Minerva McGonagall crept silently to her room, in Gryffindor Tower. She prayed all the student were asleep, imagine her coming back looking so raggedly, and them seeing her. She had missed the Feast, Dumbledore hadn't even been concerned enough to send someone to search for her. Not even Remus had come looking for her.
Minerva had never been more miserable. She knew that she would be an old, lonely woman for the rest of her life, and she would never know the real beauty of being loved. Who could possibly love an old hag like her?
Minerva found herself at the foot of her bedroom door, and took out her key. But the key was really unnecessary. For when she reached for the doorknob, it just opened. She looked up, to see the concerned face of Remus Lupin staring down on her.
"Minerva! I was starting to get worried. When you didn't come to the feast. . ." his voice trailed off. Minerva longed to tell him her deepest emotions, but was afraid of his reaction. Mostly she was afraid that her dream would vanish, with what he had to say to her.
"You shouldn't have been worried, I can take care of myself," She remarked stiffly.
Remus looked at her with caring eyes. "Are you sure?"
"Why, of course I'm sure." Minerva said sharply. She knew she was being rather cool, since he had, after all, waited up to see if she was all right. He was a sweet man, his being here, almost made her believe maybe. . . he returned her feelings.
She felt her face flush, and appreciated the darkness in the hall leading to her door. She was being silly.
"I'm sorry, Remus, for snapping at you. I'm in a rather bad mood, I'm afraid." Minerva said, feeling very isolated from the world.
He smiled at her. "We all have our days, Minny."
What's that he called her? Minny? Her face was turning red again. She'd better get him out of here, fast.
"Now, if you'll pardon me, I have to be going to bed. I've got to teach tomorrow, and you. . . you shouldn't been in here! What if a student saw you?"
"Relax, I apparated!" Remus said, laughing. "You need to lighten up a bit, did you know that? You're too uptight,"
Minerva sighed. "I suppose I am."
"That settles it than. I'm going to teach you how to have fun." Remus said, with a note of finality in his voice.
"Wha-What?" Minerva wondered what he could possibly mean.
"You are going to have some fun! You're going to forget everything that's bothering you, and have fun! Come on, Minny; let's go to Hogsmeade. We could go to London, there's lots to do there!"
Minerva wondered what this meant. He couldn't possibly want to spend time with her, if he hated her. . .
"No, Remus, I couldn't possibly. Not now. It's too late, and I've got to teach tomorrow," She said, reluncinatly.
"But you're not disposing the idea are you? Because I'll be on your back. . . there's so much you haven't seen, Minny, being locked in this castle forever. . ." Remus stopped, and seemed to be looking for her reaction.
She smiled weakly.
Minerva knew that all the Professors thought she would break down if they talked about her past. But she was strong, and it made her love Remus even more, because he was the first, other than Dumbledore, to mention it to her face.
"Well, anyways, I'm going to be back. . . I'll think of something fun. I want to see you laugh, I've never seen you laugh," Remus commented sadly.
Minerva felt overjoyed.
"Remus, I really am very tired. . . I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast, okay?" She said, longing to give him a hug.
Remus grinned at her, and said, "Don't run off again now!"
"I won't, I promise," She said, and shut the door as he walked down the hall.
What did it all mean? She wasn't even going to think there was a possibility of him liking her. . . and even if there was, it would, could never happen.
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Remus smiled to himself as he walked down the hall, forgetting completely he wasn't suppose to show his face around the castle. It was so hard to ask Minerva out on a "date". She liked him, he could tell. She might even love him. Too bad he had waited so long. . . but she was still as beautiful as ever.
He didn't care that she was seven or so years older. Age didn't matter, especially now that he was getting older. He was in his forties! But than again, the average wizard lived to be over two hundred years old. So he really wasn't old.
Remus heard whispering behind him. He quickly turned, but there was no one there. Was he being paranoid? What if someone had seen him. . . Remus suddenly realized he shouldn't be walking around the halls of Hogwarts like this. He quickly apparated back to his room. He had been too caught up in his feelings . . .
He collapsed on his bed. Really, the love bug had bit him a bit too late in life. Aw well, didn't matter.
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Harry Potter groaned as the sunshine threatened to ruin his dreamless sleep, threatened to bring him out of a world that ceases to exist in the real world. It could never exist, mainly because of people like Voldemort, and Vernon Dursley, thought the two were hardly alike, and Harry would rather live with the Dursleys forever than spend five seconds with Voldemort. Well. . . harry was pretty good at handling Voldemort, he'd done it a few times. . .
