Chapter Three
Liana awoke to a splitting pain in her side. She bit her sore lip to keep from crying out as she rolled over to see what time it was. Four in the morning. Great, she grumbled silently. Her side was burning, and she knew she'd never get back to sleep. Checking that the other girls in her dorm were asleep, she quietly slipped out of bed, grabbed fresh clothes, and headed to the bathroom, where she could dress without waking the others.
The stairs were stone cold; the fire had died down to embers overnight, and it was too early for a new fire to have been lit. Liana shivered and slipped into the bathroom. It was empty. Hoping no one would have an early-morning emergency, she locked the door. Setting her clothes on the counter, she flipped her long black hair out of the way and pulled her robes out of the way to inspect the wound on her side. The sight of the shining red gash made something hurt deep in the girl's bones. The bleeding had stopped, but the wound felt fresh and ready to be easily torn open again. There was a bit of muscle peeking out.
She quickly covered the ugly gash with her clothes again and settled onto the nearest toilet, shivering uncontrollably. She had to go to Madame Pomfrey, but the woman was sure to ask questions. A wound like this didn't happen tripping on the stairs. And if she did tests, and tracked the cut back to the werewolf... Liana tried to curl up, to disappear into herself, but it hurt too much to bend that way. She leaned back and began to cry silently. The tears rolling down her cheeks tickled annoyingly, and she brushed them away impatiently with her sleeve. She noticed a small scratch on the back of her right hand and groaned impatiently. It didn't hurt in the least, but the fact that she had another cut from last night annoyed her somehow. She shouldn't have been out there.
"That's not true," she told herself firmly, her voice echoing eerily in the empty bathroom. If she hadn't been out there, that third-year would have died, there was no doubt about it. And if she hadn't, it would have been even worse: she'd have become a werewolf. It was the Marauders' fault! They shouldn't be so stupid as to let that dangerous beast out...
But even as she thought this, Liana knew it wasn't true. She remembered quite clearly the look of pure bliss on the wolf's face when he first trotted out of his hole and into the night. If that third-year hadn't decided to go for a midnight ride on her broomstick, nothing would have happened. The wolf would have romped in the forest with his friends, perfectly tame and safe as long as they were there to influence him. But she couldn't blame it on that girl, either. She'd had no idea there was a werewolf at the school, and it was common for students to wander the grounds after hours. It was the best time to explore.
Liana glared at her reflection, absent-mindedly fingering her long, black hair. Her side ached dully, and when she moved wrong, a searing pain ripped through her whole stomach. Her hand was even starting to sting, now that she was thinking about it. She was tired, but couldn't sleep because of last night's events and the pain in her side. And now she didn't even have anyone to blame for her misery. Sighing deeply, Liana pushed out of the bathroom, slamming the door behind her without caring who she woke up.
Her room was uncomfortable; Liana didn't want to see so many happy people sleeping peacefully while she was so upset. She dropped her clean clothes back on her bed; she'd forgotten to change. Grabbing a deck of Muggle cards, she trudged back into the common room for a game of Solitaire.
* * *
Remus headed for his first class, Transfiguration with McGonagall. On the way, he passed the staircase that led to the Gryffindor tower. He still had fifteen minutes before class, so he headed upstairs to see if there was anything interesting going on. Maybe someone had snatched some food from the kitchens; he'd been wrong in thinking that one more piece of toast was enough to satiate his appetite.
The common room, however, was nearly empty. Almost everyone was at breakfast or heading off to class, so the only occupants of the fire lit room were a group of second-years conspiring on the spiral staircase, a couple sitting by the fire and talking quietly, and a girl in the corner by herself. She had her back to Remus and seemed to be playing a card game, but the boy thought he recognized her long black hair. As he neared her, he saw that he was right: the girl in the corner was Liana Lassek, a fellow fifth-year. She was in all of Remus' classes, and they'd grown to be fairly good friends over the years. The naturally quiet, withdrawn girl found it hard to make friends, and even seemed nervous around Remus sometimes. She was usually seen by herself, reading, working, or playing chess against herself. The cleverest of all the fifth-year girls, she had figured out a way to bewitch the white pieces into playing themselves. Remus had played her once, and she'd beaten him in five minutes.
