Previously on The Twice Blessed Child…
A moment passes.
"Are you the reason they all became Animagus?" I asked
"Yes. They found out, and wanted to be there for me. The only they could be there for me was for them to animals. Them being there really did help, they became pack, family which made the betrayal so much worse. Now my pack is gone, broken." Lupin said
I moved forward and put my hand on his.
"But it's not gone. Yes James is dead, and Peter really is a rat. But Sirius is still alive and he wants to be with you again. Don't turn your back on him because you both have been through a lot, and you need each other. Plus I'm sure he would be more than happy to come help you on the full moons." I said
Lupin didn't say anything. He looked up at the sky.
"Even if what you say is true and he can help. There are too many variables to be worked through, I'll be alone this next time." Lupin said
He looked so sad, but I could see the hope starting to form. I wasn't going let that little bit of hope disappear again.
"I come with you this time, and then next time Sirius will be here." I said
Lupin turned his head to looked at me.
"I can't put a student at risk. Not only that but when I'm…when the wolf is out I can't control it. It will kill you." Lupin said
"Not if I'm not human. If I turn into an animal like James, and Sirius did your wolf will be fine." I said
Lupin laughed a little bit.
"As much as I appreciate the thought it took them three years to become Animagi. There is less than week till the next full moon." Lupin said
"I never said anything about becoming a animagi. Just that if I was an animal you wouldn't see me as a threat." I said
Lupin just looked at me. He didn't say anything for a second.
"I'm not going to take no for answer. You need someone, you can't live your life alone. No one should have to live a life like that. So I will see at the Shrieking Shack shortly after dinner on Friday." I said
I let go of his hand and start to walk away.
"How did you know about the shack?" Lupin asked
"I'm not stupid, I saw the way you acted when Harry mentioned it." I said
Lupin nodded. I turned and headed up to the castle to have a little talk with the Headmaster. I quickly made it to the Gargoyle that was the entrance to his office.
"I would like to talk to the Headmaster." I said
The gargoyle looked at me for a second before the staircase appeared. I stepped up and headed up the stairs. I got to his door and knocked.
"Come in." he said
I opened the door and stepped into the room. The Headmaster was sitting behind his desk, he looked up when I stepped into the room.
"Hello, Anastasia. What can I do for you?" Dumbledore asked
"I have an odd request." I said
"I know what you are going to ask and I can't give permission for him to come to the school other than on holidays. However if he were to I don't know stay in Hogsmeade and then go to the shack I wouldn't see anything wrong with that." Dumbledore said
I smiled up at Dumbledore.
"Thank you Headmaster." I said
I got up to leave the room but he stopped me before I left the room.
"Oh, Anastasia." Dumbledore said
I stopped and turned to look at him.
"Yes, Headmaster?" I asked
"I have every faith that you know what you are doing, but be careful." Dumbledore said
"Of course sir." I said
I left his office and quickly made my to the dorm rooms. I got to the portrait and saw that students were still having issues with the Sir Cadogan. I saw Neville amongst them.
"Still having problems?" I asked
"Yes, we got in earlier but he's changed the password again." Neville said
"Want to know a way to get in?" I asked
"Of course." Neville said
I stepped up so I was standing in front of the portrait.
"Sir Cadogan, I am Anastasia a Queen of the Gryffindor House, open and let me in." I said
It took him a second, but he bowed and it swung open.
"Your Grace." Sir Cadogan said
I looked back at Neville, he was just standing there. I waved him forward. Not only did Neville follow but so did all the other Gryffindors that were waiting for Sir Cadogan to let them through.
"How did you? What did you do?" Dean asked
"Simply really. The portrait is of a knight, from a time period in history that was full of paranoia and betrayal. Dumbledore told him that he was going to be protecting the Gryffindor house. So I simply made him think I was in a station above him from the house he is supposed to be protecting and he let me through. Dumbledore also gave him a list of all our names." I said
They nodded their heads. I looked around but couldn't find Harry.
"Anyone know where Harry is at?" I asked
"I think he is up in his dorm." Seamus said
"Great." I said
I thought about it for a second, I headed over to the stairs. I stepped on the first step when nothing happened I continued up. I got to Harry's door and knocked. The door opened and their stood Ron with a shocked looked on his face.
