Three days later Remus had returned from the Shrieking Shack, fully human once more and able to resume his teaching duties. But he was also puzzled as to why the Wolfsbane had not worked, and counted it lucky he had transformed in a place where he was unable to harm anyone in his uncontrolled rage. However, someone had leaked the fact that he was a werewolf to the Ministry and now he was facing an inquiry as to his ability to teach due to his "unpredictable and volatile nature" as one Ministry official put it.

Severus was furious and convinced it was Pettigrew who had done it, but the Minister was at fault too, he probably still blamed Dumbledore for letting Black escape and thus ruining his chances for glory-to be the wizard who brought in Sirius Black singlehandedly. For Fudge was making no attempt to calm the hysteria that suddenly swept through Hogwarts once parents found out that a werewolf had been teaching their children.

Overnight, Dumbledore received a hundred owls from distressed and angry parents, threatening to remove their children from Hogwarts unless the werewolf was sacked. Among them were Seamus and Dean's parents, which didn't surprise Ron or Hermione or Harry in the slightest. Oddly, Neville's grandmother was not among the detractors, nor were the Weasleys or the Grangers.

"People are so damn stupid!" Aria snarled to her friend after her morning run the day after Dumbledore had received all the owls. "They condemn without ever knowing the whole truth! Uncle Remmy's no more dangerous than the average wizard with the Wolfsbane."

"Unless you make him mad, right, Aria?" Harry reminded. Then he winced, for Remus had scolded him up and down after his return for risking his life and making Severus and Remus crazy with worry. His godfather's disapproval had hurt as bad as Severus's and Remus had followed the scolding with one quick whack as well. "For remembrance, as my Gran used to say," the werewolf had said, then he had hugged his godson hard and told him not to get into anymore trouble, Merlin help him.

"Don't remind me, Snape," she said ruefully, for after he had assured himself that his niece was all right, he'd spanked her just the way Severus had Harry. It was not something she was anxious to repeat-ever. "I could barely sit down at dinner, and that prick Malfoy was smirking like he just won a million Galleons, don't ask me why."

"Knowing Malfoy, it was probably ‘cause he got another kid in trouble," Harry said darkly, though something else about Malfoy was nagging the back of his brain. "Too bad Dad didn't catch him out of bed that night, then he could've shared our detention."

All four of them had detention with Professor Snape the Monday following the incident in the Shrieking Shack and Severus had made them all dice and chop nasty horned toad kidneys and brains and then scrub every inch of the great hall and the dungeons until they could barely move. But he had also applied murtlap essence salve to their hands and sore backs and given Harry a massage afterwards.

"What do you mean, he was out of bed too?"

"I caught him lurking down by the lake the night we were chasing Pettigrew all over, and he wouldn't tell me why, then he ran away like a whipped puppy when the dementors came," Harry told her.

Aria frowned. "That's weird. What possible reason could Malfoy have for being around there at that time of night?"

"Who knows? He had a camera though, I think."

"A camera? What was he photographing, the merpeople?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't have a clue. Is your uncle still mad at you for, uh, what happened with Sirius and all?"

"No. After he punished me, he forgave me. Why, is your dad still mad at you?"

"No, he forgave me too. I swear, they must compare notes or something, don't you think?"

"Probably. They must discuss it after the staff meetings or whatever. It's like a parental conspiracy," the girl huffed.

"Ugh! We get in enough trouble without them comparing who's worse and what they ought to do to us," Harry groused.

"Tell me about it. Although I think Uncle Remmy's got bigger things to worry about now that the Ministry's on his ass. I can't believe they might force Dumbledore to fire him! It's so unfair. It makes me want to go to London and-and bite them until they see sense!" she declared passionately.

Harry couldn't help it. He laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"You. Biting all the stupid Ministry officials arses. I'd love to see it!"

"Harry Snape! You're . . ."

"Terrible? Yeah, I know. But seriously though, it really would be funny, if you could do it and not get locked in Azkaban, or whatever prison they have for juvenile delinquents." Harry grinned.

"Hmmm . . .you're right." Then she shoved him playfully. "Better watch it, Snape. Annoy me too much and I'll bite your ass."

"Now that's just cruel, Lupin!" he smirked.

"Only kidding, Snape. I like your butt the way it is," she said, then blushed when she realized what she had said.

"Glad to hear it," he replied, then blushed too. "Uh . . .did you finish your Care of Magical Creatures homework yet?" he quickly changed the subject.

"No, but it shouldn't be that hard, considering it's an essay about the care and training of hippogriffs. Piece of cake."

"Maybe to you, Lupin. But I'm not all in tune with animals the way you are."

She raised an eyebrow. "In tune with them, Harry? What, do you think I have some, uh, mystical connection with them because I'm a shape-slipper?"

"Yeah. Don't you? I mean, you can sort of understand them, right?"

"In a way. I can communicate with some animals, like dogs and cats, because their body language and such is similar to my cougar form's, and the same goes for owls since my hawk form uses the same kinds of sounds and postures. Otherwise, it's like I'm trying to speak a foreign language when I've only had two or three years worth of lessons. I can get the gist of something, but that's all. I'm not an Animal Speaker, able to comprehend and speak all animal tongues."

"Oh." Now he felt kind of stupid.

"Believe me, it would have made things a hell of a lot easier when I went to get Beaky and lead him to the school. First I had to make him follow me and he was more interested in taking a nap. Then he kept getting distracted by things moving on the ground and diving at them to investigate, I had to keep flying about him screeching to get his attention until he focused on me enough to keep following me all the way to the school. By the time I got there, my wings felt like two lumps of lead."

"Really? I never knew it was so hard to get a hippogriff's attention."

"It is when the hippogriff's more interested in hunting or playing. They're predators and as such are attracted by anything that runs really fast, but they're smarter than your average eagle or pig, so once Beaky understood that it was important to listen to me, he did. I hope he's okay and so is Sirius."

"Me too. Thank God he escaped," whispered Harry. "And my dad too. Has Dumbledore heard anything more from Fudge about Moony's hearing?"

