I own nothing. J.K Rowling owns it all, except the plot and the character Vestra.

Thank you for your patience. I hope this chapter is a little better than the last one.

Chapter 2: Memories

Remus Lupin is lost in his memories…

16 years earlier

"Smile!" Peter said cheerfully.

"Take the damn picture Pettigrew!" Moody growled.

"Sigh…."

CLICK

"Well that's a good one everybody." Peter chirped, grimacing slightly to see that the Moody in the photo had begun to enthusiastically make rude gestures at him.

The group quickly began to disperse as everyone returned to their own business. The meeting had run rather long and they were all of them anxious to get home, except for Moody. He remained with a few stragglers peering glumly out of the darkened windowpane. He was grumbling quietly to himself while Frank Longbottom and Remus Lupin stood behind him unsure as how exactly to approach him.

"Well? What do the pair o' ya want? No sense bein' modest," Moody barked without turning around to look at them.

"Oh, well…" Remus started uncertainly. It always disconcerted him a bit to hold conversations with Moody's back. Though he couldn't see it, he was positive that he could feel that unsettling eye watching him through the back of Moody's head. "Frank and I thought that you might want a copy of tonight's photograph."

"Humph" Moody said by way of reply. "I don't need no blasted picture to remind me who my mates are" He snapped turning around quickly.

"'Course not," Frank said evenly. "I just thought that since you liked the last picture of the gang so much, you'd like this newest one too." Alastor Moody took the photo and looked at it silently for a few seconds before shaking his head as if he were shaking loose some old memory.

"If it's gonna be that important to ya Longbottom, fine I'll take me a copy," he said placing the picture in his coat pocket, and with a great deal of muttering and mumbling to himself, Moody headed toward the door. Just before he reached it, he turned around.

"Oh er.. Lupin," he said. "Dumbledore would like a word with ya before you leave." With that he ambled out of the room, his wooden leg slightly scraping the floor.

"He looks down, what's the matter with him?" Remus asked Frank.

"There should have been more people in that picture. I know how he feels but, Dig missing, and Marlene killed. Bones dead too for all we know…" Frank looked across the room to where Alice stood waiting for him. "I have to be glad we haven't lost more friends to the Death Eaters."

Remus knocked again and cautiously poked his head through the door. "Dumbledore?" he asked. "Moody said you wanted to talk to me."

"Yes come, sit down." He quietly finished the scroll he had been reading and rolled it up tightly. Then, putting on an entirely different face, he turned to Remus. "How is the job hunting going?" he asked brightly. Remus blushed, only slightly to his credit, and examined his sleeve.

"Not well," He confessed. "I was thinking of taking out an ad," he added unconvincingly.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled like the Fourth of July.

"I have heard of a job that might suit you, if you're interested."

Why does he ask questions to which he already knows the answers? Remus wondered.

"You could refer to it as a mission rather than a job if you prefer. It requires some delicacy. No doubt you've heard about Marlene McKinnon?"

"I know that she and her entire family were killed by Death Eaters, but I didn't know her personally. I've never really even met her actually. I never saw much of her husband and she's never been at any of the meetings that I know of. I do know that Moody was a good friend of the McKinnon's."

"Yes," Dumbledore said smiling to himself. Thomas, Marlene's husband, and Moody were very close friends. Her work for the Order kept her away a lot. She did actually come to a meeting once," he mused. Regrettably, it was the day before full moon and you were unable to attend. Life's funny that way don't you think so?"

"Sure," Remus replied, not at all sure why Dumbledore found this peculiar.

"Remus I believe that it's important that you know a few things about the McKinnon's." Dumbledore said abruptly. "First, and probably most important, they are not dead." Remus let his mouth hang open. "Second, they are in hiding. Third…"

"Whoa wait! Slower…"

"I only had one point left…"

"Well then, start back at point one! They're alive?"

"Yes, and they need some help, that was my third point. The Death Eaters were intercepting all of the info that Marlene was gathering at the ministry. Perhaps it would have been wiser to have placed more people in the ministry. Oh well, hindsight!" He said cheerfully. "Nonetheless, after the Death Eaters made their first assassination attempt, Marlene asked me to move Thomas, their daughter, and her to an undisclosed, muggle location until something else could be worked out. Was all that sufficiently slow for you?" Remus suddenly felt very tired.

"Yes it was. How were the Death Eaters intercepting Marlene's information?" Remus asked.

Silence.

Not to be put off by Dumbledore's lack of an answer, Remus decided to ask him a question that had been bothering him for some time. "Do you suspect an informant?" he asked quietly, not even sure that he wanted to know the answer.

"I didn't ask you here to ponder the hows or whys a spying operation can fail, The McKinnon's need your help and are willing to pay you for your services, if you are interested," Dumbledore replied, successfully evading the question.

