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Lost and Found	By : TheLibrarian Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female Views: 3257 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
Disclaimer:
Harry Potter and all his friends (and enemies) are the brain-child of J.K.
Rowling. I�m just borrowing them. Exclusive ownership belongs to JKR, Arthur A.
Levine Books and Scholastic Inc. Jane Sinclair and all additional characters
belong to me. You belong to yourself.

A/N: I�ve got my first reviews. Woohoo! Your wish is my command.

***

Many times I've been alone and many times I've cried

Anyway you'll never know the many ways I've tried

And still they lead me back to the long winding road

You left me standing here a long, long time ago

Don't leave me waiting here, lead me to your door

Long and Winding
Road, The Beatles

Chapter
Two � The Homecoming

The sun had
already begun to set by the time the train arrived in Hogsmeade.
Remus and Tonks helped Jane
with her baggage by charming her suitcases, and she followed the hovering bags
off the train. Thick wisps of fog slithered along the platform, creeping up the
buildings, nipping at unsuspecting legs. Most of the students were huddled
together in groups, sticking close together and appearing unnaturally subdued. Aurors were swarming around them like sheepdogs herding
their flock.

�First years
over �ere,� a deep voice boomed through the mist.

�Hagrid?� Jane could barely make
out the giant shape waving a bull�s-eye lantern. She sighed with relief. There
would be at least one more familiar face to help ease her transition.

Remus grasped Jane�s elbow and led her towards one of the
waiting carriages, while Tonks followed a group of
first years towards the lake. She didn�t look very happy.

Jane�s
anticipation and apprehension grew as they drew closer to the castle. Not for
the first time since she�d received McGonagall�s letter, did she think of the
possibilities and challenges her new life would hold for her. She could only
hope that she would live up to everybody�s expectations � and to her own.
Dumbledore had thought her important. It was because of him and his trust in
her abilities � in her � that she had returned. She would have given
anything to be able to thank him in person.

As though he
sensed her mood, Remus reached for her hand and gave
it a reassuring squeeze.

�Everything
will be all right,� he murmured.

�I don�t
believe I was this nervous when I came here as a first year,� Jane admitted.

�We all are
nervous. This year will be a deciding one in many ways. Your nervousness will
get lost in the general tension.�

�I sure hope
so,� Jane sighed. �Especially, since I will be literally a Muggle
for a while � at least until I relearn how to use my magic. I feel inexplicably
bare.� She shuddered and rubbed her arms.

�Don�t
worry, Jane, you will be well protected until you can do it yourself.�

They spent
the remainder of the trip to Hogwarts in comfortable silence. Rain began to
drizzle lightly, misting over the carriage windows in a thin haze. Soon the
castle rose before them. Tall, dark and intimidating, it stood in stark
contrast against the setting sun. The tower windows were already lit to ward
off the impending darkness. Her breath caught in her throat as Jane beheld the
familiar sight. Elation surged through her. Tears of joy filled her eyes and
this time she did not suppress them. She was home.

Sitting
beside her, Remus watched the play of emotions across
her face. He could understand her enthusiasm. As to her other underlying
sentiments, he could only guess her feelings. True, her actions thirteen years
ago had been unforgivable in the eyes of the Ministry, but he was a good judge
of character. The woman beside him had grown both physically and emotionally.
He believed her when she said that her past was just that � the past. Jane
Sinclair was not a woman to hold a grudge. She had been given a second chance,
and she would not dishonor the trust that was placed in her.

***

Jane entered
Hogwarts on the arm of Remus Lupin.
He led her towards the Great Hall, past the disapproving figure of Argus Filch,
who took in her Muggle clothing with obvious disdain.
Her step faltered slightly as the doors swung open and animated voices greeted
them. She was grateful for Remus� firm grasp on her
arm. She didn�t know whether she would have had the courage to cross the
threshold on her own.

As they
walked past the four large house tables, some of the pupils stopped their
cheerful chatter to take in her unusual appearance. Jane self-consciously
tugged at her gray knit turtleneck sweater, smoothing it over her jeans. She
wondered briefly whether she shouldn�t have taken the time to change into
something more proper. But, she finally conceded, since she no longer owned any
appropriate Wizarding wardrobe, she would have looked
out of place no matter what she wore. She was aware of the loud whispers behind
her back, but she purposefully ignored them. Remus
felt her straighten and stiffen slightly. He, too, was aware of the
open-mouthed stares she received and the loud whispers she incited. Secretly,
he applauded her poise. Jane Sinclair had courage, he mused. She certainly was
no victim.

