Title: Felis Domesticatus vs Canis Lupus

Alternate title: Of Cats and Dogs

Rating: T (for swearing and lewd comments, cattishness)

Authoress: Rena Kaerutsukai

Summary: The cursed Defense Against the Dark Arts position has been refilled again, this time by a young woman. She does something that no other holder of this position has done, though: goes to the only available previous DADA professor for advice. That ex-professor is Remus John Lupin, who thinks that the new professor is a bit off her rocker. But they may just have more in common than he thinks. (implied SBRL)

Chapter 2: What Do You Want Me To Do Exactly?

McGonagall waited a week for Remus to recover from the recent full moon before she Apparated to a spot a few metres away from Remus Lupin's current residence. She walked with the grace of a cat and the confidence of a woman of considerable years to the front door and knocked. A few moments later, the kindly-looking werewolf opened the door. He was dressed in a sweater and a pair of comfortable slacks. His prematurely greying tawny hair was parted to one side, and he looked more ill than normal. Warm hazel eyes softened when he saw who was at the door.

"Ah, Minerva, what a pleasant surprise," he said with a kind smile. "I was just about to have some tea. Would you care for a cup as well?" He asked pleasantly, stepping aside for her to enter.

"That sounds lovely, Remus," She said with a pleasant smile. Minerva stepped inside the humble house, slightly amazed at the number of books. Then, she thought with a smile, the Remus that she had taught was quite the bookworm. She sat down at the small table politely.

"So then, Minerva, what brings you to my door?" Remus asked, after the tea was served. He was indeed genuinely curious. Honestly, he would have thought that the assistant headmistress of Hogwarts had better things to do than make courtesy calls on Order members. Minerva put her hands around her cup, and smiled at Remus.

"I have come to ask you a favor, actually." Minerva said. "As you are likely aware, the Defense position has yet again been left empty." Remus nodded, expecting her to ask him to return, at least temporarily. He prepared to tell her no, that it wouldn't be wise for him to return after the incident two years prior.

"The new professor will be flooing in from America in a week. But she likely hasn't taught a class before, and certainly not with our...accelerated curriculum." Well now Remus was surprised. An American professor with no prior experience? What an odd choice for a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, especially in these troubled times.

"Then what caused you to choose her, if you don't mind me asking?" He asked.

"She received top marks in Defense during all of her years at New Salem Witches Academy, and she used to be part of a...pest removal team, if you will. Boggarts, Cornish Pixies, and the like." Minerva said. She withheld the rest of Felicia's impressive--if short--resume. "The favor that I'm going to ask of you, Remus, is would you pick her up at the Leaky Cauldron in a week, and explain to her the details of her job?" Minerva asked. She had a feeling that Miss Mayfair would need a bit of advice and who better to give advice than the extremely tutorial Remus, who had taught the subject before?

"I would be happy to, Minerva." Remus said with a smile. "Around what time should she be arriving?"

"I would expect around noon," Minerva said. Remus nodded. And on that note, they fell into friendly conversation, until each had finished their cup of tea. Minerva rose to leave, and Remus stood as well.

"This has been pleasant, Remus." Minerva said. "And thank you again." Remus walked her to the door, opening it for her.

"It's my pleasure," he said with a warm smile. "Do stop by again." He said, waving as she walked off. The werewolf shut the door and poured himself another cup of tea, going to the sofa to nurse it while pondering what, exactly, he had gotten himself into. After a while, he stood, setting his teacup down, and walked over to one of his bookshelves. He prided himself on having so many books that some version of the Dewey decimal system could be—and had been—applied to his collection. He pulled a small book from between two much larger ones, having had the random urge to reread it (he also prided himself on having read all of his books at least once). It was a duet between two British authors, about the coming of the Apocalypse.

The title? Good Omens, by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. He curled up on the couch, opening the book to its first page.

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Chapter two already? Review please!