Chapter 6
LB
"So, you're the one -"
"- Who was hiding under the hood." The twins grinned.
"Maybe." I shrugged, when the two boys just stared at me, I shuffled awkwardly with my feet. "Well, if that's all, I better take a seat." I pointed at the edge of the table. "People are starting to stare." And I made a move to leave, but the twins both grabbed a hand and pulled me between them.
"They've been staring since you sat down next to our new professor, Lupin was it?" The one on my right said. I opened my mouth to answer, but Dumbledore intervened.
"Now that everything is settled. Play a good knife and fork!" He clapped his hand and the food appeared in front of them. I looked over at the food and saw everyone dig in and load their plates, the boys on either side of me had their plates filled over the brim in a minute. I looked at the food in front of me for a moment, deciding what to take. And settled for some roast, mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables.
"So, Lupin?"
"He raised me, he is my guardian."
"And you took his name?"
"I did, he's like my dad." I said not looking at them as I cut my roast.
"But your name is also Black." A third voice said. I looked up to see a boy across from me, a few seats down, listening in.
"Shut up, Cormac." The twins grumbled at the boy.
"It is." I simply said before looking to the boys next to me. "So, what year are you two in?"
"Fifth, just like you." One winked.
"Hm, alright." I squinted my eyes a bit as I looked at the two. "Tell me your names again."
"George."
"Fred." I searched their eyes, and to my surprise I found out they spoke the truth. I could perform occlumency, but I wasn't a legilimens. I was just good at reading people. "And you're Alexandra." He said with a twinkle in his eye.
"Call me Alec." I smiled and shook their hands briefly.
"Well, Alec." The one called George said, and I tried to find the differences between them. "Let us introduce you to the other fifth years, yeah." He gave me a lopsided grin before he gestured in front of me. "Our best friend, Lee Jordan. He's also the commentator for the Quidditch games."
"Nice to meet you." The boy smiled and shook my hand. Before I could reply to the pleasantries, Fred motioned to a girl next to Lee.
"This is Angelina and Alicia. They both play quidditch for the Gryffindor team, chasers."
"Nice to meet you." I smiled and leaned closer to shake hands. They replied the same to me, both holding a smile. "Is that it?" I turned to look at the twins.
"No, but the others don't matter much." George said with a grin and a shrug.
"I'll meet them later then." I said because I choose my friends myself, and even if they don't really talk to them, doesn't mean I won't.
"If you want to waste your time." Fred chuckled and I shot him a glare.
"I don't know you, so maybe I'm wasting my time here." I was happy to note that he cowered back a little.
"Don't listen to them." Angelina said quickly. "They're just confined to their own clique." My gaze softened when I looked to Angelina who gave me a warm smile.
"So, why am I sitting here then?" I raised an eyebrow at the twins.
"Because you peeked our interests, ever since you bumped into us on the train." George said.
"If I remember correctly you ran into me." I pointed out with my fork.
"And if I remember correctly, you were staring at wonder boy right there." George grinned as he pointed over his shoulder to Harry. "Do you know him?"
"No." A little crease formed between my eyes. "My uncle talked to me about him. Harry's parents were his best friends." My voice soft as I glanced from Harry to Remus, who was talking to McGonagall.
The grin on George's face disappeared like snow from the sun. "I'm sorry." He placed a hand on my shoulder that made me look back at him, his eyes sincere.
"'S okay, but that's why I was a little surprised to see him." It was silent for a moment in the group before Alicia spoke up.
"So, what classes are you taking?" Happy to have the change of subject, I explained what I signed up for, besides my mandatory classes. I had chosen for Arithmancy and Ancient Runes. And even though I knew the twins for about ten minutes, I wasn't surprised that neither of them took those subjects. Actually, none of the group had those, but that meant I was about to learn others from their fifth year.
The dinner went by fast as no one asked about my last name or Sirius, yet. I felt that I was being watched though. When I glanced around the room, I saw a lot of people duck their heads. But that was to be expected, I looked back at the head table and my eyes found Remus's, and he smiled reassuringly at me. After the boys had stuffed their faces with dessert as I talked to Angelina and Alicia about their dorm, they stood up to leave.
"Alec? Where are you staying? Our room is full." Angelina asked, looking a little guilty.
"Oh, I-" I started, not knowing exactly but then a Gryffindor prefect appeared in front of me.
"Alexandra Lupin-Black. My name is Percy, Percy Weasley." He stuck out his head formally. I glanced over my shoulders when I registered his last name and hair colour, and saw the twins roll their eyes.
"Nice to meet you."
"I've been instructed to show you to your dorm."
"She won't be staying with us?" Alicia asked.
"No, Professor McGonagall informed me there was no room left. So, she gets to stay with her uncle."
"Am I allowed in the common room?"
"Of course, you are." The twins answered immediately. "Right, Perce?"
"Like they said." Percy glared a little at his brothers. "You can go to the common room as you please. The password is Fortuna Major." He said to all of the Gryffindors in front of him. "Now, let's go, miss Lupin-Black."
"Call me Alec." I turned to the others. "I'll see you later."
"Tomorrow, breakfast!" Angelina called out as I followed Percy and shot her a smile.
LB
Percy was showing me the way to mine and Remus's quarters. He explained the classes and chambers we passed and asked loads of questions about Beauxbatons.
