A/N: First off I'm sorry for not getting this up sooner! Life's been sort of out of control, and what with finals, my grandfather's funeral, and the rest of the crap I've been dealing with, I haven't had a lot of time to write :) Thanks for being patient, and enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own them (Although I wish I did!) So don't sue me, K? :)
Dumbledore's solemn voice resounded throughout the Great Hall. "We are gathered here today to remember a fine young woman, Elisabeth Rose Cabler, whose time with us was tragically cut short..." Over in one corner, Lissy's friends were in no condition to hear anything that was going on around them. Lily was sobbing in James' arms while Vanya and Becky clung to each other, tears running silently down their faces. James and Sirius didn't cry, but their frighteningly bleak expressions said volumes, and Peter was whimpering to himself a little ways away from the main group. Remus and Ari were conspicuous by their absence, as Lucius Malfoy soon noticed.
"Severus, I have a little job for you. Do it right, and I may forget about how you failed me last time. Lupin and that Black girl aren't here. Find out where they are and why." Malfoy's voice was low and threatening, and Crabbe and Goyle stood behind him, silent and menacing. Severus gulped.
"I'll do what I can, and I apologize for the failure..." he began, only to stop abruptly as Lucius glared.
"You'll do better than that, or I'll know the reason why! Now get out of my sight!" Malfoy stalked off, followed by Crabbe and Goyle. Severus took a deep breath before quietly exiting the Hall and heading for the infirmary.
Madam Flumpora, head nurse at Hogwarts, was an imposing looking woman with a heart of gold. She smiled swettly as Severus entered, asking, "Are you here to see Miss Black or Mister Lupin, Mister Snape? Although I'll warn you, neither are in good condition for visitors, poor dears."
Severus smiled weakly. "Uh, I'd like to see, uh..." His nerve failed and he muttered, "Ariella. Yes, that's it."
Madam Flumpora beamed and pointed him towards Ari's cot, and he skulked over. "Uh, hi, Ariella." Severus glanced up and found himself frozen by Ari's icy glare. She was sitting up in her cot, and had obviously been interrupted in the middle of a good cry.
"What do *you* want?" Ari sneered. "Come to gloat? This is the sort of thing you Slytherins like, isn't it?" Her voice gets louder and louder with each accusation, until she's nearly shouting. "I suppose you find this amusing!" Severus panicked, thinking Madam Flumpora would come swooping down on him, and clapped a hand over Ari's mouth.
"Shut up, will you?" he hissed. "You Gryffindors are always so perfect, aren't you? D'you ever stop to think that maybe I'd have liked to be one of you instead of stuck in 'stinking Slytherin' with that git Malfoy? D'you ever think that maybe I'm *not* like the others?" Ari stared at him, eyes uncomprehending, and Severus sighed. "Look, I haven't got anything against you. If I want to survive for the next five years, I have to do what Malfoy tells me whether I like it or not. And right now he wants to know why you and Lupin aren't at Cabler's memorial service." Hoping that Ari understood, he removed his hand from her mouth.
Ariella stared at Severus for a moment, surprised by his outburst and unsure of how to respond. He stared back, a pleading look in his eyes that decided her. "First you have to tell me why you have to do what Malfoy says." she demands stubbornly.
"My father owes his father money. Some business deal gone wrong, I believe. Anyway, his family essentially owns mine, and if we don't do what he wants, well...it won't be pretty. I have a little sister, y'know, she's only nine and she lives at Malfoy Manor. Vindictus Malfoy wouldn't balk at hurting her if Lucius said I had disobeyed him." Ari looked completely astonished and Severus smiled wearily. "You have no idea how protected you've been, Ariella. I only wish Twyla could have had that protection."
Ariella swallowed a couple of times, trying to regain her composure. "Well, tell *Mister* Malfoy that I'm here because I had another vision the other night, and they always make me feel sick for a while afterwards. I don't know why Remus is here, I'm sorry. I can see if I can find out from James or Sirius, if you'd like." The look Severus gave her was so blatantly relieved that Ari felt slightly embarrassed. "Meanwhile, you should go. The rest of the gang was going to come up after the service." Severus nodded.
"Thank you, Ariella. That means a lot to me. I owe you one." With that he slipped out, leaving Ari in a state of shock.
A FEW HOURS LATER...
