Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. If I did, I'd be rich and you wouldn't see me here posting this fanfic. I do, however, own Jade, Peridot, and Opal. Jade, Peridot, and Opal Miko are my characters and no one else's. You touch; I hurt. Understand?

~~These chapters seem to get more and more uneventful…don't worry; I have more in store for you. Last chapter, again, was mostly conversation. They are now in Hogsmeade. Read and Review! ~~

Chapter 14: Hogsmeade Pt. 2

You'll find better love

Strong as it ever was

Deep as the river runs

Warm as the morning sun

Please remember me

-Tim McGraw, "Please Remember Me"

Draco and Opal stood outside Honeydukes. Draco looked up and down the street, which was crowded with people. "We have the Quidditch store, and there's a pub," Draco said, trying to remember all that was in Hogsmeade. "There's the Shrieking Shack, too," he said, though he really didn't want to go up there. He'd seen the floating head of Harry there, and didn't want something like that to happen again. "You pick."

"Shrieking Shack? What's that?" Opal asked, looking around.

"The Shrieking Shack is this old hovel at the end of this road and up the hill. It's said to be haunted, though," Draco said, trying to dissuade Opal from going up there.

"Ooo, haunted," Opal said, now thoroughly interested.

"Yeah," Draco said, still disinterested.

"Can we get in there?"

"I don't think so," Draco said quickly. "It's sealed pretty tight," Draco gave up trying to convince Opal not to go up there. "We can look if you want to."

"Yes, let's," Opal said, a glint in her eye.

Draco laughed, looking at Opal. "Like adventure, I see. Okay, we'll go check it out." Opal gripped Draco's arm, practically giddy. He cringed slightly. "And you said you weren't strong. Why are you so excited?"

"It's more fear than excitement," Opal admitted.

"Then why are you so happy and wanting to go inside it so much, if you are scared?" Draco asked.

Opal laughed. "I really don't know!"

"Okay, well…you sure you want to go? It's right up this hill."

"Yes!" Opal said.

"Alright then," Draco said, and started to trek up the hill. Opal walked up the hill with him, enjoying the rush she was getting. They reached the top of the hill a few minutes later. "There it is," he said, pointing at the run down, boarded up cabin. Opal let go of Draco and walked about the outside of the house, examining different things. Draco watched her with some interest. She jumped every now and then, hearing something from inside. Draco walked calmly with her. As many times as he'd been here he was used to the noises. "You okay?" he asked.

Opal looked terrified. "There's something in there!" she cried.

"Well, yeah," Draco said, thinking she knew.

"What is it? Do you know?" Opal asked eagerly.

"Yes," Draco said, but didn't say anything else.

Opal looked at him. "Well?"

I don't think she knows about Lupin, Draco thought. Should I tell her? "A werewolf," he told her.

"There's a—a werewolf in there?" Opal asked, stepping back from the shack.

"Yes," Draco said. "Uhm…" Draco nodded nervously, not wanting to reveal what he knew about Lupin. Opal was obviously terrified of werewolves. "Yeah."

"Oh god," Opal said. She kept backing up. She tripped over a root and fell hard to the ground, but kept backing up.

Draco rushed over to her, realizing something was wrong. "You okay? Do you want to leave?" Opal was too scared to talk, so she just nodded. "Okay, do you want some help down the hill?" Opal didn't respond, she darted down the hill on her own. She almost fell numerous times. Draco ran after her, yelling, "Okay, okay! I'm coming! Wait up!" Opal stopped at the bottom of the hill. She bent over, her hands on her knees. She was breathing heavily, almost in tears.

"Oh my god, are you okay?" Draco cried, reaching the bottom of the hill.

Opal fell to her knees. "Y-yes, I am."

Draco kneeled down next to her. "Do you want to go to another shop? Take your mind off of…" he didn't say, but pointed up the hill.

"Yes, let's," Opal said, still shaking. "Let's go to the pub," she said, as the shaking slowed and finally stopped.

