Chapter 2- The Big City

Harry sighed as he looked through his new schedule. Once again he was lucky enough to have Potions with the Slytherins. To make matters worse the Gryffindors also had another class with the Slytherins, though this one was unnamed and was not going to start for at least a month.

"What can this new class be?" Hermione asked excitedly, "The possibilities are endless!"

"Haven't we taught her anything over these past years?" Ron groaned, "She still just cares about classes."

"How would you know what I care about?" Hermione snapped. Harry smiled. He was about to reply but was stopped by serious looks from Hermione and Ron.

"What?" Harry cried.

Hermione shook her head.

"I'm going to check out the dormitory and make sure all my stuff is in the right place," she said getting up from the table. Ron watched her go.

"So…I wonder who will teach the new class," Ron said finishing his breakfast.

"It has to be someone important if Dumbledore and Professor Snape have to go to get them," Harry replied, "I guess we'll have to wait and see."

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"Lelaca, I told you I could take care of the cooking by myself," Remus said shaking his head at the small house elf.

"Lelaca just needed something to do," Lelaca cried while pulling her ears, "the house is so quiet! Oh me just needed something to do!"

Remus smiled at the elf.

"It's fine," he replied taking a seat at the table, "I know it's been quite boring around here lately and I have been busy with unpacking my things."

It had been two days since his return from Ireland and he was still not unpacked. Unlike Lelaca, Remus had quite a lot of work to do since he was looking for a job.

"Oh, Mr. Lupin sir, the one exciting thing that happened today was that a letter came for you," Lelaca said, taking a piece of parchment out of her pocket.

"Why didn't you bring it to me earlier?" Remus asked, surprised.

"Well, you were busy writing a letter so Lelaca did not want to interrupt you," Lelaca said with a sad expression.

"It's fine," Remus said blushing slightly. He took the letter and quickly opened it. His eyes widened as he finished reading.

"Well," he said quietly, "I guess I don't have to worry about unpacking. It turns out I have to go on another trip."

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Severus cursed silently as he waited for the bags he was looking for to come out of the terminal.

"No luck yet Severus?" Remus asked. Severus turned to see Remus and Dumbledore walking towards him.

"None," he grumbled.

"Cheer up Severus!" Dumbledore said happily, "We have just entered the United States of America!"

"Wonderful," Severus mumbled.

He quickly grabbed a bag off the terminal as it came out and cursed again when he saw it was not theirs. He threw it back on the terminal and sighed.

"Did we have to take muggle transportation?" he asked, turning to Dumbledore.

"It was better to stay hidden, mixed with muggles," Dumbledore replied.

"Should we be worried about staying hidden?" Remus asked. He eyed the terminal and smiled as he saw his bag come through. Remus grabbed it off the terminal and ignored the glare from Severus.

"There should be no reason," Dumbledore replied clearing his throat, "but just to be safe. After the hotel we should have no worries about staying hidden."

"Where are we going after the hotel?" Severus asked.

"Well, I have some things to clear up but I have two places I need to send you two."

Severus nodded as he grabbed another bag. He handed it to Dumbledore who took the bag but then shook his head.

"I'm afraid mine was more of an olive green color Severus," he said casually handing him the bag. Severus's face grew red as he took the bag and threw it back on the terminal.

"New York City has been great so far," Remus said with a laugh, "I can't wait to see the rest of it!"

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Remus checked the number of the apartment with the one he had on a small piece of paper. He sighed when he realized he was at the right place. Remus had decided not to call Anaka before he came so that he could surprise her.

After a few moments of staring at the door, he knocked.

"Who is it?" a voice cried happily.

"Just your elderly father who came for a visit," Remus answered. He smiled as he heard a slight gasp from behind the door. In a moment the door was thrown open and Anaka stood beaming in the doorway.

"Dad! What on earth are you doing in New York!?" she cried.

"It's nice to see you to," Remus laughed, hugging his daughter.

"Well, come in," Anaka said once they had parted. Remus walked into the apartment and suddenly felt more comfortable. He could tell Anaka had decided on how to decorate the place.

He turned to his 16-year old daughter. Though they had only been apart a year, Anaka seemed a little taller and older than the last time they had met. Her brown hair was longer and her eyes seemed even brighter and more full of life then before.

"So why have you come to New York?" Anaka asked, sitting next to her father on the couch.

"I would have called you or wrote but this was sort of a short notice trip. I hope I did not come at a bad time," Remus said with a surprised expression.

He had not noticed it before but now he saw that Anaka looked like she was going to a ball. She wore a lovely navy blue sparkled dress that ended just below her knees. Anaka wore a familiar gold locket with green gems around her neck and a ring with a beautiful sea-green gem that fit her perfectly.

"Actually," Anaka said slowly, "John was just going to take me to dinner."

"I can come back another time you know," Remus said with a smile, "I would hate to ruin your plans."

Before Anaka could answer, there was a knock on the door. Anaka blushed as a voice started to sing. She quickly stood up and answered the door. A bouquet of fresh red roses was thrust at her as the voice paused.

"…Because I love you…." The voice sang, finishing a verse. Anaka's face reddened as she took the flowers.

She looked over the flowers at the smiling face of John Miffugan. He was wearing a black tuxedo with a small white flower on his jacket. Remus noticed that John had also grown over the past year. He still had his dark forest green hair, sea-green eyes, and freckles, but he was taller and even with his freckles, looked older.

"Are you ready to go my darling?" John said taking Anaka's hand and kissing it.