Lily, James, Sirius, Peter, Becky, and Vanya were heading up to the infirmary to see Ari and Remus. Madam Flumpora informed them at the door that Ari had already returned to the common room, and that Remus was unfortunately not well enough for visitors. Concerned, they dashed up to the common room for a conference. "I'll get Ari." Becky told them, before disappearing up into the girls dorm. James settled on the couch with Lily curled up against him, Sirius flopped on the floor by the fire, and Vanya and Peter collapsed in seperate chairs. When Becky reappeared with Ari they sat at the other end of the couch, and Ari began telling them of the scene in the infirmary. When she had finished, Sirius and James exchanged a look.
"Ari, Snape was right about one thing. You have been protected. And you probably wouldn't even consider the idea that Snape was lying to you." Sirius began. Ari glared and started to open her mouth, but Becky shushed her.
"Hear him out, Ari, he may have a point." she reminded her friend. "Although I'll grant you, it's a rare event when it happens." The girls snickered slightly, a sound which immediately died away as they relaized they'd dared to laugh when Lissy wasn't there to share the joke. Sirius frowned at his twin and continued.
"We'll tell you what's wrong with Remus, but only if you *swear* never to tell anyone else." He glared around and one by one the friends all nodded, Ari last of all. "Remus is a werewolf. He was bitten as a child, and though he could never go to Hogwarts, but Dumbledore made it safe for him and the rest of us. Unfortunately, the night of the ball..." He was cut off by Vanya's gasp.
"He killed Lissy, didn't he? No, don't deny it, we saw her, remember? We went with the teachers because only we knew where she was. Those were bite marks, big ones, like wolf bites! Remus killed her!" Vanya started crying again, which set off Becky and Lily. Ari, who had been unconcious during the search for Elisabeth, just stared at her brother and James in horror. They only nodded, looking grim.
"And they're letting him stay here?" Ari whispered. "After he killed Lissy?" James sighed, cuddling Lily closer as he responded.
"Ari, you know Remus. He wouldn't hurt a fly, normally. And he's a great student. It was just because of the dance that everything got messed up and he got loose. And Lissy wasn't supposed to be wandering around outside. it was just a horrible accident. And Remus is suffering, too, you know." Ari looked as if she'd like to protest, then sighed.
"I guess you're right. Poor Remus...does he remember anything?" Sirius shook his head.
"He doesn't usually. And I'll tell you another secret - James and Peter and I are trying to become animagi. Remember McGonagall telling us about them? Werewolves won't hurt other animals!" Lily, Vanya, and Becky had stopped crying at this point, and all four girls stared at Sirius.
"That's dangerous!" Lily protested. The other three chimed in. "We don't need the three of you getting yourselves killed!" "Honestly, do you have any idea what you're doing?" "You'll have to register yourselves, you know!" James ducked as Lily half-heartedly smacked his shoulder, and Sirius clamped his hands over his ears.
"We're being careful!" Sirius yelped. "Honest! And we're nowhere near done! Will you all just hush up?! I'm sorry I told you!" Vanya just rolled her eyes.
"I don't think I can deal with you lot right now. Becky, Ari, Lily, coming?" Without waiting for an answer she stalked off to the girls dorm, followed by Becky and Ari. Lily disentangled from James and started after them, pausing when James called her name.
"Lily! Uh..c'mere for a minute, please?" Lily turned around and came back, eyeing him suspiciously. "I, uh, well...oh, forget it." James leaned forward and kissed Lily while Sirius groaned and closed his eyes and Peter stared. "What I was trying to say is, you've kissed me, but I hadn't really kissed you." James explained. "Oh, and here." He pulled out his wand and murmured, "Accio lily!"
Lily shrieked as she disappeared and suddenly reappeared in James' arms. Sirius and Peter roared with laughter as James turned several shades of red. "I, uh, I'm sorry, Lily! I meant I had a flower for you!" he cried. Sirius snorted.
"Right, James, and that's why you haven't let go of the poor girl yet." James blushed even more, if possible, and quickly released Lily, while Peter and Sirius snickered. James glared, then re-did the spell. This time a perfect white lily appeared in his hand, and he offered it to the girl-Lily, who accepted it with a smile.
"Thank you, James. Good night." She turned and swept upstairs. The boys watched until she was out of sight, then turned and headed for their own dorms, Sirius and Peter constantly ragging James.
