Chapter 3:
The year proceeded on. The fall air became cooler and cooler. Quidditch matches had begun, with Gryffindor winning a good deal of them. Every week owls would drop off the Daily Prophet with news of more attacks and Death Eater rallies. It would have been nice to pretend that it was just a normal year. It wasn't though. Especially with the Slytherin's going off on their own more than usual. You Know Who was gathering his forces, who was going to say he wouldn't stop at recruiting those still in school. After all, he had begun his reign of terror while he was just a lad.
"Professor Lupin," Dean Thomas raised his hand in class. "What's going to stop the Death Eaters from coming to Hogwarts?"
Remus Lupin looked around at the class of sixteen year olds. They were so young, they should be worrying about their classes not defending themselves in the war. He looked over to the two that he called his niece and nephew, seeing them both uncharacteristically quiet. "Hogwarts is the most secure building, even more secure than Gringotts itself. Not to mention that Dumbledore himself is known to be an extraordinary wizard, one that is said to be feared by the Dark Lord."
"Can you teach us how to defend ourselves?" Esme asked. "Properly defend ourselves. You don't have to hide it from us, we know that there's a war coming. It's only a matter of time before we are forced to join it ourselves. I want to be prepared."
Lupin walked over to her desk, staring at her for a moment. He remembered almost those exact words come from her father's mouth back when they'd been in school. Sometimes it was hard to believe that they weren't their parents. "Miss Black, I'm just following the curriculum set out for us."
"That's not enough." She quickly stood up. "If Voldemort was to walk in this room right now then what are we expected to do? Stupify him?"
"You would not be expected to do anything, I would protect you." Lupin responded, voice raising slightly.
"Well that won't always be enough, will it? There's a war coming and we have to be ready for it. And if you won't teach us how to properly defend ourselves then I'll find someone who will." With that said, Esme picked up her Defense Against the Dark Arts book and threw it across the classroom. She turned on her heels, marching out of the classroom. Nobody said anything as the door slammed shut behind her.
Remus Lupin watched after her, not knowing what to do or say. Perhaps he should go after her, confront her or yell at her. His feet wouldn't move though. He couldn't seem to find the courage to go after her, knowing that it would be more of the same thing. More lies. Her parents wanted her to stay innocent when it came to this war. He'd promised them that he wouldn't tell her more than the Daily Prophet said. She was hotheaded though, not to mention stubborn. Just like her father. She was bound to get herself into more trouble than she could handle one of these days.
Class proceeded on as if Esme hadn't stormed out. Hermione was sure to make notes for Esme, hoping that perhaps she'd come to her senses later. Lupin went on to talk about different defensive stances that are better in some duels than others. He focused on the lesson he taught, not on the one he partly felt like he needed to teach. He wanted to prepare his students for what was to come. Yet he couldn't. Perhaps he just wanted them to stay innocent and hoped that this upcoming war would just fizzle out.
Esme Black wandered the halls after leaving the classroom. There was no where in particular that she felt like going. She just needed to walk to try to clear her mind. That was how she found herself stumbling up the steps to Dumbledore's office. The doors opened for her before she could even raise her hand to knock. She stepped warily into the office, not quite sure if she was interrupting anything. The old headmaster didn't seem surprised to see her, in fact it appeared as if he was waiting for her. He offered her a bit of candy as she took the seat in front of his desk.
"I figured you would come here sometime or another, Miss Black." Dumbledore spoke up. "What questions are filling your mind?"
"There are many of them, sir. Each one as haunting as the next. There's a war coming but I don't feel prepared for it. I want to fight…..I have to fight." she sighed heavily, turning to stare at the phoenix perched next to the desk. "It just feels like everyone is refusing to teach us anything that would prepare us. As if they want to try to deny that there's a war coming. But how can they with everything that's going on? I've seen the attacks in the papers. There happening more often."
"You're right, there is a war coming. It's been coming for a long time. We must prepare ourselves for what is to come. That does not mean that you must take the entire weight of the world onto your shoulders, Miss Black. Furthermore you mustn't take your fears out on those that you care about. Just because you are angry and afraid does not mean that gives you a right to lash out." he said, causing her to instantly feel ashamed about her attitude towards her uncle. She hadn't meant to act like that. She was just getting frustrated with everyone trying to pretend like it wasn't inevitable for them to fight.
A war was coming and she didn't just want to sit around and wait to be a victim. No, she wanted to be able to protect those that she cared about. She didn't want to hide in fear of what was coming. Every day was something knew. it was only a matter of time before she'd receive news that someone she cares about was hurt or killed. The possibility of that each day was driving her insane. She just kept praying that every time an owl dropped a letter in front of her it wasn't one with bad news.
"Ah, Mister Potter, so nice of you to join us." Dumbledore said as the dark haired boy entered the room.