"Actually," Anaka stammered, "We have a guest."

"Really?" John said trying to see over the large bouquet of flowers.

Anaka moved aside and John walked into the room. He froze at the sight of Remus and blushed. Anaka smiled and closed the door.

"My father has come all the way from England to see us!" Anaka said happily.

"Mr. Lupin sir," John stuttered.

"I never knew you could sing so well John," Remus said with an amused tone. John grew redder as he took a seat.

Anaka put the bouquet of flowers on a nearby table and then returned to sit next to her father.

"So you were going to tell me why you had come," Anaka said quickly.

"Well, I've come to ask you to return to England," Remus announced.

There was a brief silence. John and Anaka exchanged glances and then looked at her father.

"Would you like to accompany us to dinner Mr. Lupin? Maybe then you could explain this better," John said quietly.

"No I don't want to intrude on your romantic evening. I will explain all this another time. Right now, understand that Hogwarts would welcome you both back. I should be on my way. Dumbledore has an assignment for me to carry out at some club," Remus said standing up. Anaka and John stood and Anaka walked her father to the door.

"This is all really confusing dad, so I hope you stop by tomorrow in the morning," Anaka said giving her father a serious look.

"I'll be here first thing," Remus said with a smile. He glanced at John.

"Don't stay out too late," he warned. Anaka smiled at her father and hugged him tight.

"I'm so glad you are here. Be careful on whatever mission you are going on."

"Oh it's nothing. I am just catching up with Severus at some club to meet an old friend."

Anaka and John exchanged a look.

"I don't think you should," John said slowly.

"She's on a really important assignment," Anaka replied, "one mess up and a lot of bad things could happen. It's risking her life and a lot of others."

Remus frowned.

"I'll find Dumbledore and talk to him about it then," Remus said sternly.

"Sounds good," Anaka said hugging her father, "It's good to know Professor Snape came along. It might sound strange but I actually missed the guy."

Remus smiled, kissed his daughter on the cheek and then left to find Dumbledore.

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Severus spent the afternoon with Dumbledore, settling things at the hotel and delivering a package Severus was told to forget about.

"It's nothing important," Dumbledore had replied to his questions.

After they caught a quick lunch Dumbledore went on his way and Severus stayed at the hotel. He found ways to amuse himself by watching the muggle television and dialing random numbers on what he thought was called a phone.

Once it reached 5:00, Severus took out a small piece of paper. He called a cab and read the address on the paper. Severus stared at the sites of the city as the driver brought him to his place of assignment. Once he was dropped off and had paid the cab driver with some muggle currency he stared at the sign above the door he was about to enter.

"Darklighters Experience Club," he read quietly.

The club did not seem to be in the best part of the city, which made Severus feel even more nervous then he already was. He entered the dark building and found himself suddenly in a large dim lit room. The air was full of smoke and foal smells. Music blared from a band on a stage in the front of the room. Severus quickly slipped into one of the booths in a corner and looked around. His heart pounded in his chest as he saw the type of people that were in this "club".

Suddenly a large burly man with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a blonde beard knocked into Severus's table. Severus looked at the man with surprise.

"Are you all right?" an almost musical voice asked anxiously.

Severus watched as a woman appeared out of no where and helped the man stand straight.

"I told you that you had too much to drink," the girl giggled. She had curly long fiery red hair and bright violet eyes. She wore black pants and a dark purple shirt.

"Sorry about that…" the women started to say to Severus when she stopped suddenly. Her eyes widened and she blinked. Severus gave the girl a questioning look but before she could speak the man collapsed into the seat next to him.



"I think I should stay seated here a moment doll," the man replied in a slurred Scottish accent.



"If you want hun," the girl replied sitting across from the man.

"I hope you don't mind sir?" she asked Severus quietly.

Severus shook his head. There was something about the women's eyes that made him think he had seen her before.

"So who are you fellow?" the man asked, squinting at Severus.

"I'm new," Severus grumbled.

"A newbee? Ha!" the man laughed, "You must not know what to do with yourself if you're sitting here alone without a drink and no girl."

"Aw, leave the guy alone Jack," the girl said quietly.

"It's true though Rose," Jack replied, "You should give him your card or something."

"Let one of the others handle it," Rose scolded.

"Alright, alright, just trying to help."

"So you were telling me about your voyage to New York and some sort of package?" Rose asked anxiously.

"Forget it now Rose," Jack said rubbing his head, "My head is real bad. I'm going to head up to our room. I'll see you in a little bit."

Rose sighed as Jack stood. He kissed Rose on the forehead and then left. Severus tried to see stairs through the foggy air but he could see nothing.

"Do I know you?" Severus asked quietly. He did not know what had just taken place in front of him but he had a strong feeling that he knew this girl.

"I'm afraid I've never seen you before sugar," Rose said with a smile. She moved closer to him and he frowned.

"Sorry then," he mumbled. Rose glanced around nervously and then leaned close to him.

"Listen Severus Snape, I don't know what you are doing here but if you almost get me killed again I'll…"



Rose stopped suddenly and stared at a large black haired man who was coming towards them.

"Damn," she whispered.

Rose quickly leaned towards Severus and kissed him. His eyes widened and he almost instantly knew who this woman was. As soon as the man passed Rose moved away from Severus. Both their faces were bright red.

"I…" Severus started but was stopped by Rose putting a finger on his lips.

"Don't say a word. Just follow me," she said quietly. Rose quickly slipped out of the booth and started to walk away. Severus shook his head, slid out of the booth, and followed her.