Alright! It's a new chapter! I must write quickly before this writer's
block comes back. So, here goes.
Dedication- This one's for Italia12. I thank you for pointing out that the last chapter got a little awkward.
Chapter 11- In the Short Shadow
*****
Aeris struggled to not put her desk to fire as she read all of the notices, which were ever-so-conveniently colored pink, from the so-called "High Inquisitor of Hogwarts" that lay scattered across her room, and desk. She quickly scooped them off of the desk top, opened her room window, attached a rock to it, and chucked them out the window, watching it fall. She had to calm down, she couldn't let that get to her now, and she had just come back from being temporarily "out-sick".
She cautiously pulled up her sleeve, and looked at the wicked mark that Voldemort himself placed on her. Disgusted, she spat on it, and glared at it.
"You think I'm going to let you get away with this," she hissed scathingly at it, "But I'll see to it that you will fall, even if I have to break that prophecy."
"Do you really think that you could kill someone who has murdered many people even before you were born," the gentle voice of Dumbledore stated.
Aeris turned towards him, glared at him, and then she just broke down. She fell on her hands and knees, and started to cry so bad that she started shaking, and gasping for air. She felt Dumbledore's caring hand on her shoulder. She stood up, and looked at him through tear-filled eyes. He smiled at her and calmly stated, "You haven't eaten anything today have you."
Aeris bowed her head, and said, "No sir, and I know, 'You don't like your staff making rash decisions on an empty stomach.'"
He smiled, and as he sidestepped, he revealed a tray with sandwiches. He stated, "Before you do anything, I want you to eat these."
"Then can I make rash decisions?"
"As long as you follow the rules."
"Yes sir."
He smiled and turned to leave. He opened the door, but before he left, he turned to face Aeris, who was by the open window, with the tray of sandwiches, and he commented, "And I'll know if you don't eat them," and walked out the door.
She flopped into her chair, and started to nibble on the corner of a sandwich, while looking into the fire. She remembered so many times that she had slipped out of her dorm, and went down with James and Sirius down to the kitchens, where the house elves gave her sandwiches like the one she was eating now. She looked around the dark room, but she felt trapped.
She got out of the chair, walked over to the balcony, and opened the doors. She leaned against railing and watched the sunset over the quidditch pitch. Memories flooded her as she remembered so many Griffindor practices that ended during the evening.
*****Flashback*****
"Come on James," Sirius, sixteen, called out, "It's late, and I'm hungry."
"Not now, we still have to go over this play," James hollered back.
Aeris readjusted her arm straps, and redid her hair tie. She looked down from her point to Sirius, and shouted, "Yeah, after you catch me, I want you to keep your hold. I also don't want you to French kiss me again, or else you'll wishing that a bludger knocked you off your broom, not me."
"How do you know that I won't bring you down with me," Sirius asked, floating up to her.
"Because, I know you," Aeris replied, turning away from him.
"Oh yeah," he asked, as he knocked her off of her broom, and went falling down with her.
"Sirius," she screamed, but was paying too much attention at how close the ground was approaching.
She felt his arm wrap around her, and pulled her out of the dive. She grabbed the broomstick to steady herself, as Sirius still had his arm around her to make sure that she didn't fall. He slowed the broomstick down, as Kristin Trillan, the other chaser, handed Aeris her broomstick. Aeris hoped off of Sirius's broom, and flipped herself onto hers. They both looked at each other, and laughed.
James flew over, his face full of anger, as he said, "Sirius, that was a very dangerous thing to do, and Aeris, you should know better than to provoke Sirius."
"Sorry sir," Sirius, and Aeris said together, then looked at each other, and started laughing again.
Celeste Potter, James younger sister, and the keeper, flew over to her brother, and said, "You have to hand it to them though bro, at least they know what they're doing."
"Oh shut up."
"Make me," Celeste said, as she took off like a shot, while her brother followed her.
Sirius looked at Aeris and asked, "So is practice over?"
"I guess so," she replied, still watching the siblings flying around like maniacs.
*****End Flashback*****
She watched the quidditch players float down from their positions, and then a few minutes later, she watched the lights go out from the pitch. She knew that it was just a matter of time before it would be lights out, so she closed the doors, rushed over to her closet, pulled out a fresh black robe, and a pair of black slacks, and a button-up pale blue shirt, and rushed into the bathroom.
When she exited, she pulled her hair back, and put a pair of goggles on. She walked over to her chest, opened it and pulled out a Nimbus 2003 (the newest model in my mind). She opened the balcony doors again, sighed, since she hadn't done this for a while, then she backed up, ran to the balcony's railing, then vaulted off of it, right into a nose dive.
She wrapped her legs around the broom, and then waited until the last moment. She pulled out of the dive with enough room left to feel her robe brush against blades of grass. This was something that James had taught her to get opposing chasers off her back.
She loved the fresh air, and the feeling of being free. This was why she had become a professor, because she was safe to show off her talent, and she could be free at night.
