The next morning blurs by. History of Magic is the dullest subject ever. The entire class fell asleep. I awoke at the bell, realizing I had only taken two lines of notes. Lily, Violet and I walk to lunch.
“I’ll just read the book,” I say. “It’s probably loads easier than listening to Binns drone on.” Violet and Lily giggle. We take a seat at our usual table while I glance up at the head table. Few teachers are eating and Dumbledore isn’t there either. I grab a ham sandwich and begin eating. Rose walks in while I’m taking the last bite of my sandwich. I quickly chew and swallow then say hi. “How was Muggle Studies?” I ask.
“Good,” she responds. She sits down across from me and I hand her a sandwich.
“Ugh, we have potions next,” Violet complains.
“Well he already hates me just from my last name,” I say joining the complaining train.
Lily hops on too. “He won’t like me either because I look like my grandmother and I’m a Potter.” We all sigh.
Rose giggles at us. “It doesn’t matter. He only likes Slytherins.”
I roll my eyes, “Come on. We have to get going.” We wave to Rose and leave. I warn, “It’s cold in the dungeons.” We walk down the steps.
Lily, being optimistic, says, “At least tomorrow we don’t have any classes.”
Violet adds, “We won’t have to get up early for classes!” We follow the trail of students walking into Snape’s classroom. He is waiting, staring at the students from his desk. Lily and I are just about to sit together but Snape speaks up.
“We will have assigned seats for this class. Let’s see. . .Potter and Goyle over there,” he points to a spot in the middle row. “Lupin and Umbridge here,” he points to the front row. I want to run away from her and this classroom, but I take a deep breath and take the seat next to Stephanie.
Before she opens her mouth I snap, “Just so you know, I’m adopted.” This shuts her up. I silently fume while he puts the rest of the class into seats.
Snape struts to the front. “I can teach you many things. How to bottle luck, brew glory, brew Polyjuice or maybe Wolfsbane. I can even teach you to brew a potion to stave off death.” He surveys the class, his lip curling. “Some of you will be mediocre and fail this class. Others will be average.” His eyes sweep over the class. “Today we will be learning the basics. Turn to page two and begin reading.”
The class flips pages periodically, making rustling noises. I read about magical and mundane ingredients, different kinds of mixtures and how to stir potions (Never stick your wand directly into the potion!). I look up and see that I am one of the few finished reading. Lily catches my eye and I look her in the eye for a moment before smiling back.
“What are you smirking about Lupin?” Snape glares at me angrily.
“Nothing, Professor,” I respond, sitting up straighter in my seat.
He retorts, “Then you may happily tell me about Lethe river water.”
Good, this is easy. “Lethe river water has magical properties, but it is molecularly structured the same as normal water. It is related to Greek mythology. In the story it says that if you drink from the water, suffering souls will forget past lives,” I confidently explain.
“Thank you for the textbook answer,” Snape snarls. “Now I think eight inches about this chapter is enough homework.” The class groans, looking in my direction. My cheeks glow, and I duck my head down, pretending to look for something in my bag. “Class dismissed,” Snape announces. “Not you Lupin,” he adds. I am standing up, but I sit back down. Dumping my bag, I wait impatiently for the room to clear out. Snape closes the heavy door once the last student shuffles out. He walks past me and opens a deep drawer in his desk. He takes out a goblet. Snape beckons me over and I come, pushing myself out of a chair. I take the goblet from him, chugging it right there. After meeting his eye, I walk back to my desk and take a seat. I rummage around in my bag for a quill and piece of parchment.