They
approached the Head table, over which Minerva McGonagall regally presided in the
Headmaster�s seat. She was no Albus Dumbledore, but
her demeanor was just as authoritative as her predecessor�s. Jane recognized
several of the other teachers seated on the dais. She felt as though she�d gone
back in time, except that this time she would sit with the faculty and not her
old House. Hogwarts� teachers were somewhat more subtle than its students when
they noticed Jane. Professors Flitwick stopped his
conversation to Professor Binns mid-sentence and
looked inquiringly at her. Professor Binns took in
her casual appearance and shook his head disapprovingly. Jane swallowed and
proudly lifted her chin. She would not cower.

Professor
McGonagall rose to greet them. As she shook her old Transfiguration teacher�s
hand, Jane couldn�t help but think how old the woman looked. Minerva
McGonagall�s face was creased, now more than ever, with deep worry lines. Her
eyes, however, were as sharp and penetrating as ever.

�My dear
Miss Sinclair,� she exclaimed with uncharacteristic heartiness. �I cannot say
how happy I am to welcome you once more to Hogwarts.�

�It�s good
to be back, Professor,� Jane replied honestly, slightly disconcerted by the
warm expression in her eyes. ��despite the circumstances.�

�Yes,� the
warmth fled from McGonagall�s gaze and the creases on her forehead deepened.
Her lips pressed primly into a thin line. �Well, what�s done is done. There�s
no use crying over spilt milk, I�m afraid��

She was
briefly distracted by Professor Sprout, who was waving excitedly from the entry
doors. She gave her a quick nod before turning her attention back to Jane.

�I would
like to talk to you later this evening, if you aren�t too exhausted from your, er, travels.�

Jane nodded
noncommittally.

�Very good,�
McGonagall said. �The password to the Headmaster�s office is Haggis.�

Jane
suppressed a smirk. Dumbledore�s passwords had always been fanciful and
candy-related. Trust McGonagall to pay homage to her Scottish heritage with
such an unimaginative no-nonsense word.

Remus led her to an empty seat at the end of the table and
sat down next to her. Their attention was immediately drawn to Professor Sprout
who led the group of trembling little first years towards the dais. The Sorting
Hat�s song this year was especially dark, warning them of a most dreadful end,
and the mood after the last child was finally sorted into his house was very
subdued. Eerie silence followed, and bodies soon began to shift uncomfortably,
until the Headmistress finally cleared her throat. Expectant eyes followed her
as she rose.

�Welcome to
another year at Hogwarts,� Professor McGonagall announced. �I am happy to see
so many of you back this year. Be assured that your decision to do so is highly
appreciated. It is proof of your courage and your support of everything that is
good and right. I will not pretend that you are safer within these walls than
you are outside of Hogwarts��

At this
point she had to raise her hands to command silence, as the wizards and witches
seated in the Great Hall began to grumble and whisper. A few first years began
to cry.

�Given the
attacks last school year,� the Headmistress continued, �I cannot guarantee that
a repetition of those events will not occur. However,� she had to raise her
voice again, �I can promise that we have discovered the means by which the
Dark Lord�s Death Eaters gained entrance to Hogwarts and rectified the
situation. The usual anti-intruder jinxes and wards are in place. Furthermore,
we have full Ministry support this year, as evidenced by the presence of a
number of Aurors, who will see to matters of security
and the safety of you all. I assure you we are well prepared to face another
attack, should history repeat itself. Now,� she paused briefly to catch her
breath, �that this is settled, help me welcome back Professor Remus Lupin as professor in
Defense Against the Dark Arts.�

On cue, Remus rose from his seat and bowed slightly to the mixed
degrees of enthusiasm erupting from the different house tables before settling
down again. The occupants of the Slytheryn table only
oozed disdain. Watching them, Jane frowned slightly, wondering what he had done
to incur the wrath of an entire house. She realized that the mild-mannered man
beside her hadn�t been upfront with her. Apparently, there was more to him than
met the eye.

�Professor Lupin is not the only new addition to the teaching faculty.
After Professor Slughorn�s decision not to return as
Potions master, we are happy to welcome Professor Basil Nightshade.�

A tall gaunt
man at the other end of the table rose briefly and bowed stiffly. He looked as
disagreeable as Snape had on his best days. He was
greeted with modest applause.

�And your
new Transfiguration Professor is Miss Araminta
Delphi.�

A
middle-aged handsome witch rose gracefully and nodded towards the house tables.

