**I decided to keep on writing the next chapter even though I'm WAY ahead,
and the STUPID fanfiction.net keeps on messing up! Did you see what it did
to my last chaps before?**
**Well, finally we get Hogwarts into the picture. And Harry, and all the other characters . I don't know how long this chapter will be . but I guess I'll just have to wait until I finish typing this.**
**Kree**
"Are you all ready, Artemis?" Remus called out to her from the kitchen.
"Yup! All ready!" Artemis walked into the kitchen with one worn down brown suitcase. Her "name" was imprinted onto the bag: Selene D. Lupin. She wore her blue robes, which were only a bit nicer than Remus's, and only a bit more fancy than "shaggy". You couldn't really tell the difference. She put her hair in a pony tail.
"Okay, then let's go." Remus went up to the door. "Albus wants me to ride the Hogwarts Express this year again, because of what happened last year."
"So that's why we're leaving so early."
"Yeah, and we'd better get going.." Remus picked up his own suitcase and opened the door. They stepped outside together. "Guess who you'll be meeting?"
"Well. Severus right?" Artemis asked.
"Yes, that's true."
"Sirius?"
"Him too."
"Who else?" Artemis questioned.
"Harry Potter."
"Harry?" Artemis stammered. "Potter? James and Lily's son?"
Remus nodded. "Yes."
"It's. it's been so long since I've seen Lily. or James. I still can't believe." She looked away, shaking her head.
"Harry looks exactly like James." He smiled.
Artemis smiled back. "I miss them. I miss them both."
"That pain will wash away. especially when you see Harry."
"Then let's go! What are we waiting for? The next full moon?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Artemis watched as the students boarded the Hogwarts Express. She sighed, remembering the first time she saw and boarded the Hogwarts Express. It brought back so many memories about meeting Lily there for the first time and then seeing Severus for the first time. She saw kids laughing and chasing each other, talking and boarding. Oh, she remembered that life oh so very well.
"Hey Ari, you okay?" Remus squeezed her hand.
"Yeah, I'm fine.I'm just remembering."
"Remembering when we were going to school?"
"Just remembering life."
"Come on." He smiled at her. "Let's go."
She smiled back as they both walked to the entrance of the train. Remus led her to the compartment in the back and they both sat down. She grinned as she looked around.
"Oh you used to always sit in this back compartment. Always with Sirius and James and Peter."
"Sometimes, things never change. Besides, I /like/ this compartment."
She laughed a little as all of a sudden a figure stood in the doorway: It was a boy. Artemis looked at him, and strangely, he looked very familiar. He had a bit untidy jet black hair with black rimmed glasses that hid his brilliant green eyes. He wore Gryffindor Hogwarts robes. He was quite tall and he looked about 15 or 16.
"He looks like James. but I must be hallucinating." She thought to herself.
The boy's eyes first went to her and then to Remus. His eyes widened. "Pro-professor Lupin?" He stammered.
"Harry!" Remus smiled, and Artemis saw a smile that she had never seen on Remus's face since their Hogwarts years. "Oh, Harry, it's so nice to see you again!"
Harry ran to Remus as Remus stood up. They hugged warmly. "Professor Lupin. you're back? You're teaching again?"
"Yes, I'm teaching Defense Against Dark Arts again. Dumbledore let me."
"But. what about everyone else. they know you're a . werewolf! What do they think of that?" Harry questioned.
"They know I'm a calm werewolf and I've never hurt anyone the entire school year when I was there. It was good enough. Sure they might be a little worried, but it will be okay." Remus replied calmly.
"But what about Snape?"
"Professor Snape has his own reasons to absolutely hate me, but there's not much he can do to me anymore. After all, he's already announced to the whole school that I'm a werewolf."
"Okay." Harry smiled widely. "I'm so glad that you're our teacher again. So far, you were still the best. And-and I've missed you a lot."
"I've missed you too." Remus hugged him again. "You're growing up to look just like your father.Harry, I want you to meet my cousin, Selene Lupin." He motioned to Artemis.
"Nice to meet you." Harry shook hands with her.
"Harry. it's such a pleasure to meet you." Artemis spoke softly in a hoarse voice. Her eyes were getting blurry as she saw James and Lily in Harry. "I haven't gotten the honor of meeting your parents, but Professor Lupin has spoken so well of them and you."
"She's going to be working with me as the Defense Against Dark Arts teacher as well." Remus added.
"What's better than two Lupins?" Harry grinned.
"Harry!" A voice shouted and two more figures rushed into the doorway. Artemis saw a redheaded boy with freckles and new looking robes. She felt slightly embarrassed because her robes looked really shabby compared to his. She knew she shouldn't complain, because Remus had bought them with his money and he didn't have much and hers were a bit better looking than his. There was also a girl who had bushy brown hair and both were in Gryffindor robes. "Harry, there you are!" The girl exclaimed and then she too, first looked at her and then at Remus. "Professor Lupin! You're here!"
"Hermione! How lovely to see you again." Remus smiled and then looked at the boy. "The same to you, Ron."
"Professor, you're the new Defense Against Dark Arts teacher?" Ron stuttered.
Remus nodded. "Yes, once again."
"Well I'm glad. Finally we get a teacher that we know we can trust and that can actually teach us." Said Hermione.
"Selene, this is Hermione and Ron." Remus began. "Hermione, Ron, this is my cousin, Selene Lupin. She'll be helping me teach as well."
