Remus Lupin's once-steaming coffee was now cold, and a piece of toast smothered in marmalade was left half-eaten and forgotten on his plate. His brown-grey hair was tousled and unkempt, and he was dressed in a tattered bathrobe that may have been black once but had been worn to a faded grey. He was alone in his flat, which overlooked a deserted Muggle street. It was quite early in the morning, and the horizon was just beginning to turn a bright pink and orange color, forecasting another bright and sunny summer day.

He was reading the copy of the Daily Prophet that a medium-sized grey owl had delivered to him, having just taken off through the open window, a few more Knuts jangling in its pouch. He looked at the front page only briefly, wincing, thinking that he would read it later, and paged through the rest of it. His eyes came to rest on an article about halfway through the paper, directly above an advertisement for Flourish and Blotts bookshop.

MINISTRY CRACKS DOWN ON DANGEROUS CREATURES

On Thursday, the Ministry of Magic passed a law allowing for background checks of all wizards applying for jobs, as well as those already employed. The bill, written by none other than Ms. Dolores Umbridge, is intended to keep all employees, employers, and all businesses safe. Her primary course of action is to keep werewolves out of the workplace. Though they only transform into wolves but once a month, she – and many other Ministry workers – believe that these transformations are extremely harmful to employees that work with the werewolf, bringing danger into their daily lives.

Many witches and wizards throughout the country are pleased with this new law, as many have been speaking out against werewolves, believing the influence endangers not only themselves, but their families and livelihoods as well. Says Ms. Tracy Ganyor, "I feel much better about allowing my husband to go to work every day with this new law in place. It wasn't that I was really all that worried about him being attacked by werewolves every day, but often if he was working late at night, I would wonder if there was ever even a chance….I feel much more at comfort knowing that there is more security now." Mr. Ogden Kent spoke with a reporter after news of this law had been released from his home in Amesbury. "Creatures such as werewolves deserve no place in the working world. Hard-working wizards should not be cheated out of well-deserved jobs by werewolves, which make employment much more hazardous. Needless to say, I applaud Dolores Umbridge for this new law, very well done indeed."

The law maintains that all employers must conduct background checks and surveys on any and all employees, firing or refusing to hire any that may be dangerous. "The ultimate goal," says Ms. Umbridge, "is to eliminate werewolves from the wizarding business world. They are seen as unworthy in the workplace. Perhaps this law will eventually stem others that increase the safety of wizards from werewolves, not only in the workplace."

Remus closed the paper and set it on the table, returning to his toast, which he was really no longer hungry for. Well, at least he had already been fired from his last job when it had become known that he was a werewolf – now he wouldn't have to undergo a survey and search that would prove he was a werewolf nonetheless. The problem remained, however, that he was indeed a werewolf, and now it seemed that his search for a new job would be fruitless. It would not be long before they discovered, once again, that he was one of these dangerous creatures, and now that the Ministry seemed to be doing thorough checks, it may be entirely possible that he would not be able to work at all.

But how many werewolves were out there, anyway? Surely it wasn't enough that could overwhelm the wizarding population…and the ones that were the most dangerous had withdrawn from society, everyone knew that. The Ministry would be seeking the very few werewolves that actually did try to find a job, and why was that enough to make a law? Nevertheless, he knew that Dolores Umbridge was not exactly friendly with "half-bloods"or magical creatures – he remembered a Daily Prophet article from several years ago, which had given details of an enraged Umbridge over the rights of the goblins.

He Vanished his unfinished breakfast and wandered the house restlessly. Last night he had thought that he would spend the day searching for a job, no matter how short-lived it may be. This changed things, though. Was there a point now, if he was to be discovered? Would he be forced to resort to living with the other werewolves underground? What would he do with himself without a job? He had no living relatives and his three friends….well, two were dead, and one was in Azkaban.

But at that moment, another owl swooped in through the still-open window, this one handsome and tawny. He thought he recognized it, but….it couldn't be. Not now, not after it had been years….

He fumbled with the ribbons attaching the letter to the owl's leg, and when he succeeded in untying them the owl soared back out again, flapping easily through the morning air. The envelope was not thick as his letters had once been years ago, but there was no mistaking that handwriting. Flabbergasted, he stared at the writing. What on earth had prompted this?

He tore open the letter, not entirely sure what to expect inside it. He unfolded the contents, which consisted of three sheets of parchment. The first was a letter, written in long, thin, slanted writing, just as the envelope had been.

Dear Remus Lupin,

I hope I have found you in good health and well-being. I am sure you are somewhat surprised at this letter, but I have a bit of a favor to ask of you. You may, of course, decide to refuse this offer, but I am also sure that after reading today's paper, you may be quite pleased with the offer that I am about to make.

