FINALLY! A nice, long oneshot. :D And it's a holiday weekend, so maybe an extra one. :) EEEK I had such a good time writing this one, guys, hands down one of my favorite vignettes. I hope you like it!

27 February 1971

"Pepper Imp," Minerva said to the gargoyle, and it leapt aside, revealing the stairs to Albus's office. She hummed lightly to herself as she climbed the stairs and knocked twice before pushing the office door open. "Good afternoon, headmaster."

Albus looked up from the Daily Prophet he was perusing andsmiled. "You're in excellent spirits, Minerva," he said. "I trust all is well?"

"My sister-in-law—Malcolm's wife, I mean—wrote to me today. They're going to have a baby," she confessed, a smile creeping onto her face. She hesitated slightly. "It was a nicer note than the one I got from Elphinstone, anyway."

"Well, first, that is wonderful news," Albus beamed. "And second, I'm certain you and Elphinstone will mend your relationship, as you have done in the past." He gave her a rather knowing look and folded up the newspaper.

"I know what you think of his—penchant—for proposals," Minerva said a little stiffly, "And maybe I am being stubborn, but the fact remains that our friendship is better as just that." Albus held up both his hands as a sign of concession and smiled again as Minerva sat down. "What did you want to see me about?"

"Well," Albus said, getting up and going to one of the cabinets that stood in the wall. He placed a hand on the wooden door. "I have something to ask you, and—depending on your answer—something to share with you."

"Very well," Minerva said, watching him open the cupboard to reveal a stack of parchment, a heavy, ancient-looking leather-bound book, and a long, plumed quill that stood at attention on its tip. Minerva's mouth fell open. "Is that…?"

"Quite," Albus said, looking pleased that she had caught on so readily. He laid his hand on the huge book. "This is the complete list of the names and personal details of every magical child born in this country. This is the enchanted quill that records the information," he added, gesturing a hand at the enormous scarlet quill, which swayed a little on the spot.

"It…was my understanding that Professor Fairbank is in charge of the registry," Minerva said carefully.

"Ah, well—as you seem to have noticed, Minerva, we have developed a knack at Hogwarts for needing to regularly refill our teaching staff," Albus told her, "and it seems that in addition to Professor Gayheart's departure from the Defense Against the Dark Arts post, Eustace Fairbank will be leaving us as well."

Minerva sighed. "I suppose I'll be drafting two notices," she said dryly.

Albus inclined his head slightly. "I had hoped that you might assist me by accepting Professor Fairbank's duties, and become my new deputy headmistress."

Her mouth fell open. "I—what?"

"Should you accept," Albus pressed on, "I have a matter that requires rather urgent attention."

"I accept," Minerva blurted out, feeling pleased but stunned. "Thank you, headmaster."

Albus nodded, shutting the cabinet doors again. "Excellent," he replied. "In that case, I should like to discuss one of our new students, one of the group of first years whom I hope will join us in September."

Minerva smiled slightly. "With the Prewett twins celebrating their last term of school, Albus, I'm having a hard time worrying about any future troublemakers," she said.

Albus smiled, but didn't laugh. "Mr. Lupin will not—or, at least I hope he will not be of any trouble to us. There are, however, certain considerations regarding him that I would like to undertake, with your assistance."

Minerva frowned. "Considerations?"

"Some years before your time as a student, a young man named Lyall Lupin attended school here. He became a well-known figure in the wizarding community by advancing the study of Non-Human Spiritous Apparitions." Albus sat back in his chair, folding his hands.

Minerva thought for a moment. "Boggarts?"

"And similar," Albus agreed. "He was a strong student and a friendly acquaintance of mine when in the early, meteoric rise of his career, and when he married his wife, some thirteen years ago. It is their son whom we are attempting to assist."

"He's in the registry?" Minerva asked, feeling somewhat confused. "There's no concern he may be a Squib?"

"Not at all," said Albus gravely. "His mother is a Muggle, but that has had no effect on the boy's magical abilities. No, I simply tell you of his parents so that you may understand the events that transpired following Lyall Lupin's success. You know, as I do, from Elphinstone and Alastor Moody, that the Ministry has relied on such experts as Mr. Lupin for many years, in order to skip the mountains of research that would have to be done on those Dark creatures that have been of concern for the last ten years. Do you recall the attempt to create and maintain a Werewolf Registry?"

