Remus Lupin rolled up his sleeves and stood with his hands on his hips, surveying the office that had also served as his bedroom for the past year. He sighed softly.
He had heard of the "curse" on the Dark Magic Defense Class position. He had thought it was nothing but nonsense, until the battle at the church, where a Killing Curse had nearly hit him and he had suffered serious injuries. Only then had he begun to think there really was something uncanny about it.
But none of that had anything to do with him anymore...
A huge trunk lay open on the floor, its worn, faded corners carefully wrapped in brass.
Hermione had done that. The young witch was more thoughtful than the boys, after all. He had also received a pile of sugar-free chocolate.
A tin sat on the cabinet by the door, holding the tea Zhang had given him. There was still plenty left.
It tasted far better than the cheap tea Lupin usually bought, so he rarely let himself drink it.
The Transcendence Hat Malfoy had given him hung on the coat rack. The expensive hat looked quite out of place among his other shabby clothes.
A sweater in Gryffindor colors lay neatly folded to one side. Ron had asked Mrs. Weasley to knit it for him.
Lupin loved that sweater. It kept him wonderfully warm.
Finally, Lupin's gaze settled on a set of keys, a gift from Sirius and Harry-the keys to a house on Privet Drive.
His good friend and James Potter's son had invited him to live with them with an enthusiasm that was almost impossible to refuse.
Lupin still remembered the scene. Sirius had thrown an arm around him and exclaimed happily, "What are you hesitating for, Moony?
"Think about it!