Lesson with Lupin

Did you know James?

Yes, I knew your father well. Lupin replied, who still did not accept that Harry called his father James.

Could you tell me about him? What was he like?

Doesn't your aunt ever talk to you about it?

She talks to me about Lily. But as soon as I ask questions about James, she changes the subject.

Well, he looked a lot like you. He was a good and courageous man who knew how to see beyond prejudices. He declared nostalgically whileThinking about how he had included him among the marauders despite his difference.

Wasn't it an arrogant little bully full of prejudice who spent his time harassing my mother and everyone who tried to associate with her, in order to force her to sleep with him? Harry immediately asked, trying to contain his emotion.

Who told you such nonsense? Lupin immediately took offense. But upon reflection, there was only one possibility. So he added:

I thought your aunt never talked to you about your father?

She never talks about it when she knows I'm there. He corrected with mischief. The boy definitely would have had his place in Slytherin. James would have had a heart attack. And Lily would have given her husband a well-deserved slap for daring to think ill of their son.

So why does she think that? Asked the boy with a lot of hope on his face.

Apparently, he was not as indifferent to his biological parents as he wanted to make believe. How on earth was he going to be able to answer her? He couldn't bring himself to tell her the truth. He was so young.

I don't know, but it's totally false. Well, it's true that your father tended to be abrupt and didn't get along with Lily's friends, but he never harassed anyone. It was always limited to some amusing prank and childish quarrels that faded over time. The truth is that we had a good laugh.

Like with Servilus

Yes, like with Servilus. No, wait, that's not what I meant.

But from that moment, he refused to believe his explanations and acted as if the subject was closed. He couldn't believe he had been tricked by an 11-year-old kid. But as a good Gryffindor, Lupin persisted. He didn't want him to keep that image of his father. He wouldn't let him leave until he listened. And like a good Slytherin, Harry eventually gave in:

Okay, but only if you answer another question without lying to me.

Okay, whatever you want?

What does it mean to sleep with him? What did my father want to do to my mother?

As a true Slytherin, he pretended to give in. Lupin would no longer make the mistake of believing him innocent. If he wanted to play this little game with an experienced marauder, then he wouldn't be disappointed. He began to tell him in great detail what James wanted to do to his mother.

A few minutes later, Petunia saw Harry arrive at her house in tears and run to his room. He was followed 10 minutes later by a completely breathless Remus Lupin who was shouting that he was sorry.

Lupin had to face the facts: Harry wasn't pretending to be innocent this time. He was only 11 years old after all.