-Sometimes there is only one way out – tea with lemon.
Lupin
I tried not to look at her as we hurried through the schoolgrounds. There were countless questions in my mind, but I doubted she would answer even one of them.
"Isn't this where the gamekeeper lives?"
"His name is Hagrid and yes this is his house." we stopped at the large door and I knocked.
"Are you sure this a good idea?" she whispered looking into my eyes. My heart skipped a beat yet again.
"Trust me," I replied, her lips parted to speak but the door swung open and Hagrid stepped out.
"Hello kids, Remus good to see again. Come in, come in,"
I could see Viv hesitate, so I gently nudged her forward. "Sit down, sit down. Let me pour you a cup of tea. It's jolly cold outside."
I watch Viv sit on the edge of a large chair. She was quiet and still clenching onto the cage.
"Actually, Hagrid, we need your help," I interjected. "Vivienne, show him," I noticed her wince. It happened every time I called her by her name.
Her hair fell on her face, hiding her eyes. She still hesitated, but nevertheless handed Hagrid the cage. Hagrid did not hesitate; he opened the cage and took out the creature. It looked tiny in his large hand. "It's barely breathing," he said quietly. Viv nodded,
"I've tried Episkey and Reparifors but it didn't help. I didn't know what else to do."
"This little guy was under an influence of a bad curse, as well as physical abuse, unfortunately those spells are not strong enough to help." Hagrid's sad voice made me wonder what kind of bad curse he was talking about.
"Then what now? He will just die?" I did not expect such a reaction from Viv. She slammed her hands on wooden table and looked fiercely at Hagrid. She wanted to fight for the creature's life.
"No, of course not," the giant gave her a small smile. He stroked the head of the pixie with his pinkie finger. "Although the spells you used were weak, they still helped to ease his pain and discomfort. Don't worry, I know how to help him." he took out a thick cloth and wrapped it around the creature. Hagrid gently placed it back into the cage. "Right now, he needs to rest,"
"Really?" those large grey eyes looking at the giant almost pleadingly.
"Yes."
Viv sighed relieved. Her body slowly eased down on the chair. "Thank you."
"Happy to help," Hagrid put out a plate of his infamous rock cakes and poured us the promised tea. "Made them today," his kind smile was addressed to Viv. She nodded and picked up the large cup set in front of her. She brought it close to her face and watched the steam. "I must say, it's nice to see you kids getting along. In my time in Hogwarts, I haven't seen too many Slytherins befriending Gryffindors." Hagrid had the best intention in mind when he said it, but I noticed the way Viv clenched on the cup. She forced a smile.
"These look...heartstoppingly good Hagrid," I said taking one of his rock cakes.
"They are delicious,"
"Are you really going to eat that?" Viv mouthed when Hagrid was not looking. I shook my head with a smile and hit it in my pocket.
The next half an hour we've spent drinking tea with large pieces of lemon and discussing magical creatures that Hagrid recently came across.
Viv placed the cup on the table and stood up. "Thank you for the tea Hagrid, and for your help with the pixie." She abruptly stopped talking and looked at the floor.
"You can come visit him any time," Hagrid's large hand found itself on Viv's shoulder. Her eyes sparked and she nodded with a smile.
Hagrid saw us off.
The way to the castle was silent. I kept glancing in her direction, but she stubbornly looked ahead. "It's better if we go in separately," she finally said. Her words upset me, but I knew she was right. "Okay, you really need to stop looking at me like that," she turned her body to face me.
"Like what?"
"Just ask. I will answer one question about what happened today."
"I don't want to know." It was stubborn of me.
Viv laughed. "You are a bad liar Remus,"
That night I've waited for her in the astronomy towel, but Viv never showed up.