Harry was dreading this year at Hogwarts. Not only was it his last one, but he knew he'd have to face Voldemort again. Dumbledore had told harry that this year he would be able to defeat Voldemort once and for all. Harry had no idea if Dumbledore had foreseen this somehow, or if Harry would learn something this year. . . There would be nothing more shocking than the discovery of his relationship to Voldemort. . .
He could still remember the exact moment, his exact reaction, when Dumbledore had expressed to him that Lily Potter's, his mother, maiden name was. . . was Riddle. He still couldn't admit it, still hadn't told Ron or Hermoine. It would be too hard. . . he couldn't even deal with it. That had been two years ago, in his fifth year at Hogwarts. So, Lily and Tom Riddle, brother and sister, blood. . . No wonder Tom hadn't wanted to kill Lily, but how could he. . . how could he kill Harry? Or attempt too, anyways.
Dumbledore had also told Harry that Voldemort hated James Potter, deathly hated him. And he didn't bother to hide it.
Harry couldn't imagine hating anyone enough to kill them. . . sure he didn't like the Dursleys or Draco Malfoy, but still, killing was so drastic. He could never end someone's life, except for maybe Voldemort's. But it would now be harder, knowing Voldemort was his uncle.
"hey Harry, gonna sleep all day?" came the chirpy voice of one of his best friends, Ron Weasley.
Harry opened his eyes, and looked up at the flaming red hair, and freckles on Ron's head.
"Yeah, yeah, hold on," Harry said, sitting up, rubbing his eyes. Both of his closest friends had noticed a change in him, since he had found out. . . it was after Voldemort had tried to kill him again in his fifth year, he had to face his uncle once more last year, and that had been harder. He had sort of accepted it. . .
He wished Voldemort would just leave him alone. Why did he have to kill Harry anyways. That was a silly question. Harry wondered why Voldemort didn't fear him as he feared Albus Dumbledore? Could be that Harry was just a "little boy"? Well, whatever the reason, Harry wasn't going to let it bother him. Not today, anyways. He threw on his robes, and walked out of his room, Ron blubbering about Harry being the Gryffindor team captain. Captain of the Quidditch team. Harry had to admit, it was pretty exciting. But Ron was much more happy about it, than Harry was.
"You get to make new moves and everything!! You've gotta tell me everything! Think you can get me a good seat?" Ron asked harry, eyes lit up.
"Ron, I doubt it. I'm not Dumbledore, I'm just a team captain." Harry said, laughing.
"Just a team captain? I'd do anything, anything to be captain!!!" Ron said.
"It's not a big deal, Ron." Harry was worried Ron might start to get jealous like he did in his fourth year. That was when they had had their first and only fight. It was terrible.
Ron just shook his head. "Okay, then," he said, a smile still booming on his face. He paused a moment, than "imagine, being best friends with the team captain!" bursted out.
They had arrived in the Great hall, where they saw Hermione sitting, two spots saved for the two of them. Ron, who was dating Hermione (had been doing it since the end of the sixth year, had surprised no one), sat next to her, and smiled stupidly at her. Hermione smiled back. Harry sat down across from Hermione, and hoped he had never acted like this around Cho Chang, when he had liked her.
"Can you believe Harry's team captain?" He asked her.
"yes, I mean he is the best player on the team," Hermione said, logically. "Besides, it's not as important as the tests we have to take this year!"
Ron groaned. "Tests?"
"Yeah, you know, the OWLS? Remember Ron? Or did you go completely braindead this summer?" Hermione said.
Harry laughed. Their conversations were getting funnier every year. Provided him with some amusement.
Ron was lucky to have a girlfriend. Harry didn't have anyone. There just wasn't anyone at Hogwarts that was good for him. He had thought for a while Hermione could be that special someone, but she seemed to be perfectly happy with Ron. . .
Hermione was pretty.
Harry turned away from Ron and Hermione to take a good look at the Professors. Hagrid, laughing loudly with Sprout, and Flitwick was looking up at the ceiling, McGonagall was saying something to Dumbledore, who was looking over at the Grffyindors, his glance landing on Harry, who he smiled at. Harry smiled back, nodding his head. Snape was smiling. . .
"Hey, hey you guys, look at snape," Harry said suddenly.
