CHAPTER FOUR: CONFRONTATION WITH LUPIN FIRST TENTATIVE.

I decided to confront him after dinner two days later. I was discreetly following him thinking he was going to his office, but he wasn't; he was heading to Dumbledore's office and he didn't seem to be happy. I heard him stop suddenly in the corridor, looking around him looking for something. I sigh. How did he do it? He knew someone was following him. I sigh a second time, looked around quickly and transformed into my animagus form. A little black cat with grey eyes was now following a professor in the dark corridors of Hogwarts. This time Lupin didn't detect me. Being a cat has a lot of advantages.

I followed him for a few minutes until he entered the headmaster's office. I couldn't enter so I waited. Waited. Waited.

It was pass curfew when he got out. He seems tired; I had never seen him so tired. He wasn't furious anymore. He had a blank look on his face. He was walking like a robot; there was no grace in his movement like before. He was walking loudly in the desert corridors, his step resonating loudly on the stairs. Before entering the headmaster's office he was graceful as a cat and quiet, it had been difficult to follow him without making any noise. Something was wrong. The blank look on his face wasn't natural. I was starting to suspect an imperious curse with the way he was, and there wasn't any power radiating from him right now, it was buried inside, deep inside. Two hours ago, in the dark corridors of Hogwarts, in the light of the moon, there had been a mysterious aura to him, something dangerous and beautiful. It wasn't there anymore. He didn't seem to be the same man anymore. What Dumbledore had done to him?

I followed him back to his office, before going back to my dorm, it wasn't a good time to confront him, and he was too strange, too different from the mischievous man who was putting his nose in my business.

I didn't see him for the rest of the week end. On Monday rumors were saying that Snape had replaced him in his class. It seems that our favorite DADA professor was sick. I was starting to worry about the man.

On Thursday, he was waiting at his desk as usual, like nothing happened; he seems tired, and pale. He started his lesson as usual. But he wasn't ignoring me anymore; he wasn't taking any interest in me either. I was suddenly like every other students in the class, he seems to have forget about the patronus episode. I was invisible.

At the end of the class came an ideal occasion to talk to him came around.

"Very well, the class is finished for today, I am not giving you any new assignment, and you still have ten inch of parchment to do for the next time. I have something I want to ask. I am looking for an assistant to help me with my extra work; I tend to be a little sick and a bit of help wouldn't be too much. There will be some extra credit for the person who would help me but be aware that I wouldn't favor you in any case. I just ask for some help with grading paper and eventually you will be assisting in a class or two on your free time. I am aware that you are all in a newt level and that you have a lot of work but I can't ask to the students who pass their NEWT or OWL at the end of the year."

"So, any volunteer?"

I don't know why I did but I put my hand up with two other classmates, a Hufflepuff and a fellow Ravenclaw a girl who was making gooey eyes to Lupin. Lupin seems to tense a little when the girl put her hands up, he cast a quick glance to the guys but didn't seem to think anything of him, and then his eyes landed on me. He stared a little, struggling with something like he was looking for something but couldn't remember what.

"Very well, you will stay after, class dismissed."

I packed my stuff and waited while Lupin was talking with the girl and then the guy. He was still leaning against his desk, hands in his pocket, but the power I could sense before wasn't there. It was finally my turn to talk to him.

I looked at him straight in the eyes. The amber seems to have fad away. His eyes were more tern than ever before. I could see he was struggling with something when he looked at me. He looked at me curiously.

"Who are you exactly Miss…?"

I looked at him with big eyes, clearly offended, feeling betrayed, was he playing with me? Like he didn't know my name, he had past the first week of class calling for my name for answer far too often for my taste.

"You don't know my name sir?" I asked a little tense. I was going to say something in the line of "Are you kidding?" with maybe some colorful language but I hold it back.

"Sorry, I have still problem to remember all the name of my student and you seem to be quite average so…"

"Average? You did see my patronus twice already professor." I say.

I didn't understand. Didn't he remember me?

"Your patronus? I don't remember seeing you or your patronus before miss."

Lupin seemed lost. I saw him porting a hand to his head like he had a headache. God, was it a memory charm? He seemed sincere.

"You've seen it on the train professor the first time, when the dementors were attacking."

"On the train? What are you talking about; I was in the compartment with Harry the whole time."

It didn't seem normal to me that he denied it, he was pouching me with not two weeks before about my patronus, and with the reaction he had to Moony it was unlikely that he could act that well.

"No professor you weren't, you got out checking on the dementors, and then you got back when Harry waked up, that was cute by the way."

"I don't remember going out. And what was cute? What are you talking about?"

He clearly didn't remember. And there was something wrong, very wrong about him. I could sense some sickness within him before, but it was now overwhelming.

"It was cute when he recognized you. Don't you remember?"