Now, however, Liana was looking paler and more withdrawn than usual. Remus almost left her alone, but the look of absolute loneliness about her drew him in. He knew what it was to be lonely; before the Marauders, he'd had no friends at all. His "condition" kept people wary of him, and his parents were the only people who hadn't seemed scared of him. Then always friendly, all-accepting James had come along, and he'd become part of the group...
Remus shook the sentimental feelings from his mind. Guys weren't supposed to get emotional like that. He strode to where Liana was huddled in the corner and sat down cross-legged next to her. She glanced at him briefly, a smile brightening her face for a moment, then focused on her game again. Remus studied the cards silently and recognized the game Solitaire. Lily had taught him this once, when he'd been the only one of their group to stay home for Easter break. Upon looking closer, however, Remus wondered if she was actually playing the game he'd come to be so familiar with. She'd placed a red Jack on a red Ace, and had left numerous cards turned face down when she could have flipped them. Her hands holding the extra cards were shaking.
"Liana?" Remus said quietly, touching her shoulder lightly. She didn't look at him, but shrank from his touch. "What's wrong?" Now that he knew something was amiss, her face seemed to look all the more pale and drawn, her eyes more haunted. She reminded him of himself after a particularly painful Change, he thought with a shudder, just minus the dark bags under her eyes. She looked tired, and so very old. She repressed a sob, emitting a deep sigh instead. Remus carefully took the cards from her hands and tried to look her in the eye.
"C-can I have those..." she said quietly, trailing off as though not caring about finishing her sentence. Remus shook his head.
"Not until you tell me what's going on," he murmured. She looked down at her empty hands, which were shaking even more visibly now, and shook her head.
"Nothing. Nothing's wrong." Liana stood, accidentally kicking the layout of cards and sending some scattering. She grabbed her book bag and left the common room, swaying slightly as she walked. Remus watched the empty portrait hole for a while, automatically shuffling the cards in his hands. It was another habit he'd picked up from Lily, and had practiced over that Easter break. He was quite good at it now, and sometimes tried it with Exploding Snap cards, but had stopped when he got a nasty burn on his palm.
Checking the time, Remus realized he would be late for Transfiguration if he didn't hurry. He picked up the cards and mindlessly conjured a flimsy paper box for them, stuffing them inside to return to Liana later. Tossing his bag over his shoulder, he crawled out of the portrait hole and headed to class, wondering if he could transfigure something into food, and whether it would be safe to eat if he could.
* * *
Liana rushed to Transfiguration, one of her favorite classes. She rather liked Professor McGonagall, although most of the students thought she was too strict. She often talked to her after class or during break, if she had time, and found her to be a wonderfully interesting person. She usually talked with the professor about Animagi, although not so frequently as to arouse suspicion. She longed to ask her teacher about the pain she felt when Changing, but knew that was preposterous. Becoming an Animagus at her age, and without permission.she'd be expelled for sure.
The class gradually filled with chattering students, but no one approached Liana as she sat disconsolately in her seat in the front row. The other students didn't generally like Liana; she was too smart, some said, or too quiet. Many Gryffindors had tried to become friends with the girl, as was their nature, but most were turned off by her open coldness. What most students didn't know, was that this little black-haired girl had never had friends, and didn't know how to handle kindness. It was unfamiliar to her, and she didn't like new situations.
As Remus and one or two others had discovered, Liana was quite fun to be around when she loosened up. Even around the few people she considered her friends, she could be cold and distant at times. When she was feeling happy, however, she was a wonderful person. Very kind, caring, and clever, Liana was always prepared to help people-be it with homework, simple spells, or exploring the castle. This, she usually did on her own, or secretly followed the Marauders as they did it. James Potter had an invisibility cloak, but Liana didn't need one. She was so used to being overlooked that she had learned to make herself more invisible than usual. Like her wolf form, she was able to slink into the shadows and all but disappear when she wanted to. She was light and quiet when she walked, and had enough common sense to know when it was safe to move and when she should be crouched behind a suit of armor. Even Mrs. Norris, Filch's cat, didn't usually notice the girl when she tried to remain hidden.
The bell rang, and the students settled down. Liana straightened slightly, wincing as her wound stretched. Professor McGonagall was already explaining the day's practical lesson: they would be transfiguring their desks into ottomans-extra credit if it had designs embroidered on the cushion or carvings on the legs. Almost without thinking, Liana stood, waved her wand, uttered a few words, and seated herself again on a bright blue silk-covered ottoman, decorated with an intricate plant pattern. The legs were of stained oak, and had been carved into clawed feet at the ends. The professor came over to inspect Liana's handiwork.
