(A/N) Hello all you happy people. Welcome to my story: Finding Heaven in Hell. Please take note, all you returning readers, that you must re-read all that you have already read to understand the story. I have gone back and fixed more things than i realized there was a problem with. I have also added a few things thati hope will explain some vague plot points and also added a whole new relationship.This is my favorite story so far as Remus is my favorite character. I want desperately for him to be happ and thisfanfic will do exactly that.

Thoughts will be bolded and italicesed like this: 'Thought to oneself' in order to assure they stand out enough.

I do not own harry potter or anything in this story you recognize.

This story contains spoilers up to and including "Order of the Phoenix". Seeing asI began the story before the publication of "Half Blood Prince", nothing printed in that book will be aknowledged here.

"Mingled among the sheep

there is a wolf,

And by his own lonely fangs

he is rent"

Lament of the Lamb

Alone for Now

Harry Potter sat alone in his bedroom in Number Four, Privet Drive, gazing at the stars.

His thoughts lately had been dark and ominous, far too often falling back on the death of his godfather; but now, he was content. Not by the means of magic, just the serene quality of a moonlit night.

All else in the house was quiet, the loud thunderings of his cousin Dudley had long since fallen silent. The lack of noise from the T.V. in the parlor downstairs signaled that he was the only one still awake. Everything seemed deathly still and Harry was glad for it.

The twinkling sky that held his attention was perfectly clear. Millions of diamond-esque lights scattered the horizon like so many shards of broken glass.

As Harry glanced at his clock, whose large green numbers cast eerie shadows on the dark walls, creating the twisted image of someone he would rather forget, he noticed something that made him slightly happy: he had been 16 for almost half an hour.

He grinned inwardly relishing the feeling for once. To Harry Potter birthdays were never cause for celebration; having rarely ever gotten a birthday card. His aunt and uncle, hardly acknowledging he was alive in the first place, would let hell freeze over before buying him a proper birthday gift, this year being the exception. No, no, they did not buy him a gift; they gave him something far more precious: Peace and quiet.

That morning his uncle Vernon had locked him in his room without a word, where he was free from Dudley's accursed "diet". The Dursleys had attempted this once before but had failed miserably, only to try once again; when the whole family finally grew disgusted with the boy's many chins (the numbers of which had finally gone into the double digits.)

Harry returned his gaze to the twinkling stars that studded the crystal night sky. Off in the distance, he heard a familiar hooting and Hedwig glided into sight, the moon glinting off her snowy white feathers. Harry moved away from the window so the heavily laden bird could get inside, she landed with a thump on his bed and closed her eyes, hooting softly.

Harry barely had time to remove the packages from Hedwig before two more owls came flying in his window, spastic Pigwigdeon and the other, poor old Errol.

Now having four owls in one's room is hardly something you can keep quiet, Harry was so baffled at the mere fact they were there, that he didn't know what to do with them all. Pigwigdeon, who was pecking at Harry's hands and squawking to be tended to, seemed to be the best choice.

He glanced apologetically at Hedwig as he removed the tiny bird's note. Pig puffed up trying to look as important as the Hogwarts owl who had ruffled its feathers and waited patiently to be attended to, showing Pig how a real owl should act.

Harry tossed Ron's letter aside and moved on to Errol, who had passed out on Harry's bed. He lightly shook the owl awake and removed the parcel from its leg. Errol hooted his thanks as Harry moved him to Hedwig's cage where he could get some water. This package he also tossed to the side.

Next Harry moved to the Hogwarts owl that shoved off after a drink, and Harry got back to Hedwig.

The poor owl had nearly collapsed under her load. She had two letters and two small packages, both of which were wrapped in brightly colored paper. Harry stroked her soothingly until she awoke then he helped her into her cage where she could drink and rest. The poor girl was too tired even to be bothered by Pig.

Once all the owls were tended to, Harry gawked at the pile of parcels that signaled his friend's recognition of his birthday. He picked up one of the letters addressed to him and tenderly ran his fingers over the fine cursive handwriting that spelled out his name.

'Hermione'

He smiled to himself as he opened the letter, eager to see what she had written. He always loved her little notes.

Dearest Harry,

How are you doing? I hope your summer is going better than mine. I've been positively miserable without you and Ron for company. Don't know how I ever got on without you. -

Harry blushed then continued reading...

-My mum and dad took me to Australia on vacation but I didn't really have that much fun. I bet you can guess why...

On a lighter subject, I am back in London and staying with Ron at the Burrow, we all want to see you. I hope you are up for a visit!

Please come,

Love

Hermione

P.S. Happy Birthday, hope you like your gift... I wish I could have gotten you more...

