Chapter 4: Issues and Some Fighting

Willow had barely set foot in the castle when Remus was suddenly herding her down a corridor. It was a few moments in which Willow was questioning him before she recognized the familiar route. "Remus, I'm fine! I do not need to go to the Hospital Wing." He simply ignored her and continued walking very quickly.

They reached the Hospital Wing but Madam Pomfrey was not there. "Lay down," Remus said sternly. With a roll of her eyes, Willow laid down on the first bed. "She's probably with Harry," Remus remembered. "I sent an owl saying he was ill."

"When did you do that?" Willow asked.

"Just before I came to check on you."

"Oh, well, that makes sense," Willow said between clenched teeth. She was angry with Remus, Harry too. Remus was her family. He was all she had left. Harry couldn't have him. He still had those muggles. Sure, he hated them, but they were still his family. He had the Weasleys too, just like she did. Was there anyone she didn't have to share with Harry?

"What's wrong Willow?" Remus questioned.

"Nothing. I just thought you might want to make sure I was alright before you sent an owl to ensure Harry's well being," Willow replied.

"Come on, that's not fair. I have just as much responsibility to Harry as I do to you."

"No you don't! He has the Weasleys, Hermione, an actual family, and he's Dumbledore's pride and joy. I have you and the Weasleys. I can't even be apart of the Weasleys because I'm more of a burden than anything else! Harry doesn't have that problem." Remus tried to comfort her, but she brushed him off. "Just go back to the feast. I'll wait for Madam Pomfrey."

After he had left, Willow immediately felt a surge of guilt. Remus had every right to worry about Harry. Harry didn't even know he had someone like Remus looking out for him. Willow could go to Remus and talk to him, while Harry couldn't. She needed to hug him, she decided. Willow solved everything with a hug.

She made her way to the kitchens, getting some dinner, having missed the feast, as well as the Gryffindor password from her favorite house elf, Merip. She and Ginny always visited Merip when they needed something and she was quite glad to help.

Willow made her way to Gryffindor tower just before curfew. She was assaulted by the angry voices of Fred and George. "Where have you been?" they shouted in unison.

"First the Hospital Wing and then the Kitchens. Now, I'm here," she answered quietly.

"We were worried sick!" Fred continued angrily.

"Guys, I'm seriously not up to this right now," she said, a little louder.

"Fine. But, don't worry us like that. There is a murderer on the loose and dementors all around the castle," George explained, much more calmly than his brother.

"Dementors? Dumbledore let Dementors guard Hogwarts?" Willow asked, confused.

"Yeah, but he's definitely not happy about it," Hermione replied, making herself known to Willow for the first time. "Leave her alone guys. She's not a baby, even if you treat her like one. Come on, Willow, Ginny's looking for you." Willow waved goodbye to the twins before following Hermione up to the second year girls' dorm.

"Hey Gin," Willow greeted, sitting on Ginny's bed beside Hermione.

"Did the twins bite your head off yet?" Ginny laughed. Willow just rolled her eyes. They're behavior wasn't always humorous.

"Oh yeah. So, you were looking for me?"

"Yes. Partly because you were missing without a trace, and partly because I did not know, until the feast anyway, that you passed out. I also have to tell you about the dementors as well as Hagrid's promotion. You also need to tell me about the fight you had with Remus, I mean Professor Lupin," Ginny listed everything until Willow was dizzy.

"Um, okay. I am not missing and I am perfectly fine. I have heard about the dementors and have no idea about Hagrid. The argument is really stupid and all my fault."

"So, Professor Lupin is your godfather?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah, but don't tell anyone. The Weasleys know, but not Harry. It's important that he doesn't know, actually."

"Okay, sure. He'll find out eventually though. It's just something he does," Hermione joked, but of course she was right.

"So Hagrid is the new Care of Magical Creatures professor. Now, the argument?"

