Another short one, I know but I hope you really enjoy it. It was actually a lot of fun writing in Lupin lines...I'm not saying his character is easy...but since he is pretty easy going it is a little well okay easier than say Snape or any of the Malfoy's. Don't get me wrong, I love how they are going but they are difficult. I've always been a self-proclaimed Slytherin, but still these characters are a mystery...probably why I loved seeing visually the inside of Snape's house in the Half-blood Prince...because he is such a mystery XD...anyway forgive my rambling and enjoy.
I should have known Draco would get aggravated, and get hurt. Now, he was sporting a sling...the half-blood's Hippogriff was to sadly be put to death. Which I didn't agree with, but I didn't disagree either. What Draco did was awful, but Buckbeat can't be attacking students..regardless..that's a safety violation. I was conflicted by all that, as I helped clean his injuries.
"I'm sorry." He spoke softly, as we sat in the Slytherin common room. "I promised."
"That doesn't matter, you're hurt." I replied, but I knew my voice came out harder. "What matters...is I love you, you're my brother."
His grey eyes looked down. "You're mad at me." My eyes gazed at the boy for a moment, I could tell this really upset him.
"Draco, you are right...I am mad at you..mad at myself for not being able to pull you back...and I'm tired." I told him calmly. "But, again none of that matters. You're my brother, and I still forgive you."
He smiled, wrapping his good arm around me. "I really am sorry." He whispered. "I just get frustrated, Potter has great things happen to him. You're better than him, and Granger, and that Weasel…..yet you get looked over."
"By Dumbledore." I replied softly. "Snape, McGonagall, Sprout, and Flitwick, they all treat me fine..and that Professor Lupin He doesn't seem bad."
"I suppose….you know father is angry." Draco grumbled.
"I know...I can floo call him." I suggested.
"Where?"
"McGonagall has let me before." I replied simply. "It may calm him down."
"It will calm him down if he can see his little Princess." My brother replied simply. I looked at him simply, before kissing his cheek. "Yes I know, you're the Malfoy Princess." He laughed softly.
"Draco, I don't know what I would be doing if I hadn't sat with you two years ago." I muttered, but truthfully I knew that answer. I'd be dead, and that was more terrifying than anything, or worse still living with my Muggle father. It amazed me, at being completely safe and yet I was still terrified of the man.
This fear became very much apparent, when we entered Professor Lupin's classroom. Everyone was having a grand time with the boggart, the moment that Lupin explained what it would show….I was afraid. I didn't want anyone to see the man that had been my father for years…I certainly didn't want Draco seeing that, worst of all our father came to do a quick sweep of everything. Last thing I needed was for the man I loved with all my heart, what would my mother think when the man came out. Standing next to Draco, I didn't really want to walk towards the door.
Watching the Professor, I noticed him speaking to Longbottom. "What is it that you fear the most?"
"Pro-Professor Snape." Instantly my face turned into a scowl, before I remembered Longbottom did get the Potions Professors Sharp tongue often. Not everyone was lucky enough to get to know the actual man behind the sneer and scowl...I'm not even sure I had the key to completely unlock his secrets either.
"Yes...you live with your Grandmother, yes?" Lupin continued, something in the back of my head told me..I was not going to like this. "Think about what she is wearing." He added before turning back to the wardrobe that held the boggart. "Wand at the ready, and remember to speak clearly. Riddikulus."
I watched very unamused, as the boggart did indeed take the form of Professor Snape...I was becoming angrier by the minute. Taking Draco's hand to keep myself from shouting, I also noticed my father peaking into the room. "Riddikulus." Turning back to the scene, to fine Snape in a long lace trimmed dress, a moth-eaten hat that towered on top of his head, and finally a crimson handbag.
"Very good, form a line." Lupin called, before music started. He walked over to me, and Draco. "Amelia could I speak to you for a small moment." He added quietly, pulling me to the side. "You alright."
"Fine." I said sharply, glaring at Longbottom still.
