Lupin's True Love Returns

September 15, 1996

Veronica stormed down Diagon Alley to the building the housed the Daily Prophet. Sirius, Sessho-Maru, Logan, and Obi-Wan hurried along after her. Sirius knew that Rita Skeeter had better be in hiding or Veronica was going to rip her head off. Logan pulled open the door to the Daily Prophet. Some of the reporters looked up and saw the angry group. One of the women screamed when she saw Sirius Black. Several of the men pulled out their wands. Veronica waved her hand and they slammed into their desks.

"I want to see Rita Skeeter." Veronica glared around the room until her eyes landed on the woman in question. "Over there, Lord Sessho-Maru." Veronica smiled evilly as Sessho-Maru jumped toward the woman in question.

Rita was trying to sneak out the back way when Sessho-Maru landed in front of her. "What the...?"

"I suggest you speak to Lady Veronica before you really make her angry." Sessho-Maru's calm face did nothing to relax Rita.

"Who are you?" Rita reached into her bag and grabbed her Quick Quotes Quill, the same quill that was going to get her into big trouble.

Sessho-Maru noticed this movement, as did Logan. Logan's claws sliced through the straps of her bag and he caught it. "I think we'd better go and speak to your superior, lady." Logan grabbed her arm and practically dragged her to the editor's office. Sessho-Maru followed behind to prevent her from escaping. Logan shoved her into the empty seat beside the fuming Veronica.

Sirius stood at Veronica's shoulder. Sessho-Maru and Obi-Wan guarded the door to prevent Rita from running out of the office. With a wave of her hand, Veronica set up silencing charms around to doors and the windows of the office. Logan had his right hand on Rita's shoulder to prevent her from bolting. In his left, he held her bag. He tossed it to Veronica, who started to rummage through it. She pulled out the acid green quill and flung it onto the editor's desk.

"That's a Quick Quotes Quill which Ms. Skeeter has been using to write her stories. Instead of writing fact, she's been spreading vicious lies about people." Veronica glared at the editor. "Now what are you going to do about it?"

"That's an invasion of my privacy!" Rita tried to surge to her feet but Logan shoved her back down.

"No, it's not, especially when you've done the same thing with my privacy and the privacy of my family and friends." Veronica glared at the woman. "I suggest you get some Veritaserum and we find out exactly how many lives she's ruined, namely the lives of my family."

"She's a reporter. Of course she's ruined lives." The editor leaned back in his seat.

Sirius flung the morning copy of The Daily Prophet onto the desk. "So explain to me how she knew that I was back when only six people knew."

"And explain to me how she knew that I'm a dream seer. That's something I've kept hidden for a long time." Veronica glared at the editor with snapping violet eyes. "There's no way that she could have known about either item unless she was in the room. And I know she was because I had silencing charms up all around the room. No one could have broken them."

The editor turned to the cowering woman. "What do you have to say for yourself, Ms. Skeeter?"

"I was just getting the story." Rita crossed her arms across her chest.

"Yeah, at the expense of people's lives. Voldemort..." Veronica ignored the editor falling out of his chair. "...Has been looking for me for decades. He wants my power and because of you, he now knows that I have another gift."

Logan growled as his claws came out of his left hand. "Perhaps you should tell him about your Animagus form, Ms. Skeeter."

"Yes." Obi-Wan stepped forward. "The truth will be known because you will tell the truth."

"Believe me when I tell you that Obi-Wan will be able to tell if you're lying to us." Sirius laid a hand on Veronica's shoulder, calming her down.

"I-I-I-I don't know what you're taking about." Rita looked pleadingly at her editor.

"Interesting. Since Hermione was the one that told us all about your form. I know that she's not lying." Veronica grinned evilly. "Perhaps you'd like to try telling us the truth again, Ms. Skeeter."

Rita looked from Veronica to the men that surrounded her. Logan turned his claws slightly to reflect the sunlight streaming through the window. Sessho-Maru allowed a bit of poison to drip from his claws. Obi-Wan fingered his lightsaber, anxious to light it. Sirius had his wand in his right hand and twirled it between his fingers.