"Way to ease into it Ginny," Willow said sarcastically. "So, I found out that Remus sent an owl about Harry being ill before coming to check on me. I was angry, more selfish than angry I suppose. I yelled and said some things about Harry having an actual family, regardless of their cruelty, the Weasleys, and Hermione, not to mention Remus. I have Remus and my friends, but I can't feel apart of the Weasleys because I'm more of a burden than anything else. I realized two minutes too late that I'll always be able to go to Remus, but he has to hide from Harry." Ginny or Hermione didn't say anything. They knew that Willow couldn't be talked out of this. Ginny simply gave her a hug and they sat in silence.

"It'll be okay, he'll for give you. Just do what you always do," Ginny encouraged.

"Oh yeah, and what's that?"

"Give him a hug," Hermione answered for her, with a grin.

***

"Good morning," Willow greeted everyone at the table: Lee, the twins, and the three chasers from the Gryffindor house team.

"Hello Willow," Katie Bell said. There were similar responses from everyone except the twins.

"What's up with you two?" asked Ginny as she joined them. Neither of them responded.

"They're still mad at me for worrying them," Willow answered with a sigh.

"That's what has upset them?" said Alicia. "You guys can't be mad at her! It's not as if she decided to worry you."

"You're both being ridiculous," Angelina added.

"Yeah, well. Maybe we like being ridiculous," Fred responded angrily. George nodded in agreement.

"Well, I'm sorry either way," Willow said quietly.

"Oh, no. Do not pretend to be sad! George make her stop!"

"Fine, we forgive you," George said quickly. "Just stop looking that way." They were all laughing when Professor McGonagall came over with their schedules.

"Oh no," Willow groaned. "We have Defense right after Herbology!"

"We better get going Willow, come on." With a quick goodbye Willow followed Ginny out of the Great Hall.

All throughout Herbology, Willow worried about Remus being angry with her. Therefore, Ginny spent it reassuring her that it would be fine. Of course, Willow still worried.

Eventually, Willow couldn't avoid it any longer. It was partly because the bell had just rung and partly because she was in the Defense classroom already. She took her seat in the back of the room just as Remus emerged from his office.

He had his briefcase in one hand and his wand in the other. "Good morning, class," he greeted excitedly. The mumbled responses were dismal in comparison to his cheeriness. "Wonderful to know you're all excited to learn," he teased. This time the second years all laughed at his joke, even Willow couldn't help it.

As she watched him begin to explain what they would be studying this year, Willow was completely astonished. Remus was so obviously in his element. He was walking around the classroom with a spring in his step, making jokes and grabbing everyone's attention. She felt a tremendous rush of pride as he flawlessly answered questions.

When the bell rang, everyone collected their things and left, chatting about their new teacher. Willow, taking advantage of their free period said to Ginny, "I'll meet you in the Common Room soon, okay?" Ginny simply grinned, knowing there was an overenthusiastic hug in Professor Lupin's future.

Not looking up from his work, but hearing the last occupant of his classroom, Remus scolded, "You better not miss your next class."

"I have a free period," Willow answered.

"Oh, I didn't realize it was you," he said with no emotion at all.

There was an awkward silence as Willow sat atop the front desk. "Before I say anything else, I want to apologize. I shouldn't have blown up at you like that."

"And?" he prompted her to continue.

"And I shouldn't have gotten jealous or taken you for granted?" Willow guessed hopefully.

He stood up and walked over to where she was standing and faced Willow. "Yes," he said sternly. "But you will also never make me choose between you and Harry again," he finished even more seriously.

Willow nodded slowly, shocked at how much this had hurt him. How much she had hurt him. Remus smiled down at her before continuing in his naturally kind voice, "You're very special to me Willow, don't forget that."

"Can I hug you now?" she asked him quietly. His old grin returned as he pulled her close. "I think having you all to myself has spoiled me," she mumbled. Remus chuckled in response.

Willow spent most of her remaining free period talking to Remus. She complimented him on his natural professoring. Yes, he told her professoring was not a word, but oh well.

