Nicki's POV: Our afternoon lesson, Transfiguration, was over and we had some free time. I really needed to catch up on some homework, so I said goodbye to the others and went to the library.
"Oh, Miss Shelley, I haven't seen you in a while", Madam Pince greeted me from where she was sitting behind her desk.
"It has only been a few days", I said with a smile and pulled a book out of my bag to give it back. She took it and made a note in her list.
"That could just as well have been a few years in your case. What have you been up to?" Madam Pince really was the Hogwarts staff I saw the most.
"Oh, there was a lot happening, with quidditch and everything."
The librarian wrinkled her nose in distaste.
"Quidditch", she said snidely.
I suppressed the grin. Every time she heard about it, Madam Pince got in a mood and could rant about this sport without end, ever since Oliver had come here straight from the pitch, still in his muddy boots, spreading dirt all over the holy carpets of the library. That was what Madam Pince told everyone who wanted or didn't want to hear it. Oliver's version wasn't as severe.
I interrupted her: "I'm here now and don't worry, I'll surely come back as well. I forgot to ask Professor Sinistra this but maybe you can help me as well. I'm looking for books on the planet Saturn."
Madam Pince's mouth was suddenly transformed from the angry line it had been to a bright smile. "But of course, come with me, I'll show you."
She stepped around her desk and I followed her into the astronomy section. She stopped before one of the shelves.
"Accio", she said, pointing her wand at a ladder that flew over. She climbed it and pulled two books out of the top shelves, then passed them down to me. I took them and looked at their titles. "The Outer Planets" and "Saturn: a planet".
"Thank you", I said.
"It was my pleasure. If you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask me." Madam Pince gave me a last smile before she went back to her desk.
I found an empty table at one of the windows and sat down. I pulled out my writing utensils and opened the book. Somehow, it was easy to concentrate and I fell into this sort of trance I always got into when I was working. My body and mind seemed to do everything automatically. I looked up only when I heard steps. Flint was in the astronomy aisle but hadn't yet seen me. He was standing in front of the shelf where my books also came from. I watched him climb the ladder only to see the empty space where books should have been. He swore under his breath and I couldn't help but grin. He stepped down and finally noticed me.
"What are you staring at?" he asked, walking over to where I sat. He had caught me watching him so obviously, I didn't even try to hide it. I didn't answer him, yet raised the book I was currently reading in.
"Looking for this?"
"Actually yes." Without asking, he pulled out a chair across from me and sat down, then picked the other book.
"You don't mind, do you?"
I put down my quill and leaned back, my fingers drumming a soft rhythm on the wooden table. "Actually I do mind."
He raised his head from where he had been rummaging in his bag.
"I don't see you reading two books at the same time", he said and pointedly looked at the open one in front of me.
"Who said I was talking about the books?", I asked with a provocative smile tugging at my lips.
Flint mockingly raised a hand to his heart. "You wound me, Shelley. Am I really such bad company?"
"Are you sure you want the answer to this question?" I leaned over the table and grabbed the second book, demonstratively laying it next to mine.
Flint smirked. "Actually, I want an answer to that question", he said and leaned forward as well.
"The answer is yes, Flint. You really are bad company", I replied.
"Are you really sure about this?", he inquired further, emphasizing the 'really'. He fixed me with his gaze, his grey eyes sparkling. I was unable to look away.
"Absolutely." My voice was nothing more than a whisper and I wanted to slap myself. This hadn't sounded convincing at all, not even to my ears. After another moment of staring into my eyes, Flint leaned back.
"I will ask you that again and then I want the honest answer."
I let out a breath, shakier than I would have liked. "Is that a threat?", I asked.
"See it as a promise", he said, before taking back the book.
I couldn't take this anymore. I got up, threw my stuff into my bag and grabbed both books. Without another word or look behind me, I hurried to Madam Pince's desk.
"Could I loan these out?"
"Of course."
I wrote my name down in both books and Madam Pince wrote my name down on her list, the I more ran than walked out of the library and straight to dinner. I had no idea what I ate, I just stuffed it into my mouth, only halfheartedly listening to what my friends were talking about. I went to bed quite early that evening, the need to be alone with my thoughts was too big and I really couldn't deal with any more questions from the girls. I just couldn't. I just hoped tomorrow would bring some peace and quiet.

Lexie's POV: I watched Lupin carefully spread an ointment I had prepared on my wound. I was about to do it myself when he took the glass out of my hand and insisted on doing it. After a rather long discussion, I finally gave up. Although my body felt a lot better, I was still tired and exhausted and I definitely did not have the energy to argue with Lupin right now. As if he could read my mind Lupin looked up and asked, how I was feeling. I took a deep breath.
"Empty."
After waking up in Lupin's arms this morning, my wound was nearly healed. As much as a Werewolf bite could heal, at least. I would keep the scars of his teeth forever, imprinted on my own flesh. I swallowed heavily. My mind still could not grasp the events of last night. To be honest, I didn't really allow myself to. The thought of how this night would change my life forever was just too much to pursue right now. Instead, I had worked on this ointment for my wound while Lupin went out to the castle to get food and other ingredients for my ointment. I still could not walk properly and limping into the castle would raise too many questions but I was determined to change that with this ointment. Focusing on preparing it had been the only reason I haven't gone insane yet. Lupin was done applying and I could feel my leg magically healing faster.
"Actually, I – I think I need some time for myself," I whispered.
Lupin looked like he wanted to object but finally just nodded.
"I'll excuse you for your lessons today and come back later and check on you again, okay?"
"Mhm."
He just stood there staring at me for a moment before turning around and leaving. I fell back into the bed. As soon as the door closed behind him, the emotions came breaking down on me. I sobbed, tears streaming down my face. After letting myself go for a few minutes I managed to calm myself down again. Carefully, I sat up trying to put some of my weight on my wounded leg. It still hurt, but I think it would work. I got up and slowly walked to the door. I could not bear watching Lupin stare at me with this look, full of emotions that I could not identify. It made my heart sink into my stomach. I did not want to think about any of this right now. Not about werewolves or Lupin. Actually, I would prefer not to think at all. But sooner or later I would have to. I cast an Invisibility spell, made sure that my shoes were invisible as well and made my way to the castle. I tormented myself walking up staircase after staircase to finally step inside the library. I hushed to the forbidden section and shoved every book I could find about werewolves into my also invisible bag. Until now, I had not transformed into a werewolf. Maybe, the bite was not deep enough or the planets were not in the right order. I made my way back down to the Whomping Willow. I could not be a werewolf- I just couldn't. There had to be a way. I clung to this branch of hope like my life depended on it. I guess, it really did.