"Alright!" Rita jumped to her feet. "I'm an unregistered Animagus. My form is a beetle." Rita looked at her clasped hands. "I was in my animagus form on the mantle in the room."

"As an Auror of the Ministry of Magic, I'm placing you under arrest for being an unregistered Animagus." Sirius pointed his wand at the fireplace and sent a shower of violet sparks into it.

A few moments later, Kingsley and Tonks stepped from the fireplace. Kingsley gaped at Sirius while Tonks hugged him.

"Good thing you remembered the signal for an arrest, Black." Kingsley thumped Sirius on his back. "It'll be good to have you back on the force."

"I've placed Ms. Skeeter under arrest. She's been saying that I faked my death." Sirius snapped his fingers. "Also she's an unregistered Animagus."

"With all the trouble we had with Pettigrew, you'd think people would register their forms." Kingsley pulled Rita to her feet. "Off to Azkaban with you, Ms. Skeeter."

Kingsley shoved Rita into the fireplace and followed after her. Tonks smiled up at Sirius. "I'm glad you're here, Sirius." She hurried to the fireplace and disappeared in a flash of flames.

"Now we'd like to speak to a reliable reporter to give you the true story of Sirius's return." Veronica pressed her fingertips together as Logan retracted his claws and dropped into the seat beside her.

"Yeah. And the X-Men want to let the Wizarding World know all about the teachers that are gonna to teachin' their kids." Logan watched as the editor hurried out of the room. "How much you want to bet he goes and gets that Radcliffe woman."

"No bet. After all she's the one that got Sirius being cleared right." Veronica watched the editor hurry a young lady into the office.

The woman had her black hair pulled back into a loose bun at the base of her neck. Her piecing sea-green eyes took in the group before her. She smiled brilliantly and extended her hand to Sessho-Maru. "I'm Ella Radcliffe."

"Lord Sessho-Maru." Sessho-Maru took Ella's hand in his and bowed over it.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi." Obi-Wan also bowed to Ella. She blushed slightly at his soft smile.

Logan jumped to his feet and extended a hand to her. "Logan."

Ella turned and saw Sirius. "So you're Mr. Black. I've heard a lot about you from my mother."

"And that would be?" Sirius clasped Ella's hand.

"Emma Radcliffe."

"Emma? I thought she went to Beauxbatons our fifth year." Veronica started to climb to her feet.

"She didn't. She was raped by a gang of Muggles her fifth year, Mrs. Lupin. Granny and Gramps took her out of school to keep anyone form finding out about me." Ella sank into the seat beside Veronica. "She told me all about Hogwarts but she wouldn't let me attend. I went to Beauxbatons."

"Miss Radcliffe will be the one conducting the interviews and I will personally see that a retraction is printed in the evening edition." The editor had sunk back into the seat behind the desk and picked up the Quick Quotes Quill. "I will see that this thing is destroyed."

"No need for that." Veronica smiled softly. "Just use it as an example as the kinds of quills not to use when reporting a story." Veronica climbed to her feet and turned to Ella. "Everyone is at the Leaky Cauldron. We'll give the interviews at Hogwarts this afternoon. Perhaps you would like to sit in on some of the new Defense classes."

"Personally, I'd like to join in. We didn't do much in the way of Defense at Beauxbatons." Ella grinned at Logan, Sessho-Maru, Sirius, and Obi-Wan. "With these handsome men as the teachers, I'm sure a lot of girls are going to be taking the classes."

"Everyone is taking the classes." Veronica wound her arm through Logan's and allowed him to lead her out of the office. "We leave for Hogwarts in three hours. Be ready by then."

Ella laughed as Obi-Wan and Sirius both bowed to her. "I'll be there."

Sirius and Veronica weaved through the cluttered desks. Sessho-Maru, Obi-Wan, and Logan followed behind them. They hurried along the street toward the Leaky Cauldron. Veronica was happy that the woman that had made Harry's life hell two years earlier wasn't going to be doing it anymore. They entered the Leaky Cauldron only to jump back as the teens shoved their bags into the room.