Snape sits back down. “I’m surprised you have manners, being raised by a werewolf and all,” he calmly taunts. I still myself, trying not to take his bait. I start writing the essay needed for Potions, but Snape continues. “Especially being a werewolf yourself,” he adds, sneering. My quill breaks in my hand. I resist the urge to do something, anything to him. I ignore his provoking gaze and grab another quill. After writing a couple more sentences, I stop. Snape is still glaring at me, trying to get me to say something. I tuck my essay into my school bag and grab another piece of parchment. I start writing:
Dear Mum and Dad,
How are you? You can see that I am trying out some new words. Anyway, I haven’t had any more reactions and the Full Moon is tomorrow. I had Professor Binns this morning, so that was utterly boring. Everyone fell asleep! Did you have him? I’m currently writing this in Snape’s classroom. He kept me after class so I could take it. He keeps making snide remarks and I’m trying to lay low and not bubble over. I’ve been trying but I will eventually do something. All the other teachers are kind and understanding. See you at Christmas!
Alexia Lupin
I put the finishing touches on the letter and roll it up. Snape mutters, “It’s surprising you are adopted, seeing that you’re just like your father in every way.” Something in me breaks. I throw my things in my school bag, stand up and dash out the door. I sprint up the stairs, emerging into the hallway. My eyes flit back down the stairs and I see Snape is halfway up the steps. I make eye contact before briskly walking away, taking the crowded route to the common room. I hear Snape’s footsteps when he reaches the top, but I don’t look back. “Lupin!” he yells angrily. Slipping between students, I hurry to Gryffindor common room. I make it without him catching up.
Inside the common room, I find a crowded table, hoping Snape can’t come inside. After dumping my bag, I take out my letter. I approach Rose and ask to speak with her, away from her friends. “Do you know where the owlery is?” I ask, glancing nervously over at the portrait hole.
“Yeah, I’ll show you the way.” She waves goodbye to her friends and we climb out of the portrait hole. “How was Potions?” she asks as we climb some stairs.
“It was fine. I managed to give the class eight inches of homework and I had to stay after class,” I complain.
“Yeah, I was wondering why you came back late. This way,” Rose points. We climb some more stairs before I continue talking.
“Then Snape said some choice words and I just left.”
“You ran from a teacher?” Rose asks, astonished.
I nod. “Yes, and I know that I’ll get detention or something but I don’t care. You can’t say rude things and expect nothing to happen,” I finish. We reach the top of the stairs. I look around and see that there are owls everywhere. “Nim,” I softly beckon. A brown owl flies down from a perch and lands on my shoulder. Rose stumbles back, surprised by the owl. “Deliver this to Remus,” I whisper, tying the letter to her leg. Nim looks at me and I stroker her beak. She flaps her wings and flys out the window. Once I can’t see her I turn away from the window.
“Is she trained?” Rose moves around, looking at the different owls.
“Not much. We’re very close though.” I sigh. “She’s a great companion during transformations,” I explain. Rose looks at me for a moment, deciding what to say. She tells me we should go to dinner. We turn and leave the owlery, walking to the Great Hall in silence.
I pull out the bench at the table which scrapes against the stone floor. After taking a seat next to Violet, across from Lily, I support my head with my hand. Not bothering to eat, I watch the others. “What’s wrong?” Lily asks.
I sigh then answer, “Nothing.” They exchange glances. “Fine. It’s about Potions. I’m probably going to get detention.” Violet asks why. Rose forks a roasted potato. “Because I just left Snape in the classroom after he said something offensive,” I huff.
“Wait, you just left?” Violet looks at me for confirmation.
“Yes so the next time I see him, I know it’s a guaranteed detention.” I watch Lily grab a pastry off a tray.
“Well, have fun with that,” Lily teases.
“Now all I have to do is avoid him.” Violet spoons some gravy over her mashed potatoes.
“Can you at least eat?” Rose pesters, tired of watching me look at other people eat. I give her a look but I pick up a piece of bread and butter it. I nibble on it while Rose talks about her classes. “And Runes is okay but. . .” she continues. While she speaks I think about detention.
“Alexia,” Violet brings me out of my thoughts.
I shortly explain, “Thinking.” They nod.
“Let’s head back to the common room,” Lily suggests. We follow her out of the Great Hall. An older student hurries towards me as we are climbing the first staircase.
