Love on the Other Side
A/N Just to say, thank you for all the reviews I got for my first chapter! You each get a little answer at the end of this one. Here I got a bit lost in my plot workings, but I hope it makes for an interesting read J
Disclaimer: I'm not J K Rowling but Guinevere Avery belongs to me. Lucius belongs to me too; one day when I get enough money I'm buying him off Jo, so nyah.
Chapter Two: Initiation
Severus Snape curled his upper lip for the fourth time that lesson, as he noticed Granger muttering something out of the corner of her mouth to Potter and Weasley.
"Ten points from Gryffindor, Granger, for thinking I wouldn't notice your attempt at conversation."
He noticed Draco Malfoy smirking and briefly wondered why Draco was still treating him politely when it was his father whom had tipped the Dark Lord off. There was a soft knock on the door and a nervous looking second year with auburn hair peered round. Upon seeing Snape, he let out a terrified squeal, darted into the room and handed Snape a thin piece of parchment before running back to the door and clicking it shut behind him. Severus had half a mind to call him back and deduct a few points, but the boy was only a Ravenclaw; not a bad house, on the whole.
He unrolled the parchment, glanced at its contents and sneered. Guinevere Avery; she wouldn't last a week.
"Twenty points from Gryffindor, Potter, for looking at me in that insolent manner."
* * *
Minerva McGonagall had, somewhat reluctantly, passed on Severus' cold congratulations and instructions to Guinevere. As she paced Hogwarts' corridors, she admitted that Guinevere seemed to have matured ever so slightly since her days at the school. Although her magical skills still weren't all they should have been. Minerva cast back to when she had taught the girl: she was always outspoken, a little hypocritical, with a sharp sense of humour. But she had been clever. That's not to say she was talented magically, not at all. Rather, she had always studied hard, and had a good memory for things. Minerva suspected she had rather a hard time of things at Hogwarts, having entered the school at a much later age to everyone else, owing to the fact that she had showed no magical ability whatsoever until the age of thirteen. At fourteen she was admitted into the first year as a Slytherin, and stayed in the first year until she could pass her exams at the age of fifteen in order to move up to second year. 'Poor girl' Minerva thought absent-mindedly, before reminding herself that Guinevere was an inherent troublemaker and she'd deserved everything.
* * *
"So, what do you reckon Mione?" Ron, Harry and Hermione were discussing the Potions lesson over a healthy helping of roast pork and mashed potatoes.
"Well, they must've found a replacement."
"It could just have been a letter from Moody reminding Snape he's still not the DADA teacher," Harry pointed out.
"Don't be stupid, Harry, Professor Moody's not that immature. I'm certain they've found a replacement: what other reason could the Order have had for traipsing all the way up from London to see Dumbledore? It's obvious he didn't want to introduce the new spy at Grimmauld Place because they weren't sure whether they wanted them in the Order…"
""Y'know, Harry," interrupted Ron, "How did you find out Lupin and that lot were all in Dumbledore's Office?"
"Well," explained Harry, lowering his voice, "After the Snape thing I asked Dobby to keep an eye out for us: the House Elves get everywhere in Hogwarts, you know. And the next thing he tells me is that the Order crept in a back entrance of Hogwarts at midnight and were sleeping in secret basement apartments. Then him and all the other House Elves were told not to disturb Dumbledore in his office all the next day. What else can that mean?"
Ginny and Neville sat down next to the three friends and began to eat noisily.
"Any news, Harry?" Neville asked amid large mouthfuls of Yorkshire pudding, "From Dobby, I mean?"
Hermione and Ron stared at Harry.
"Neville was with me when I was waiting for Dobby in Gryffindor Tower. Anyway, we're all members of the DA, right?"
"Hear, hear," mumbled Ginny through some carrots.
"I'm going to write to Dad," concluded Ron, when they'd finished telling Neville and Ginny what they'd discovered, "He might tell me who it is."
Draco Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle passed them, laughing maliciously.
"Well, now it's my turn for news," said Hermione, looking rather business-like, "Professor McGonagall has asked me to give Malfoy remedial Transfiguration lessons."
"She's what?" Harry and Ron chorused.
"I know; I'm not looking forward to it at all, but at least it'll be like revision for me."
"This is brilliant!" Harry enthused, and he actually got up and did a little jig around the table, "Draco has to have remedial lessons! He'll never live it down!"
"I did think you might have a little more sympathy for me," replied Hermione coldly, "And anyway, I'm supposed to keep it quiet."
"Does Draco know yet?"
"No," said Hermione grimly, "But I'll be willing to bet that he won't learn quietly."
Over the chatter of voices a distant bell rang.
"We'd better go and look for Trevor, Neville," said Ginny sadly.
"He's gone missing," explained Neville, "I haven't been able to find him all week."
* * *
When Guinevere entered the building she only had some idea of what to expect. Snape's letter had been short and only a little useful, designed (she suspected) to terrify her more than to help her. Her brother was pacing ahead of her, muttering things to himself, until finally he opened the door onto a large room with stone walls and a single large crystal chandelier hanging from the abnormally high ceiling. Every wall, Guinevere noticed, was marked, as if once there had been chairs attached. She was reminded of somewhere, but she just couldn't work out where.
"Guinevere Avery" a voice emanated around the room (although it was more like a vault).
"Yes?" she said, hoping the fear wasn't distinguishable in her voice.
"I will be your keeper."
She sighed; it wasn't You-Know-Who after all, but merely a Death Eater. Snape had told her that as a new Death Eater she would be appointed someone who would watch over her every move until he judged her sufficient. He had also told her that if she seemed too fearful she would be subjected to the Cruciatus Curse, to test her will and bravery.
"I'm very pleased to meet you," she replied, "Or I, er, would be, if I could see you."
A tall man with a pointed face and long silver hair emerged from the shadows.
"How dramatic" she commented.
"I am Lucius Malfoy," he pointed out, although she didn't really need the introduction; she'd seen him in a dozen newspapers as an escaped Death Eater.
"Yes, I know. Guinevere Avery." She extended a hand. He looked down at it, an expression of disdain playing on his face.
"Yes, I know. A werewolf also I hear?"
Guinevere sighed; why did this have to be the first thing people commented on?
"You, er, don't happen to be friends with a Remus Lupin, do you?" he pursued.
"Not friends, no," she replied shortly, "Rather the opposite in fact. He's the reason I am a werewolf."
* * *
A/N So? How'd you like my second chapter? It's a bit short, I know, but I wanted to end on a dramatic climax! I know you're all thinking, "What's the girl on about? In the first chapter it said Guinevere bit Remus." Well, this is true, but they were both werewolves at the time; you learn more about that later. Meanwhile, review! If you do, you get a cute little comment from me at the end of the chapter, just so…
Claudius – I'm afriad this one's shorter, but hopefully it gets better!
Brie Cheese Eater – I'm glad you like her! As I said, you find out about Guinevere and Lupin in the next few chapters.
Sio's Death – Wow! You sound hyper! Did I have that effect on you?! Btw I like your fanfics!
Just a Boy – What's wrong with flashy names? *points to own* And I'm not doing a slash fic – they're just not me at all.
AJRoald - *bows* Thank you! Again, see note above as to Guinevere and Remus (who is also gorgeous, btw, but we're not exploring that in this fanfic!)