Aeris knew exactly where she was going. She watched her shadow silently follow her on the ground below. She headed past the lake, and towards Hogsmeade. She needed a drink. Looking at her wizarding watch, the hand pointed to going to be too late, so she urged her Nimbus to fly faster. She landed, not very gracefully though, in front of The Three Broomsticks.
Slamming open the door, she saw that it was practically deserted. Madame Rosemerta appeared from her storage closet, saying, "We're closing up for the night. Try again tomorrow," then looking up, and seeing Aeris, she screamed, and said, enveloping her in a hug, "AERIS! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? THINGS HAVEN'T BEEN THE SAME WITHOUT YOU!"
"I'd really like to breath right now," Aeris gasped a reply, which made Rosie drop her friend. Aeris smiled, and continued, "Now, if you have something to drink around here, I'd like to tell you," looking around the shop.
It hadn't really changed much since she was there last, which was about eighteen years ago. Since it was nearing Halloween, like every year, Rosie and the owner's of Honeyduke's, had their master-selling ploy. The sign outside The Three Broomsticks read: "For every two Butterbeers, get five sickles off a dozen pumpkin pastries". The room was decorated with flying jack-o-lanterns that would sing haunting tunes to anyone that would pay a knut. In the back, a muggle television had been set up and bewitched to function, letting the people in Muggle Studies get a better look at Muggle culture.
Aeris walked over to a table, while Rosie came back with drinks. Taking them from the tray, she said, "A butterbeer for you, and a cherry royale for me."
The two raised their glasses at each other, and clinked them together. Aeris downed the entire thing, and slammed it on the table. Rosie, noticing her friend's anger, asked, "So, how is teaching going?"
Aeris grunted, and looked into her empty mug. Finally she sighed, and then started to go on, in a very quick voice that made her slur everything together, "First I get this letter asking for my assistance as a DADA professor here, and to add extra protection to the school, and to look after my best friend's kid, who's also my godson. Then I find out that the Ministry is full of a bunch of asses, sending a High Inquisitor that doesn't even have the same amount of magic as I do in my little finger. She's a pain in the ass, and I have to control my temper, so as not to get Dumbledore into trouble. I have an inspection tomorrow, and I have to talk to Dumbledore about the Winter Break, and I'm not ready to teach student's who are filled with desire to learn from a book that will put them to sleep in their first second of reading it."
As Aeris caught her breath, Rosie stared at her glass, then she set it down, put her hand on Aeris's, and said, "What I think you need is some of that Odgen's Fire Whiskey that's in Severus's liquor cabinet. Then I think that you should get some sleep, and talk to Dumbledore."
"It's just that I can't Rosie, this is why I enjoyed travelling so much, I'd only have to do what I was assigned, and then discuss it with my employer after I was finished. I don't know how long it will be until I leave Hogwarts . . . again."
"Well, from what I hear, that Dolores Umbridge would love to see someone related to a half breed fail miserably at her examination."
The hairs on the back of Aeris's neck start to prickle at the reference of her brother as a half-breed. Rosie, sensing her friend's hostility, raised up her hands cautiously, as she said, "Not that I have anything against your brother. Believe me, Remus was kind, and gentle as a child, and he's an understanding, mild-mannered gentleman now."
Aeris couldn't help but crack a grin at her friend's last few words, and teased, "A mild-mannered gentleman who midnight's as a blood thirsty demon, as some define werewolves." She put her hand on the table and stood up, saying, "Well, this was fun, and we must do it again sometime, but I have to get back, and try to get some sleep."
As she opened the door to the Three Broomsticks, a gust of cold wind caught her by surprise. She pulled her robe closer to her, mounted her broom, and took off. Flying over the lake, she thought about how many times she, James, and Sirius went on their nightly excursions, when the moon wasn't though, because then they would head off with her brother.
*****Flashback*****
Aeris quietly slipped out of the dormitory that she shared with the other fifth year girls. Her hair was tied back, and was wearing a borrowed pair of slacks from her brother, a black shirt with the Appleby Arrows signal on it, a black cloak, and a pair of dragonhide boots.
Reaching the common room, she spotted two of her accomplices in crime, Sirius Black, and James Potter, both of them with evil grins on their faces. Tucked under James left arm was his invisibility cloak, an essential part of their plan. Sirius walked over to Aeris, offered his arm in a somewhat charming way, and asked, "Shall we be going."
"Let's," she replied, walking past him, and over to James.
"And where are you three going," the voice that distinctly sounded like Remus called from the stairway.
The three put on the most innocent grins they could, and Aeris said sweetly, "They're accompanying me on a midnight stroll, dear brother of mine."
"Indeed," Remus commented, snorting a little. He sighed and said, "Just don't get caught."
"We won't, mother," James replied, throwing the cloak over him, Sirius, and Aeris.
The portrait opened, then closed, and they were off.
*****End Flashback*****
Suddenly, Aeris heard a sound, a sound that she would rather not here. Turning toward the castle, she heard the sound of a bludger. She felt a sharp in her leg, and then the wind was knocked out of her. She gasped, and then flew back towards Hogwarts.