Harry read her letter several times over; it was quite short for Hermione, but he appreciated it all the same.

He grabbed her brightly wrapped present and began ripping the paper off like something wild. His breath caught in his throat when he saw what it was...He turned the parcel over in his hands... Swidditch It appeared to be a small version of the Quidditch he loved from Hogwarts. Small versions of the players were wrapped inside the small box. He turned it around to read the writing on the back.

Swidditch: A one/two player game where you can test your wits at Quidditch with this life-like miniature version of the game. Or you can go head-to-head with the game itself, letting the players play against you on their own.

From the makers of Wizards Chess

Harry sat back admiring his treasure, and his hand landed on Ron's forgotten presents. Harry scolded himself for forgetting and picked up his friends letter, somehow managing to drag his attention away from the miniature Quidditch set:

Harry,

HEY! Happy birthday, mate! Hope the Dursley's are treating you alright. Whatever is going on over there HAS to be better than the ruckus over here. Mum is still FURIOUS with Fred and George for quitting school and starting their joke shop. Not to mention the little... er... surprises they leave lying around where she can get her hands on them. I thought she was going to KILL the both of them when she caught George slipping some Veritaserum candies in Percy's breakfast. Not to mention how she rounded on me when I laughed about it.

Other than that, the two of them made me send you some for your birthday... I wouldn't trust them, myself, but you can test them on your ruddy cousin!

Oh, and Hermione is over here. Ginny has been wanting some company, but she says it isn't right without you. Send word with Errol or Pig when you get this. Hermy said she might try to call in case you don't get the chance to answer.

Happy Birthday!

Ron

Harry regarded the box of colorful candies with a worried expression on his face. He dared not try any of them. But the thought of giving some to Dudley did in fact sound appetizing.

Harry put Ron's card on his dresser with Hermione's and started over to what was undoubtedly something from Hagrid.

With something close to fear, Harry picked up the last card noticing how quiet the present from him was. Indeed, it was not snarling or moving... but Harry decided it best to read the card first anyways.

As Harry read his name off the top of the envelope, noting that it was far from Hagrid's untidy scrawl... in fact, in was very neat.

Anxious and more than a little curious, Harry ripped open his last birthday card and read the letter:

Dear Harry,

I'm sure you weren't expecting a letter from me. But I got your address from Dumbledore so I could wish you a happy birthday!

I'm currently staying at the Leaky Cauldron and trying to have some fun in Diagon Alley. I hope I get a chance to see you when you come to get your stuff for Hogwarts do try and look for me!

As for you gift... I'm afraid it isn't much. They are called Friendship Rings kind of like the ones muggles have; but these will tell you when your friends are in danger or in any great need of you. Sirius, James and I used to wear them. I've heard what you and your "2nd generation Marauders" have gotten yourselves into. Perhaps they will be useful.

I hope you have been in better spirits than I,

Remus Lupin

Harry was in mild disbelief, with attentive fingers he reached for the tiny box that had accompanied Lupin's letter. He opened it as if it were made of glass. Indeed, inside were three small rings, made of a clear crystal material that went slightly misty when he put it on. Harry watched in awe as the ring magically morphed to fit his finger perfectly. He smiled as thoughts of his father came into his mind, and put the other two back in the tiny box until he could get them to Ron and Hermione.

A light breeze blew through the open window, slightly ruffling Harry's already messy hair, and he yawned and stretched, finally feeling the lateness of the hour.

Harry strode hazily over to his bead, suddenly very tired and collapsed into its warm sheets and heavy blanket. As his vision blurred and the warm darkness of sleep overcame him, he remembered thinking one thing, ... 'I wonder who will be this year's DADA teacher?'

(A Few Weeks Earlier)

"Honestly, Remus." Dumbledore waved the tired wolf off. "You of all people know how much the children loved your classes!"

Remus blushed and took another sip of his brandy, trying to hide his reddening face.

"But Dumbledore,"

"Don't you 'but Dumbledore' me, Remus. What is your real reason for not accepting my offer?"

Remus seemed to consider for a moment just going back. Hogwarts was more of a home to him than any place he had lived before. It would be a welcome change to be back around people who knew him. More importantly, to be back around those who would trust and respect him, that would be more important to him than anyone knew.

Then, if he was back in Hogwarts, he could be back around Harry; James' son. Watching that boy relive the Marauders' lives was one of his secret thrills. One of his only secret thrills, for that matter.

Lupin glanced around the bar, the hustle and bustle of the Leaky Cauldron went on as usual; various sorts of strange witches and wizards coming in and out, laughing and talking in raised voices generally having found some joy in the growingly bleak world around them.