"You alright?" Opal asked.

"I will be."

Draco nodded. "Don't like werewolves, I take it," Draco said. Opal shook her head violently. Draco paused for a moment, considering what would happen if she found out about Lupin. "How about we go check out the pub now?"

"Yes, let's!" Opal said, a bit loudly.

Draco and Opal went into the pub, sitting down at a table. Draco ordered pints of butterbeer for both of them. "Why are you so afraid of werewolves?" He asked after the waitress had brought them their drinks.

Opal blushed. "Um…A werewolf attacked me when I was younger. I just barely escaped without being bitten."

Draco jumped with surprise. "Oh my god are you serious?! What happened?"

Opal bowed her head. "Yes, I'm serious. I was fourteen…"

Draco sipped his butterbeer. He could tell this was a really sensitive subject for Opal, and decided not to pursue it any longer. "I'm so sorry. I'm glad you are alright."

A few minutes passed in silence. Opal smiled as she saw Professor Lupin walk into the pub. He spotted the two and walked over to them. "Well, good afternoon, students!"

"Hello, Professor Lupin," Opal said cheerily.

Draco jumped and stood. "Uh, hello, professor. Have a seat," he said, beginning to look nervous.

Why thank you, Mr. Malfoy," he said, sitting down. He looked at Draco. "You look a bit nervous, are you alright?"

"Uhm," was all he could say. He looked at Opal, then back at Lupin, starting to calm down. "Yes, I'm fine, just a little tired."

"Maybe you should go back to the castle," Lupin suggested. "There's a carriage going back in a few minutes."

"No, no, I'll be fine," Draco insisted.

Opal looked at Draco, a little confused as to why he was acting so weird. She chatted merrily with Lupin, blissfully ignorant to Lupin's heritage as a werewolf. Talking with him made her completely forget about what happened at the Shrieking Shack. Draco pulled out another chair and sat down. "So, what are we doing in class on Monday, Professor?"

"We'll be learning about werewolves, Mr. Malfoy," Lupin replied.

Draco looked surprised. He looked at Opal. Maybe she should skip class that day, he thought. "Excuse me, professor, I don't know if I heard you correctly. W-werewolves?" Opal asked. Draco took a sip of his butterbeer, still looking at Opal.

"No, you heard me correctly, Miss Miko," Lupin replied.

Opal stood up. "Would you…would you excuse me a moment?" Opal said, trying to keep her composure. She walked towards the bathroom.

Draco stood to follow her. "Um, I think I should…"

"She'll be fine. She can go to the bathroom on her own, you know," Lupin said.

"It's not that, professor," Draco said, sitting down. He glanced every so often at the bathrooms.

"Well, then what is it, Mr. Malfoy?" Lupin asked.

"It's—she doesn't," Draco blushed from embarrassment, "like werewolves."

"Are you saying she would be uncomfortable in my class?" Lupin asked, looking at him. Opal came back from the bathroom, but she couldn't bring herself to go back to the table. She could hear the conversation from her vantage point. "Is this because I'm a werewolf?" Lupin asked.

Opal gasped, and started to tremble. "Yes, sir! Uhm, professor!" Draco pointed at Opal, hearing her gasp. "I think…she heard," Draco jumped up and ran to Opal. "Opal…"

"Opal…" Lupin said. Neither one of them could say anymore, for at that moment, Opal screamed and ran out of the pub.

"Good day, professor," Draco said hastily, and then ran out of the pub after Opal. "Opal!!"

Opal ran up the street, and back into Honeydukes. She darted into the cellar, going through the passage into the castle. She stopped just outside the witch's hump.

Draco made it out of the passage. Gasping for air, he finally caught up with her. "Opal, please…Hear me out…" Opal was sitting on the floor, her head hidden in her arms. Draco sat next to her. "Opal, please. Say something. There are things about it you don't know."

