A/N: Here is the new chappie of Betrayed Witha Kiss! Ejoi!


Betrayed With a Kiss

Chapter Three: Correspondence

"A little piece of paper with a picture drawn

Floats on down the street till the wind is gone
The memory now is like the picture was then
When the paper's crumpled up it can't be perfect again"

-Linkin Park "Forgotten"


The first day of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Remus was nervous, as he faced the third year Ravenclaws and Slytherins. "Today we'll go over our synopsis and course aims for this year," Several students groaned at this, "But I assure you that next class we'll jump right in on the work." More groans.

Remus smiled at them. "We sure have a lot to catch up on, don't we?" Upon glancing over the notes left behind by Umbridge and Crouch, he found that the third years had truthfully only missed out on a single year of work, less than what could be said of the other students. Yet, a year was a long time and he'd have to abbreviate some of the third year coursework in order to fit in that of the second year. He sighed inwardly, not letting his smiled slip from his face.

"This term will be spent over dangerous creatures, and next will cover dark creatures. Though many aren't aware of it, there are differences between the two. One aim is to clearly define the differences between the two.

"Another is to catch you guys up on the work that you have missed out on your prior year. Your class, along with just about every other in this school, is farther behind than you should be. Of course that was not your fault..." The grim looks on the faces around him reflected that they knew the truth in all of that.

He really had his work cut out for him. This was one of the times when he wondered if Severus could do a better job than him at this... The man truly did know his stuff, as was shown by his managing to still be alive. But it was Remus who was teaching this class. And he couldn't possibly do it any worse than Umbridge, he thought with amusement.

The class ended quickly enough, as did his next: the seventh year NEWT students. He'd decided that with them a better approach would be to teach them part of the time and offer up independent projects for the rest. Of course the independent projects would have to fit in with what was in the coursework, but that way the students would not only be learning; they would be enjoying it.

Soon it was time for lunch, and Remus was infinitely glad that he was half through the day. He headed to the Great Hall. Upon nearly reaching the doors he heard his name called out behind him.

"Professor Lupin!" He turned to face Hermione Granger with a smile.

"Hello, Hermione. You've had a nice day, I trust?" Knowing the girl's love for learning he naturally assumed she would be excited to be starting class.

"Oh yes," the girl enthused. "I can't wait until defense though! I'm sure you'll have something good for us!"

"Well, I will certainly try," he replied with a smile. The two entered the Great Hall together.

"I'm sure you will," Hermione answered. "I'll see you Thursday in class. It was nice talking to you," she said as Ron and Harry called her over.

Smiling once more at the girl, he took his place at the head table. Hermione had always had a soft spot in his heart. She reminded him of his childhood self, though more of the boy he'd wished he'd been then the actual one that he was. He was grateful that Harry had a friend like her, one who'd hold him back from the mistakes that his own father had made, a spot that Remus should have taken on. Remus cast his eyes towards Severus's vacant seat.

His one regret was that he'd stood by and watched his friends torture the shy boy that had been one Severus Snape. And now they were all gone, and their victim was the only one left. It really went to show how much arrogance got one in the end...

-.-

It was half-past midnight when Remus drug himself out of the bed that offered him no sleep this night to find some better way to whittle away the time before his morning class. Why this night of all nights sleep was so troubling to find was no surprise to him. The full moon was nearing, and with every night it drew closer the energy of the wolf cried out in his veins. He felt the desire to be out underneath the cold rays of the moon, running with the freedom of the wolf.

Though it were not exactly the most time efficient way to spend his waking hours, Remus followed his desires and dressed himself for a walk outside. Pulling on his cloak, he started as a silver envelope fluttered to the floor from its confines. Remus Lupin was penned onto the front in neat elegant letters in a hand that the wizard did not recognize.

Mr. Lupin,

I do hope this letter finds you well; that it finds you at all would be most gratifying to hear. I believe you and I are in need of a rendezvous of sorts, as we have much that needs be discussed.

You see, my friend (and I do hope that friend is not being used loosely here), I believe you have certain... qualities that would do well amongst my allies and myself. You have shown strong in spite of your tragic loss (that I dearly wish could have been avoided) and such strength should only be aligned with those who could use it. You understand the subtleties of the Dark Arts, as your current position conveys. With those who could nurture your abilities you could reach amazing lengths.

I understand that this need is not entirely one sided. I could give you the things that your heart most desires. I know that you are wishing revenge for your friend's untimely death. I can give you that. You are looking for acceptance in spite of your condition...

Think it over, Mr. Lupin. This may be the most important decision you should ever make.

I will send a messenger for your answer soon.

Respectfully,

Lord Voldemort

P.S. This letter will be destroyed within seconds of your reading it. Good day.

The parchment fell through Remus's bloodless fingers. Before reaching the floor, it was consumed in a ball of green fire, momentarily forming out the dark mark to float away in a wisp of smoke.

A deep resounding horror clutched at his heart. His cloak had remained in his rooms for the entire day. And the letter would have shown itself before now if it'd been there longer. Someway... Somehow the dark wizard had gotten into his quarters. He felt terribly alone in that moment, all the while realizing that he might not be as alone as he felt.

Time to put what little acting skills you have into play, Remus. He shook his head slightly to clear it. If there was someone here with him, then they cannot know his fear. Remus casually fastened the clasp to his cloak, exiting the room to take the walk he'd wished for earlier.

No need to wake the Headmaster tonight, especially if I am not alone. The situation will still be the same in the morning.

If he'd not been so worried about seeming casual, he might have seen the small grey rat exit the room alongside him.

-.-

Although slighted by his lord's task for himself, Peter had relished in the idea of seeing his old friend so soon in the light of the werewolf's loss. He had not yet forgiven Lupin for the events in the Shrieking Shack, and was hopeful to see the man in a sufficiently unhappy state.

Alas, that was not to be, as his lord had emphasized the need for privacy. So he'd come late, slipped into Lupin's rooms via a small hole he'd cut into the door in anticipation to the task's completion. Once inside he quickly went about his business, until the unexpected happened. The werewolf had gotten up.

Peter, being the ever forgetful one he was, had forgotten about the quirks of being a werewolf- more importantly the one that manifested itself as the moon drew nigh: the boundless energy. The Marauders had entertained Remus many a sleepless night, hoping to take the edge off of his wakefulness.

Quickly morphing into the rat and stealing away into the shadows, Peter was awarded the wolf's reaction to the Dark Lord's summons. He was elated at seeing the sheer horror on his enemy's face.

When Lupin left his rooms, Peter was right beside him, hoping to catch him in the act of running off to Dumbledore. It would be so nice to be give a reason to kill the other...

He was to be greatly disappointed, though. All the werewolf had left to do was take a walk.

TBC...

A/N-Smiles sheepishly- Sorry for the wait... I really have no excuse...

As it is, I've decided that Betrayed With a Kiss will have at least two sequels. Along with a few side stories, I've decided that it constitutes a series and that should have a name. Thus the

Sacrificial Lamb series:

Betrayed With a Kiss

Throw Cares Away (side story- fin posted)

Tea and Sympathy (side story- fin posted)

Another thing, I think worrying about posting a response to every review has been taking away from my work on my actual stories. So I will discontinue doing so, unless anyone has a problem with it. But I will reiterate, I love each and every one of you! THANK YOU FOR YOUR REVIEWS! You really do make writing my humble little stories worth it.