"Nice to meet you." Artemis said kindly and Ron and Hermione replied the same. Artemis watched their expressions, seeing that Ron was looking a bit surprised and Hermione looked a bit suspicious.
"Harry, we've found a compartment. Do you want to come with us?" Ron asked.
"And I've brought my laptop too!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Some Muggle device, can't really see the point of it." Ron murmured.
"Professor Lupin, it was really nice to see you again." Harry started and then he looked to Artemis.
"Harry, you can just call her the same." Remus sensed the next question.
"Professor, it was nice to meet you." Harry shook her hand and then walked out with Ron and Hermione. "Nice robes." Artemis heard him say.
"Can you believe it? Fred and George bought be so many new pairs! Mum and Dad of course are suspicious where they got such money, but I don't care! I don't have any hand me down ones!"
Artemis smiled and turned to face Remus. "Oh God.Harry looks just like James. and he's got Lily's eyes."
"Yeah." Remus answered blankly, still staring out the doorway.
"You miss James a lot."
"You can't forget friends like James, or Lily, or Sirius. They just stay alive in you no matter what."
"And in Harry." Artemis started. "Remus, I'll always be there for you, you know that don't you?"
"But you don't have to." He replied softly as he looked into her eyes.
"But I want to. I love you." She whispered into his ear.
Remus pulled her close to him and their lips touched softly, and they shared a kiss.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So you just met her?" Hermione questioned Harry.
"Yeah, right before you did." Harry replied. "Why are you so worked up about her?"
"You know what I'm really surprised at?' Ron asked them.
"What?" They both said in unison.
"I thought that they were married."
"MARRIED?"
"Well, it looked like it, the way Lupin was looking at her, and they way that she looked at him, and you'd expect a guy like him to get married to someone and someone like to her to find someone for sure. and then we figured out they were cousins." Ron explained.
"As much as it is true, they can't be married. They're cousins." Hermione began. "But Selene Lupin looks familiar from somewhere, and I /will/ figure it out."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Remus and Artemis stepped in together into the Great Hall. Artemis glanced from side to side, from table to table. She couldn't believe that she was actually in Hogwarts again. She looked to the table of the staff, seeing Dumbledore sitting upright and straight, looking very calm was a slight smile on his face, just like he did years ago. Then she glanced to Professor McGonagall, who still looked like her old strict and firm self. Then she saw Professor Sprout, Professor Flitwick, and then she saw-
Professor Snape.
He caught her glance and then smiled at her the same way, mysterious, conceited, proud, and defiant, he did all those years back on the train and she quickly turned away.
"Ari, follow me." Remus whispered in her ear and took her hand as he led her to the staff table. She could barely believe that after always sitting at the Gryffindor table, she was sitting at the /staff/ table. They took a seat at the end of the table where there were two empty seats. "The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin."
The Sorting Hat sang it's song first, and then Professor McGonagall stepped up with a scroll and opened it. "When I call out your name, step out, put on the hat and sit on the stool. The hat will announce your House, and you will go and place the hat back on the stool and sit at your table." She explained. "Ethene Evra!"
A girl with long blonde braids stepped up and walked to the stool. The hat had barely touched her head when the Sorting Hat yelled out "RAVENCLAW!"
"Jason Machlan!" Professor McGonagall called out.
He stepped up and placed the hat on his head and sat down. After a few moments, the Sorting Hat yelled out "GRYFFINDOR!"
To Artemis, the Sorting Ceremony seemed to drag forever. She felt Severus Snape's cold glare from every angle. Even as she looked in another direction, he sent chills flying down her spine. She remembered a time when those glares used to be gazes. She wondered why everything had to happen years ago. and why he had to leave her. and why they couldn't at /least/ have been friends after what happened that year.
"Ari. Ari. are you okay?" Remus whispered to her. "Ari, snap out of it."
She blinked twice before she closed her eyes again. "How. how am I going to do it? How can I face Severus again?"
Remus placed his hand on her hand and squeezed it. "Everything will be fine. I'll make sure of it." He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her soft hand.
Professor Dumbledore stood up. He was in majestic silk violet robes with gold lining. His blue eyes twinkled with excitement. "Welcome, to the beginning of another splendid year at Hogwarts!" He greeted. "I would like to first welcome the newest members of our staff! Professor Remus Lupin, and his cousin, Professor Selene Lupin are teaching Defense Against Dark Arts class."
Remus and Artemis stood up and bowed. Every 5th year and older clapped loudly. Everyone cheered and yelled. They all remembered the spectacular job Professor Lupin had done when he was DADA teacher. All except for the Slytherin table.
"Well, she obviously is related to him." Malfoy sniggered. "Look at her robes!"
"Well she obviously doesn't need a brain," Harry started. "And you, have the robes, but you're lacking the brain part."
Harry glanced at Snape. Obviously, his glare would probably be on Lupin, because he hated him so much, but Harry saw that Snape wasn't looking at Professor Lupin. He was looking at his cousin, and the look was much different. It was still a glare, but it wasn't a glare of hatred. It was all mixed. Almost with sadness and remembrance and fury and disappointment. Very strange.
"And now." Professor Dumbledore continued. "We have a new Hospital Wing Assistant: Mr. Mundungus Fletcher!"
