Year 1: Part 10

Wednesday, September 8th 1971

When Remus' alarm went off the next morning, Sirius threw a pillow at him from across the room. Despite having his eyes closed, Sirius' aim was remarkably good and, despite his fatigue, the throw was still forceful enough to cause Remus to let loose a muffled 'Ouch!'

Peter blinked across at them blearily before rolling over and going back to sleep. James continued to snore through the entire encounter. Remus flailed wildly for the alarm clock and turned it off.

Just one more minute, he thought.

It was ten past nine when the three of them rushed into the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, panting heavily. The rest of the class, which had been busy copying notes from the blackboard, looked up to stare at them, causing Remus to blush. Then he noticed the woman at the front of the class and began to blush even more.

She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her pale skin seemed to glow and her golden hair seemed to flash like jewels in the light cast by the late summer sun through the window behind her. And her eyes… he had never seen such a deep blue.

But those eyes weren't looking at him with the soft tenderness one might expect from such eyes. They were filled with pure hatred and Remus had a feeling that it wasn't simply because he was late that she felt that way towards him; he could also detect a flicker of fear. He bit his lip nervously.

"Sorry we're late Professor Childe," James said smoothly and the woman turned to face him, the hatred in her eyes dimming to anger.

"You're ten minutes late, Mr Potter. Five points from Gryffindor, each." There was a groan from the Gryffindor members of the class.

"Mr Lupin." Professor Childe turned her attention back to Remus and the hate and fear returned, causing him to flinch back. "I would have thought that, after missing your first ever lesson of Defence Against the Dark Arts, you would have made more of an attempt to make a good impression today. Obviously I was wrong to expect such high standards from you."
There was a brief snickering from the Slytherin students in the room.

"S-sorry, professor," Remus mumbled.

"It wasn't his fault he missed the first lesson," James argued, in an attempt to stand up for his new friend. "And it's our fault he's late, not his."

Remus was surprised by James' comradeship and, though he was grateful for it, he could also see the pointlessness of it. He didn't want to get his new friends into trouble and so opened his mouth to argue that, actually, it was all his fault. Before he could say anything, however, Sirius had elbowed him in the ribs.

"When one Marauder's in trouble, we're all in trouble," he growled. "We never have to go through anything alone."

Remus grimaced inwardly, thinking of his transformations. But I don't have to be alone for everything, he thought. Perhaps I ought to accept the help of the other Marauders whilst it lasts.

The professor ignored James and continued to glare at Remus.

"I suppose it's pointless for me to expect that you've caught up on what you missed last lesson, or that you've read the first chapter of your text book in preparation for this lesson?"

Remus thought of his pitiful attempt to ask the other Marauders what had happened in Monday's lesson. At least, he thought, I have read the chapter.

He had, in fact, read the entire book over the summer holidays and memorised parts of it off by heart.

"I-I've r-read the chapter," he told the angry beautiful woman before him.

"Then you'll be able to tell me what the difference is between a hex and a jinx?" the professor asked, doubt resounding in her voice.

It took Remus only a moment to recall the exact wording of the textbook.

"A jinx is a spell designed to produce negative effects on its target. They may cause a minor amount of discomfort such as the production of pimples on the skin or the prevention of apparition. Jinxes are generally used for defensive purposes.

"A hex, on the other hand, tends to be used for offensive purposes. Hexes are very similar to jinxes, but the amount of discomfort caused by a hex is larger than that of a jinx and, thus, they are considered to be of Darker magic than that of a jinx but not as Dark as a curse."

The classroom fell silent as Remus finished his recitation and he blushed further and continued to bite his lip.

Professor Childe was quick to regain her composure.

"I see that you can, at least, read," she sneered. "But understanding what is written is a different matter."

"Mr Potter," she snapped suddenly. "You shall sit next to Mr Avery here at the front. Mr Mulciber, Mr Pettigrew, you will sit together on the bench at the back right corner. Mr Black, with Mr Snape and Mr Lupin with Miss Evans." Professor Childe threw an endearing glance at the red-head. "Miss Evans here is a model student. You would do well to follow her example. And I'm sure, if you ask nicely, she will let you copy her notes from last week."

Lily Evans smiled shyly and Remus breathed a sigh of relief as he moved to sit next to her. He didn't envy the other Marauders who grumpily went to sit next to their appointed partners. He was sure the Slytherins wouldn't make great conversationalists.

Ten minutes later a scream from the back of the room caused the lesson to be interrupted for a second time. All turned in their seats to see Peter Pettigrew fly backwards across the classroom.

"Sorry Professor," Mulciber drawled. "I was practicing my wand movement for the Flipendo jinx but Pettigrew must have got in my way."

"I applaud your eagerness, Mr Mulciber," Childe said, "But you should not practice spells without my authorisation. Mr Pettigrew, if you're hurt, remove yourself from this room and seek out Madam Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing. If not, please stop your whimpering and return to your seat."

Peter took one terrified look at the bench next to Mulciber and fled from the room.

"Now, as I was saying," Childe began but before she could finish her sentence there was a loud bang as Mulciber re-enacted Peter's flying act.

"Who?" Childe demanded, glaring angrily around the room. Her eyes were instantly drawn to the suspiciously innocent expression on James' face.

"Mr Potter," she began but at that moment there was another bang and it was Avery who was now flying across the room.

"Mr Black!"

The professor's face was now purple with rage. Sirius looked at her and, like James, he was the perfect picture of innocence.

"He was pulling his wand out, Professor," he said smoothly.

"Liar."

Severus Snape, the boy who had been insulting James and Sirius on the train, had joined in the argument. Sirius turned on him.

"And what would you know about it, Snivellus?" he goaded. "With all that greasy hair, it's a miracle you can see to the end of your nose."

"Why you…"

"I'm not even sure he can see that far, Sirius," James added, thoughtfully. Remus felt a feeling of dread stir in the pit of his stomach. "I mean, look at that nose. It's so long."

Snape's eyes were bulging furiously and Professor Childe looked as though she was going to explode at any moment.

"Yeah, what's wrong with it?" Sirius taunted. "Have a run-in with an engorgement charm or something?"
Snape's wand was in his hand before either of them could blink. He pointed it straight at Sirius' heart.

"Immobulus!"

The entire class was suddenly frozen in place.

"Never!" Professor Childe said. "Never in all my years of teaching have I ever seen such behaviour. Mr Potter, Mr Black, Mr Snape, detention. Report to Mr Filch in the trophy room at seven this evening. Mr Avery, Mr Mulciber, get to the Hospital Wing now. Mr Snape, remain where you are. Mr Black, to the back of the room. Mr Potter, to the front."

She released the freezing charm.

"Now!" she ordered and the named individuals hurried to their assigned places. As he passed Remus, Sirius gave him a little wink and a toothy grin. Remus felt faint.

Well, he thought. They had wanted to get a detention before him. And at least now he could be sure of a nice quiet night.