A/N: So, how does this chapter measure up? Constructive criticism is pored over and suggestions are noted, flames are ignored, and compliments make me HAPPY! Thanks to Taco Queen, Meitora, Rons_mine, and Kimmy Larisa KRACILT for reviewing! Mystic_blue17, Remus was on his way to the shrieking shack and got loose ;)
Disclaimer: I don't own them (Although I wish I did!) So don't sue me, K? :)
Dumbledore's solemn voice resounded throughout the Great Hall. "We are gathered here today to remember a fine young woman, Elisabeth Rose Cabler, whose time with us was tragically cut short..." Over in one corner, Lissy's friends were in no condition to hear anything that was going on around them. Lily was sobbing in James' arms while Vanya and Becky clung to each other, tears running silently down their faces. James and Sirius didn't cry, but their frighteningly bleak expressions said volumes, and Peter was whimpering to himself a little ways away from the main group. Remus and Ari were conspicuous by their absence, as Lucius Malfoy soon noticed.
"Severus, I have a little job for you. Do it right, and I may forget about how you failed me last time. Lupin and that Black girl aren't here. Find out where they are and why." Malfoy's voice was low and threatening, and Crabbe and Goyle stood behind him, silent and menacing. Severus gulped.
"I'll do what I can, and I apologize for the failure..." he began, only to stop abruptly as Lucius glared.
"You'll do better than that, or I'll know the reason why! Now get out of my sight!" Malfoy stalked off, followed by Crabbe and Goyle. Severus took a deep breath before quietly exiting the Hall and heading for the infirmary.
Madam Flumpora, head nurse at Hogwarts, was an imposing looking woman with a heart of gold. She smiled swettly as Severus entered, asking, "Are you here to see Miss Black or Mister Lupin, Mister Snape? Although I'll warn you, neither are in good condition for visitors, poor dears."
Severus smiled weakly. "Uh, I'd like to see, uh..." His nerve failed and he muttered, "Ariella. Yes, that's it."
Madam Flumpora beamed and pointed him towards Ari's cot, and he skulked over. "Uh, hi, Ariella." Severus glanced up and found himself frozen by Ari's icy glare. She was sitting up in her cot, and had obviously been interrupted in the middle of a good cry.
"What do *you* want?" Ari sneered. "Come to gloat? This is the sort of thing you Slytherins like, isn't it?" Her voice gets louder and louder with each accusation, until she's nearly shouting. "I suppose you find this amusing!" Severus panicked, thinking Madam Flumpora would come swooping down on him, and clapped a hand over Ari's mouth.
"Shut up, will you?" he hissed. "You Gryffindors are always so perfect, aren't you? D'you ever stop to think that maybe I'd have liked to be one of you instead of stuck in 'stinking Slytherin' with that git Malfoy? D'you ever think that maybe I'm *not* like the others?" Ari stared at him, eyes uncomprehending, and Severus sighed. "Look, I haven't got anything against you. If I want to survive for the next five years, I have to do what Malfoy tells me whether I like it or not. And right now he wants to know why you and Lupin aren't at Cabler's memorial service." Hoping that Ari understood, he removed his hand from her mouth.
Ariella stared at Severus for a moment, surprised by his outburst and unsure of how to respond. He stared back, a pleading look in his eyes that decided her. "First you have to tell me why you have to do what Malfoy says." she demands stubbornly.
"My father owes his father money. Some business deal gone wrong, I believe. Anyway, his family essentially owns mine, and if we don't do what he wants, well...it won't be pretty. I have a little sister, y'know, she's only nine and she lives at Malfoy Manor. Vindictus Malfoy wouldn't balk at hurting her if Lucius said I had disobeyed him." Ari looked completely astonished and Severus smiled wearily. "You have no idea how protected you've been, Ariella. I only wish Twyla could have had that protection."
Ariella swallowed a couple of times, trying to regain her composure. "Well, tell *Mister* Malfoy that I'm here because I had another vision the other night, and they always make me feel sick for a while afterwards. I don't know why Remus is here, I'm sorry. I can see if I can find out from James or Sirius, if you'd like." The look Severus gave her was so blatantly relieved that Ari felt slightly embarrassed. "Meanwhile, you should go. The rest of the gang was going to come up after the service." Severus nodded.
"Thank you, Ariella. That means a lot to me. I owe you one." With that he slipped out, leaving Ari in a state of shock.
A FEW HOURS LATER...