Everyone clapped, not as loudly as Professor Lupins' applause, but pretty loudly. A man who was quite handsome, with neat, combed back dark brown hair and deep brown eyes stood up. He was in quite rich and had elegant clothes. He looked about Remus and Artemis's age. He smiled and bowed.
"Now! Let the feast began!" Dumbledore exclaimed and immediately, the food appeared on the plates that sat on the table.
Artemis's appetite was small. She had hardly eaten in Azkaban and she had grown to get used to it. She ate a bit of meat and some salad, but that was it. She remembered how she devoured the feast on the first day of the term when she was in school. She smiled to herself as she scooped up a piece of beef.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Artemis followed Remus into the staff room where all the teachers were talking. "Come on, meet with some people." Remus said as Severus stopped him. "Let me handle Severus." He whispered in her ear. Artemis nodded reluctantly but she walked away.
"You're new too, right Professor Lupin?" A voice called to her.
She didn't know that the voice was talking to her, and she was almost confused. But it got to her so she turned around and smiled at the man who called to her. "Yes, that's right. And you are too?"
"Yes." He smiled back kindly. "My name is Gus Fletcher, the new hospital wing assistant."
"Gus? I thought it was Mundungus?" She lied. Gus was the same year as her at Hogwarts. She remembered him.
"Well, that's my /real/ name, but could you imagine going around with a name such as that/"
She laughed a little. "My name is Selene."
"Selene, it's nice to meet you." He shook her hand. "Have we met anywhere, you seem rather familiar."
"I don't think so, you went to Hogwarts, right?"
"Yes."
"I thought so. I went to Durmstrang and I went to explore the Amazons straight after that."
"Ah.I guess that could not be possible. So, what brings you here?"
"Well, my parents died. I thought I would stay with some family and shake off my emotions a little." She replied.
Gus looked at Remus. "Well, I don't know what you've done with him, but he obviously isn't the same anymore."
"Excuse me?"
"Well, you do know Remus's past at Hogwarts?"
"I'm afraid not. Would you mind telling me a little?" She knew she lied again, but she might as well see how Remus had supposedly "changed".
"Hogwarts is probably his most memorable time of his life.and the happiest. Especially his last year, but then again, his last year, was also his worst year. Tell me, have you ever heard of Artemis McConnell?"
"Sorry, no. I'm not really up to the times."
"Well, she was his rival. There would probably be no worse bickering heard in the hallway between two students from the same house. But in that last year, they somehow fell in love, and that was probably the happiest I've ever seen him. He was very happy with his best friends, of course, but it was a different kind of happy. But then. she set a dementor on him. she had been working with Voldemort." He shook his head remembering what had happened years ago. "She was arrested at the end of the Year and placed in Azkaban."
"Oh."
"And then, Lily and James were killed when Sirius betrayed them, and then Sirius killed Peter and was taken to Azkaban. Remus has been through rough times."
Artemis nodded with a sigh, still upset at what he had to go through.
"But then you come along, and for some reason, he seems just as happy as he was when he was with Artemis and was back in Hogwarts. The best cure for loneliness is someone who loves you." Gus smiled weakly.
Artemis smiled too. "Couldn't have put it better myself."
"Actually, I never thought Artemis was that kind of girl. I always thought her to be quite noble and loyal. Certainly brave and quick-witted as well. She was very smart and intelligent, one of the best. She was nice, and caring, and thoughtful and friendly. In fact. I had a crush on her." He turned red. "She was very pretty."
She giggled when she heard that. Gus Fletcher, thought she was "very pretty"? She remembered Gus, the handsome Ravenclaw Quidditch seeker whom all the girls had their eyes on.
Remus caught a glimpse of Artemis as he talked to Severus. He saw her giggle. Giggle. He blinked a few times. Artemis? Giggle? How could that be possible? Snicker, snigger, sneer, scowl, snort, snap, laugh. but giggle? That wasn't her. And he saw her talking to Gus Fletcher. She was smiling the whole time and Gus was laughing and talking to her easily. They looked as if they were flirting teenagers. Remus remembered that Gus had a crush on Artemis at Hogwarts. His friend had /accidentally/ let it slip in the boys dormitory and it spread like wildfire. through the boys. The girls wouldn't dare pass that piece of gossip around, because they had their hearts set out for him.
Gus was working for the Ministry now in a very high position. Remus knew that he was very rich, very charming, almost like a ladies man, but Sirius was more of that too. And he wasn't bad looking, and that was putting it /very/ lightly. Compared to Remus, he looked like Apollo while Remus was plain, poor, and a werewolf. With Remus's abnormal amber eyes, his light brown hair with flecks of gray, gray.and was very skinny. Gus looked so much more magnificent them him. Gus was very likable, and single. And he knew, that Artemis /could/ and /maybe/ like him.
He clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. He couldn't stand seeing Artemis with someone else. but then, he released his grip. He remembered that only her happiness mattered to him. If she wanted to be with Gus.fine.as long as she was happy. Besides, maybe it was better. Maybe it would make her lifestyle better, and she'd be content with someone like Gus. Someone who was normal, and wasn't some kind of beast.Why should she and why should she be with a werewolf anyway?
"Remus, are you listening?" Severus questioned.
"Of course Severus. continue." Remus turned to face him.
"Well, you have heard the news, right?
"News? What news?"
"About Artemis McConnell."
Remus pretended to turn pale, which was not very hard, because he would always get very jittery at the sound of her name. "No. I haven't." He stammered. "What is it?"
