It was a little over a month before the start of the new term, and several of the professors had returned to Hogwarts to prepare for the students return.

Luna of course had returned much sooner than the others, but even after more professors began to trickle back to the school, Luna tended to keep her distance when she could. She spent her days alone in her room reading.

Then one night, there was a gentle tap on her door. At first she worried that it was Severus, but then it occurred to her that the pattern of the knocking was not one she had heard before.

"Yes?" She called out to the unknown person on the other side of her door.

"I was wondering if you had a moment?" A warm voice responded from the other side of the door.

Luna flicked her wand and the door opened, "I always have time for you, Albus" she said kindly.

Albus smiled as he entered her room. "The house elves informed me that we had a staff member return rather early. I expected you would come say hello after you had settled in, but weeks have gone by now and you have not humored me with pleasantries."

"I'm sorry." Luna said ashamed. She had been so wrapped up in her own emotions that she had completely forgotten to speak to Dumbledore when she returned.

"Actually," she continued, "I've been meaning to talk to you as well."

"Oh?" Dumbledore said curiously as he peered over his half moon glasses.

"I know you said my position would remain open so long as I chose to stay... and I'm starting to think that perhaps my time here has ended faster than I had intended."

"I see." Dumbledore said softly, "Now this wouldn't have to do with a certain colleague would it?"

Luna felt her eyes begin to swell with tears, and she fought to hold them back. Her eyes met Dumbledore's, and his kind gaze settled her nerves.

"Well, you are of course free to leave whenever you please. I'm certainly not going to force you to stay. But I would remind you that your services here have never been insignificant, nor has your presence. I know it would be missed by two ladies in particular." Dumbledore gave Luna an encouraging smile.

Luna's gaze shifted to the ground.

"If you do decide to stay, I came here to inform you of another duty that I was hoping you would add to your monthly routine." Dumbledore said.

Luna's eyes lifted back up to Dumbledore, her curiosity peaked.

"As I'm sure you remember, Gilderoy suffered a rather nasty hit from a backfired memory charm last year. I'm afraid the nurses at St. Mungo's have made little progress on his condition. As such, he won't be returning this year. I have of course already made arrangements for a new professor to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. However, this one comes with a malady of his own. One that will require monthly treatment. This is where you come in handy."

"What's wrong with them?" Luna asked.

"Oh, just a little lycanthropy is all." Dumbledore chuckled. "I assume you know what treatment I am referring to?"

"The Wolfsbane Potion." Luna said, "I've never actually made one myself. I've read that it's rather difficult."

"It is." Dumbledore continued, "But I have no doubts that you and Severus will master it. Severus has some experience with the brew already, but it is one that requires a rather watchful eye."

"Of course. When working with something as toxic as aconite, any little thing can turn a remedy into a deadly poison." Luna said.

"While Severus has experience preparing the potion, I'm afraid that he cannot devote all of his time to babysitting a cauldron when he has students to teach. I'm sure Severus would gladly pass on any knowledge he has on the process to you. Should you be interested in staying that is."

Luna had been torn about staying for another school year having to face Severus every day of the week. However, conquering another master level potion was a rare opportunity. Not to mention she had never really met a werewolf in person, and she found herself curious to see what kind of person he was.

"Alright. I'll stay." Luna finally said.

"Excellent!" Dumbledore said happily, "I'll be sure to inform Professor Lupin that he will have not one, but two potion masters working on his remedy. That should help clear any reservations he was feeling."

And with that, Dumbledore left the room. Luna could hear him humming a tune to himself, the song slowly fading as he got further and further away.

Most of the staff had returned to the school at this point, and tea on Wednesdays had resumed. Despite having her bedroom be next to his, Luna had managed to mostly avoid Severus except for the moments where he was teaching her how to brew the Wolfsbane Potion.

What little interaction they did have was formal. And outsider looking in would have no idea that just a month ago the two had been dancing in sheets together more nights than not.

"Take the first dose up to him. His room is on the second floor." Severus ordered.

Luna said nothing, but took the goblet from his hands. A faint blue smoke billowed out from the goblet, the smell of which was rather unpleasant.

"Make sure he drinks it all!" Snape called after her as she exited the dungeons.

Luna reached the second floor and headed to the room at the end of the corridor. She knocked on the door.

"Come in." a low voice growled from inside.

Luna opened the door and saw a man who appeared to be no older than Severus sitting on the floor. He looked rather worse for wear. His clothes were disheveled, as was his hair. He had dark bags under his eyes, which almost looked illuminated. He was hunched over and breathing heavy, as if he had just went running.

"You can set it on the nightstand. I'll get to it in a moment." the man said.

Luna ignored this request and instead walked over to the man. She sat on the floor next to him, crossing her legs.

"I'd prefer if you drank it now." She said calmly.

The man gave her a rather shocked looked. He had expected her to place the drink on his nightstand and run at the sight of him. But instead here she was sitting mere inches from him. His face studied hers as he reached out and took the goblet from her. He took a large gulp and then made a repulsed face.

"I know it isn't very nice, but you're going to have to drink every drop I'm afraid" Luna said, placing a hand on his shoulder to comfort him. "It won't work if you don't."

The man looked at her hand on his shoulder, he was taken aback. He silently nodded and then finished the rest of his tonic. He extended his arm towards her, offering to return the now empty goblet.

Luna took the goblet from him, "I believe Dumbledore said your name was Professor Lupin?"

Lupin nodded, "Remus Lupin."

"Hello Remus. My name is Luna." She offered her hand to him.

Remus hesitantly took her hand and shook it. "Pleasure."

"I'll be coming to visit you for the next few days. You'll have to drink a goblet's worth every night this week in order to stave off the effects of your condition." Luna said plainly, "Hopefully it'll help you start to feel a bit better... Or at least better than you are now."

Remus gave a soft chuckle, "I've looked worse, believe me."

Luna laughed and got back to her feet. "I'll see you tomorrow, Remus."