I find myself, once again, short a staff member. You have always shown remarkable talents in Defense Against the Dark Arts – I seem to remember you receiving an O on that particular O.W.L. I was hoping that perhaps you would consent to taking up the position. I know you will have your doubts and misgivings, given your condition, but the Whomping Willow is still very much alive and vicious as ever. I also have a Potions Master who would be fully willing to creating the Wolfsbane Potion every month, which will keep the students and staff of the school very well protected. The staff, naturally, will have to know about your curious calamity, but it will be hidden from the students. I will do everything in my power to keep both you and the students safe.

I also have the feeling that, with Black's escape from Azkaban, inquiries about his relationship with James Potter may surface, from none other than James' son. I feel that in this case, you may also be helpful to Harry, because you were closer to James than I ever was. I think that you may be a bit of a comfort to him as questions about his past arise.

Kindly respond as soon as you have made a decision. I hope that you will take the post, but if not I completely understand that your life's ambitions may take you elsewhere.

Albus Dumbledore

Well.

This was certainly a change of plans, the second change of plans he had experienced in one morning. Perhaps he shouldn't see it as a change of plans yet, because he wasn't quite sure what to make of it, but it definitely open up a whole new set of doors. Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; it had once been a dream to returning to Hogwarts to teach, but never thought it was possible because of, as Dumbledore had politely put it, his "calamity." But should he take it?

He busied himself with redressing in a set of robes for daywear, though he wasn't sure that anyone comparing the bathrobe and his normal ones would know the difference, then with cleaning the house listlessly. It didn't really need it, because he was already generally organized, but he needed something to keep his hands occupied while his mind whirled with excitement and anxiety.

There was so much at stake. He could take it, and risk the lives of the students and staff. He could not take it and sit at here, twiddling his fingers while he was a human and biting and scratching himself as a wolf. He could take it and have a job, a job that he knew he would love, a job at the place where he had spent seven of the best years of his life. He could refuse it and search in vain for a job, perhaps come across a Muggle business that would never need to know he was a werewolf. He could take it and return to the castle he had once called his home. He could turn it down and stay here, where he had never felt less at home.

He stared around at his dingy little flat, living among the Muggles and cut off from the wizarding world because it would not allow him into it. But Dumbledore….Dumbledore was allowing him the chance to re-enter the wizarding world, to form connections with the students, to be something other than a werewolf.

But still, his dilemma was the same. "The Whomping Willow is still very much alive and vicious as ever. I also have a Potions Master who would be fully willing to creating the Wolfsbane Potion every month." But neither of those were foolproof….he thought of all the times that he had been so close to attacking students on accident. What if something went wrong, what if he didn't make it to the Whomping Willow or take his potion in time? What if the students noticed his regular disappearances?

Oh, how tempting it was.

How deeply afraid he was.

But Dumbledore had never broken a promise to him. If he said it was possible…and if he was willing to do this….but did he have the power to over-rule the Ministry of Magic, at least in a case such as this?

His mind had made itself up – or perhaps it was actually his heart that had shown him the way. He pulled out a new sheaf of parchment and hurriedly scribbled his reply on it before his heart could change its mind again.

By the time he had sent off his reply, he had realized there were still the other two other pieces of parchment enclosed in the envelope that he had not even looked at yet. The second sheet asked for a list of the books he wanted the students to buy for his class. Bewildered, he regretted sending his reply so soon without looking at the other contents of the envelope. He wanted, least of all, to be pestering Dumbledore with owl upon owl, sending all the information he repeatedly forgot. Luckily, as he read the instructions at the top of the parchment, he merely had to copy the names of the books and their authors onto it, and then the charm placed upon it would copy it onto the hundreds of letters to be sent out to the students. The third sheet of parchment merely indicated the routes previous Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers had taken with their coursework, as a sort of guideline for what would be expected of him, though it clearly stated that he was free to modify it as much as he liked. The Ministry of Magic guidelines for O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s were also given.

Finally, it settled upon him. He was going back to Hogwarts, he was going to teach there….the dream that had left him long ago, once he had joined the Order, had returned in full flame. It swelled in his chest like a balloon, and left him grinning to himself in his lonely little flat.

Remus received a reply from Dumbledore the next morning, much quicker than he thought he would. He was rather surprised by the response.

Dear Remus,

I'm very pleased that you have decided to take up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I think you will find that the students will welcome you back to the place you once called home, and I can only hope that you enjoy the job more than your previous ones.

However, I have several concerns I would like to discuss with you. I would like to arrange to meet with you tonight, if that is alright, at around 8:00. Please let me know immediately if this does not work out, and I can reschedule.

