Author's note : Thanks to foxlover484, KiaraMaggie, Siriusly-Celeste, sodapop86, I like to move it move it, hxcPANIClvr, mary4angelus, and Flame of Chaos for reading and posting, and to anyone else who read (Don't be shy! Review!) I haven't been on the computer a lot lately, so I don't know when the next chapter will come out, but I will do a lot of writing in my handy dandy notebook. Thanks again, and enjoy!

Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue!

Chapter Two: Analyzing

The rest of my first day a sixth year passed by in a blur. This is the year where I began taking NEWT level classes, so Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Potions, Charms, Herbology, Arthimancy, and Ancient Runes were bound to be harder than ever. Even though I knew I should be concentrating on my classes, I couldn't help but think about my eight o'clock meeting. Is Professor Lupin going to punish me? Will he kick me out of the class? What will I wear? "That's just stupid," I whispered to myself and smacked my forehead, which forced my attention back to reality.

"Hmm, the old forehead smack. What's up?" Sam was sitting next to me. We were having dinner in the Great hall, and the untouched slice of chicken pot pie on my plate was beginning to grow cold. I blinked stupidly up at Sam for a couple of seconds before I realized that she had asked me a question.

"Oh, nothing," I said, as the pudding appeared on the table, "Just a little nervous about my meeting with Professor Lupin." On the way to our ten o'clock Charms class, I told Sam what Lupin had said, leaving out that his whispering husky voice gave me the chills.

"I'm sure you have nothing to worry about," Sam said bracingly, "Now, a meeting with Professor Snape would be something to worry about." We glanced up at the staff table and saw him staring down some Gryffindor third years.

Swallowing a scoop of bread pudding, I sighed, "I guess your right. I'm going to head to the common room to, er, prepare," and I bolted out of my seat and out of the great hall.

Walking up the staircase to the fifth floor, I checked my watch. (Not digital, of course. Electronics don't work here. Haven't you read "Hogwarts, A History"?) It was seven o'clock, which left plenty of time to get ready and find Professor Lupin's office. I reached the Ravenclaw common room and faced the bronze eagle-head knocker.

"What is so fragile, that saying its name breaks it?" The eagle asked me.

"Breaks it…breaks it…" I muttered to myself, "Of course! Silence. If you say the word 'silence' you break it." The eagle-head said, "Correct," and the door swung open. The common room was rather empty; only a couple of fifth and seventh years. There was nobody in my dormitory, which I was thankful for. I decided not to change out of my uniform – I mean, I was probably going there to be punished, not going on a date! Instead, I let my long dark hair down from its plait and ran my fingers through it. I looked into the mirror hanging on the wall and stared at my reflection.

I was a rather normal looking teenage girl. I wasn't homely – no, I supposedly had very "classic" features (big eyes, small nose, full lips) but the boys in Hogwarts never paid me much attention. I wasn't shy; I had a good amount of friends, but I wasn't wildly outgoing or stunningly mysterious, which seemed to be the preferable attributes in one of those girls. I was normally pale, which actually complemented my dark hair and eyes, but had acquired a glowing tan from the summer holiday (as well as a few burns). My height was 5' 2" (and I know my hopes of becoming at least 5' 5" would never come true) and had a thin, muscled body, because off the new hobby, running, I had picked up over the summer.

It just struck me how funny it was that I was looking in the mirror for so long. Being so busy with studies and everything else, I rarely have time to analyze my looks.

It was now twenty-five past seven, which meant I had at least a half an hour before the meeting. Having already finished the homework that was due tomorrow, I tried to work on an assignment that was due next week, but I wasn't able to concentrate. Jumping off my bed I quickly decided to go to his office now. Before leaving the common room, I grabbed one of my favorite muggle books, "Great Expectation," from my bedside table. Entering the common room, I saw that more people had filled in. Sam was sitting in a squashy armchair next to Eddie Hunter, a tall, cute-in-a-gawky way boy in our year, discussing Snape's first of many impossible essays.

"Blake, are you leaving already?" Sam asked me as I tried to discreetly creep across the common room, "It's only 7:30!"

"Well, I, er, wanted to make sure the Defense Against the Dark Arts office didn't change," I mumbled quickly, hiding the novel behind my back. "I'll see you guys later. I don't know how long I'll be," and took off through the door.