Damn. He's good. Remus thought. "Yes, of course I'm interested but what about…you know, my…" Remus faltered. I imagine that that would be a good subject for the two of you to discuss tomorrow, during your interview though I'm perfectly confident that something can be worked out between the two of you," Dumbledore replied with that ever-annoying eye twinkle.

"An interview? You can get me an interview as soon as tomorrow? Remus asked shaking his head in disbelief. It was too good to be true, the idea that he could be working again as soon as tomorrow. Barring the fact that he had no idea what kind of job it was or what was expected of him. Or the fact that he hadn't the foggiest clue as to how his prospective employers would react to his "furry little problem" once a month. Still, Dumbledore wouldn't have mentioned the job if he thought being a werewolf would hurt his chances and besides, the prospect of having a job again filled him with delight. It also helped that whatever kind of job it was, it would benefit a fellow member of the Order, even if they were in hiding. Remus, in his excitement began thinking out loud.

"All this time the McKinnon's have been alive. Moody must be a good actor. I've been completely convinced."

"No, Alastor really can't act at all. He doesn't know. You and I are the only two people outside of the McKinnon family who know that they're alive."

"What?" Remus stared at Dumbledore in disbelief. "But…but this doesn't seem fair! Why can't you assign Moody to help them?"

"No it isn't fair, but Alastor's skills are needed here, not in seclusion. Besides, Marlene asked for you specifically twinkle twinkle.

Remus cocked his head to the side. He looked thoroughly perplexed. "Me why?"

"You went to school together I believe. Of course she would've been a few years older than you and her name hasn't always been McKinnon…"

Remus turned a distinct shade of red despite himself. He did remember a Marlene from his years at Hogwarts. Of course she had been a leggy, beautiful, Ravenclaw in her seventh year. Being in fourth year at the time, he had been slightly enamored with her. He held out one last hope that this was a completely and utterly different Marlene than the one he remembered. Unfortunately, one look at Dumbledore twinkling like the North Star crushed every last one of his hopes on that point. Inwardly, his conscience was debating. For some reason the idea of merely seeing Marlene Maybeetle… McKinnon now, filled him with adolescent fear and nervousness.

What is wrong with me? He thought. I'm a perfectly mature individual I can handle a situation such as this. So what if I had a crush on her in school, we're completely different people now and…and…My word she did have nice hair. He mused. And when the sun caught it just right… No, no mustn't think like that. She's grown and married and she's had a kid! Yeah maybe she put on some weight, let herself go…Remus Lupin you are an ass.

The only result of his internal quibblingwas that Dumbledore received a very amusing 2 ½ minutes of watching Lupin quickly shift his emotions and eventually, drop his head down in defeat.

Remus heaved a heavy sigh. "OK I've made up my mind. I'll go and see the McKinnon's tomorrow," he said all of this with a good deal more confidence than he actually felt. "After all what's the worst that could happen?" despite his optimism, he couldn't bear to think of the alternative: not working AGAIN.

"Excellent. Although I believe a good many things worse could and will probably happen. And by the way it's McGivens now. They're in hiding remember so it's important that their identities not be exposed. Here I shall give you the address…"

It was a warm sunny day at the beginning of May, and Remus Lupin looked just like any other muggle strolling through the neighborhood with his patchy green sweater hanging over one shoulder. It was particularly warm for this early in the morning and strands of his mousy brown hair clung to his forehead. There was something about the neighborhood, it was peaceful and quiet the kind of place he could imagine her living in. Judging by the quality of the local plant life, it did look like everyone on the block was a championship gardener. Things probably got pretty tense around here during a garden show. Beautiful flowers as far as the eye could see, all except for one house. That's right! Dumbledore had warned him that she wasn't much of a botanist, more of a liability than an asset really when it came to Herbology. Not that she didn't have a lot of flowers like everyone else, it's just that they were all in various stages of neglect and decay. This must be the place he thought miserably. Not the miserable that depresses and causes ulcers mind you, more the type that gnaws at you when you know you haven't a choice. He stood for some time staring at the front door in contemplation. It had an absurd little iron gargoyle (doing what Remus assumed was some sort of primitive dance) as a knocker.

This is Crazy! He thought. What am I doing loitering at her door frowning back at a ridiculous little gargoyle knocker trying to decide whether or not I'm going to knock?

Suddenly, to his horror, the door began to open on its own accord. He quickly glanced around for some bit of shrubbery he could launch himself behind. Unfortunately, there was nothing in launching distance, all the neighbors plants were a safe distance away.

Damn it, he thought irritably. Why couldn't you take more pride in your landscaping!

"Hi," said an attractive woman from the doorway, as if nothing strange were going on. Though granted, she was probably not contemplating covering herself in a protective veil of undergrowth.