"You want to try again?" He asked, meeting his eyes calmly I sighed.
I was silent, before speaking. "I have a lot of respect for Professor Snape, I admire him." My voice was quiet as I explained. "He has helped me through a lot, kept me from going mental while I was petrified last year."
He nodded. "I figured as much, I do apologize that it came as a little insensitive."
"No, I understand Longbottoms fear...but it is hard for me to see when Professor Snape helped to save my life." I explained softly.
Lupin nodded calmly. "I am most sorry, I will also keep an eye on Potter and his friends. I tolerate many things, but I do not like bullies." This surprised me, as I had noticed the man's fondness for the bespectacled boy.
"Thank you."
"Not a problem, you can come to me for any of your problems. You may be a Malfoy, but even I have known Lucius and his wife for a long time. They are strict, but they are more than they appear. They are good people under everything." He whispered. "They love both you and Draco unconditionally."
I smiled softly. "They are all I truly have, and all I have ever wanted." I whispered, and he returned my smile.
"They think the world of you, as do many of the teachers. You have even caught the Ministers eye, and Dumbledore holds a lot of respect for you." He told me, the last one caught me off guard; but I could feel the pride filling me. "I have also heard rumors….."
"Rumors?" I asked.
"Oh nothing really, just that the sorting hat had trouble." He replied.
I nodded. "To be honest, I love McGonagall don't get me wrong...but I wish I had been placed in-"
"Slytherin." He replied, before looking up. "Your father is walking this way."
"Dad." I greeted, happily.
"What is going on over here?" He asked, as I looked back over to see Granger was dealing with getting a failing grade. I found this a bit amusing, but also a bit ridiculous.
Shaking my head as I gazed at her, both adults followed my gaze. "I am not in a place to judge someone's fears...but I think there are far worse things to think of then failing one grade."
My father's blonde locks swayed a bit as he nodded. "I agree…." His gaze turned back to Lupin. "What is the problem, Remus?"
"Oh Lucius, nothing is the problem. I noticed Longbottom's fear had bothered her, and just wished to speak through it." Lupin explained, keeping one eye on the class. "I did not wish for a confrontation in the class…"
My father nodded. "Yes, I saw the display of Severus. I was not very pleased either, and I can say he would not be amused."
"Is he ever?" Lupin asked.
"Professor Snape is human." I replied simply.
"You would know, Princess." My father replied softly. "Head on back to the class."
I nodded, before walking to the line. Draco let me in front of him, aggravating Potter dearly at this. As I came to the front of the line, my thoughts shifted back to what Diedra had told me. If she had not interfered, I would be dead. I eyed the Boggart as it morphed slowly, as I remembered that would have been from my Muggle father's actions...everything really was his fault. As I watched in surprise, as the creatures began to bleed around the classroom...revealing my little attic like bedroom from the past, with the chipped wood door.
As a reflex, my hand went back to Draco. I could feel him breathing a bit heavier, guessed everyone was surprised by this outcome. My heart was beating almost killing me it seemed, as it was gonna come out. The banging came soon enough, before the door went flying revealing the ugly man..who still haunted me.
"Worthless!" It started shouting instantly.
Raising my wand, right as the hand went to come down...but my father was quicker. Jumping in front of me, forcing the boggart to morph into a creature hidden by a mask. "Riddikulus." He hissed with his wand, turning the creature or man..whoever it was pink and white. He pulled me away slowly, taking me to the hallway. Draco followed, and I could only guess Lupin didn't object.
"Amelia?" My father whispered. "Princess." He breathed, as my arms wrapped tightly wrapped around him. Sobs raked from my chest instantly, as the tears began to burn. "He won't ever hurt you again."
"I want to kill him." Draco seethed angrily, as he moved to hold me from behind.
"Draco..there are fates worse than death." My father replied calmly. "But, my sweet baby girl. You must know, I won't ever let anyone hurt you."
I nodded into his neck. "I thought I could handle it...I thought I was over him…..I'm safe..but….."
