The Hall was buzzing like it was filled with bees. For everyone was turning to there neighbor and saying, "He's back! Isn't he a werewolf!"

The younger students who had never had Professor Luoin were turning to the older students, asking if he was really a werewolf and what kind of teacher he was.

Harry, Hermione, and Ron looked at each other with grins on their faces. Up at the staff table, they caught Remus's eye. He gave them a nervous smile in return. Harry looked over at Snape; if looks could kill.

Dumbledore got up and the talking ceased immediately. "I would like to reintroduce our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Lupin."

The Hall thundered with cheering, applause, and whistling. The Slytherins were booing, but you could hardly hear them.

Remus looked startled as the applause died down. He had not expected such a warm welcome with every one knowing his secret.

Some Ravenclaw girls shouted out, "We love you Professor Lupin! We don't care about your condition!"

At that the werewolf blushed to his ears.

"So, now that that is cleared up, let dinner begin!" Dumbledore said, smiling at Remus. The headmaster then sat back down between him and McGonagall.

The Great Hall came back to life as the dishes in front of them filled with food. Everyone was talking about Remus and how great it was that he was back. The Slytherins were shooting nasty looks at him, and talking with their heads together.

"So, that's why he answered my letter so fast, he was right here." Harry said, shoveling food onto his plate.

"Oh, this is so great! We actuallyget a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who knows his stuff!" Hermione exclaimed excitedly. "And it's especially good for our N.E.W.T.S year; I hope he stays more than one year."

"You thought Lockhart knew his stuff, look how he turned out." Ron said with a mouth full of chicken.

Hermione went red and did not say anything else for a while.

Harry was so happy to have Moony back that he did not even notice what he was eating. If he could not have Sirius, Remus was the next best thing. But he still did not come close to his godfather and the trust Harry had in him.

They got their dinner done in record time, then raced up to the high table.

Harry got there first, "Well, is it Professor Moony then?"

Remus just laughed. Ron and Hermione reached the table. The latter gave the werewolf a big hug, "Welcome back."

"It's good to be back." Remus said, returning the hug.

Behind them, students were lining up to have a chance to say hello to their favorite professor. Ron looked over his shoulder. "I think everyone's a little happy to have a certain werewolf back." He gave Remus a grin.

"Not everyone." Harry motioned to Snape.

Remus chuckled. "I'm not going for a unanimous vote."

"You almost have it though." Hermione said

"Hey! We want to talk to him too!" Someone shouted from behind them.

They said their goodbyes and started to walk away. Harry turned over his shoulder and whispered something that only Remus's sharp wolf earring could pick up.

"Watch out for the Ravenclaw girls."

Their first class of the year was Defense Against the Dark Arts with the Slytherins. Everyone was lined up outside the door early.

Remus came around the corner and everyone stopped talking. "Good morning everyone!" He opened the door, and everyone filled in after him and took their seats.

The class was sitting up straight and eager to start the class that they knew would not be a complete wasteof time. None of them showed a trace of fear at their werewolf professor. But the Slytherins were slouching and all had sour expressions.

"Okay class, I have no idea what you have been taught since I left, so today I am going to let you pick the topic for the class." Remus said looking around at the familiar faces that had matured in the three years he had last seen them.

He would have a lesson plan made up for the class. But with the full moon having just passed and only getting the letter from Dumbledore to come teach a week ago. Remus was not as prepared as he would like to have been.

Most of the class had thoughtful expressions on their faces with the choice of what to talk about. Except Malfoy. He had an evil smirk on and Remus knew what was most likely to come out of the brat's mouth.

"Tell us about your transformations once a month." Malfoy drawled with his stupid trademark smirk.

Remus looked sharply at him then at the rest of the class. The Gryffindor's were glaring at Malfoy. 'If looks could kill' Remus thought to himself, chuckling slightly.

"What do you what to know?" 'There was no way to get away from this,' he told himself.

Immediately hands went into the air.

"Is it painful?" a boy next to Ron asked.

Remus made a face, "That is one way to describe it." He noticed that most of the class and cringed at his answer.

"Where do you go for your-er- transformations?" A Slytherins in the back, near Malfoy, asked.

"I am not going to tell you."

" Why not Professor?"

"In case any of you decide you want to meet a werewolf and accidentally get bitten that's why." Remus said bitterly.

Most of the class was taken a back. They had never heard their cool, calm, and collected teacher lash out like that.

The questions continued some Remus declined to answer and others he went into detail.

The bell rung, "I would like a summaryon werewolves and what you have learned today." Remus said as the class filled out.

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