Remus saw Veronica drop into one of the empty armchairs. He moved through the teens to her side. "How did it go?"

"Rita's been arrested, The Prophet's going to print a retraction, and we've got some interviews to do later." Veronica yawned. "I swear this pregnancy is taking all of it out of me."

"When we get to the castle you can rest." Remus glanced over at Tori and nodded, making the woman put Rin's bag down and come over to them. "Veronica, honey."

Veronica had her eyes closed. "What dear?"

"You know that Tori is also a dream seer, right?"

"I gathered that last night when we both saw the saw dream. Why?"

Tori sat on the arm of the chair as Remus sat on the other side. "I saw something that I think you should know."

Veronica cracked her eyes slightly and looked at Tori. "What is it?"

"I saw yours and Remus's future."

"And?"

Tori took a deep breath as she glanced at Remus. "I saw you giving birth."

"No surprise considering that I'm pregnant." Veronica closed her eyes again. "What else did you see?"

"You gave birth to triplets." Tori jumped to her feet and moved several feet away from Veronica.

Veronica slowly opened her eyes and turned to look at Tori. "You saw me having triplets?" Tori nodded as Veronica turned her head slightly to look at Remus. "You got me pregnant with triplets?"

"Apparently." Remus started to edge away from Veronica as she climbed to her feet.

Veronica cupped her hands around her mouth to create a megaphone. "Attention, everyone!" The teens stopped dragged their bags around as the adults turned to look at the fuming pregnant woman. "I've just been told that I'm pregnant with..." She looked around the room at the men getting ready to hide under tables and behind sofas and chairs. "...Triplets."

The women squealed as they surrounded her while the men looked sympathetically at Remus. Emma walked into the room and saw all the women and teen girls taking turns hugging Veronica. She grabbed her notepad and quill and started to jot down the scene before her. Veronica looked up and saw Emma writing in a Muggle notepad. She wove her way through the crowd as Ororo saw Logan watching Emma.

Emma smiled as she looked up from her notepad. "Mrs. Lupin, I see you're having a celebration."

"Considering that I was just told that I'm having triplets, I guess you could say that." Veronica pulled Emma further into the room. "Let me introduce you to everyone." Veronica pointed across the room to Sessho-Maru and Tori. "You know Sessho-Maru and beside him is his mate, Tori." Veronica turned slightly and pointed at Inu-Yasha and Kagome by the fireplace. "That's his brother, Inu-Yasha and his mate, Kagome. Next to them are Koga and his mate, Ayame."

Emma scribbled the names into the notebook. "How do you spell their names?"

"I'll get the spellings to you once we're at the school." Veronica looked around the room. "They have two other members of their pack, Ginta and Hakkaku. Obi-Wan has an apprentice, Anakin Skywalker. And you've got Rin and Shippo hanging out with the teens. I've got a list of all the X-Men in my office. I'll get that to you once we get back to Hogwarts." Veronica whistled shrilly making Logan, Henry, and Kurt each wince slightly in pain. "Sorry about that, guys. Everyone, this is Emma Radcliffe. She's going to be the conducting the interviews for the Prophet. Emma, welcome on behalf of the new teaching staff of the Defense Against the Dark Arts Class."

Emma slid the notebook and the quill back into her bag as she smiled at the gathered group. "I'm glad to meet all of you. I'm looking forward to getting to know each one of you and writing the kind of story that I hope Mrs. Lupin will approve of."

"Never mind that. We've got to take that the blasted port key back to Hogwarts." Logan growled slightly as he eyed the rope hanging from Remus's hand. "I wish we could travel any other way."