"Harry didn't recognize me."

Lupin sat in his chair, putting his head in his hand, closing his eyes, concentrating, I could tell he was at war with himself, what I was saying seems to trigger the memory. His head seems to make him suffer. It was clearly a symptom of a memory charm. I didn't know if I could break it. He seems attach to Harry, maybe I could try that.

"Professor, I swear Harry did recognize you, I have seen it, he called you Moo-ey, it really was cute and you seemed very happy at the time."

Lupin looked at me with hope in his eyes. The amber was still tern. It was not normal. Someone did something to him; well I am pretty sure it was Dumbledore.

"Professor, you need to remember, someone seems to have play with your memory, you've passed the first week of the term harassing me until you saw my patronus for the second time, and I have difficulties to imagine how you could forget about it. You seemed to react quite strongly about it."

"Patronus?" he murmured.

"Yes sir." I looked at him. He had his fingers buried his hair. Last time his reaction was epic. Maybe I could try that.

I concentrate quickly and cast the spell, Moony got out of my wand, sniffing around for danger. It was unusual for him, there weren't dementors around, and why was he acting like that? Lupin didn't look up. I putted a hand on his to make him react. And god did I got a reaction. I heard a scream in my head when my skin made contact with his.

"HELP!"

It was echoing in my mind. I don't know if Lupin did hear it, but my touch startled him. He looked up.

A flash of recognition passed in his eyes. The magic around him started to raise, a strong wind of magic passed in the room, objects were crashing on the floor, Lupin had still his head in his hand, he was concentrating, at one moment there was a break in the magic I could feel it, like the calm before a tempest. I tensed. I could feel it; he was going to explode with magic. It started to swirl all around him, his desk levitated in the air, the chairs and the student's desks too. God he was powerful. He was going to blow up the class if I didn't calm him quickly.

"Professor, you need to calm down, you are going to alert someone at this rate."

It didn't work. And I certainly didn't want to touch him again. It was too disturbing. I didn't know if it was him that had scream in my head but I didn't like it.

"Professor, you don't want Dumbledore coming to see why you blown up the DADA class."

It calmed him immediately. If that wasn't a proof what was it?

"Professor, are you ok?"

Lupin was breathing heavily. Panting. There was some electricity in the air. He was trembling. It worries me for some second. Then I saw he was furious. And he had a hard time controlling his emotion. I cast a quick glance at the room. He didn't blow it up, but it certainly wasn't clean. I spared him a quick glance and decided to clean up a little while he was calming himself. One of the items that had fallen from his desk was realizing some blue smoke. I paled. Tracking charm. Someone had put the room on watch in case something happen. Something like what just happened I guess. If it was one of Dumbledore little toy I had approximately five minutes to make a plan.

In a quick motion of my hand the room was clean for the most part. The desk was still messy but I did it on purpose.

Still four minutes before Dumbledore point his nose in the classroom.

"Professor, I need you to control yourself, I found a tracking device here and it's broken someone is going to come in less than five minutes, if you want to keep your memory intact I suggest you get yourself together and in control, I can get you out of that one but you need to trust me. Please professor!"

Lupin looked at me, a little lost, but still furious.

He paled a little at the mention of the tracking device. We didn't have time to connect the dot together, we needed to act quickly.

"You will think later Lupin, now you listen to me, you have to play ignorant, and nothing happened, you don't remember anything. Whatever I do, go along with it, someone is coming."

"Ok…" he said a little hesitantly. I rolled my eyes.

"Try to catch me." I said quickly. I could hear steps in the corridor.

"Catch you? What are you…?"

I didn't let him finish, I change quickly in my cat form and climbed on his desk, spilling some parchment that were in the way. I casted him a meaningful glance and quickly jumped on him, scratching him to make it credible enough, and to make him react. He quickly understands and started chasing me on the desk when the door opened.

Dumbledore step in, looking curiously at the scene before him. He casted a quick look in the direction of his little toy. Lupin tensed a little, even though he wasn't supposed to know someone had entered, his back was on the door. A quick bite reminded him he had to play ignorant. He finally grasped me; I keep debating in his firm grip to keep his mind on me. If I let him think of Dumbledore he would be obliviated right away.

His eyes finally landed on the headmaster. I had to let him that, he really was a good actor.

"Headmaster! To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" he said faking to be happily surprised.

"Ah! Remus I was just passing when I heard some noises coming from your class." Chuckled Dumledore; with his grandfatherly way.

My ass Dumbles, you're just a noisy piece of shit.

"As you can see, this little cat here was causing some havoc."

"Ah! And who this cat belonged to?" he asked politely.

"I have no idea Albus. I think I am going to keep him a little and see if I can find the person who set him free on the castle. This one is a little demon in sheep clothes."

