10_letters: 096. Promise
September 1993
Dear James and Lily,
I never thought I would ever write these next few words, because the possibility was far too small for me to actually consider them, but... I am writing to you from Hogwarts. Dumbledore was kind enough to offer me a teaching position at the school and, after giving it some thought, I agreed. Merlin, that probably makes me sound as if I had plenty of things to choose from and therefore the choice must have been a hard one, but I just... I had far too many doubts in my mind before I agreed. I still do, actually, but I am here nonetheless and quite determined to do the best I can.
A big reason for that, I must admit, is because by becoming the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor I also became Harry's professor. I got the chance to talk to him on the train, so I didn't even have to wait to get to the castle. At first I was not sure if I would be able to recognize him among the other students, since the last time I had seen him was when he was a year old, but I knew who he was at once. Instead of it being hard to recognize him, it would be hard not to recognize him. James, he looks so much like you that I have caught myself doing a double-take at times. Thankfully I am discreet about it and he hasn't noticed. I hope so, at least. And, Lily, as much as he may look like James, his eyes are yours. He's also a Gryffindor, but that is definitely not surprising. It really would be impossible for anyone to not know that you two are his parents.
I want you to know that I will look after him for as long as I am here, as best as I can. I have been away for the past twelve years, and I am rather ashamed and guilty that I did not even try to contact him in all this time. I had my reasons, of course, but right now they seem...well, stupid. He's your son, and the two of you were two of my best friends; I should have at least written him every once in a while. I started to, many times, but... It sounds like another stupid excuse, but I was going through a very rough time and me being near him then wouldn't have done any good.
Things will be different, however. I assure you of that. I will be a good professor to him, and I will look after him. I promise. If there is anything I can do for him, I will do it. Not only because he is your son and because Harry James Potter deserves the best, but he is an exceptional young man. We have had two class sessions already, and he is very bright, he is kind... I see so much of both of you in him. I know that, where you are, you two must be so very proud.
I love you both, and you are both very missed. And I will hold my promise. Always.
- Remus
Dear James and Lily,
I never thought I would ever write these next few words, because the possibility was far too small for me to actually consider them, but... I am writing to you from Hogwarts. Dumbledore was kind enough to offer me a teaching position at the school and, after giving it some thought, I agreed. Merlin, that probably makes me sound as if I had plenty of things to choose from and therefore the choice must have been a hard one, but I just... I had far too many doubts in my mind before I agreed. I still do, actually, but I am here nonetheless and quite determined to do the best I can.
A big reason for that, I must admit, is because by becoming the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor I also became Harry's professor. I got the chance to talk to him on the train, so I didn't even have to wait to get to the castle. At first I was not sure if I would be able to recognize him among the other students, since the last time I had seen him was when he was a year old, but I knew who he was at once. Instead of it being hard to recognize him, it would be hard not to recognize him. James, he looks so much like you that I have caught myself doing a double-take at times. Thankfully I am discreet about it and he hasn't noticed. I hope so, at least. And, Lily, as much as he may look like James, his eyes are yours. He's also a Gryffindor, but that is definitely not surprising. It really would be impossible for anyone to not know that you two are his parents.
I want you to know that I will look after him for as long as I am here, as best as I can. I have been away for the past twelve years, and I am rather ashamed and guilty that I did not even try to contact him in all this time. I had my reasons, of course, but right now they seem...well, stupid. He's your son, and the two of you were two of my best friends; I should have at least written him every once in a while. I started to, many times, but... It sounds like another stupid excuse, but I was going through a very rough time and me being near him then wouldn't have done any good.
Things will be different, however. I assure you of that. I will be a good professor to him, and I will look after him. I promise. If there is anything I can do for him, I will do it. Not only because he is your son and because Harry James Potter deserves the best, but he is an exceptional young man. We have had two class sessions already, and he is very bright, he is kind... I see so much of both of you in him. I know that, where you are, you two must be so very proud.
I love you both, and you are both very missed. And I will hold my promise. Always.
- Remus