Lily, James, Sirius, Peter, Becky, and Vanya were heading up to the infirmary to see Ari and Remus. Madam Flumpora informed them at the door that Ari had already returned to the common room, and that Remus was unfortunately not well enough for visitors. Concerned, they dashed up to the common room for a conference. "I'll get Ari." Becky told them, before disappearing up into the girls dorm. James settled on the couch with Lily curled up against him, Sirius flopped on the floor by the fire, and Vanya and Peter collapsed in seperate chairs. When Becky reappeared with Ari they sat at the other end of the couch, and Ari began telling them of the scene in the infirmary. When she had finished, Sirius and James exchanged a look.
"Ari, Snape was right about one thing. You have been protected. And you probably wouldn't even consider the idea that Snape was lying to you." Sirius began. Ari glared and started to open her mouth, but Becky shushed her.
"Hear him out, Ari, he may have a point." she reminded her friend. "Although I'll grant you, it's a rare event when it happens." The girls snickered slightly, a sound which immediately died away as they relaized they'd dared to laugh when Lissy wasn't there to share the joke. Sirius frowned at his twin and continued.
"We'll tell you what's wrong with Remus, but only if you *swear* never to tell anyone else." He glared around and one by one the friends all nodded, Ari last of all. "Remus is a werewolf. He was bitten as a child, and though he could never go to Hogwarts, but Dumbledore made it safe for him and the rest of us. Unfortunately, the night of the ball..." He was cut off by Vanya's gasp.
"He killed Lissy, didn't he? No, don't deny it, we saw her, remember? We went with the teachers because only we knew where she was. Those were bite marks, big ones, like wolf bites! Remus killed her!" Vanya started crying again, which set off Becky and Lily. Ari, who had been unconcious during the search for Elisabeth, just stared at her brother and James in horror. They only nodded, looking grim.
"And they're letting him stay here?" Ari whispered. "After he killed Lissy?" James sighed, cuddling Lily closer as he responded.
"Ari, you know Remus. He wouldn't hurt a fly, normally. And he's a great student. It was just because of the dance that everything got messed up and he got loose. And Lissy wasn't supposed to be wandering around outside. it was just a horrible accident. And Remus is suffering, too, you know." Ari looked as if she'd like to protest, then sighed.
"I guess you're right. Poor Remus...does he remember anything?" Sirius shook his head.
"He doesn't usually. And I'll tell you another secret - James and Peter and I are trying to become animagi. Remember McGonagall telling us about them? Werewolves won't hurt other animals!" Lily, Vanya, and Becky had stopped crying at this point, and all four girls stared at Sirius.
"That's dangerous!" Lily protested. The other three chimed in. "We don't need the three of you getting yourselves killed!" "Honestly, do you have any idea what you're doing?" "You'll have to register yourselves, you know!" James ducked as Lily half-heartedly smacked his shoulder, and Sirius clamped his hands over his ears.
"We're being careful!" Sirius yelped. "Honest! And we're nowhere near done! Will you all just hush up?! I'm sorry I told you!" Vanya just rolled her eyes.
"I don't think I can deal with you lot right now. Becky, Ari, Lily, coming?" Without waiting for an answer she stalked off to the girls dorm, followed by Becky and Ari. Lily disentangled from James and started after them, pausing when James called her name.
"Lily! Uh..c'mere for a minute, please?" Lily turned around and came back, eyeing him suspiciously. "I, uh, well...oh, forget it." James leaned forward and kissed Lily while Sirius groaned and closed his eyes and Peter stared. "What I was trying to say is, you've kissed me, but I hadn't really kissed you." James explained. "Oh, and here." He pulled out his wand and murmured, "Accio lily!"
Lily shrieked as she disappeared and suddenly reappeared in James' arms. Sirius and Peter roared with laughter as James turned several shades of red. "I, uh, I'm sorry, Lily! I meant I had a flower for you!" he cried. Sirius snorted.
"Right, James, and that's why you haven't let go of the poor girl yet." James blushed even more, if possible, and quickly released Lily, while Peter and Sirius snickered. James glared, then re-did the spell. This time a perfect white lily appeared in his hand, and he offered it to the girl-Lily, who accepted it with a smile.
"Thank you, James. Good night." She turned and swept upstairs. The boys watched until she was out of sight, then turned and headed for their own dorms, Sirius and Peter constantly ragging James.
A/N: So, how does this chapter measure up? Constructive criticism is pored over and suggestions are noted, flames are ignored, and compliments make me HAPPY! Thanks to Taco Queen, Meitora, Rons_mine, and Kimmy Larisa KRACILT for reviewing! Mystic_blue17, Remus was on his way to the shrieking shack and got loose ;)