�Last, but
certainly not least, it gives me great pleasure to introduce Miss Jane
Sinclair, who will be your new Muggle Studies teacher.�

Jane stood
and inclined her head in greeting, before quickly taking her seat again. She
hated being the center of attention.

�Now,� the
Headmistress� voice took on an even more somber note. �Before we celebrate the
beginning of a new school year, I need to address a few more issues. We have
instituted a new curfew, the details of which can be found on a list posted,
together with other rules, in your Common Rooms. Outside his office, Mr. Filch,
has additionally posted a list of actions forbidden on Hogwarts grounds. I
strongly urge you to familiarize yourselves with these regulations for your own
safety.�

McGonagall paused
again and reached for the glass in front of her. �Will you all please raise
your goblets with me?�

The entire
hall followed her invitation and stood, goblets raised.

�The
untimely demise of our respected Headmaster has left a great void in our midst.
I strongly urge you not to despoil his memory with idle gossip and malicious
accusations. Albus Dumbledore had a vision and he
placed trust where it was due. We must now, more than ever, trust in each
other. Only together can we be strong and overcome our common enemies. To Albus Dumbledore, a great man with a great vision. May it
be realized, so his death will not have been in vain.�

�To Albus Dumbledore,� everybody toasted.

�Let the
feast begin,� McGonagall finally announced after having sipped from her goblet.

Moments
later, the tables bent under the mountains of food that suddenly appeared out
of thin air, and for a while nobody talked. Jane was starving and dug into her
food with relish.

�That wasn�t
so bad now, was it?� Remus� voice drew her attention.

�Huh, what?� Jane�s head jerked up and she blushed guiltily.
�Oh, I�m sorry.�

�That�s all right,�
Remus grinned. �You must be starving. And the food is
very good.�

�It is,�
Jane agreed wholeheartedly while spearing another roast potato.

�I�ve been
looking forward to it myself for some time,� he admitted quietly.

She
swallowed the potato and laid down her fork before giving him a level stare.
�Yes, I think you don�t lead as settled a life as you�ve had me believe.�

He laughed
at that. �You are quite right, Jane.�

�That�s why
you were so empathetic towards me. Earlier on the train.�

Remus cleared his throat, all laughter drained from his
eyes. �I think I should better tell you now. And I�d rather you hear it from me
than through gossip.�

�Go on.�

He shifted
uncomfortably in his chair before meeting her gaze. �I am a werewolf.�

Jane�s eyes
widened for a moment at his revelation. �Is that all?�

He choked
slightly, but quickly caught himself. �I wish more people could be this
nonchalant towards me.�

�I have seen
worse monsters among Muggles, Remus.
Besides, you wouldn�t be here and Tonks wouldn�t love
you, if you were a danger to society. I imagine you�re taking a Wolfsbane potion to control your, uh, condition?�

�That is
correct. You�re a Ravenclaw, aren�t you?�

His sudden
change of subject took her by surprise. �What makes you think that?�

�You�ve retained
much of your magical knowledge without utilizing it. You must be a Ravenclaw.�

�Just,� she
told him succinctly, �because I have a good memory doesn�t mean I�m
extraordinary intelligent.�

�Are you or
aren�t you?�

Jane
snorted. My, the man was relentless. His mild mannerism was truly deceiving.
There was mischief in his eyes.

�One day
you�ll have to tell me your story, Remus. I have a
feeling you were a very bad boy in your day.�

He chuckled.
�That settles it. You are a Ravenclaw.�

She examined
him through narrowed eyes, seizing him up. She tapped a finger against her
lips, thinking quickly.

�And you are
a Gryffindor,� she finally determined.

Now it was
his turn to study her. �You are better than any Divination master I have ever
met.�

This made
Jane laugh. �It had nothing to do with Divination. I merely used the process of
elimination.�

�Pray, do
explain.� Remus wriggled his eyebrows, making her
laugh even harder.

�Well,� Jane
began, �the Slytherins weren�t too overjoyed upon
seeing you, so you�re certainly not one of them.�

He inclined
his head.

�You�re
certainly no Hufflepuff,� she continued, �despite
your mild demeanor. You could be a Ravenclaw were it
not for those mischievous sparks that keep jumping into your eyes. And you
hinted at battles you fought � no, you�re a Gryffindor.�

He clapped
in acknowledgement. Admiration shone in his eyes. �Well done, Jane,� he
exclaimed.

She
shrugged. �It�s nothing special. Just something I picked up over the years.�

�I have a
feeling that we will have some very interesting conversations over the school
year,� Remus said.