I meowed loudly. Protesting his accusations, I couldn't help it. Lupin chuckled. Bastard. He grasped me by the scruff of the neck. He turned me so I was facing him. He smirked while Dumbledore was looking at the desk. I don't know if it is possible for a cat to pout, but I certainly was. I was defenseless and I hated that. I didn't know if the puppy dog eyes would work on him but I was willing to try.

"Do you need a hand to clean up a bit Remus?"

Lupin had his back on Albus, who was inspecting his tracking device. Lupin grimaced.

"Sure Albus." He replied shortly.

In less than a minute, everything was repaired. Tracking device included. Something Lupin seems to notice thankfully.

"Well, thank you Albus, I am going to keep that one in my quarters until tomorrow, I will see you at diner."

Lupin carried me in his quarters, somewhere near the Gryffindor common room. He putted me on his desk, and sat in his chair, sighing heavily. He casted me a look. I was already sniffing around for a tracking device. I found one on the desk, I pointed it to him. I found another one on the mantel of the fireplace. And put my paw on it. This one stank seriously, it was giving me chills, I meowed a little. It had to do with transformation, it was confusing. I was thankful I didn't change back yet. I pointed the painting to him, this one was obvious. I scratched the door who I supposed was leading to his bedroom.

"Already looking for my bedroom?" asked Lupin.

I looked at him indignantly. He was smirking at me. Again. Did he really have to be sexy while doing it?

I agitated my tail to show him my irritation. I watched as he got up to get a hidden bottle of firewiskey. I guessed he needed it after his outburst. He needed to think, and then there will be a lot of talking.

REMUS:

I was sitting on my desk. I was tired. I didn't understand anything anymore. Everything was so mixed up I didn't know what to think or what to do to make things better. I was confused and my headache was worse than ever. My outburst had let me drained. But I was feeling better. Much better. For the whole week I had feel… empty. I wasn't complete.

The memory had come back to me. Some of them were just modified, other erased. They were dancing in my mind. They were confusing. I didn't know what to believe anymore. Moony who had been absent lately was there in the back of my mind, he was sleeping, I could tell, he seemed exhausted too.

They were tracking device in my class, in my office, and it seems, in my private chamber. Dumbledore was keeping more than a close eye on me. I knew he didn't totally trust me, I could understand that Sirius used to be my friend and that he could have his doubt. But it was more than that. I was pretty sure one of those instruments was here to control my transformation. He didn't want me to speak with Harry and I didn't understand why. He was trying to control my every move. It was too much.

And it wasn't all of it. There was a student in an animagus form in my office. I was pretty sure her form was illegal. I remembered her now. I remembered the episode with the boghart. I remembered her patronus. Today proved me that there was more to her than the eyes let on. Who was she?

She had yet to retransform, she seemed to understand that one of Albus tracking charm had to do with transformation. God that girl was confusing. She was an average student since her start at Hogwarts, she didn't stand out, from what I had seen she was doing all she could to be invisible.

It had taken her less than a minute to evaluate the situation and find a plan. She was observant too. She had understood very quickly that I didn't remember things I should. She was intelligent. She may even have some kind of training. She was an animagus. She was powerful. And the most disturbing fact was her patronus.

It was Moony.

She knew her patronus was a werewolf.

But she didn't know I was one as well. I was sure of it.

She didn't know her patronus was me.

I had never met her in my life before.

It was the first time we've seen each other on that train and Moony was already there.

I didn't know what it means.

And I certainly wasn't in the mood to find out right now. All I wanted to do is buried myself under the cover of my bed and spend the rest of my life under it. I knew it was impossible. But for tonight it would do.

I watched as Ana wandered around my office curiously. Her animagus form was really cute; I couldn't help it but find it funny. She was doing all she could to appear cold and distant to everyone and that cat was a total opposite. To me it showed who she really was. Her cat form was more than curious; she was actually putting her nose in my personal belonging. She could put up a fight with a grown werewolf in her cat form, and I was really impressed. And she could pout like no one I knew. I almost pitied her when she was looking at me with those big eyes. Her silver eyes were still present in this form. She was blond as a human and black as night as a cat, really curious thing.

I grasped her when she started looking in my trunk, she meowed with protestation, and I installed her in my lap and started petting her behind her ear. I knew that as a cat she couldn't resist it, her instinct was taking over. I always found it amusing how people were acting in their animagus form. She was purring, stretching her leg to give me more access. I chuckled.

As strange as it sounded, it really was comforting to have this little cat purring in my lap. Moony was sleeping more peacefully than ever before and I was seriously considering doing the same thing. It was time for diner, and I really didn't feel like going to the dining hall. I called for a house elf. Dobby appeared, I liked this little elf, he was totally crazy and a big fan of Harry, but I was already fond of him. I had made some little raid in the kitchen of the castle since the start of the year, and he was always funny and enthusiastic.