"It seems she made a little escape during the summer time." He eyed Remus carefully. "Keep an eye out for her, will ya?"
"Of course I will." Remus stuttered, but couldn't help but gaze at Artemis again.
Severus caught his glance. "Remus.you do know, right?"
"What?"
"Your cousin has a shockingly amazing resemblance to Artemis, in some way."
Remus nodded without speaking a word, but had an uncomfortable look on his face.
"Remus," Artemis walked up to him. "Is everything all right?"
"I'm fine, Selene. Really." He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her gently close to his side.
"Ah, Remus!" A kind and friendly voice exclaimed.
Remus spotted Dumbledore calling to him so he faced him as Dumbledore walked toward him. "Hello, Professor-"
"Remus, just call me Albus!" Dumbledore smiled kindly.
"Yes, I guess I just can't used to it." Remus weakly smiled.
"I'm delighted to have you teaching again! It will be nice to have a teacher that isn't working for Voldemort or doesn't know how to control things, and Miss Selene? Delighted to have you here as well!"
"Thank you." She smiled courteously. "I've been looking forward to coming here with Remus."
"And, when we talk about Snuffles right now-" Dumbledore started.
"It's all right. I've explained everything to her at my house. She will keep the secret, I trust her." Remus assured him. "No matter what she is, a witch, a Muggle, a criminal, she is trustworthy."
Dumbledore lowered his voice and leaned forward. "Sirius is in a secret room that can be found in your room, Remus. Look into the mirror and ask for the door. It will show the door in the mirror. While looking in the mirror, back up and open it. The door will disappear in the mirror once used."
"Thank you, sir," Artemis said politely.
"I'm sure that Harry will want to see him, shall I show him to my room?" Remus asked.
"Go ahead." Dumbledore smiled. "Sirius /is/ his godfather."
"Thank you." Remus motioned Artemis to follow him and they hurried out of the staff room.
Dumbledore turned to Severus. "Severus, you've been awfully quiet since the return of Remus."
"Well, I don't need to add anything to show people that he shouldn't be trusted." Severus scowled.
"Well," Dumbledore chuckled. "How about his cousin?"
Severus was quiet for a few moments, but finally answered. "Well, we'll see about her."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So, Sirius is /actually/ here?" Harry questioned as he followed.
"Of course." Remus replied. "After what's been happening, Sirius would have it no other way. He's a very demanding guy, you know."
Artemis rolled her eyes. "And an annoying romantic as well."
Harry looked to Remus, shocked. "She knows?"
"Of course, I told her at my house." Remus began. "Don't worry, Harry. She knows that Sirius isn't a criminal. She's completely trustworthy." Remus felt as if he had been trying to explain to the whole world that she was trustworthy.
"All-all right." Harry stammered as he took another glance at Artemis and then turned away. "So, where is he?"
"He's in my room." Remus said as they stopped at a door. He opened it and they all stepped in. It was a moderately large room with a bed, a bathroom, and a closet. There was a table standing near the balcony. There was a mirror hanging on the wall and Remus spotted it. He walked up to it and stared right into it. Ignoring his own reflection, he said, "where is the secret door?"
"It's right there!" The mirror answered back.
Remus looked into the mirror and on the back wall, there was a door right next to the bed. "Thank you." He murmured and he began to back up, looking into the mirror until he was right where the door was. He placed his hand on the knob and opened it. "Sirius, come out." Remus called to him.
Sirius stepped out of the wall, but of course, if you looked in the mirror, Sirius stepped out through the door. The door disappeared in the mirror. "Remus, Harry, Art-Harry!" Sirius hesitated and caught his mistake. Knowing that Harry might not know, he just went along. "It's so nice to see you both again!"
Harry ran up to hug Sirius. "Sirius! It's great to see you too!"
Remus smiled watching Sirius warmly embrace Harry. It was almost as if he was hugging James.
"Sirius, this is my cousin, Selene." Remus winked at Sirius. "She's gonna help me teach and she'll keep our secret about you staying here."
Sirius nodded. "So that's what they came up with. Well it's convincing enough, I guess. Might as well play along with it in front of Harry." He thought to himself. "Pleasure to meet you, Selene." Sirius bowed just like a Ladies Man and they shook hands.
"Pleasure's mine." She tried to help herself from grinning.
"Do you and Harry want to talk privately for awhile?" Remus asked.
"Sure, why not?" Sirius replied.
"Okay," Artemis started. "Remus and I will be in my room." Remus left his suitcase in the room and he picked up Artemis's. "Remus," She grabbed it back. "As much as I /know/ you want to be a gentleman, I can do things for myself." She grinned.
"Okay." He grinned back, and for once, not thinking up what he could say back to her. They both walked out the room and closed the door.
"So Harry, has your scar been hurting?" Sirius asked.
"No, not really." He replied. "In fact, not once this summer!"
"That's a good sign." Sirius nodded, trying to make conversation.
But questions about "Selene" itched in his head. "When did Selene come?"
Sirius hesitated. "God, and /I/ get stuck with the lying." Sirius rolled his eyes as he thought to himself. "I'm not sure." And then he lowered his head. "Listen to me, Harry, just know that Remus trusts her with his life. You can trust her. No matter what happens, no matter what comes up, trust her, understand Harry?"
Harry had never seen Sirius looks so serious since the incident at the Shrieking Shack, but now pierce confidence strung his voice and his eyes as he talked about Selene. "All right, I will." He finally answered.
