Chapter 5:

After dinner, Professor McGonagal showed Lily and Remus down a hallway that, by the look of surprise on his face, even Remus had never seen before. Apparently there were several faculty suites down the hallway they were being led, hidden carefully by portraits, sculptures and vases.
"Of course, your offices will also have small living rooms attached to them for meetings or dinners with students, but it is not common practice for the kids to know of the whereabouts of where we live. Ah, he we go," she had stopped in front of a large stone fountain of a fairy, and as Lily followed the steady stream of water back to it's source on the sculpture itself, she had to work hard to suppress a giggle.
"Thunderstorms," Minerva said calmly and the water shut off suddenly as the fountain swiveled around the reveal a large hole in the wall. "After you."
Lily stepped through first and was followed by Remus; Minerva brought up the tail and the wall moved back into place behind her. Lily walked down a short, dark corridor and was shocked when she came out the other end into a huge fire-lit common room with a grand-entrance style ceiling and dozens of large squishy armchairs and several beautiful oak tables.
Lily moved further into the room and the professor began talking again.
"All new staff share this common room space with each other; you're private apartments are off to each side," she motioned left and right and Lily saw four tall oak doors leading off to the other parts of the house. A small plaque over each door had its occupant's name engraved on it; Lily looked up at the doors on her right and saw one with 'Remus Lupin' above it and the one next to it bore her name.
"I suppose that is all. You will be moving in to your main offices tomorrow. Get a good night's sleep, and I will see you both tomorrow at breakfast," Minerva finished, smiling at her new colleagues, and vanished back down the corridor.
"Well, let's see what they're like, shall we?" offered Lily to Remus. He nodded and they crossed the room and entered their new living spaces.

The next morning, Lily awoke to the sound of tapping at her window. She sat up under her light pink comforter and smiled. She recognized the owl sitting on her window sill as James'; it had a scroll tied to its foot and was waiting patiently for her to come retrieve it.
With minimal effort, Lily got herself out of bed and crossed the room. As she threw the window open, a blast of warm, bright sun hit her face and chest and Lily sighed because it felt so good. She took only a moment to savor the feeling of being back at Hogwarts before turning to the owl, which had flown past her through the open window and was now perched on her dresser.
Lily walked over and took the letter from the bird, and patted it on the head. The owl cooed softly and then soared back out the window.

Lily unrolled the parchment and read:

Dear Lily,

I hope Sam doesn't wake you up too early, but I wanted to write and make sure you and Remus had reached the school fine. Please send back a reply soon; I miss you already.

Say hello to the professors for me and pass on my best wishes.

I love you, come home soon.
Missing you tons,
James xoxo

Lily rolled the parchment back up and found a new sheet on top of the desk in the corner of her room, pulled out a quill and quickly jotted down a reply to send back to James.

Dearest James,

Thank-you for the letter; Remus and I arrived at school just fine. It's very strange to be back here - Professor McGonagal has asked me to call her 'Minerva' which will take some getting used to.

It's so lovely here right now, I wish you could be here with me. Remember: it's just one week and I'll be home.

Must end here. Breakfast is being served in the Great Hall soon and then the faculty (isn't that weird!) have our first meeting before training starts for Remus and I tomorrow.

I'll write you more soon,
Missing you so much,
Love,
Lily xoxo

Lily folded the parchment and walked to her trunk, which lay open next to her unmade bed. She flicked her wand and got dressed as the covers began to move, pulling themselves tightly back up along the mattress, folding out wrinkled and squeezing between the mattress and the frame.
After a quick shower, Lily pulled out some of her work clothes and got dressed. At about 9.15, she heard a knock on her door. Lily smoothed a quick layer of gloss across her lips and smacked them before walking across the room to see who was there.
She opened the door and saw Remus standing across from her, dressed for the day.
"Are you ready to go down to breakfast, Lily?" he asked.
She nodded. "Sure, lemme put some shoes on and we'll go, k?" she replied, retreating back into the room and slipping on a pair of black sandals.
Lily walked back across to the doorway and stepped through. Closing the door behind her, she smiled at Remus and gave him a nervous look.
"Ok, let's do it!" she semi-squealed, and they exited out into the hallway.

Lily and Remus walked into the Great Hall and Lily stopped to look around. The four house-tables had vanished and only the faculty table remained, much like when she had once stayed for Christmas Break. Professors Dumbledore and McGonagal were sitting in the middle two seats and sharing in conversation with each other over their juice, their plates finished and sparkling clean.
As the two new teachers crossed the room, Dumbledore glanced up and caught Lily's eye. He smiled and she could see the wrinkles that were beginning to form under his eyes, amazing that it hadn't happened yet, given his age. She smiled back and he beckoned them over to where he sat in the middle of the table.
"Ahh, Ms. Evans and Mr. Lupin, how nice to see you!" he opened his arms in a very inviting gesture.
"Excuse me, I must go now, Albus," McGonagal interrupted. "Good morning to both of you, I assume you slept well?" she said, turning to Lily and Remus as she got up from her seat.
"Oh, very well, thank-you," Lily replied politely.
"Superb rooms, Professor. I'm wondering why I didn't become a teacher sooner," Remus added, grinning broadly. McGonagal gave him knowing look.
"Don't you be stirring up any trouble this year, Remus," she said, but still, she was smiling.
"Oh, I won't, Professor."
"I've asked you both to call me Minerva, so please feel free to drop this 'Professor' nonsense," she replied.
Remus nodded as Minerva collected the notes she had placed on the table and added, "I'll see you all at the meeting," before departing.
Lily and Remus turned back to Dumbledore, who was smiling at them over his half-moon spectacles.
"I am sorry I couldn't meet you both last night when you arrived, urgent business, you know," he said. "Please, sit." He extended his hands to both the seats on either side of him, now vacant, and Lily and Remus moved around the table and took their seats.

A/n: I'm finally moving ahead with the fic so hopefully I'll be able to update here again soon!

Jes xo