He stared a little strangely at Ana. I think he could tell she wasn't a normal cat. I winked at him and asked for diner and some milk and fish for my new temporary pet. Dobby returned a few minutes later with my command. I gave the milk to Ana. It was making me happy to see that her little cat form was in heaven. It didn't take a lot to make a cat happy, scratch him behind his ear, pet his belly a little, play with him, and give him some milk. It was clearly better than trying to please a woman.

I was eating peacefully when she climbed on my desk, clearly interested by my dessert. I tried to save it but she didn't have any of it. I shared it with her; she did even go as far as licking some of it off of my finger with her little pink tongue. I didn't know her in her human form, but as a cat I was ready to keep her. It was really easy to forget who she really was.

I was calmed now; my mind was more at peace. The night was clear and fresh. I was aware that a student was in my office, and that it was particularly late. But knowing Ana; I did observe her quite a lot; I was afraid that if I let her go, she was going to hide and avoid me for weeks. And it was really illogic, but I liked her calm presence. I wanted to take advantage of it as long as I could. I knew that once she would be back to herself again, she would be all fire and talking. Lots of talking. I had questions. But I needed to think and organized my thought. And god did I need to have a peaceful night.

Taking a decision, I picked her up, fuck it all, she was staying here with me and tomorrow morning she was going to answer my questions.

She meowed loudly. Protesting all she could.

"You're staying here tonight young girl, you are not going to escape easily. Now that I got you, you are going to answer my questions."

I am not sure if it is possible for a cat, but I am pretty sure she scowled at me, before deciding to pout royally. I smirked at her and chuckled.

"I really need to find a little nickname to your little furry self."

She stared at me, debating if I was nuts or no. I probably was. But for my defense, I had circumstances.

"What about LuLu? Your eyes remind me a bit of the moons light, but Luna is a bit too much for a nickname."

Her patronus was a werewolf, her fur was dark as night, and the light of her eyes was like the moon in the sky. LuLu was a good name for me.

I took her with me in my bedroom; I kicked out my shoes and lied down on my bed, keeping her close to my chest. I fall asleep in less than five minutes, my brain clearly not functioning correctly anymore. If it had, I would have realized that I had fall asleep with a student in my bed even if she was in the form of a cat.

ANA:

It was official. Lupin was pure evil.

I was stuck in his arms on his fucking bed.

The little devil had divert my attention with milk and scratching, everything a cat could dream of, and now I was stuck and I couldn't get out of his grasp. The man was asleep and I was in his bed. For goodness sake didn't he have a brain at all?

I hated it sometimes when my instincts were taking over. I was not used to it. I didn't really get the time to get used to being cuddled as a cat, and I had every difficulty in the world to resist it. And now my cat side was thinking that it was way too comfortable in the warm arm of a man I didn't know at all. I drifted off to sleep, promising to make him pay dearly the next day.

The next day, when I waked up, somehow Lupin had cuddled me in his arms like a teddy bear. My mind was clearer. I smirked inwardly, and started to move, making a point to scratch him in order to waked him up. He groaned in his sleep, and tightened his grasp; I meowed loudly getting out of his arms as fast as I could.

The professor was now waking up slowly, staring at me like he didn't understand what I was doing here. It was his fault; he sure as hell was going to remember it clearly. I checked the room, the door was closed and I could transform back quickly. I did. Lupin's face was comic. Like he just started to realize he had kidnap a student in his quarters.

I smirked at him.

"Not a month at teaching and you are already starting to take advantage of your student, professor."

He scowled, and started to stutter. I laughed. He grumbled something under his breath and started to get up. Someone really needed to take his happy pills this morning. Maybe a little cheering charm wouldn't hurt him. I sighed.

"God." He groaned. "You are so much better as a cat."

"I am flattered, professor." I replied sarcastically. He smiled a little.

"I guess you may want to ask some questions about me professor. But I had things I wanted to ask you too, and some things are in my bag, and it stayed in the classroom last night. Oh and I wouldn't mind a shower, guh, I smell like a man, really."

I was rambling a little but the situation was awkward. Lupin sighed and mumbled.

"I am sorry. For yesterday. And I guess I have to thank you for my memory."

"Right. It's ok, I guess, apologies accepted."

"So, professor, when did you become such a good actor?"

He laughed a little.

"It might be difficult to imagine, but I was quite a troublemaker back in my day at Hogwarts. And I often found a way of getting out of detention."

He smirked a little before we began to stare at each other awkwardly, not knowing what to say.

"Well" I began, "I think it is better if we talked after lunch. I guess you know where the room of requirement is?"

He nodded.

"Ok. Room of requirement, two o'clock professor."

And I left him here. I needed coffee. And I needed to have my mind clear for the discussion that was to come.