The Salem Witches Institute

Chapter Two: Girls . . .

Moony,

I received some interesting news involving you the other day, even so far away from home as I am right now. YOU are teaching at an ALL GIRL'S school? That's simply amazing! Some people have all the luck. You'd better let me know how it goes, and if you meet any cute teachers. I've heard lots of good things about American girls . . .

Still on the road, if you know what I mean. I'll keep in touch. And send more food!

Padfoot

Remus chuckled as he folded this newest letter from his good friend Sirius Black and tucked it safely away inside of his desk drawer. Trust Sirius to send a letter like that . . . He had always been girl crazy, and would've jumped at the chance to teach at the all girl's institute. It was probably better for the girls, actually, that he WASN'T there . . . Being on the run from the dementors of the wizard prison Azkaban was hardly information to be flaunting.

The weekend had sped by quicker than Remus could've imagined. He had been shown around the school, taught all of the appropriate passwords and shown all of the secrets relevant to his position, and had been given his own private "study," where he could eat, sleep, and most importantly, work. His presence at the school was already known by all of the girls attending; he was amazed at how fast news spread within such a large school. But then again, he also knew how some girls loved to hear the latest gossip, and what was a better story than a man teaching their Defensive Magic class, the first man ever to be allowed to teach within the institute?

It was already early Monday morning, and Lupin had only a few minutes left until his first class began at 8 AM. He shuffled his papers and slid them into his briefcase, grabbed his wand and the textbook he had been assigned to work from, and headed out into the corridor.

The hallway was packed with girls walking to their morning classes. As soon as he appeared, many of them began to point and whisper secretively, stealing glances at him as he walked by. Some of the students giggled incessantly, others frowned and sent him dark looks. The other teachers smiled and waved as they passed; Remus found himself looking for the familiar face of Aurora, however unconsciously. He was a bit disappointed when she didn't show up; he had two flights of stairs to climb until he reached his classroom, and he had to admit he was hoping he would see her again on his way.

His room was quickly approaching. He had been told that Mrs. Crickett, the Defensive Magic teacher that he was replacing, would be meeting him there to explain to him how far along her girls were; Remus was coming in to take over her class halfway through the semester, so he had to be alerted on what to teach and where to pick up his lessons regarding the textbook. His students would be in their final year at the Institute, and this was one of the most important classes for them to take in order to graduate.

There was on odd sort of clicking noise coming from behind him, getting nearer and nearer right as he reached the door. Curious, he turned around, only to collide headfirst into Aurora, who had been running towards him frantically, her high-heeled boots tapping the floor as she sprinted. Her arms had been full of various books, quills, bottles and sheets of parchment, and as soon as she hit him, the things fell with a crash and clutter onto the floor.

"I'm so sorry!" Remus cried, stooping down to help her pick everything up, only to whack her right on the forehead just as she did the same. He grumbled in pain and clutched his forehead.

"OhmigoshI'msosorryMr.LupinIwasjusttryingtoreachyou . . ." Aurora breathed in a very hurried and flustered sort of way. Her hair was flying around wildly in her face and her cheeks were red from exertion.

Remus quirked an eyebrow. "What did you just say?" he asked. He was totally oblivious to all of the stares he was receiving from the snooping girls all around him, who were watching with interest, as he handed Aurora back her arm-full of quills.

"Sorry," she grinned awkwardly, pushing up her askew glasses. "I was just coming to tell you . . . Mrs. Crickett isn't able to meet you today for your class . . . Her husband, you know, very ill . . . She's told me that I'm supposed to help you out, just with your first lesson." She said all of this in one long breath; Remus was amazed that she could talk that fast. "She's given me everything I need right here . . . Your class list, the chapter they are working on and what they already know . . ." She indicated all of the things she had previously been holding. "So . . . Here I am, almost late, but here nonetheless."

Remus smiled warmly. "Well, I'm glad to see you came prepared," he answered her cheerily, causing her to blush. "Let me take some of those books . . . I hardly hope I need to use ALL of them in today's lesson . . ."

They laughed together and entered the room. All sixteen of the students were already there, sitting patiently at their desks and eyeing the pair as they made their way towards the front of the room. It was sparsely decorated, sporting only a large green chalkboard and simple wooden table apart from the desks placed there for the students. It was rather roomy, which was good; Remus liked to teach practical lessons, involving lots of wand work and hands-on training.

One of the girl's immediately spoke up as soon as they entered. "Ms. Belwithe . . .? I thought Mrs. Crickett would be here today . . . Are you teaching us?"

Aurora shook her head. "No . . . Mrs. Crickett isn't feeling well again . . . That's why Professor Lupin here has agreed to help us." She smiled brightly and indicated Remus. "He's here all the way from Hogwarts to take over this class, so you'd better show him just how good the witches of the Salem Institute are. I want him to go back to Hogwarts bragging about his time in America."

Lupin laughed; the girl frowned and raised her eyebrows. "Professor? This isn't a college, you know . . . Can't we just call you 'Mr.' Lupin?"

Remus was quite taken aback by this statement. "Oh, yes, yes . . . O-of course."

Another girl's hand shot into the air; she had one long blonde braid and looked very eager to speak. "Mr. Lupin . . . Are you married? I heard a rumor yesterday that you were actually one of the Weird Sister's husbands . . ."

Remus shook his head, quite amazed at this next question. Where did they hear these sorts of things? "No, I most certainly am not! I'm not married at all, actually, and definitely not to a celebrity like that . . ."

More hands were in the air all of a sudden. The room was positively buzzing with anticipation. All of the girls looked eager to have their questions answered. Lupin could only blink as the onslaught continued. "How old are you?" "What's Hogwarts like?" "Do you know my cousin, Blaise Zambini? He goes to Hogwarts!" "Are you Headmistress Beemer's son?" "What sort of stuff do you do in your spare time?"

Aurora had remained silent during the entire display, but finally she sputtered, "Ok, girls, that's enough for one day, don't you think? Mr. Lupin IS a teacher, of course, and I'm sure he'd like to get his first class started . . ."

There were grumbles of disappointment, but the girls all pulled out their wands, parchment and quills and prepared to learn.

Lupin shot Aurora an appreciative look, cleared his throat and grasped his wand, and began, "Ok, how many of you know about the Patronus Charm?"