The next morning, Bloom and Harry are walking by the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom - and they immediately run in when they notice its bare.

Lupin is packing his stuff, and it all fits into his single suitcase.

Harry and Bloom are most shocked about his condition though - he looks awful!

He's even more haggard than usual, and there are cuts, scratches, and teeth marks all over him - and he's got dark circles under his eyes.

At their shocked stares, he smiles and says "I've looked worse, believe me."

Bloom raises an eyebrow, and grabs Lupin's arm without a word.

The cuts, scratches, marks, and bruises all fade and close at once, but Lupin gently pulls his arm out of her hand.

"Thank you, my dear. But that's not necessary - not after what I did."

Harry eyes the open drawers, empty shelves, and says "You've been sacked."

"Resigned, actually."

Harry and Bloom both stare, and Bloom says "But you're the best DADA teacher we've had!"

It's true, no doubts about it. Quirrell was a servant for the Dark Lord, and Lockhart was a fraud who couldn't spell his way out of a box with the top open.

Remus Lupin made the class fun, exciting to be in.

Both are in total agreement that Remus Lupin is the only DADA professor that has known what they're supposed to be doing - in fact, all four friends are; and most of the school is as well.

Everybody agrees that he's infinitely better than Lockhart, and only some Slytherin kids, led by Draco, say he's not an amazing teacher.

Lupin asks about their Patronuses - and guesses Harry's was a Stag when he says he thought it looked like a horse.

Harry's father used to transform into a stag to keep Remus company when he had his very bad nights every month, and suddenly Bloom makes a connection.

"Wait. Prongs, the antlers of a stag. Moony, a full-moon transformation. Padfoot, the pads on a dog's feet. Wormtail, the tail of a rat. You four were the Marauders."

Lupin grins, and says "Every bit as smart as Hermione. Yes, very good Bloom. The four of us were best friends, much like you four. They all became Animagi to keep me company, as Werewolves are only a danger to people. And your Patronus, Bloom?"

"A Phoenix. It was a Phoenix. I recognized it from Fawkes, Professor Dumbledore's Phoenix."

Remus nods, and says "A Phoenix Patronus is exceedingly rare. Rarer than most any. It takes an extraordinary gift to have one."

"I'd have thought it would be a dragon. Well, because…"

"Yes, I can see why you would. A Patronus is the creature you are most like - the creature you saw in the crystal ball might well be from your powers itself, not from who you are. Suffice it to say, you have a Dragon as well as a Phoenix, Bloom."

Bloom grins at the joke, then both she and Harry beg him to stay.

He tells them somebody revealed his true nature to the public, and Harry and Bloom instantly know who: Snape.

He's known almost as long as Sirius, James, and Pettigrew did - only about three years later.

Remus says "Take good care of that map you two. You have no idea how useful it is - or how long it took to make it."

He grins at the memories, and then moves to leave. Bloom suddenly hugs him, shocking the man instantly.

"Just promise you'll come back. Werewolf or not, your still the best teacher for this class we've ever had, and your our friend."

She lets him go, looking determined and sad at the same time.

Remus smiles, and says "Count on it, you two."

When they get up to their dorm to pack, they find a group of students in the common room gathered around a table.

Ron shouts "Stand back, I said! I'll take them upstairs if I have to!"

Bloom and Harry share a look, and Hermione clears her throat loudly.

The crowd instantly start chattering and asking questions.

Neville asks "Where'd you get it Harry?"

Seamus asks "Can I ride it? After you, of course."

Parvati Patil asks Bloom "Where on Earth did you get the egg? This is bloody unbelievable!"

Lavander asks "Can we pet it after it hatches?"

Bloom and Harry are seriously confused, and Bloom yells "Alright, everybody make a hole and make it big!"

The kids all move out of the way, revealing a broomstick on the table and an egg in Hermione's hand.

The egg is a glossy blue with brown speckling - Bloom instantly recognizes it.

The label on the broomstick says it's a Firebolt, which is literally the fastest one there is.

Bloom and Harry are stunned speechless, Bloom especially at the sight that she has a Phoenix egg not three feet in front of her.

Bloom takes the egg from Hermione's waiting hands after a minute, and gently cradles it lovingly.

"Who sent them?"

Ron says "It's a mystery, guys. The only thing in the package, other than the broom and the heavily-padding-wrapped egg was this."

He holds up a Hippogriff feather, and Bloom and Harry share a secret grin.

Harry gets the feeling he now has a lot of competition from an egg the size of his fist though.

Everybody trails outside to watch Harry ride his new broom. Draco is the only one that not even a little excited for Harry, he's jealous beyond belief.

Harry pretends the broom doesn't work, giving everyone a letdown for a moment - then he takes off faster than they can track, everybody notices when Bloom lets out a shrill whistle in support of him.

Through the entire train ride back, Bloom never stops holding her new Phoenix egg - all three of her friends can tell she's instantly fallen in love with the unhatched bird.

Hermione says "You do know they're extraordinarily difficult to domesticate, right?"

Bloom doesn't even look up, and Harry rolls his eyes at Hermione empathetically.

Bloom, Earth to Bloom. Is anyone in there? T

his is amazing, Harry! Your godfather is the greatest!

Harry can tell she's using her healing powers on the Phoenix egg, connecting with it in the process.

Hermione is holding Crookshanks to her, who is now purring quietly next to Bloom.

He curiously sniffs Bloom beloved egg, then licks the shell.

Harry asks "You think Crookshanks didn't like Scabbers all this time because he was really Peter Pettigrew?"

Ron and Hermione shrug, Bloom still doesn't answer.

Harry sighs, he can tell it's going to be tough getting Bloom to respond for a while.

The mere mention of Pettigrew has been enough to make something blow up when she's listening - she's absolutely disgusted and furious with him.

AN: Yes, Bloom's getting a phoenix - I didn't make her Patronus a dragon because you could say she already has one of those and I looked them up. A Phoenix Patronus represents intense loyalty and dedication - both of which Bloom has in spades and then some. I was on the fence about them, until I read that a Dragon Patronus usually represents cunning and stuff like that - I'd honestly have thought it would mean determination and stubbornness. And since a Patronus can change with you, say if you fall in love or something, I decided to make it a Phoenix to represent her extreme loyalty. Year four coming up next chapter!