Disclaimer: I own none of the lovely characters or places. I only own the plot and the Mirror of Enitsed. :-)
Chapter 1: Scents Don't Lie
Remus Lupin sat at the staff table, eagerly waiting to see his new students that would be arriving today. Headmaster Albus Dumbledore had just employed him to teach the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes at Hogwarts, with the knowledge of what he was. This gave him hope for others, like him. He watched as the returning students came into the hall, it was hard to see them from where he was sitting and there were so many. He was looking forward to the smaller classes. A faint, but familiar scent drifted by his nose, but he dismissed it as quickly as it came. It just wasn't possible.
The next day began his first day teaching. He told his classes a bit about himself and what they would be learning. Some of the more advanced classes received demonstrations. He could have said it was a great day, if he hadn't had the second-year Gryffindors that day, but as luck had it, he did.
He had been sitting at his desk, waiting for everyone to be seated when she walked in. He had happened to glance up at that moment and his mind couldn't comprehend what his eyes saw. She looked like her, but mind you, a much younger version. The same shining red hair with cinnamon highlights, the same stunning brown eyes with such depth and what he could only describe as a haunted look, and the same diminutive features set apart with slight freckles.
The same faint scent that had played across his nose in the Great Hall reached him once more, only stronger. It was her scent and he knew then without a doubt, that it was in fact, her. He didn't understand how it could be. He had to resist the urge to embrace her, to care for her, to ask her what had happened. He knew he couldn't. He hadn't known her at this age. He would only scare her and he didn't want that. No, not at all.
The year proved difficult for Remus. The staff was concerned over the convicted murderer, Sirius Black, who seemed to have gotten into Hogwarts and was after Harry. He had to keep Harry and his friends safe, and while not voiced, he alsofelt he needed toprotect her. He feared for her safety, even though he knew that Black wasn't after her, but he might recognize her and go after her, Remus reasoned with himself that this was the reason he was overprotective of her.
There was more though. Her eyes were haunted and he was compelled to help her. He let her spend time with him during her free periods. They grew close, maybe to close, more than a professor and a student should be.
She told him about the diary of Tom Riddle, how she still had nightmares. He provided comfort and support. He did anything he could for her and he was pleased as he saw the haunting look beginning to fade from her eyes, to be replaced with the glimmer of hope, joy, and something more that he had once seen.
He knew at that point, he had to leave. If he stayed any longer, Remus would confess his love for a girl that was much too young, being only twelve, and him being a grown man of thirty-three. She would not understand, it would only serve to disgust her and he would only end up in the same result as resigning, only with a worse reputation, as everyone would think him a pedophile.
He knew it was better to leave. There was no longer any obligation to stay. In a night of truth, he had found Sirius Black to be innocent and much to his dismay, a very much alive, Peter Pettigrew who had lived as a rat for many years after framing Sirius for the murder of James and Lily Potter. Unfortunately, he had forgotten to take the Wolfsbane potion and due to this, allowed Pettigrew to escape. Luckily, Sirius had managed to escape.
The good point being, he was able to use his transformation as an obvious excuse for his resigning to Dumbledore. He was an endangerment to students, which was partially true, especially to a certain redheaded girl.
For the next couple years, he avoided her as much as possible, only seeing her when absolutely necessary, like at Grimmauld Place. It pained him to see her. To know that he could never tell her what was in his heart. Every time he did see her, she looked more and more like she did when he met her. Only time would tell how this was possible, he still didn't understand how.