Chapter 38: Thank You, Riddle
"Thank you, Riddle."
Early in the morning, as soon as she returned to the tavern, Lyra happily wrote in the diary.
"What happened?" Riddle replied quickly. "Did you kill the beast?"
"Huh?" Lyra blinked in surprise, then quickly wrote, "That beast wasn't just anyone, it was Mr. Lupin."
"..."
Riddle was silent for a long time, long enough for Lyra to wonder if he had died again.
"I see," he finally replied. "Then, why are you thanking me?"
"If you hadn't told me, Mr. Riddle, I probably wouldn't have known Mr. Lupin's true identity, and I wouldn't have been able to help him," Lyra continued writing. "Besides, I promised Mr. Lupin I would help him brew the Wolfsbane Potion."
"Thank you so much, Mr. Riddle!"
"There is nothing to thank me for." Riddle's attitude seemed a bit strange. Was he being awkward?
Lyra pressed her lips together and thought for a few seconds. She had a vague idea why.
Maybe Mr. Riddle is blaming himself?
He thought a beast had taken Mr. Lupin, but it turned out to be Mr. Lupin himself...
"It's okay, Mr. Riddle. Mr. Lupin wasn't hurt," Lyra wrote, trying to comfort him. "We're both very grateful to you."
"Did you tell Lupin about me?" Riddle replied instantly this time. He seemed very sensitive about this.
"No, I didn't," Lyra tapped her quill lightly. "Because I felt I should get your permission first."
Although Mr. Riddle was just a memory, Lyra felt he might not be the type who liked making friends.
A solitary genius!
The image instantly formed in her mind.
"That is good," Riddle's reply confirmed Lyra's guess. "Do not tell anyone about me."
"I am merely a memory."
Of course. What else would you be?
Lyra smiled and nodded. She was especially happy today. She knew Mr. Lupin's secret, she felt closer to him, and she had finally said the words she had always wanted to say.
"Because we are friends!"
That line was so cool. Lyra had always hoped for a chance to say it. And she felt she could finally help Mr. Lupin.
She just needed to brew the Wolfsbane Potion... This potion had been invented while Lyra was unconscious, but she had read about the brewing method when she had nothing else to do.
She had even tried it a little.
Brewing it for Mr. Lupin wouldn't be difficult... Of course, provided she had a cauldron and the right ingredients first.
But she was penniless. Her few remaining Galleons weren't enough to buy expensive ingredients... I'll just have to wait until I run into Dumbledore again.
I'll ask him for an advance on a few months' salary... even though I've already gotten quite a few advances.
Shaking her head, Lyra slowly closed the diary. Checking the time, Miss Lovegood should be arriving soon.
She needed to prepare for the final steps of the communication wristbands...
Just as she was thinking this, a knock came at the door, and Miss Lovegood pushed it open and walked in.
"Did something happen outside?" Luna asked, tilting her head as soon as she entered.
"N... Nothing..." Feeling a bit guilty, Lyra instinctively lowered her head, not daring to look into Luna's spirited eyes.
"Is that so..." Luna seemed to understand something. She skipped over to Lyra and reached out to pinch Lyra's pointed ear.
"Ngh!" Lyra stumbled back with a yelp. "Miss Love... Miss Lovegood!"
Seeing Lyra's flushed face, Luna smirked. "From now on, every time Lyra lies to me, I'll pinch your ear."
"S... Sorry..." Lyra didn't want to lie to Luna, but this wasn't her secret to tell. Casually revealing Mr. Lupin's business didn't seem right.
"It's not... not my... business..." Her quiet protest made Luna tilt her head again. "Does it affect you, Lyra?"
"Maybe...?"
"Then it is my business," Luna's ethereal voice echoed in the room. "After all, we're friends, aren't we?"
Why are you stealing my line... That's the line I saved up courage for so long to say, and you just say it so easily?
But honestly, Miss Lovegood's words were incredibly effective. Lyra's face turned even redder, and she felt even more embarrassed.
"If you really need help, tell me then," seeing Lyra's distress, Luna considerately stood on tiptoe and leaned close to Lyra's ear. "It's your little secret!"
"Ah, I love secrets," Luna nodded. "Just like I love the Crumple-Horned Snorkack!"
"I..." Being suddenly so close, Lyra stammered, unable to speak. Feeling the warm breath against her ear, she felt her brain short-circuit.
She needed time to reboot...
"When are you going to start crafting?"
Miss Lovegood's question was an excellent reboot prompt. Lyra shook her head to clear it.
"How about... right... right now?"
"Okay!"
.....
"Does Miss Hamilton know?" Watching Lupin's face, which, though tired, held a faint smile, Dumbledore nodded gently. "And the outcome seems far less pessimistic than you expected."
"Correct." Lupin pressed his lips together, his smile fading slightly. "Miss Hamilton isn't afraid of me... In fact... nothing changed."
"That means she has always considered you a friend," Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. "That is a good thing, isn't it?"
"For both you and her."
"Yes." Lupin nodded and slowly sat down in the chair across from Dumbledore.
"Then... Remus, what brings you here?" Dumbledore asked slowly. "Miss Hamilton still needs your care."
"I came to tell you my thoughts," Lupin said seriously, pressing his lips together. "I want to investigate... matters concerning him."
Dumbledore's expression turned serious. He pondered for a few seconds before saying, "Matters concerning Voldemort are dangerous."
"And it shouldn't be you, Remus... Your health..."
"Miss Hamilton said she would help me brew the Wolfsbane Potion," Lupin said. "And I want to repay her."
"So I hope you can offer me a new job. I need more Galleons."
A new job?
Indeed... looking after Miss Hamilton and observing her before she entered Hogwarts was a job Dumbledore had given Lupin. Although the pay wasn't much, Lupin was extremely grateful for it.
And now, Lupin seemed to feel that this job no longer had value.
"Is that so?" Dumbledore nodded gently. Lupin's words gave him pause for thought.
"You are right, Remus," Dumbledore nodded. "If Miss Hamilton is willing to help you with the Wolfsbane Potion..."
"I am certainly willing to offer you a new job. A new job for the Order of the Phoenix." Dumbledore lowered his voice. "Before Quirrell returned to the school, he traveled to the forests of Albania."
"I understand," Lupin nodded lightly. "I will go there and investigate."
"However, regarding Miss Hamilton..." Dumbledore said hesitantly.
"I trust her, Headmaster," Lupin smiled faintly. "Just as you said, she is far stronger than we imagine."