"I thought girls weren't allowed to come up to the boys dorm." Ron said
"Well I got up here, that's all that matters. Is Harry in there?" I asked
"Yeah, sorry." Ron said
He opened to door wider I stepped inside the room and waited for a second. I looked over at Harry.
"Mind if I use Hedwig to send a letter to Sirius?" I asked
"No." Harry said
"You really need your own owl, Ana." Dudley said
"Yeah I know but I don't want any old owl. I want one that I connect with like the way Hedwig and Harry connect." I said
"Good luck with that. I don't think I've ever seen an owl and wizard get along that well." Ron said
I looked over at Harry.
"Well looks like your stuck sharing her." I said
Harry just smiled and shook his head.
"I'm okay with as long as it's you I'm sharing her with." Harry said
I left their room and headed back downstairs. I got to the bottom of the stairs and heard a crash, I looked up to see a pile of boys. Across from the stairs that lead up the girl dorms. I saw a boy on the fifth stair from the bottom he stepped on the sixth stair and was tossed away. I saw the twins laughing.
"What's going on?" I asked
"Well after you…" George started
"…went up to Harry's room…" Fred
"…they wanted to see if they…" George
"…could get to the girls…" Fred
"…but every time they get stopped…" George
"…somehow and each time…" Fred
"…is funnier than the last." they both said
I nodded and walked towards the stairs that would lead to the girl dorms. I walked past the pile of boys, and up the stairs. I entered my room and saw sitting on her bed.
"Do I want to know what is going on down there?" Hermione asked
"Just stupid boys." I said
She nods. I move to my trunk and grab a quill, some ink, and paper. I think for a while before starting the letter.
Sirius.
I don't remember if I or Harry already told you but this year our DADA Professor is someone you know, Remus Lupin. He had us face a Boggart, and when Harry's turned into a Dementor, Professor Lupin stepped in front of Harry and it turned into a full moon. And then the other day in class Professor Snape had to cover his class and he made us read a chapter, and do a homework assignment on werewolves. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that I know what he is and so do you. I figured it ALL out. I was talking to him earlier today about your guys past and well he misses you just as much as you miss him. So this is what is going to happen. You are going to come to Hogsmeade for the next full moon and be there for your friend. Then you are staying for Christmas, don't worry I already cleared it with the Headmaster. Also don't worry about this coming full moon I got that one covered as this won't reach you in time. So I will be seeing you next month.
-Anastasia
Once I was done writing the letter I left the common room and headed up to the owlery to send the out with Hedwig.
Night of the Full Moon…
Once I was done with dinner, I got up and headed to the common room and quickly got changed. Once I was changed I used the shadows to get to the shack. I headed upstairs, and found Lupin in one of the upstairs room. He was in a corner of the room. He looked up at me when I entered the room, and I dropped my bag to the floor.
"What are you wearing?" Lupin asked
I looked down. I was wearing black shorts, a front laced crop top, a pair of glittered black tennis shoes, and I had my hair in two Dutch braids.
"What do you want me to wear?" I asked
He didn't answer my question.
"So what did you guys usually do before you shifted?" I asked
"Talked or joked." Lupin said
I nodded my head.
"So, I got a letter back from Sirius." I said
Lupin looked up at me, I could see hope flash in his eyes.
"What did the letter say?" Lupin asked
"He is coming for the holidays. He wants to get to know you again, and that if you want him to he would be more than happy to help you through the full moons again." I said
Lupin smiled.
"He said that?" Lupin asked
"Yes he did." I said
Lupin turned his head and looked out the window.
"So, what animal would work best?" I asked
He looked at me.
"What do you mean?" Lupin asked
"Well, would it be better if I became a dog, or a cat, or some kind of bird. I can turn into just about anything, and everything." I said
Lupin kind of just looked at me for a good two minutes.
"I guess a dog would be okay." Lupin said
I nodded my head. It was quite for a while.
"It should happen right after the moon has reached its apex." Lupin said
I nod my head at him. There is an awkward silence for a few moments.
