Chapter 2 – The Hunter
I woke the next morning to find several viles of blood cartridges on my bed stand with a note that read 'Thought you might need these – Albus'. I smiled, remembering the previous night – at first it almost seemed like I had dreamed the entire thing, but seeing the note left by Dumbledore himself reassured that last night, I had in fact, been asked to teach at the school I had once grown up in.
I swung my legs over the bed and proceeded to the mirror across the room, where I examined myself. My skin was creamy white, and looked as delicate as a dolls face. My eyes were always my favourite feature, but only when I had my thirst under control – hungry, they were a deep black, almost as if my pupils dilated half the size they normally were, but on normal days they were a light blue, close to gray. My next favourite feature was my hair, which was mid-back length and was a dark black that shone in the moonlight. I blinked at myself, furthering examining myself as I found different ways to make myself look more professional – although half the teachers at Hogwarts didn't really bother with appearances, for some reason I felt the need to look more mannered.
I smiled when the name 'Professor Darrow' crossed my mind. It was something I was going to have to get used to, especially when that's how I was going to be addressed in my new home.
A sudden knock at the front door caused me to flinch slightly. I had been consumed in my reflection; I hadn't been paying attention to the things around me. I quickly crept downstairs, placing my hand on the doorknob. I could hear the faint heartbeat through the door, and the smell of dog floated into my house.
Opening the door revealed a very calm looking Remus Lupin. His robes were more tattered than I had remembered, and his features were more aged with grey presenting itself in his dark brown hair.
"Hello Katrina" he said, his voice was soothing and calm. "I'm assuming you already know who I am?"
"Professor Remus Lupin, former Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts, and also a well known werewolf" I said simply, watching as Remus raised a curious eyebrow. "I do my research, don't worry, I'm not stalking you" I laughed lightly, hoping I hadn't made the professor feel uncomfortable. He chuckled under his breath, and looked up at me, his dark brown eyes full of emotion. "Is something wrong, professor?" I asked, feeling concerned.
He smiled kindly, looking around nervously. "Call me Remus" he said, continuing to look around. I gently placed a hand on his shoulder, attempting to be comforting.
"Remus, tell me what's wrong" I said, moving out of the way to allow him into my home. He took one last glance around before quickly stepping into the house, and headed straight for the living room, where he took a seat and rubbed his hands together – another sign of nervousness.
"I'm being followed" he said, not wasting any time on the matter. I stared at him for a few moments, wondering if he was being serious. He looked back at me and shook his head "not just any human follower, he's well known werewolf hunter... I could smell the blood on him from a mile away" he finished, continuously rubbing his hands as if he were cold.
"I didn't even realize that werewolf hunters still existed... wait why on earth is he after you? What could you have possibly done to piss this guy off?" I asked, feeling my anger rise.
"Werewolf hunters are shadows, they stay hidden, unless discovered by someone who can smell them out... like you or me. And this man was either hired by someone else, or he dislikes werewolves so much he decides to rid the earth of them – I haven't figured out which option it could be, but I have no idea what made him lash out to werewolves... unless of course he met Fenrir Greyback" Remus sighed and sat back into the armchair.
"And you know that he has killed your kind before?" I asked, trying to figure out what this man could possibly want from a man that wouldn't harm a fly if it were his choice.
"As I said, I can smell the wolf blood on his clothes" Remus said, placing his hands over his face for a moment before staring up at the ceiling.
I thought for several moments, not quite sure how to reassure him. "Did he follow you here?"
"I'm not sure, I've been so paranoid lately, I can't tell what's real and what's not anymore – I was actually heading over here to gives you my notes from the class and help you out, but instead I've just burst in with my problems" he sighed again, running his hands through his greying hair. I stood up and walked over to where Remus sat and took a seat beside him and looked him straight in the eyes.
"It's a good thing you came here Remus, don't think for a moment you're burdening me with your problems – the best thing you can do in a situation like this is seek help... and who better to help you than a vampire?" I smiled, allowing my teeth to grow over my lips. Remus chuckled lightly and calmed down slightly.
"I suppose... although I still feel like I am intruding-"he began but I stopped him by quickly placing a hand over his mouth. He looked at me in shock and I laughed lightly.
"Relax, will you? I'm not some stupid human; in fact I'm complete opposite... I'm a human killing machine. Some human werewolf hunter won't stand a chance against both of us" I said, getting quite excited. Remus smiled, completely at ease of my words.
"Thank you" he said. I smiled gently, no thanks was needed... after all, killing menacing humans was what I did best.