She noticed that a window light was on. She knew which room the window belonged to. It belonged to the room in which important guests were in, and Aeris knew of only one "important guest" that was in Hogwarts.
She quickly flew, swerved and dodged the bludger on her way to her room. When she reached her room, she climbed off of her broom, and climbed over the balcony. She felt the sharp jab in her leg, and every time she took a step, the pain would keep coming back.
She staggered over to the fireplace, and threw some powder in, as she gasped, "Madame Promfrey."
The nurse witch's head appeared, and when she saw Aeris leg, she sighed, and said, "I'll be right up."
Madame Promfrey appeared five minutes later, and said, "Really Miss Lupin, you should be more careful," and pulled out a bottle of a potion that was familiar to Aeris through her quidditch experience.
"Well, if you would explain to me why a bludger was still flying around at night, I would be glad to be more careful," Aeris commented.
"A bludger, eh," the nurse questioned, but for some reason did believe her.
"Yes a bludger, and you might want to tell Madame Hooch about it too, since it probably wasn't returned to her."
"You're healed," Madame Promfrey said, standing up, and yawned, "Now I would really like to go back to sleep if you don't mind."
"Yes ma'am," Aeris agreed, as she watched the nurse disappear.
Aeris pulled out her pj's and changed into them. She pulled the sheets back, and slid under them.
The little voice inside her head commented, 'It would be warm under here if you shared this bed with someone.'
The other voice said, 'Don't start this again, I told you before, I don't plan to marry.'
'I'm just saying that she should settle down, after tonight she should really think bout it.'
'Will you two knock it off,' Aeris's mental voice broke through, 'I'm trying to sleep.'
The voices stopped, so Aeris sighed and turned over to go to sleep.
*****
"Mistress Lupin," a squeaky voice rang through her ears, bringing her into consciousness, "Please wake up, or you'll be late."
Aeris opened her eyes to see a pair of brown eyes the size of tennis balls gazing right into her. If she could, Aeris would have leapt five feet into the air, but instead she pushed herself back hard enough to hit her head on the bed's headboard.
"Winky? What are you doing here," she partially moaned.
"It's eight o'clock," she squeaked, "If mistress doesn't hurry, she'll be late to her class, and mistress has evil lady inspection today."
"WHAT," Aeris screamed, leaping out of the bed, and sprinting to the bathroom.
A few seconds later she burst out of the bathroom, grabbed a waffle, and sprinted towards her classroom.
'How could I forget,' Aeris asked herself, as she continued on her way, 'Fifth year Griffindor and Slytherin's are today.'
She reached it with time to spare, looking totally dishelved, but with time to spare non-the-less. Walking over to her desk, she saw that there was a piece of paper that was frilly pink. She grimaced when she read who it was from, then she tore it up, and with a quick flick of the wand it caught fire. After it had finished smoking, she spat on it in disgust. She brushed it off her desk and into the waste- basket.
The next note she read was from her brother, and it told her that they had gone through Chapter 1, and had reviewed it. He also stated that a few Griffindors were asking about amulets of somekind.
Aeris set the note down, and quickly started writing down the lesson plan for today on the blackboard. As much as she would have loved to further explain the amulets better, she couldn't do it with the toad under her foot (and skin). She wrote in neat handwriting: "Read through Chapter 2, and answer review questions. We will have a short quiz on it afterward."
She heard the door quietly open, and then close. Her nose caught a strong scent of perfume, and almost made her gag. Turning, Aeris saw the toad lady in her ugly pink cardigan, waddling towards her. Aeris rolled her eyes in disgust, but smiled sweetly to greet her "guest". Walking over to greet Dolores, Aeris noticed her evaluation papers were also a frilly pink. Aeris tried hard to remain smiling as she said, "Dolores Umbridge, I presume? I am Aeris Lupin, Hogwarts' Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
Dolores commented in an all too girly voice, "It's so nice to meet you Miss Lupin, I hear that your brother is a marvelous professor, even if being a half-breed."
"Miss Umbridge," Aeris corrected, "My brother's monthly illness is not due to our blood, but an accident years ago. I suggest you keep your biased, bitchy opinions to yourself over matters you cannot comprehend."
Umbridge looked like she had been slapped across the face, then she said, "In Educational Decree 39, I have superiority over all staff members."
"Staff members yes, but my rank as an Elite Four member, outranks a professor, or a High Inquisitor. Right now, I suggest you leave, or sit down and shut up in that corner over there until my lessons are finished. Do I make myself clear Dolores?"
Dolores set her gaze as a glare, and sulked over to the corner, where she sat down, and started to scribble furiously.
The bell rang, and students started filling in, and taking their seats. Looking at the board, and reading the lesson plan, many of them groaned, two of them being Harry Potter, and Ron Weasley.
"Alright class, I suggest you get to work. Also, Hermione, I already know that you finished the book already, so may I speak with you in my office?"
Hermione got up and quickly walked over to her. Aeris looked over into the corner where Dolores was and seeing Dolores out of the chair, she glared, causing the High Inquisitor to cringe. Aeris led Hermione into her office, closed the door, and started to put a spell on the walls and door so that no one could hear in, but she could hear outside.
