Random Author Ramble (RAR) #4: The chapters are seeming to come easier now. So, hopefully, I'll be able to get more chapters up in a timely manner. We're starting to get into the really important chapters, so they may be getting longer from here on out. This one is definitely the shortest of the bunch up upcoming chapters, but fits in with the shortness of the posted ones. Hope your enjoying the story. I'm glad to have an excuse to procrastinate! I know you'd rather be reading the chapter, so go on! Read it!

Nogard sat so still that, with her current flushed complexion, she could have been easily mistaken for a statue. Her mouth slightly ajar, only she could do was watch him approach them. Her hands were trembling so much that she had put her mug down for fear spilling or dropping it. She had searched for so long, just to look upon his face again, and here he was, standing right in front of her.

"Minerva," the man greeted. "How wonderful to see you again. How have you been?"

"I've been quite well, Remus," McGonagall replied. "How about you? You seem to have a few more scars than the last time I saw you."

"It comes with my condition," he laughed. "One doesn't notice after many years of it."

"Oh! How rude of me! Remus, this is Andromeda Nogard. She's the new Defense teacher up at the school."

"Nice to meet you." He extended a friendly hand to the nervous teacher. She looked up, still attempting to control her trembling and took it.

"Charmed," Nogard replied, looking him in the eye.

Remus' expression changed slightly. He almost seemed baffled at the sight of her. His smile faded slightly and he just stared at her as if an epiphany had just occurred to him. Nogard released his hand, hoping that he would discover her true identity.

"What did you say your name was again?" He took a seat beside her, keeping his eyes locked on her face.

"Nogard. Andromeda Nogard, Mr.---?" She knew perfectly well what his name was, but he didn't seem to know that.

"Lupin. Remus Lupin."

"I believe I will leave you two to get acquainted," McGonagall announced, rise from her place. "It was nice seeing you again, Remus. I'll see you back at the castle, Andromeda."

"See you later, Minerva." Nogard waved to her associate as she disappeared onto the busy streets.

"Pardon me for prying," Lupin began, "but do you have family that went to Hogwarts?"

"Yes, actually. All of the wizards in my family have attended Hogwarts. I, myself, graduated in 1979."

"Really? So did I." He continued to eye her suspiciously. "What house were you in?"

"Ravenclaw," she blurted out. It was the first house that came to mind. Idiot!

"Oh." Disappointment flooded his expressive eyes.

"Is there something wrong, Mr. Lupin?"

"No. Nothing. You just reminded me so much of someone I lost a long time ago."

"Really? I don't mean to bother you, but who was she?"

"My wife. The most wonderful woman in the world. She was one of the few people who was always there for me."

"Did she leave you?"

"No, she would never do that. She was on her way to see one of her good friends, and there was an accident. The Ministry only found her car." His intense eyes looked away from her.

"I'm sorry," Nogard apologized, her own tears threatening to spill onto her cheeks.

"It's all right." He looked back at her with a smile. "It doesn't hurt as much as it used to. I have a lot of fond memories of the time we did have together."

Nogard smiled now too. He was the same loving man that she had know from years ago. He hadn't changed much at all. Many new scars, physically and emotionally, but he was as strong as the day she had met him.

"Oh! Look at the time!' He glance at the shabby looking leather band around his wrist. "I better get going. It was nice meeting you, Miss Nogard."

"Nice to see you too."

They both rose. Lupin took her hand in one final handshake. He looked her in the eye as if looking for something intangible, something that he hadn't been able to find for quite a while. She too looked into his eyes, wishing to hold him in her arms as she did back then.

Nogard watched as he walked away from her, wondering if she'd see him again. Her hope had been restored, but it was too late to go back now. She had her new life and he had his. Could that be changed now? Was it too late?

RAR #5: Oh the suspense! Well, I'm sure 99 percent of you have figured her out by this point. I have to leave that 1 percent in for the clueless bunch. I can't stop laughing over RAR. LoL! It's stupid, but soooo funny! I guess I'll get used to it. Until then, I will continue my annoying giggle. Hope you liked the new chapter. The next one should be up soon (as long as the French Revolution doesn't pop up out of the blue.). Please review. I would really like to hear what you think.

PS: Thank you, EclipseKlutz for your encouragement! It helped me out of my slump. Love ya, Fred!