"Does it hurt?" I asked
"Yes." Lupin said
"Does it hurt because you fight it?" I asked
"What do you mean?" Lupin asked
"You fight the transformation. You fear it and hate it, you are fighting yourself. That can't be heathy or make it painless." I said
"Werewolves are dark creatures. Making me a dark creatures. I didn't have a choice in being what I am." Lupin said
"None of us get to decide things in life, we just have to go with it. But fighting it means you are letting it decided your life and how you live. If you accept it, you control it, you control your life." I said
"You don't know that." Lupin said
"But I do. I know a few creatures that are classified as dark. Some that are thousands of years old. Fighting what you are is slowly killing you." I said
Lupin didn't say anything. He just looked back out the window. Everything was quite for a while. The light from the moon was shining in the room. The moon was high in the sky by now. I saw Lupin turn his head and look out the window, his eyes glazed over.
"It's time." Lupin said
I nod and bend over, and as I bend over I feel the change happy. I had turned into an animal. I looked up to Lupin who kind of just looked like he wanted to say something, but stopped and gasped out in pain. His teeth were the first thing to change. His nails became sharp and pointed, his back became hunched and grey and his shirt started to rip, his ankles extended, his face started to change and became dog like, his ears became pointed. When the change was done, he looked like a werewolf, a sick werewolf, but a werewolf none the less.
Once we has done, he whimpered. He really did hate what he was. He started to pace around the room. He headed to the door of the room, but I barked which was a new sensation. He turned his head and looked at me. He stalked over to me, I sat down and tilted my head and looked up at him. I barked again. He leaned his head down, and I heard sniff me. He let a whimper and a whine and then laid down on the floor in front of me. I sat there for a while just looking at the wolf version of Professor Lupin. I got up from my spot on the floor and started to walk the room. Getting used to seeing life through the eyes of a dog. I wasn't paying attention and walked right into Lupin. The werewolf growled then looked down at me. I was sitting on the ground looking down at my paws. I didn't want to look up at the werewolf. I was nudged, I looked up and saw the wolf was nudging me with his nose. If I wasn't a dog I would have laughed on how it reminded me of a scene from Bambi. I got back up and started to walk around again. Lupin also started walk around the little room with me.
I was able to stay awake for most of the night but a little bit before dawn I started to get tired. I yawned and staggered a bit, like the drunk dog from the second Pocahontas movie. I stopped moving around and shook my head. I started to walk around again, I wanted to make sure I stayed awake as long as Lupin was a wolf. When the sun started to show, Lupin let out a whimper. I stopped walking and turned to see him lay down. His entire body started to shake, and soon he was turning back into his human form. I kind of just looked him over, you could tell that fighting his wolf was slowly killing him. But all things considers he still had a nice body. I looked around the room and found a blanket on the floor by a broken bed. I walked over to it, grabbed it in my teeth and dragged it over to Lupin. I moved it so it was covering him. I didn't quite know how to become human so I just laid down on the ground next to him.
…
I woke up to arms wrapped around me. I looked down at myself to see that I was human, and that my clothes had stayed on from the change. I looked at the arm that was wrapped I turned around to see that it was Professor Lupin. I blushed a little bit when I noticed that the blanket I covered him with was not doing it's job and I could see something. I stopped looking and pulled myself from Lupin's grasp. I make a way over to my bag, and pull out a few potions that I took from Poppy's supply.
"Dobby." I said
There was a pop.
"Yes, Anastasia." Dobby said
"Shhh. Are you able to get into Professor Lupin rooms?" I asked
Dobby nodded his head.
"Good, I need you to go get a shirt, pants, and underwear. Once you get them bring them back here. Very quietly." I said
He nods and with a pop he was gone. A minute or two passed before there was another pop and he was back. He handed me the clothes.
"Is there anything else I can do for Anastasia?" Dobby asked
"No thank you for getting these." I said
He nods and is gone with a pop. I turned back around to look at Lupin. He was still asleep. I laid the clothing out like it was on a person, and then snapped my fingers. The clothing disappeared with a pop and reappeared on Lupin. I reached into my bag pulled out some food. I had a feeling Lupin wouldn't be feeling up to eating breakfast, but I had some for him just in case. A few minutes passed before Lupin started to move, around. He opened his eyes and shot up into a sitting position. He looked around the room, and then at me. I picked up the potions and brought them over to him.