"Uh, I think he's supposed to be meeting with Fudge this afternoon to discuss it," Aria answered, scowling blackly. "I wish I knew who it was that told the Ministry about my uncle. I'd rearrange his stinking face sure enough." One slender hand clenched.

"Dad thinks Pettigrew left an anonymous tip or something. How else would they have known?"

"What if someone else figured it out?" Aria said suspiciously.

Harry nibbled on his lower lip thoughtfully. "Like who? Who would hate your uncle so much he'd leak this secret to the press and cost him his job?"

"Plenty of students could have grudges against him for giving them bad grades or whatever," Aria speculated. She twirled a length of her golden-brown hair. "But if that's the case, it has to be someone who knows about the Wolfsbane Potion, knows what it is and what it's used for."

"Which means somebody good in potions," Harry surmised. "Who are the best potion makers in the school besides us and Hermione?"

"Umm . . .Blaise Zabini gets good marks. So does Mandy and Rupert Allen, they're the prefects for this year. Cho Chang is good also, she's a Ravenclaw."

"Percy Weasley and Fred and George are really good too, much as I dislike Percy, the arrogant snot," admitted Harry.

"Much as I hate admit it, Malfoy is good too."

"Good at sabotaging other people's potions too," remarked the Boy Who Lived angrily. "He used to screw up mine almost every period. And he never got caught, since Dad could never really punish him for anything without blowing his cover. Until now, that is. Last time he caught Malfoy trying to chuck something in my cauldron when my back was turned, he gave him detention and took twenty House points. I thought the little ferret was going to keel over from shock."

"I remember that, Malfoy was so furious that evening he owled his father and complained to him, said the professor was being unfair and his father would straighten him out."

"Straighten him out?" Harry repeated incredulously. "Who the hell does Draco think his father is, the Minister of Magic? What does he think, Lucius claps and everyone else jumps and asks how high?"

"Pretty much. Apparently, Mandy told me that the Malfoys are not only an old pureblood family, but they have vast connections in the government, and at one time Lucius was trying to get himself elected Minister."

Harry made a gagging noise. "Lucius Malfoy as Minister . . .I think I'm going to be sick. Draco would be like the most insufferable snot on the earth if that ever happened. Was that before or after Voldemort fell?"

"Before, I think. After he was probably too busy trying to convince the Ministry not to put him away to be bothered campaigning," said Aria. She looked at her watch. "Tell you what, Snape. I'll keep my ear to the ground and you do the same and we'll see if we can't hear anything useful. Sooner or later whoever ratted out Uncle Remmy's gonna slip up and then we'll have him."

"Then what do we do? Beat the snot out of him?"

"Yeah . . .after we report the creep to a teacher. C'mon, Harry, let's move or we're going to be late and I don't need Uncle Sev yelling at me first period."

Together the two headed back to the castle, possible suspects swirling in their heads, though at the top of both their lists was one name: Draco Malfoy.

• * * * * * *

Remus Lupin had always known he couldn't hide his werewolf curse forever, not in a school the size of Hogwarts. Sooner or later, someone was bound to find out about it and leak it to the press and the general public. He just wished it had happened later rather than sooner. He enjoyed teaching Defense and being at Hogwarts again, many of the staff were old friends of his, members of the Order, and he felt at home here.

But it was a sad fact that werewolves were persona non grata in the wizarding world, regulated because of their curse to second-class citizens, mistrusted and feared. It was an old story, it had been going on since the first werewolf was created, by an accidental mixing of a shapechange potion and the essence of an evil spirit, forming a curse that turned a man into a ravenous beast during the nights of the full moon. In a way, he couldn't blame them, for without the Wolfsbane Potion he was too dangerous to be around.

He was seriously considering resigning, he didn't want Dumbledore to have any bad press because he had knowingly hired a werewolf. Even if the werewolf were an old friend and under the influence of the Wolfsbane Potion. There was a meeting scheduled with the Minister this afternoon to discuss the pros and cons of Remsu remaining at the school. Remus was not looking forward to it, he knew Fudge bore no love for his kind.

He was sitting at his desk in his office, staring morosely at the grindylow in the tank opposite him, knowing he should be marking tests or at the very least homework assignments, but somehow he just couldn't muster up the energy. He was weary and depressed, the events in the Shack haunted him, Pettigrew had escaped once more, Aria had nearly been killed by dementors and then he'd had to punish her for her impulsive behavior-something which he had hated doing, but this was the final straw, the beginning of the end. It was only a matter of time before the anti-werewolf supporters came pounding at the gates, demanding the Headmaster send him packing.

He snapped his fingers and a tumbler filled with two fingers full of firewhisky appeared on his desk. Normally he didn't indulge, the only time he'd ever gotten totally wasted had been during sixth year, with Sirius and James and that traitor-Lupin couldn't even bear to think his name-and the way he'd felt the morning after had cured him of drinking to excess forever. But this once, he thought it might be a good thing if he got roaring drunk, that way he wouldn't have to hear all the rumors and accusations floating around.

He had just sipped the amber liquid, relishing in the slight burn as it slid down his throat, when there came a knock at the door. "Who is it?" he asked warily.

Last time someone had knocked at the door and he'd gotten up to answer it, he'd found nothing there except a dungbomb, which had nearly exploded in his face before he'd disarmed it.

"It's only me, Moony."

"Come in, Sev," he breathed a sigh of relief. If there was one person at Hogwarts he could trust totally and who would defend him to the death, it was Severus Snape.

Severus entered, shutting the door softly behind him, lines of concern etched in his face. He raised an eyebrow when he caught sight of the firewhisky in the tumbler. "It's that bad, Moony, you're drinking during the day?"

Lupin nodded wearily, taking another gulp of the firewhisky. He knew Severus didn't approve of drowning one's sorrows, but right then he could give a damn about offending anyone's sensibilities, and besides he knew his friend would never judge him.

"I feel like I've got my head in a noose, Sev, and I'm just waiting for the hangman to cut the rope. I'm sure you've seen the headlines in this morning's paper, right?"