Hermione and Ron stopped talking and looked at Snape, who was indeed smiling. It wasn't an ugly smile either, as Snape sometimes bared. It was a happy smile. Snape was rather. . . okay looking. Harry wasn't going to say more than that though.
"hey look, he's talking to that new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, what's her name?" Ron asked.
"Professor Winaper," Hermione said, giggiling. "Looks like Snape's got a crush,".
"Yeah right," Harry said, shaking his head.
"I don't know Harry, looks like he's having a lot of fun," Ron said, laughing.
"that's disgusting!" harry said, laughing himself.
"No it's not, He's only human," Hermione said.
"Who told you that?" Ron said, dryly.
"Hey, this could be a good thing for Snape, you know?" she replied.
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(Please note that this is a few weeks after school starts)
Remus Lupin was walking around Hagrid's Hut, unbearably bored. He now knew every crack and
waterspots on the walls of the shack. Is this how he was going to spend every day? For the whole year?
He sat down on his bed, and tried to read his new book, but he just wasn't into sitting down today. There had to be something else to do.
Remus decided he would apparate to the leaky cauldron. He was hungry, and wouldn't say no to a nice drink or two. Not that he was going to turn into an alcholical, or something. Hagrid could do that.
Within seconds he was standing outside the pub, oblivious of the people walking around him. Remus strolled in the door, and sat down at the counter, ignoring the looks people were giving him. He was used to it, ever since Snape had told the world he was a werewolf, he'd had trouble with socializing. But it didn't bother him. The nicest people were the ones he wanted to hang around.
Owite Gergam, the bartender, walked over to him. "What'll ya have, Remus?".
"A cauldron cake'd be nice, and I'll have a drink, too," Remus told the balding man.
"Right," Owite said, nodding.
Remus looked around, wearily. There was Dedalus Diggle, he was a regular at the pub. And Piar, Herne, Robert. Percy Weasley was here, which was a big surprise, since Percy had never seemed to be the type to hang around a bar. And Cornelius Fudge.
Cornelius was a man Remus did not like at all. A coward, a fake, and egomanical, he was not the minister Dumbledore would have been. Fudge was laughing loudly, even though it was well known by now that Voldemort would be coming back, and that Fudge wasn't doing anything about it.
But Dumbledore was, and as long as he was around, seeing as how old he was getting, they would all be more or less safe.
Someone sat down next to him, and said, "hey there Remus,"
It was Mundungus Fletcher, fellow anti-Voldemort supported.
"hello Dungus," He smiled.
Mundungus Fletcher was a well known man, very likeable. He had gone to school the same time as Remus, about two years older. Bright yellow eyes, and golden hair, it was impossible not to notice him even in a crowd of people.
"So, heard you've been hanging around hagrid's?"
"who told you that?" Remus said, suddenly.
"Why, Dumbledore, 'course. He knew I wouldn't tell a soul," Mundungus smiled, wryly.
Remus relaxed. "Good. I thought you heard it off the streets, or something."
"Nahhhh."
"So, what have you been up to recently? Noticed you weren't at the meeting,"
"No, I was a bit sick. Been sick a lot lately, throwing up, and all that bad stuff. Not very fun, I'll tell you,"
"I don't imagine it would be," Remus said.
"You're right. You've been good, I hope?"
"Yes, I've been very good. As a matter of fact, I'm in love," Remus blurted out, than realized what he had just said.
Mundungus smiled, and said, "Oh yeah, with who?"
"Nobody," Remus mumbled, his cheeks going red. "Forget I said anything,"
"Okay," Mundungus said, a stupid grin on his face. "You sure?"
"I'm sure, I'd better go," Remus stood up, tossing a few knuts on the table, and walking through the back of the pub, and heading down Diagon Alley.
Now what? He supposed he should go to his house, check and make sure everything was fine.
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Albus Dumbledore was busy reading letters from the minister of magic, Cornelius Fudge.
Dumbledore,
Word has it, you've been talking to students about Voldemort returning,
And all that silly nonsense. Now, I would hate to have to boot you out of headmaster
Job, but I'm afraid you're giving me no choice. I'm going to be a fair man, and
Give you another chance, but I swear Dumbledore, that I'm going to have to do something
Next time I hear of anything like this,
Sincerely,
Cornelius Fudge,
Minister of Magic.
