Chapter Three

The sorting ceremony was the longest in the entire history of Hogwarts - at least, it seemed that was to a room full of students eagerly awaiting information on their new teacher. Even the Slytherins seemed excited. Afterall, it wasn't everyday a famous musician came to your school.

Finally, after twenty-three minutes and fourty-seven seconds of pure agony (the Weasly twins timed it,) Professor Dumbledore stood to address the impatient crowd.

"It is wonderful having you all here for yet another fanastic school year. However, I suppose you would all prefer I cut to the chase and skip the new year greetings." The words were said with perfect seriousness but the Headmaster, but as always there was a twinkle in his eyes. "As you all will have heard by now, there are two new teachers this years. One is a returning member of staff, the other I feel little introduction. Teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, Professor Remus Lupin..."

Dumbledore was forced to pause in his speech as the students once again burst into applause. Lupin himself only smiled and gave a slight bow.

As it began to quite down, a shout from the middle of the room. "We want to know about Cosmos!"

"Thank the gods that's finally over. I thought we'd never get out of there."

Remus laughed at his companion's remarks. "The two of us seem to be quite popular, though I believe you possess the larger fan club, Lady Serenity."

"It's Ren now, Remus. Serenity is my past, a past I refuse to allow to control my life. For far too long that name has dictated my actions. Though, I do thank you for not using my title as well," she told him.

He chuckled lightly. "Though they are supposed to be in the Great Hall at the moment, I have a feeling there are some prying eyes and ears in this school, some of which can be trusted, others not."

For a moment his eyes seemed to focus upon a dark corner of the hall, but before she could look too closely his attention was returned to her.

"Come, I am sure you will need your rest for tomorrow. I have a great suspicion you will have many requests for song."

She rolled her eyes, knowing what he said was true. Fame can be both friend and foe, and right now she wasn't sure which was better.

The trio of Gryffindors hurried back to their common room as quickly as they could, which was not very fast seeing as how they had to be silent and keep from tripping over each other. Three teenagers were a tight fit under just one cloak, magical or not.

After a near run-in with Mrs. Norris the cat, they stumbled into the (luckily) empty room. (The rest of their house was still back at the feast enjoying themselves.) Throwing off the cloak, they stood in silence as Harry hid it under his robes, then as one they fell back onto the couch.

Hermione was the first to speak. "Well, there seems to be more to our new teacher than we thought."

"What do you mean?" Ron asked, digging around in his pockets for the cauldron cakes he had hidden during dinner.

She gave him her famous look, the one that really made a person want to question their own intelligence.

The red-haired boy threw up his hands. "Fine, fine. Just what am I missing, almighty miss know-it-all?"

She chose to ignore the latter of the question. "Why would a world famous singer come to teach at this school, especially at the height of her career? And what about what she said to Professor Lupin about the name 'Serenity' being a part of her past that ruled her life? It just doesn't make sense."

As Ron was about to launch into another argument (the sort he and Hermione were known for,) Harry put in his opinion.

"I'm sure it's no big thing. Maybe she just needed a vacation. And everyone's got a past. Now, why don't we all get some sleep?"

III

May 18, 2003