His gaze
held hers, and Jane gulped. She had to be very careful. It would be so easy to
fall for him. True, Remus Lupin
was handsome, but it was his calm demeanor and kindness towards her that had
touched her. No, she didn�t want to fall for him, she couldn�t. He loved
Tonks and she loved him. Jane would not be able to
live with herself if she hurt either of them. Besides, what she needed now was
a friend, not a lover.

***

�I am
pleased you took the time to meet with me this evening,� Minerva McGonagall
greeted Jane when she stepped into her office. �I hope you are not too weary.�

�Well, I was
exhausted when I arrived, Professor McGonagall, but the feast rejuvenated me somewhat.�

�Good.
Good.� The Headmistress rubbed her hands in an attempt to hide her nervousness.
She walked towards her desk, sat behind it and waved Jane closer.

Jane had
only once been in the Headmaster�s office. Thirteen years ago. The chamber
looked pretty much the same, she thought. McGonagall apparently hadn�t seen it
fit to make any major changes just, yet. She sat on the chair the older woman
indicated and looked expectantly at her. The professor drummed her long fingers
onto the tabletop in an impatient tattoo. By all appearances she was buying
time to compose herself. Jane shifted uncomfortably on the chair. Whatever she
was going to be told would be quite unpleasant.

�Well,�
McGonagall finally broke the awkward silence. �There is no easy way around
this. I may as well start at the beginning. This is quite difficult for me, so
I would appreciate it, if you could wait with your questions until I have
finished.�

Jane cocked
an eyebrow. The formidable McGonagall found it difficult to express herself? This
must really be bad.

�Of course, Headmistress.�

�Very well,
then.� McGonagall took a deep breath and began. Her agitation only intensified
her Scottish brogue. �Let me start by saying that I have received all the
necessary documentation from the Ministry to legalize your return to our world.
As promised you have been fully pardoned. Only a very select few know your true
identity and only because of sheer necessity. For the last thirteen years you
have built a new life for yourself as Jane Sinclair and I see no reason to
change that. Is that acceptable to you?�

Jane met the
older woman�s gaze unwaveringly. �Yes. I have put the past behind me and want
to keep it that way.�

�Very good,�
McGonagall nodded her approval. �Now, I am certain that you have many questions
as to your presence here and I must ask you to be patient for a little longer.
At the moment know that your presence is not coincidental. Nor is it charity or
a ploy to make amends. You are here for a number of reasons. For one, you, a
pureblood, have had the unique experience to be thrust into the Muggle world without preparation of what to expect and,
yet, you survived. Dumbledore thought this a vital addition to our current
curriculum, especially since it could come to the point where we wizards may be
forced to go into hiding � possibly among Muggles.�

She met
Jane�s questioning gaze. �You may have already deduced from the goings on
around here that we are in a very precarious situation.� She sighed. �Yes, Vol-,
erm, the Dark Lord has returned and he is relentless
in his quest for power. We have been fighting him and his Death Eaters for over
a year now, but he is gaining power. It doesn�t look good for our side.
Dumbledore�s death was a particularly devastating blow for us��

Jane watched
in disbelief as the older woman�s eyes began to water. She had never seen
McGonagall lose her composure. The professor pulled out an embroidered
handkerchief and dabbed her eyes.

�From what I
understand,� Minerva eventually plowed on, �you seem to play a pivotal role in
the war against Vol-, the Dark Lord. Unfortunately,
Dumbledore was the only one aware of the true importance of your involvement,
and he took that knowledge to the grave. He has, however, left a number of
letters and documents, which seem to hold the clue to the answer. I have them
for your perusal. Maybe you can make more sense of them than I have.�

McGonagall
handed a considerable stack of papers to Jane. �There is also a letter from
Dumbledore addressed to you. Maybe that will shed some light on the whole
affair. I have taken the liberty to include various newspaper articles to bring
you up-to-date regarding the most recent events. Furthermore, I have informed
Miss Pince to make all Daily Prophet issues
from the last thirteen years available to you. She has assured me that the
library will be at your disposal whenever you wish. For now, this should get
you an idea of what we are dealing with. Once you are caught up, we shall fill
you in on all the pertinent details. Is that agreeable with you?�

Jane began
to feel overwhelmed. That was a lot of homework, she thought. �Yes,� she
squeaked meekly.

