Professor Lupin wasn't there when Evangeline, Cassius, Juliet, Pollux, and Apollo arrived at his first Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson. They all sat down, took out their books, quills, and parchment, and were talking when Sylvia entered the room.
And she looked weirdly normal.
Her hair was in it's usual scraped ponytail, a couple of loose strands here and there. Her uniform was ordinarily pressed, no cuts and creases. Her face had unchanged, pink lip gloss gracing her lips, contrasting the iconic dark eye makeup.
''Sylvia!'' Juliet hissed, as the rest of the group stared at her bewildered, ''it's been a week since the start of term. Where have you been?''
''I was held up,'' she shrugged nonchalantly, pulling out a pristine quill from her shining leather satchel.
''Held up with what?'' Pollux asked, ''Dumbledore wouldn't let you step foot in the castle without a feasible explanation.''
''And that's exactly what I gave him — a feasible explanation.''
Next, it was Professor Lupin who alerted the class with his presence. He smiled vaguely, catching Evangeline's eyes, as he placed his tatty old briefcase on the teacher's desk up front. He was as shabby as ever, but she thought it suited him quite well. He also looked healthier than he had at the carriages, as though he had a few square meals.
''Good afternoon,'' he greeted, ''would you please put all your books back in your bags. Today will be a practical lesson, you will only need your wands.'' A few intrigued looks were exchanged as the class followed his instructions. ''Right then, if you'd follow me.''
Puzzled but interested, everyone got to their feet and followed Professor Lupin out of the classroom. He led them along the deserted corridor and around a corner, where the first thing they saw was Peeves the Poltergeist, who was floating upside down in mid-air and stuffing the nearest keyhole with bubblegum. He didn't look up until Professor Lupin was two feet away, then he wiggled his curly-toed feet and broke into song.
Rude and unmanageable as he almost always was, the poltergeist usually showed some respect towards the teachers. But to their surprise, Professor Lupin was similing.''I'd take that gum out of the keyhole if I were you, Peeves,'' he spoke pleasantly, ''Mr Filch won't be able to get to his brooms.'' However, Peeves paid no attention to Professor Lupin's words, except to blow a loud, wet raspberry. In response, the older man gave a small sigh and took out his wand.