"Very nice, Miss Lassek," she said with a smile and a twinkle in her eye. Liana was easily her best student, matched only by Sirius Black. If either of them tried at all, there would be a lovely competition brewing-but both were apathetic about their work, each for their own reasons.
McGonagall moved on, and when she'd glanced at Remus Lupin's, he dragged the rather dull-looking ottoman over to sit next to Liana. She seemed a bit brighter than she had been earlier, and gave him a genuine smile.
"I see you've made a perfect transfiguration, once again," he teased with a grin. "Although, of course, it is nothing compared to mine!" He proudly presented his ottoman, which, upon closer inspection, was made entirely of the same wood as his desk had been. There was a tattered piece of cloth hanging off one side, with the faintest hint of embroidery on it. Liana couldn't help but giggle at his mockingly proud face. With a sweep of her hand, she made his almost as perfect as her own. He seated himself on the comfortable ottoman, elbows on his knees, studying her face.
Remus didn't want to say anything that would send Liana back into depressed withdrawal, but he was dying to know what was bothering her so badly. She almost seemed to be in pain...had someone been beating her up? Glancing at her hands as she twiddled with her wand, Remus noticed a long, thin cut on the back of her right hand.
"What happened?" he asked before he could stop himself. Liana looked at the cut blankly for a moment.
"I think it was my cat," she said indifferently. "I don't really know." Remus nodded. There was another long pause.
"Liana," he said hesitantly, "why won't you tell me what's wrong?" She glanced up at him, and he saw that haunted look again, as if she were harboring something. Remus had always had the feeling there was more to this little teenager than met the eye, but now he was sure of it.
"Look, I really can't talk now," she said shortly. Then, as if to soften her words, "I have to finish my Defense Against the Dark Arts homework." Remus sighed and pulled his ottoman back to it's original spot. He knew there was no point in pushing it further, and he still had an inch of scroll to write for Professor Peregrine, too.
Liana awoke to a splitting pain in her side. She bit her sore lip to keep from crying out as she rolled over to see what time it was. Four in the morning. Great, she grumbled silently. Her side was burning, and she knew she'd never get back to sleep. Checking that the other girls in her dorm were asleep, she quietly slipped out of bed, grabbed fresh clothes, and headed to the bathroom, where she could dress without waking the others.
The stairs were stone cold; the fire had died down to embers overnight, and it was too early for a new fire to have been lit. Liana shivered and slipped into the bathroom. It was empty. Hoping no one would have an early-morning emergency, she locked the door. Setting her clothes on the counter, she flipped her long black hair out of the way and pulled her robes out of the way to inspect the wound on her side. The sight of the shining red gash made something hurt deep in the girl's bones. The bleeding had stopped, but the wound felt fresh and ready to be easily torn open again. There was a bit of muscle peeking out.
She quickly covered the ugly gash with her clothes again and settled onto the nearest toilet, shivering uncontrollably. She had to go to Madame Pomfrey, but the woman was sure to ask questions. A wound like this didn't happen tripping on the stairs. And if she did tests, and tracked the cut back to the werewolf... Liana tried to curl up, to disappear into herself, but it hurt too much to bend that way. She leaned back and began to cry silently. The tears rolling down her cheeks tickled annoyingly, and she brushed them away impatiently with her sleeve. She noticed a small scratch on the back of her right hand and groaned impatiently. It didn't hurt in the least, but the fact that she had another cut from last night annoyed her somehow. She shouldn't have been out there.
"That's not true," she told herself firmly, her voice echoing eerily in the empty bathroom. If she hadn't been out there, that third-year would have died, there was no doubt about it. And if she hadn't, it would have been even worse: she'd have become a werewolf. It was the Marauders' fault! They shouldn't be so stupid as to let that dangerous beast out...
But even as she thought this, Liana knew it wasn't true. She remembered quite clearly the look of pure bliss on the wolf's face when he first trotted out of his hole and into the night. If that third-year hadn't decided to go for a midnight ride on her broomstick, nothing would have happened. The wolf would have romped in the forest with his friends, perfectly tame and safe as long as they were there to influence him. But she couldn't blame it on that girl, either. She'd had no idea there was a werewolf at the school, and it was common for students to wander the grounds after hours. It was the best time to explore.
