Chapter 2 – An Old Friend
The start of the year feast was an interesting time. First we start with the Sorting hat ceremony. All of the older students sat and watched the new arrivals anticipate being sorted in their respective houses. Everyone applauded when each student was sorted. After the sorting there were a few words from Dumbledore and then vast quantities of food and drink in which the entire Hogwarts population feasted as if they hadn't eaten in years.
I sat at the Gryffindor table with another book in my hand. I was reading another muggle fantasy novel. I was one of the few who were fascinated by the muggle interpretation of the mystical world. I slowly grabbed a piece of chicken and carefully ate it as I continued to read. While I was reading, Angelina was talking loudly and quickly with her quidditch girl friends. I lightly paid attention to my book while I listened to their conversation.
"Why did you break up with Paul Angie?!" Katie squealed.
"He just wasn't giving me what I needed in a relationship. Also he had weird toes." I rolled my eyes. Angelina always found reasons to break up with her boyfriends. Angelina was the girl that loved being in a relationship but hated commitment. She never seemed to get past the 6-month mark. Once she felt that she was stepping into a routine she called it quits. Angelina needed excitement and she was in no hurry to find the love of her life.
"You always know how to kick them to the curb don't you Angie? You know one day someone will do that to you sooner or later! What do they say Ava?"
"Karma is a bitch…" I smiled as I turned the page in my book. As the girls started laughing I glimpsed up at the teacher's table and saw that there was a new teacher—defense against the dark arts I am assuming. Every year there was a new DADA teacher. Let's see how long this guy will last. Although looking young he had grayish-brown hair that was a bit scruffy. He was wearing an extremely shabby set of wizard's robes (a little too shabby for a teacher). As I was looking at him he slowly looked up at me. His gaze was piercing. Although I felt a bit uncomfortable I was unable to move my gaze from this teacher.
Suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulder and our gaze was broken. I jolted and turned to see who tapped me on the shoulder. As I quickly turned my book knocked my goblet over and spilled tea all over the pants of…Oliver Wood!!! Oh sod it! I just spilled hot tea all over the pants of Oliver Wood! As I frantically grabbed my napkin and tried to dry him off, Oliver laughed and grabbed the napkin out of my hand and wiped himself off.
"You sure do know how to get a bloke's attention now do ya?" I blushed as I began to apologize profusely. He laughed again as he shook his head. "Don' worry about it. I 'ave suffered worse. The trials of being quidditch captain' eh?" I brushed my hair back with my fingers and smiled.
"Yeah I remember the time when Marcus Flint knocked you off your broom a couple years ago. I was really nervous. You were in the hospital wing for a couple days." He smiled as he raised an eyebrow.
"I dinna know you were a fan. You don' seem like the type to watch quidditch. I figured you were the intellectual type." I smiled as I looked into his eyes and swooned. He thought about me.
"I like to keep a nice balance between business and pleasure." I grabbed my goblet, seeing that it magically filled back to the brim with tea. I took a sip. "So why are you here Mr. Wood? Business or pleasure?" I heard Angelina cough as she was stopping herself from spitting out her drink. I can't believe I said that! I never was that bold. I guess I was overcoming my shyness a bit.
Oliver sat back and smiled. "I see you like to get to business. I like that. I was wonderin' if you can help me with my History of Magic class this year. This is my last year at Hogwarts and I need a bit o' help to pass. Angelina told me you were good at it and that you wouldn' mind helpin' me. Was she righ' or do I have to ask some other gorgeous lady to help me?" At that I really blushed. He thought I was gorgeous!
"I can help you. But what would I get in return?" I said as I raised an eyebrow at the handsome quidditch captain.
"Maybe we can come to some sor' of arrangement." He winked as he got up from the table and sat back down with some seventh years. As I watched Wood dreamily I heard a chuckle next to me.
"Why don't you just eat him with a spoon?" I sighed as I turned around.
"I would Fred but I doubt Hogwarts would support cannibalism. And besides… I don't know if Wood would appreciate me attacking him with a spoon." I turned towards the table and grabbed a roll and buttered it. Fred chuckled and turned to speak with his brother George. Before I had time to put the roll in my mouth Alicia, Angelina, and Katie began to speak a mile a minute.
"I
can't believe that just happened!"
"I told you I would have him
eating out of your hands by the end of the term but by the way you
acted you will have him eating out of your hands by the end of the
week!"
"Ava, I knew there was a Vixen in you somewhere!"
I held up my hands. "Woah girls calm down! I'm only his tutor who says it will lead to something more?"
"Oh lay off it Ava. A guy like Wood doesn't just have platonic relationships. If I know Wood he will try to get you to play on his quidditch field before you know it!" I rolled my eyes as I stood up from the table.
"I think I'm going to take a walk before I head off to bed. See you girls later." Although I denied Angelina's claim internally I hoped that would happen. I've seen Wood around girls. Maybe he'll be the one to bring me out of my shell. I smiled and hummed to myself as I walked down the empty corridor towards the library. I always enjoyed the library when I wanted some time alone. Very few students made their way to the library and that allowed me to relax and read in peace. I would also like to gather my thoughts in silence.
As I turned down the hallway I bumped into someone, causing me to drop my book on the floor. As I bent forward to grab it I saw a hand that was older and weathered pick up my book from the floor and hand it to me. I looked into those piercing eyes that I had saw in the dining hall.
"I'm so sorry Professor…" I said looking to get his name. Figuring what I was looking for the teacher did not leave me in suspense.
"Lupin. Professor Remus J. Lupin. I'm the new…"
"Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I figured as much."
He slowly smiled. "You're very observant I see. And why are you walking the halls so late Ava?"
"Well I was just…" and then it hit me. "How did you know my name?"
He paused for a split second before he answered. "Professor Dumbledore. He told me that you are Hogwarts brightest pupil. You also have a strong knack for Divination according to Professor Trelawny."
I smiled. "He flatters me. But I guess I take after my mom. She was great at Divination from what I've been told."
"I know." Professor Lupin had a small smirk as sadness seemed to fill his eyes. I looked at him questioningly.
"You knew my mother?" He smiled as he seemed to snap out of his daze.
"Yes I knew Vanessa. We went to school together. I got to know her real well. You look just like her. And you act like her." I smiled as I looked down at the ground.
"I don't remember her all that much. She died when I was four. I wish I could have known her more." Professor Lupin put his hand on my shoulder.
"If you care to know anything about her I will gladly tell you. But not at this moment. I must get going unfortunately… Professor Dumbledore is expecting me in his office right about now. I will see you in class. Goodnight Ava." And with that he disappeared down the hall.
Professor Lupin seemed like an interesting man. It was nice to know of someone who knew of my mother. I was going to make it my business to get as much information I could gather.
