Two of Us
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"Merlin, is he fine!" Lisa Sellers whispered loudly to her friend Susan Thoits.
"Please, Lisa he is a teacher," Susan said quickly, not looking up from her Defense Against the Dark Art's book.
"Well, I'm seventeen now. So..."
"-so what? You're going to seduce him?" Susan asked skeptically.
"You never know," Lisa said happily, looking towards the front of the class.
Susan raised an eyebrow at her friend who drooled over their new professor. He seemed nice enough, but he was not nearly as attractive as their last professor, Mr. Lockhart, who though good looking was as thick as a pile of bricks.
"I mean just look at him grade those essays," Lisa swooned and leaned on Susan.
Susan rolled her eyes and lightly pushed Lisa off her shoulder.
"Lisa he is simply looking at a piece of plain parchment," Susan said dryly, observing her new professor. He looked tired.
"Oh, come on Suzy! Look at the little crease in his forehead. He's so concentrated."
"If you like him so much Lisa, why don't you go and talk to him?" Susan asked cooly.
Lisa's eyes widened. "Talk to him? I would probably stutter like an idiot Susan. I'm not poised like you are."
"Oh, come one Lisa. You've had about two boyfriends this year and it's only the second week of term!"
"Yes, but that's different. Those boys are merely children. He," Lisa said pointing to the front of the room, "is a man."
Susan shut her book and stood up from her chair.
"Where are you going Suzy?" Lisa asked anxiously.
Fixing her skirt over he long legs, Susan looked at Lisa mischievously.
"I'm going to go talk to your little crush," she said, then proceeded to the front of the room.
Lisa gaped at Susan as she walked towards their new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. He was sitting at his large oak desk with a stack of parchment in front of him. The students were supposed to be 'working on their review from last year' as he caught up on the third years essays.
"Excuse me sir," Susan said politely to her consumed professor.
He quickly looked up, snapping out of his concentrated state. His eyes widened when he saw her, but he calmed when he noticed nothing was wrong.
"Yes miss....?" he said, clearly not knowing her name yet.
"Thoits, my name is Susan Thoits, Sir." Susan said smiling and offering her small hand to him.
He firmly shook her hand. "Nice to meet you Miss. Thoits. My name is Remus Lupin, or I guess professor Lupin."
"It's nice to meet you too, Sir." Susan said kindly smiling and retracting her hand from his grip.
"So, your question?" Professor Lupin inquired.
"Right, um I was just curious about the assignment you gave us. You see last year our professor was a lot more interested in himself than he was teaching us," Susan said lightly to her professor, who smiled back at her.
"So I've heard." He said solemnly. "Do you think I would be beneficial to you and your class if I reviewed the sixth year material?"
Susan nodded as she glanced at Lisa, who glared at her fiercely. "Yes, that would be very helpful Sir. especially because this is a N.E.W.T. level class," Susan said, again giving him a charming smile.
"Right, well I will see what I can do Miss Thoits. I would not want to see your education hindered in any way. What are you studying to be?" Professor Lupin asked with much interest.
"Well, I have not really decided yet, but either an Auror or a Herbologist." Susan said excitedly, she loved to talk about her schooling. Though from looking at her appearance you would not think she was intelligent, she was actually at the top of her year.
Lupin chuckled at Susan. "Now those are two professions I have never heard in the same sentence."
Susan raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"Yes, usually people despise Herbology," Professor Lupin said, scrunching his nose at the thought of the class.
"Oh, I know. Most people think I am insane for adoring plants," Susan said laughing.
"I don't think it's insane. Truly I have much respect for you."
"Well, thank you Sir. I should probably go back to my work. Would want to get behind." She said awkwardly, walking away from his desk.
"Of course not," he said nodding kindly to her.
"So, that wasn't too hard now was it?" Susan asked Lisa who sat glumly at their desk.
"I hate you," was all that Lisa said.
Susan laughed.
"No you do not. Just go ask him a dumb question. He is very kind and will answer it for you. Who knows maybe he will even kiss you!" Susan said jokingly.
Lisa rolled her eyes.
"I'll talk to him tomorrow."
'Sure Lisa. What ever makes you happy," Susan said, she did not open her book for the rest of the hour. But instead found herself staring at her new professor.
Susan pulled her long brown hair into a pony tail before pulling on her school robes. She looked at her appearance in the mirror and noticed something was missing. Her emerald, green eyes searched her appearance, but could not figure out what was missing. Knowing that if it had been something important she would not have forgotten, so she decided she had better leave. Susan walked down the dormitory stairs and into the Gryffindor common room, which at five thirty was empty. She proceeded through the portrait and down towards the Great Hall. Bypassing the Great Hall entrance, Susan headed towards the staircase that lead to the Hufflepuff commons. Stopping at a large portrait of assorted fruit Susan reached up to lightly tickle the large, green pear that glistened lightly amongst the other fruits. Smiling to herself she stepped into the passage way that opened before her. The smell of coffee and toast filled her nostrils as Susan walked into the Hogwarts kitchens.