Opal didn't look at Draco. "He's—he's a werewolf…"

"Snape has a potion," Draco explained. "It keeps Lupin human. When he changes and he's taken the potion, he just turns into a…well a werewolf that's like a dog. Please, I know you are afraid, but Dumbledore wouldn't have him teach here if he didn't believe he was safe." Opal shook her head, not wanting to believe him. "Please, Opal…I'm telling you the truth!"

Opal looked up at Draco, slowly. "But—," she shook her head. "I trust you."

"It'll be okay," Draco reassured her. "You've seen him in class. It isn't any different. A little eccentric, but not mean."

Opal didn't respond. She took out her bag of chocolate frogs. She took out another bag and handed it to Draco, just remembering they were there. He looked at her a bit oddly. "So this is what you stayed in there. What did you do?" He asked as he opened the bag.

Opal nodded. "I had forgotten about them."

"Wow, cool beans," he smiled, realizing his pun. The bag was full of jellybeans. "Thanks," he said. He popped one in his mouth, and then spat it across the hall. "Eww! Gross, I think they added a new flavor!" Opal laughed, calming down a bit. "Nasty. Tasted like…I don't know what, but it was gross." Draco popped another bean in his mouth, only to spit it out once more. "Grass. Can't win here," Draco said, and put another in his mouth. "Mmm, chocolate pudding."

"Sorry," Opal said. "Don't know much about the beans."

"No problem, thanks!" Draco said, laughing.

Opal smiled. "You like them?"

"Very much so," Draco said. He set down the bag. "Do you want to go talk to Lupin about this?"

"Wh—what?"

"I think you should talk to Lupin. It will make you feel better."

"How?" Opal demanded. "I'm terrified of him now."

"Don't be, he isn't a normal werewolf."

"I know, but…" Opal sighed. "Alright, I'll talk to him. For you."

"Wow, okay," Draco said, surprised. He didn't thnk she'd agree. "He should be on his way back to the castle by now. We can go by his office and wait if you wish." Opal stood slowly, leaning back against the wall. "Are you going to be alright?" He asked.

"Yes," She said, her eyes closed.

"Do you want some help getting over there? You look pretty shook up. I wouldn't ask you to do this if I didn't think it would help."

"I—I think I'll be okay," Opal said.

"Well, I'm here if you need me." Opal leaned against the wall for a moment, then pushes away from the wall and walking slowly away from Draco. "Wait up!" He called suddenly, and ran to catch up with her.

Opal stopped. Draco stopped too, looking at her. "Thanks, Draco. I know I can always count on you," she said softly.

Draco nodded. "Shall we?" He asked, and held out his arm. Opal smiled and took his arm. Together they walked toward's Lupin's office. Opal walked silently, looking at her feet. "It will be okay, you know. Nothing will happen."

"I know," Opal said softly.

"Here it is," Draco said, and knocked on the door. Opal clutched at Draco's robes. "It's okay," he reassured her.

"Enter," a voice sounded from within. Draco entered with Opal stlil attached to his arm. "Mr. Malfoy," he said, and then looked at Opal. "Opal," Lupin stood. "Please, have a seat."

Draco looked at Opal too. "Alright? Thank you professor."

Lupin sat down. "What may I do for you, Miss Miko?" Opal stood there, not really sure what to say. She inhaled deeply and sat down, not wanting to let go of Draco. He sat next to her. "Miss Miko?"

"I—uh—heard you telling Draco that…that you're a werewolf."

"Yes, I am," he said. Opal looked down. "Is there something wrong? Miss Miko?"

"I—was attacked by a werewolf three years ago."

"Oh my," Lupin said, genuinely concerned. "And that's why you're afraid of…well…us," he said, realizing

"Yes," Opal said, looking down to avoid Lupin's eyes.

"I assure you, you need not be afraid of me. Professor Snape is kind enough to make me a potion that I take around the time of the full moon. It keeps me in my human mind when I transform," Lupin explained. "So I sit there until I'm me again. I went to the Shreiking Shack before I was able to take the potion. That's why people are so scared of it. It was the only safe place I could go. Please know that I wouldn't hurt anyone. Snape and I are very set on having me drink that potion."

