I had taken to prowling the halls whenever I didn't have classes. I never gave detention when I noticed students skipping class, only raising an eyebrow and making some blithe comment about the weather. Students weren't sure what to make of me. After a day or so I managed to piece together that they just didn't know how to react. I suppose it's a good thing. Kept them on their toes.

I tended to wander directionlessly, knowing that Hogwarts halls could get confusing and missing the adventure of exploring unknown worlds. I wasn't really thinking when I decided to wander into the staffroom. I should have remembered from the books what would be going on there. I opened the door, not looking really when I entered. The sound of laughter faded and when I looked up I was faced with a terrifyingly familiar man in a trenchcoat. In his ear was the Cyber Controlling bluetooth-like device he had shown me once, and at his feet were two shadows. The shadows writhed, licking at his ankles and stretching out towards the children.

My heart stopped, but my mind raced, looking for solutions. The Vashta Nerada can't have him, the Cybermen either. I wouldn't let them. I don't even know how they got here, never mind the Doctor, why was he in danger? How did those guys escape the Library? Why was he here-he isn't. He isn't here.

My wand was out in half a breath,

"Riddikulus!"

The man faded into a too fat cat trying it's best to get out of a paper towel tube. Snorts of laughter came from the students and Lupin slammed the creature back into the wardrobe. I sighed, looking up at Lupin,

"Boggart day, or something?"

He nodded,

"Apologies, I thought everyone had been informed we would be in here for this period."

I waved it off, trying the best to hide the shaking in my limbs left behind from relief and the fading adrenaline.

"My fault, probably wasn't paying attention when someone mentioned it. Sorry for interrupting."

I ducked out quickly, shutting the door behind me, taking note of the red haired twins with their heads together. I put it to the back of my mind, not willing to ponder at the moment what they were up to.

I made it to my classroom, stumbling through to get to the door just to the right of my desk, pushing through into my small personal office. I sank into the chair behind my desk, pulling off the outer robe and tossing it onto the coat hook, putting my head into my hands. Boggarts are shapeshifters that change into what we most fear. Despite the danger he represented, and the havoc he could cause if he so chose, the Doctor himself did not frighten me. If anything he was safety, a refuge. His arrival was the ultimate assurance that everything was going to be okay.

The Cybermen however, those little shits were terrible. I still had nightmares about the pain of them trying to remove my brain and attempting to seal me within a soulless shell, mowing down people with those lasers of theirs. I could understand that being a fear the Boggart would choose. Vashta Nerada, shadow Piranhas, anyone with a brain and healthy respect for things that go bump in the dark would fear them enough for it to be their Boggart. Both of them together would indeed be frightening. It was infinitely better than a Boggart becoming a Weeping Angel. The image of the Angel becomes an Angel. Therefore Riddikulus wouldn't have worked and we would have been screwed. But Angels have never been my greatest concern. I carry a small mirror just for those bastards, I've got handling them covered.

But why the Doctor? Analyzing my reaction to the situation I knew the answer was easy enough. I was scared for him. My greatest fear was the scariest things I knew attacking my best friend. The fear was slightly out of date. I was most likely never going to see him again, especially not that incarnation. Even if I returned I was almost positive that he was through with me. I'd clocked a lot of time on the TARDIS and suffered a lot of wear and tear. If there's one thing I know about the Doctor it's that he hates seeing his companions hurt.

I slid up my left sleeve, taking in the marks. If you look at it from my point of view they told a story. Look at it from his and you see proof of every time he left me alone somewhere 'safe' so he could handle things. My solution would be to take me along to help save the day. His solution would be to retire me from adventuring all together. It was just like him. I heard a knock on the doorframe to my office and belatedly realized I hadn't shut the door. I shoved my sleeve down nonchalantly, taking in the sight of two curious red heads.

"Can I help you?"

They hovered in the doorway and I resisted the curiosity tugging at me. Hesitance and uncertainty are out of character for these two.

"Come in and sit down, unless you prefer to hover like vultures."

They pushed in, taking a seat, chin length red hair reflecting light from the window to my right. After a moment of silence I sighed, yanking open a drawer and drawing out a cannister of cookies.

"Cookie anyone? Or biscuit, whatever."

They each took one, looking at it suspiciously.

I snorted,

"I haven't done anything to them."

I punctuated this by popping one into my mouth and chowing down. I swallowed and sighed,

"Not them. I'm looking for a certain kind that an old friend of mine liked, but can't for the life of me remember the name of 'em."

I looked back up at the twins who were nibbling on their respective cookies.

"You're starting to freak me out. I've been told for months that you two are mischief incarnate and I was looking forward to the show, outside of my classroom of course, and now you're practically timid. I promise, I don't bite, I haven't in years. You're perfectly safe."

This earned a snort from the one on the left.

"We came here to ask about the homework, Professor."

The other one picked up the train of thought,

"But you see we were distracted a bit. You don't look any older than a student."

I raised an eyebrow,

"I'm older than the students, I promise. Now, what did you need help with on the homework?"

The one on the left started this time,

"We were having trouble with the eh-yu-car-yo-tee, we tried to pay attention in class but at that point-"

"-you were laying into a snake quite brilliantly and we got a bit distracted."

I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms.

"Its Eukaryote. You-carry-oat. I have no idea how it's pronounced in 'British' or whatever, so don't ask. They're organisms that contain organelles enclosed in membranes."

This was met with identical blank looks. I sighed, glancing at the clock,

"Do you have anywhere you need to be anytime soon?"

