CHAPTER ONE - IN WHICH IT'S GOOD TO BE HOME

I'm haunted and trapped, by what has been,

I can't forget what I have seen,

PROFESSOR LUPIN P.O.V.:

Standing at the front of the class, I couldn't help but let out a small sigh. Despite my nerves teaching wasn't so bad, just something I would have to adjust to. It was strange giving orders, it was even more stranger perhaps to see my orders carried out.

"For next lesson" I called out silencing the class, "I want a 18 inch essay on the fundamental elements of memory charms and the dangers they pose. For obvious reasons we won't be having a practical lesson on this - I don't want anyone being stuck with permanent memory loss"

A few people giggled. It was strange, I wasn't used to being a funny guy.

"Neither the less," I continued ignoring the chatter, "it's likely this topic will come up on your NEWT theory exam at the end of the year". That seemed to quieten everyone down. "So I expect nothing but dedication from you all... Understood?"

A mixture of yes's and groans replied.

"And for those of you possessing strong determination and hard work" I looked across the room, a girl with pink hair instantly locking her eyes to mine, "I'll be sure to push you to your full potential".

"Sir?" a sharp voice interrupted me. I looked across the room, a dark haired girl had her hand raised. "I was just curious as to how you ended up as professor here?" silence followed, she looked uncomfortable "It's just Dumbledore never hires such young teachers normally" she finished looking embarrased.

I looked around the room. Dead silence. It seemed as if the whole class had the same curious look.

"Well Miss...?" I looked down at my role.

"Penelope Clearwater" she finished.

"Well Miss Clearwater" I replied, "I'm glad you haven't spotted any of my grey hair yet". More laughter, the class fast was becoming a comedy show. "Honestly, I have no idea why Dumbledore wanted me here at Hogwarts. All I know is that war often forces people to grow up before their time. Maybe he thought that my experiences would remind you how being young is no excuse for medeocracy"

Small murmurings broke out at the mention of the Great War. It seemed that despite LORD Voldemorts disappearance it was still a hot topic. After all most of these student had been born during the height of his power.

"On a lighter note..." I finished, trying to bring the room back to silence and stop the Slytherins hissing in the back row, "I want to remind you that no matter how many or few NEWTs you receive this year it doesn't matter. Defense against the dark arts is important; not just for your studies, but for life. As much as I would love for you all to receive top marks…I would consider my teaching more of a success if every person left at the end of the year, with the basic fundamental ability to defend themselves" I looked over the class, wondering how many of them would make it through to the end of the year. Seventh year was toughest year and in my experience it wasn't uncommon for students to leave early.

"Now off to lunch" I waved, and sure enough the students began slamming their books shut into their bags and rushing out of the classroom.

After they had left I sat down on the desk at the front of the room, rubbed my forehead in my hands and let out a sigh that I didn't know I'd been holding in. I was relieved to see the students go, any kind of public speaking made me nervous.

"Professor Lupin" a timid voice spoke. Embarrassed I looked up, I had though I was alone. In front of me was a pale looking girl, with a heart-shaped face and bright pink hair that made me look twice. Surely that hair colour was not in Hogwarts dress code regulations. "I was just wondering if you had prepared a prescribed reading list for us yet".

I blinked. Shit,

"Umm..." I tried make something up stammering, "I'm finalizing it at the moment. It should be ready by next lesson".

She remained looking at me expectantly.

"If you want to get a head start though you can start reading Chapter Two - An introduction to mastering non-verbal magic. We will be staring that after memory charms".

The girl nodded seeming pleased. "Thanks Professor, see you on Wednesday".

"Goodbye" I nodded wondering what her name was.

Double checking that I was in fact alone this time. I sighed and swore silently to myself this time. I hated the feeling of being judged. Just then my stomach rumbled. I checked my wizard watch. Lunch time. Surely that would cheer me up.

As I locked my office and the DADA room, I headed down the golden staircase and couldn't help but smile. Despite everything I had missed Hogwarts. Yet it hadn't changed a bit. Like it was waiting for me to come back home after all this time. The only strange thing was that now I was alone. I didn't have the other Marauders. Not even a single one, they were all gone and I was the last.

Entering into the Great Hall and walking past the Gryffindor table I had to fight the urge not to sit down at the student table. Instead I strangely made my way to the front of the room and took a seat next to Professor Flitwick and Hagrid.

"Remus" nodded Flitwick

"Professor" I replied, it would have been too strange to call him by his first name just yet.

"How was ya first lesson Remy?" asked Hagrid devouring a whole apple in a single bite, and patting me so hard on my back that I could feel my insides being thrust inside out.

"It was good" I muttered feebly trying to convince myself.

"Don't worry Remus, the first week is always the worst" offered Flitwick comfortingly.

"Mmm..." I agreed looking out over the Great Hall. Students were congregating in groups around the respective house tables. Suddenly I spotted the heart-shaped girl again with the pink hair. She was sitting at the end of the Hufflepuff table by herself quietly reading a book. Strange I would have pictured her a Ravenclaw or maybe even a Gryfindor.

As I looked closer I recognized a strange sadness in her eyes; the same kind of sadness that was all to familiar.

"Who's that girl with the bright pink hair?" I asked trying to sound as casual as possible yet i couldnt help but be curious. After all she was difficult to miss.

"Ahh…" smiled Professor Flitwick looking up from his pumkin pasty, "That's Nymphadora Tonks… Exceptionally talented, hard working too, and with a lovely nature. She's a metamorphmagus"

"That's really rare" I replied suprised. I'd only read about it in books. It meant that she could change her appearance at will.

"Yeah but tell that to Minerva" whispered Professor Flitwick chancing a glance down the staff table, "she seems to be under the impression that Tonks purposely makes her hair pink to break the school rules. It's probably true though…" he added, "She's very mischievous that one…"

"But why is she sitting there all alone by herself?" I asked, the truth was she looked so incredibly sad to the point where I had to stop myself from rushing down to her and demanding that she cheer herself up at once.

Professor Flitwick sighed, "It's not like she doesn't have any friends, because she does… she's popular enough. I think she just prefers to be alone sometimes because she's a bit different and doesn't really fit in anywhere if that makes sense?"

"Actually that makes perfect sense" I replied relating to her, being a werewolf made me different too and despite my friends support, there were times when I just wanted to be alone and sad; there were times when nobody else could help.

For a moment I just wanted to sit down the end of the table and speak to her. Maybe talk about her book with her or play cards, get to know her more maybe. I quickly got that crazy idea out of my head. I was her teacher, I shouldn't be thinking that. I wasn't there to be friends, I was there to teach.

"She's a funny one though" continued Professor Flitwick breaking his gaze, "really clumsy and uncoordinated. Salard Remus?" he mused before turning the conversation to more pressing matters.

UPDATE: This story is currently undergoing revision as of July 2017.