Professor Lupin smiled at the look of indignation on every face.

"Don't worry. I'll speak to Professor Snape. You don't have to do the essay." "

"Oh no," said Hermione, looking very disappointed. "I've already finished it!"

"Same," sighed Amelia pulling the roll of parchment out of her bag and setting it down on Professor Lupin's desk. "Please inform Professor Snape that I refused to write about how to kill a werewolf,"

"And why did you do that?" asked Lupin, taking the paper and setting on a stack on his desk. "Becouse its immoral. People who have lycanthropy are not monsters. It is something a person is born with becouse of genetics, or their genetics change becouse they were biten. It isn't something a person asks for or can control. Born werewolves can control themselves on a full moon, but they are far and few between, meaning most werewolves are aware of what they are doing and can even hurt themselves. If you're being attacked by a bitten werewolf, why are you out on a full moon? Simple stunning speel or just staying inside is more humane for everyone involved. No one should have to die becouse someone is different than someone else,"

"The world would be a nicer place if more people thought like that," said Lupin.

"One day they will," hummed Amelia before heading over to her desk.

They had a very enjoyable lesson. Professor Lupin had brought along a glass box containing a hinkypunk, a little one-legged creature who looked as though he were made of wisps of smoke, rather frail and harmless looking. 

"Lures travelers into bogs," said Professor Lupin as they took notes. "You notice the lantern dangling from his hand? Hops ahead -people follow the light -- then --" 

The hinkypunk made a horrible squelching noise against the glass. When the bell rang, everyone gathered up their things and headed for the door, Harry among them, but -- 

"Wait a moment, Harry" Lupin called. "I'd like a word." 

Harry doubled back and watched Professor Lupin covering the hinkypunk's box with a cloth. 

"I heard about the match," said Lupin, turning back to his desk and starting to pile books into his briefcase, "and I'm sorry about your broomstick. Is there any chance of fixing it?" 

"No," said Harry. "The tree smashed it to bits." Lupin sighed. "

They planted the Whomping Willow the same year that I arrived at Hogwarts. People used to play a game, trying to get near enough to touch the trunk. In the end, a boy called Davey Gudgeon nearly lost an eye, and we were forbidden to go near it. No broomstick would have a chance."