"Baby, you survived an absolutely horrid past." My father whispered. "I don't expect you to jump and be over it…..I just wish I had known the extent of everything, but I do understand." He told me softly, kissing my head. "I too fear the demons of my past."
"That was him...wasn't it?" I asked, and felt him nod. He didn't have to speak, to tell me that what my father feared the most was Voldemort..it mattered not that the man had been defeated, and there was peace...someone else could easily rise to power. "I love you, Daddy." I whispered, as the class was then dismissed.
Izzy, waiting for me and Draco, before we headed to lunch...both of us now sitting at the Slytherin table. I noticed a few confused stares, and even a surprised one from Granger, Lavender, and Parvati...guessed Potter only told them his side of the story..now they knew what I had gone through...now they knew why I clung to the Malfoy's for dear life.
0.o.0
Professor Sprout, taught her class as she always did...but I didn't raise my hand that day. I had been emotionally drained since Lupin's class, and it had been noticed. I went to bed that evening without dinner, laying in my bed within McGonagall's private wing.
"Amelia...could you come out here?" I heard McGonagall call, wincing I stood from my bed and crept out. Noticing that the five core class teachers, plus Dumbledore were all in the large sitting room.
"Miss Malfoy, are you alright?" Dumbledore asked softly.
Nodding my head softly, but I didn't say a thing. A seat having been saved between Snape and Lupin. "I'm fine."
"No you're not." The latter of the two spoke softly, his warm hand going over mine. "Your fear still harms you."
I said nothing, as I became uncomfortable. Leaning a bit closer to Snape than Lupin, but that was a usual thing for me. The darkly inclined male shifted, to gently run a few fingers through my hair. My gaze focused on Lupin calmly, I could tell by his aura that he was a good man...but there was something about him. "Are you alright?" I asked softly.
"Why do you ask?" He asked confused, as he met my gaze.
"Your aura." I replied simply, absentmindedly.
"Clairvoyant?" Lupin asked instantly.
"Seer." Dumbledore replied softly. "An extremely intelligent, and trusting Seer."
Lupin nodded softly. "I noticed the trusting nature." His gaze shifted up. "She is quite fond of you, Severus."
"Oh she's been like that since her first year." McGonagall replied calmly, smiling at me. "Such a humble girl."
A blush found my cheeks, as she said that. "However, we were all concerned when we didn't see you at the Slytherin table….young Mr. Malfoy was especially worried." Dumbledore spoke, everytime he did I tried to focus on him. His aura didn't come off as bad, a pale yellow...but there was the occasional orange flash….that told me he thought he was doing right, even if he wasn't. That right there made me trust him least, doing wrong things for the right reason...doesn't mean it's right.
Snape gently took hold of my chin. 'I think you need to face this fear, I will help you.'
I jerked a bit, but kept my eyes locked with his. 'I know you're right.' I replied to him calmly. 'I'm just-'
'Scared.' He replied, while nodding.
'Yeah….and embarrassed.' He chuckled softly at that.
"Remus, will you help Amelia?" Snape said aloud, catching everyone's attention.
"Help her with what?" The question was asked, curiously.
I looked back at the other male, who eyed Snape curiously. "Help her learn from her fear, it may always be there..but it may help her to move on."
"Why Severus, that is an excellent idea." Dumbledore agreed.
"It won't interfere with her studies will it?" McGonagall asked curiously, which caught my attention as well.
Remus shook his head. "We can meet Saturday afternoons, after lunch."
"Very good." Snape replied. "This will cut our lessons short this year, I will make up for it during the summer."
'Dad won't be thrilled.'
'No he won't, but I will talk with him.' Snape responded to my thought.
What time it is, question time!
1) What went through your heads when Lucius jumped in front of his daughter?
2) Do you like the interaction with Lupin and Amelia?
3) Do you like the fact that the teachers were atoll worried about Amelia?
4) What did you think of Amelia's thoughts on Dumbledore's aurora?
Nature Faustus