Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and a few characters of my own imagination.

Author's Note: Hey, everybody. I hope that you like that I am updating these first few chapters quickly. I am sorry, but don't get used to it. Again, please keep the reviews coming. I will even take reviews if you HATE my fic. Just let my dreams shatter slowly. (Just kidding).

Not the Last

Chapter 3-The Hits Keep Coming

ONE WEEK LATER

Remus Lupin sat at his kitchen table staring blankly at the most recent issue of the Evening Prophet. After reading the paper in its entirety, he had seriously considered starting a fire and burning it on the spot.

Chaos in the Streets of London!

Early this morning, in the middle of a crowded street

in downtown London, a crisis occurred. One wizard

and 12 muggles were viciously killed by Sirius

Black.

Apparently, Black was confronted by his old mate,

Peter Pettigrew. Pettigrew showed Black as he really

was, a traitor. It turns out that Black betrayed Lily

and James Potter over to You-Know-Who.

Black was said to have gotten livid at Pettigrew. Before

anyone knew what was happening, Black drew his wand

and killed Pettigrew. He managed to blow half the street away

also.

The ministry has been working frantically to achieve calm,

without much luck. A ministry official who would like to

remain anonymous says, "It's bloody hell here with all

that has happened."

Few details are known, but will be released as discovered.

Remus put the paper down and sighed as he held his head in his hands.

"I have lost all of my dearest friends," he croaked to himself.

This was too much drama for Remus, especially if it was all in one week. He would have rather done a number of other painful things than experience this week again.

"Okay, you need to stop dwelling on all this," he said, "Come up with a distraction."

Remus got up from the table and went over to his bookcase. He had decided to look through some books on werewolves to see just how inaccurate they were. It always amused him how inadequate the information was.

Remus was thoroughly enjoying himself after reading for a few hours. He even laughed at some of the most preposterous ideas. His entertainment was interrupted, however, when he heard a quiet knock at his door late in the afternoon.

He put his current book down and calmly went over to answer the door. He was actually surprised by what he saw.

Standing in his doorway was a woman that looked to be about a few years younger than him. She was quite beautiful, this woman. She had curly brown hair that flowed down a little bit past her shoulders. Her cheeks were a rosy pink because of the colder weather. What made her most astoundingly beautiful, in Remus's mind, were her eyes. They were a dark brown and extremely round. There was also an interesting emotion in her eyes. They looked deep and questioning. Those eyes made you feel she could tell how you were feeling and understood why you felt that way.

"May I help you?" he asked politely.

"I just came over to introduce myself. I'm your new neighbor," she replied.

"Oh, well it's nice to meet you….?"

"Holly Huntz," she quickly answered. Remus's eyes sparkled, realizing that the red in her cheeks wasn't just from the cold.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Holly. I'm Remus Lupin."

The young woman awkwardly shifted, side-to-side, "Well, I suppose I'll be going. I don't want to take up anymore of your time. Maybe I'll see you another time?"

Holly had already turned to walk away when Remus quickly said, "If you have time, you are welcome to stay for a cup of tea. I was just about to make some."

Holly hesitated for a moment before saying, "Um…..Sure. I would love to."

Remus stepped aside, inviting Holly to come in. He offered to take her coat as she crossed the threshold and she gladly gave it to him.

"Please sit down and warm yourself up by the fire," Remus said as he bustled around making the tea.

Holly strolled to the fire and instantly began to warm up. She looked around, taking in Remus Lupin's home. His kitchen led into the living room and the stairs to the upper level were located at the far side of the living room. The house didn't look much different from hers.

Now that she was comfortably warm, Holly decided to wander around the living room while her new neighbor continued to make tea.

She was surprised by how the familiar the room felt. There was a couch and a few extremely comfortably-looking armchairs. Next to the fireplace was a bookcase that nearly touched the ceiling. It was filled completely with books. Holly skimmed a few shelves, reading the titles. Most of the books seemed to be about defense against the Dark Arts and dangerous magical creatures.

"The tea is ready!" Remus said cheerfully as he brought two steaming mugs of tea into the living room.

Holly thanked him as they each sat down in an armchair.

Holly continued to study the room as they sat in silence when she suddenly noticed a stack of books on the coffee table. They looked like someone had been reading them recently.

"Would you mind if I had a look at what you are reading?" she asked innocently.

"Sure," Remus replied uneasily as he started to get up. He wasn't sure if this mysterious woman was a witch and he didn't want her getting suspicious.

Holly detected the nervousness in his voice and suddenly understood.

"Oh, allow me," she said as she saw Remus reaching for the books. She drew her wand and said quietly,"Accio, books."

The books quickly took flight and landed gracefully into her arms.

Remus couldn't hide his relief. Holly smiled at him and then turned to the books in her lap.

"You seem to have quite a fascination with werewolves," she mused.

"Well, yes, I do. I have studied them a lot and some of these authors have the most insane ideas about them," Remus explained.

Holly laughed and Remus laughed along with her. He was relieved to hear that she didn't have one of those high girlish giggles. He detested those.

After that, Holly and Remus shared a highly enjoyable afternoon together as they discussed everything under the sun.

Remus was having such a lovely time that he was disappointed when Holly announced she had to be on her way. They bade each other good bye and Holly walked next door, into her new house.

Remus shut his front door and sat down in the armchair that he had left just moments before.

"Well," he thought to himself, "This week was hell to go through, but now things are looking up." He thought this because for now, he had a friend.