“From Professor Dumbledore,” he says, trying to catch his breath. He hands me a slip of paper. I thank him and watch him walk away before unfolding it. I stop walking.
“What?” Rose aks.
“I have to go see Dumbledore,” I complain.
“Have a good time,” Violet adds. They continue walking towards the common room and I yearn to go with them. I turn around and head towards his office, my feeting carrying me to where I don’t want to go. I pass several students in the hallway before reaching two stone gargoyle statues.
I look around before asking unsurely, “Uh. . . Orange cream?” At first nothing happens. Then steps rise up between the stone gargoyles. I hesitantly step onto the rising stairs. They take me up to a large, wooden door. I straighten my tie, wipe my clammy hands in my robe and smooth out my hair. I knock on the solid door.
“Come in,” a muffled voice says. After pushing open the door, I look around, maveling. There are tables with weird objects on them, portraits covering an entire wall and even a grand desk. Dumbledore is standing behind the large desk, waiting for me to come closer. I can’t figure out his expression, but it’s not mad.
I shyly say, “Hello Professor.”
“Hello Miss Lupin. Please sit,” he points to a comfy looking pair of chairs in front of his desk. I take a seat, tucking my robes beneath me and smoothing out the top. He takes a seat in a large red swivel chair.
Just as Dumbledore opens his mouth to begin I blurt out, “I’m sorry Professor for avoiding Professor Snape. He said some mean comments and I had to do something, Professor.”
Dumbledore, who seemed to know I was going to say this, says, “Thank you for the apology. I would prefer you tell that to Professor Snape, but that’s quite alright. He has already scheduled three detentions next week with you. Anyway that is not why I called you here. I believe the Full Moon is tomorrow?” I nod. “Well then we need a place for you to stay during your transformation.” He thinks for a moment. “I would naturally assume you could easily leave the Shrieking Shack,” he says thoughtfully.
I nod again and add, “I could definitely fit through the passageway, Professor.”
“Precisely my thought. Since you do not fully transform into a werewolf, we could keep you in the castle if you’d like.” Dumbledore’s blue eyes meet my green-blue eyes. I look away.
“No. I wouldn’t want to risk it,” I explain.
“Quite understandable,” Dumbledore replies. “There is an old cabin in the Forbidden Forest. Sturdy though,” he adds when he sees my doubtful look. “We could take you there. It is not very deep into the forest.”
“I’m fine with that Professor,” I think about the Forbidden Forest and all the creatures that live in it. “As long as students can’t come near.”
He nods. “Professor McGonagall will meet you in the entrance hall at four thirty tomorrow afternoon.” I nod and rise from my chair.
“Thank you Professor. . . For everything.” I take a deep breath, “If it weren’t for you I wouldn’t even be here.” Dumbledore smiles and I smile back.
“Goodnight Miss Lupin.”
I return, “Goodnight Professor.” I walk away from his desk and move towards the wooden door. I’m halfway through the door when I look back. Dumbledore is conversing with a portrait. I smile and close the heavy door. After climbing down the spiral staircase, I practically float back to the common room. Rose and Lily are waiting by the fireplace. Both eagerly wave me over.
“How was it?” Rose asks, weirded out by my happy look.
“It went okay,” I answer, looking into the roaring fire.
Lily leans forward. “Just okay? Tell us more,” she presses.
I take in the busy air of the common room before continuing. “I wasn’t yelled at or anything. Dumbledore didn’t even raise his voice. I have three detentions with Snape though.” I frown thinking about detention with Snape. Lily also frowns while Rose thoughtfully looks at me. “How is detention?” I ask.
“Don’t look at me. I’ve never been,” Rose says defensively.
“Well do we know anyone who’s gotten detention?” I ask, looking around the common room.
“James,” Lily blurts.
Rose snaps her fingers. “I can’t believe that I didn’t think of that!”
“Mum gets very mad when he gets detention. Dad doesn’t really care,” Lily recalls.
“Where is he?” I ask, finishing my inspection of the common room.