"Dumbledore, I'm a werewolf! Parents will have a field day with you for letting me back on. What if it happens again? I can't be trusted, Albus, I'm dangerous!" Remus's voice seemed to plead for the understanding the old man would not yield.

Dumbledore didn't even try to stifle his laughter. Remus stared at him, clearly not seeing what was so funny about what he had said. He had almost severely hurt several students. Wasn't that counted as being dangerous?

"You?" He wiped a tear away from his twinkling blue eyes, "You, my dear boy, are far from dangerous. We will simply have to be more careful this time." Dumbledore said it like he already had something in mind.

Remus was about to reply with some sort of pleading retort, but it died on his tongue when the door to the bar opened. The soft tinkling of the bell sounded again as the door was closed behind her. Though he had his back to the door, his nose was everywhere, and whatever had just walked in that door had ahold of every sense in Remus' arsenal; except his eyes.

Remus went rigid and very still, barely aware of what was happening as Dumbledore called the someone from behind him to come and sit at their table. If he had been in his wolf form, every hair on his body would be sticking straight up.

Lupin's werewolf senses seemed to have gone into overdrive, the scent of soft perfume filled his nose. Though his back remained turned to the entrance of the Leaky Cauldron, he could somehow feel her approaching. Yet that didn't quiet the surprise lurch in his stomach when she sat at their booth, right next to him.

His eyes involuntarily trailed along her slim form and he gulped when he met her gaze, she had noticed him looking at her. He caught his breath and scooted away from her a few inches. Something in her deep green eyes seemed hauntingly familiar. Not familiar in a way like he thought he may have seen her before, he would never forget someone like her, but familiar in a way like he felt he should know her. Like there was just something about her he… recognized.

She smiled and said something to him but he had gone momentarily deaf to anything but the pounding of his heart. Her lips moved but no sound reached his ears. Remus couldn't ever remember being this overpowered by one woman. All those all-nighters with Sirius had built him up quite a resistance.

"Remus?"

Lupin whipped his head around to face Dumbledore trying desperately to recover. "Y-yes?" he choked out. The woman chuckled softly and signaled for the barkeep to bring her a drink.

The old man smiled and repeated his previous statement.

"This is Kairi Faye; she has agreed to take Hagrid's position as Care of Magical Creatures for the duration of this term." Dumbledore had a sparkle to his gaze that told Remus that Ms. Faye wasn't the only one who had noticed his gaze and following discomfort.

He turned to Kairi who in turn smiled and assured him that she wouldn't bite... Not too hard' Kairi thought to herself, smiling and shaking Professor Lupin's extended hand.

All of a sudden Lupin did a double take, just registering what Dumbledore had said about Hagrid and his position. Did he really just say that this woman would be taking Hagrid's position?

"Hagrid's position?" He asked. Dumbledore nodded. For a moment Remus was shocked. Hundreds of possibilities flew through his mind; most of them included something vile and named Lucius Malfoy. But surely Dumbledore would not have allowed...

"No, no, I haven't fired him. Hagrid has requested the year off, so I have asked Ms. Faye here to fill the position." Dumbledore said it with a finality that told Remus not to question Hagrid's reasons. So he held his tongue.

"Just for this year." Kairi restated. Remus looked at her again as she spoke, still trying to find what was so intense and familiar about her.

She looked nervously down at her hands, which were folded in her lap. Thankfully that was the moment the barkeep chose to send her a small bottle of firewhiskey. She dug a few sickles out of the pocket of her sapphire robes and took a long drink. Her nerves were shot, though not for any reason anyone here knew about.

"Well, Ms. Faye, let's get back to the introductions: This is Professor Remus Lupin, Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and your colleague, " Dumbledore watched as the two shook hands and exchanged wary salutations. Dumbledore smiled to himself when Lupin didn't bother to correct the statement about his position this time.

Kairi yawned deeply taking another long drink from her smoking bottle. "I'm terribly sorry gentlemen but it has been a long journey on the Knight Bus." She shuddered, both men nodded knowingly, "I'll be staying here though if I'm needed, Albus."

Dumbledore grinned, "So Professor Lupin, I dare say you will show her around Diagon Alley?"

Lupin nearly choked in his drink sputtering to cover for his uncalled for reaction to Dumbledore's suggestion and turned his blushing face only to see-

"Calm down, Remus, she already went to reserve a room."

Lupin's face went, if possible, even redder.

"So, my dear boy, have you decided to rejoin the teaching world?"

Remus closed his eyes, still trying to put his finger on what he found so familiar about that woman. He opened them with a sigh, "I go where I am needed, Albus."

Dumbledore followed the young werewolf's gaze to the staircase Kairi had disappeared along. He had a feeling there were some ulterior motives to Remus' giving in so easily.

