Another delay, again, the homework. I'm so sorry. I wish there wasn't such a place called school. Sigh. Please, keep on reviewing. Maybe that'll make me write faster. And Aramas, so sweet that you got so much patience with my work.

Chapter 3:

"Hello Harry... Hermione, Ron..." smiled Lupin, while sitting down next to Hermione. He opened his suitcase and revealed a Defence against the Dark Arts book. The same as they bought in Diagon Alley.

Harry read the title out loud and looked from Ron to Hermione. Hermione narrowed her eyes in thought.

"Are you going to teach us?" asked Ron prompted. Lupin nodded.

Hermione widened her eyes and put down her book. "This year? Us? At Hogwarts? But, what about your 'other' self... I mean, has everyone agreed? And even so, will the parents agree? Don't get me wrong, but I'm really worried, what if they... I don't know... hurt you?" she overloaded him with worries.

"It's been taken care of. My 'other' self, as you call it... I've got an antidote." Lupin smiled.

Hermione frowned. "An antidote? Where did you get that from? I never heard anything about an antidote against-"

"That is because it's newly discovered. For your information, Professor Snape has been working all summer to figure out an antidote. It's alright; it really has been taken care off." He assured her.

Harry made a coughing sound. "Snape?" Ron sniffed his nose. "You actually believe that greasy haired git? I'm sure he made an antidote... one that'll make you a whole less alive!"

Lupin put down his book and shook his head. "Still not fond of Professor Snape these days? I can't blame you. He stays, like you said, a greasy haired git, but Dumbledore trusts him. And I do trust him, since he works for the Order."

Ron narrowed his eyes. "Maybe he's a spy!"

Lupin didn't reply, but just gave him a warning look.

After a while, Harry and Ron got up and bought some candy. When they returned to their seats, Hermione was telling Lupin all about her view on the unforgivable curses.

"... but I'm sure, that when someone's under Imperius, that someone will be able to reject to do what's told. We studied it in our fourth year. There is no defense against Imperius but to say no, is there?" Hermione asked, while turning a page in their new DADA book.

"You're right again, Hermione. Ever considered a job as Auror?" Lupin asked interested.

"... Not exactly. I'm not sure what I want." She shrugged, turning another page.

"You certainly need DADA to become an Auror, right?" asked Harry, while handing over the bag of Betty's all flavoured beans. Lupin took a dangerous looking red one, stuck it in his mouth and smiled, "Strawberry ... and to answer your question; yes, you need to pass that subject indeed."

The trip to Hogwarts continued without any more visits from Malfoy. Even Colin seemed to forget his obsession with Hermione, which gave her a chance to relax a little. Harry looked forward to see the castle again and couldn't wait, but until then, Professor Lupin was great company; he seemed to know exactly what was going to happen this year, and they didn't hesitate to overflow him with questions.

"Professor, what do you know about the play?" Hermione asked, breaking a cauldron cake in half to share it with Harry. Lupin chuckled amused. "I am not allowed to tell you..." Ron frowned "Come on! This is not the Triwizard tournament! It can't be that big of a secret!"

"Well, Ron, even if you don't believe me, the school play is a tradition, once in every five years, and it's even more popular that the Triwizard Tournament." Lupin smiled vaguely.

"So? Does that mean it has to remain a secret? How will we ever play then? Without knowing?" Ron frowned.

"Dumbledore's going to explain." Finished Lupin, now focusing on his book again.

Harry stared out of the window. Whatever this play was going to be, he was sure to have a great time. A great time. It sounded so easy, though every time he had fun, he remembered also the pain. The loss of Sirius, the death of Cedric... and there would be more. But he shouldn't think of that right now. This year was going to be whatever he made of it, and it was certainly not becoming more dreadful than last year.

They arrived at Hogwarts station sooner than expected.

"I wonder... what is their goal?" asked Hermione, while finding a place at the Gryffindor table. "What do you mean, goal? Not everything has to have a goal, it's just for fun!" replied Ron. Harry sat down next to Ron, across Hermione. "Probably. But what's the point? We could use that time to study." She frowned. Harry narrowed his eyes and surveyed Snape, who was walking over to the Head table.

"Oh, Harry, could you stop looking so hateful at people? It really ruins your face." Said a voice from behind Harry and Ron. They turned around and saw Luna Lovegood.

