Disclaimer: See first chapter

July 12th 1973. Defence Against the Dark Arts Classroom. 08:35.

"Is it true?"

Remus Lupin slammed the door behind him. His chest heaved and his black eyes were wide with hurt and fear.

Catherine Dearheart looked up from her desk and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "Is what true, Mr. Lupin?"

"You know what?" He frowned. "Why are you leaving?"

Dearheart softened. "Come here, Remus." She drew up a chair beside her desk and patted the seat.

Lupin took the offered seat and peered up at her through his eyelashes, abashed now that she was treating him with the respect he didn't deserve after barging into her office and demanding an explanation.

"What would you like to know?"

Lupin shrugged. "Why are you leaving?"

Dearheart smiled warmly. "It's not because I want to, Remus. You know that, don't you? If I could stay on, I would."

Lupin frowned. "But I don't understand why you have to go. You're the best teacher I've ever had and…and…you keep Sirius in line and you do things with us that change the way I think about things and…and I like you."

Dearheart beamed. "Thank you. It's the highest compliment you can pay a teacher, Remus, telling them that they actually taught you something useful and changed you for the better."

Lupin smiled grimly. "You made me realise I wanted to be a teacher."

"I'm honoured, Remus. I think you'd make a fantastic teacher. If you have the patience to deal with Sirius Black, thirty hell-raisers should be no problem at all." She grinned. "As for why I'm leaving, you may have noticed that Professor Maynard has been back and forth every now and again."

Lupin's eyes lit up with hope. "Is he coming back?"

Dearheart shook her head. "He's the reason I have to go."

"But Professor Maynard was…well, he was all right but he was mental."

Dearheart shrugged. "Maybe that's why I love him."

Lupin gawped. "They're firing you because you love him? But he doesn't even teach here anymore and-"

"-No, sweetheart. I'm resigning because I'm going to have a baby in February."

Lupin frowned slightly, as though he had never before heard of a baby.

"Are you going to get married?"

Dearheart flashed him her ring finger and the diamond glittered in the morning sunlight. "So staying here to teach just isn't practical. At least, not yet. Maybe I'll come back one day."

"You won't though, will you?" Lupin smiled sadly. "Congratulations."

"Thank you."

Lupin got his feet. "Goodbye then. Good luck."

"You show a genuine flair for this subject. I know you'll do well and I hope you continue with your studies in this area for your N.E.W.T.s. I'm expecting at least an O." She winked. "Good luck; though I don't think you need luck. I want you to remember, no matter what anyone else says, that you are exceptional."

Lupin blushed. "Thank you."

"Oh, and Remus?"

He turned, slinging his satchel over his shoulder. "Yes, Miss?"

"It was a pleasure to meet you."


Gryffindor Boys Dormitory. 17:45

"Thought you were pissed off."

Lupin's grin only widened. "Not any more. She's going to have a baby."

Sirius' jaw dropped. "What?"

"She's going to have a baby," Lupin repeated. "You know? Natural progression. She's getting married too."

"To who?"

Lupin smirked. "You remember Professor Maynard?"

James recoiled. "That's disgusting. He's, what, fifty? No way. You're making it up."

Lupin shook his head. "He proposed to her and they're expecting a baby in February."

James shuddered. "I just can't get over the fact that she had sex with Maynard."

"Yeah," seconded Sirius, "I mean, she's gorgeous. She could have anyone."

Peter nodded. "Why Maynard?"

"Because," said Lupin, "maybe she can see something that we can't. Maybe it's his patience or his kindness or the fact that he stands up for what's right or…gosh, I don't know, it could be anything."

Sirius smirked. "Sure you're not in love with him, Remus?"

Lupin narrowed his eyes. "And he's not fifty! He's forty-three."

"And?" said James. "She's about twenty-two."

"Age, James," said Lupin, "is something that doesn't matter unless you are a cheese."

James raised an eyebrow. "Remus, that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard."

"Why else would she resign?" asked Peter. "It has to be true."

Sirius sighed. "Why do pretty girls through themselves at old men?"

Lupin shrugged. "Well, I think it's rather sweet. She doesn't need a reason. She just loves him."

"Whatever, you bloody great puff!" Sirius grinned. "Who do you think it'll look like? I hope it's not Maynard."

"What if it's a girl? What if it's a girl who looks like Maynard?"

Sirius winced. "I sincerely hope it won't be."

"What will they call it, do you think?" asked Peter.

"Ugly," said James.

Lupin rolled his eyes. "Why did I open my big mouth?"

"Do you know," said Sirius, "I think I'll miss her."

Lupin nodded. "Me too."

"You'll miss the animals she brings into class," said Peter. "I won't."

"Brought," said Lupin sadly. "Past tense."

"Oh well," said James. "I wonder who we'll have next year."

"Knowing this school? We'll have a Boggart teaching us," answered Sirius. "I quite look forward to it. Though I'm not sure I could handle a naked Snivellus going on about wand work for three hours a week."

"Is that seriously your biggest fear?" asked Lupin, incredulous. "A naked Snape?"

Sirius merely looked at him. "Well, I'm not expecting you to be afraid because you're clearly gay. You'd be wanking under the desk all the time."

Lupin raised his eyebrows. "I'm clearly gay? Hello, Sirius who likes flowers and unicorns and rainbows."

"That was a joke!"

"It was clearly a confession!"

James and Peter sighed, sharing an exasperated glance.

"Well," said James, "at least tomorrow's the last day and then we'll have a bit of peace and quiet."