"I did and that Skeeter woman ought to be hung, drawn, and quartered, writing such trash," Severus said angrily. "I threw my copy into the fire, it's only good for kindling. Moony, you can't let them get to you. Whoever informed the Minister of your condition knew exactly what they were doing. They want to ruin your career and I, for one, don't think you should let them."

"What do you suggest I do, Sev? Go out in the street wearing a sign saying I'm People Friendly-Support Werewolves?"

"There's an idea," the Potions Master teased gently. "Actually, that's similar to what Miss Granger suggested to me this morning. She said we ought to start a movement supporting werewolves with slogans and signs the way Muggle activists do."

Remus started to laugh. "She means well, Sev, but who in their right mind would be a member of a Save the Werewolf club? Besides you, me, Harry, Aria, and Hermione, of course. We'd all be labeled barking mad, literally. It's not worth it. There's no sense in dragging you down in the mud with me. You've got a child to support."

"So have you, Moony," reminded Severus gently. "And you can't do that if you're unemployed."

"I know that, Sev, but I can't risk transforming again and biting a student. Some of the parents have already started to panic and write letters threatening to pull their kids from here unless I resign. That's what this meeting with the Minister is about this afternoon."

Severus scowled. "Where Fudge will then try and pressure you into resigning, no doubt, for the good of the school. What does Albus have to say about all of this, Remus?"

"He is upset, of course, and he regrets that I am coming under fire from the press and all."

"Ah. But will he defend you to Fudge, Moony? Or will he be content to sit back and throw you to the werewolf haters?"

"I don't know, Sev. Guess I'll just have to wait and see."

"Perhaps I ought to speak with him myself. I can vouch for you if you need it, I've known you longer than anyone, and I know what you're capable of."

"Severus, I can't ask you to do that," protested Remus. "You're being nominated for the Order of Merlin First Class."

"Like that's worth more than my friendship with you? Merlin's Beard, Remus! Who knows, perhaps my support as a nominee for the Order of Merlin First Class will carry some weight with certain people. Either way, I'm not going to stand by and watch them hound you to death, Lupin!"

Remus smiled gratefully at his friend. "Thank you, Sev. I really appreciate it. I don't think it will do all that much good, but at least you tried." He finished off the tumbler. "Don't look at me like that, Sev. My nerves are shot, I need the fortification."

"You don't need to explain anything to me, Moony, you're an adult and you can make your own decisions. I just hope Fudge isn't his usual obtuse asinine self. Sometimes that man reminds me of an ostrich, if something is too unpleasant to deal with, or doesn't fit into his narrow vision of reality, he buries his bloody head in the sand and hopes it will go away. Those kind of people really annoy me."

Remus looked slightly alarmed at that statement. "Sev, promise me you'll control your temper and not threaten to hex the Minister. Because that won't help either of us."

"Don't worry, Moony. I'll control myself, trust me. There's only one person I will be truly angry at if he fails to defend you and that is Dumbledore."

"Severus, I can't expect Dumbledore to support me openly."

"Why the hell not? After all you've done, Remus, as a teacher here and for the Order, the old man bloody well should support you! He owes you!"

"No, he doesn't. I volunteered mostly, and I accepted the position here knowing I might have to resign if my true nature were known. It was a risk I chose to take."

"Nevertheless, the Old Meddler should stand behind you, he hired you after all." Severus sighed. "Come along, Moony. Perhaps together we can convince the Minister to take his head out of the sand for once and see that a werewolf is worth defending."

• * * * * * *

The meeting did not go well. Fudge refused to listen to either Severus or Dumbledore, he was concerned with the number of angry letters and bad press he was getting and he wanted to maintain the status quo. Despite Severus's insistence that with the Wolfsbane, Remus was no more dangerous than the average wizard, Fudge was reluctant to allow the werewolf to remain at Hogwarts.

"People are afraid, Albus, with good reason. The last werewolf attack was a year or so ago and a boy died from it. People wonder if it could happen again. Lucius Malfoy has contacted me and says he's reluctant to send his son back here next year unless you are no longer a staff member, Lupin. The Malfoys are very influential . . ."

"What are you saying, Minister?" demanded Severus sharply. "That we should give up because Lucius Malfoy opposes us? Since when did Lucius become God, that we must follow him in all things? The Malfoys might be an old family, but they are not the only old family. Will you let one man dictate Ministry policy, sir?"

"Certianly not, Snape, but you have to admit Mr. Malfoy has a valid reason, he is concerned for the safety of his son." Fudge began indignantly. "You are a parent, Severus, did you not pull Harry from Gryffindor Tower when you feared for his safety there?"

"Yes, but that was because he was being targeted by a murderer. Remus threatens no one. He has been teaching here for almost a year and no student in his class has ever been harmed by him. I brew the Wolfsbane myself and with the potion Remus is perfectly safe to be around. There is no need for any parent to assume otherwise. As a matter of fact, Remus is my son's godfather. And also the guardian of his niece Aria, who would not have been placed in his care were he an unfit person. And if you don't believe me, perhaps you will believe the Headmaster."

That was Dumbledore's cue to come to Remus's defense, yet the old wizard seemed strangely reluctant to do so. "It is true, Cornelius, that I do not share the prejudice most wizards have against werewolves, otherwise I would never have hired Remus. But it is a sad fact that people fear that which is different, which is why many parents have protested my endorsement of Remus."

"People fear the different because they have been given no reason not to," Severus argued. "By keeping Lupin here, Headmaster, you are showing those people that there is nothing to fear from him. That you trust him. If he resigns, what does that tell people? That they were right to fear the wolf at the door and to drive him away. Is that the message you want to send them?"

"Severus, be reasonable. The Headmaster has to think of the safety and wellbeing of all of his students, and Hogwarts is run by the Board of Governors. Lucius Malfoy is on the Board and his word carries a lot of weight. If he withdraws his son from this institution . . ."

"He won't, Minister. I know the man, and he is bluffing. He will not withdraw Draco from Hogwarts, Malfoys have been attending this school for centuries and Lucius will not break with tradition." Severus said firmly.

"So you say, but what if you are wrong, Snape?" dithered Cornelius. "I do not know if I'm willing to take that chance."