She led Hermione over to her desk, and sat down. She beckoned the fifth year to take her seat. Looking at her, she asked, "Hermione, I want you to know that like you, I know what the Ministry is up to, and I'm against it."
"But as an Elite Four member, aren't you sworn to the Ministry?"
Aeris chuckled, as she replied, "Hermione, I thought you had read up on the Elite Four as how much you know already, but I'll tell you. There are groups of Elite Four in every country. We get our orders from the United Wizarding Nations. We go where we're needed."
"But why did you come here? What's so great about Hogwarts?"
"Hermione, I came here not only on my own free will, but from Dumbledore's request to the UWN. Even though he's lost power from Wizengoat, he still knows people in higher places. Besides, this place is my second home, it's where I spent most of my – "
Suddenly, shouting, and crashes, came from the classroom. Aeris quickly left the office, slamming open the door. Everybody looked at their professor. Harry and Draco were on the floor. Aeris, anger glinting in her eyes, strode over to the two boys, grabbed them by the collars, and yanked them up. She roared to the two, and the rest of the class, "WHAT HAPPENED?!"
Ron was the first to speak, "Malfoy called Hermione a mudblood, and said that Harry was the cause of his parent's death."
Harry had a fat lip, and blood trickling from the side of his mouth. His sweater, and pants were torn, and his tie was pulled down. Draco's left eye had become swollen, and his nose was bleeding. His hair was mused up, his clothes disshelved, and his robe was torn in a few places. Both of them were breathing hard.
Closing her eyes, and sighing, said in a calm voice, "Miss Granger and Miss Parkinson, please escort these two boys to the hospital wing. I will speak with their heads of houses during lunch."
"Hem hem," a cough broke through the tension.
Everyone turned to the corner where Dolores Umbridge resided, a sickly sweet grin on her face. With a glint of malice in her eyes, Aeris asked, almost gnashing her teeth, "Yes, Miss Umbridge?"
"It is my understanding that since Mister Potter threw the first punch, he should get the rightful consequences."
Growling, Aeris said to the class, "Everyone is dismissed, and will write a one parchment length essay on the lessons in Chapter 2."
She waited until the rustling of papers, and footsteps were gone. Then she turned on the High Inquisitor. Making herself seem bigger than she already is, Aeris strode, venom in each step, towards the Inquisitor, who still had a sickly sweet smile on her face.
"Dolores," Aeris said in a harsh whisper, "It is my understanding that the one who taunts the attacker is at fault for the taunting. Therefore, it would seem fit that both Mister's Potter and Malfoy, received an equal punishment, and I will see to it personally that your pudgy, little fingers won't tamper in affairs that don't concern you. By my rank as an Elite Four member, I will see to it that there will be consequences if I hear that you spoke of this to the Minister."
Dolores, taken aback by Aeris's brash words, sputtered, "Yyy-you can't tell me what to do! You work for the Ministry, and the Minister of Magic! I'll have you fired so fast, it'll make your head spin!"
Aeris, hearing that she worked for the Minister, started to chuckle, then she threw her head back and howled with laughter, roaring, "ME? WORK FOR THAT INSECURE FOOL? HE DOESN'T BELIEVE WHAT DUMBLEDORE HAS TOLD HIM EVERY DAY THIS SUMMER?! THE MINISTER'S INSECURITIES WILL BE THE CAUSE OF HIS DOWNFALL!"
"YOU WILL HEAR ABOUT THIS," Dolores shrieked, her voice wavering.
Aeris had calmed down long enough to say in a low whisper, "Dolores Umbridge, if you do not leave this classroom immediately, I will personally see to it that you will never be able to write to Cornelius Fudge ever again. Good day to you," she finished curtly nodding, as she walked over to her desk.
"But – "
"I SAID GOOD DAY," Aeris roared, as she threw her left hand towards the classroom door. To Dolores' surprise, it immediately banged open, revealing a lot of confused and frightened fifth years. Quickly, and quietly, Dolores shuffled out the classroom, looking frightened out of her wits.
Aeris bent her head back to her paperwork. She her a few pairs of feet shuffle towards her desk. Without looking up, she asked, what is it that you wish to know Miss Granger, and Mister's Potter and Weasley?"
Looking up, she saw the three looking appalled at her knowing who it was without looking up. Aeris grinned, and said, "Don't look so scared. It's part of my job. Some even say that it's like a sixth sense. So tell me, what is it that you desire to learn."
Hermione was bold, and blurted out, "Teach us."
"Teach you, Miss Granger? Teach you what? I can teach you almost anything."
"Teach us how to control our Guardian Forces."
A large group agreed with what Hermione said. Looking around the trio, Aeris saw the entire fifth year Griffindors sitting in their appropriate seats, and their amulets and wands out. All of them grinning broadly.
Aeris couldn't help but smile.
*****
*whew* This was a long one. I hope the extensiveness of this chapter makes up for my delay. So let's some reviews! Cheers!