"Indeed."

Kairi Faye looked approvingly around her room. Her very soft looking four poster bed seemed to call out to her tired bones. Every fiber of her being wanted to give in...

"I need a shower..." she glanced at her suitcase and frowned. If she was going to be here until the start of term, she would definitely need to unpack. It seemed like such a tedious chore.

Her hands fell on the smooth leather and she traced her initials and the cold metal clasps.

"I can do it in the morning."

Without warning Kairi's thoughts found themselves on the young man she had just met, what did Dumbledore say his name was? Remus?

She smiled, fumbling into the bathroom where with a flick of her wand she lit the many candles lining the room.

'Have I met him before?' She wondered as she turned the water on preparing for a steamy shower. 'No, I would remember his face, something about him though...' She tested the water to make sure it was perfect before stepping inside.

She let the hot water massage her back like so many expert hands, until some of the tension had eased out of her tired shoulders. The flickering candlelight the illuminated her bathroom was easy on her eyes, but made her more tired than she realized she was.

Finally when she felt relaxed enough to get a good night's sleep, she turned off the water and stepped out into to now completely fog filled bathroom. The air was so thick with the combination of unrelenting steam and smell of her shampoo, the bathroom could have given a rainforest a run for its money.

Kairi walked dripping into the main room of her apartment where she fumbled in her suitcase for a clean dry towel. No sooner had she wrapped one around herself, than there was a knock at the door. She sighed,

"Of course..." Kairi ignored it and started digging for her toothbrush.

The knock sounded again, more loudly this time.

"Just a minute!" Kairi groaned and made sure her towel was secure before trudging to tell off room service... or what she assumed was room service.

She wrenched the door open, landing herself eye to eye with a very embarrassed Remus J. Lupin.

Remus choked and sputtered for a minute, obviously completely taken off guard by her flattering ensemble. But not only that, it was the scent of her hitting him full in the face with the force of a locomotive that had his breath catching in his throat.

She smiled and leaned against the doorframe watching as the poor man fumbled with the words he so uncharacteristically couldn't find.

"Dumbledore..." he finally coughed out, focusing on his shoes, which had apparently become very interesting, "Wanted to give you this, you need to pick out the text book for your class this year." He handed her a large envelope.

"Textbook?" She accepted the thick envelope and began clawing it open.

"Y-Yes," he began with renewed vigor. "You must have a textbook for your class. Unfortunately it is required." He choked out a laugh, trying to regain his composure.

"Required, huh?" Kairi looked down at the paper in disgust. "I don't need one for my class. Not everything can be learned from a textbook."

He nodded in agreement. His confidence returning as the conversation steered him away from her towel and dripping...

"But, some people crave more than can be learned in the field." he was of course talking about Hermione Granger: the cleverest witch of her year. He had never lost respect for her since the year she kept his secret.

"Oh really?" Kairi looked up from the parchment in her hands to gaze at him questioningly.

Remus shifted his position uncomfortably and suddenly wished the conversation to be over.

"Well, all I have to do is pick one of these books?" Kairi could smell the uneasiness in the poor guy and offered him a window to escape.

"Yes ma'am.Then owl that to Dumbledore so he can get the Hogwarts letters to the students." He started to walk off, but she called to him and he turned slowly to meet her eyes.

"There is no need Remus, I have already decided." She walked out of her doorway and handed him the parchment. "Befriending the Beast' should be perfect."

Remus smiled at her and said he would try to catch Dumbledore before he left.

Kairi's eyes never left Lupin's back as he jogged off down the hallway and out of sight.

She walked back into her room and locked the door behind her with an added magical seal. The walls glowed a pale green, pulsed three times and faded, signaling the charm had worked. She crossed the plush Persian rug that covered most of the cold hardwood floors and drug her attention to the lonely suitcase occupying her bed.

Using her wand, she magiked the place into one resembling her old room, her room from her childhood home. She sighed, walkingover to the only window available and leaned onto her elbowsto look at the moon.

'Three days.'

The waxing moon looked so innocent up in the sky; it slunk in and out of the clouds as if trying to avoid Kairi's piercing stare.

She shook the thought from her mind and crawled into her warm bed, the long hours of traveling finally having caught up with her; she fell soundlessly into a dreamless sleep.

(A/N) Okay, first things first, there are some major foreshadowing things in this chapter (some are very subtle) but i must request, and this will be the only warning, that if you figure something out and would like to guess at it or are making some other assumption of the like: please DO NOT POST THEM IN YOUR REVIEW! Send me an email. I like to know that some people are picking them up, but for those who are not, it is very rude.

Also big hugs to my beta reader: Rin-Chan. You rock girl.