Remus sighed heavily and said, "I understand, Minister. Perhaps it is best if I go. All I ask is that Aria be allowed to return here and graduate when the time comes. She should not be ostracized because I am a werewolf."

"Remus, no! You can't just leave," cried Snape.

"I fear I must, Severus. I do not want to be the cause of students leaving here."

"They're fools if they do."

"Maybe so, but I'd rather not have the school tear itself apart over me. So I think it's best if I leave."

"Well, I don't!"

Remus smiled sadly. "That's why you're my friend. I always knew this wouldn't last."

Severus scowled. "Minister, do you know who sent you the tip concerning Remus?"

"No, I'm afraid not. It was anonymous."

"What does it matter now, Sev? What's done is done."

"It matters," the Potions Master said coldly, vowing to find out who had revealed Remus's secret and show them the folly of repeating every little thing to authority figures.

• * * * * * *

Harry tried to concentrate on studying for his Charms final, which was coming up in two days, but he found his mind kept straying back to the awful news he had heard from Aria that evening at dinner. Remus was resigning! It seemed that the Minister-barmy old coot-had insisted upon it and his godfather had no choice but to comply. Harry scowled down at his Charms text and notes, recalling the way the man had refused to believe him when he'd said Sirius was innocent. Even now, they were still looking for the "criminal" Sirius Black! While somewhere out there the real culprit, Pettigrew, roamed free.

He threw down his quill in disgust, tired of trying to make fact cards the way Hermione had suggested as a way to review all the information he needed to know. How could he write bloody facts about Charms when his godfather was being booted out the door like an unwanted stray? He rose to stretch cramped muscles and walk about the small dining area of Snape's apartment, he'd chosen to study here tonight because it was quiet.

"What's the matter?" asked his father upon seeing his son pacing about. "This the fifth time in an hour you've gotten up to walk around, get a drink, use the bathroom, or sharpen quills. Why aren't you studying, Harry?"

"I can't, Dad. How can I worry about a test when Uncle Moony's leaving?" His son spun about to face him, his green eyes hot with anger. "They're making the best Defense teacher we've got leave just ‘cause he's a werewolf! It's not fair!"

Severus sighed, he agreed with Harry one hundred percent. "No, it isn't. But there is nothing anyone can do about it now. Remus has made his decision."

"He was forced into resigning, Dad!" Harry interrupted. "It was all Fudge's doing, he didn't want the bad press from allowing a werewolf on staff at Hogwarts. Isn't there anything you can do?"

"Harry, I have done all I can. It's out of my hands. I did my best to persuade the Minister to keep Remus here, but the Minister, like so many others, doesn't trust werewolves."

"Then he's a-a bloody-" Harry swallowed the rest of what he was about to say at Snape's warning look. Severus had told him to watch his mouth two times already that night and if it came to three, he'd fetch a bar of soap. "You know what he is," he finished. "What about Dumbledore? Surely he can talk to Fudge?"

Severus shook his head. "Dumbledore has done all he can as well, Harry. The Minister refuses to budge, he is convinced that there will be riots and such if Moony stays and therefore Remus agreed to resign quietly. Now, I know you're upset about this, as am I, but that doesn't mean you should spend the whole night brooding over something you can't change."

"How can I study when I feel like putting my fist through Fudge's fat face?"

"Take a deep breath," Severus ordered. "It's time you practiced your meditation again, Harry." He beckoned the boy over to the sofa and together they went through the basic breathing and calming exercises, until Harry was able to put away his anger and focus on studying for his exam.

But as he went through his notes, Harry decided he would pay a visit to the Headmaster tomorrow afternoon. Severus always said Dumbledore favored Harry, just the way he used to favor James. Well, perhaps he could use that favoritism to get Dumbledore to reverse Fudge's decision. It was worth a shot, anyway.

But Dumbledore, though regretful, told Harry he had no power to change the ruling of the Minister of Magic. "I know it is unfair, Harry, but there is nothing I can do about it. Being a werewolf carries a stigma, it always has, and probably always will."

"That doesn't make it right! Just because some werewolves are evil doesn't mean they all are. That's like saying all wizards are evil because Voldemort is!"

"True, Harry. But people fear the werewolf curse and so they wish to persecute those with it and that means Remus can no longer teach here, for I cannot guarantee his safety if he stays. There have been threats made already."

"Threats? Like what?"

"Warning letters and messages scrawled on the blackboard of the classroom. Get out Werewolf or there's a silver bullet waiting! The usual sort of slander."

Harry's eyes blazed. "That bloody sucks! Do you know who left the message?" He didn't bother to watch his language with Dumbledore, he knew the old wizard would never wash his mouth out.

"No. But it shows how frightened people have become, if they are going to far as to leave threats on a blackboard."

"Then there's nothing you can do?" The old wizard shook his head. "Then it was all for nothing! Everything!" Harry stormed.

"Everything, Harry? I would not call rescuing Buckbeak nothing. Or saving Sirius Black. You saved the lives of two innocents that night, my boy, and that is something you should be proud of."

He doesn't know it wasn't me that saved Sirius, it was Dad, Aria, and Hermione, Harry thought, amazed that the old wizard had guessed wrong. And I can't tell him the truth, otherwise Dad might lose his job. "But it wasn't enough!"

"You can't save everyone, Harry," said Dumbledore sadly. "I learned that lesson long ago. All you can do is your best. Which you have. Don't fret about Remus. He will find other employment, he is clever and resourceful."

"What about Aria? Is she going to still go to school here? Or will they tell her she can't ‘cause she's a slipper and related to the werewolf?"

"No, Aria may still attend Hogwarts," Dumbledore said firmly. "I make the decisions on who shall be accepted here and I invited Miss Lupin back. She is a girl of unusual talent and potential and we could use more like her."

"Good." Harry heaved a sigh of relief. "I'm sorry I shouted at you, sir," he added then. "Dad would kick my arse if he knew."

"I won't tell him, Harry," the Headmaster chuckled, his blue eyes twinkling. "Lemon drop?"

Harry took one from the dish and ate it, wishing there were something else they could do, but knowing all the while that it was a lost cause. Whoever had set out to ruin Lupin had succeeded. The only thing left for him to do now was find out who it was, for then at least he could vent some of his anger on the slimeball.

