Vanessa slipped out the large entry door and took a deep breath of the foggy night air. She was furious. She had confided in Dumbledore and he had convinced her that Hogwarts was completely safe. Now an actual werewolf would be living in the castle, not to mention the dementors guarding the perimeter. This had been a mistake. In the morning she would have to give Dumbledore notice that she would not be staying. Then she heard it. Padded footsteps running. Four of them. Looking around in the dim moonlight she saw it. The werewolf. He was big, black, furry, and her worst nightmare. Vanessa sprinted back towards the door and as she grasped the handle she realized something. Lupin had just been inside at the table. Was this another one? Two of them in the same place? But wait, the moon wasn't full that night, only at waning gibbous. Besides, now that she had calmed down some, that creature was smaller than werewolves were supposed to be. A dog? She turned to see it staring at her, head tilted in confusion. They stared at each other for a brief moment before the door swung open behind her. It was McGonagall. The dog dashed into the woods.

"Professor Branson! I would like a word with you, if I may." McGonagall said with concern in her eyes. "Certainly." Vanessa was sure Dumbledore had sent her. To be honest she didn't feel like talking while her nerves were on end, but there was no reasonable excuse to send her away. "I have been told that you just learned of Professor Lupin's condition as a werewolf. Before you make any hasty decisions just yet - please hear me out." Vanessa had opened her mouth to comment and McGonagall knew she was about to unload her anger towards Dumbledore on her. " I would like to ask something of you. The headmaster has informed me that you have had a nasty run-in with a werewolf in the past, is that correct?" She wondered how much he had told her. Probably not the details. After a moment she answered," To put it lightly, yes. I despise werewolves. I cannot stand to be around them, not when it just reminds me of the worst experience of my life. So you see, I really do not think it is wise for me to remain here-"

" I strongly suggest that you reconsider. Before you go abandoning your post, I ask you to try to have some empathy, for one moment, towards the individuals who are unfortunate enough to become werewolves. Think of this. You went through a terrible ordeal, but imagine if you had been bitten and transformed by one. Each werewolf had to go through that pain and continues to live in incredible pain each month. I do not know what you endured, but try to understand that these are people, just like yourself. Many of them are good people and they do not intend to do harm to others. I have known Professor Lupin since he attended Hogwarts himself, and I can attest that he has always been trust-worthy, honest, and a caring person. Not to mention a talented wizard. Every precaution is being taken to ensure that he will pose no threat to anyone in this castle, or out of it for that matter. So if you refuse to even get to know him first and you insist on leaving, no one is stopping you. However, it is an act of cowardice, and dare I say, it is bigotry to leave on these grounds." McGonagall had a fierce look in her eyes. Vanessa felt blood rush to her face at these words and the truth of them stung her. But she had never been one to act impulsively, and she knew it was something she needed to hear. " You're right. I have been a coward. How can I shun them when I was almost in their place? ...That's partly why I avoid them, you see. Because I see their suffering and know that by the narrowest of luck I was spared the same. They did not personally do what was done to me. Yet…" Vanessa's anger had sputtered out like a weak candle replaced by a damp feeling of guilt and sadness. She didn't talk about this part of her life often. She had learned to box up these feelings and almost… almost forget that it existed. After all no one had really cared to know, aside from Dumbledore. Her father, well he was disgusted by his damaged daughter when it happened. And her Aunt here in England was happy to not talk about anything to do with her old life when she had moved in. McGonagall patted her shoulder, and her eyes softened. "I have a permanent injury from being attacked. Please do not think too little of me professor, because I did not develop my grudge against werewolves lightly. However I think it is time that I realize that hating them won't change the past. I will stay here at Hogwarts, and I will try to be civil towards Professor Lupin."

"Thank you Vanessa. That is all I ask."

The next morning, Vanessa had pulled herself together and was looking forward to teaching her first class to the third years. She felt extra professional looking at herself in the mirror. The smart burgundy cloak and tight knot of hair on her head gave her a burst of energy, like she could cram five chapters of the textbook into one lesson and then send a dozen troublemakers to detention. It suited her, she decided.

She woke up starving, in spite of the generous meal she'd had the night before. Heading towards the teachers' lounge to grab a quick snack, Vanessa stopped short at the sight of Snape leaning casually against the wall by the door. His figure was relaxed with folded arms, but his face was scrutinizing her. " Branson, you're up early. I trust you slept well? I'm surprised you stayed the night after hearing such distressing news." She couldn't tell if he was mocking her or if he knew more than he let on. "I'm fine, thanks. It takes more than that to scare me away." No need to mention that it almost had. "By the way," he added, "You mentioned that you might appreciate some help from my potion services?" "Oh did I? Well as a matter of fact, yes I am in need of some potion-making advice. It's a personal matter, so I'd rather meet with you later to discuss it." She could have sworn that the thought had only crossed her mind at dinner. "Certainly. My office. Seven sharp." With a nod and a dramatic flick of his robes, Snape sauntered off towards the dungeons.

The biscuits that McGonagall left in the teachers' lounge were dry, flaky, and very sweet. Vanessa had seven of them. After a brief chat with Flitwick admiring the book they were reading for the staff book club, she slipped out and headed towards her office on the ground floor. Upon entering, Vanessa rolled up her sleeves and set to work unpacking the knick-knacks she had brought, ancient artifacts, and books. When she was done, she had to admit that she outdid herself. Mysteriously locked boxes lined the shelves next to her books, scrolls marked with runes hung from the ceiling to the floor, and an enchanted globe was marked with X's all over to indicate hidden treasure locations. Most important was the oversized cage that housed her raven, Griggs. The cage was positioned in front of one of the open windows. He tilted his head at her curiously and she passed him the shiny hairpin that was clasped over her ear. He gently plucked it from her hand with his beak and tucked it into his makeshift nest of blankets and other lucky finds. "How do you like your new home Griggs? It's a lot more roomy than your place at Aunt Lizzie's house eh." He flapped his wings in dignified agreement. "Well, have a blast out there and play nice with the owls. I have work to do."

The class was small, only ten students, but she liked it better that way. Runes was a challenging subject and required dedicated pupils. She started by writing a simple puzzle on the board that required only the most basic knowledge of runes. They were all stumped, but after no more than a minute of waiting, the girl from the train rocketed her hand into the air. Ms. Granger had already read the book from cover to cover, she informed her. She was going to keep Vanessa on her toes, but that was a welcome challenge. Before she knew it that class was over, and then the next, and the next. Suddenly it was time to head to the dungeons to talk to Snape. She gathered her things and walked briskly through the halls but, to her horror, Lupin waved to her at the bottom of the stairs. " Just a moment Ms. Branson, may I have a word?"