**I'm finally finished!!**
**plz review!!**
**Kree**
**Well, finally we get Hogwarts into the picture. And Harry, and all the other characters . I don't know how long this chapter will be . but I guess I'll just have to wait until I finish typing this.**
**Kree**
"Are you all ready, Artemis?" Remus called out to her from the kitchen.
"Yup! All ready!" Artemis walked into the kitchen with one worn down brown suitcase. Her "name" was imprinted onto the bag: Selene D. Lupin. She wore her blue robes, which were only a bit nicer than Remus's, and only a bit more fancy than "shaggy". You couldn't really tell the difference. She put her hair in a pony tail.
"Okay, then let's go." Remus went up to the door. "Albus wants me to ride the Hogwarts Express this year again, because of what happened last year."
"So that's why we're leaving so early."
"Yeah, and we'd better get going.." Remus picked up his own suitcase and opened the door. They stepped outside together. "Guess who you'll be meeting?"
"Well. Severus right?" Artemis asked.
"Yes, that's true."
"Sirius?"
"Him too."
"Who else?" Artemis questioned.
"Harry Potter."
"Harry?" Artemis stammered. "Potter? James and Lily's son?"
Remus nodded. "Yes."
"It's. it's been so long since I've seen Lily. or James. I still can't believe." She looked away, shaking her head.
"Harry looks exactly like James." He smiled.
Artemis smiled back. "I miss them. I miss them both."
"That pain will wash away. especially when you see Harry."
"Then let's go! What are we waiting for? The next full moon?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Artemis watched as the students boarded the Hogwarts Express. She sighed, remembering the first time she saw and boarded the Hogwarts Express. It brought back so many memories about meeting Lily there for the first time and then seeing Severus for the first time. She saw kids laughing and chasing each other, talking and boarding. Oh, she remembered that life oh so very well.
"Hey Ari, you okay?" Remus squeezed her hand.
"Yeah, I'm fine.I'm just remembering."
"Remembering when we were going to school?"
"Just remembering life."
"Come on." He smiled at her. "Let's go."
She smiled back as they both walked to the entrance of the train. Remus led her to the compartment in the back and they both sat down. She grinned as she looked around.
"Oh you used to always sit in this back compartment. Always with Sirius and James and Peter."
"Sometimes, things never change. Besides, I /like/ this compartment."
She laughed a little as all of a sudden a figure stood in the doorway: It was a boy. Artemis looked at him, and strangely, he looked very familiar. He had a bit untidy jet black hair with black rimmed glasses that hid his brilliant green eyes. He wore Gryffindor Hogwarts robes. He was quite tall and he looked about 15 or 16.
"He looks like James. but I must be hallucinating." She thought to herself.
The boy's eyes first went to her and then to Remus. His eyes widened. "Pro-professor Lupin?" He stammered.
"Harry!" Remus smiled, and Artemis saw a smile that she had never seen on Remus's face since their Hogwarts years. "Oh, Harry, it's so nice to see you again!"
Harry ran to Remus as Remus stood up. They hugged warmly. "Professor Lupin. you're back? You're teaching again?"
"Yes, I'm teaching Defense Against Dark Arts again. Dumbledore let me."
"But. what about everyone else. they know you're a . werewolf! What do they think of that?" Harry questioned.
"They know I'm a calm werewolf and I've never hurt anyone the entire school year when I was there. It was good enough. Sure they might be a little worried, but it will be okay." Remus replied calmly.
"But what about Snape?"
"Professor Snape has his own reasons to absolutely hate me, but there's not much he can do to me anymore. After all, he's already announced to the whole school that I'm a werewolf."
"Okay." Harry smiled widely. "I'm so glad that you're our teacher again. So far, you were still the best. And-and I've missed you a lot."
"I've missed you too." Remus hugged him again. "You're growing up to look just like your father.Harry, I want you to meet my cousin, Selene Lupin." He motioned to Artemis.
"Nice to meet you." Harry shook hands with her.
"Harry. it's such a pleasure to meet you." Artemis spoke softly in a hoarse voice. Her eyes were getting blurry as she saw James and Lily in Harry. "I haven't gotten the honor of meeting your parents, but Professor Lupin has spoken so well of them and you."
"She's going to be working with me as the Defense Against Dark Arts teacher as well." Remus added.
"What's better than two Lupins?" Harry grinned.
"Harry!" A voice shouted and two more figures rushed into the doorway. Artemis saw a redheaded boy with freckles and new looking robes. She felt slightly embarrassed because her robes looked really shabby compared to his. She knew she shouldn't complain, because Remus had bought them with his money and he didn't have much and hers were a bit better looking than his. There was also a girl who had bushy brown hair and both were in Gryffindor robes. "Harry, there you are!" The girl exclaimed and then she too, first looked at her and then at Remus. "Professor Lupin! You're here!"
"Hermione! How lovely to see you again." Remus smiled and then looked at the boy. "The same to you, Ron."
"Professor, you're the new Defense Against Dark Arts teacher?" Ron stuttered.
Remus nodded. "Yes, once again."
"Well I'm glad. Finally we get a teacher that we know we can trust and that can actually teach us." Said Hermione.
"Selene, this is Hermione and Ron." Remus began. "Hermione, Ron, this is my cousin, Selene Lupin. She'll be helping me teach as well."