• * * * * * *

He tried to enlist Ron and Hermione in his campaign, because he felt he would need more than just Aria to ferret out whoever it was that had informed on Lupin. But Hermione, was as usual, too busy studying for exams to be bothered. "Sorry Harry, but I've got tons of work to do and I'll never manage to get it all done if I'm running around the school trying to find whoever it was that figured out Lupin was a werewolf."

"Hermione, there's more to life than books and studying," Harry said. "Don't you care that Lupin's lost his job because of this creep?"

"Of course I do! I was the one who suggested to your dad that was start a Save the Werewolf movement. Only he said we would never hav enough members to be effective. But I also want to pass my third year and that means I have to study. Besides, you, Ron, and Aria are way better at skulking about and discovering secrets than I am. I only figured out Lupin was a werewolf because Professor Snape made us do an essay on them when he was substituting one day. Remember? We had to compare and contrast the differences between a werewolf and an actual wolf?"

Ron goggled at her. "You actually remember an assignment we had to do two months ago or whatever? How do you do it? I forget half of the lecture by the next period."

"That's because you aren't paying attention half the time, Ron." Hermione said exasperatedly. "Maybe if you did, you'd actually learn something." She pulled her Ancient Runes book out of her bag and began to look over the notes she had made. "Excuse me, but I have one hundred and twenty symbols to combine and memorize before tomorrow."

"C'mon, Ron. Let's find Aria and see if she's heard anything from the Slytherins. They're usually up on the latest gossip." Harry urged and they departed, leaving Hermione to her mountain of books and parchment.

"Totally nuts," Ron was muttering.

"Huh?"

"Hermione. All that studying's gonna turn her brain into an encyclopedia. I wouldn't be surprised if she became a professor one day, since she loves taking tests and doing homework."

"But it's a different thing having to grade them. Just ask my dad," Harry said knowingly. "He says that's one of the worst things about being a teacher, all the papers you have to slog through with the terrible handwriting and the dumb answers kids make up because they couldn't be bothered reading the assignments. He says those are the ones that make him wonder why he bothered trying to teach them anything in the first place. It was a waste of breath."

Ron said nothing, though he wondered if he were one of those students Snape thought was a waste of time teaching. It wasn't that he didn't like school, but there were simply so many other things he liked more, like Quidditch, or sleeping, or eating chocolate frogs.

They found Aria loitering outside the Defense classroom, which looked pretty bare and empty since Remus had packed up most of the interesting specimens and charts and the armoire with the boggart had been placed in storage and the boggart given a new home in Filch's filing cabinet.

"Well? What's the buzz around the Serpent House?" queried Harry.

"Some of us are very upset that Uncle Remmy's leaving. And some others . . . aren't."

"Such as?"

"Malfoy, for one. Big surprise there. He's never gotten along with my uncle, ever since he got detention with him after that Hogsmeade weekend."

"The one where Harry got grounded for life, right? Ron clarified, and Harry huffed in exasperation.

"You're never gonna let me forget that, are you?"

"C'mon, mate, even you have to admit it was pure bad luck, running into Lupin when you did. I mean, who else has an invisibility cloak and a map and still manages to get nabbed by a teacher walking out of a pub?"

"Rub it in, why don't you?"

"Stop it." Aria ordered. "This isn't helping us any. Okay, here's a list of possible suspects." She handed out two pieces of parchment with five name son them. At the top of the list was Pettigrew, but under him were Draco, Lucius, Crabbe and Goyle. "I know, these are pretty obvious, but they were the best I could come up with on short notice."

Ron studied the list for a moment. "Well, if it's Pettigrew, the beast, we can't do a damn thing about him. But if it's Malfoy . . .and I'd bet my only Galleon it is, him we can settle with. Fred and George just gave me some new products and we could slip some into his pumpkin juice or his soup at dinner."

"Or I could just threaten to disembowel him," offered Aria wickedly.

"Your uncle wouldn't like that," Ron predicted.

"He wouldn't know. I do it just before we were leaving, so the little skunk couldn't go running and tell." Aria said, her eyes glinting.

"What happened to telling a teacher first?" Harry reminded.

"I'd do that first. Then I'd wait and ambush him later."

"Merlin, but I'm glad she isn't my enemy," breathed Ron. "She's dangerous."

"Only when somebody messes with my family, Ron," laughed the shape-slipper. "Otherwise I'm harmless as a little kitten."

"Sure you are."

"Here's Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle's class schedule," Aria showed them yet another parchment. "Most of those classes they have with us, so we can keep an eye on them then. Hopefully, Malfoy won't be able to resist bragging to his little friends about how clever he was."

"Yeah, he's already boasting about how great it was that Hagrid's hippogriff died," Ron snickered. "I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from going up to him and telling him that Buckbeak was alive and well."

"He does tend to pat himself on the back an awful lot, doesn't he, the little toad?" Harry observed.

They split up then, since Aria had History of Magic and Harry and Ron had Herbology, each of them intending to watch Malfoy like a hawk, in Aria's case literally.

But their spying turned up nothing fruitful that day, since Malfoy seemed too preoccupied with his upcoming finals to talk about much else. It wasn't until the end of the week, when nearly all the final exams had been taken, and it was officially announced that Lupin would not be returning next year, that Malfoy blundered in a big way.

The dungeons were commonly known as Slytherin territory, thus Draco and his two hulking sidekicks felt safe there plotting new ways to harass younger students or discuss successful campaigns of terror. The end of the year was upon them and nearly all of their Housemates were celebrating the fact that finals were over, some were sweating over the marks they might get, and still others were sleeping, exhausted from cramming for exams.

Draco had decided the Slytheirn common room was too crowded to tell Crabbe and Goyle about the latest letter he'd received from his father, about the new Anti-Werewolf Bill they were trying to pass, and had dragged them into the deserted potions lab to talk.

