Chapter 6
Harry was a little unnerved thinking of his aunt and his godfather hating each other. "Harry?" Lupin asked, noticing that he had entered a slight daze. "Are you alright?"
"Hmm? Oh, fine… just thinking."
"Well, lunch is over." He pointed out, Harry realized that the room had emptied except for the two of them.
"Oh…" Harry said, a red tint of embarrassment creeping on to his face.
"Come along Harry. I've got some chocolate that will make you feel better."
Meanwhile Severus and Alex had to meet with Dumbledore to discuss some of the changes that had come about during the summer. "We have some new teachers this term." He grinned, eyes gleaming from behind his half moon spectacles. "I believe our new Astronomy teacher is an old friend of yours Severus."
"Really? Whom may I ask?"
"Mrs. Carmen Dash, she is just recently widowed and was in need of employment."
"What happened to Sinistra?" Alex asked, noticing that Severus had become lost in his own thought.
"Ah, she is expecting…" Dumbledore was unable to finish his sentence, interrupted by a knock on the door. "Come in Remus." The door opened and in walked Remus Lupin; it was creepy sometimes how Dumbledore could do that.
"You had wanted to see me Albus? I can come back later if you want." He said, noticing that Alex and Severus were already there.
"Nonsense, stay Remus. I believe my next announcement has something that will interest you." He smiled, with a wave of his hand another chair appeared and the office door shut.
"What's this announcement?" Remus asked, sitting down in the seat that was provided for him.
"Miss Anita Grant will be returning to Hogwarts this year."
"What?" Alex and Remus asked in unison.
"I am quite sure that both of you are too young to suffer from poor hearing." He said, with a slightly teasing tone.
"Anita? Is coming here?" Lupin managed.
"Yes."
"What is she teaching?" Alex asked, still shocked.
"Well if you have no objections Alexandra, she will be your assistant. This is going to be a busy year for you, so I thought you might find yourself in need of some help."
"Oh… yes I suppose that would be alright…" Alex trailed off.
"Splendid. Well I'm sure you three have more unpacking to deal with." Severus, Alex, and Lupin all stood and left in silence.
Severus was thinking both of Alex and of his old friend Mrs. Carmen. Alex was preoccupied with only one thought; her sister will return by weeks end. They would see each other for the first time in twenty some years. Alex knew better than to expect a warm reunion. Lupin also knew better than to hope for a happy reception.