At the end of the day, everything turned out ok. Harry Potter was treated for minor injuries and Dumbledore effectively kicked out the dementors with a scorching lecture. The only one who seemed unconvinced that the event was merely an impulse of the ghoulish guards was Snape. "It makes no sense for them to disobey strict orders like that. You know, during the Great War, they were allies of You Know Who. Who's to say Black didn't put them to it to cover up some scheme of his?"

Vanessa was surprised to hear of the wavering allegiance that the dementors had to the Ministry. Apparently these disgustingly overpowered leeches were mercenaries, rather than dutiful citizens to the magical community.

"Really? Maybe you're right, after all, the entire castle was outside watching the game….Well except for Lupin and Pomfrey anyways." Snape mulled over the details in his head, eyes darkening at the mention of the absent Lupin.

Snapping her briefcase shut, Vanessa rose to leave. "Alright then, I'm off to meet with Lupin." She pulled a face, showing her displeasure jokingly. She knew that Snape shared her dislike of their coworker. However, she was happy to note that the apprehension she had typically felt around the man had subsided to mere dislike. Vanessa had a new strategy: pretend he was just a normal man and ignore the wolfish side of him. After all, she never had to witness him in his primal state because he was secluded to his office during that time. She even felt a pang of sympathy for him from time to time when he arrived at breakfast looking haggard and sick.

"Lupin? What the devil does he want with you?" Snape asked, turning surly.

"I'm not sure, but he sent me a note. Says he wants to have tea and discuss something. I figured I might as well and then I won't feel obligated to interact with him until next year, probably. After all, he did carry me to the hospital wing when I was injured."

"Hmmph. Well remind him while you're there that I'm stopping by later with his potion."

Vanessa made her way over to Lupin's office, taking as much time as she could. She even gave a Ravenclaw girl detention for spilling an ink pot on the floor near her shoe, just for good measure. Maybe this teacher thing was going to her head a little bit. When she reached Lupin's office, he answered her knock right away. Ushering her in, he seemed to be in higher spirits than when she last saw him.

"Vanessa! How do you do?"

"I'm fine, thanks."

"Lovely. Come have a seat. Would you like some tea?"

"Um no thank you, Remus."

"Very well, on to the matter at hand. I wanted to ask you about your encounter with Sirius Black. How was he acting? What did he say exactly? Did he mention why he was here?"

"Well...he-um...he told me he didn't want to hurt me. He was on a mission...he said it was to clear his name. And then…just some weird stuff, like getting fresh with me. That's about it, he stunned me and ran."

Lupin seemed to be sifting his thoughts slowly, a look of suppressed hope illuminating his features. Stirring himself under her scrutiny, he answered, "I see. Thank you for sharing that with me. I don't often tell people this, Sirius Black was a friend of mine but back in my days at Hogwarts, if you can believe it. I can't rest easily until he is found and captured. After what he did to James and Lily Potter... the thought of him makes me sick. Especially here, near Harry.

"Oh…" Vanessa didn't know what to say to that. Lupin, an old friend of Black's? Could it be that Lupin was secretly his ally, helping him stay undetected? Wait, but then he would have simply asked Lupin to let him in the castle instead of sneaking through her office window.

They sat for a minute, both thinking deeply. She decided it was best to wrap up this little visit. The information made her uneasy. Standing to leave, she remembered Snape's request, "Well I had better go do some grading. By the way, Severus asked me to tell you he will be coming this afternoon to bring you a potion."

"Oh, um, alright then. By the way, I couldn't help but notice that you are spending a lot of time with Snape. Just so you know, Snape has a history. I won't give his secrets away, but you might want to watch your back around him. Let's just say he has gotten far too close to dark mag-Arrrgggghhhh!" Lupin tripped on the corner of his desk and toppled right into Vanessa. They both hit the floor hard. Their limbs were a tangled heap and their lips were mashed together. Dizzy from the impact, Lupin applied a gentle pressure to her mouth, enjoying the soft sensation before being yanked roughly to his feet.

"Get the h- off her Lupin! What do you think you're doing?Can't you see she is terrified having a beast like you all over her?" Snape didn't let go of Lupin's robes. He looked ready to throw a punch.

Vanessa stumbled to her feet and grabbed a table for support. "I-I've got to go," she managed to mumble before dashing out.

Lupin was speechless. Had he really just done that? It was an accident, but that last part, the kiss… "I'll go apologize."

"No you won't. Vanessa Branson has had enough of you today." Snape slammed down the goblet of wolfsbane and marched out after her.

She hadn't gotten far. Vanessa was breathing deeply and trying not to hyperventilate. A panic attack had narrowly been avoided. She thought about how similar it had felt to that night, being pinned down by a large man, unable to move. Feeling the sharp tips of his canines prick at her lips as he forced his mouth onto hers. She had to ground herself. Lupin hadn't been like that. He tripped, it wasn't an attack. And he was gentle, touching her lips without the hungry force that He had used. But Lupin kissed her? Why did he think she wanted that?

"Vanessa," Snape was cautious, placing a hand on her back and looking into her eyes with concern. "Are you ok? Did he hurt you?"

"No...I'm alright. Just shaken up." She gulped another breath of air before pushing herself into Snape's arms. Snape immediately wrapped her into a hug. She stood still, bracing herself with his steady frame. His heartbeat helped her measure her breathing until it felt comfortable again.

"I'm sorry, this isn't very professional of me," Vanessa pushed against his chest to release him from the hug, but he tightened his grip slightly before letting her go.

"Don't apologize. I'm your friend and I won't let you be alone in this. Especially when vermin like Lupin are after you. I don't know all you've been through, but I know this only makes it worse for you. Your problems are my problems. Now come, I'll walk you to your rooms." They each felt a magnetic pull, longing for another embrace. Instead, they parted ways at her door. "I'll see you tomorrow for patrol. And thank you Severus. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Actually I have a new potion for this moon, so come by my office an hour before."

"Ok. Goodnight Severus."

"Goodnight, Vanessa."