Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of that stuff... I wished I owned Remus tho... but unfortunately, someone else does.

This is my first fic on ff.net, so feedback would be apreciated. And yes, things may be incorrectly spelled, etc. If you do find one such error, please tell me

Chapter One

"I'm going to be late!"

The young woman ran through the gates of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, clutching her deep scarlet cloak around her tightly, hood pulled up to protect her from the pouring rain.

The doors leading into the castle opened as she ran, heading straight towards the Great Hall where the rest of the staff and the students would be waiting for the first years to be sorted.

[Inside the Great Hall]

Professor Dumbledore smiled at the students from behind his half-moon spectacles. "Now, we all know that our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher position opened up at the end of last year, so I am happy to announce that Professor RJ Lupin has once again taken up that position."

There was a thunderous applause from all of the tables, except for Slytherin of course, as Remus Lupin stood, smiling at the students.

After he sat down, Dumbledore looked over at an empty seat beside Professor McGonagal to his right, and then addressed the students once more. "We also have a new curses and Charms teacher, but she seems to be..."

That was when the doors leading to the Great Hall opened and the woman with the scarlet cloak walked in. The entire room went silent as she pulled down her hood and smiled at everyone. "Sorry I'm late."

At this, Remus and Severus, who were sitting next to each other at Dumbledore's left, both stood up, their eyes going wide. The headmaster himself smiled and held out his hand towards her.

"I present Professor Amora Dar, the new teacher for the Curses and Charms class."

The entire room erupted in applause, except for both Severus Snape and Remus Lupin, who were still gaping at the new addition to the staff.

Amora's smile grew wider as she walked through the rows of tables towards the front of the room.

Dumbledore, in the mean time, had started the feast for the night, and was now looking at the two professors who were still standing. A small smile appeared on his graying features. The headmaster had neglected to tell Severus and Remus that Amora would be joining them this year, for he knew that the young woman was friends with both of them, back in school as well as currently. "Gentlemen, if you would both be seated, I'm sure Professor Dar will still be here after the feast."

This caused Severus, potions teacher, to glare at Remus violently as they both sat down.

Meanwhile, Amora was getting reading to sit down at the table between Hagrid and Professor McGonagal. The large groundskeeper stood up, knocking over a few glasses of wine in the process, and took her dripping cloak.

She sat down slowly, smiling up at him. "Thank you."

"No problem, Miss Amora." Hagrid grinned back at her as he sat back down, this time being mindful of the edge of the table.

The young woman with deep blue eyes looked down the table past Dumbledore and saw her two childhood friends. Severus was glaring at his food, while Remus seemed to be eager to finish his wine as quickly as possible. This brought a grin to her face, though she hid it quickly behind her own glass.

[A little bit later]

Amora stood, watching as the students filed out of the Great Hall. Sighing, she ran a hang through her long curly dark brown hair, as she walked over to Professor Dumbledore. "Albus... May I ask you a question?"

The older wizard looked over his glasses at her. "Of course, Amora."

"I was wondering... about my potions..."

"I will be taking care of those." Severus stepped up beside her, scowling. "You may come see me tomorrow before classes. It will be ready by then, Professor Dar."

Amora nodded, looking into his icy gaze for a second before looking away. "Thank you, Professor Snape."

He watched her silently for a moment, before turning away to stalk off.

Dumbledore watched this silently, and then smiled. "Come, I will walk you to your rooms, and if you have any questions, I'll answer them the best that I can."

Amora nodded, and scanned the empty room quickly before following the headmaster.

"Thought to find someone?" Dumbledore looked down at her.

She nodded. "Yes, I thought to say hello to Remus... He and Severus were my best friends for years, their behavior... confuses me."

They walked past countless paintings, the people within getting ready to go to sleep.

The headmaster nodded. "They were somewhat in shock when they saw you. I didn't tell them you were going to be the new teacher for Curses and Charms. I believe they still do not know how to react to the news."