"Here you go. I got a pepper-up potion, and something that Healer Stokes had Sirius taking it should help with the after effects of the transformation. Don't worry about them be made wrong or anything, because I stole one and bought the other one." I said
I get up and walked over to the food that I had on the tray, I picked up and brought it over to Lupin.
"I got some food. I don't know if you would be hungry or not but I thought that…" I said
He nods his head again. He looks up at me, but takes the two potions I had given him.
"How did I get clothes? They usually get destroyed, and I wake up naked." Lupin said
I go to answer but he gets really red.
"My student saw me naked. You saw me naked." Lupin said
"To answer both your questions. I had a house-elf get some clothes from your room, and yes I saw you naked. I didn't see anything to important." I lied
He just looked at me. He really didn't look like he was going to believe me.
"Okay so I might have saw something, but it doesn't matter." I said
"It doesn't matter. You are my student. I knew this was a bad idea. I never should have let you come here. I should have told you no. I should have…" I cut him off by covering his mouth with my hand
"Will you be quiet. I wanted to come. And who cares if I saw something. I'm not going to tell anyone anything." I said
Lupin just shook his head and started mumbling something under his breath that I couldn't quite hear. I rolled my eyes and moved over to my bag. I picked it up and flung it over my shoulder and headed to the door. I stopped at the door and looked back at Lupin who was still looking at the floor.
"Professor." I said
He looks up at me.
"Just so you know, you shouldn't be ashamed or embarrassed. Well at least from what I could see." I said
Lupin's faced flushed red, and he looked away from me.
"See you in class, Professor." I said
I headed out the door, down the stairs, and started to make my way back up to the castle.
Unknown Time Skip…
Harry and I are under the invisibility cloak. We follow behind a group of students that follow behind McGonagall. We walk on top of the snow, not even thinking about the fact that we are leaving footprints in the snow. Suddenly, Fred and George appear, heading the towards us. They grabbed us and pull us away.
"Clever, Harry…" Fred said
"…But not clever enough, Anastasia…" George said
"…besides, we've got a better way." Fred said
We walk all the way back to the entrance hall. The great doors open, and we take the invisibility cloak off. Fred and George exchange a look before handing Harry a worn roll of parchment. Harry unrolls and, I frown seeing as it is blank.
"What's this rubbish?" Harry asked
"Rubbish he says. That there's the secret to our success." Fred said
I raise an eyebrow at him.
"It's a wrench giving it to you, believe me." George said
"But we've decided your need's greater than ours. George, if you will…" Fred said
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." George said
He then touches his wand to the parchment and intricate ink lines surface in the fiber of the paper, spread like veins. Harry and I look at each other than down at the paper.
"Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs are proud to present The Marauder's Map…?" I read
"Ah… Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs. We owe them so much." George said
I laugh a little bit thinking about who those four really are. Harry breaks me out of my thoughts.
"Hang on. This is Hogwarts! And…that…no. It that really…" Harry trails off
I see Harry point to a small moving dot labeled 'Dumbledore'.
"Dumbledore…" Fred started
"…in his study..." George trailed off
"…pacing…" Fred trailed off
"…does that a lot." George finished
"You mean, this map shows…" Harry trails off
"Everyone." Fred said
"Everyone?" Harry and I asked
"Everyone." George said
"Where they are." Fred said
"What they're doing." George said
"Every minute…" Fred started
"…of every day." George said
"Brilliant!" Harry said
"Where'd you get it?" I asked
"Nicked it from Filch's office, of course, first year. Now listen. There's seven secret passageways out of the castle. But we'd recommend…" Fred said
"This one." Fred and George said
"The One-Eyed Witch on the third floor." George said
"The One-Eyed…" Harry trails off
"Witch, right. But you best hurry. Filch is heading this way. Oh. Harry, and Ana? When you're done, make sure to give it a tap on say, 'Mischief Managed'. Otherwise, anyone can read it." Fred said
I pick the cloak up and throw it over Harry and I.
"So want to give this a try?" I asked
"Sure." Harry said
We followed the map to the One-Eyed Witch. We reached the witch, and we both looked down at the map. On the map it shows two dots standing in front of the statue on labeled Anastasia, and the other Harry Potter. A tiny speech bubble appears above the witch, Dissendium.
"Do you think we are supposed to say that?" Harry asked
"I think so. Let's give it a try." I said
I looked at the map one more time.