***

Willow made her way to the Great Hall for lunch, spotting Ginny at their House table. "Hello Ginny," Willow greeted happily.

"I see everything is back to normal between the two of you," Ginny assessed. Willow grinned in conformation. "That's good." Ginny's face got red all of a sudden and Willow followed her gaze to see Harry, Hermione, and Ron making their way towards them.

"Hello Willow," Hermione greeted, sitting next to Ginny whom she also said hello to.

"Harry, how are you feeling?" Willow asked.

"Who told you?!" he asked, shocked.

"Well Professor Lupin mentioned it to me."

"Willow, what are you talking about? How would he have even known, it just happened."

"Harry, I'm talking about the dementor from the train," Willow decided this would clear it up.

"Oh, right. I'm fine, it was no big deal."

"That's good, I was a little worried."

"Why would Professor Lupin have told you?" Harry asked her. "Not that I mind!"

"Oh, he was just trying to make me feel better. I fainted too, you know."

"Really? No one told me."

"So what were you talking about before," Willow asked.

"Oh, nothing," Harry answered, avoiding the subject.

"Professor Trelawney, the Divination professor, predicted that Harry was going to die," Hermione explained to Willow.

"Oh, well, that sucks. But, then again, you have almost died three times," Willow reasoned.

"That's a pleasant thought, Willy," Ron added.

"I only meant that she's such a fraud she picked the best candidate, which happens to be Harry, Ronniekins."

"Hey! Don't call me that," Ron shouted angrily.

"Fine, just don't call me Willy."

"Yeah, Ronniekins. That's our job," said Fred, taking a seat next to Willow.

"Willy is our Willy and no one else's!" George yelled loudly, creating an echo throughout the Great Hall. He took his seat on the other side of the now mortified Willow.

When the strange looks they were getting subsided, Willow said, "Thanks so much for that George. Now you know why Fred is my favorite twin." While Fred bragged to his twin, Ginny choked on her pumpkin juice.

"You okay, Gin?" asked Fred.

"Yeah, never better," she answered, barely hiding her smile.

"Come on Ginny, we better get to Potions," Willow said quickly. She grabbed Ginny's hand, waved goodbye to everyone, and darted out of the Great Hall.

"Way to keep it cool Gin-," Willow was complaining when she heard the unmistakable cackle of the evil Slytherin trio.

"He's such a joke!" cackled Harper Avery.

"Looks like he got into a fight with a thorn bush," laughed Lacie Cricks.

"And his robes were a disgrace. He must be a mudblood," sneered Alice Chase.

"You wouldn't happen to be bad-mouthing Professor Lupin, would you?" asked Willow.

"So what if we are," answered Harper, stepping up to Willow. Her sidekicks flanked her, while Willow had Ginny.

"Then I'd have to recommend that you cease and desist."

"And if I refuse?" she continued, looking at Ginny as if she were dirt on her shoe.

"Well, I'd just have to do this," Willow decided. With faster action than she expected, Willow punched Harper in the nose. She then whipped out her wand and delivered a nasty bat-bogey hex to both Alice and Lacie.

Without a second glance, Willow continued her way to the dungeons. "Oh my god, Willow! I cannot believe you used my powers for evil! I teach you that wonderful hex and you use it for selfish reasons? I have never been more proud," Ginny laughed.

She couldn't stop talking about it in all of Potions. She even told Abigail and Colin, who were sitting one table over.

Willow and Ginny were skipping towards Double History of Magic when someone called, "Miss Bryden, Miss Weasley, I would like a word." They both physically cringed as they turned to see a still twinkling Professor Dumbledore.

Author's Note: Long time no see, eh? Yeah, I know, my lack of updates is no laughing matter! Anywho, it is time for news on my story. I need feedback on Willow's character. Why? I'm not sure. I meant for her to be brave and smart, but also special in a way. But yeahh. Help me out please! So um reviews and I will update ASAP. Or I'll try.