"Nice to meet you." Artemis said kindly and Ron and Hermione replied the same. Artemis watched their expressions, seeing that Ron was looking a bit surprised and Hermione looked a bit suspicious.
"Harry, we've found a compartment. Do you want to come with us?" Ron asked.
"And I've brought my laptop too!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Some Muggle device, can't really see the point of it." Ron murmured.
"Professor Lupin, it was really nice to see you again." Harry started and then he looked to Artemis.
"Harry, you can just call her the same." Remus sensed the next question.
"Professor, it was nice to meet you." Harry shook her hand and then walked out with Ron and Hermione. "Nice robes." Artemis heard him say.
"Can you believe it? Fred and George bought be so many new pairs! Mum and Dad of course are suspicious where they got such money, but I don't care! I don't have any hand me down ones!"
Artemis smiled and turned to face Remus. "Oh God.Harry looks just like James. and he's got Lily's eyes."
"Yeah." Remus answered blankly, still staring out the doorway.
"You miss James a lot."
"You can't forget friends like James, or Lily, or Sirius. They just stay alive in you no matter what."
"And in Harry." Artemis started. "Remus, I'll always be there for you, you know that don't you?"
"But you don't have to." He replied softly as he looked into her eyes.
"But I want to. I love you." She whispered into his ear.
Remus pulled her close to him and their lips touched softly, and they shared a kiss.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So you just met her?" Hermione questioned Harry.
"Yeah, right before you did." Harry replied. "Why are you so worked up about her?"
"You know what I'm really surprised at?' Ron asked them.
"What?" They both said in unison.
"I thought that they were married."
"MARRIED?"
"Well, it looked like it, the way Lupin was looking at her, and they way that she looked at him, and you'd expect a guy like him to get married to someone and someone like to her to find someone for sure. and then we figured out they were cousins." Ron explained.
"As much as it is true, they can't be married. They're cousins." Hermione began. "But Selene Lupin looks familiar from somewhere, and I /will/ figure it out."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Remus and Artemis stepped in together into the Great Hall. Artemis glanced from side to side, from table to table. She couldn't believe that she was actually in Hogwarts again. She looked to the table of the staff, seeing Dumbledore sitting upright and straight, looking very calm was a slight smile on his face, just like he did years ago. Then she glanced to Professor McGonagall, who still looked like her old strict and firm self. Then she saw Professor Sprout, Professor Flitwick, and then she saw-
Professor Snape.
He caught her glance and then smiled at her the same way, mysterious, conceited, proud, and defiant, he did all those years back on the train and she quickly turned away.
"Ari, follow me." Remus whispered in her ear and took her hand as he led her to the staff table. She could barely believe that after always sitting at the Gryffindor table, she was sitting at the /staff/ table. They took a seat at the end of the table where there were two empty seats. "The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin."
The Sorting Hat sang it's song first, and then Professor McGonagall stepped up with a scroll and opened it. "When I call out your name, step out, put on the hat and sit on the stool. The hat will announce your House, and you will go and place the hat back on the stool and sit at your table." She explained. "Ethene Evra!"
A girl with long blonde braids stepped up and walked to the stool. The hat had barely touched her head when the Sorting Hat yelled out "RAVENCLAW!"
"Jason Machlan!" Professor McGonagall called out.
He stepped up and placed the hat on his head and sat down. After a few moments, the Sorting Hat yelled out "GRYFFINDOR!"
To Artemis, the Sorting Ceremony seemed to drag forever. She felt Severus Snape's cold glare from every angle. Even as she looked in another direction, he sent chills flying down her spine. She remembered a time when those glares used to be gazes. She wondered why everything had to happen years ago. and why he had to leave her. and why they couldn't at /least/ have been friends after what happened that year.
"Ari. Ari. are you okay?" Remus whispered to her. "Ari, snap out of it."
She blinked twice before she closed her eyes again. "How. how am I going to do it? How can I face Severus again?"
Remus placed his hand on her hand and squeezed it. "Everything will be fine. I'll make sure of it." He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her soft hand.
Professor Dumbledore stood up. He was in majestic silk violet robes with gold lining. His blue eyes twinkled with excitement. "Welcome, to the beginning of another splendid year at Hogwarts!" He greeted. "I would like to first welcome the newest members of our staff! Professor Remus Lupin, and his cousin, Professor Selene Lupin are teaching Defense Against Dark Arts class."
Remus and Artemis stood up and bowed. Every 5th year and older clapped loudly. Everyone cheered and yelled. They all remembered the spectacular job Professor Lupin had done when he was DADA teacher. All except for the Slytherin table.
"Well, she obviously is related to him." Malfoy sniggered. "Look at her robes!"
"Well she obviously doesn't need a brain," Harry started. "And you, have the robes, but you're lacking the brain part."
Harry glanced at Snape. Obviously, his glare would probably be on Lupin, because he hated him so much, but Harry saw that Snape wasn't looking at Professor Lupin. He was looking at his cousin, and the look was much different. It was still a glare, but it wasn't a glare of hatred. It was all mixed. Almost with sadness and remembrance and fury and disappointment. Very strange.
"And now." Professor Dumbledore continued. "We have a new Hospital Wing Assistant: Mr. Mundungus Fletcher!"
Everyone clapped, not as loudly as Professor Lupins' applause, but pretty loudly. A man who was quite handsome, with neat, combed back dark brown hair and deep brown eyes stood up. He was in quite rich and had elegant clothes. He looked about Remus and Artemis's age. He smiled and bowed.