Liana glared at her reflection, absent-mindedly fingering her long, black hair. Her side ached dully, and when she moved wrong, a searing pain ripped through her whole stomach. Her hand was even starting to sting, now that she was thinking about it. She was tired, but couldn't sleep because of last night's events and the pain in her side. And now she didn't even have anyone to blame for her misery. Sighing deeply, Liana pushed out of the bathroom, slamming the door behind her without caring who she woke up.
Her room was uncomfortable; Liana didn't want to see so many happy people sleeping peacefully while she was so upset. She dropped her clean clothes back on her bed; she'd forgotten to change. Grabbing a deck of Muggle cards, she trudged back into the common room for a game of Solitaire.
* * *
Remus headed for his first class, Transfiguration with McGonagall. On the way, he passed the staircase that led to the Gryffindor tower. He still had fifteen minutes before class, so he headed upstairs to see if there was anything interesting going on. Maybe someone had snatched some food from the kitchens; he'd been wrong in thinking that one more piece of toast was enough to satiate his appetite.
The common room, however, was nearly empty. Almost everyone was at breakfast or heading off to class, so the only occupants of the fire lit room were a group of second-years conspiring on the spiral staircase, a couple sitting by the fire and talking quietly, and a girl in the corner by herself. She had her back to Remus and seemed to be playing a card game, but the boy thought he recognized her long black hair. As he neared her, he saw that he was right: the girl in the corner was Liana Lassek, a fellow fifth-year. She was in all of Remus' classes, and they'd grown to be fairly good friends over the years. The naturally quiet, withdrawn girl found it hard to make friends, and even seemed nervous around Remus sometimes. She was usually seen by herself, reading, working, or playing chess against herself. The cleverest of all the fifth-year girls, she had figured out a way to bewitch the white pieces into playing themselves. Remus had played her once, and she'd beaten him in five minutes.
Now, however, Liana was looking paler and more withdrawn than usual. Remus almost left her alone, but the look of absolute loneliness about her drew him in. He knew what it was to be lonely; before the Marauders, he'd had no friends at all. His "condition" kept people wary of him, and his parents were the only people who hadn't seemed scared of him. Then always friendly, all-accepting James had come along, and he'd become part of the group...
Remus shook the sentimental feelings from his mind. Guys weren't supposed to get emotional like that. He strode to where Liana was huddled in the corner and sat down cross-legged next to her. She glanced at him briefly, a smile brightening her face for a moment, then focused on her game again. Remus studied the cards silently and recognized the game Solitaire. Lily had taught him this once, when he'd been the only one of their group to stay home for Easter break. Upon looking closer, however, Remus wondered if she was actually playing the game he'd come to be so familiar with. She'd placed a red Jack on a red Ace, and had left numerous cards turned face down when she could have flipped them. Her hands holding the extra cards were shaking.
"Liana?" Remus said quietly, touching her shoulder lightly. She didn't look at him, but shrank from his touch. "What's wrong?" Now that he knew something was amiss, her face seemed to look all the more pale and drawn, her eyes more haunted. She reminded him of himself after a particularly painful Change, he thought with a shudder, just minus the dark bags under her eyes. She looked tired, and so very old. She repressed a sob, emitting a deep sigh instead. Remus carefully took the cards from her hands and tried to look her in the eye.
"C-can I have those..." she said quietly, trailing off as though not caring about finishing her sentence. Remus shook his head.
"Not until you tell me what's going on," he murmured. She looked down at her empty hands, which were shaking even more visibly now, and shook her head.
"Nothing. Nothing's wrong." Liana stood, accidentally kicking the layout of cards and sending some scattering. She grabbed her book bag and left the common room, swaying slightly as she walked. Remus watched the empty portrait hole for a while, automatically shuffling the cards in his hands. It was another habit he'd picked up from Lily, and had practiced over that Easter break. He was quite good at it now, and sometimes tried it with Exploding Snap cards, but had stopped when he got a nasty burn on his palm.
