The next day dawned, Harry and Ron dressed and came down into the common room. Hermione was already down and waiting for them.

"How do you feel?" Hermione said, looking directly at Harry.

"Fine."

Ron's stomach grumbled loudly. Harry and Hermione turned to look at him. "Mind if we go eat?"

Harry smiled and led the way out of the common room and down to the Great Hall. They saw some familiar faces along the way, stopping to say hi to some. Harry spotted Cho; she was talking with some of her friends. Harry knew she had seen him and had ignored him. Harry was going to do the same.

Hermione saw her too and looked at Harry. "Well, are you going to say anything to her?"

Harry shook his head and they continued on their way. He was not going to ride that emotional roller coaster this year. He had his own to ride, if he knew it or not was a different matter.

They got to the Great Hall and sat down. Harry saw Mark on the other end of the table.

Harry looked up at the high table. One chair was still vacant. Harry wondered where in the name of Merlin this new teacher could be. He ate some breakfast while listening to Hermione go on and on about her classes.

"And we get to take N.E.W.T. classes this year!" Harry blocked Hermione out. Thinking of Mark he, subconsciously, started to compose a letter to Sirius to ask if Mark was really telling the truth.

'He's gone, and not coming back' Harry told himself, his vision going slightly blurry as tears came to his eyes. The next best person would be Moony.

Harry was glad the start of term had been on a Friday. That meant that they had all weekend till they had to hit the books, unless you were Hermione. Harry swore that she would have all her books read by Sunday night.

They finished their breakfast and started to walk out of the hall. Harry and Ron wanted to get some flying in before classes started. They were talking about Quidditch while Hermione was toning them out, more interested in reviewing the material she had read the night before.

Harry and Ron got their brooms and went down to the Quidditch pitch. They whipped around the field at high speed, racing each other. Then Harry dived and got the snitch and quaffle out of the crate. Harry pocketed the Snitch until they needed it, then raced over to Ron to practice his Keeper skills.

Ron had really improved over the summer; blocking all but three of Harry's attempts to get the quaffle past him. Harry's shoulder got tired after the hour and a half he had spent throwing the quaffle, so they took a break from that.

Harry dropped the quaffle and watched it land close to the crate. Then he let the snitch out. They both gave it a good minute head start and then started flying around, looking for it. Harry spotted a flicker of gold at the other end of the pitch, at the bottom of one of the hoops.

Harry dove, Ron, realizing what was happing, sped after him to no use. Harry was miles ahead of him. Ron pulled up to watch the best seeker Hogwarts had ever seen in his finest moment.

Harry was all most going straight down now. He reached out; his hand grasped something small and cold. He turned and flew straight back up in the air and over to Ron.

"Harry, your getting way to good at that Wronski Feint! You looked like you were going to crash," Ron said in an admiring voice.

Harry just shrugged. He tossed the Snitch up in the air, gave it a head start, only to grab it seconds later.

Quidditch was the only thing that would make Harry forgot his troubles, or push them to the back of his mind; leaving them on the ground, having to claim them once again when he touched down.

They continued on with this until lunchtime. They walked back to the castle, brooms over their shoulders.

They met up with Hermione, walking towards the Great hall.

"So what did you do this morning?" Harry asked Hermione

"I got my Defense Against the Dark Arts book read and started on my Transfiguration book." Hermione answered, looking quite pleased with her self.

Ron looked at Harry and rolled his eyes. Harry knew Hermione had seen this and had chosen to ignore it. He was glad for this; Harry did not feel like listening to a fight.

They ate lunch and then all trooped up to the common room. Hermione read her Transfiguration book, Ron muttered something about finishing a summer assignment. Harry went over to a table to write his letter to Lupin about Mark Evans.

Dear Prof Moony,
How are you? Everything is fine here. The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is not here yet. Professor Dumblodore said he would be here by dinner. I hope he is as good as you!


I have a question for you. First night back, there was a first year with the last name 'Evans,' my mum's maiden name, but you knew that. Anyway, Mark is the same
kid I saw last summer being beaten up by Dudley. So he lives near me. I asked him if he was related to Lily Evans. He said no but I'm not sure I believe him. Do you have any idea about this?

Thanks! Hope you're well,

Harry

Harry walked out of the common room to the Owlery. The halls were surprisingly empty. Once there, Harry called Hedwig down onto his shoulder.

"Here, this is for Moony, ok?"

Hedwig gave a small hoot, took the letter and flew into the sun. Harry watched her go and then walked back to the common room.

Hermione looked as if she was all most done with her book. Ron was writing still. Harry turned towards an armchair when . . . "HA! Finished!"

Ron was rolling up his parchment and closing up his book. "Harry, you fancy a game of Chess?" He asked, getting out his pieces and board.

"Yea, all right." Harry thought, 'What else am I going to do?'

They had been playing for an hour or so when Harry heard a soft tapping on the window.

"Hedwig?"

"Harry, didn't you just send her out?"

"Yeah" How could she have gotten back so quickly?

"Moony might be staying in Hogsmead on Order business," Hermione commented over her book.

Harry crossed the room and opened the window. Hedwig came in and stuck out her leg so He could remove the letter. Then she nibbled his ear and took off. Harry walked over and sat down in front of the fire.

He looked at the scroll, Harry Potter was written on the top in Remus's handwriting.

"It's from Moony! But I only wrote him a little while ago." Harry said. Looking at the scroll with amazement.

Hermione looked up from the book, "Did you ask him about Mark?"

Harry nodded.

"Well, come on, open it all ready," exclaimed Ron.

Dear Harry,

I'm better than fine. (Well, as good as can be expected) And thank you for that complement. I think you will be very happy with the new teacher. And I assure you they will be just as good as me.

About Mark Evans, I can't think of any other siblings your mother had, other then Petunia. I am sorry I can't help you there.

Harry, know that if you need to talk, my floo network is always open.

- Moony

"Well I'm glad we're getting a teacher who Moony approves of. They can't be half bad then." Hermione said, her nose, once more, buried in her book.

"Rotten luck about Evans," said Ron, "Back to chess?"

Harry nodded; disappointed that Remus did not know anything about Mark. 'Oh well,' he thought 'it was a long shot anyway.'

By time Harry had been beaten Ron once and lost three, it was time for dinner.

The trio walked down to the Great Hall with all the other students. Everyone was talking excitedly about who could be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.

Harry, Ron and Hermione sat down and looked up at the staff table. Only Dumbledore and McGonagall were there. By the time everyone was seated all the staff was there but the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Dumblodore had not gotten up to talk, so Harry took the time to look up at the night sky. The moon had waned. 'Remus must be happy.' Harry said to him self.

There was a sudden intake of breath from the students.

Harry looked up at the staff table and smiled.

Moony had returned.

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