"Even by Knight Bus?" Veronica laughed as Logan rolled his eyes at her. "Guess not." Veronica pulled her wand from the small pocket sewn into the sleeve of her robes. With a flick of her wrist everyone's luggage was piled up in the middle of the room. She motioned to everyone to surround the luggage. "If everyone would please grab some of the luggage and shopping, we'll be on our way. Ginny, hand over Leo." Veronica took Leo from Ginny's arms and watched as everyone picked up a bag or a box and held it in one hand.

Remus walked around the large crowd and held out the rope so that each person would be able to grip it. He handed the last bit of rope to Veronica and took his spot right beside her. Veronica tapped her wand on the rope and the whole group disappeared.

Veronica's laughter could be heard over the growls and cussing coming from Sessho-Maru, Inu-Yasha, Koga, Ginta, and Hakkaku. The group landed in Dumbledore's office. Tori and Kagome noticed that only Veronica, Ella, Sirius, and Remus were still standing.

"How the hell is a person supposed to like traveling like that?" Inu-Yasha untangled himself from Miroku and Sango. He felt Miroku's hand feeling along his rear end. "Knock it off, stupid monk!" He hit the back of Miroku's head.

"Sorry, Inu-Yasha. I thought you were Sango." Miroku moved his hand from Inu-Yasha and climbed to his feet.

"Yeah right!" Sirius laughed as Inu-Yasha made a very rude gesture that had Veronica training her wand on him. "Don't say I didn't warn you about Vee's hormones!" Sirius took off across the room.

"Sirius Orion Black! You'd better come back here!" Veronica handed Leo to Remus before trying to go after Sirius. "You must die for that comment!"

"Mr. Black, I see that you certainly haven't changed in the three months that you've been gone." Dumbledore watched Sirius skid to a stop and look at him.

"Albus, old man. Good to see you again." Sirius reached out to shake Dumbledore's hand. "James and Lily wanted me to tell you to get Harry the fuck out of Petunia's house. Veronica is able to protect him better than that bitch is." Sirius glanced over his shoulder at Veronica, who just shook her head. "Sorry about the language but that's how James worded it."

"And that's how we're going to word it, Dumbledore." Inu-Yasha stood with Sessho-Maru to one side of him and Tori, Sango, and Miroku to the other. "We're Harry's pack whether you want that or not. We're going to protect him until Voldemort is dead and gone."

"Amen to that!" Logan had untangled himself from underneath the teens. "I'm with them. 'Roni's got enough to do without having to deal with this stupid shit too." Logan laid a hand on Sango's shoulder and grinned. "Besides she's got triplets to think about now. She can't be stressed out so bad that she loses them."

"Interesting. I trust the Lady of the Western Lands told you this news." Dumbledore seemed unfazed by the cussing the Sirius had done.

"She certainly did, Albus." Veronica crossed her arms as she moved to stand with Inu-Yasha. "This summer Harry's coming home with me at Privet Drive. If I have to kidnap him from the Dursleys, then I will."

"And you know she will, Albus." Remus moved toward his wife.

Veronica smiled broadly as her stomach gave a very unladylike growl. "If you will excuse us, Albus, my children are hungry and the rest of the school needs to meet the rest of the DADA teachers."

Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled brightly as Veronica started to herd everyone out the door. "This is going to be a very interesting year indeed."

Veronica led the group down the stairs and into the seventh floor corridor. She accidentally knocked into a seventh year Gryffindor that she didn't recognize. The girl's books and papers went flying. Veronica started to reach for the papers as Piotr and the girl gathered her books.

"I'm so sorry, Professor Lupin. I wasn't watching where I was going." The girl clutched her books to her chest.

Veronica laughed. "That's where you're wrong, Miss..."

"Sauls. I'm Jessica Sauls." Jessica blushed slightly when she noticed that Piotr was watching her closely.

"Miss Sauls, I was the one in a hurry to get down to lunch. My babies were stating that they're very hungry." Veronica wrapped an arm around Jessica's shoulders. "Why don't you join us? We're heading to the Great Hall."

Jessica's blush deepened slightly. "I have to study for my Charms test tomorrow."

"Studying can wait, girly." Logan moved toward Jessica, causing her to jump slightly. "You need to have a chance to get to know your fellow housemates. Besides, I think Piotr would like you to help him study."