"Now! Let the feast began!" Dumbledore exclaimed and immediately, the food appeared on the plates that sat on the table.
Artemis's appetite was small. She had hardly eaten in Azkaban and she had grown to get used to it. She ate a bit of meat and some salad, but that was it. She remembered how she devoured the feast on the first day of the term when she was in school. She smiled to herself as she scooped up a piece of beef.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Artemis followed Remus into the staff room where all the teachers were talking. "Come on, meet with some people." Remus said as Severus stopped him. "Let me handle Severus." He whispered in her ear. Artemis nodded reluctantly but she walked away.
"You're new too, right Professor Lupin?" A voice called to her.
She didn't know that the voice was talking to her, and she was almost confused. But it got to her so she turned around and smiled at the man who called to her. "Yes, that's right. And you are too?"
"Yes." He smiled back kindly. "My name is Gus Fletcher, the new hospital wing assistant."
"Gus? I thought it was Mundungus?" She lied. Gus was the same year as her at Hogwarts. She remembered him.
"Well, that's my /real/ name, but could you imagine going around with a name such as that/"
She laughed a little. "My name is Selene."
"Selene, it's nice to meet you." He shook her hand. "Have we met anywhere, you seem rather familiar."
"I don't think so, you went to Hogwarts, right?"
"Yes."
"I thought so. I went to Durmstrang and I went to explore the Amazons straight after that."
"Ah.I guess that could not be possible. So, what brings you here?"
"Well, my parents died. I thought I would stay with some family and shake off my emotions a little." She replied.
Gus looked at Remus. "Well, I don't know what you've done with him, but he obviously isn't the same anymore."
"Excuse me?"
"Well, you do know Remus's past at Hogwarts?"
"I'm afraid not. Would you mind telling me a little?" She knew she lied again, but she might as well see how Remus had supposedly "changed".
"Hogwarts is probably his most memorable time of his life.and the happiest. Especially his last year, but then again, his last year, was also his worst year. Tell me, have you ever heard of Artemis McConnell?"
"Sorry, no. I'm not really up to the times."
"Well, she was his rival. There would probably be no worse bickering heard in the hallway between two students from the same house. But in that last year, they somehow fell in love, and that was probably the happiest I've ever seen him. He was very happy with his best friends, of course, but it was a different kind of happy. But then. she set a dementor on him. she had been working with Voldemort." He shook his head remembering what had happened years ago. "She was arrested at the end of the Year and placed in Azkaban."
"Oh."
"And then, Lily and James were killed when Sirius betrayed them, and then Sirius killed Peter and was taken to Azkaban. Remus has been through rough times."
Artemis nodded with a sigh, still upset at what he had to go through.
"But then you come along, and for some reason, he seems just as happy as he was when he was with Artemis and was back in Hogwarts. The best cure for loneliness is someone who loves you." Gus smiled weakly.
Artemis smiled too. "Couldn't have put it better myself."
"Actually, I never thought Artemis was that kind of girl. I always thought her to be quite noble and loyal. Certainly brave and quick-witted as well. She was very smart and intelligent, one of the best. She was nice, and caring, and thoughtful and friendly. In fact. I had a crush on her." He turned red. "She was very pretty."
She giggled when she heard that. Gus Fletcher, thought she was "very pretty"? She remembered Gus, the handsome Ravenclaw Quidditch seeker whom all the girls had their eyes on.
Remus caught a glimpse of Artemis as he talked to Severus. He saw her giggle. Giggle. He blinked a few times. Artemis? Giggle? How could that be possible? Snicker, snigger, sneer, scowl, snort, snap, laugh. but giggle? That wasn't her. And he saw her talking to Gus Fletcher. She was smiling the whole time and Gus was laughing and talking to her easily. They looked as if they were flirting teenagers. Remus remembered that Gus had a crush on Artemis at Hogwarts. His friend had /accidentally/ let it slip in the boys dormitory and it spread like wildfire. through the boys. The girls wouldn't dare pass that piece of gossip around, because they had their hearts set out for him.
Gus was working for the Ministry now in a very high position. Remus knew that he was very rich, very charming, almost like a ladies man, but Sirius was more of that too. And he wasn't bad looking, and that was putting it /very/ lightly. Compared to Remus, he looked like Apollo while Remus was plain, poor, and a werewolf. With Remus's abnormal amber eyes, his light brown hair with flecks of gray, gray.and was very skinny. Gus looked so much more magnificent them him. Gus was very likable, and single. And he knew, that Artemis /could/ and /maybe/ like him.
He clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. He couldn't stand seeing Artemis with someone else. but then, he released his grip. He remembered that only her happiness mattered to him. If she wanted to be with Gus.fine.as long as she was happy. Besides, maybe it was better. Maybe it would make her lifestyle better, and she'd be content with someone like Gus. Someone who was normal, and wasn't some kind of beast.Why should she and why should she be with a werewolf anyway?
"Remus, are you listening?" Severus questioned.
"Of course Severus. continue." Remus turned to face him.
"Well, you have heard the news, right?
"News? What news?"
"About Artemis McConnell."
Remus pretended to turn pale, which was not very hard, because he would always get very jittery at the sound of her name. "No. I haven't." He stammered. "What is it?"
"It seems she made a little escape during the summer time." He eyed Remus carefully. "Keep an eye out for her, will ya?"