Dumbledore chuckled. He knew Fudge would never kick him out of the school. Fudge was too cowardly to take a stand in anything. He tossed the letter aside with the others from Fudge, and looked up to see Remus Lupin rushing in his office.
"Dumbledore," Remus said, "I went to my house, just to check on things, and it was ranshacked! Everythign was in ruins, upside down, all my papers were on the floors, my desk had been searched. . ."
Dumbledore frowned. "Anyone there? How long do you think it's been like that? I think we had better go back. . ."
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Remus Lupin and Albus Dumbledore arrived at remus's house, pleasant on the outside, destroyed on the inside.
"Do you think Voldemort. . ." Remus started.
"I think he was behind this, yes," Dumbledore said. "Obviously, he remember how much you helped us fight him back when he was big, and knew you'd help again. And of course, there could be spies amoung us."
Remus had thought about that before. There were always traitors. The question was, who. They couldn't go around and banish people without proof.
Dumbledore walked over to Remus' desk, where numerous documents had been pulled out, and thrown on the floor. He crouched down, and looked through them.
"Remus, remember that list I gave you? Of all the people. . ."
Remus nodded quickly. The list with all the people on their side.
"Did you hide it as I requested?"
"yes," Remus said, going into his bedroom, and pulling the picture of him, james, and Sirius off the way, and pulling of the backing of it. That was were he kept his most important stuff. And he was relieved to find it was still there. It had been foolish of him to keep it here, now that he thought of it. Well, he'd certinally take it with him to hagrids.
He brought it back to the living room, to show Dumbledore, who smiled weakly.
"Do you think if I had been here. . . would I have been. . ."
"In a considerable amount of danger, for sure." Dumbledore said. "Well, there doesn't seem to be anything else of interest here. . . Whoever came here didn't find much. Very smart of you, Remus. I knew you'd be trustworthy."
Remus nodded.
"I should be getting back to Hogwarts. Coming?" Dumbledore asked.
"NO, I think I should probably clean this mess up."Remus said.
Dumbledore looked around for a minute, than said, "I think you should have someone here with you, just for precaution. Should I call up Sirius?"
Remus nodded. He hadn't seen his friend in a bit, and would like to get caught up on stuff. But,
"Would that be wise?" he asked Dumbledore.
"As wise as having him at Hogwarts," Dumbledore did some sort of spell, and boarded up all the windows and doors. He also started a fire, and called Sirius up.
Sirius' head appeared in the fire, looking alert.
"Hello Sirius," Dumbledore said.
"Hello Dumbledore." Sirius said, looking around the room, and noticing Remus, "Hey there, Remus,"
Remus smiled, "Hi Sirius."
"Sirius," Dumbledore started, "Remus home has been searched and torn apart. I request that you stay and keep him company, while he cleans up."
"certinally, I'll be right over," Sirius said, his head disapeering, and his body appearing, outside the fire.
Dumbledore smiled. "Many thanks."
"Hey Dumbledore, you don't have thank me, you know. I'd do anything for you, or Remus." Sirius said.
Dumbledore shook Sirius hand, and said, "Same for me. Now, I better get back to the castle, Fudge is probably having another fit,".
And with that Dumbledore disappeared.
Sirius looked around the room again, frowning. "Wow," he said finally.
"Yes, I know," Remus said. "Maybe I'll stick around Hagrid's for more reasons then harry,".
"Good thing you weren't here," Sirius grunted.
Remus nodded. "Good thing I was smart enough to hide the important stuff."
"I would have been dumb, and kept them in plain view or somethin',"
"No, you wouldn't have," Remus said solemnly.
"So, how've you been?" Sirius asked, picking up the upsided chairs.
"Ah, fine, I suppose. A bit bored, been hanging around diagon alley, and the leaky cauldron a bit more than usual, Well, a lot." He said, sighing.
"Not a bad thing, ya know. Better that, than roaming the forbidden forest, or chumming around You-Know-Who," Sirius said.
"I guess that's true," Remus said, looking at his friend. "Where've you been?"
"Bout everywhere, I spect. Dumbledore's plan is to capture Peter, don't know when or how he 'spect he'll manage that, but that's fine with me. Than I could show my face in public sometimes. God, I remember the days when I could walk down Diagon Alley, waving and smiling. . ." Sirius stared at the wall, remanscing.
"Well Sirius, I admire you. You've got a lot of strength and courage to be in hiding for so long, and Azkaban . . . You've hung in well, don't let go now,".
