selenophobia [r. lupin.]

one.

"sweet creature, wherever I go, you bring me home."

***S.D.K.***

Another day, another endless number of hours spent preparing for the upcoming academic year.

Not that I minded, of course. It kept myself and the rest of my colleagues busy during the summer holiday.

Each day pretty much started off the same. I'd sit myself between Severus and Pamona for breakfast. The Herbology professor loved to chat with me whereas the Potions master would rather keep our conversations quick and short, just like when we were students. Albus would tell us any news within the Ministry or for the school, the latest buzz being Sirius Black's escape from Azkaban.

Sirius. My best friend. My rock. My saving grace.

Twelve long years he spent in Azkaban, and rightfully so. He was James and Lily's secret keeper, trusted by Dumbledore, and the bastard sold them out to The Dark Lord himself. The day I found out, I completely closed myself off and shut the world out. I couldn't trust anyone anymore, it seemed. It pained me to know he would turn on his own best friend, the father of his Godson, to no end. And now that he was out for blood, I felt myself wanting to do the same thing I did all those years ago.

I missed him. Merlin, I missed him more than anything, but if that man ever came into my sight, I'd damn sure be the one to bring home that bounty held over his head.

Dumbledore spoke again. "Also, I'd like to inform you all that the open position for the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor has been filled, and he will be arriving on school grounds later this evening. Please extend your warmest welcomes to him, as I'm sure most of you will. That'll be all for today," he finished his spiel for the day before finally allowing himself to indulge in the meal before him.

"So how much are we betting on him continuing after this year?" I whispered to Pamona, raising an eyebrow before popping a strip of bacon into my mouth.

The woman next to me scoffed and shook her head. "Unlikely. You know that position is cursed. Just look at the last two," she countered as she pushed around her scrambled eggs with her fork.

I roll my eyes. "Come on now, Pam, it's just a little bit of fun," I giggle.

"Before the winter holiday," Snape's brooding voice chimes in from next to me. I didn't even think he cared to listen in on our conversation, but seeing as we were talking about the position he desperately wanted and fought for since he started teaching, I can't say I'm surprised.

I stood up, straightening out my sage green sundress before grabbing my wand and getting ready to return to my quarters, but not before nudging him and giving him my piece. "Severus, I know you want that position, but please don't hex this man into the next eternity, for Merlin's sake," I joked, gaining a laugh from Sprout and a few others down the long table. Before he could retort, I bid the other members of the staff a good rest of their day and exited the great hall.

It took a series of left and right turns down the empty corridors before I arrived at my combined office and bedroom. A gilded S.D.K., my initials, resided on the surface of the door, indicating that it was my own. Pushing it open, I smile and sigh in bliss as the rising sun shines through the windows, its light reflecting onto the piles of parchment on my mahogany desk.

I look down to see my Siamese cat nudging its head against my ankle. I squat down and scoop her into my arms. "Good morning, Bean. Did you sleep well?" I coo, scratching underneath her chin. She purred at my touch and closed her eyes. Setting her back on the ground, I saunter over to my record player, placing the needle on the record that was already situated before heading to my desk to begin my lesson planning.