"Of course I will." Remus stuttered, but couldn't help but gaze at Artemis again.
Severus caught his glance. "Remus.you do know, right?"
"What?"
"Your cousin has a shockingly amazing resemblance to Artemis, in some way."
Remus nodded without speaking a word, but had an uncomfortable look on his face.
"Remus," Artemis walked up to him. "Is everything all right?"
"I'm fine, Selene. Really." He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her gently close to his side.
"Ah, Remus!" A kind and friendly voice exclaimed.
Remus spotted Dumbledore calling to him so he faced him as Dumbledore walked toward him. "Hello, Professor-"
"Remus, just call me Albus!" Dumbledore smiled kindly.
"Yes, I guess I just can't used to it." Remus weakly smiled.
"I'm delighted to have you teaching again! It will be nice to have a teacher that isn't working for Voldemort or doesn't know how to control things, and Miss Selene? Delighted to have you here as well!"
"Thank you." She smiled courteously. "I've been looking forward to coming here with Remus."
"And, when we talk about Snuffles right now-" Dumbledore started.
"It's all right. I've explained everything to her at my house. She will keep the secret, I trust her." Remus assured him. "No matter what she is, a witch, a Muggle, a criminal, she is trustworthy."
Dumbledore lowered his voice and leaned forward. "Sirius is in a secret room that can be found in your room, Remus. Look into the mirror and ask for the door. It will show the door in the mirror. While looking in the mirror, back up and open it. The door will disappear in the mirror once used."
"Thank you, sir," Artemis said politely.
"I'm sure that Harry will want to see him, shall I show him to my room?" Remus asked.
"Go ahead." Dumbledore smiled. "Sirius /is/ his godfather."
"Thank you." Remus motioned Artemis to follow him and they hurried out of the staff room.
Dumbledore turned to Severus. "Severus, you've been awfully quiet since the return of Remus."
"Well, I don't need to add anything to show people that he shouldn't be trusted." Severus scowled.
"Well," Dumbledore chuckled. "How about his cousin?"
Severus was quiet for a few moments, but finally answered. "Well, we'll see about her."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So, Sirius is /actually/ here?" Harry questioned as he followed.
"Of course." Remus replied. "After what's been happening, Sirius would have it no other way. He's a very demanding guy, you know."
Artemis rolled her eyes. "And an annoying romantic as well."
Harry looked to Remus, shocked. "She knows?"
"Of course, I told her at my house." Remus began. "Don't worry, Harry. She knows that Sirius isn't a criminal. She's completely trustworthy." Remus felt as if he had been trying to explain to the whole world that she was trustworthy.
"All-all right." Harry stammered as he took another glance at Artemis and then turned away. "So, where is he?"
"He's in my room." Remus said as they stopped at a door. He opened it and they all stepped in. It was a moderately large room with a bed, a bathroom, and a closet. There was a table standing near the balcony. There was a mirror hanging on the wall and Remus spotted it. He walked up to it and stared right into it. Ignoring his own reflection, he said, "where is the secret door?"
"It's right there!" The mirror answered back.
Remus looked into the mirror and on the back wall, there was a door right next to the bed. "Thank you." He murmured and he began to back up, looking into the mirror until he was right where the door was. He placed his hand on the knob and opened it. "Sirius, come out." Remus called to him.
Sirius stepped out of the wall, but of course, if you looked in the mirror, Sirius stepped out through the door. The door disappeared in the mirror. "Remus, Harry, Art-Harry!" Sirius hesitated and caught his mistake. Knowing that Harry might not know, he just went along. "It's so nice to see you both again!"
Harry ran up to hug Sirius. "Sirius! It's great to see you too!"
Remus smiled watching Sirius warmly embrace Harry. It was almost as if he was hugging James.
"Sirius, this is my cousin, Selene." Remus winked at Sirius. "She's gonna help me teach and she'll keep our secret about you staying here."
Sirius nodded. "So that's what they came up with. Well it's convincing enough, I guess. Might as well play along with it in front of Harry." He thought to himself. "Pleasure to meet you, Selene." Sirius bowed just like a Ladies Man and they shook hands.
"Pleasure's mine." She tried to help herself from grinning.
"Do you and Harry want to talk privately for awhile?" Remus asked.
"Sure, why not?" Sirius replied.
"Okay," Artemis started. "Remus and I will be in my room." Remus left his suitcase in the room and he picked up Artemis's. "Remus," She grabbed it back. "As much as I /know/ you want to be a gentleman, I can do things for myself." She grinned.
"Okay." He grinned back, and for once, not thinking up what he could say back to her. They both walked out the room and closed the door.
"So Harry, has your scar been hurting?" Sirius asked.
"No, not really." He replied. "In fact, not once this summer!"
"That's a good sign." Sirius nodded, trying to make conversation.
But questions about "Selene" itched in his head. "When did Selene come?"
Sirius hesitated. "God, and /I/ get stuck with the lying." Sirius rolled his eyes as he thought to himself. "I'm not sure." And then he lowered his head. "Listen to me, Harry, just know that Remus trusts her with his life. You can trust her. No matter what happens, no matter what comes up, trust her, understand Harry?"
Harry had never seen Sirius looks so serious since the incident at the Shrieking Shack, but now pierce confidence strung his voice and his eyes as he talked about Selene. "All right, I will." He finally answered.
**I'm finally finished!!**
**plz review!!**
**Kree**