Triforce Knight
"That'll buff right out. That'll buff right out. That's supposed to be on fire." Homer : The Simpsons
Dedication- This one's for Italia12. I thank you for pointing out that the last chapter got a little awkward.
Chapter 11- In the Short Shadow
*****
Aeris struggled to not put her desk to fire as she read all of the notices, which were ever-so-conveniently colored pink, from the so-called "High Inquisitor of Hogwarts" that lay scattered across her room, and desk. She quickly scooped them off of the desk top, opened her room window, attached a rock to it, and chucked them out the window, watching it fall. She had to calm down, she couldn't let that get to her now, and she had just come back from being temporarily "out-sick".
She cautiously pulled up her sleeve, and looked at the wicked mark that Voldemort himself placed on her. Disgusted, she spat on it, and glared at it.
"You think I'm going to let you get away with this," she hissed scathingly at it, "But I'll see to it that you will fall, even if I have to break that prophecy."
"Do you really think that you could kill someone who has murdered many people even before you were born," the gentle voice of Dumbledore stated.
Aeris turned towards him, glared at him, and then she just broke down. She fell on her hands and knees, and started to cry so bad that she started shaking, and gasping for air. She felt Dumbledore's caring hand on her shoulder. She stood up, and looked at him through tear-filled eyes. He smiled at her and calmly stated, "You haven't eaten anything today have you."
Aeris bowed her head, and said, "No sir, and I know, 'You don't like your staff making rash decisions on an empty stomach.'"
He smiled, and as he sidestepped, he revealed a tray with sandwiches. He stated, "Before you do anything, I want you to eat these."
"Then can I make rash decisions?"
"As long as you follow the rules."
"Yes sir."
He smiled and turned to leave. He opened the door, but before he left, he turned to face Aeris, who was by the open window, with the tray of sandwiches, and he commented, "And I'll know if you don't eat them," and walked out the door.
She flopped into her chair, and started to nibble on the corner of a sandwich, while looking into the fire. She remembered so many times that she had slipped out of her dorm, and went down with James and Sirius down to the kitchens, where the house elves gave her sandwiches like the one she was eating now. She looked around the dark room, but she felt trapped.
She got out of the chair, walked over to the balcony, and opened the doors. She leaned against railing and watched the sunset over the quidditch pitch. Memories flooded her as she remembered so many Griffindor practices that ended during the evening.
*****Flashback*****
"Come on James," Sirius, sixteen, called out, "It's late, and I'm hungry."
"Not now, we still have to go over this play," James hollered back.
Aeris readjusted her arm straps, and redid her hair tie. She looked down from her point to Sirius, and shouted, "Yeah, after you catch me, I want you to keep your hold. I also don't want you to French kiss me again, or else you'll wishing that a bludger knocked you off your broom, not me."
"How do you know that I won't bring you down with me," Sirius asked, floating up to her.
"Because, I know you," Aeris replied, turning away from him.
"Oh yeah," he asked, as he knocked her off of her broom, and went falling down with her.
"Sirius," she screamed, but was paying too much attention at how close the ground was approaching.
She felt his arm wrap around her, and pulled her out of the dive. She grabbed the broomstick to steady herself, as Sirius still had his arm around her to make sure that she didn't fall. He slowed the broomstick down, as Kristin Trillan, the other chaser, handed Aeris her broomstick. Aeris hoped off of Sirius's broom, and flipped herself onto hers. They both looked at each other, and laughed.
James flew over, his face full of anger, as he said, "Sirius, that was a very dangerous thing to do, and Aeris, you should know better than to provoke Sirius."
"Sorry sir," Sirius, and Aeris said together, then looked at each other, and started laughing again.
Celeste Potter, James younger sister, and the keeper, flew over to her brother, and said, "You have to hand it to them though bro, at least they know what they're doing."
"Oh shut up."
"Make me," Celeste said, as she took off like a shot, while her brother followed her.
Sirius looked at Aeris and asked, "So is practice over?"
"I guess so," she replied, still watching the siblings flying around like maniacs.
*****End Flashback*****
She watched the quidditch players float down from their positions, and then a few minutes later, she watched the lights go out from the pitch. She knew that it was just a matter of time before it would be lights out, so she closed the doors, rushed over to her closet, pulled out a fresh black robe, and a pair of black slacks, and a button-up pale blue shirt, and rushed into the bathroom.
When she exited, she pulled her hair back, and put a pair of goggles on. She walked over to her chest, opened it and pulled out a Nimbus 2003 (the newest model in my mind). She opened the balcony doors again, sighed, since she hadn't done this for a while, then she backed up, ran to the balcony's railing, then vaulted off of it, right into a nose dive.
She wrapped her legs around the broom, and then waited until the last moment. She pulled out of the dive with enough room left to feel her robe brush against blades of grass. This was something that James had taught her to get opposing chasers off her back.
She loved the fresh air, and the feeling of being free. This was why she had become a professor, because she was safe to show off her talent, and she could be free at night.