Minerva nodded, as a feeling of foreboding slowly stole over her.

"Minerva, I feel correct in saying that you and I have not been blind to the derision, prejudice, and often outright cruelty that wizards have inflicted on those they consider less than pure—and werewolves have been no exception, never mind the rarity with which they pose a danger to humans," Albus said.

"All the same, headmaster, that threat is real," Minerva said reasonably. "You know as well as I do that things have changed—things have been different these last ten years, whatever the reason is, Dark magic and creatures are on the move again, and it's only getting worse."

"I agree," Albus said evenly. "But I believe that much of the hatred, and energy spent on fearing werewolves, can be traced down to one individual—not the group as a whole."

"You think the attacks that we've heard about have been perpetrated by the same werewolf?" Minerva asked skeptically.

"The same werewolf, perhaps an associate or two," Albus nodded. "Some years ago, when the Werewolf Registry was first implemented following an attack on a Muggle family, Lyall Lupin made the unfortunate mistake of recognizing and publicly decrying a werewolf known as Fenrir Greyback," Albus said, and Minerva's stomach dropped. She had the distinct feeling that something was closing in on her. "He expressed the opinion of fear and hatred that has come to be associated with all werewolves in the time since. However, with a lack of solid information on Greyback, the Ministry declined to detain him, and when the next full moon came—"

"Greyback attacked the boy's father," Minerva sighed, shaking her head. "That poor child, he must be terribly—"

"Greyback attacked the boy," Albus interrupted gently. Minerva stuttered to a halt and stared at him.

"What?"

"Remus Lupin," Albus sighed, "is a werewolf."

Minerva stared at Albus for a long moment; then, when she couldn't anymore, she got up and clasped a hand over her mouth as she paced around the room.

"I hold Fenrir Greyback responsible for much of the mistrust and outright loathing that has grown between wizards and werewolves, especially in the last decade," said Albus softly. "He is not like any werewolf that has ever been known. He is malevolent, he plans his attacks—he planned to murder Lyall Lupin's four-year-old son, positioned himself perfectly for his transformation. Had Lyall not intervened, Greyback would have succeeded, and possibly turned on Lyall and his wife as well. As it is, Greyback escaped."

He paused for a moment, keeping his blue eyes on her. "I would give a great deal, Minerva, to ensure that the world never sees another like him—cast out from society, hated for what he is. Since the time their son was bitten, the Lupins have never lived in the same town for more than six months. Remus has been an outcast since he was five years old."

Minerva was very quiet, for almost a full minute. She kept her arms folded tightly, gripping her elbows so tightly it hurt. "He's in that book?" she asked at last, her voice hoarse. She pointed to the cabinet. "Remus. He's still on the registry?"

Albus nodded once, his expression unchanging.

"Then he's been a wizard longer," she said, lowering her shaking hands and closing them into fists.

It was impossible to miss the faint shock in Albus's smile. "Does this mean—?"

"It means that—we will have to come up with every defense possible, to protect the students," Minerva said. "I don't retract my statement that a werewolf can pose a very real threat…but I am willing to help make a place for him here, at Hogwarts, if that is what you plan to do."

Albus smiled again. "It is," he said firmly. "Mr. Lupin turns eleven in a little less than two weeks. I have procured his most recent address. I would like to pay him a visit as soon as possible, and explain the safety measures we can provide for him."

"We'll need to tell the staff," Minerva said, a little tensely. "It would do the most good to have all hands' help on this matter."

Albus nodded. "But for his safety, I think it best if we keep his condition a secret beyond that."

"Agreed," Minerva said. "I shall put my efforts into finding a secure space for him to transform…perhaps somewhere out of the castle…minimal risk of escape…"

"At the staff meeting tomorrow, I shall make my announcement; Eustace will assist you with the deputy's duties until the end of the year so you can have a bit of time to prepare. Will you be ready to brief the staff on the Lupin boy?" Albus asked.

"Yes, headmaster," Minerva said, folding her hands together. "If I may, I'd like to go to Hogsmeade before dinner. I may know of a place that might be of use to Mr. Lupin."

Albus looked pleasantly surprised. "I look forward to hearing about it," he said. "Thank you, Minerva."

She was already at the door, and looked back at him. "Don't thank me until I've actually done something to help," she advised him, with a quick nod as she swept down the stone steps.