Lily supplies, “Probably finishing Quidditch practice.”
“Well we can wait,” Rose instructs, pulling a book out of her school bag. I nod and pull out my potions essay. Lily does the same.
“Don’t you play?” I ask Rose as she sits back in the armchair.
She nods. “It was an optional practice.” After writing two paragraphs, a group of older students walk through the portrait hole. James is in the center of the group, throwing and catching a snitch while listening to the others. He parts the group and takes a seat next to Lily.
“Hey sis,” he says, still playing with the snitch. After letting go of the snitch, he watches it zoom away. He catches just before it flies out of reach. I observe this technique for a minute before grabbing it a second before he does. “Alexia!” he snaps.
“Hi James,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“What do you want?” he asks, eyeing the snitch in my hands. I turn the snitch around in my hands before playing the same game he was.
“We were wondering what detention is like?” Lily pipes up.
“Of course you ask me,” he says sarcastically shocked. Lily nudges him on. “It depends on the professor. Who do you want to know about?”
Rose discloses, “Snape.”
“So somebody got detention with him,” he figures out. James looks at Lily, then Rose, then me. We give James a look that tells him that we aren’t going to tell him who. “Okay. So I know Rose would be devastated if she got detention.” She glares defensively at him. “Lily,” he says looking at her, “I would be able to tell since we live together and you are too nice.”
“Hey!” Lily interrupts.
“It’s true,” James adds. “And you,” he points at me and I stop playing with the snitch, “You haven’t said much.”
“So? It’s a hypothetical anyway,” I sass.
I throw the snitch back at him and he smiles, “You should really play Quidditch.” Rose nods in agreement.
I ignore their comment and tell him to continue.
“Snape gives harsh detentions. It also depends on his level of hatred for that student. It could just be lines or he might make you sort flobberworms.”
“Great,” I complain, sitting back in my chair, slumping down. “You basically don’t know.”
He nods. “Well I’ll let you guys be. ‘Night Lily.” He walks back to the group of Quidditch players.
I sigh. “Snape hates me. A lot.”
Lily yawns. “I think it’s time for bed,” Rose says, looking at Lily.
“You go ahead Lil, I want to finish my essay,” I tell her.
Lily wishes us both a goodnight before getting up from her armchair. I wave. Once she disappears up the stairs, I grab my school bag and move over to a two seat table. Rose joins me. “Tomorrow’s the full moon, right?” she asks. I nod, looking out the window at the bright moon peeking out from behind the clouds. After dipping my quill in my inkpot I continue writing. Rose pulls out a textbook and yawns.
“You can go to bed,” I say, not looking up from my writing.
“But. . .” Rose protests.
I cut her off, “You don’t need to look after me.” She looks at me before giving in.
“Goodnight,” she mutters. I continue writing, starting a paragraph about Lethe river water. Around me students are going to bed, leaving a handful of working older students. I hear the scratching of quills and flipping of pages. The essay is nearly finished when I look up to survey the room. Teddy is sitting in front of me. I jump in my chair and give a hushed note of surprise.
“Sorry,” he laughs quietly.
“Trying to kill me,” I tease.
“I just wanted to see if you were going to bed sometime before midnight,” Teddy wipes away tears of laughter from his eyes.
I look aghast. “What time is it?”
“Eleven fifty,” he smiles at my expression.
“Shoot!” I snatch my bag up off the ground and hold it against the edge of the table. After pushing the layer of school supplies on the table into my bag, I sling it over my shoulder. I’m almost to the staircase when I remember that I just left Teddy. Turning around, I walk back over to Teddy. He pulls me into a hug. Usually I try to squirm away, but I let him embrace. Before pulling away he whispers goodnight in my ear. After pulling away we look around awkwardly. I turn around and head up the stairs. We are great siblings, I think, opening up the door into my shared room. We are just a bit awkward in social situations. The more I think about it, the more I am confused about what happened. I change into a blue nightshirt and climb into bed.