Chapter twenty-five: Professor Lupin

The rest of the holiday went by in a blur. Remus and Alicia threw a wedding party for their friends and family. It became a bit awkward when Remus his father, Lyall Lupin, entered. The couple had so far not included their parents in their relationship, so this was in fact the first time Alicia met him. However he got used to her quick enough and was generally happy for them both.

Alicia's parents took it a bit harder. Hugo and Kate stood in the Black family home with huge eyes. Nothing in the environment was familiar to them; Kate had always made sure to stay out of the way of pureblood families. They seemed scared and intimidated, most of all when Sirius tried to greet them. Alicia had to assure them he was not the criminal they thought he was.

Also, Remus hadn't met them either. They tried to hide their surprise at his age but failed terribly. Only after Alicia had pulled them aside and explained the basics of her life did they calm down and start to enjoy themselves.

Towards the end of the evening, at which point Alicia was exhausted by all the social interactions, Sirius had asked her what had been bothering her since Norway. She nearly broke out in tears. Before she would start she uttered that he should ask Remus because she couldn't repeat it.

Sirius had done that later. He and Remus had stepped into the kitchen for almost an hour. In the meantime Alicia tried to distract herself with all the people around her, but in reality she just wanted to know how Sirius was responding to it. When they came back in the room Sirius looked at her solemnly and gave her a big hug. The others were staring at them, not understanding why Sirius was holding her like that, or why Alicia was silently crying. Alicia was so grateful in that moment and decided that she would do anything for Sirius, no matter what.

Returning to Hogwarts after the holidays was very strange for Alicia. Before the holidays she had started neglecting her job of getting Umbridge to trust her. She had partly stopped caring what Dumbledore wanted her to do. Her mind had been set on the time away from school as her way out, but now she needed to go back. She had to push all her darker thoughts to the back of her mind and continue her roleplay persona and job as normally as she could. Spending Christmas with Harry had reminded her what was at stake.

Of course there was a chance Hagrid would be back by now. If so he could take over. But she had to be honest, Hagrid wouldn't last long with Umbridge running things. He was known as a Dumbledore supporter and his lessons were a lot more chaotic than Alicia's. He was everything Umbridge wanted to get rid of.

Despite her concerns Alicia felt better as she walked the long bridge towards the school. It always felt good to see the mighty castle again. Alicia craned her neck to look up at the towers as she walked towards the entrance. Students were greeting her left and right. For a moment she could forget all the complicated mind games and just enjoy the castle…

But that didn't last long. She hadn't even made it inside when she spotted Albus Dumbledore himself. He had a small smile on his lips and was clearly looking at her. Alicia sighed internally and walked over.

'Hello again Headmaster. Happy new year,' Alicia started with a smile.

'Happy new year Alicia. It's good to see you again. Would you do me the honour to come with me for a moment?' he said as cheerful and innocent as he could. It sounded like the most casual request, but she knew she had no choice.

'Of course,' she replied. She left her suitcase in the hall where a house-elf would bring it to her office. Dumbledore walked her out into the courtyard, away from the crowd of students. They looked out over the Black Lake.

Dumbledore seemed calm, but it was clear this conversation was going to be important. Alicia didn't know what to expect but braced herself nonetheless.

'I wished to congratulate you on your marriage. I wanted to come over at Christmas to do so in person to both of you, but I was unfortunately otherwise engaged,' he said, his eyes studying the young professor.

Alicia nodded. 'Thank you. It was all a quick and small happening. You didn't miss much,' she said lightly. Actually she had been happy he hadn't shown up.

He looked intensely at her before he spoke his next words. 'I don't think I have to say this, because it is logical. But still I must remind you. You cannot start introducing yourself as Mrs Lupin now. Not here, not anywhere outside the Order.'

And just like that, the good feelings were crushed. The momentary happiness of seeing the castle again was extinguished. Her heartbeat quickened as she felt herself getting angry.

'But that is my name now,' she said through gritted teeth. 'That is who I am.'

He cocked his head to the side ever so slightly. He looked disappointed. 'Not here. Here you must remain the professor that agrees with Dolores. Obviously she knows who and what your husband is. You must remain here as a teacher. That is fundamental.'

'Oh is it?' Alicia said while crossing her arms over her chest. 'Did Severus receive that message?'

For the first time he looked beaten at his own game. 'Severus wishes to apologize for that incident. He shouldn't have tested you like that. However, you should have been prepared for someone to see a flaw in your lie. If not him, it would have been someone else.'

'No. The way that Filius or Poppy or Pomona look at me says enough. They look at me like I died and someone else is controlling my body. No one else would have called me out like that. And I am obviously not believing you that Severus is apologizing. He enjoyed torturing me too much.' Alicia felt strong as she finally spoke her mind, spilled everything that was bothering her.

Dumbledore sighed. 'I should have known that you would be as prejudiced towards Severus as Remus and Sirius are. I will make sure he stays out of your affairs, but you have to keep doing your job. You are Professor Doreen. You will agree with everything Professor Umbridge says. Oh and lastly…'

Alicia was about ready to push the old man down the cliff.

'You can't wear your wedding ring either.'

'Morning class,' Alicia bellowed with her arms crossed over her chest. One girl in the back was still giggling. Alicia threw an empty glass bottle in her direction. The girl shrieked when the glass smashed on the floor. Then it was deadly silent.

'No talking,' Alicia said with a dangerous look directed at the girl. 'Open your books to page 210. We are covering Flobberworms for the coming weeks. No arguing. Start reading.'

