The Silver Nightingale

by 7Knightingale7

Feeling the impeding presence of evil coming, a thirteen year old girl, Alex Night, tries everything in her power to prepare for the inevitable, even if everyone around her is focused on the outlaw, Sirius Black. She may find that her struggles lead her out of her own loneliness.

Alex, books in hand, approaches Lupin's office, just as Harry exits.

"Oh, hey," she says, striding past. Harry looks as if he's about to say something but decides against it. Alex takes a mental note of Harry's odd behavior but otherwise shrugs it off.

She enters the room cautiously. Lupin is there, perched against his desk and deep in thought. He is ragged as always of course, but he seemed more troubled than normal.

"Professor?" Alex asks nervously. Startled, Lupin quickly turns around and gives her a warm smile, casting away his thoughtful frown.

"Yes, what is it, Alex? Can I help you with something? I'm guessing it's about the assignment I gave you yesterday," Lupin inquires, conversationally.

"Actually, Professor, I was wondering, since you are the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher…" she trails off, trying to mentally recall her script.

"Yes?" Lupin coaxes, slightly amused by her nervousness but also slightly anxious about what she's about to ask.

"I was wondering if there was anything I could do if I found myself meeting a dementor."

Letting out a small sigh of relief, Lupin smiles understandingly and says, "Well, have you committed any crimes?"

"No…?"

"Been involved in any activities that could get you into any trouble?"

"No, sir. Never."

Impressed by her honesty, Lupin states, "Well then, I don't think you have anything to worry about."

"But, Professor—" she tries to interject, but Lupin cuts her off.

"You'll be fine. Just don't go looking for trouble and stay inside school grounds. Unless, of course, you're going to Hogsmeade on the weekends."

"But, the dementors are—"

"The castle is perfectly safe, Alex," Lupin reassures then more somberly, "You have nothing to worry about."

Alex could tell that he was lying, but it wasn't about the dementors. She's not exactly been the most well-liked student at the castle, especially in her own house, Gryffindor.

With a last fleeting look and goodbye, Alex exits Lupin's office. She isn't ready to give up on dementors yet. She makes a mental note to visit the library after Potions.