"Miss Susan Thoits, Sully is so happy to finally see you!" A slightly drunken elf said, dancing towards Susan in a zig zagging pattern.
"Oh, Sully I have missed you too!" Susan exclaimed, meeting the odd, little house elf half way. Sully immediately pulled out a small package from her tattered jumper.
"Sully made this for Susan," Sully said happily, anticipating Susan's reaction.
Susan smiled gratefully at Sully. "You made something for me?"
Sully nodded quickly and placed the package in her hands, waiting for her to open it. Susan looked at the package, which was wrapped in an old dish towel, and unfolded the cloth carefully. It revealed a thin chain with a small rusty spoon strung on it.
"Wow! Sully this is beautiful," Susan exclaimed, actually liking the unique gift.
Sully smiled brightly at Susan. "Sully is so glad that Susan likes her gift. Sully spent hours thinking of what Susan would like."
"Well Sully I truly adore it." Susan said putting the thin chain around her neck. Sully grabbed her hand and lead her towards one of the large wooden tables that filled the room.
"Sully would like Susan to sit so Susan can eat!"
Susan complied and sat on one of the wooden benches.
"You know Sully you don't have to wait on me. I can get my own food. I only come down here for your company, not your service." Susan said to the little house elf who, after seven years, insisted upon waiting on Susan.
"But Sully loves to help Miss Suzy," Sully said, bringing Susan a plate with bacon and toast on it.
Susan smiled as Sully gave her the plate. "Thank you."
"Will Miss Susan sing for Sully?" Sully asked Susan as she began to eat her breakfast.
"Yes, of course Sully. What do you want me to sing?" Susan asked taking a sip of the coffee Sully handed her.
"Sully's favorite!" The house elf said excitedly, jumping up and down.
"Alright, one moment." Susan said, taking the last bite of her toast and sipping her coffee.
"Who knows how long I've loved you, you know I love you still. Will I wait a lonely lifetime? If you want me to, I will. For if I ever saw you I didn't catch your name, but it never really mattered I will always feel the same. Love you forever and forever, love you with all my heart. Love you whenever we're together, love you when we're apart." Susan sang loudly to Sully, but stopped when the door to the kitchens opened.
"Professor Lupin?" Susan asked.
"Please don't mind me. Keep singing." He said smiling at Susan, who's cheeks were now as red as the rusted spoon that hung around her neck.
"Yes, Sully wants Susan to keep singing Sully's favorite song!" Sully said, still jumping up and down excitedly.
"Alright," Susan said sheepishly, conscious of their new company.
"And when at last I find you your song will fill the air. Sing it loud so I can hear you, make it easy to be near you. For the things you do endear you to me. Oh, you know, I will. I will."
"Yay Sully loves Susan's singing!" Sully exclaimed as she patted Susan on the knee.
"Oh, thank you Sully. You are so kind."
"Sully is right, Susan. You have a lovely voice." Professor Lupin said, surprising Susan. She had forgotten he was in the room.
"Thank you, sir. I really only sing to the house elves." Susan said with a soft laugh.
He smiled.
"Do you like Muggle music?" Susan asked.
He nodded.
"You know I truly do. Especially that kind. How do you know the Beatles? Are you muggle born?"
"No, I am a pure blood, but you could say I'm 'rebellious'" Susan said with a wink.
Lupin laughed. "Oh, yes. That is a very rebellious thing to do. Venturing outside of the wizardry pop-culture is a very risky."
"Like I said. I'm rebellious."
"So, what brings you to the kitchens at this hour, Susan?" Lupin inquired.
"Oh, well it has been a part of my routine since I was in my third year. I have become very good friends with the house elves."
"Yes, of course. They are such kind creatures. Very loyal they are."
Susan laughed, feeling more comfortable. "Tell me about it. I have known Sully since my first year and she still refusing to let me serve myself. And if you don't mind me asking, what brings you down to the kitchen's sir?"
Professor Lupin graciously took a cup of coffee from a house elf named Dobby, then sat next to Susan. "Well, I guess you could say it's part of my routine too. When I went to Hogwart's my friends and I, we would come down here quite often. Although I think we came down more for the food."
Susan laughed.
"Of course you did."
"Hey we were teenage boys. What do you expect?"
"Nothing less." Susan joked. "But I will admit sometimes I come down here just for selfish reasons. You see I have an addiction to chocolate and when I run out I go through withdraw."
"Oh, I know how you feel. Trust me if I am ever moody in class I can guarantee it is because I ran out of my reserves."