Draco was clutching a piece of parchment, smirking triumphantly. " . . . Father says the Ministry is under fire from the public for allowing that sorry excuse for a teacher Lupin to teach Defense, ‘specially once they found out he was a werewolf. So he proposed they pass another Anti-Werewolf Decree, requiring werewolves only be allowed to apply for low-paying jobs where they would come into minimal contact with other people, since they're a menace. Imagine that, we could have all been bitten in class with that monster instructing us." Draco laughed nastily, joined by his two companions. "Father says all werewolves ought to be killed, they're too dangerous to live. They're a blight on society. Father says it was a good thing I mentioned my suspiscions to him about Lupin's disease and the Wolfsbane Potion, though it was too bad I couldn't get pictures of Lupin transforming that night-stupid Po-Snape was hanging around by the lake and started asking all kinds of stupid questions and by the time I got rid of him it was too late to find Lupin." Draco lied glibly, not wanting to admit the real reason he'd returned to the dorm that night, because he'd been terrified out of his mind by the dementors. "But I knew Lupin had to transform, since the Wolfsbane was altered when I slipped some pumpkin juice into it that afternoon in his office when he was busy looking for his grindylow. Serves him right, getting sacked, after what he and the Beast Girl did to me. I warned her once, nobody messes with a Malfoy."

"Uh, how'd you know to do that, Draco?" asked Crabbe.

"Simple. Wolfsbane is a very delicate potion, it needs to be made perfectly or else it won't work. Every good potions student knows that." Draco boasted.

"Indeed, Mr. Malfoy. And they also know not to tamper with another's solution," came a silky furious voice from the doorway of the office.

All three boys froze.

It was Professor Snape, who had been in his office all this time, collecting some last minute paperwork from his desk before locking up. He had not heard the boys enter the lab, until Draco had begun talking, and then he couldn't help but overhear the topic of conversation. He'd listened with mounting fury to Draco's glib recitation of sabotage and how Lucius had praised his sly offspring for destroying Remus's reputation and his career as a promising professor out of sheer malice.

Malfoy went white as a ghost. "Run!"

Crabbe and Goyle didn't need to be told twice. They bolted for the door of the potions lab and were out of it like the wind. Severus did not care so much about them, they had nothing to do with Malfoy's scheme. It was Lucius's son he wanted.

Malfoy made it out the door, ignoring Snape's shouts to stop, running quickly down the corridor. Only to bash right into Harry who was coming back to Severus's rooms to pick up a notebook he'd forgotten.

Harry was knocked sprawling, landing hard on his bottom, his bag crushed beneath him. Draco was knocked down too, the impact of the collision causing him to fall.

Before he could scramble to his feet and flee, Snape pounced upon him, grabbing him by the collar of his robes and shaking him soundly. "Malfoy, when a professor tells you to stop, you listen! Especially when that professor is me, your Head of House!"

Malfoy was white and shaking, clearly Snape was the last person he wanted to see at the moment. Harry fought to keep from grinning. From the look on his father's face, Malfoy was in for it. Harry stood up, wincing a bit, for the stone floor had not been kind to his bum. Before he could ask what was going on, Severus had turned back to his office, dragging Malfoy along with him.

"So, mister, it was you who tampered with my Wolfsbane Potion? Do you know how expensive that potion is to make, boy? How much time it takes to brew a single draft? Not to mention the fact that your sneaky scheme put a man's life in danger, as well as your classmates."

"Professor, I . . .my father told me . . ." babbled Draco, searching for a way out of the situation he found himself in.

"Don't lie to me, Malfoy!" roared Snape. "I heard every word you spoke in my lab to your little friends. You intended to expose Remus as a werewolf in the hopes he'd get sacked. You deliberately set out to ruin another wizard's career and reputation to satisfy your own petty need for revenge. How dare you?"

Harry followed a few paces back, wanting to see where Severus was taking the blond boy. Snape had yanked open the door to his office and dragged Draco inside. Severus was in a rare temper, to find the informer in his own House was a potent disgrace, and worse to discover that the boy was actually boasting about ruining his best friend was enough to snap his control.

Harry peered through the frosted glass window, unable to stifle his curiosity. So, his suspicions had proved correct after all. And what a stroke of luck it had been that Malfoy would betray himself to Snape, of all people, who would be the hardest on the one who'd turned informer.

"He's a werewolf, sir!" cried Draco. "What do you care about whether a werewolf lives or dies?"

Severus leaned in until nose was inches from Malfoy's eyes. "That werewolf happens to be my best friend, Mr. Malfoy. So if you think I'm going to forgive and forget-think again! Unlike your father-" Severus sneered the word. "-I do not condone treachery! Your stupidity and maliciousness nearly cost lives, Mr. Malfoy! By all rights, you ought to be expelled."

Malfoy gasped, still trying to free his arm from Snape's grip. "My father will never let you!"

"Lucius does not dictate to me any longer, boy! He has no authority over me here or anywhere. But I know the Headmaster will never allow me to expel you for what he would term "a bit of boyish mischief"! Therefore, I shall deal with you as I see fit, and give you the punishment your father ought've years ago, you insufferable brat!" He snapped his fingers and a wooden spoon appeared out of the air.

With that, Severus hauled the astonished Draco over his knee and proceeded to give the brat the spanking of his life.

Harry remained with his mouth open. Merlin, Dad! That's giving him what-for, all right. Deserved as it was, Harry couldn't help flinching, for he knew how much it hurt. Then again, Remus could've killed them all, so he couldn't summon up too much sympathy, all things considered.

Malfoy shrieked and struggled, but Severus was too strong, and he could not escape the spoon, which spanked his bottom with a thorough firmness. Draco had never been punished in such a humiliating fashion, he'd been cosseted and spoiled all of his life, this was the first time ever he'd been made to face the consequences of his behavior and he did not like it at all!

Severus was not quite as out of control as he seemed, he had no intention of truly hurting his student, though his initial decision to spank him had been born out of sheer fury at Draco's attitude. A small voice in the back of his mind was yelling, Now you've done it, Snape. Striking a student, even this student, is going to get you fired. Yet somehow it did not matter then. All that mattered was giving the arrogant deceitful brat what he deserved.

