Chapter One: Owl Post

Remus Lupin sat at the desk in his tiny flat, going through the Daily Prophet in search of a job. He had recently lost his last job, once again, to the fact that he was a registered werewolf. He sighed and glanced out the window, certain that there was no one advertising in the Prophet that would want to hire him. It was still too soon after his condition was last found out.

He was about to return to the newspaper when movement caught his eye. Remus looked more closely and jumped up to open the window as his owl soared in. He sighed again, thinking, Just another bill I'll have to scrape up money for. He took the envelope, turned it over and dropped it. The Hogwarts crest grinned up at him from the wax sealing the letter closed.

I must be dreaming, Remus thought. What could Hogwarts want with me? I graduated sixteen long years ago. They couldn't possibly want anything from me. But the werewolf had to believe that he was not dreaming, because he was on his feet, and his owl, Stardom, was staring at him with unblinking eyes, expecting praise for delivering the letter. Stardom, at least, saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Slowly, Remus bent to pick up the fallen envelope and opened it with shaking hands. His heart was beating very fast. It had been a long time since he had heard anything from Dumbledore. If this is even from Dumbledore, Remus thought, determined not to get his hopes up. He unfolded the parchment and read it, trying to restrain the rising excitement and wild hope that was filling him.

Dear Mr. Lupin,

Upon receiving word of your recent unemployment, I immediately decided to write. Once again, I have found myself short a staff member and would like to offer the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher to you. I have not forgotten your condition, as I believe that itis the regretful reason for your loss of work. I have spoken to the staff, and although some members have voiced slight objections, I am certain that it is nothing that cannot be overcome.

I have also spoken to an old classmate of yours who works here. He is the Potions master, and more than capable of providing you with Wolfsbane every month. Though I know there was a certain enmity between your friends and his, I hope that time may have healed some old grievances, and that the two of you will be able to at least tolerate each other's presence. That said, the Shrieking Shack is always open as an option as well.

I hope you will seriously consider my offer. Payment will be discussed with your application. Please reply soon, but not hastily. I understand that you have always had a love of teaching, but that you are also well aware of certain, ah, limitations. Please do not let that stop you, though I will understand if you are not comfortable with the position.

My thanks,

Albus Dumbledore

P.S. Do not let this sway you, but I would hate to have to come up with another candidate for the post. I do not wish to make light of a serious situation, but I am most glad that you are available to take my offer. I was starting to worry about not finding anyone qualified to teach. Thank you again.

But could he accept, knowing that if he was not careful he could end up killing, or worse, only mauling a student? He could not force his fate on anyone else. He would not be able to live with that. Well, of course not. The Ministry would kill you anyway, since they don't normally send werewolves to Azkaban. Remus sighed. He would have to think about this. But the hope that had filled him at the second line of the letter would not leave him. Remus found that he could not concentrate on the Prophet anymore. He began to pace, objections and counter-objections turning over and over in his mind. Finally, Remus gave up and collapsed into bed, but it took him a long time to fall asleep.

Remus intended to reply to Dumbledore the next day, but the arrival of the Daily Prophet distracted him. Glaring up from the first page was a skull-like face, with long, tangled hair and dark, bright eyes. The headline read, Black Still At Large. The article started:

Sirius Black, possibly the most infamous prisonerever to be held in Azkaban fortress, is still eluding capture, the Ministry of Magic confirmed today…

Remus winced. He had been trying so hard not to think about his old friend, Sirius Black. He could hardly call Black a friend anymore, not after Black betrayed his best friends, including Remus. Why, why had Sirius escaped now? And how had he done so?

Remus got a sick feeling every time he asked himself that last question. He had a very good idea as to how Sirius had got out, and if he was right… Well, twisted the right way, one could say it was Remus' fault. And the last thing Remus needed was for the world to know that Black was an illegal Animagus because he had befriended a werewolf and had wanted to help him. He was already getting enough looks in the street as it was, because rumor had it that he had been a friend of Black. He was tired of the whispers, the glances.

That was it. None of the students at Hogwarts would know, they wouldn't find out. What about the teachers? His mind asked. He could deal with the teachers as the need arose. Dumbledore trusted him. If that wasn't enough for them, he did not know what was. And so his thoughts came full circle. But this time his mind was made up. He would write to Dumbledore and tell the headmaster that he would take the job.

About a week later, Remus received Dumbledore's reply. The headmaster would be delighted to have Remus teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. Remus would arrive at the school the day before to get settled in his rooms and to meet the other teachers, some for the first time since graduating.

The month until Remus was to start teaching passed slowly. He did not expect another letter from Dumbledore, but a few days before he headed to Hogwarts he received a note.

Remus,

I am sorry to bother you, but I would appreciate it if you could arrive at Hogwarts by the train. The dementors will be searching it for Sirius Black, and I want an adult other than the driver to be there, just in case. The Ministry claims that Black is after Harry Potter, no doubt you have heard the rumors. If Black were to get on the train… Please, if it does not inconvenience you too much I would like you to take the Hogwarts Express. I will see you at the feast. Thank you, and take care.

Albus Dumbledore

Remus replied that he would take the train. He had heard the rumors, and if Black really was after Harry, Remus hoped to do everything in his power to thwart Black. The first day of school would be the likeliest time for Black to strike, before Harry was actually under Dumbledore's watchful eye. If Remus was going to protect Harry, that was as good a time to start as any.