The class was completely silent as they started reading. Alicia knew she was going too far. She wasn't supposed to redirect her anger on her students. They didn't know, did they?

The only positive thought she got out of her conversation with Dumbledore was: Fine. You want me to be the bad guy? Then I'll be a bad guy. She could be Umbridge's pushover or she could be worse than Umbridge. Worse towards Dumbledore. That gave her some sick satisfaction.

After that class she walked with Dolores towards the Great Hall. Alicia had told her some story about being attacked by muggle-loving wizards over the holidays and that it had angered her. Dolores seemed a bit stunned at first but was also impressed.

They rounded a corner and saw Harry, Ron and Hermione. Ron and Hermione were giving Dolores dark looks, but Harry was focussed on Alicia. No, go away!

'Professor?' he asked kindly. 'Have you heard anything about Hagrid yet?'

Alicia sighed deeply and was mentally apologizing to the boy. 'Not now, Potter. I don't have time for you.'

Dolores made a little approving sound. 'This is a good lesson for you Potter. The world doesn't revolve around you. People are busy with much more important things. Also, I wouldn't count too much on Professor Hagrid returning. We already have a very competent teacher this year, don't we?'

Alicia closed her eyes for a second as she tried not to start screaming. 'Do you have a problem with my teaching, Mister Potter?'

He seemed almost scared, not of Dolores but of her. She hated the look in his eyes. 'No. No professor. I just…never mind.'

Harry looked down. Alicia had a new habit since today: she was constantly fiddling with her finger. The finger where there was supposed to be a ring. She twisted her fingers around it like the ring was invisible. She missed the familiar weight and cold metal against her skin. Harry noticed this, then looked up again with a whole new expression before he turned around and walked away with his friends.

'I will discipline that boy. It isn't easy, but I will have order. In this entire school,' Dolores said with flared nostrils.

'Well ultimately that is up to the Headmaster, isn't it?' Alicia remarked.

A wicked grin grew on her face. 'Yes, I believe it is.'

It was simple, really. All she had to do was to keep an eye on three different students for two days. At a certain point, all of them stopped dinner earlier to retire to their common room. Now of course they weren't the only ones doing this, but it did strike Alicia as odd that they all went within ten minutes of each other.

She wished hard enough and the door to the Room of Requirement appeared. When she flung it open, everyone was looking at her with wide eyes and raised wands.

'Professor Doreen!' shrieked Cho Chang, a sixth-year Ravenclaw. She, along with many others in the room were shocked to see her there.

'I have some things to say,' Alicia stated to the secret organisation. 'First of all; you have to be less conspicuous. It took me 2 days to follow you here while you were all present. If Umbridge really set her mind to it, she could do it too.'

People looked around at each other like they were looking for someone to blame.

'If you aren't careful your duelling club will be discovered and then it's over,' she told them sternly. Her arms were crossed over her chest as she looked out over the crowd of students.

'B-but,' Neville started saying, 'You already found us. Aren't…aren't you going to report this to Professor Umbridge?'

Alicia looked from Neville to Harry, who was listening intently. 'That's the other thing I want to say. I am so sick of it. I am sick of that ugly hag. No, I will no longer be on her side. Not really, anyway.'

Some started whispering, others just stared. Alicia directed herself to Harry. 'We are at war, and like it or not, you will all be a part of it. Yes, you are underage and you shouldn't be dragged in something so dark. But I'm afraid we have no choice. I'm so done with the Order. They make bad decisions. You guys, the next generation, must be better. Harry, promise me you will never force people to do what you want. Promise me that you will not give people tasks that are fundamentally against their nature. Promise me you will be just and honest with everyone that follows you.'

It was very quiet in the room. Harry nodded solemnly. 'I promise.'

Alicia nodded. 'Good. Because otherwise you will lose your followers. Trust me.'

'So you were here on a mission? More than just teaching?' Ron spoke up.

Alicia nodded. Hermione stepped forward. 'But if that is so…well, it must be important. You probably shouldn't give it up.'

Alicia's face contorted in a wicked smile. 'I'm not that important. There are others than can take over my work like that,' she snapped her fingers for emphasis. 'And I am done listening to Dumbledore. He went too far. I won't stand for it anymore.'

'Dumbledore ordered you to be like Umbridge? Why?' Luna Lovegood asked.

Alicia threw her hands up. 'To have a spy. I won't tell you what my mission was, it will only cause trouble. But I can tell you that I won't be here for much longer. I can't wait for Hagrid to come back. Here is what we're going to do. I'm going to help you. Whatever Harry can't teach you, or whatever you want to ask, ask me. I am going to assist in these lessons for a couple of weeks. You will be the only reason I stay here. But soon, I'm gone.'

'Wicked! We get to learn from the best!' Fred cheered. More people seemed excited by that idea.

'What did Dumbledore ask of you that went so far?' Cho asked with a small voice. Still everyone heard her.

Alicia smiled. 'That is the last thing I wanted to say. My name is Alicia Lupin. I married the man I love and during these lessons I am proudly going to wear my wedding ring. No one, I repeat no one, takes away my name or my ring! Now let's get started.'

There were some shocked responses throughout the room. Almost everyone remembered their teacher from two years ago. Now the secret was out amongst this group. Alicia stopped caring what other people thought of her.

Let them whisper. Let them judge. It didn't matter as long as they were happy together.

Harry spoke up. 'Okay then Professor Lupin. I could really use your help.'