Amora nodded in understanding as they reached a fairly solitary painting of a large black panther with huge yellow eyes.

"Albus... would you be against me performing a presentation for my class?"

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow slightly. "Oh?"

"Well, I doubt the students have been taught about the Spiritmagi, so I was thinking, if they agreed of course, that Severus could help me with the presentation on the power and weaknesses of a Spiritmage, and we could have my class joined with his and perhaps Remus', since he's the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

Albus thought about it for a minute. "This will be a 'physical' presentation, I take it? In the form of a 'duel' perhaps?" When Amora nodded, he continued. "Yes, but only if both agree and you do not put yourselves in any unnecessary danger."

The young woman smiled, looking at Dumbledore for a moment. "Thank you. Goodnight Professor." With that, she placed the tips of her fingers of her right hand on the panther's forehead. "Sunset."

The panther nodded its head, and the painting swung away to reveal the door to Amora's rooms.

[The next morning]

Amora covered a yawn with the back of her hand as she walked towards Snape's office. She had pulled her hair back in to a ponytail and was wearing blue robes that were so dark they almost appeared to be black. AS she reached the door, the young woman heard voices, both of which were very familiar to her. Sighing softly, she walked in through the door, causing both men to instantly go silent. "Hello Remus. Hello Severus. Sorry to interrupt, but I fear I'm lacking in a certain potion that I need." She smiled at both of them before looking towards the fire.

Remus smiled, ignoring Snape's scowl. "It's great to see you again Amora, what has it been? 5 years?"

"Yes, about that." She turned around to look at the werewolf. "Too long I say."

The DAtDA professor nodded, but then walked over and scooped her up in a big bear hug. "Unfortunately, letters aren't quite as good as having you here in person."

This caused Amora to grin up at him. "I missed you too, Remus, but I'm going to have to ask you to let go before you smufficate me."

Lupin laughed, letting her go, and both turned around as Severus cleared his throat.

"I should go; classes will be starting soon..." Remus glanced over at Severus then headed towards the door.

"One more thing, a proposition for the both of you."

Lupin turned around to look at the young woman, as did Severus.

"I was wondering if you two could help me with an example for my class... we could bring all three classes..."

Remus raised an eyebrow in question. "If I'm thinking what you're thinking..."

Amora nodded.

"No, absolutely out of the question!" Severus glared at each of them in turn. He set a steaming glass of liquid on the desk and motioned to her. "Drink."

The young woman blinked, startled. She had expected some doubt on their part, but never this. She walked over to the desk and picked up the glass. "I think that it would be a good idea... the students would learn a lot. You and I could demonstrate, since we more or less know each others limits, and Remus could step in if we became too... involved." She took a sip of the liquid and frowned, then quickly drank the rest of it.

Remus leaned against the doorway, arms crossed over his chest. "Alright, I will agree if Professor Snape does."

"Very well, tomorrow afternoon, after lunch." Snape's voice was angry, though it did have a slight undertone of defeat.

The DAtDA teacher nodded then smiled. "Alright, I will see you two later then." With that, he left to prepare for his first class of the day.

"Are you finished with my glass, or would you like to carry it around all day?"

Amora turned to face the Potions teacher and, placing the glass down on the desk, walked over so that she was face to face with him. She could already feel the effects of the potion already so the young woman did not hesitate to lock eyes with him. Matching his glare, she shoved a finger at his chest. "Professor Severus Snape, is this any way to treat your best friend?"

When he looked away, she threw her arms around his stomach and hugged him tightly. "Come on, admit it! You missed me!"

A small smirk appeared on his face as he finally hugged her back. "I suppose..."

A group of students ran past the door, causing Amora to realize she was going to be late for her first class. She let go of Snape, and winked at him, heading towards the door. "Thank you, Severus." And with that, she was gone.

Severus shook his head. "Well, this promises to be an interesting year..."