Malfoy was sobbing loudly by the time Severus administered the last swat, and the Potions Master stood him up and said coldly, "You will remember this as a deserved punishment, Mr. Malfoy, I hope this teaches you not to slander teachers in the future. Furthermore, you have detention with me tomorrow for being out of bed after curfew and I'm deducting seventy points from Slytherin as well." Draco gasped. "Yes, and I shall make certain your Housemates know who it is that have cost them the House Cup. Now get out of my sight."

Malfoy turned and ran, Harry had just enough time to get out of the way before the office door slammed open and the blond Slytherin raced past, still sniffling. Harry wondered if he would write home and tell his father the way Severus had punished him, then thought if it had been him, he wouldn't. It was too embarrassing.

Harry continued on to Severus's rooms to get his notebook, thinking of Ron, Hermione, and Aria and what they would say to the news that Malfoy had been the culprit after all and how he'd been punished for it.

Just then another thought occurred to him. He wasn't entirely sure about this, but he didn't think it was school policy for a teacher to strike a student. Perhaps once it had been, like maybe fifty years ago, but not now. He hoped that his father would not get in trouble for spanking Draco. He'll only get in trouble if Draco goes and tells Dumbledore or his father, and if he's as embarrassed as I was when Dad spanked me, he won't mention it to a soul. To Harry's way of thinking, the embarrassment at being punished like a little kid far outweighed the stinging pain, which he knew would vanish before bedtime that night, leaving Draco with nothing but memories. Memories he'd probably be eager to forget, except perhaps the reason he'd gotten in trouble in the first place.

Maybe next time he won't be so smug and act like he's the be-all and end-all of everyone. And he'll think twice about trying to cross Dad again. At least he will if he's smart, and much as I hate the little snob, he's not dumb.

He found his notebook exactly where he'd left it, on the kitchen table next to a half-drunk glass of pumpkin juice. The glass had been spelled to keep the contents chilled, so Harry quickly gulped it down, took his notebook and shoved it in his bag, then left the professor's quarters to find Ron and tell him Lupin's informer had been caught.

• * * * * *

Ron was in stitches when Harry whispered to him what he'd seen through the office door. "You're kidding me, right? He really walloped that prat's bum? With a spoon? Merlin's pants! What I wouldn't give to have seen that! Draco, prince of Malfoy Manor, getting spanked like a spoiled brat. Bet he howled like two-year-old too."

Harry nodded then added quietly, "I just hope my dad doesn't get sacked if Malfoy reports this."

Ron chortled. "Shoot, Harry, Malfoy's not gonna tell anybody what happened to him. Because if he told Dumbledore, he'd want to know why Snape walloped him, and then Draco would have to admit he was the one who told about Remus's secret, and he won't want that known either. And I can't believe he'd tell his father what happened either, Merlin knows I never wanted to tell my dad if my mum had spanked me, I was too ashamed and upset. He always knew though, I think Mum used to tell him, but he never learned it from me."

Harry hoped that was true, because otherwise his dad might be out of a job just like Remus Lupin.

The girls' reactions were varied, Aria said that was just what the arrogant boy deserved, though she still wanted to pound him into the dirt. "And so will everyone else since he cost us the Cup now. Still, serves him right the smug little varmint!" Hermione was a bit shocked that Snape had actually gone that far, but then said that if she had to deal with Malfoy's attitude, she'd have pulled a Mrs. Weasley too.

"At least now you two can stop snooping around like amateur detectives and start packing to go home. I'm almost done."

"What else is new? You probably have a schedule written up on how to pack." Ron rolled his eyes. "I swear, Mione, you'll be early to your own funeral."

"Humph! At least too early is better than being too late." She rose from the table in the hall and said primly, "I have to go speak to the Headmaster about something he let me borrow. And maybe he has some of my grades in too, I can't wait to see what marks I got."

"She's touched in the head, that one," Ron snorted. "Wanting her marks early! Wonder what she borrowed from Dumbeldore? An advance copy of next year's text books?"

Aria smiled quietly to herself and said nothing. She, of course, knew what Hermione had borrowed and needed to return.

"Where are you spending the summer, Harry?" Ron asked.

"I think we're going back to New Jersey, and staying with my Aunt Relia again. Or maybe my cousins Melody and Mia, now that Mia's ex-husband Devon's gone for good. I'll get to see Neil again and his brother Mike, they're neighbors of Mel's and wizard kids too. It should be fun, even if Dad makes me his assistant potions apprentice like he did last time we were there."

Ron looked horrified at that and Aria intrigued. "Aghk! Your dad's evil, Harry! He makes you do potions over the summer?"

"It's not all that bad, Ron. He's got a mail order business over there and sometimes he needs my help making batches of elixirs and whatever. So I spend the morning with him and Neil, who's potion crazy like my dad, making them and then I can go and do whatever I want for the rest of the day."

"It sounds like fun," Aria said. "Maybe Uncle Remmy and I will visit you over there, if we go to Louisiana to visit my mom."

"Sure. Moony's been at my aunt's house before, and Aunt Relia never minds when we have company. The more the merrier, she always says." He didn't tell Aria, but Neil would be happy to finally meet the girl Harry had written to him about.

Hermione returned from her mysterious errand and reported that Dumbledore had let her see her grades for three subjects, History of Magic, Arithmancy, and Potions. She had gotten top marks in all of them.

"Big surprise there," Ron pretended to applaud. "Bet if you'd gotten less than an O in anything you'd keel right over, Mione."

The bushy-haired witch cast him a very annoyed look. "Actually Ron, if you got an O in anything except Quidditch, I'd keel right over. And so would your mum!"

"Real funny, Mione," Ron glowered, then he turned to glare at Harry and Aria. "What are you laughing at, huh?"

"What she said," replied Aria, chuckling.

Ron went red to the tips of his ears. "Okay, so maybe I'm not the bloody walking encyclopedia Mione is, or brilliant like you, Lupin, but at least I know how to have fun and go to school at the same time. All you bookworms know is studying."

"Whoa, Weasley, we were only teasing," began Aria, holding up her hands. "Can't you take a joke?"

Ron smirked evilly. "Sure I can. Had you going there, didn't I, Lupin?"

