Narrator's POV

Upon hearing of Gilderoy Lockhart's early death, the Wizarding World mourned the celebrity but quickly moved on.

After all more pressing matters were at hand, Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban.

***

Within a few days, Harry —who left with Draco to stay at Malfoy Manor for the summer— got his report card from Hogwarts.

As well as his Third Year Letter saying "THIRD-YEAR STUDENTS WILL REQUIRE:

•"The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 3" by Miranda Goshawk

•"Unfogging the Future" by Cassandra Vablatsky (if attending Divination)

•"Intermediate Transfiguration" by Emeric Switch

•"The Monster Book of Monsters" (if attending Care of Magical Creatures)

•"Numerology and Grammatica" (if attending Arithmancy)

•"Home Life and Social Habits of British Muggles" by Wilhelm Wigworthy (if attending Muggle Studies)

•"Spellman's Syllabary" (if attending Study of Ancient Runes)

•"The Essential Defence Against the Dark Arts" by Arsenius Jigger

The group of friends —excluding Louis and Victoria who graduated and had jobs, but still stayed in touch— chose their electives.

Neville and Theo were going to take Care of Magical Creatures and Ancient Runes.

Luna and Pansy were going take Arithmancy and Divination.

Hermione, Draco and Harry were going to take Arithmancy and Ancient Runes.

***

The group of seven shopped at Diagon Alley and got all the supplies they needed.

Everywhere they went they heard about Sirius Black and his escape.

Draco told him the story: Sirius gave up Harry's parent's location when Voldemort was looking for them, after his parents were dead Sirius killed Peter Pettigrew and was thrown into Azkaban; where he'd been for twelve years until his escape.

***

On September 1, the group of seven made their way to their usual compartment where they saw a man asleep on the seat near the window.

"He's our new DADA professor." Hermione said "Professor R. J. Lupin-Black."

"How'd you know that?" Draco asked

"It says to on his briefcase." Hermione answered

"Oh." Draco muttered

The group of seven plus Remus sat on the Hogwarts Express in their compartment and talked.

After a while the train suddenly stopped.

The air began to chill as a shadow began to approach.

"Dementor." Neville muttered

"Manducat carnem metus." Luna muttered, then translated "Creature that feeds on fear."

Before any of the thirteen-year-olds could react, the man —R. J. Lupin-Black— sprung up and shouted, "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

The Dementor quickly fled and the man sat back down, pulling several pieces of chocolate out of his pocket, "Eat. It helps."

The children ate as he spoke, "My name is Remus Lupin and I'm going to be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year."

"You're my godfather." Harry muttered

"Harry?" Remus asked, eyes wide

"That would be me." Harry replied

"I am so sorry." Remus apologized "I heard they made you like with your mum's sister. Please know I would have taken you away from there if I could of. The Ministry said if I even tried to see you, I would be imprisoned."

"I forgive you." Harry said after a minute, deciding that Remus was sincere

"Then you know about Sirius then." Remus muttered

"Yes." Harry replied

"Has anyone told you that you look exactly like your father?" Remus said

"Yes, sir, Uncle Sev told me, but he also said that I have my mother's eyes and bone structure." Harry answered

"Severus is right, you do." Remus added, "You can call me Remus in private —all of you can. You can call me Uncle Remus if you'd like, Harry."

"Okay, Uncle Remus." Harry smiled

"I don't mean to be rude," Hermione interrupted "but since Sirius was your soulmate, you know him better than anyone. Do you have any clue to what he's up to? Because I think he might be after either Weasel or Harry since You-Know-Who attacked them that night and they lived."

Remus sighed, "I wish I new, Ms. Franqui, but unfortunately I know as much as you do about this matter."

"How'd you know who I am?" Hermione asked

"Your intelligence gave it away, Hermione, so did your appearance —you look just like your mother." Remus answered

"You knew my mum?" Hermione asked

"Not really, your father and her were older but I saw them in the halls. I'm sorry for your loss." Remus said, sadly

"Thank you, Remus." Hermione thanked, sadly

After a few minutes, the group of seven children and one adult got to know each other and before they knew it the train arrived at Hogsmeade Station.

As they departed the train and headed to the castle, even from the back they could hear Ron whining, "Everyone keeps telling me about how sorry they are about Ginny's death. Who cares, she's dead, they should be paying attention to me! Mum and Dad wouldn't even get me a broom to try out for the team, Potter's been on his team since first year."

Remus frowned, "I'm guessing that's the Ron Weasley you warned me about, Harry?"

"Yes and this is him on a good day. Last year he lost Gryffindor a thousand points but Dumbledore gave them back at the end of the year for his friends and his 'bravery'. The year before same story." Harry said

"Dumbledore sounds completely biased. And that's saying something since I was a Gryffindor." Remus disdainfully muttered

"He is." Luna added "He constantly takes points from Slytherin for minor things but apparently Gryffindor can do no wrong."

"And he completely ignores Ravenclaw." Draco added

"Hufflepuff too." Neville added

Remus gulped, he used to think Dumbledore a great man, but after hearing this, not anymore.

Quickly changing the subject, Remus asked, "What spot do you play on your team, Harry?"

"Seeker." Harry answered, "And Draco plays Chaser."

"Nice." Remus said, "Do you use a school broom? If you do I can get you a new one."

"I have a Nimbus Two-Thousand." Harry replied

The adult left the Slytherin children as they entered the Great Hall.

First Years were quickly sorted and the feast began...