Checking the time, Remus realized he would be late for Transfiguration if he didn't hurry. He picked up the cards and mindlessly conjured a flimsy paper box for them, stuffing them inside to return to Liana later. Tossing his bag over his shoulder, he crawled out of the portrait hole and headed to class, wondering if he could transfigure something into food, and whether it would be safe to eat if he could.
* * *
Liana rushed to Transfiguration, one of her favorite classes. She rather liked Professor McGonagall, although most of the students thought she was too strict. She often talked to her after class or during break, if she had time, and found her to be a wonderfully interesting person. She usually talked with the professor about Animagi, although not so frequently as to arouse suspicion. She longed to ask her teacher about the pain she felt when Changing, but knew that was preposterous. Becoming an Animagus at her age, and without permission.she'd be expelled for sure.
The class gradually filled with chattering students, but no one approached Liana as she sat disconsolately in her seat in the front row. The other students didn't generally like Liana; she was too smart, some said, or too quiet. Many Gryffindors had tried to become friends with the girl, as was their nature, but most were turned off by her open coldness. What most students didn't know, was that this little black-haired girl had never had friends, and didn't know how to handle kindness. It was unfamiliar to her, and she didn't like new situations.
As Remus and one or two others had discovered, Liana was quite fun to be around when she loosened up. Even around the few people she considered her friends, she could be cold and distant at times. When she was feeling happy, however, she was a wonderful person. Very kind, caring, and clever, Liana was always prepared to help people-be it with homework, simple spells, or exploring the castle. This, she usually did on her own, or secretly followed the Marauders as they did it. James Potter had an invisibility cloak, but Liana didn't need one. She was so used to being overlooked that she had learned to make herself more invisible than usual. Like her wolf form, she was able to slink into the shadows and all but disappear when she wanted to. She was light and quiet when she walked, and had enough common sense to know when it was safe to move and when she should be crouched behind a suit of armor. Even Mrs. Norris, Filch's cat, didn't usually notice the girl when she tried to remain hidden.
The bell rang, and the students settled down. Liana straightened slightly, wincing as her wound stretched. Professor McGonagall was already explaining the day's practical lesson: they would be transfiguring their desks into ottomans-extra credit if it had designs embroidered on the cushion or carvings on the legs. Almost without thinking, Liana stood, waved her wand, uttered a few words, and seated herself again on a bright blue silk-covered ottoman, decorated with an intricate plant pattern. The legs were of stained oak, and had been carved into clawed feet at the ends. The professor came over to inspect Liana's handiwork.
"Very nice, Miss Lassek," she said with a smile and a twinkle in her eye. Liana was easily her best student, matched only by Sirius Black. If either of them tried at all, there would be a lovely competition brewing-but both were apathetic about their work, each for their own reasons.
McGonagall moved on, and when she'd glanced at Remus Lupin's, he dragged the rather dull-looking ottoman over to sit next to Liana. She seemed a bit brighter than she had been earlier, and gave him a genuine smile.
"I see you've made a perfect transfiguration, once again," he teased with a grin. "Although, of course, it is nothing compared to mine!" He proudly presented his ottoman, which, upon closer inspection, was made entirely of the same wood as his desk had been. There was a tattered piece of cloth hanging off one side, with the faintest hint of embroidery on it. Liana couldn't help but giggle at his mockingly proud face. With a sweep of her hand, she made his almost as perfect as her own. He seated himself on the comfortable ottoman, elbows on his knees, studying her face.
Remus didn't want to say anything that would send Liana back into depressed withdrawal, but he was dying to know what was bothering her so badly. She almost seemed to be in pain...had someone been beating her up? Glancing at her hands as she twiddled with her wand, Remus noticed a long, thin cut on the back of her right hand.
"What happened?" he asked before he could stop himself. Liana looked at the cut blankly for a moment.
"I think it was my cat," she said indifferently. "I don't really know." Remus nodded. There was another long pause.
"Liana," he said hesitantly, "why won't you tell me what's wrong?" She glanced up at him, and he saw that haunted look again, as if she were harboring something. Remus had always had the feeling there was more to this little teenager than met the eye, but now he was sure of it.
"Look, I really can't talk now," she said shortly. Then, as if to soften her words, "I have to finish my Defense Against the Dark Arts homework." Remus sighed and pulled his ottoman back to it's original spot. He knew there was no point in pushing it further, and he still had an inch of scroll to write for Professor Peregrine, too.