the_debt_of_time

and suddenly the pieces clicked. He laughed, gesturing to the puncture marks around his
neck and the bruise along the side of his jaw from Padfoot's attack. "I've looked worse,
believe me."
Harry frowned. "You've been sacked."
"Resigned, actually," Remus clarified as he threw another book into the smaller of
the two remaining boxes. "It seems that someone has let slip the nature of my condition."
Harry grumbled, "Snape."
The way he had said the name was a reminder that the boy before him
was truly James Potter's son. Remus sighed, hoping that somehow Harry would be able to
overcome any faults he might have inherited from his father, the ego for one. Somehow,
he believed that with Hermione there to temper him, Harry would turn out just fine.
"Whoever." Remus shrugged. "It was bound to get out. This time tomorrow, the
owls will start arriving. Parents will not want a... someone like me teaching their children,"
he said firmly, forcing back the bitterness that was rising inside of him.
A part of him could not blame Snape. Remus had, after all, endangered all of their
lives by not taking his Wolfsbane Potion when it was right in front of him. He tried not to
be angry about the situation, but he had, for the first time in many years, finally felt at
home. Not only that, he felt useful. It did not help him knowing that he was leaving Harry
and Hermione behind... essentially unprotected.
"But Dumbledore―"
"Has already risked enough on my behalf," Remus insisted, cutting Harry off.
"Besides, people like me, well, let's just say I'm used to this by now. But, before I go, tell
me about your Patronus."
"How'd you know about that?"
Remus smirked. "What else could have driven off the dementors?"
"Well," Harry began. "At first I thought it was a horse, or perhaps a unicorn, but I
think it was―"
"A stag," Remus said on a breath. "Your father used to transform into one."
He smiled at the memory of the large animal that had always been so regal and
gentle, at least when he was not charging forward and attempting to stab someone with an
antler in retribution for defiling his sister.