Chapter 7: DADA

Evelyn's POV:

"Lily stop nagging me about the Gideon case! I'm not going to forgive him any time soon, and you're just wasting your time trying to persuade me!" I cried, turning on my heel to face her.

"But don't you think I have a point. Gideon is sorry. He and Claire are on shaky terms because he's all caught up trying to get you to forgive him. What he said couldn't have deserved this type of punishment, could it?" Lily argued back.

"He what?" I stared at Lily my voice dropping to a whisper. He couldn't possible be thinking of breaking it off with Claire. Could he?

"He's depressed and he has been getting into a lot of fights with Claire. All because of you. If they break up, then it's your fault because you were too childish to solve your tiff with him." Lily explained back, adding more guilt to my shoulders.

He would really do that, wouldn't he? He worked so hard to win her over, and he would just give it up like that! That idiot!

I sighed and consented, "Fine. I'll talk to him during dinner. But right now we have DADA, and I don't want to be late."

Lily smiled back brightly, her face glowing with her win, and she practically started to skip to the classroom. I stared after her for a few moments until her voice rang out. "Hurry up! Or we'll be late. And I don't want you to be the reason I get in trouble."

Upon entering the room, Lily and I were forcibly removed from each other's sides. Lily warmly sat down next to Severus. I looked around feverishly hoping that there was one more open seat. But there wasn't, and so I stonily sat down next to Sirius.

Professor Pringley was a strict woman with her hair tied up in a tight pony-tail. Her hair was pulled back so tightly that it clung smoothly to her scalp, and her forehead stretched backwards. Her body was erect and she sat as if a metal pole was attached to her back; perfectly straight. Her heels would always click against the ground unevenly, her right foot landing more heavily on the ground than her left. As she would waddle between the rows, giving the lesson, her pudgy hands would move enthusiastically in the air, which contrasted her blank face and monotonous voice. Her dresses always were too tight for her body, and cut over her waist and hips at the wrong places. They were also too low cut and thus sometimes distracted the easier targets quickly.

"In today's class," Professor Pringley started as she waddled down the steps from her office. She took one step at a time; slowly making sure she was safe on one step before proceeding down to another step, "We will be talking about werewolves."

The class burst into an uproar. Some claimed that they were uncomfortable talking about it; other stated that werewolves were to disgusting to even be brought up. My eyes shifted as I noticed that Sirius squirmed in his chair. I took into account that his tugged roughly on his sleeve, as if trying to hid something underneath it.

"Silence! I would like you all to read pages 394 to the end of 410. We will then reconvene as a class and debate both sides of the argument that is being discussed in the Ministry of Magic; should werewolves be treated as regular witches and wizards in society? Now get to it."

I took one more glance at Sirius before flipping open my book and beginning to read its contents. It seemed like hours went by as I read through the pages. Werewolves were such fascinating creatures, and obviously couldn't help the condition they were placed in.

Reading over the facts on how to deduce whether someone is a werewolf, I looked up.

"The first major sign is if during the week prior to the full moon, said werewolf becomes moody and tends to eat red meat. The more bloody the meat is, the better it sedates the werewolf.

There are other characteristics that can be applied to the werewolf's human descriptors. Such as the paling of skin, increased irritability, a spike in the senses, and in some cases aggression. These symptoms are unique to different werewolves and might not apply in some cases.

The second major sign is if said person transforms into a werewolf during the full moon. This is very dangerous, and a person in front of a werewolf should do everything in their power not to been seen or smelt. A werewolf will not differentiate between friend or foe. It will attack without mercy, with the intent to kill.

The third, and last, major sign is if said werewolf becomes hospitalized after the full moon. This is because when a werewolf does not have a target or anything to feed on, said werewolf will attack itself. This is common for every werewolf whether it is during its phasing or when it has already transformed."

I gulped re-reading the passages over again. This can't be happening. I turned my head gingerly to my right, not catching sight of the particular Gryffindor that I wanted. I then turned my head to the left, praying to Merlin that he would be there, but he wasn't. Remus, you couldn't possibly be.

"Okay, it seems that we don't have enough time to have our debate today. With that said, your homework is to write a twelve inch paper with your response to the Ministry of Magic's question. You can take either side, I don't care, but it needs to be fully supported by quotes and by facts. That means that you must use at least one other source than this book. I expect it to be ready for tomorrow." Professor Pringley cut of my thoughts. I jotted down the homework a scrap piece of paper before shoving everything into my book bag. No way in Merlin! It must be a coincidence. But I have a prime witness right here, why not…

I took a quick glance at Sirius as he begun to pack his bag up. His sleeve had slid up and not to my surprise his arm was wrapped up in bandages.

"Sirius, where did you get that?"

Sirius looked over at me startled, and then pulled his sleeve down. His face had gone pale, and his eyes wider but I knew he was hiding a secret. I guess I have to push a little bit more. "Why? Are you concerned for me?" he retorted back.

I ignored his blatant excuse at mocking me and I answered the question truthfully. "Of course. Why would that be a shocker? We might not get along very well, but I still know you, and James likes you enough that he considers you his brother. Taking all that into account…. You can't be such a bad guy if my brother likes you. So yes, I am in fact concerned." I paused noting his reaction. His face looked blank, but in his eyes he looked particularly pleased with my response. Jeez, men and their pride. Why can't they just act happy if they hear something they like? It doesn't make them look bad.

I ignored this thought, and continued. "You should be happy that only an arm was the consequence of your midnight escapade, Sirius. I don't want to think about what could have happened the night before, and I am having a little bit of trouble thinking that Remus would have let you guys do such a dangerous thing. I'm not going to tell anybody… But if my brother gets hurt in any way, or you drag someone else into this mess, I will not hesitate to go to Dumbledore."

I paused again and looked at Sirius. His face had gone sheet white, and he gulped loudly. His arms crossed over his chest tightly, as if he was trying to protect his secret with his arms. His posture was rigid and his eyes had lost a bit of its secretive shine.

"How much do you know?" His voice quivered as he asked.

"Enough. I was able to identify it in class today. And I know for a fact that my brother had books on Animagi over the summer. And I also know for a fact that a… that it only becomes less dangerous when other animals are around."

"Okay, fine you caught us. We figured out second year and since then we have been researching different ways to help him. We can't let this secret get out, Eve! It wouldn't be fair on him, especially because everyone already likes to make fun of him. And besides it's not your secret to tell! And if I hear one word about this getting around, I'll come and find you! Do you hear me? I don't care if you are James Potter's little sister, but I will not stand for a snitch in the group!" Sirius growled out, his face growing with venom every minute.

I felt like taking a step back, but that would mean that I gave something to him. That I was weaker than him, and I am not weaker than him. But Sirius' words stung no less.

"How dare you! How dare you accuse me of being a snitch! I'm no less of a snitch than my own brother!" I pulled back, seeing the shocked look on Sirius' face, and collected myself. "Don't get this wrong Sirius. I have no intention of telling anybody. But if anything happens to anybody other than you four, I might just have to tell somebody."

I slung my book bag over my shoulder, and started to walk out. I stopped abruptly at the door.

"A word of wisdom, Sirius. Never confuse me for a snitch. I only have people's best interests in mind." With that I left the room, Sirius still standing inside.