�Good. Now,
I realize that you haven�t had enough time to actually devise a lesson plan.
Our previous Muggle Studies teacher has thoughtfully
supplied a previous course outline before leaving Hogwarts. I hope it will help
you in designing your course and to plan your lessons. I would like to stress
that basic living and survival skills should be on the top of your list,
including non-magical self-defense.�

Jane
suppressed a yawn and covered it with a delicate cough.

�I realize
you are exhausted, Miss Sinclair,� McGonagall said sympathetically, �but please
bear with me a little longer. I am almost done.�

Jane nodded,
praying that she wouldn�t nod off.

�There are
only two more items I wish to discuss with you. First, there is the fact that,
bluntly speaking, you are currently without any financial means. From what I
understand, your parents disinherited you after your, erm,
banishment, but the new will was never notarized and you are the last of your
line. By rights, your parents� estate and other assets are yours. However, they
have been seized by the Ministry for, erm,
safe-keeping. Before his death, Dumbledore has tried to secure your
inheritance after your parents�, erm, passing, but he
was unsuccessful. You should see into that as soon as possible.�

Jane stared
at the older witch open-mouthed. Her parents were dead and she was rich? It
took a while to sink in. After years of living like a gypsy, of living
hand-to-mouth and with the constant worry about whether she had enough money to
cover next month�s rent, she would finally have what was rightfully hers. It
was overwhelming.

�Until you
have sorted your financial matters out, I have arranged for an advance on your salary
to cover your most immediate needs, such as a new wand, appropriate clothes and
other necessities.�

�That is
most generous, Headmistress.�

�Not at all,�
McGonagall waved her off briskly. She became businesslike again. �It is my wish
that you do this the first opportunity you get, so you may begin your own
studies as soon as possible. Once it is convenient for you, please inform me,
and I shall arrange for you to visit Diagon Alley.
This brings me to the last item for this evening � your lessons. I have
consulted with several of my colleagues, and we have worked out a tentative
study plan for you. Miss Pince has supplied several
textbooks for your perusal, so you may refresh your knowledge. We have also
determined that most of your instruction shall take place outside of Hogwarts,
simply because we think that it could damage your rapport with the students,
should they find out that your magical abilities are somewhat, erm, lacking. Do you have any questions at this point?�

Jane thought
for a moment, then shook her head. �You have answered
most of my immediate questions. I do have many more, but I have a feeling that
I may find most of my answers in here.� She lifted the stack of papers from her
lap. �Is there anything else you deem necessary I should know before I
face Hogwarts� students?�

McGonagall
hesitated briefly. �There will be gossip. I�m afraid it�s unavoidable.� She
noticed Jane�s alarmed expression. �Oh, not about you, Miss Sinclair,
rest assured. It is about Professor Lupin.�

�You mean
the fact that he�s a werewolf?�

McGonagall�s
eyebrows rose in surprise. �You already know?�

Jane nodded.
�He told me over dinner.�

�And you
don�t mind?�

�No, of course not.�

�I am glad
to hear that.� McGonagall sounded truly relieved. �Needless to say, you are to
discourage any idle or malicious gossip by our pupils.�

�Certainly.�

�There, erm, is
one more thing. You might as well hear it now, so you are forewarned. It
concerns Professor Snape.�

�Professor
Snape?� That was the last thing Jane expected. �I
thought he no longer taught at Hogwarts?�

�Indeed, he
does not. He, erm, left immediately following
Dumbledore�s death. You will read about it in the articles I gave you, and, no
doubt, you will also hear about it around the school. You see, it was Severus Snape who was seen kill
Dumbledore.�

�No.�
Jane jerked erect in her chair, dropping the papers from her lap. She quickly
fell to her knees to collect them. Snape had killed
Dumbledore? True, he�d always been a disgustingly disagreeable man, but he�d
also been very restrained and dispassionate. She simply couldn�t see him commit
cold-blooded murder. Well, she could but he would never be so stupid and
careless to do it in front of witnesses. No, she couldn�t believe it and told
the Headmistress so.

�Yes, Miss
Sinclair, I also had trouble believing the story. Unfortunately, the evidence
against him is quite strong and irrefutable. He is a wanted man. Nonetheless, I
will not have our pupils indulge in malicious defamation and gossip, no matter
how guilty the man is. Am I making myself clear, Miss Sinclair?�

�Perfectly.� Jane stood. �Well, if there is nothing else��

�No, Miss
Sinclair, you are dismissed.�

Jane turned
to leave, when McGonagall called her back.

�Miss
Sinclair, I am very happy that you decided to return. Welcome home.�

===

A/N #2:
The plot thickens and the game�s afoot.

Lost and
Found � 2005 by MMHG

===
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