.Chapter 13.

"…Kelpies, otherwise known as water demons, are found all over the Brisish Isles, but you are fairly unlikely to come under threat from one. Why would that be, do you think, Miss Weasely…? Good suggestion, there's not many around. But the few that are left generally stay clear of humans. When they do decide to approach one, they make no differentiation between Muggles or wizards, and consequently feature quite heavily in Muggle folklore, especially in the rural areas. Tell me, Mr Winterbottom, what would you do if confronted by a Kelpie…? Excellent answer, five points to Hufflepuff… I hope you've all made a note of Mr Winterbottom's answer, it may just save your lives one day. Now, onto grindylows, another esturine danger which you would have covered at least briefly last year…"

For the third time in as many minutes, Elena felt her eyes slipping closed. She jerked upright and shook her head rapidly, trying to stay awake.

It wasn't that the class was boring – far from it. Professor Lupin was an even better teacher than she'd anticipated he would be. He was patient and good humoured, and his students seemed to have genuine respect for him. But how could they not? As far as she was concerned, the gentle dignity of Remus Lupin was impossible to ignore, or resist.

But she was so tired. It had been yet another sleepless night. In the hours of darkness, memories and nightmarish visions crowded her brain, and sometimes the two were indistinguishable. During the day, she could fight them back, could fill her mind with other things. But every night as she climbed the stairs to her bedroom, she felt the same fearful nausea creeping back, driving away her sleepiness and leaving her to face each morning even more exhausted than she had been night before.

Her eyelids began to droop again. How frustrating that sleep was so insistent now when she wanted to stay awake, but had been so elusive last night when she had longed for it to come and rescue her from the agony that was consciousness.

Besides, she didn't want to sleep through one of Remus's classes. She had been delighted when Dumbledore had suggested she sit in on them. Not because it was an ideal excuse to stare openly at the mysterious grey-eyed man who still fascinated her beyond reasonable explanation.

Though that is a nice bonus, conceded a small voice in her head. She ignored it.

No, she had been delighted because at last she would be getting the chance to learn some real magic. She knew some basics, of course. Actually, she had even managed to perfect a few pieces of advanced sorcery by scouring the more complex of her grandfather's old books. But there was so much she had never had a chance to learn! And Defence Against the Dark Arts was, above all others, a subject very close to her heart…

Damn, but it was getting difficult to stay focused… The gentle rise and fall of Remus's voice was rhythmic and soothing… She decided vaguely that she liked if … It was a soft, deep voice, smooth as dark velvet … a voice meant for early mornings tangled in sun warmed blankets, and late nights curled beside fires… A tiny smile flitted over her face. If only he knew what she was thinking about right now… If only she were in a position to act upon it … If only she were the same girl she had been twelve months ago … And if only that Gryffindor boy a few seats in front would stop tapping his pencil… So annoying… So … tired …

Tap … tap tap … Tap tap tap… Tap tap tap …

All around the quiet room, heads were raised from books or sewing, expressions of mild surprise on their faces.

"Who'd be knocking this late at night?" Gerald wondered aloud, his blue eyes curious as he scrambled up from his place beside the fire and walked toward the door.

"Careful dear," warned Della, shooting a worried glance at her husband, "Pick up your wand first. You never know…"

Elena and Dawne exchanged a look. Paranoid, they agreed, speaking without words.

But Amon was frowning. "Gerald," he said, beginning to rise from his chair, "Gerald, don't – "

It was too late. The boy swung the door open, and a sharp gust of cold air swept into the warm room.

Two shadows stood on the threshold.

Elena lowered her book into her lap and squinted, trying to make them out. The figures were wearing dark robes, with cowls pulled low over their faces. It was difficult to say if they were male or female.

For a long moment no one moved. Then one of the figures stepped forward, and raised his hand. It took Elena a few seconds to realise he was pointing a wand.

Her breath caught in her throat and shock paralysed her limbs. Before she could do anything, the figure spoke five short words.

"Long live the Dark Lord."

Della's face blanched.

"No – " Amon's fingers tightened on his own wand, concealed in his sleeve, but he didn't even have time to draw it before the stranger spoke again – two words this time. Words Elena had never heard before, but would never forget.

"Avada Kedavra!"

A flash of green light filled the room. Amon Greenstone slid lifelessly from his chair.

A choking sound tore from Elena's paralysed throat.

The man with the wand turned toward the sound, looked straight at her, then began to raise his wand again. His lips started to move. The power gathered, and the green light flashed again. Elena closed her eyes and waited for death, but it did not come. Instead, there was a muffled thump.

Her eyes fluttered open.

Dawne was on the floor, her face turned down, her dark hair, still damp from a bath, splayed across the wooden floor. Not moving.

And all of a sudden Elena's throat opened, and she screamed …

"Miss Greenstone!"

… and screamed …

"Miss Greenstone, Elena, wake up!" Hands on her shoulders, shaking… What…?

With a strangled gasp, Elena's eyes flew open. She was looking straight into the face of Remus Lupin, which was deeply creased with worry, and possibly even fear.

Wildly, she turned her head from side to side and looked around. The classroom was dead silent. Every student had twisted in their chairs to stare at her, their faces white and shocked.

Oh no. Please no.

Surely she hadn't had the dream in class.

Remus's next words confirmed her worst fears. Without taking his eyes off her, he raised his voice to address the class. "Students, you are all dismissed. Report to Professor Spout, she will begin your Herbology lesson early, and then you can finish your afternoon classes ahead of time today."

A low, mystified murmuring started up, but the students did as they were asked, and began collecting their books and filing slowly out of the classroom. To do this, they had to pass Elena's desk. A small-framed girl with bright red hair paused, and said hesitantly, "Are you all right, Miss Greenstone?"

Elena forced a weak smile for the girl, wishing she didn't have to answer. "I – I'm all right. Thank you. It was a – bad dream. Nothing serious, really…"

Remus came to her rescue. "Miss Greenstone will be fine, Miss Weasley. Go on to your next class. I'll take care of her."

Elena swallowed hard, trying to quell the strange surge of emotion she felt when he spoke those words. I'll take care of her…

Then the last of the students disappeared, and she suddenly became acutely aware that for the first time since their brief encounter on the train, she was alone with Professor Remus Lupin…

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Author's note: Sorry about the posting gap, hopefully it won't happen again. My computer is having issues with fanfiction.net. Never mind. Hope you enjoyed this. Six new reviews and I'll post the next chapter!! (*hee hee* I'm such a bad person……….) I love writing this.