"Logan!" Veronica whacked his arm lightly. "I'm going to have to hex you for that."

Logan looked from the blushing Jessica to the fuming Veronica before turning to face the men behind him. "I'm dead, aren't I?"

"You better believe it, Logan!" Scott stood at the back of the crowd and watched Logan start to inch away from Veronica. "Run, Logan! Run!"

Logan started to run down the corridor. Veronica didn't follow him. Instead she shrugged and made him think she was following. She turned back to Jessica with a grin. "I just love my hormones right now."

"We all don't." Alex worked his way through the crowd and followed Logan to the stairs. He turned to look at everyone still standing before the gargoyle guarding the entrance to Dumbledore's office. "Aren't we going to eat?"

"We're coming, Alex." Veronica pulled Jessica down the hallway with her. "You need a break from studying, Miss Sauls. You look entirely too thin."

"I'm not hungry, ma'am." Jessica looked to Harry to see if he would help her.

"Just go with it, Jessica. She's not going to take no for an answer." Harry wrapped an arm around Ginny as the group moved through the hallways.

Jessica rolled her eyes as she allowed Veronica to lead her downstairs to the Great Hall. Piotr managed to take her books from her, making her blush all the more. Jessica looked around the group and saw that the group was mostly consisted of Gryffindors, like her, and Ravenclaws. The teens around her chattered away about their visit to Diagon Alley. Her head jerked around when she heard Umbridge's name.

"I hated that woman." She looked up at Piotr.

"I gathered that all the students hated her." Piotr shuffled her books slightly.

Jessica nodded. "Her class was so boring. Professor Kurt is cool though. He even showed us his mutation. He explained that Muggles don't like Mutants."

"True. In my home village, I was feared because of my mutation." Piotr and Jessica were now several feet behind everyone else.

"What's that?" Jessica looked genuinely interested.

Piotr shrugged slightly. "My body changes into organic steel. My family didn't think it was safe to be in Russia any longer so they sent me to Professor Xavier's school. There I have learned to control my powers and I have made many friends."

"Sounds like me. My folks don't really care if I finish school or not."

"Are they both purebloods?"

"Nope. I'm one hundred percent muggle-born, just like Hermione." Jessica gasped when she saw several Slytherins coming down the hall toward her and Piotr. She knew that they were the ones in Seventh Year that always picked on her.

"Well, looky here. The Mudblood has a new friend." Allison Bulstrode stood in her path with two other Slytherins. She ran her fingertips down the front of Piotr's chest. "You'd be better off without the Gryffindor slut, sweetheart."

A shimmer passed over Piotr's face. His steel hand wrapped around Allison's arm and shoved her away from himself. "Never speak of Jessica like that again or you will have to deal with me."

"What are you, freak?" Allison scurried further away from Piotr and Jessica.

"My name is Colossus and I am a mutant." Piotr noticed that the rest of his team was coming up behind her.

"You are a freak!" Allison whirled around and screamed as she encountered the rest of the X-men teens.

Bobby was kneeling on the floor and leaning slightly on his hand. Allison' feet slipped out from under her. Jessica could see the thin sheet of ice that had formed under Bobby's hand. "Hello, my name is Iceman and you are a bitch." Bobby grinned at the trembling Allison.

Kitty and Marie grinned as the two Slytherin boys tried to run by them. Kitty simply phased through one as he tried to shove her to one side. "Idiots, zero. X-Men, three." The boy fell to the floor only to have Marie's foot make contact with his nose.

"Make that four, Shadowcat." Marie watched as Rahne started to transform into her wolf form only to stop so that she was mostly upright.

