Hogsmeade
On Halloween morning, Harry awoke with the rest of the boys in his dormitory. They all went down to breakfast excited for the day. Only Harry was left with a depressing feeling as he had to stay behind while the rest of the third years and any student above that went to Hogsmeade.
"We'll bring you lots of sweets from Honeydukes," said Hermione, trying to lighten his mood. "Yeah, lots of sweets!" Ron piped in. Both Hermione and Ron were looking forward to spending time together outside of school.
"Don't worry about me," Harry told them. "I'll see you at the feast," he added. They walked out to the Entrance Hall, where the caretaker, Filch, was checking off names. He had been ordered to make sure that no one sneaked out. Since Sirius Black had escaped, the school had to be extra careful with letting their students out.
"Staying here, Potter?" Malfoy spat as he walked past the sad looking Harry with Grabbe and Goyle. All three boys snickered and left.
"Hey, where is Daisy?" Ron suddenly asked. Hermione and Harry both shrugged. "She's staying behind," Mr. Filch said with a dissatisfied facial expression.
"How come?" Hermione asked worried. The caretaker mumbled something inaudible and pushed Ron and Hermione into the line of students leaving. Harry was left wondering where his new friend had gone.
Harry made his way up the staircase, through the deserted corridors, and back to Gryffindor Tower. He thought that if Daisy had stayed behind, she might be hiding in the girl's dormitory.
"Password?" the Fat Lady in the painting asked as Harry walked up to it. "Fortuna Major," said Harry. The door flung open and in he walked, head down. The common room was filled with chatter from first- and second-year students. Upon seeing Colin Creevey, a second-year boy who had a special interest in Harry, he swirled around a chair to avoid him. He accidently bumped into a girl.
"I'm sorry," he apologised frantically. "No worries," she said, removing a strand of hair from her face. "By any chance, have you seen Daisy Lupin?" Harry asked, remembering why he went in there. "She's not here," she replied, turning around to face her friends once more. Harry sighed and left the common room. On his way past the Fat Lady in the painting, he got a gnarly comment about not having a point to wake her from her slumber.
The sad looking boy walked up and down the corridors of Hogwarts school, when a voice suddenly said, "Harry?". It came from one of the rooms he had passed. He doubled back to see who had called for him, meeting Professor Lupin in his office doorway.
"What are you doing here?" he asked confused. "And where is Ron and Hermione?"
"Hogsmeade," was all Harry could say without letting his frustrations show. "Ah," the Professor muttered. He poked his head into his office before turning to stare at Harry for a moment.
"Why don't you come in? I've just taken delivery of a Grindylow for our next lesson," Remus offered. Harry followed Lupin into his office. He was surprised to see his friend sleeping on a couch.
"Don't mind her. She fell ill and is merely taking a nap," Remus answered as if he had read Harry's mind. In the corner stood a large tank of water. A green monster like creature was swimming in it, occasionally scratching the glass with its long, spindly fingers.
"It's a water demon," the Professor explained, eyeing the creature with fascination.
"We shouldn't have too much trouble with it in class. Not after the others," Lupin explained. Harry stared at the Grindylow. It looked almost as if it waved at him, causing him to chuckle.
"A cup of tea?" Lupin asked, looking around for his kettle. "I was just thinking about making one for the two of us when I heard you in the hallway," he explained, pointing at the now half awake student on the sofa. "All right," said Harry awkwardly. Daisy yawned from her seat and stretched her exhausted body.
"Oh, hi Harry," she said once she noticed him in the room. The older Lupin touched the kettle with his wand, boiling the water within seconds. Daisy tapped the empty seat next to her, indicating that Harry should join her.
"Tea my dear?" he asked her. She nodded. He handed them a chipped mug of tea each. Daisy gladly sipped on the warm liquid, holding the mug with both hands. She looked frailer and more exhausted than usual. Harry noticed how her movements seemed unnatural slow.
"How come you are not in Hogsmeade?" he asked her. She looked at her father before answering, "I fell ill and thought it would be best to stay," Daisy answered. She kept looking at her father as if checking if she had said the right thing. "Are… are you contagious?" Harry asked embarrassed. Both Lupin's chuckled. "No, Harry. She is not. This happens once in a while and…" he was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Come in," called Lupin. The door opened, and in came Snape. He was carrying a goblet with light smoke coming out of it. He stopped dead in his tracks as he saw the two students.
"Severus," Lupin said smiling. "Thank you very much."
Snape put the goblet down on the desk, his eyes wandering between the students. Eyeing them carefully. Upon seeing the sickly look on the young girl, he grimaced.
"I was just showing them my Grindylow," Professor Lupin said, pointing to the tank. "Fascinating," Snape muttered annoyed. "You should drink that directly, Lupin."