At the head shake I continued,

"Then get comfortable, because I have 7 ish years of science to squish into about thirty minutes."

When the twins left an hour later their faces were slightly vacant and I was almost positive they would forget half of whatever they actually comprehended.

Dinner that evening was strange, mostly because I actually attended. I usually had coffee and breakfast, and ate lunch. If I was hungry in the evening I had food stashed away in my rooms that would do. However this evening I was informed there would be pizza. They lied. Sandwiches. Chicken sandwiches. I was scowling at my sandwich when I felt eyes on me and heard the seat next to me move. I glanced up, finding amber eyes examining me. I grinned, waving slightly.

"Hello. I don't believe we've properly met. Well, other than my rude interruption of your class. I'm Marissa Swift."

I stuck my hand out and Lupin shook it hesitantly,

"Remus Lupin. I was actually hoping to make sure you were alright and all, after being surprised by that Boggart. Several of the students were worried about you, said you were looking a bit pale."

I shrugged, poking the chicken sandwich with a fork.

"It was surprising. I'm fine now. I just had to take a few minutes to psychoanalyze myself. All figured out now, still as not-quite-sane as ever."

He gave a small smile,

"If you're sure…"

I nodded,

"Completely. Though I wouldn't say the students were worried for me, I don't think I'm very well liked. I tend to tell the truth and not care who I offend."

He snorted,

"Yes, I've heard talk amongst the students about how you told off a certain Mister Connell. I'm told it was quite...inspiring."

I rolled my eyes,

"He didn't understand half the words I was using, it hardly seemed fair."

There was a commotion in the front hall and I stood, waving away Lupin, who was standing to go handle it as well.

"I got it, planning on taking this to go anyway. See you around."

I grabbed the sandwich, wrapping it in a napkin and weaving through the students to get to the front hall. I stood beside the Ravenclaw and Slytherin that were in each others faces, chewing slowly on the french fry (called 'chip' for some reason) I had stolen off the Gryffindor table as I sauntered by. I watched as they snarled at one another, waiting calmly the few seconds it took to chew and swallow. Several students noticed I was standing among them, blending into the crowd quite nicely. One Ginny Weasley squeaked when she turned and noticed I was directly to her right. I winked, swallowing my french fry and turning to the two seventh years.

I raised my voice slightly,

"As amusing as it would be to watch this play out I have better things to do than scrape what's left of you off the marble when this is over. So how bout you explain what's going on instead."

The Ravenclaw almost immediately started talking.

"This Slytherin idiot was refusing to let us in the Great Hall!"

I rolled my eyes,

"Well, this is simple. The way's clear now, get to it."

The Ravenclaws face fell,

"But, what about the Slytherin?"

I waved them away,

"What about 'em? American, remember? Innocent until proven guilty. And there's no crime being committed at the moment. So 'the Slytherin' will most likely also proceed to the giant room filled with food. Now get, all of you. And at least try to avoid unnecessary confrontation."

They moved out of the way reluctantly, grumbling. I knew I'd have to punish someone for something soon or they'd never believe me capable of it and start trying to walk all over me. Either way I was tired, and my day had been stupidly eventful.

I walked straight out the front doors, ambling aimlessly across the grass, eyeing the Whomping Willow appreciatively. It struck out at me lazily and I snorted, sticking my tongue out at it momentarily.

"The last time a plant tried to kill me it was much more impressive. Your efforts are cute, though."

It swung one last time before just swaying in the wind. I rolled my eyes, turning to walk towards the lake when something brushed my leg. Long experience kept me from jumping, simply freezing and tilting my head slowly to see what manner of creature might be trying to eat my feet in the near future. A very large dog. A very large scrawny dog. I blinked slowly as it gave me a doggy grin.

"Damn, boy, you're thinner than me."

I glanced from the dog to the sandwich and sighed.

"Damn that Doctor, indoctrinating a weakness for furry things into everyone he meets."

I removed the napkin, dangling the sandwich close to him. He didn't move. I raised an eyebrow.

"Um, please eat it. Please."

Nothing.

"Do you hand out frequent flyer miles with that guilt trip?"

Nothing.

"Dammit dog, do you not like chicken? Cuz I can get tuna or something."

He snapped up the sandwich quickly, swallowing it almost whole. I snorted, rubbing behind one of his ears.

"Yeah, I know, tuna is disgusting."

His tail thumped heavily against the ground, eyes rolling and tongue lolling out as I scratched.

I sighed, sitting on the ground, ignoring the breeze from the swinging branches of the willow. The dog crawled practically in my lap, angling his head for a scratch. I complied, wondering what the hell Sirius, if this was him which is pretty likely at this point, was doing on campus. He had mentioned in the book that he was beloved around Hogsmeade, but hanging around the school wasn't something I thought he had done, never mind interact with people. I glanced at my rumpled robes and a thought came to mind.

I glanced down at the dog.

"Yah know I should probably report you to someone, being a professor and all."

The dog stilled and I knew I was right. Bastard had assumed I was an impressionable student.

"But I'm not the most responsible of people, and picking on a starving dog when he's down is deplorable."

I rubbed his ears one last time before standing, shoving him off me as gently as possible.

"If you're still around tomorrow I'll be sure to swing by with some quality food. Sandwiches are for the birds, my friend."

I walked back to the castle, looking back to the dog and seeing it disappear at the edge of the forest.

~TimeLordOfPie