambethe.livejournal.com]

As others have said, this is a very nice use of an OC. This was a very enjoyable read!

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks muchly! I really liked the OC, too- he was what made me want to remix this particular fic. Glad you enjoyed it!

[paranoidangel]

I like that look as life in the Werewolf Support Services.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[archon-mentha.livejournal.com]

This is just absolutely beautiful. I love the POV character and the history, the details of their world.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! I liked the OC too- he was what drew me to this fic. Glad you enjoyed it!

[rynne.livejournal.com]

I love the explanation of Remus's name--it makes so much more sense than his parents just naming him that, and it's something I can totally see the Ministry making him do. And Remus's parents are so, so awesome for changing their names too.

This was such a good fic! Wonderful use of the original character, and I loved that you added more background to Alastair's relationship with Remus to the scenes from the original fic. Really, really lovely job. :)

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! I really enjoyed remixing this fic, and I'm glad people have been liking the results, especially since the original was such an awesome fic. Glad you enjoyed it! :)

[louve-mae.livejournal.com]

Such a beautiful and very touching story. Bravo! I never read the original story, but I will go and read it now, quite definitely. I love how the Remix concept leads us to discover not only one but two great stories. :)

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! Definitely read the original- she went a lot further in Remus's life than I did, and it's a beautiful story. I agree- it's a great way to discover new authors :)

Glad you enjoyed it!

[cristiline.livejournal.com]

Oh! This is wonderful! I don't usually like OC fics, but this was just fantastic! Seeing Remus so young just brings tears to my eyes. And I was so pissed off about werewolves needing to change their names! I just love this!