Albus Dumbledore

He hastily wrote a quick note in return, telling him that 8:00 at his place was perfectly fine. He spent the rest of the day pouring over the third sheaf of parchment that had come with his first letter from Dumbledore, creating sketches of lesson plans and searching for books that went along with them. He spent a brief amount of time in Flourish and Blotts, perusing the selection of Defense Against the Dark Arts textbooks, but it didn't take him long to find the ones he thought to be most accurate and most flexible to go along with his teaching plan. At the end of the day, he wrote the names of those books, their authors, and the years of students that should buy them on the second sheaf before checking them over carefully for mistakes and tapping his wand on the parchment. The writing shined bright red for a moment before returning to their natural black.

The moment he had sent them, there was a soft knock upon his door. Belatedly, he realized he had worked straight through the afternoon and had completely lost track of time. He hurried to the door to find Albus Dumbledore standing serenely before him. Dumbledore gave him a gentle smile, and Remus hurried to let him in.

"Good evening, Remus."

"Good evening. Er…sorry about the mess." He flicked his wand at the table, where all the notes and letters and outlines had been spread out in front of him, and they formed a neat stack at the center. "Would you care for something to drink?"

"Thank you." Dumbledore took a seat at the table as Remus conjured two goblets and summoned a bottle of mead from the depths of his cupboard. The bottle divided its contents between the two glasses and then scooted off to the counter, where it remained quite still. Remus settled in the seat across from Dumbledore, unsure what to do next, but he was saved the trouble when Dumbledore spoke first.

"I hope you know that I am delighted to have you as one of our staff members at Hogwarts, and that I am pleased that you have decided to take the job. I know that there were probably many deciding factors for you, given your condition, but I am confident that we can find solutions to those problems." He sipped from his goblet. "However, as I mentioned previously, I have several concerns.

"As you know, Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban. I know that things have changed since the time of the Lily and James' deaths twelve years ago, but before I allow you to take this position, I have to ask you these questions." Dumbledore's demeanor was no longer cheerful, but stern. He gazed at Remus with his piercing blue eyes, as though he was able to stare into the depths of his very soul. "During your school years, you were friends with Sirius, starting in your first year. The four of you – that is, James, Sirius, Peter, and you – were very close friends."

He paused for a moment, still looking sharply into Remus' eyes.

"Do you know anything about the escape of Sirius Black?"

"No, sir."

"Do you know anything about the intentions of Sirius Black?"

"Only what I have read in the papers."

Dumbledore's eyes were nearly piercing his own. "I need to know if you have anything to do with the escape of Sirius Black from Azkaban, or if you have any aspiration to help him back into Hogwarts."

Remus looked straight back into Dumbledore's eyes, determined not to falter. "I have not had any contact with Sirius since the night before the Potters were killed. I have not spoken to him, I have not seen him, I have not written to him. I do not know how he escaped from Azkaban, and I certainly have no intention of helping him back into Hogwarts." A shadow crossed his features. "After he killed two of my best friends, I don't think I have any desire to know him at all. I don't know if I ever did know him at all."

Dumbledore stared at him for a few moments longer, as if trying to find any shred of untruth from his words. Remus knew he wouldn't discover any – everything he had just said was infused with weights of truth.

"One last question: Is there anything you wish to tell me about Sirius Black?"

For the first time, Remus hesitated. He knew, for the protection of the school, it would be safest to tell Dumbledore the truth, but at the same time, he couldn't bring himself to do it. There was nothing that could be done about what he – what his friends – had accomplished at Hogwarts nineteen years ago, and he did not want to betray the trust that Dumbledore had placed in him, that his friends had placed in him, at the time.

But perhaps, after all he had been through, after all that had happened, his friends had not trusted him at all. Did they deserve the same judgement?

"No, sir."

"Can I have your allegiance, Remus, that if you find out anything about Black that you will tell me?"

"Yes, sir."

At last, Dumbledore sat back and picked up his goblet once more. "Very well." His eyes twinkled once more. "I see you have been planning already?" Dumbledore peered at the papers stacked neatly in front of him.

"Yes. I thought that maybe a few sketches or outlines of what we would be covering would be useful."

"I agree. That is a mistake that many new teachers make – they think they can arrive at the school and the lesson plans will all be laid out for them. I see I have chosen my newest staff member well." He beamed. "I would love to stay and chat, but I have other business to attend to. Thank you for the drink and, once again, thank you for taking up this post. I will see you on the first of September."

Remus said goodbye and showed him to the door, watching him check that no one was around and Disapparating under cover of the night, leaving Remus with only a guilty conscience that was split two ways.

Author's Note: Yes, I live. I have been inspired, once again, to write...I even have some new chapters for some of my old stories coming! However, upon rereading the entire series before the release of Deathly Hallows, I was inspired to write this. I can only hope my writing, as well as my overall plot-making abilities, have improved since I last wrote.

I have found that I enjoy writing thing that have already happened but from a different perspective, using the clues that the author - J.K. Rowling - leaves us and making them fit for another character. I hope that I have used these clues well, so far, and I hope that those of you that have taken the time to read it have found it enjoyable! Please let me know what you think - constructive criticism is welcome.