Aeris knew exactly where she was going. She watched her shadow silently follow her on the ground below. She headed past the lake, and towards Hogsmeade. She needed a drink. Looking at her wizarding watch, the hand pointed to going to be too late, so she urged her Nimbus to fly faster. She landed, not very gracefully though, in front of The Three Broomsticks.
Slamming open the door, she saw that it was practically deserted. Madame Rosemerta appeared from her storage closet, saying, "We're closing up for the night. Try again tomorrow," then looking up, and seeing Aeris, she screamed, and said, enveloping her in a hug, "AERIS! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? THINGS HAVEN'T BEEN THE SAME WITHOUT YOU!"
"I'd really like to breath right now," Aeris gasped a reply, which made Rosie drop her friend. Aeris smiled, and continued, "Now, if you have something to drink around here, I'd like to tell you," looking around the shop.
It hadn't really changed much since she was there last, which was about eighteen years ago. Since it was nearing Halloween, like every year, Rosie and the owner's of Honeyduke's, had their master-selling ploy. The sign outside The Three Broomsticks read: "For every two Butterbeers, get five sickles off a dozen pumpkin pastries". The room was decorated with flying jack-o-lanterns that would sing haunting tunes to anyone that would pay a knut. In the back, a muggle television had been set up and bewitched to function, letting the people in Muggle Studies get a better look at Muggle culture.
Aeris walked over to a table, while Rosie came back with drinks. Taking them from the tray, she said, "A butterbeer for you, and a cherry royale for me."
The two raised their glasses at each other, and clinked them together. Aeris downed the entire thing, and slammed it on the table. Rosie, noticing her friend's anger, asked, "So, how is teaching going?"
Aeris grunted, and looked into her empty mug. Finally she sighed, and then started to go on, in a very quick voice that made her slur everything together, "First I get this letter asking for my assistance as a DADA professor here, and to add extra protection to the school, and to look after my best friend's kid, who's also my godson. Then I find out that the Ministry is full of a bunch of asses, sending a High Inquisitor that doesn't even have the same amount of magic as I do in my little finger. She's a pain in the ass, and I have to control my temper, so as not to get Dumbledore into trouble. I have an inspection tomorrow, and I have to talk to Dumbledore about the Winter Break, and I'm not ready to teach student's who are filled with desire to learn from a book that will put them to sleep in their first second of reading it."
As Aeris caught her breath, Rosie stared at her glass, then she set it down, put her hand on Aeris's, and said, "What I think you need is some of that Odgen's Fire Whiskey that's in Severus's liquor cabinet. Then I think that you should get some sleep, and talk to Dumbledore."
"It's just that I can't Rosie, this is why I enjoyed travelling so much, I'd only have to do what I was assigned, and then discuss it with my employer after I was finished. I don't know how long it will be until I leave Hogwarts . . . again."
"Well, from what I hear, that Dolores Umbridge would love to see someone related to a half breed fail miserably at her examination."
The hairs on the back of Aeris's neck start to prickle at the reference of her brother as a half-breed. Rosie, sensing her friend's hostility, raised up her hands cautiously, as she said, "Not that I have anything against your brother. Believe me, Remus was kind, and gentle as a child, and he's an understanding, mild-mannered gentleman now."
Aeris couldn't help but crack a grin at her friend's last few words, and teased, "A mild-mannered gentleman who midnight's as a blood thirsty demon, as some define werewolves." She put her hand on the table and stood up, saying, "Well, this was fun, and we must do it again sometime, but I have to get back, and try to get some sleep."
As she opened the door to the Three Broomsticks, a gust of cold wind caught her by surprise. She pulled her robe closer to her, mounted her broom, and took off. Flying over the lake, she thought about how many times she, James, and Sirius went on their nightly excursions, when the moon wasn't though, because then they would head off with her brother.
*****Flashback*****
Aeris quietly slipped out of the dormitory that she shared with the other fifth year girls. Her hair was tied back, and was wearing a borrowed pair of slacks from her brother, a black shirt with the Appleby Arrows signal on it, a black cloak, and a pair of dragonhide boots.
Reaching the common room, she spotted two of her accomplices in crime, Sirius Black, and James Potter, both of them with evil grins on their faces. Tucked under James left arm was his invisibility cloak, an essential part of their plan. Sirius walked over to Aeris, offered his arm in a somewhat charming way, and asked, "Shall we be going."
"Let's," she replied, walking past him, and over to James.
"And where are you three going," the voice that distinctly sounded like Remus called from the stairway.
The three put on the most innocent grins they could, and Aeris said sweetly, "They're accompanying me on a midnight stroll, dear brother of mine."
"Indeed," Remus commented, snorting a little. He sighed and said, "Just don't get caught."
"We won't, mother," James replied, throwing the cloak over him, Sirius, and Aeris.
The portrait opened, then closed, and they were off.
*****End Flashback*****
Suddenly, Aeris heard a sound, a sound that she would rather not here. Turning toward the castle, she heard the sound of a bludger. She felt a sharp in her leg, and then the wind was knocked out of her. She gasped, and then flew back towards Hogwarts.
She noticed that a window light was on. She knew which room the window belonged to. It belonged to the room in which important guests were in, and Aeris knew of only one "important guest" that was in Hogwarts.