"Luna? Er... hi to you too." Harry frowned. Hermione smiled at her and Ron rolled his eyes.

"So, you get to do a play. I wish I could. Though I prefer to read. I would love to write a play..." Luna said vaguely, while passing their table, waving at Ginny.

"Sometimes I think my family is weird, but I'm sure her family is even more than weird." Said Ron, while turning to Hermione again.

Hermione frowned. "Luna might be weird, but she isn't stupid."

Ron coughed. "Right, it's normal to read papers the other side around, I forgot!"

Dumbledore entered the Great Hall and walked to the Head table. He turned to the students and cleared his throat. The Hall fell silent. "I'd like to welcome all of you, boys, girls, living and..." his eye fell on Peeves "... not so living, to another Hogwarts year. Before we start with the food, I'd like to announce that the sixth and seventh years among us will perform a school play on Christmas Eve." He paused and surveyed the now loudly talking hall.

Dumbledore cleared his throat once more. "Now, auditions will be tomorrow. Don't be afraid, we don't expect you to know any of the lines... you will be chosen in a different way... Now, enough with the talking! Bring in the food!" Dumbledore waved his wand and immediately all golden plates filled with delicious looking food.

"I don't want to play!" said a voice from the left of Harry. It was Neville. "I can't remember the lines!" he added.

"Oh Neville, don't worry! I'm sure there are a lot of parts that don't have that many lines, maybe there are even parts without lines!" Hermione assured him. He smiled weakly.

Harry had just helped himself to some pumpkin pie, when suddenly, the door of the Great Hall slammed open and Professor Lupin, followed by a gang of students, entered.

Dumbledore stood up and clapped his hands. "Everyone, I'd like to welcome Professor Lupin again, for he has returned this year to teach us Defence against the Dark Arts!"

The whole hall fell silent. Harry saw Draco make a face which would easily assure him the part of a Troll. He could hear some students whisper that Lupin was a werewolf and he could hear first years gasp in horror.

Dumbledore smiled. "Now, all of you may know that Professor Lupin is a werewolf."

The first and second years gasped and all the other students widened their eyes, surveying Lupin with fear. Harry smiled and waved at Lupin, as did Ron and Hermione and a few other students. Harry heard Draco say "of course, Potty is a friend of the beast. Did you expect something else? Kind look for a kind..."

Dumbledore threw a few students a warning look and assured "He isn't dangerous, not dangerous at all. He won't attack you..." he paused and turned to a whispering first year "...and no, Butterbee, not even when you are asleep." His gaze met Lupin's and they both nodded.

"Now, the last thing I want to announce, before you all go to your warm beds, is that we have 7 new students in our midst..." he glanced over at the 7 students behind Lupin. "These students are from Durmstrang, which has been attacked by Giants this summer. Now, these 7 students will stay here for their final year at Hogwarts. This has nothing to do with the quality of Durmstrang; it's just that these students feel safer at Hogwarts."

Among the 7 Durmstrang students, was Viktor Krum. Hermione waved at him and he waved back. Ron mouthed something like "Oh, Vicky!" and Harry narrowed his eyes.

Lupin guided the students to the Head table. Dumbledore clapped his hands once more. "The students will be sorted privately. It's time for you to go to bed! Tomorrow, a new year will start!"

Harry stood up, followed by Hermione. Ron, on the other hand, remained seated. His eyes were fixed on a very certain girl. Cho. Hermione didn't notice and walked on, but Harry returned to pull Ron off his seat. "H-Hey! Harry! Let me just... I was finishing my pie!" Ron snapped.

"What pie? We finished eating minutes ago!" replied Harry, dragging him over to Hermione who waited at the entrance.

"HERMIONE! Oh, luv, I thought my life had ended, I though I'd never take a picture of you again!" Colin came rushing down the stairs, towards Hermione.

"Colin, I'd li-" started Hermione.

"No, you don't have to thank me! It's all for free! Now, please, lower your bag a little." Colin interrupted.

"COLIN! I don't-"

"Hermione, please work with me here, or I'll have to come and visit you tonight. And you need your sleep, you know that. Tomorrow's gonna be a loooong day!" advised Colin.

At that point, Hermione couldn't control herself anymore. Furious, she drew her wand and shouted "FLATUS!"