"I er…" How to explain, say something…

"What were you doing standing out here for so long? I was watching you from the kitchen window." she pointed to the largest, most obvious window on the house.

Damn Damn. "Examining your er… garden," he replied, albeit a little lamely. It was her turn to be embarrassed, she blushed right to the tips of her dark auburn hair. They both began to laugh, nervously at first, but Remus felt decidedly much more at ease.

"You must be Remus. It's been a long time. I bet you don't even remember me," she said, flashing a white and perfect smile. Actually, he remembered her a little too well for his own peace of mind. She had barely changed at all since Hogwarts. Same Luxurious auburn hair, same long legs, same beaming smile, and if she had a kid he couldn't tell by looking at her figure. Remus suddenly became highly aware of his appearance. What must he look like to her? He knew that he at least had changed since school. His monthly transformations took an even greater toll on his adult body than they had when he was young. He knew he was pale, and thin, and even a little sickly looking. She looked him over twice but her smile never wavered in its intensity. "You look so…grown up from how I remember you," she said.

"You look wonderful." What the hell kind of reply was that! You idiot now she'll know that your nothing but a drooling pathetic loser. Wrong reply! Idiot, Idiot…

"Thanks. Won't you come in, or do you and the gargoyle need a little more private time together?" she said grinning. He smiled and entered the house quickly, unsure if standing outside conversing was a good idea. What were the chances that they could be being watched?

The inside was far better looking than the rotting excuse for a garden might imply.

"Your home is very nice," he said staring indiscreetly at a vase that looked to be easily worth more than all the money he had ever made in his whole life.

"Thank you. Shouldn't let the garden fool you eh?" My, but she was a lot more mischievous than he remembered her.

"I'm sorry. I hope I didn't hurt your feelings. Really, it's not so bad…" simultaneously they both glanced out of the nearest window to observe the depressing state of what was originally a rose bush. They each cracked a grin.

"Well, I do try. Dumbledore said that our home was just a little too conspicuous, what with the neighbors and all. He even offered some gardening advice. It worked too, for a little while. And then, you know they just sorta stopped living…"

"Couldn't you charm them? He asked.

"No 'fraid not. No magic. That's the rules for us exiles. Come on in the kitchen, I may not be able to conjure a garden but I've never been known to make a bad pot of tea." She smiled and he felt like vomiting.

For crying out loud you are no longer going through puberty! Vomiting is not the proper response to have when a woman smiles at you! He admonished himself.

They decided to discuss business in the comfort of the library. She led the way out of the kitchen, tea in hand, toward the library from which a pungent and unpleasant odor was emanating. Remus mentally berated her for leaving books to live in such a disgusting stench. What was it exactly? Something about that smell seemed familiar a charred burning… She quickly ran to a side room and promptly returned whipping out a can of "fresh mountain breeze" scented air spray. Once inside the room, she commenced spraying from one corner to the next. For the life of him, Remus could not figure out what had caused such an awful smell. He looked surprised and she looked embarrassed.

"You'll understand when you have children," she explained matter of factly. "Actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about…" she began nervously. Remus was sure his brain would pop a gasket, he mentally kicked himself for letting his mind worm its way into the gutter. "Children I mean. Mine. And my husband's. Hello, Remus still with me?" She asked in light of his spaced out look. She thought he looked confused, he hoped he didn't look like he was thinking anything too pervy.

"Yes. Kids. Yours. And your husband's, to whom you are happily married, gotcha."

"Well, yeah we are happy, er…" She suddenly looked like she regretted enlisting Dumbledore's help. Remus looked like he was going to be physically ill.

"My daughter," she began. "Is ten years old. She will be turning eleven in three months, which means she will be old enough to attend Hogwarts this year if Hogwarts is still an option…"

"What do you mean if? Dumbledore would never allow the school to close." Admittedly, the idea frightened him.

"No, not willingly, but the way things are with You-Know-Who he may not have a choice or Dumbledore may not think it's safe enough for us to return to our old identities. In any event she may not be able to go to school. That's where you come in."

"Me? How?" This whole conversation wasn't making a whit of sense to him.

"These days, it's not safe to be completely uneducated in the ways of Defense Against the Dark Arts. I want her to have a little bit of experience, just to be safe. And if circumstances prevent her going to school as planned then at least she'll be somewhat prepared," she finished all in one breath so as not to give him a chance to interrupt her.

"I don't have any expertise in Defense Against the Dark Arts. I wouldn't know what I'm doing." He was desperately fumbling for an excuse. This is what Dumbledore had in mind? This was crazy.

"Remus come on, I remember how you were in school, even if you've chosen to block it out," She teased. "Your head always in a book you practically lived at the library. And if I remember correctly you scored quite high on your DADA test didn't you?