She quickly flew, swerved and dodged the bludger on her way to her room. When she reached her room, she climbed off of her broom, and climbed over the balcony. She felt the sharp jab in her leg, and every time she took a step, the pain would keep coming back.
She staggered over to the fireplace, and threw some powder in, as she gasped, "Madame Promfrey."
The nurse witch's head appeared, and when she saw Aeris leg, she sighed, and said, "I'll be right up."
Madame Promfrey appeared five minutes later, and said, "Really Miss Lupin, you should be more careful," and pulled out a bottle of a potion that was familiar to Aeris through her quidditch experience.
"Well, if you would explain to me why a bludger was still flying around at night, I would be glad to be more careful," Aeris commented.
"A bludger, eh," the nurse questioned, but for some reason did believe her.
"Yes a bludger, and you might want to tell Madame Hooch about it too, since it probably wasn't returned to her."
"You're healed," Madame Promfrey said, standing up, and yawned, "Now I would really like to go back to sleep if you don't mind."
"Yes ma'am," Aeris agreed, as she watched the nurse disappear.
Aeris pulled out her pj's and changed into them. She pulled the sheets back, and slid under them.
The little voice inside her head commented, 'It would be warm under here if you shared this bed with someone.'
The other voice said, 'Don't start this again, I told you before, I don't plan to marry.'
'I'm just saying that she should settle down, after tonight she should really think bout it.'
'Will you two knock it off,' Aeris's mental voice broke through, 'I'm trying to sleep.'
The voices stopped, so Aeris sighed and turned over to go to sleep.
*****
"Mistress Lupin," a squeaky voice rang through her ears, bringing her into consciousness, "Please wake up, or you'll be late."
Aeris opened her eyes to see a pair of brown eyes the size of tennis balls gazing right into her. If she could, Aeris would have leapt five feet into the air, but instead she pushed herself back hard enough to hit her head on the bed's headboard.
"Winky? What are you doing here," she partially moaned.
"It's eight o'clock," she squeaked, "If mistress doesn't hurry, she'll be late to her class, and mistress has evil lady inspection today."
"WHAT," Aeris screamed, leaping out of the bed, and sprinting to the bathroom.
A few seconds later she burst out of the bathroom, grabbed a waffle, and sprinted towards her classroom.
'How could I forget,' Aeris asked herself, as she continued on her way, 'Fifth year Griffindor and Slytherin's are today.'
She reached it with time to spare, looking totally dishelved, but with time to spare non-the-less. Walking over to her desk, she saw that there was a piece of paper that was frilly pink. She grimaced when she read who it was from, then she tore it up, and with a quick flick of the wand it caught fire. After it had finished smoking, she spat on it in disgust. She brushed it off her desk and into the waste- basket.
The next note she read was from her brother, and it told her that they had gone through Chapter 1, and had reviewed it. He also stated that a few Griffindors were asking about amulets of somekind.
Aeris set the note down, and quickly started writing down the lesson plan for today on the blackboard. As much as she would have loved to further explain the amulets better, she couldn't do it with the toad under her foot (and skin). She wrote in neat handwriting: "Read through Chapter 2, and answer review questions. We will have a short quiz on it afterward."
She heard the door quietly open, and then close. Her nose caught a strong scent of perfume, and almost made her gag. Turning, Aeris saw the toad lady in her ugly pink cardigan, waddling towards her. Aeris rolled her eyes in disgust, but smiled sweetly to greet her "guest". Walking over to greet Dolores, Aeris noticed her evaluation papers were also a frilly pink. Aeris tried hard to remain smiling as she said, "Dolores Umbridge, I presume? I am Aeris Lupin, Hogwarts' Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
Dolores commented in an all too girly voice, "It's so nice to meet you Miss Lupin, I hear that your brother is a marvelous professor, even if being a half-breed."
"Miss Umbridge," Aeris corrected, "My brother's monthly illness is not due to our blood, but an accident years ago. I suggest you keep your biased, bitchy opinions to yourself over matters you cannot comprehend."
Umbridge looked like she had been slapped across the face, then she said, "In Educational Decree 39, I have superiority over all staff members."
"Staff members yes, but my rank as an Elite Four member, outranks a professor, or a High Inquisitor. Right now, I suggest you leave, or sit down and shut up in that corner over there until my lessons are finished. Do I make myself clear Dolores?"
Dolores set her gaze as a glare, and sulked over to the corner, where she sat down, and started to scribble furiously.
The bell rang, and students started filling in, and taking their seats. Looking at the board, and reading the lesson plan, many of them groaned, two of them being Harry Potter, and Ron Weasley.
"Alright class, I suggest you get to work. Also, Hermione, I already know that you finished the book already, so may I speak with you in my office?"
Hermione got up and quickly walked over to her. Aeris looked over into the corner where Dolores was and seeing Dolores out of the chair, she glared, causing the High Inquisitor to cringe. Aeris led Hermione into her office, closed the door, and started to put a spell on the walls and door so that no one could hear in, but she could hear outside.
