Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
16 August, 1993

Dear Severus,

          I'm sorry to disturb your summer holidays. Or should I say "winter holidays"? The Daily Prophet has reported abundant snow and temperature around 27°F in the northern lakes of Patagonia for the last two weeks. It's just too sad that this disparity between North and South Hemispheres affects solely the seasons and not the actual dates. As a kid, I had believed I would be able to travel south in July and north in December, therefore celebrating Christmas twice a year. Alas, adulthood brought me the comprehension that snow doesn't necessarily imply presents under a decorated tree. But then, I hardly have any vacant shelves for more books, so I shouldn't complain. My drawers, on the other hand, still display large portions of space left for new woollen socks. Particularly for thick, fluffy ones. I hope you have taken enough pairs along, by the way, and that you're merrily enjoying your trip.

          I'm owling you because you asked me to keep you informed of any decisions made regarding the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. I have just got word from Dr Drewlius from St. Mungo's. Gilderoy Lockhart's condition has improved greatly. He already remembers he has a bellybutton. The poor fellow, I can't quite grasp the repercussions of living for months without being aware of my bellybutton, can you?

          However, as encouraging as these news might be, Dr Drewlius is convinced that Gilderoy won't be up to assuming any position of responsibility for some considerable time yet, which forces us to choose a new name to join our staff. And I think I have just found the one.

          Actually it's anything but a new name. I'm sure you will recognise it from your own days at Hogwarts as a student. To be honest, I had thought of him last year when we were looking for a replacement for Quirrell, but then he wasn't available, and at the time I had imagined Gilderoy would be a less complex option. Well, so much for that. Thankfully, he is available this year, for I'm sure he is our best alternative, especially under the circumstances. I'm speaking, of course, of Remus J. Lupin.

          He has experience with both teaching and fighting the Dark Arts, was one of our most talented students, is familiar with Hogwarts and our pedagogic methods, and furthermore, he is trustworthy. I have no doubts that he will do superbly well.

          Curiously, convincing him of that is proving to be a bit more difficult than I had anticipated. Some natural and very understandable hesitation was to be expected, but I suspect I have underestimated the weight the loss of his friends, who would always support and encourage him, has cast upon him. Nonetheless, his eagerness to get reacquainted with James Potter's child, whom he hasn't seen for over a decade, is all too evident, and I'm confident that we will reach an agreement before the end of the week.

          Concerning Remus' special health condition: we will keep matters exactly as we did when he was a student. All members of the staff will be informed and advised of the necessary precautions; the house-elves will simply be warned to replace all the silverware by harmless metals; the students won't be told anything, in order to avoid any prejudiced reactions from them or their parents. In addition, our dear Peeves was already exhorted to keep his jokes about Lupin's name to himself. Inoffensive as they are, some of our cleverest pupils could descry a clue in the humorous alliterations.

          I am counting on your collaboration to guarantee Remus a warm and tranquil stay at Hogwarts, Severus. In fact, your aid will be absolutely indispensable. I have been in contact with Franz Neil Gyunnum, whose work developing new potions to combat magical maladies and poisonings you probably know much better than I do. I explained our circumstances to him, and he agreed to send you the prescription for his recently perfected Lupi Contra Mentem—I believe the lay press calls it Wolfsbane Potion. You will be receiving it by owl in a day or two, I hope. The concoction will allow Remus to keep his mind during the Transformations, freeing us from the preoccupation about prying children being attacked by the Whomping Willow.

          Mr Gyunnum alerts me that the Wolfsbane Potion is remarkably complicated and difficult to brew, and that only a few extremely skilful wizards are up to the task. I am positive that you won't have any trouble with it.

          I'm not certain if the news had reached Patagonia yet, but you have always made a point of being well informed of all events concerning the wizard world, so I'm sure you know already: Sirius Black miraculously fled from Azkaban six days ago. Minister Fudge is terribly worried, not without reason. It's doubtful that much of Black's lucidity should have survived his twelve years of imprisonment in a maximum security cell guarded by Dementors day and night, but still he kept enough of his powers to escape, without a wand or—according to Fudge—any exterior help. More disquieting yet: our Minister believes there's enough evidence to conclude that the first item listed on Black's agenda is annihilating Harry Potter.

          I won't pretend to understand Black now any better than twelve years ago. I still can't conceive why he did what he did, or why he would do what Fudge believes to be his present plan. But if he is indeed after Harry, we must do all in our reach to stop him. That's another reason we should welcome Remus Lupin to our staff, as the one among the living who knew Black best. Remus can tell us much about Black's personality and hopefully predict some of his strategies.

          I'm counting on your assistance with this point as well. You knew the more roguish side of Sirius Black intimately, so please don't hesitate to mention any memories you might consider relevant to the situation at hand. Just don't get lost in them, Severus. I need your mind in the present.

          The Minister will be arriving in fifteen minutes to discuss additional security measures to the school. He's been talking of stationing Dementors on the grounds, around the outside perimeter and also inside the castle. I don't think he really realises the nature of those creatures, or how easily he can lose their loyalty. If we have them near the children, Black will be last on our list of troubles.

          Have fun with your research and building snowmen, but don't forget your scarf when you go outside; be careful not to catch the flu. I'll keep you posted of any developments.

-----------------------------
written by Morgan D.
October 31st, 2002

Harry Potter and its characters belong to J.K.Rowling, Bloomsbury, Warner Bros and Merlin-knows-whom-else. Only Dr Drewlius and Franz Neil Gyunnum are mine, but they're available to anyone who might find them any use.
The scientific name of the Wolfsbane Potion, Lupi Contra Mentem, belongs to Theresa Ann Wymer.