"Yes, yes, I will. Thank you, Severus," Lupin said overly cheerful. He downed the entire goblet right then and there, flashing a disgusted face expression. Harry shot Daisy a confused look, alarm bells ringing in his head. Knowing Professor Snape wanted Lupin's job made him very suspicious.
All he saw was a very dazed look on her face. Her eyes completely white, lacking the usual blue colour. "Eh, Professor. I think there's something wrong with Daisy," Harry said loudly. Both teachers spun their head in her direction.
"Not again…" mumbled Lupin. "Harry if you wouldn't mind, can you return to your common room?" Professor Lupin asked quickly. Harry was frozen in his seat until Snape shot him a death glare. He hurried out of the office just as the door slammed shut behind him. With a fast beating heart, Harry dragged himself back to the Gryffindor common room, his mind staying fixed on his friend and the mysterious potion. He couldn't help but wonder if Snape had poisoned it, just to get the Dark Arts teaching position.
Inside the office stood Professor Snape and Lupin, looking at the white eyed student. She sat motionless on the couch, staring into space.
"What's going Remus? She is not going to transform in here, is she?" Snape demanded knowing. Remus did not answer. He was busy moving the mug out of her hands, almost as if knowing what would happen next.
"Lily…" Daisy muttered, she almost looked possessed. Snape took a step back in surprise. "Lily?" he repeated, unable to find more words. Her face paled as her body swayed forward. Remus caught her the last second before her head would had slammed onto the ground.
"Would you mind giving me a hand, Severus?" Remus asked, holding the unconscious girl in his arms. Bewildered, Snape took hold of her legs, swinging them onto the armrest. In that moment Severus Snape could no longer keep a straight face. The sudden mention of his long, lost love threw him off course. His mind was racing to figure out why she would say that specific name. Was it because of Harry, himself or a coincident?
"Remus Lupin, I demand to know what's going on," Snape snapped at the Professor. "I'm afraid I cannot tell you anything. We are not even sure what this is," Remus confessed.
As the students began overtaking the corridors, talking about their adventures at Hogsmeade, Harry stood waiting by the Entrance Hall. It was chilly outside, but Harry stood still. Ron and Hermione had just turned up, pink faced from the cold wind.
"We got as much as we could carry!" Ron said happily, dumping the sweets in Harry's arms. "Thanks", he said, immediately eating a stick of liquorice wand. Harry was about to ask how their trip went, when Hermione asked, "Did you find Daisy?"
"Yes, she's… eh. It's complicated," Harry admitted. Hermione pushed him for more information. Harry told them of what had happened in Professor Lupin's office.
"Oh Merlin! I sure hope she's alright," Hermione exclaimed worried.
"Do you really think that Snape would poising Lupin in front of you?" Ron asked, trying to keep up with all he was told. "Don't be daft, Ron. But then again, it's Snape," Hermione commented.
They talked on their way into the Great Hall. It had been nicely decorated with candles and pumpkins. The food at the feast were delicious. Every student had at least taken seconds, even those who had already full stomachs from the sweet shop in Hogsmeade. Harry kept glancing at the teachers table at the end of the hall. Professor Lupin had just sat down, looking cheerful again. Harry noticed that Snape kept looking in the direction of Remus.
"What are you doing 'Mione?" Ron asked with a mouth full of food. Both Harry and Hermione looked disgusted at their friend.
"Saving food for Daisy," she simply stated, gathering some leftovers on a plate. "I don't think the house-elves would mind one less dish to clean."
The feast ended. Happy and laughing students left the Great Hall, talking about the trip and the entertainment provided by the Hogwarts ghosts. They had put on their annual Halloween show. The mood had improved in Harry so much that not even Malfoy's comment could bring it down. "Hey Potter! The Dementor's send their love!"
They walked along the corridors towards Gryffindor Tower. Suddenly everyone stopped. The hallway was jammed with students.
"Why isn't anyone going in?" asked Ron curiously. Harry stretched his body to peer over the students in front of him.
"Let me through!" called Percy as he struggled to get past everyone. "What's the hold up? You can't all have forgotten the password," he commented, getting slightly annoyed that no one moved. "Make space, I'm Head Boy," he eventually yelled out. The corridor went silent. Slowly people moved to give him space. Suddenly Percy's voice pierced the silence, "Somebody get Professor Dumbledore. Quick!"
Within minutes Dumbledore was walking through the crowd of confused Gryffindors. Harry, Ron and Hermione moved closer to see what was going on. Hermione grabbed Ron's arm as she saw the empty painting. It had been slashed by what looked to be claws. Dumbledore turned around to see Professor McGonagall, Lupin and Snape jogging towards him. They all gasped at the sight.
"We need to find her," said Dumbledore. "Professor McGonagall, please ask Mr Filch to accompany you to search each painting in the castle for the Fat Lady," he ordered. The Professor nodded and strode off in the direction of Filch's hiding place.
Peeves the poltergeist suddenly emerged from the wall. "She's up on the fourth floor, hiding, Sir," he said.