"Dissendium." I said
There was a click, the witch's eye opens and the statue pivots, revealing a dark opening in the floor. We step down into the opening.
Unknown Time Skip…
We stop walking when we come to some stone steps. I take out my wand and tap the map.
"Mischief Managed." I said
The black lines of the map disappear and harry quickly puts the map away.
"I think you should go first." Harry said
"You are such a coward." I said
"I am not." Harry said
"Whatever." I said
I climbed up the stairs and looked around. I shut the door.
"We'll need the cloak. It dumped us out in the basement of Honeyduke's." I said
He nods and throws the cloak over us. We very carefully make our way out of the passage way. Once we our out of the basement, we make our way through the shop. We passes through a section that would be a sweet tooth's dream. I see Neville prepare to lick the a lollipop in his hand, when Harry grabs it and it simply floats from his fingers and out the door.
"You are going to give that boy a heart attack." I said
"No I won't." Harry said
"I feel kind of bad that Dudley isn't here." I said
"He'll be okay. He just has a cold." Harry said
Harry pulls the lollipop under the cloak. We continue down Main Street. We walk up a hill and see and hear Hermione and Ron. We make our way over to them. They are standing on the border of the Shrieking Shack. They both stand stiffly, attempting, as best they can, to conceal the fact that, basically, they're scared stiff.
"Think we should scare them?" I asked
"Let's do it." Harry said
We make our way towards them.
"It's meant to be the most haunted building in Britain. Did I mention that?" Hermione asked
"Twice." Ron said
"Should we move a bit closer?" Hermione asked
"Huh? Oh…All right…" Ron said
They take a step. One step, then stop dead.
"Actually, it's fine from here." Ron said
"Perfect." Hermione said
Just then, voice echo and three figures appear over the rise, phantoms in the mist. Or just Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Pike.
"Well, well. Look who's here. You two shopping for your bream home? Seems a bit grand for you, Weasel-Bee. Don't your family all sleep in one room?" Draco asked
"Shut your mouth, Malfoy." Ron said
"Now that's not very friendly. Boys, I think we're going to have to teach Weasel-Bee to respect his superiors." Malfoy said
"Hope you don't mean yourself." Hermione said she gives a harsh chuckle
Malfoy's eyes shift, regard Hermione with disgust.
"How dare you speak to me, you filthy, little mud -" Malfoy is cut off
Splat. Malfoy takes a snowball to the grill. I looked to my left to see that Harry was the one to throw the snowball.
"Who did that!" Draco yelled
Draco glances about in confusion, when - Splat! Splat! - he takes two more. Hermione and Ron glance about uneasily.
"Well, don't just stand there." Draco said
Crabbe and Goyle start for Ron and Hermione, when - Flumph! - their knees got out and they fall headfirst into the snow. Draco begins to back away fearfully, eyeing the mist… I look at Draco, and controlled the mist to make him think that he was seeing things trying to grab him and pull him down.
"Wait a minute, there's something out there - aaaaaaahhhh!" Draco screams
Draco's ski mask is pulled over his eyes, he's spun about, given a rough kick to the ass and sent stumbling over the rise and out of sight. Instantly, Crabbe and Goyle join him. Ron and Hermione stand frozen, exchange a nervous glance, and…dash off…when - Flumph! - they both o flying, and land on their pants in the snow. Harry and I look at each other the cloak and start laughing.
"Harry, Ana?" Ron asked
"Harry. Ana." Hermione said
Harry drops the invisibility cloak. We both stand their laughing.
"Bloody hell, guys! That was not funny." Ron said
"Sorry we've been taking lessons from your brothers." I said
Harry and I start to laugh harder. That cause's Ron to laugh and Hermione to smile. She throws a snowball at us.
…
We walk down main street.
"Those weasels! Never told me about any Marauder's Map!" Ron said
"But you two aren't going to keep it. He's going to turn it over to Professor McGonagall, aren't you?" Hermione asked
"Oh sure. Along with his invisibility cloak, his pack of exploding snap cards, his -" Ron trails off
"Oh, shut up." Hermione said
We spent the rest of the day walking around Hogsmeade. When it was time to head back to the castle, Harry and I headed back to Honeyduke's and down the secret passage way to the castle. Once we were back we waited at the door for Ron and Hermione
