There were nothing but whispers in the halls of Hogwarts for the next few days. Students were coming up with wild tales and theories about Sirius Black, most of which humored Madelia. There was one, in fact, that she found the best – that Sirius Black could transform himself into a flowering shrub. She was on her way to Defense Against the Dark Arts when she heard a shrill voice calling her name. She turned and spotted Professor Flitwick walked towards her. Madelia sighed.

Ever since the incident with the towers, Madelia had very little time to herself. She would often find herself walking in the halls with her friends, mostly Zoey, who would look around timidly like a pointer dog. Sometimes, the Weasley twins would also escort her like personal bodyguards. They tended to hex students who looked for too long or too accusingly.

Sometimes, when she was alone on her way without a friend in sight, teachers would find a reason to escort her to class. Today was one such day.

"Where are you headed?" the Charms professor asked with a pip in his step.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts," Madelia answered, and slowed so Flitwick could walk more easily. His short height made her slow her strides drastically. She hoped Flitwick never tried to walk with the twins.

"Ah, I see. I wanted to speak with you about your Charms essay," he said, and Madelia looked down at him.

"Is something the matter with it?"

"Of course not! I wanted to compliment you on your writing skills. You possess a great talent with writing," he said, smiling up at her.

"Well, I've always enjoyed writing," Madelia admitted. "I think it also helps me enjoy my homework more, and to learn. Was there anything mistaken with my essay, sir?"

"Of course not, Ms. Lupin! I believe you are a highly advanced student." They turned the corner to the classroom and Madelia stopped. "That was all I wanted to speak with you about. I'd suggest you get into class before the bell."

"Thank you, professor." She nodded at him before walking into the classroom. She knew Remus wouldn't be teaching that day, seeing as it was very soon after a full moon. He would be sick for most of the day, and into the next. However, she wasn't expecting to see Snape filling in for his position. Zoey looked absolutely thrilled as Madelia took her seat.

"Your dad has lost some points with me. Five points from Professor Lupin," she mumbled, hands tightening on her book. "Subjecting me to someone so ridiculous."

"Just stay quiet and ignore him," Madelia said with a sigh as the bell rang. The room was quiet as Snape sneered at them, the only sound that of the howling wind and the rain pattering on the windows.

"I was not surprised to see Professor Lupin left no notes for lesson plans," he said, and several students shifted uncomfortably. "We'll focus on a lesson of my own. Take out a piece of parchment, your quills, and listen carefully."

He turned to walk to the front of the room, and he glared at Zoey for longer than needed. Madelia was afraid she was about to pounce.

"I will be teaching the same thing I have taught other dunderheads today," Snape said as Madelia pulled out her parchment. "Werewolves."

She caught herself before she could drop her quill. She looked at Snape with wide eyes, slightly unbelieving, and he smirked in her direction. She held back the anger she felt for the man, but the red on her cheeks was still apparent. She raised her hand, but he didn't acknowledge her.

"Please, sir, we've already learned about werewolves," she said. "I don't think—"

"I see there is not just one Ms. Granger in this school. I have yet another insufferable know-it-all on my hands." At the insult, Madelia went silent and looked at him with furrowed eyebrows. "If you have already learned this, it should be familiar."

"I told you," Zoey murmured under her breath.

"Five points from both Gryffindor and Ravenclaw," he said, glaring at both girls. He walked closer until he was standing in front of them, and he stood directly before Zoey. Madelia felt a sense of Deja-vu.

"Tell me, Ms. Milfoil, what is the difference between the werewolf and the regular wolf?"

Zoey said nothing, instead vouching to glare harshly at him. He stood straighter with a 'hmph' sound.

"How very disappointing. Yet, not surprising." There were a few snickers throughout the classroom but one glare around the room made them silent. "Ms. Lupin. Stand."

She did and Snape looked down at her.

"What is the difference between the werewolf and the regular wolf?" She felt humiliated and knew exactly what he was doing, but held her tongue from speaking any rude words.

"One way is with the snout. The werewolf's is—"

"Ms. Lupin, I did not ask for a speech about the differences."

"You asked her," George said, looking up at the professor. "She was only trying to answer, and you're targeting her on purpose!"

"It's not fair to Madelia that you're belittling her for knowing the answer," Fred added. Snape looked in their direction with a harsh glare, and Madelia looked sadly at them.

"Detention, the both of you. I will not tolerate either attitude in my classroom."

"Technically, it's Professor Lupin's," Zoey piped in, begging for a way to correct Snape.

"You can join them, Ms. Milfoil. I believe you would rather enjoy scrubbing cauldrons with the twins without using magic." He looked over at Madelia with a taunting look in his eyes. "Sit."

She obeyed and sat down, seething with anger as they began to take notes. Zoey didn't speak for the whole period, and didn't say another word when the bell rang at last. Before Madelia could say a word, Zoey darted out of the room with anger etched on her face. Fred and George walked over as Madelia was packing up her books.

"You didn't have to do that," Madelia said quietly as she put her books away.

"Oh, we know."

"We wanted to."

"It wasn't fair to you."

"And I'm sure Professor Lupin would agree." She sighed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She looked back at Snape sitting at the desk, reading over several essays with a scowl.

"I'll meet you at dinner. I need to speak with Professor Snape."

They looked calculatingly at her before slowly leaving the room. She waited until no one was left and the door was shut before heaving up her bag.

"Might I have a word, sir?" she asked, and Snape looked up slowly. He scowled in her direction as she walked closely.

"Here to defend your little friends, Lupin?" She looked down at her feet, piecing her words together. Then she looked up slowly.

"I just wanted to ask why."

"Why what?" He obviously knew what she was talking about, judging by the smirk on his face, but she didn't let up.

"The staff knows my dad is a werewolf, meaning you must as well. I just would like to know why you are teaching students about werewolves?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about, Ms. Lupin." She bit her lip to keep a snide remark to herself. She then reached into her bag and fished out her potions book. Snape watched her with irritation.

"Well, while I'm here, would you be willing to answer a potions question?" she asked, holding up her book.

"I have much to do."

"It won't take more than a minute." She placed the book on top of the desk, flipped it around, then pointed to a set of directions. "It's about the Skele-Gro, sir. The Scarab Beetles."

"What about them?"

"It says to cut them in half, sir, but it's very difficult. I was writing my essay when I realized . . . wouldn't it make more sense to grind the beetles? It would be more effective for a smoother solution." He stared at her with an unamused look and a raised eyebrow.

"And is that your only reasoning?"

"Well . . . no, sir. From personal experience, I know that trying to cut a Scarab Beetle is very difficult. They tend to escape my grip. However, by grinding them, it's easier to handle."

"And what made you draw this conclusion, Ms. Lupin?"

"I'm not sure, sir. I just figured it would be a more efficient way to handle the beetles. It's the same ingredient, but I've learned from making potions that the book isn't always correct." She decided against mentioning that what he wrote on the board created excellent potions while the book had flaws.

His narrowed eyes landed on hers and she waited for a biting remark.

"A very bold comment, Ms. Lupin." They stared at each other in silence and Madelia kept her gaze, waiting for an answer. When none came, she pulled the book off the desk and placed it back into her bag.

"It was just a theory, I suppose. It could be wrong." She turned, adjusting the bag on her shoulder as she turned to leave the room. "Have a good rest of your day, sir."

When she was halfway across the classroom, she heard his monotonous voice speak once more. She almost smiled at the answer, but knew better than to do so.

"Grinding Scarab Beetles would make a satisfactory potion, perhaps if made by someone competent enough."