Moonlight and Roses

A Remus Lupin Romance

Chapter 1

A smile lit his face as Hogwarts came into view. He thought back to the last time he had been to the school, "Three years ago when Ginny Weasley, now Ginny Potter had graduated," He thought to himself. His thoughts drifting away from the castle and the carriage he was riding in were carrying him to, and to Harry and Ginny. They had gotten married a year after she had graduated, and he had stood in for Harry's parents and godfather. After Sirius had died in the Department of Mysteries, Remus was the only one of his parent's friends that Harry had left, and they had become very close. When the final battle between Harry and Voldemort had come, Remus was one of the few people standing beside Harry. He had grieved with Harry and the Weasley's when they had lost one of their own during that battle. He still rejoiced that they had not lost more, the entire family had been in the battle and of the nine Weasley's, only one had lost their life*. There were many losses that day, Filius Flitwick, Severus Snape, Mundungus Fletcher, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Cho Chang, and Bill Weasley, just to name a few. They had almost lost Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, and Nymphadora Tonks. Most of the credit for those three surviving was given to the five people that had surrounded Harry. Ron and Ginny Weasley, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, and himself, they had all been hailed as heroes. The five of them had all turned at the last moment, and with Harry, and sent six killing curses directly at Voldemort. About six months later, Arthur Weasley had been elected Minister of Magic, and had passed a law giving Remus, as a werewolf, more rights. He also made it illegal to discriminate against most magical creatures.

*(I hate the thought of losing any Weasley I love them all. But with all 9 of them in the battle, the odds are against them; so I felt that I had to, to make it more realistic, kill one of them off. *Sobs*)

He was jerked back to the present when the carriage arrived in front of the school, leaving the newly appointed Professor off at the steps that lead to the front door of the castle. He walked quickly up the steps and went inside, Albus Dumbledore was waiting inside the door for him to arrive. "Remus, so wonderful to see you, I trust that you had a good trip," The older man said, grasping his hand. "The rest of the staff is in the Great Hall, awaiting your arrival."

"Thank you Albus, my trip was uneventful, and it is wonderful to see you, too." Remus told him, turning with Albus and heading for the Great Hall.

"How are Harry and Ginny?" he asked, putting his hand on Remus' shoulder, "And the rest of the Weasley Clan? I hear that Ron and Hermione are having another little one," He laughed. They reached the doors of the Great Hall and they opened for them to continue inside.

As they walked toward the staff table, Remus answered, "Ron and Hermione are expecting number three and four. Arthur and Molly are ecstatic, that will make numbers 17 and 18."

Albus looked at him over his half-moon spectacles, a twinkle in his blue eyes, "I can only count 16, did I miss two somewhere?" Albus asked.

Remus grinned, "Harry and Ginny are expecting twins, they're due a month or so before Ron and Hermione's twins,"

Albus laughed, "There will be Potter's and Weasley's here long after I have left." He continued forward, motioning for Remus to follow him.

"Remus, wonderful to see you," Minerva told him, reaching over and patting his arm. "I am so glad that you decided to take the Defense post. I will only be teaching a few classes this year, seventh years only. I am going to be taking over some of Albus' workload, to make the transition easier next year."

"What transition Minerva?" he asked, looking from her to Albus.

"She is speaking of my Retirement next year. This will be my final year as headmaster of Hogwarts." Albus told him, smiling gently.

"Who will be teaching transfiguration?" he asked, just as the doors to the Great Hall flew open. A blur of black and pink came flying toward the staff table.

"Albus, I am so sorry that I'm late," Nymphadora Tonks stated as she flew up the center of the room, tripping on her robes and tumbling face first into Remus. He fell backward, and landed on his back, Tonks sprawled across his chest. "Quite alright my dear girl, I see that you have literally run into Remus," He chuckled, looking down at the two new staff members.

"Remus?" she asked, looking up from her position, "Oh it is so good to see you," She jumped up and extended her hand to help him up.

"Nymphadora, how have you been?" he asked, taking her hand and pulling him self up. He looked over at Albus.

"Professor Tonks will be teaching transfiguration to the first through to sixth year classes," Albus told him, seeing the questioning look in his eyes.

"I thought that you were an Auror?" he said, brushing off his robes and indicating for her to precede him to the table for lunch.

"There wasn't much for me to do, aside from desk work. I figured that if I was going to be sitting at a desk, I should at least enjoy it," She told him, throwing herself down on the chair and reaching for the chicken.

Remus looked over at the pretty transfiguration professor and smiled, "This is going to be an interesting year," he thought to himself.