"I know," Opal said quietly. "Draco told me. I can't help but be scared, but I trust you."

"I understand. I just want you to know that you need not be afraid of me."

Opal nodded. "Thank you, Professor."

"If you ever need to talk, you know where my office is."

"Thank you, Professor," Draco said. "You ready to go?" he whispered in Opal's ear.

"Yes. Thank you sir," she said, and nodded to Draco.

"Have a good rest of the weekend," Lupin said. "I'll see you two in class on Monday."

Draco took Opal out of the office. "You all right?" He asked.

"Yes," Opal replied. She leaned against Draco a little bit. "Thank you. You were right, it did help."

"No problem," Draco said. "I want you to feel comfortable." Opal hugged Draco. He smiled. She shook a little, and he hugged her tighter. Opal didn't want to let go. She sighed and dropped her hands.

She backed away from Draco. "Sorry. I shouldn't be hanging on you."

Draco blushed, but he didn't notice. "It's okay." Opal looked at Draco's face, smiling slightly. "What?" he demanded. He felt his face and looked down, realizing. "Damn." She laughed lightly, which caused Draco's face to go redder. "Okay, okay. I get it. I blush, so what?"

"It's just, you do it so much," Opal said, a little taken aback.

"I can't help it," Draco admitted. "I'm not used to all…this…"

"This?"

"Niceness," he said shortly.

"You don't like being nice, do you?" she accused.

"It isn't that. I'm just not used to it."

"Would you rather I be mean to you?" Opal asked, getting irritated.

"No!" Draco snapped.

"Okay, okay! Just asking!" she cried. "Don't have to bite my head off," she muttered. Draco smiled playfully and poked her in her side. Opal squeaked, jumping. He laughed. "No, no, no," Opal cried.

"Aw, but you squeak!" Draco whined.

"Yes, that I do," she said, blushing bright red.

Draco laughed. "Now, you were saying something about me blushing?"

"Don't know what you're talking about."

"Right," Draco said, not believing her for a second. "And I guess your face isn't as red as a strawberry?"

"You're color blind."

"Oh, come on," Draco pleaded.

"What?" Opal demanded, then laughed. Her face lost its red tint.

"Aw," Draco pouted. Opal smiled. "It's gone."

"Good," Opal said with finality.

"I can poke you again; make it come back," Draco suggested, laughing.

"No!" Opal cried. "I'll make you blush redder than I did if you do!"

"I'm sure," Draco laughed.

Opal looked at him. "You want to bet?" she threatened.

"I'm sure you could," Draco said. "I believe you," he said quickly, looking nervous.

"I think I should show you anyway," Opal mused. Draco's eyes widened. "Want me to?"

"Uh…"

"Why should I ask?" Opal cried, laughing at the expression on Draco's face. "I have you wrapped around my finger now, don't I?"

"No," Draco said shortly.

Opal wrapped her arms around Draco. She closed her eyes and kissed him softly, but passionately. Draco's face turned a fiery red. Opal pulled back, but remained very close to his face. Their noses touched. "Told you I could make you blush," she whispered.

Draco didn't respond, but kissed Opal again. A few seconds later, he pulled back. "What do you want do do now?"

"I want to stay with you, but…" She trailed off.

"But? I understand if you have things to do."

"No, no, it's nothing like that. What time is it?"

Draco looked at his watch. "Dinner time."

"I thought so. All the kids are probably back from Hogsmeade. So we can't eat together.

"Oh yeah," Draco said, his face looking saddened.

Opal kissed him lightly on the cheek. "We could…grab food and go somewhere else."

"Sure!" Draco said eagerly, then cleared his throat. "Whichever you want I mean." The blush faded from his face.

"I love this," Opal said almost to herself. She looked at Draco. "Alright then, it's a plan!" She smiled and they walked off towards the great hall together.