RESURGENCE » HP

two

Carlin blanched at the Minister's words. Her? To Hogwarts? There had to have been some mistake. Why would anyone want Sirius Black's friend as their employee when trying to find him?

"Sir, are you sure it's the best choice to send me?" Carlin asked Fudge, fingers pulling at strands of her long hair.

"Professor Dumbledore requested you himself," Fudge replied, straightening some papers in his office as they spoke. He looked back up at Carlin. "You know what Black is capable of, of all people. And you're one of our top Aurors. I am in good faith that you'll keep the boy safe."

"So I'll be there to keep him safe?" Carlin asked. "Not catch Black?"

"It would be wonderful if you did catch him, save us all a lot of stress, but if you focus on catching Black, then you'll only find yourself caught in a trap. If you dedicate yourself to protecting the boy, then you're more likely to succeed," Fudge pulled out a cigar and lit it. Smoke drifted carelessly from the end and out of his mouth. "Care for a cigar?"

"No thanks," Carlin replied, the scent of tobacco giving her a pounding headache filled with memories. "I've been clean for 16 years."

"Ah," the Minister replied, taking another drag. "Well, Dumbledore wanted you in today, so you're free to take the floo from here, unless there's something you need to get before you go."

"No, I quite think I'm ready now," Carlin replied, feeling the small lump in her coat pocket- a miniaturized version of all of her worldly belongings. Ever since her death, she had kept everything she needed in handmade pouch she had gotten from Lily as a "you're alive" present. Perhaps it was paranoia, but Carlin felt more comfortable being able to leave at a moments notice. She threw down powder into the already-lit fire. Emerald green flames sprung up, enveloping her as she stood in them.

"Albus Dumbledore's office," she spoke clearly, giving the minister one last look before spinning into the network of fireplaces. She slid out into the all too familiar headmaster's office, where she and her friends had spent an abnormal amount of time.

"Carlin," Albus noticed her before she noticed him. She turned to see his electric blue eyes staring at her pleasantly from behind half-moon spectacles, a welcome smile on his face. "It has been far too long." He gestured kindly to a bowl of lemon drops.

"My fault, I'm afraid," Carlin accepted a lemon drop. "I was the one who died."

"I trust the new Minister has accepted your return?" Albus asked politely, making conversation.

"Warmly. Fudge is quite the character, if I do say so myself." A knock interrupted their conversation.

"Enter," Albus waves his wand, another chair appearing next to Carlin.

She froze at the sight of the man who walked through the door. His hair was streaked with grey now, more scars stretched across his face with unpleasant ease, his warm chocolate eyes appeared tired and worn. But it was still Remus Lupin. His robes had never been high quality, here they looked shabbier than ever.

"Remus," she breathed, standing up. He surveyed her, taking in as much detail as he could.

"Carlin," Remus replied. Carlin relaxed at the sound of him saying her name, the same as he had always said it. "It's good to see you again." He was almost formal, which Carlin ignored and pulled him into a tight hug. They pulled apart and turned to see Albus smiling.

"Remus has taken up the Defense position for this year," Dumbledore supplied. Carlin raised her eyebrows teasingly.

"I always knew you'd be a professor of some sort," she said, a smile stretching her cheeks.