The Familiar Stranger

Written by: Adventure-Seeking-Juliet

When: Listening to music, the soul's melody.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Harry Potter in any way, shape, fashion, or form. I promise.

A/N Two mysterious new students, who no one seems to know, come to Hogwarts in the 1993 school year, and somehow the strangers seem familiar to the new Professor, Remus Lupin, and he is determined to discover just why that is. Set in POA.

Chapter One- Pink

Professor R.J. Lupin was, in most respects, a fair man. Maybe it was because he was a teacher at heart, or maybe it was because so many wizards discriminated against him for being what he was.

Either way, Remus Lupin rarely made assumptions about people before getting to know them. However,on his third day of teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, he was forced to make an exception.

Two exceptions, to be exact.

~In the Point of View of Professor Remus John Lupin~

The first two days of term had gone decidedly well. If I was an optimist, I might have already been completely assured of a good year.

Good thing I'm a pessimist.

Anyway, things were tumbling along as usual. The third years had gathered in my room for their daily lesson, and I was sitting at my desk, sipping my tea casually, mentally preparing myself for another long class period.

I had glanced up just briefly from my Daily Prophet, when a knock sounded at my door.

The gabbling students grew quiet as I made my way toward the edge of the classroom, obviously visits during class periods was as unusual an occurrence as it had been when I was student.

But what was even more unusual, were the three people waiting on the other side of the door when I pulled it open...

Dumbledore smiled at me," Ah, hello Remus! I trust you've been well? Chocolate?"

Dumbledore offered a piece of the candy to me, then stepped into the room, nodding at all the students. I stuffed the piece of chocolate in my worn jacket pocket, watching the other two people slowly enter the room.

They were two boys, roughly thirteen years of age, but the oddest thing was that I'd never seen them before, and judging by the other students curious glances, neither had they.

The first boy was of medium height, with shaggy black hair and deep gray eyes. He was smirking arrogantly, although underneath it, I could almost sense a certain sort of loyalty and kindness. He reminded me of Sirius.

I immediately turned my attention to the other newcomer, I didn't want to think about Sirius...not in the current situation.

The other boy was wearing a bright blue hat, which clashed badly with his Hogwarts robes, he was a inch or so taller than the first boy, and considerably thinner, with amber tinted eyes.

Amber tinted eyes that were staring at me, the boy didn't even blink. An odd sense of familiarity washed over me, as though I should know him from some where...

But before I could even entertain the idea, Dumbledore began to speak.

" Sorry to interrupt your class, Professor Lupin, but as you see," the Headmaster gestured to the two newcomers once more," Hogwarts has just received two new students."

Dumbledore turned his twinkling blue eyes on the two boys, and beckoned them forward. The two boys shuffled forward, I noticed Hermione, who had obviously just 'arrived' here herself with her time turner, was staring at them oddly...or at least more oddly than most the students were.

Curious.

" This is Alan MacDough," Dumbledore nodded to the dark-haired boy," and Teddy..."

The boy with the blue hat answered for himself," Tonks."

Dumbledore smiled," Of course. Both Mr. Macdough and Mr. Tonks were sorted into Gryffindor. So I hope all their fellow Gryffndor's will be hospitable...I'm sure you will...oh and I must be going, good to see you Remus!"

I nodded, and followed the headmaster to the door, before leaving, however, Dumbledore had one final thing to say," Good luck, boys."

The old door shut slowly, with a click, and I mentally sighed before turning back to the class," I guess it's time to start the lesson, now."

A couple of Slytherin's sneered, Malfoy in their lead, but I ignored them and instead turned toward Alan and Teddy, both of whom were still standing awkwardly in the front of the classroom," Ah, you two would much enjoy a seat, I reckon?"

I turned back to the class, assessing the room for empty seats. There was one next to Hermione...and another directly in front of Malfoy.

I glanced hopefully toward Harry, he would no doubt be warm and welcoming, but his friend Ron had the seat next to him.

I sighed, and glanced back at the two new students-Alan seemed to be...the more resilient of the two, hopefully he could handle Malfoy.

If he was anything like Sirius, he could.

I shoved the thought from my head and spoke," Alan, if you'll take the seat in front of Draco here."

Draco gave Alan his best sneer, and on his right Goyle cracked his knuckles menacingly.

Alan grinned at them," With pleasure, Professor."

Draco rolled his eyes, but the sneer was gone. And obviously ineffective.

Good.

"And Teddy, if you'll take the seat next to Hermione," the girl in question smiled gently, and scooted her chair over to allow him room to sit down.

Teddy took his seat, his eyes still watched me...but still the feeling of familiarity was there...

I smiled at him, hoping to tell him I wasn't quite as ratty as I looked.

But he instantly looked away.

Odd.

I cleared my throat," Now then, I'm afraid today's lesson is a dull one, I haven't being feeling too well lately."

There was a collective groan from the students as I assigned them some wand work with their book, but they worked...semi-quietly for a while.

And then Malfoy raised his hand.

As badly as I wanted to ignore it...I couldn't, not without a complaint from the entirety of the Malfoy family.

"Yes, Mr. Malfoy?"

Draco smiled sardonically," Professor...isn't it against the dress code to wear a hat indoors?"

Malfoy shot Alan and Teddy a snide look. Teddy ignored it, but Alan looked about ready to punch the Slytherin.

"Why don't you just shut it, Malfoy?" Harry snapped.

" No one asked you, Potter," Malfoy snapped back.

I cleared my throat, I didn't need an all out brawl to start," I'm sorry Teddy, but he's right, hats are against the dress code."

Teddy sighed and began to pull his hat off, but Alan's voice cut through the ruckus," But professor, if you ask Ted to take off his hat, it's only fair that Malfoy take off that greasy, ratty thing he's wearing on his head."

The Gryffindor's busted out into laughter, and I had t bite back a smile, myself.

"Why you little-"

Malfoy made a move toward Alan, but the new student pulled out his wand and had it pointed before Draco could even get close.

I jumped up," Wands away! Or I'll be forced to get your heads of house."

The two slowly relaxed.

I turned my attention to Teddy then," And you'll need to take your hat off, Mr. Tonks."

With a grimace, Teddy pulled off his hat to reveal a shock of blue hair, the color of the hat.

The class gasped, and his hair quickly flashed a pink color, to match his coloring cheeks.

The Slytherin's snickered, and Alan sent them a glare.

Hermione looked amazed," You must be a metamorphagus! I've read about them-they're very rare...they can change their appearence at will."

Teddy nodded, his hair still a bright shade of embarrassed pink," I was born one, I- um it's hard to control in stressful situations."

I smiled," It's quite alright, I don't think anyone will find it too much of a distraction."

Teddy's hair slowly faded to a light brown color, with streaks of bright blue only adorning the edges, and the rest of class went along pleasantly. In fact, I was even in a fairly good mood when the class ended.

The students were all standing, talking in different little groups, and on my right I noticed Alan and Teddy seemed to be in deep conversation about something.

I sighed, poor boys probably didn't even know where the common room was...

" Harry-would you mind showing Alan and Teddy to their classes today?"

Harry spun around, Ron not far behind him," Er-sure, professor."

I leaned back in my seat then, I could already feel the tug of the moon...this was going to be a long week.

A/N Soooo please review! xD