"Why is she hiding, Peeves?" Dumbledore asked calmly. "She's a horrible mess, crying something terrible!" Peeves answered, throwing his hands up in frustration.
"Did she say who did it?" asked Dumbledore quietly, hoping the students wouldn't catch it.
"Oh yes, Professorhead. He got very angry when she wouldn't let him in without the password!" Peeves exclaimed. He flew to the other side of the Headmaster adding, "he's got a temper, that Sirius Black." At the mention of his old friend, Remus paled. He darted out of the hallway. Everyone had been at the feast, but his daughter. She had been resting in his office after her eventful day at the castle.
Professor Dumbledore sent all the Gryffindors back to the Great Hall. The other three houses, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin soon joined them. They all looked extremely confused as they had yet been told why everyone was panicking.
"The teachers and I need to conduct a search of the castle," informed the Headmaster, calming the students chatter. Professor Flitwick closed the giant doors to the Hall.
"I'm afraid that you all have to spend the night here, for safety measures. I want every Prefect to stand guard and report any disturbances to the teachers," he added. Percy stood proudly beside him. Just as Dumbledore was about to leave, he turned around and said, "oh, you'll be needing these." With a swift movement of his wand, the tables moved to the sides, leaving the floor covered in sleeping bags.
"Sleep well," he said, closing the door behind him. The Hall began buzzing with chatter. Everyone heard the story of the missing Fat Lady, leaving gasping students around the room. Percy ordered everyone to find a sleeping bag, telling them that the lights would be out soon.
"Oh, where is Daisy? I am getting worried," Hermione asked. The three students seized their sleeping bags and dragged them into a corner by the door.
"I don't know. Last I saw of her was in Lupin's office," Harry said. Just then the door opened. Everyone stopped talking to focus on who had entered. In walked a terrible looking Daisy with Professor Lupin on her heels. He looked relieved, holding a hand on her back. When she saw Harry, Ron and Hermione, she turned around to hug her father. "Be careful," she said. Remus smiled at her, petting her cheek. He turned around and left the Hall to the watchful eyes of the Prefects.
Daisy made her way over to Harry, Ron and Hermione. "Hi guys," she said, smiling faintly.
"I got you food and a sleeping bag," Hermione said proudly. Daisy thanked her and gladly took it.
"Do you really think Black still in the castle?" whispered Hermione anxiously.
"Dumbledore seems to think so. Every teacher is roaming the halls with their wands up," Daisy said. Ron looked scared at them. Percy yelled over the crowd of students, "the lights are going out now! Everyone in their sleeping bags and no more talking!" He spoke with authority, which annoyed Ron.
Sometime after midnight, the doors were opened. In walked a calmer Dumbledore. Neither of the four children had gotten as much as a wink. They had discussed the potion from Snape, the Hogsmeade trip and the attack of the painting. Daisy of course knew what the potion was but was not allowed to share it. She tried to defend Snape, saying that they were overanalysing the situation. She was secretly happy that Harry did not mention the episode in her father's office.
Harry and Ron being the only ones faced towards the door, watched as Dumbledore spoke to Percy.
"All well in here?", Dumbledore asked, glaring around the room. The boys quickly pretended to be asleep as he looked in their direction.
"Everything under control, Sir," Percy whispered proudly. "Any sign of him?" he asked. Dumbledore shook his head no. Daisy and Hermione was intensively listening to the commotion behind them.
They heard the door of the Hall creak open again followed by footsteps.
"Headmaster?" Snape voice said. He informed Dumbledore of their search coming up empty. "Very well, Severus. I did not expect Black to linger, but we had to make sure."
"Do you have any theory as to how he got in?" Snape asked, sounding as if he already had an idea. Daisy shifted to hear better as she was curious.
"Many, Severus. Each of them unlikely," Dumbledore answered sadly. Snape let out a frustrated sigh, "remember the conversation we had, Headmaster, just before the start of term?" Dumbledore nodded. He moved slightly and stared warningly at the Professor.
"It seems impossible that Black could have entered the school without inside help. I did express my concerns when you appointed…" he was cut off by Dumbledore defending the people inside the castle. Harry looked Daisy in the eyes. She stared back, knowing full well that Snape was out to get her father in trouble. Considering their past, which she knew some of, it was understandable that he would be mad. Daisy felt a rising anger inside of her. She resented Snape from that moment. She fought every cell in her body to not get up and yell. Remus was very protective of his daughter and she was protective of him. No one had the right to talk badly about the Lupin's.
The Headmaster left the Great Hall followed by a very angry Snape. The door closed and Percy moved to the other end of the hall to tell a student to stop talking. Harry glanced sideways at Ron and Hermione. Both of them had their eyes open, too, reflecting on what they had heard.
"What do you reckon that was about?" Ron mouthed. "The past sneaking up on you," Daisy muttered back.