She led Hermione over to her desk, and sat down. She beckoned the fifth year to take her seat. Looking at her, she asked, "Hermione, I want you to know that like you, I know what the Ministry is up to, and I'm against it."
"But as an Elite Four member, aren't you sworn to the Ministry?"
Aeris chuckled, as she replied, "Hermione, I thought you had read up on the Elite Four as how much you know already, but I'll tell you. There are groups of Elite Four in every country. We get our orders from the United Wizarding Nations. We go where we're needed."
"But why did you come here? What's so great about Hogwarts?"
"Hermione, I came here not only on my own free will, but from Dumbledore's request to the UWN. Even though he's lost power from Wizengoat, he still knows people in higher places. Besides, this place is my second home, it's where I spent most of my – "
Suddenly, shouting, and crashes, came from the classroom. Aeris quickly left the office, slamming open the door. Everybody looked at their professor. Harry and Draco were on the floor. Aeris, anger glinting in her eyes, strode over to the two boys, grabbed them by the collars, and yanked them up. She roared to the two, and the rest of the class, "WHAT HAPPENED?!"
Ron was the first to speak, "Malfoy called Hermione a mudblood, and said that Harry was the cause of his parent's death."
Harry had a fat lip, and blood trickling from the side of his mouth. His sweater, and pants were torn, and his tie was pulled down. Draco's left eye had become swollen, and his nose was bleeding. His hair was mused up, his clothes disshelved, and his robe was torn in a few places. Both of them were breathing hard.
Closing her eyes, and sighing, said in a calm voice, "Miss Granger and Miss Parkinson, please escort these two boys to the hospital wing. I will speak with their heads of houses during lunch."
"Hem hem," a cough broke through the tension.
Everyone turned to the corner where Dolores Umbridge resided, a sickly sweet grin on her face. With a glint of malice in her eyes, Aeris asked, almost gnashing her teeth, "Yes, Miss Umbridge?"
"It is my understanding that since Mister Potter threw the first punch, he should get the rightful consequences."
Growling, Aeris said to the class, "Everyone is dismissed, and will write a one parchment length essay on the lessons in Chapter 2."
She waited until the rustling of papers, and footsteps were gone. Then she turned on the High Inquisitor. Making herself seem bigger than she already is, Aeris strode, venom in each step, towards the Inquisitor, who still had a sickly sweet smile on her face.
"Dolores," Aeris said in a harsh whisper, "It is my understanding that the one who taunts the attacker is at fault for the taunting. Therefore, it would seem fit that both Mister's Potter and Malfoy, received an equal punishment, and I will see to it personally that your pudgy, little fingers won't tamper in affairs that don't concern you. By my rank as an Elite Four member, I will see to it that there will be consequences if I hear that you spoke of this to the Minister."
Dolores, taken aback by Aeris's brash words, sputtered, "Yyy-you can't tell me what to do! You work for the Ministry, and the Minister of Magic! I'll have you fired so fast, it'll make your head spin!"
Aeris, hearing that she worked for the Minister, started to chuckle, then she threw her head back and howled with laughter, roaring, "ME? WORK FOR THAT INSECURE FOOL? HE DOESN'T BELIEVE WHAT DUMBLEDORE HAS TOLD HIM EVERY DAY THIS SUMMER?! THE MINISTER'S INSECURITIES WILL BE THE CAUSE OF HIS DOWNFALL!"
"YOU WILL HEAR ABOUT THIS," Dolores shrieked, her voice wavering.
Aeris had calmed down long enough to say in a low whisper, "Dolores Umbridge, if you do not leave this classroom immediately, I will personally see to it that you will never be able to write to Cornelius Fudge ever again. Good day to you," she finished curtly nodding, as she walked over to her desk.
"But – "
"I SAID GOOD DAY," Aeris roared, as she threw her left hand towards the classroom door. To Dolores' surprise, it immediately banged open, revealing a lot of confused and frightened fifth years. Quickly, and quietly, Dolores shuffled out the classroom, looking frightened out of her wits.
Aeris bent her head back to her paperwork. She her a few pairs of feet shuffle towards her desk. Without looking up, she asked, what is it that you wish to know Miss Granger, and Mister's Potter and Weasley?"
Looking up, she saw the three looking appalled at her knowing who it was without looking up. Aeris grinned, and said, "Don't look so scared. It's part of my job. Some even say that it's like a sixth sense. So tell me, what is it that you desire to learn."
Hermione was bold, and blurted out, "Teach us."
"Teach you, Miss Granger? Teach you what? I can teach you almost anything."
"Teach us how to control our Guardian Forces."
A large group agreed with what Hermione said. Looking around the trio, Aeris saw the entire fifth year Griffindors sitting in their appropriate seats, and their amulets and wands out. All of them grinning broadly.
Aeris couldn't help but smile.
*****
*whew* This was a long one. I hope the extensiveness of this chapter makes up for my delay. So let's some reviews! Cheers!
Triforce Knight
"That'll buff right out. That'll buff right out. That's supposed to be on fire." Homer : The Simpsons