The next few days were painfully awkward for Antlia. Regulus still wasn't happy with her and even Narcissa was starting to distance herself. She felt absolutely alone and she couldn't stand it. It gave her mind time to take over, plunging her deep into tormenting thoughts and memories. Through out the weekend, she found herself wondering around the school, trying to clear her head and familiarize herself with the castle. It didn't take long for Antlia to get turned around on one of the moving staircases and find herself in a hallway she didn't recognize. The thing was, she wasn't quite sure how she got there or how begin to find her way back to a place she knew.

"Dubios?"

She quickly turned around and found Remus Lupin walking towards her. "Oh, hey!" She greeted him with an overly bright smile, not wanting the Gryffindor to know she was lost and nervous.

He kindly returned the smile as he approached. "Looking for Sirius? I heard about the situation going on and I'm afraid he isn't really up for talking at the moment."

"No! I was just, well, going for a walk," she stammered, immediately beginning to blush.

"Around the Gryffindor common room?"

"Just exploring, really."

Remus gave a light chuckle. "And now you're lost, aren't you?"

She could feel the tips of her ears growing warm as her blush spread. "A bit."

"Don't be embarrassed! It used to happen to me all the time," he reassured her, still wearing a kind smile as he watched her. "I'm headed to the library-want me to help you back to the Slytherin common room?"

"Actually, I'll just follow you to the library. I need to do a bit of research," she said sheepishly. "If that's okay!"

"Of course," he returned calmly, beginning to walk.

Remus walked just slightly ahead of her, pointing out things to help her figure out directions and remember how to get places. It was a bit of a walk down to the library, but it felt quick as Antlia listened to him explain cheerily. He was a kind spirit, that was for sure. She wasn't sure many other Gryffindor's would have been so willing to help a Slytherin, but then again, she was defying the norms by following him.

"So what are you studying?" He asked with a smile as they walked in.

"Transfigurations," she said with a bit of a irritated laugh. "Not my best subject."

He looked over his shoulder at her, raising an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Yeah," she answered, the tips of her ears growing hot again. "Mother didn't really focus on teaching me subjects that didn't directly pertain to our work. We didn't really have the time to spend on things that weren't crucial."

He gave a small nod, stopping by a desk. "I could give you some pointers if you'd like. It's not my best subject, but I manage."

Her surprise was clearly displayed on her face. "You wouldn't mind?"

That same, bright smile returned to his face as he shook his head. "Not at all. Sit and I'll grab some books."

They studied together for hours, Remus giving her tips and tricks to remember spells while going over wand movements with her. He started off with the basics, nothing but patient and understanding as he gauged were she was in her studies and adapted to her. She was easily frustrated, swearing French obscenities when she couldn't figure something out, but Remus didn't give up. He encouraged her, correcting her where he could, and guided her. He was a natural born teacher, clearly enjoying the work.

"See?" He laughed. "This is good for me too. Helps me brush up a bit."

She shook her head, smiling gingerly. "You hardly need it; you seem to have this down."

"Not quite," he chuckled leaning back against his chair.

One of the candles above Remus flickered, casting a shadow over his face for a moment, drawing out a few pronounced scars along his neck. Antlia couldn't help but to stare for a moment, feeling curious about him again. He was undeniably different than most students. His scent displayed that clearly, but Remus looked so much older than his actual age due to his many scars. Her chest tightened as she examined him, trying to place what it was that set him apart. It felt oddly familiar but she was so far from being able to figure anything out.

"Remus?"

He tilted his head back, glancing sideways at her. "Antlia?"

"Your scars. How did you get them?"

His entire composure changed instantly, quickly straightening himself and looking back down at the book in front of him. It was clearly a struggle for him to regain his composure as he skimmed the page with his finger. "That's a story for a better time, I'm afraid."

She watched him, lips pursed, wanting to push him. Before she could get a word out, Severus walked up with a frown.

"Antlia, what are you doing?" He scowled, staring between the two of them.

It was her time to tense up. "Remus was just helping me get caught up with Transfigurations. Just struggling a bit in-"

"Come on. I've been waiting on you in the Slytherin common room. We were supposed to study," he replied with a sharp tone, eyeing Remus, unpleased.

Antlia blinked caught a little off guard. They hadn't planned anything.

Remus gave her a soft smile and shut his book. "I'll pick up here. I need to go meet James anyway. You'll do fine in Transfigurations, Antlia," he spoke kindly before standing up and walking off to shelve his book.

Almost immediately, Severus took hold of her arm. "Let's go."

She didn't protest as she stood, the teen half dragging her out of the library and to the Slytherin common room. Once they were close, she ripped her arm away from him, glaring him down. "What the hell, Severus? We didn't have plans!"

He groaned as he stopped. "Stay away from him. He's trouble, alright?"

She could feel her anger bubbling in her chest, but she thought for a moment. Did he know what made Remus so different? Why he had all the scars? "Why?" She pushed, standing her ground.

"Merlin, Antlia. Just listen to me."

"No! He seems nice! Give me an actual reason why you drug me away!"

He locked eyes with her for a moment, frustration burning in his gaze. "You just have to trust me," he said firmly before walking into the common room.

She huffed, quickly following in through the door. "I know he's different, I just can't figure out why."

"And you'd be smart to leave it alone," Severus snapped, sitting down in an armchair in the empty common room.

As if on cue, the fireplace came alive and Antlia sat on the floor in front of it, staring into the flames as she breathed and tried to calm down. As irritated as he was, at least he was talking to her. "So, you're not going to give me the cold shoulder like everyone else?"

He pulled out a book, half ignoring her. "They will come around on their own time."

"But you don't hate me."

"No."

"And the others do."

"Antlia."

She looked over at him, watching him carefully. "Yes, Severus?" She said, batting her eyelashes to further annoy him.

"Do you shut up?"

Her cheeks turned pink. She stuck her nose up, quickly turning back to the fireplace where she stared silently. They both sat for a bit, not saying a word. Antlia was wracking her brain, trying to come up with some sort of conversation that wouldn't bore him half to death or agitate him further. She didn't figure there really was a safe play, but she was tired of sitting in silence after the week she had.

"You really could loosen up, you know," she said with a small smirk, still watching the flames.

He roughly closed his book. "You aren't going to let me read in peace, are you?"

"Afraid not. I mean, I could if you humored me."

She could hear him groaned from behind her. "What do you want?"

Antlia quickly whirled around, grinning. "Let's go gather herbs for potions. That's your strong suit, isn't it?"

"And that will shut you up?"

She gave a quick nod, still smiling.

Severus stood up slowly and sat the book down on an end table. "I could stand to gather a few things anyway."

Jumping to her feet, she latched onto his arm, which he quickly withdrew from her. "Let's go to the forest. Or at least to the edge. I saw some curious things there."

He took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "Lead the way."

"Of course," she grinned triumphiantly, stepping ahead of him and out of the common room. She was determined to gain a friend again, and if it was Severus, then so be it.

As they walked out together, drawing closer to the forbidden grounds, she wasn't complaining about the black haired boy being the only one willing to talk to her. He, like Remus, was different. He was one of the few students that really captured her interest, but it was in ways different than Remus. She couldn't quite explain why she had such a soft spot and felt so drawn to the angry Slytherin teen, but she was yet determined to break him of his grumpy spirit and get him to open up to her.