Looking through a large window in the hallway, I could see that it was still beautiful outside. The summer's warmth lingered over the grounds, and this is why I was just wearing a white blouse with the blue and bronze tie without my customary sweater vest over it.

The Defense Against the Dark Arts office hadn't moved – not that I had expected it to. Someone, presumably Professor Lupin, was stirring in the office, but seeing as though it was only twenty of, I decided not to enter – I had already been early for his class, and I might seem a bit too eager if I was early for this too. Instead, I sat on the floor right outside the half-open door and pulled out the book. I was just getting immersed into Pip's life when a voice came from inside the office.

"Miss Knightly, you can come in," Lupin said quietly. I jumped up, startled. How did he know I was there? Clutching the book to my side, I peeked into the room.

"Good evening, Professor Lupin," I said, trying to find my voice.

"Dickens, eh?" Lupin said brightly, spying the book at my side, "'Great Expectations' is one of my favorites. Most wizards don't bother with muggle literature, but because I'm a half-blood, I guess I can appreciate it."

I had no idea what to say to this information, so I just blurted out, "Professor Lupin, I'm so sorry for messing up with the boggart. Is there anyway I can do an extra assignment to make up for it?"

"Blake." Oh. Oh, wow. I loved the way he said my name. "You're not here to be punished." He must have seen the shocked look on my face, for he chuckled and continued, "No, I just wanted to ask you…some questions."

"Of course," I said, relieved, "But professor, can I ask you a question first? How did you know I was outside the office?"

Lupin laughed openly at this, "Well, I expected you to arrive early, and I heard you turning the pages of your book."

I laughed, but inside I was mortified. I was always thought of as bookish, but now even Professor Lupin thinks I'm a nerd. He was sitting behind a small desk. There was a tattered, half-unpacked trunk leaning against a wall, books scattered on a table and the desk, and several empty cases and tanks around the office.

"Have a seat," Professor Lupin said. I quickly sat down on the wooden chair in front of his desk. He continued, "Now, may I ask you what you thought before you faced the boggart?"

"Well, that's the thing, sir," I started, hoping my explanation would make sense, "I couldn't think of anything. I'm not saying that I'm not frightened by anything – I most certainly am, but I just don't know what I am afraid of most."

"So, would you say that what you are afraid of most is not knowing what the boggart would turn into?" Lupin asked me sharply.

"Yes, I suppose so, Professor," I said, not looking at his eyes, but at my hands folded in my lap instead.

"Hmm, interesting," Lupin muttered to himself. In the dimming light, he looked quite pale and had dark shadows under his eyes. Frankly, he looked rather ill.

"Are you alright, Professor?" I asked as he glanced back at me.

"Oh, yes. I'm quite fine" he mumbled. He looked up as his moment of thought ended, "Well, I suppose that's it."

"Thanks, Professor," I said, rather disappointed. I stood up and turned to the door.

"Wait," he said suddenly, as he reached across the desk and grasped my wrist. This feeling was not so much as a shiver, but more of a jolt. Was this electrical shock caused by magical energy, or dare I say, sexual energy? Whatever it was, Lupin must have felt it too, because he quickly let go. I turned back around and looked into his eyes. "I was wondering," he said nervously, "If, er, you would like to be my assistant, in a way. Just help me plan classes and grade papers. I tend to fall sick often, and it would be great help. If you don't want to, or you're too busy with your prefect duties, you don't have to. I completely understand."

I watched him take a deep breath before bubbling, "Oh, no. I'd love to help you. I can definitely find time in my schedule, any time you need me." Of course, I would love to spend time with my intelligent, funny, good-looking, mature teacher. But it was not just that. Lupin…intrigued me. I found him fascinating, and would love to know his story.

"Great, that's great," Lupin smiled and I saw him relax slightly, "I know it's the beginning of the term, but I could really use your help Friday night. I'll see you in class, but do you think you could do it?"

"Yes, definitely. I'd love to," I said happily, "I'll see you in class tomorrow, Professor."

"Goodnight, Blake," he said softly, and I walked to the door. I glanced back at him for the last time. He was reclining slightly in his chair, reached up to his neck, and adjusted his tie. I smiled to myself, and walked out the door.