Aria shook her finger at him. "Evil, Weasley."

"Well, I learned from the best-the twins."

"Speaking of the twins, that reminds me, Harry," Aria exclaimed. "Uncle Remmy wants to see you in his office before he leaves. Says he's got a going away present for you."

"Right away?" Harry asked.

"Finish your lunch first." Aria waved him back down when he started to get to his feet.

Harry relaxed then, enjoying the last lunch of the term with his friends.

Afterwards, he made his way upstairs to the Defense professor's office, feeling an unaccustomed lump grow in his throat when he remembered that Remus would not be returning at the start of next term to teach any longer. Suddenly he wished his father had hexed Draco into obilvion for revealing Lupin's secret to the press. He was really going to miss his godfather, even if having Remus here had been kind of like having a second father, one who did not hesitate to scold and lecture him if he deserved it, but who was also there if he needed to talk.

"Come in," Lupin called at Harry's knock.

Harry obeyed, recalling the last time he'd been in this office, he'd been helping the werewolf search for his grindylow. The tank was empty now, Lupin had set the creature free in the Black Lake.

"Hello, Harry. I was hoping to see you before I went," greeted his godfather. "I have something here of yours." He began rummaging through a box. "I know it's here somewhere. . ."

"Hi, Uncle Moony," Harry said, digging a foot into the carpet.

"Ah-ha! Here we go!" Remus exclaimed, holding up a familiar piece of blank parchment.

"You're giving me the map back?" Harry said incredulously.

"Yes. But I want your solemn promise, young man, that you will only use the map in an emergency-not to break school rules or your father's. Have I your promise, Harrison Remus Snape?"

"I promise, Uncle Moony. I'll only use the map in case of an emergency."

"Good, because if I ever find out you used the map to sneak out of school for any other reason, like a forbidden trip to Hogsmeade, I'll come back and tan your hide, mister." Remus told him sternly. And Sev will strip the hide off of me if he ever knew I gave the map back to Harry.

"You wouldn't need to, Uncle Moony. ‘Cause Dad would kill me first," admitted his godson. "Uh, what happened to the cloak?"

Remus gave him a knowing evil grin. "That little item is now in Sev's hands, so if you want to use it, you'll have to ask his permission."

"Aww, Uncle Moony! No fair!"

"Very fair, Mr. Snape. If I'd given you the cloak and the map back, Sev would kill me, and I have enough people out for my blood without adding my best friend to the list."

Harry was quiet for a moment, then he said, "Do you really have to leave? Maybe the Minister will change his mind and let you come back."

Remus sighed. "No, Harry, even if Fudge did change his mind, the parents would never allow Dumbledore to hire me back, and the Old Meddler has enough on his plate without taking up arms in defense of a werewolf professor. I enjoyed my time here, Harry, I won't deny that, but I don't think I want to make teaching my career."

"What are you going to do now that you're, uh, unemployed?"

"Oh, I'll find something. I always do. And Aria will be returning in the fall, so you'll have one Lupin around to make your life hairy."

Harry groaned at the pun then he laughed. "Hey, maybe you can come and spend a few weeks in New Jersey. You and Aria could, uh, rent a house near us, Neil says there's lots of houses for rent near the boardwalk."

Lupin considered for a few moments. "That's a fine idea, Harry. I just might do that, once I take Aria to visit her mum in Louisiana. I haven't been back in New Orleans for a long time, it'll do me good to see the Big Easy again. I miss eating Cajun food and watching the sun set over the bayou. It'd even be neat seeing a gator again."

"You've seen an alligator?"

"Many times, when I was a boy and staying with my grandmother. It's something you never forget," the werewolf smiled reminiscently. "I've even eaten them, or at least the tail, battered and fried and dipped in butter." Remus licked his lips.

"Do they, uh, taste good?"

"Delicious. Tell you what. When Aria and I come over to New Orleans, I'll call you and Sev and maybe the two of you could come down for a few days and experience the Cajun South. Would you like that, Harry?"

"Yeah, I would. A lot."

"Then I'll be seeing you over the summer. We should have a great time." He glanced about the office. "Well, looks like I'm all packed, my grade log turned in, and everything. I guess I can leave as soon as Aria's packed up." He turned and held out his arms. Harry walked into them and hugged the werewolf hard. "I'm going to miss you, kid. Be good and behave yourself, okay? I'll see you soon, Harry."

Harry buried his face in his godfather's chest and mumbled, "Okay, Uncle Moony. I'll write you and Aria. I hope you can come and stay in New Jersey."

"I'll try, Harry. Oh, and here's one more thing for you." He withdrew a snapshot from his pocket. "This was taken at your second birthday."

Harry took the picture.

In it was a much younger Lupin, holding little Harry on his knee. Harry was clutching a soft stuffed gray wolf and beaming, while Lily placed a small cake in front of them. As Harry watched, his child self went to blow out the candles and ended up with cake all over him, much to the amusement of his mother and godfather.

"That was taken by your dad, and he laughed himself sick afterwards, because you were such a mess. You got cake all over you, Wolfie, and me. Lily made Sev give you a bath while I cleaned my shirt, then we all ate cake and opened presents."

"Was James there too?"

"Oh yes, he bought you your first broomstick, which Lily thought you were too young for, and she told James that if you fell off and got hurt she'd beat him with the damn broomstick."

"Looks like she threatened to beat him a lot," Harry laughed.

"Sometimes, Harry, that was the only way to get through his thick skull," Remus said with a wistful smile. "Add that to your photo album if you want."

"I will. Thanks, Uncle Moony. For everything." He hugged his godfather one last time.

"No, thank you, Harry." Remus said thickly. "For making this a year like none other." He patted Harry on the back, then let him go.

"Bye, Uncle Moony. See you at the shore. Or in New Orleans," Harry waved and quickly left the office, before he embarrassed himself totally by crying like a two-year-old.

He had to pack as well, but that wouldn't take too long, thanks to the spells he'd learned to shrink objects. Then it was back to the good old US of A. For the first time in three years, Harry was actually looking forward to summer vacation. New Jersey, here I come!