Rahne pounced on the fleeing Slytherin. She growled in his ear as Allison carefully climbed to her feet. Suddenly Allison doubled over in pain as Danielle projected her fears into her mind. The two boys got the idea that these particular students weren't to be messed with. Harry, Regina, and Ginny came around the corner in time to see Draco starting to fling a curse at Rahne, who had just changed back into her human form. Suddenly a Siberian tiger raced across the stone floor and wrestled him to the floor. Harry and Ginny hurried over. Ginny laughed slightly at the sight of the tiger baring its teeth at the even paler boy. Ropes shot from the end of Harry's wand and wrapped around Draco. Ginny knelt next to the tiger and petted her massive head. The tiger turned around and cocked its head at the rest of the team.

A shimmer passed over Piotr as he changed back. "Nice work, Rosebud, but I thought your form was a grey griffin."

"I thought it was a tawny wolf." Harry looked at Piotr. "Do you mean to say that she's done this before?"

"Ja. The night Xavier's was attacked." Piotr laid a hand on the tiger's head and smiled when he heard her purring.

"I guess she's got three forms. A rare thing. I'm going to have to look it up in the library." Ginny climbed to her feet and looked over at Jessica. "Are you alright, Jessica?"

"I'm fine." Jessica knelt on the floor and started to pick up her scattered books that Piotr had dropped when the Slytherins had insulted her.

The tiger started toward her and in mid-step Regina changed back. "Here let me help." Regina picked up several books and piled them neatly beside her. "Are you sure the Slytherins didn't hurt you?"

"Positive." Jessica tucked a lock of her brown hair behind her ear. "They didn't get a chance to with Colossus here." She gave Piotr a soft smile that he returned as he picked up the pile of books.

"Allow me, my lady." Bobby held out a hand and helped Jessica to her feet.

"Thanks." Jessica noticed that Marie immediately wrapped an arm around Bobby's waist. "You don't have to worry, Marie. He's not my type."

"Good." Marie turned slightly as Logan and Alex rounded the corner.

Logan saw Allison cowering in a corner and Draco tied up. "I guess you didn't need us."

"Damn skippy." Regina crossed her arms and grinned. "You trained us well, Logan."

"I'm glad. Now get your asses moving. It's time to eat." Logan pointed to the stairs and the group of teens burst out laughing as they hurried down the stairs.

Piotr noticed the invisible step halfway down the stairs. He handed Bobby Jessica's books a second before her lifted her over the step, making her blush slightly. Marie and Kitty followed Ginny's example and jumped over it. Sam and Roberto figured that they would earn a few extra points with their girls and lifted them over the invisible step as well. Logan turned to Alex and saw him trying not to laugh.

Meanwhile in the Great Hall, Ororo was holding the packet of powder that Fred and George had given her. Sessho-Maru stood at her shoulder. Veronica was busy introducing Tori, Ayame, Rin, Sango, and Kagome to Professor McGonagall. Remus was talking with Flitwick, Miroku, Koga, Shippo, and Inu-Yasha. Obi-Wan and Anakin stood to one side watching everyone as were Ginta and Hakkaku.

"What is that?" Sessho-Maru watched as she sprinkled some of the powder into Alex's goblet.

Ororo jumped slightly. "It's a joke item I got from the Weasley twins yesterday. It's called the Shrinking Package."

"How does it work?" Sessho-Maru took the packet from Ororo and sniffed at it slightly.

"According to the twins, all I have to do is get Alex to drink it and he'll shrink to about four inches tall."

"Why would you want to do this to a friend?" Sessho-Maru looked really confused.

Ororo took the packet from his hand and sank into her seat. "After what he said to Veronica yesterday, he deserves it."

"What did he say?"

Lorna had walked up and heard the last question. "He called her fat."

"For that he must pay. He has blemished the name of men for his stupidity." Sessho-Maru sat in the chair on the other side of Ororo as Lorna sat in the seat on the other side of Alex's.

"Yeah. I thought it would be funny if he was shrunk in front of the whole school." Ororo slid the packet back into her pocket.

"Here he comes." Lorna waved to Alex as he and Logan ushered their wayward students into the Great Hall.

Alex bounded up the to the staff table and sank into the seat beside Lorna. "We've taught them kids well."

"Why do you say that, dear?" Lorna leaned back slightly.

