Disclaimer: No money is being made or received for this work in her playground of characters.

Chapter 6 - Hogsmeade

The next day, July 1, Rowan awoke well after noon. Making her way through her morning routine, she repacked her suitcase and went downstairs. Molly was making lunch as Rowan sat at the table in the kitchen. Molly offered her coffee which was greatly appreciated. She also took a sandwich and followed Molly out into the sunshine. Not for the first time, Rowan was glad she had the a bit of an obsession with sunglasses. She was prepared for almost any kind of light. And in England in July... well, it was good that she had dark glasses.

The kids came and ate lunch with Molly and Rowan, grateful that Molly was no longer giving them a hard time over last night. Rowan stated that she needed to get to her research and was expected at Hogwarts before dinner, but she did not have a clue as to how to get there. Molly told her and the kids the plans.

A few minutes later, Harry, Ron, and Rowan's trunk were in the fire place leaving for Hogsmeade. Hermione and Ginny would accompany Rowan and the other bags through the floo, and would be meeting with someone named Hagrid at the other end. The kids seemed content with this arrangement, and Rowan, though apprehensive started to relax as they held her arms in the fire.

Her landing was much more graceful than the one at the Burrow, but only because Ginny and Hermione were holding her upright. When the three emerged into a warm inviting tavern, Ginny and Hermione released her and made their way to the boys waiting. Each was greeted with a hug and sly smile, but nothing more.

Looking around the pub, Rowan saw a beautiful barmaid was setting an extremely large tankard of something steamy in front of the largest man she had ever seen. The girls, turning from the boys, ran to this man, laughing as they were swept up into a bone crushing hug. Only when Harry noticed that Ginny was purple did Hagrid let them go. Harry pointed at Rowan. Hagrid turned to see a woman in a bright green short sleeved blouse, jeans, and sandals, holding several bags awkwardly. She smiled as the kids, remembering she had everything, came rushing back to help her. She gratefully let them take her bags and satchels breathing a calming breath.

Before she could take a step toward the table, the fire blazed green again, Rowan, turning as the fire roared behind her, was amazed to watch as a man came hurtling out of the fireplace. The man tackled her as the flames died down. Rowan looked into the eyes of the man lying on top of her. When their eyes met, she stared deeply into them, instant recognition as the warmth of this man's gaze met her. She shrieked as loud as the little breath left in her body could muster "REMUS?"

This was met with another loud shout of "Rowan? Is it you? You're really here?" She enveloped him in a hug laughing as it was returned. Neither noticed that the four children had drawn their wands in anticipation of defending their new teacher.

Harry, watched this exchange with his mouth open at the spectacle of his sudo-godfather, the last remaining marauder and his new Muggle studies teacher; emphasis on the word MUGGLE. She knew him and he obviously knew her. He watched as the excited chatter between two people continued. He finally turned to see the others doing exactly what he were staring at. They would talk for a moment and hug. Then break apart, speak for another moment and hug again.

Only when Hagrid pushed past them to the couple, who had still not gotten off the floor, were they brought out of their reverie. Hagrid finally separated them, helping Remus Lupin off the floor then extending a hand to Rowan. Harry could see that she was blushing as she apologized to Remus, realizing that the entire pub had been watching their reunion.

Blushing still, she moved toward the children; Rowan and Remus following amid the stares of the other patrons. Finally, Hagrid spoke loudly: "The shows over folks, sorry to have inc'nv'nienc'd ye' with tha' one, just got a lil' excited. Any questions?" No one asked anything, and the statement seemed to take care of the other people, who turned away from them and returned to their own conversations.

Rowan, who was excited at the prospect of meeting her old friend but not wanting such a public display when they talked, turned and said casually, "Anyone ready to go to the castle?"

Hogwarts and House-Elves

The carriage waited for them to board and took them slowly back to the castle. The children, still not knowing what to say, simply said nothing. Harry was still trying to figure out who she was and how Remus knew her.

Upon arrival, everyone helped Rowan get settled. Taking her on a tour that ended in the kitchens with an interesting little creature named Dobby. As Rowan, Remus and the kids settled themselves around a table, creatures referred to as House Elves were setting plates of food in front of them. Dobby, never straying far from Harry asked who she was. Rowan, patted the seat next to her, asking Dobby to sit with her. The other elves were scandalized.

Rowan knew she had done something wrong, but unclear as to what it was, stated "You all work so hard, how can I get to know you if you don't talk to me?" Although the general movements did not change, the attitude toward this stranger was lighter after that. Hermione openly gawked at her. Ron exchanged glances with Harry and Ginny. When they looked to Hermione, she had an oddly content smirk on her face.

Dobby sat quietly looking into the brown eyes of this woman with an odd accent. Rowan explained who she was. She and Dobby spoke quietly for several minutes as the rest made their way through dinner. At the conclusion, Rowan asked Dobby if he might be available to help her since the children would return to their home for the rest of the summer and she was certain she would get quite lost in a place like this castle. Dobby, beaming, agreed to help her when she needed it.

The children, it turned out, would be going home the following day. Harry had to meet with Dumbledore and Remus about something that he had yet to discuss with his friends. She recognized a bitter anger from this young man. His temper always so close to the surface would be powerful if he learned to control it. Rowan did not ask for details, only assured him that if he needed another adult, she was better than most.

At the conclusion of dinner, Harry departed with Remus to Dumbledore's office. The others showed her once again where her quarters were. There had been additions since she was there a few weeks before. An office, library stocked with wizard books on muggles, parchment, inks, quills, fireplace, a box she did not understand, and two extra bedrooms. It was the extra bedrooms that interested her most.

The first bedroom had the words "Boys Room" on it and had four-four poster beds. The other one was marked "Girls Room" and had three-four poster beds, much like the boys room. Rowan, smiling, asked Ron and Hermione if she would go to the Boy's room and see if they too had a fireplace. When Hermione entered the room, after Ron, all was quiet. But when Ron, seizing the opportunity to be alone with Hermione drew her in for a kiss, a horrid voice from nowhere, screeched at them "YOU MADE A PROMISE ON YOUR HONOR... YOU MUST KEEP YOUR PROMISE!"

Rowan, laughing at the precautions set in her quarters, entered the room. Crossing her arms, and mustering ever bit of her mother she could find, said simply, "I'm really going to like it here". Ron and Hermione joined her, staring at the floor all the way.