"That doesn't qualify me to be a teacher!" Remus was embarrassed to realize that his voice was rising in volume with every word. So, he decided to change tact. "I thought you said that you couldn't do any magic while you're in hiding." There, that aught to put an end to this foolishness. Unluckily for Remus, she was totally prepared.

"No, Tom and I aren't allowed to do any magic. We are a registered Wizard and Witch. Our daughter is not." She said with a smile of triumph.

"What about Restrictions on Underage Sorcery?" Remus shot back boldly.

"Dumbledore has a plan," she said flatly, victory shimmering in her eyes, as if that was the final word. It was. Remus couldn't think of an adequate reply, he very much wanted to trust Dumbledore no matter how crazy the whole idea seemed.

Remus emitted a long defeated sigh. He had a couple of options here. He could one, trust Dumbledore and have his first paying job in months. Or two, he could ask Sirius if he could sleep on his couch again while mooching his food.

Surrender. "Ughh," he said, glumly. "Before you declare me God's gift to babysitters I think that there is something that we should discuss…"

Marlene was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet. She had him, he was going to agree. In her exuberance she reached up and hugged Remus fiercely around the neck. "Thankyouthankyouthankyou!" she sang. "Remus you have no idea how important this is to Tom and I, how badly we need this."

"Need what, a babysitter?" he teased.

"Don't be ridiculous, she far too old for a babysitter," Marlene replied, slightly indignant. Remus sniffed. the terrible scent he had smelled when he first entered the room was still remotely recognizable underneath the heavy cloaking of air freshener. He cocked an eyebrow.

"Oh no?" he asked Marlene skeptically.

"OK OK, I get your point. She just needs… a little supervision that's all. The point is you need a job and I need an employee, we can make this work. Remus frowned. It was now or never. He had to tell her about his Lycanthropy. She'd find out sooner or later anyway.

"Seriously, Marlene before we go any further with this there really is something important I need to discuss with you," he said gravely. If she noticed his change of mood it didn't show.

"Remus," she said with a sad, yet encouraging smile. "Dumbledore trusts you and so do I." What does that mean? Does she know something? he wondered anxiously. She continued on, speaking quickly. "Whatever it is can wait until later, tomorrow after work perhaps? You can start tomorrow can't you?" she asked excitedly. "What do you think?"

"I think we're gonna get arrested."

"Well good then we have an accord," she said holding out her hand.

Normally Remus would have insisted on telling her the truth immediately. Experience had taught him that rejection right off the bat was a hell of easier than being fired later on down the road. For some reason however, he couldn't bring himself to press the matter. A job staring tomorrow? Maybe things were starting to look up. Remus made a silent promise to kiss Dumbledore the next time he saw him. Well, maybe not kiss him exactly…Remus shook the very idea from his head. Something still didn't seem quite right…

"Can I ask you some questions first? What with you being my future employer and all,"

"Certainly, fire away."

"Honestly, we could be thrown in jail for this couldn't we? I mean, teaching a child DADA outside of a safe learning environment, that's got to be illegal right?

"Probably."

"This is kind of dangerous huh?"

"You'll probably die in the attempt," she replied with a grin.

"You're enjoying this aren't you?"

"Absolutely," she said mischievously. "Now can I ask you some questions, you know since you'll be looking after my only child and all."

"Oh, ah Sure," he said, not entirely sure he liked where this was going.

"Are you prone to drunken rages?"

What kind of question is that? He wondered. Fine, if she wasn't going to be mature about this neither was he.

"Only around Sirius."

"Ah the infamous Sirius Black. Well that's perfectly understandable. Any addictions I should know about."

"Does reading count as a drug?"

"Rowdy girlfriends?" Marlene cocked an eyebrow.

Mayday, mayday it's a trap do not, I repeat, do not take the bait… warned Remus' subconscious.

"What the hell kind of question is that?" Remus snapped. After all, you're in hiding…"

"Exile."

"Whatever. The point is it's not exactly like I'll be inviting girls over for a go on the couch if that's what you're worried about." Remus mentally kicked himself. Perhaps if he hadn't had been staring at the lovely long legs of his school boy crush, he wouldn't have been quite so sensitive to that particular question.

"Whoa! I was kidding only kidding. Couch huh?" she was positively beaming with good natured mischief. Remus decided he must have set a record for most shades of red a person's skin could possibly go through all in about ten seconds.

"Well I guess my baby will be safe and sound with you. Why don't you come meet her?" and with that, Marlene practically skipped down the hallway to her daughter's room.

"Except on full moons…he replied ominously, all the playful banter forgotten. Not that it mattered, she was already well out of earshot.

"Remus, I would like you to meet my daughter Vestra McKinnon…I mean McGivens."

There it is chapter 2! I hope things are making a little more since now. Please review. You have no idea how much I appreciate constructive criticism.