"They protected their own a few minutes ago." Alex reached for his goblet as more students filed into the Great Hall. He took a sip of his wine and placed the goblet back. "From what I gathered, some Slytherins were insulting Jessica and Piotr took it as a great offense so he defended her honor."

Ororo was hiding her smile behind her hand as she watched Alex start to shrink before her eyes. She nudged Sessho-Maru who in turn nudged Tori. Tori's eyes widened as she turned to Veronica and whispered in her ear.

"Say what?" Veronica whirled around and saw Alex disappear under the edge of the table. She clapped a hand to her mouth to keep from laughing aloud but failed miserably.

"What's happening? Why's the table getting higher?" Alex's voice squeaked slightly as he shrank.

Several of the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs saw their professors trying so hard not to laugh at the shirking man while the whole Gryffindor Table had busted out laughing. The Slytherin Table was completely silent when Alex was bouncing up and down on his chair.

"What is that, Alex?" Veronica laughed slightly. "We can't understand you."

"I'll get you for this, Veronica! Even if it's the last thing I do." Alex's squeaky voice carried over the laughing students.

Sessho-Maru reached over Ororo, picked up Alex and placed him on the table. "It was not Veronica."

"Who was it?!!" Alex looked over at Ororo who was pounding the table and making him bounce slightly. "Ororo!!! How could you?"

"You insulted a pregnant woman therefore you deserved it." Ororo smiled broadly as she leaned back in her chair. "Not to worry it'll only last a few hours."

"HOURS?!! What am I to do until then?" Alex shook his tiny fist at Ororo.

"Don't worry, honey." Lorna leaned over Alex. "I'll take care of you."

Dumbledore was smiling as he climbed to his feet. "Attention, everyone." The entire student body quieted down slightly. Most of the teachers did too but it was difficult with a squeaking Alex jumping on the table. "I believe we have a few more introductions. Please welcome some more Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers. Lord Sessho-Maru, Lady Tori, Inu-Yasha, Kagome, Koga, Ayame, Miroku, Sango, Ginta, Hakkaku, Rin, Shippo, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Anakin Skywalker. Please understand that the war has begun and you all must be prepared for it. Also Miss Ella Radcliffe is going to be attending the class as well so that she may write a well informed article for the Daily Prophet" Dumbledore waved his hands and the plates filled with food. "You may begin."

Jessica was holding her side that was hurting from laughing. "Who thought that prank up?"

"Fred and George Weasley. They heard what Alex had said about Professor Lupin so they gave a powder to Miss Monroe. She was the one that put it into his drink." Harry reached for a piece of chicken.

"I read something in the paper this morning." Jessica took a sip of her pumpkin juice.

Ginny looked up. "What ever was in the Prophet was a lie."

"I didn't think it was real." Jessica shrugged slightly. "I just thought that it was unusual that they would say that someone had returned from the dead when it couldn't happen."

"We didn't have a body so we don't know for sure that he is dead." Hermione glanced up from her Arithmancy book just as the desserts appeared on the table. "Oh good. The House elves made some more of those American cookies that Professor Lupin likes." She reached for several chocolate chip cookies.

Ron barely looked up from his plate as Dumbledore stood up from his seat. "I have one more announcement to make before we head off for an afternoon of rest. Most of you have read in the Daily Prophet that Sirius Black has been cleared of all charges that were filed against him fifteen years ago. You also read that he supposedly faked his death. I can tell you truthfully that Mr. Black did not fake his death. But one part of the article that Ms. Skeeter wrote is true. Mr. Black has returned from the dead. He will join the teaching staff as part of the Defense Against the Dark Arts class."

Sirius pushed his way through the doors of the Great Hall amidst the cheering from the Gryffindor Table and the staff table. He saw Professor McGonagall wiping several tears from her usually stern eyes. He waved slightly until he reached the front of the hall. "Hey, everyone! I'm back!"

Veronica climbed to her feet and smiled at Sirius. "Hogwarts is no longer safe!"