Sirius smiled a sincere smile, and said, "I won't. I wouldn't let you and harry down."
"So nice to have you back Sirius," Remus said, unexpectedly.
Sirius gave him a curious look, "I've been back for years, Remus,"
"That's not what I mean," Remus said, shuffling through his papers.
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Minerva was watching wearily at Neville Longbottom, as he accidently turned his desk in a wooden thing that walked, instead of the expected pig. Maybe she was pushing him too hard. . . but he needed to know this stuff, or he wouldn't pass the OWLS for this year. Nor the exam.
Neville needed a miracle. Or Hermione Granger.
"Hermione, Can I see you up here for a moment," Minerva McGonagall said to her brown haired student, one of her favorites. Minerva didn't play favorites amoung her students, but she in her head, she knew who would succeed, who would go far, who would change the most lives, and Hermione, and Harry Potter were up there.
Hermione gave her a puzzled look. "Yes, Professor?"
"How much free time do you have?"
"Well, it depends on what you want me to fill my free time with. . ."
"This year is the most important year in any student's life. You know that, right?"
Hermione nodded.
"All these tests," Minerva continued. "People who don't pass, don't get privlage to be a full fledged wizard. . ."
"You want me to tutor Neville, is that it?" Hermione said, brightly.
"It's up to you, totally. But he'll listen to you, and you've been able to help him before."
"I'll do it, he's my friend, after all,"
Minerva smiled. "Well done. Neville, will you come up here please,".
Not so pudgy anymore, Neville came walking up, his robes reflecting the weight loss over the summer. He's cheeks were leaner, and his hair was shinier. . . he was actually growing up into a handsome man, besides the one little fault, his clumsiness.
Neville had a worried look on his face, "I swear Professor, I won't do that again. I won't go near the desk. . . I didn't know you had to. . ."
Minerva quickly caught him off, before she found out more about his idiocy. . . "no, no Neville, it's not about that. Hermione has graciously agreed to tutor you."
Neville smiled at Hermione, and said, "Gee, Thanks, Hermione. . . Do you think she can help me pass?" his words were directed back at Minerva.
"yes, Yes indeed. Hermione is the top of the school,"
"So, want to make up a schedule of study sessions?" Hermione looked at Neville, than at Minerva, "Can we have like an empty classroom, for him to practice in?"
"Yes, of course. Use the old charms classroom, do you know where that is?"
"I do," Hermione said.
"Excellent. Back to work," She shooed them off.
Just then, an owl arrived at her desk. Minerva took the note, and gave the owl a few sickles. She had never figured out why the owls needed the sickles, it wasn't as if they spent it on anything. . . but they deserved it.
She opened the letter, curious about the sender, and blushed when she read the name, scrowled lazily at the bottom.
Hello Minerva,
I was wondering if you would take me up on that deal we had, you know, to get you to have a bit of fun in your life. I was thinking a fun night out in London, this Friday. They have these wonderful places, called clubs, where they play loud music, called rock n roll. NO wizards to bother you about Voldemort, either. Purely muggles! So what do you say??
Please get back to me,
REMUS LUPIN
The thought of spending a night with Remus, made her heart pound. Not now, she told herself. Stop acting like a schoolgirl. She sat down at her desk, and wonder what she should send back to him. She wanted to spend time with him, but loud music didn't sound. . . appetizing. Besides, she wasn't sure she could handle it. . . She put the letter aside on her desk, and checked the time.
"Ahem. . . please clean up, and seat yourself, class is almost over,"
Minerva look at the letter again. She decided to have lunch before she made up her mind. She left with the class to go to the great hall, stopping in her room, to drop off her letter. She didn't want anybody to find it, people where known around here for snooping.
The Great Hall was full, by the time she arrived. She sat at her spot, next to Dumbledore, and looked over everyone. Minerva wondered what would happen to them all when Voldemort finally attacked.
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Remus looked up from his book to see Hagrid come in with a try of food.
"Here yah go, Remus."
"Is this Hogwarts Food?"
"Yep, I was thinkin' yeh should probably have a good meal once in a while, ya know?" Hagrid let out a hearty laugh. "Well, 've got ta go back ta Hogwarts. . ."
"Have any owls gone by for me?" Remus asked, causually.
"Nope. . . yeh 'pectin somethin'?"
"Well, now that you mention it, yes, but it's nothing important,"
"I'll keep an eye out, fer yeh,"
Remus smiled. "Thanks."