"Evening, Professor Dumbledore. I came to check on Esme. She isn't in trouble is she?" Harry asks, not knowing whether or not she'd done something to land herself in here.
"Not this evening," the older wizard chuckled. "Instead she just came in here to talk."
"C'mon, Esme. Lupin wants to speak with you." Harry said.
"Thank you, Professor." Esme nodded towards Dumbledore before escaping down the stairs.
"Harry, if I might have a word with you?"
"Of course."
"I should advise you on keeping an eye on Miss Black. Her temperament may be getting the best of her." The Headmaster said. "You always seem to be the one to balance her out. With everything happening, it would be of everyones best interest if we all keep a level head with what's to come."
"Don't worry, I'll watch out for her." Harry said.
—
"I'm sorry for my outburst in class." Esme said as soon as she laid eyes on Lupin in his office. "I didn't mean to be such a fucking prat."
Lupin shook his head, wanting to get on to her for using such language. "You're scared. I know that. I've known you since you were a baby. You always have a tendency of lashing out whenever something scares you."
Without saying anything else, she went over and wrapped her arms around her uncle. "I know we're supposed to be professional in school, but I need my uncle more than my professor right now."
His arms encircled her. "I suppose I can allow it."
Lupin remembers watching her and Harry growing up. He loved these two as if they were his own children. He remembers times when Esme would crawl into his lap, seeking comfort from a bad dream or an injury. She always tried to put on a brave face for everyone. Sometimes the bravest people are the ones that are most scared. Gently, he ran his hand through her long brown hair.
"I'll teach you, Harry, and the others to fight." he decided out loud. "Only the five of you."
"Really?" Esme asked, her eyes full of hope.
"Really. It's better for you to be prepared than not."
"You are absolutely the best, Uncle Moony." She reached up, kissing his cheek before rushing off to tell her friends the news.
He watched her run off. Remus Lupin would do anything to protect them. They were as close as he'd ever get to having children. He wanted to shield those that he had one held when they were babies, keep them as innocent as he could. Times were changing though. It wasn't all just pranks on Filch, and Hogsmeade trips any more. He remembered having to grow up too quickly during the first Uprising, with Greyback constantly after him to join forces with the Death Eaters. Now he feared that they would have the same fate, of constantly having to look over their shoulders and jumping at the sight of shadows following too closely.
Esme walked through the halls. A slight chill in the air causing her to shiver. This wasn't the first time she'd roamed the halls after curfew and realistically it wouldn't be the last. There was something about the corridors being empty that put her at ease. During the day they were always packed with students rushing off to their next class or meal. At night time you could imagine that it wasn't a school at all. A fortress maybe, that had hidden secrets every corner you turned.
"Esme," came Harry's voice causing her to stop in her tracks.
She turned towards him, allowing him to catch up with her. "I apologized to Moony."
"How did that go?" he asked, knowing that their uncle wouldn't remain upset with her. It was impossible for him to get mad at them for too long.
"He's agreed to train us. Me, you, Hermione, Ron, and Neville. He's gonna teach us how to properly defend ourselves against what's coming." She linked her arm with his. "I'm definitely gonna kick your ass when we duel next."
Harry laughed as she continued to babble on about what spells she thought they were going to learn. She'd always been determined to be a great witch. While she struggled with Potions and Transfiguration, she excelled in every other class, even Divination for some reason. In their second year, for a short time there'd been a dueling league. Esme had been at the top of the roster for it up until Draco Malfoy pulled an illegal move and she ended up in the Hospital Wing for a week.
"That doesn't look good." Esme stopped, staring out the window at a group of Slytherins heading off towards the Forbidden Forest.
"No, it doesn't."
They watched them for a few minutes. The Slytherins certainly looked as if they didn't want to be followed. They traveled close to one another, speaking in hushed tones. Not all Slytherins were bad, but Harry hadn't met a single one that didn't have a hidden agenda. It was as if they were always out to gain something.
Perhaps they were Death Eaters. He didn't dare to say this out loud, knowing that it would rile up Esme and she'd stalk after them demanding to know what was going on. Instead he pulled her back onto the path towards Gryffindor Tower. They'd stayed out past curfew too much for one evening. He'd like to not have detention for at least another week. Last year they'd had detention for almost half the school year, which was something he'd not like to repeat.
The Gryffindor Common Room was quiet. Everyone had gone to bed. The fire had died, not even the coals glowed any more. Harry picked up a book that laid on the ground next to one of the couches.
'Property of Neville Longbottom'.
Of course it was Neville's. He said his goodnights to Esme, heading up to his dormitory. Once inside, Harry placed Neville's book on top of his trunk before heading over to his bed. He laid there, unable to sleep. Instead he stared up at the patterns on the canopy of the bed. Yet another sleepless night for Harry Potter. He seemed to be having more of these as incidents keep happening. They were safe at Hogwarts though. After all, Hogwarts is the safest place in the world.