Susan laughed again. "I'll remember that. But I have to leave, sir. I have Head Girl duties in the morning." Susan said getting up from the bench.
"Yes, of course. I will see you in class then."
"Right. See you in Defense!" Susan said, waving goodbye to her professor as she walked towards the door, trying to find Sully to say goodbye. But Sully must have gone to help make breakfast for the rest of the school.
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"Hello Percy!" Susan greeted the tall, slender, red headed boy in front of her.
"Good morning, Suzy. How are you?" He asked kindly.
"I am very well." She said standing beside him and in front of the Great Hall.
"Good."
"Yes, it is good." Susan said with a smile.
"Where is your badge?" Percy inquired, with a condemning tone.
"Uh, Cornelius Fudge! That is what I forgot!" Susan said frantically.
Percy rolled his eyes. "It's not a big problem. Just don't forget it for tomorrow."
"I won't." Susan said pacing in front of the large Great Hall door.
"So, what N.E.W.T.s are you taking this year Suzy?" Percy asked, in a faux friendly tone. Percy and Susan never really got along. They were both very competitive.
"I am taking Herbology, Potions, Defense Against the Darks Arts, Charms, Transfiguration, Astronomy, History of Magic, so, I guess all of them." Susan said, trying not to sound too proud.
"Wow, well I am taking all of those besides History of Magic and Astronomy. Do you still want to be an Auror?" Percy asked, going along with their tolerant conversation.
"I'm not really sure yet. Either that or Herbology." Susan said confidently.
But of course Percy snorted with laughter.
"You want to be a Herbologist?"
She nodded. "Yes I do. What do you want to be?"
"I want to work of the Ministry, preferably for the Minister." He said proudly.
"Ew. You want to work for Fudge?" Susan asked, seriously concerned. Fudge was an arrogant arse.
"Of course I do. There would be no higher honor."
Susan rolled her eyes. "Sure there would be. I could cure Lycanthropy or something!"
"You can't cure Lycanthropy, it's a curse." Percy said matter-of-factly.
"That's my point! If you don't have people testing and trying new things then there will never be a cure. That is why I want to be a Herbologist."
"So you can cure Lycanthropy?" Percy stared at her dumbly.
"Yes! I want to help people."
"Oh god Susan are you going on again about how you're going to cure Lycanthropy?" Lisa asked, walked towards the Great Hall for breakfast.
"Yes she is." Percy answered for her.
"You know it's impossible. Lycanthropy is a curse." Lisa stated.
"Yes I know. You have told me hundreds of times."
'Well, just give it up then." Percy said to Susan. "Look I'll even ask Professor Lupin." Percy said pointing to Professor Lupin who was walking towards the Great Hall.
"Excuse me. Professor Lupin, could you help us?" Percy asked Lupin, as he walked past them.
"Of course. That's why I'm here." Lupin said kindly, and smiled at Susan who stood beside Percy.
"Great, well Is it even worth someone's time to try and find a cure of Lycanthropy? Since it's a curse and all."
Remus's face hardened, but softened a bit as he looked a Percy.
"Of course it's worth someone's time. It is some of the most valuable time at that. It could potentially help the lives of hundreds of innocent people." Remus said sternly.
"But surely werewolves don't want the help. Right? I mean they're very aggressive creatures." Percy said with much ignorance.
Before Lupin could say anything Susan scolded him.
"Percy! Are you serious? Clearly you should go work for the Ministry because you are just as ignorant as the rest of them. Lycanthropics do not choose to become werewolves. Surely there are a few that are bad, but that's not fair to judge a whole group of people off of one person. You need to go do some thorough research, because you've got your facts all messed up!" Susan shouted at Percy, who slowly took a step back.
Professor Lupin, who's face was now twisted into a grimace, nodded in agreement with Susan. "She is right you know Mr. Weasley. You should think before you speak and know that the Ministry is not always right." Professor Lupin said before walking away.
"Look you dimwit you even made Professor Lupin upset!" Susan said smacking Percy on the arm.
"Whatever." Percy said, walking away from his Head Boy duties.
Susan shook her head at him and turned to Lisa.
"Professor Lupin seemed pretty upset, didn't he?" Susan asked Lisa who nodded.
"Yes, you should have seen his face before you verbally abused Percy. I thought he himself was going to turn into a werewolf." Lisa said jokingly.
"Well, Percy if just dimwitted." Susan said grimly.
"Yeah, but I still think Professor Lupin is damn fine." Lisa said trying to make Susan laugh.
"Yes, he is." Susan said, staring down the corridor that Lupin had disappeared through.
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Please review and tell me what you think. I love types of criticism!
Thanks, teawithme
p.s. song credit goes to 'The Beatles' the song is 'I will' off of the 'White Album.'