"I wish to visit some time." He said.
"Well, it's been a while since we had an exchange student from Hogwarts, but we do have such a program. Maybe you can ask Professor McGonagall or Dumbledore for information." I said as we walked an empty corridor.
"Probably too expensive." He said softly looking at his feet. I stopped him by placing a hand on his shoulder.
"It's not. It's the same as Hogwarts, everything is paid for. And you can apply for a scholarship for the books and robes." I still saw doubt in his eyes about the money.
A look I'd seen a lot in Remus's eyes. Remus never had much money, I did. But he never wanted to take any unless it was necessary. I always said that he could take whatever he needed because we were a package deal, but still. So, every time it was his birthday or Christmas, every occasion truthfully, I bought him the books he wanted for a long time, new clothes, or even a daytrip. When Remus got offered the job for teaching here, I bought him a whole new wardrobe. He protested first, naturally, it was Moony after all. But I convinced him that a teacher needed nice and fitted clothes, so he agreed.
"I still have a few pamphlets in my trunk, I'll get you one. You can find all the information in there."
"Oh alright, thanks Alec."
"Any time." I smiled and we continue walking.
"Here we are." Percy stopped in front of two doors. "This one." He pointed to the right. "Is the DADA classroom. And this one leads to your private chambers."
"Thank you, Percy."
"You're welcome. Tomorrow Angelina or the twins can show you the common room. Or I can, if needed." He added the last part with a slight blush. "Good night.
"Night." I smiled and Percy turned and walked back. I took a peek in the classroom first and stepped in. I walked through the class slowly, the moon that shined through the windows was the only light in the room. I walked between the two rows of desks and when I reached the back, I sat down on the one near the window and let my fingers skim the underside of the desk. When I felt engravings on my fingers, I dropped down to the ground and looked up. There they were, just like Uncle Moony said. Four sets of letters were engraved on the desk. JP– SOB – RJL – PP. A smile appeared on my face as I looked at the names. I then took my wand out of my boot and placed the tip of my wand on the desk and traced my own initials on the hard wood, AFLB.
"Vandalizing school property on your first day." A voice came from behind me. I was startled from the sudden intrusion and let the desk fly through the air, before I rolled on the ground, pointing my wand at the newcomer. "I see your training is going well." Remus grinned as he leaned against the wall.
"Don't do that to me, uncle Moony." I huffed and stood up. I glanced over my shoulder and let the desk fly back. "And I've been training like I was seven years old, first muggle then duelling. What did you expect?" I grinned at my uncle and leaned against the wall next to him. "I had to come see it."
"And put your name next to it?" He raised an eyebrow with the same grin.
"Well... yeah." I laughed. "Are you ready, Professor Lupin?" I asked, my eyes curious.
"That's going to take some time to get used to."
"It's not the first time." I nudged his arm. "You've taught me and some other kids too."
"You were eight years old, that's different."
"Maybe." I shrugged and looped my arm through his, guiding him out of the classroom. "But you were – are - a great teacher. And you taught me a lot or found the perfect person to teach me."
"Thanks, cub." He kissed the crown of my head. "Let's explore our own room, yeah?"
"Yes." I nodded enthusiastically and pushed the doorhandle. When it didn't budge, Remus took his wand and tapped it in a certain rhythm, when I heard a click, I smiled as I pushed the door open. "Is this it?"
"No." Remus chuckled. "This is my office. If you want to enter our accommodations -" He said closing the door in front of us again. He tapped the door again; I recognized the rhythm in in an instant. It was the song my mum sang to me, and that Remus started to sing to me the second night he took me in. "-are past the door." He winked and pushed the door open again.
I wasted no time and walked in, my eyes exploring the room. It was a fairly large sitting area. On the left was a large fireplace with a couch and two armchairs in front of it. An old school trunk was used as a coffee table; on the right side of the room was a large bookcase against the wall, on either side a door. The floor-length windows looked out at the forbidden forest and reading nook in front of it. In the back corner was a kitchenette where we could store some extra food and drinks. The doors on either side of the bookcase, had our names written on it. I frowned a little as my full first name was plastered on it. With a flick of my wand, I changed it to Alec, I glanced to Remus's door and changed it to Moony.
"If mine says Moony, yours says cub." Remus pointed out from the other side of the room.
"Fine." I muttered but grinned. I changed it back to Remus reluctantly. "I'm going to check out my room." I heard Remus call something back as I stepped in the room. They must've waited until I was sorted to decorate the room. I had red curtains around my bed, and red covers. On the wall was a banner from Gryffindor next to one from Beauxbatons. My mother's trunk was neatly placed in front of my bed. A light wooden desk was placed against the window, while on the other side of the room was a large wardrobe. I kneeled down at my trunk and started to unpack it. After twenty minutes, I walked back out of the room to see Remus in an armchair, already going over his first lesson for tomorrow.
"Moony." I started and he looked up from his papers. "I'm going to explore the castle."
"It's past curfew." He pointed out, trying out his teacher's 'voice'.
"Uncle Moony." I pouted and looked at him with silver-grey pleading eyes. "I'll go as Loki."
I saw him thinking, going through every scenario in his head before he sighed. "Fine. Don't go out of the castle, be careful and if you get lost..."
"I'll send Loki 2.0." I chuckled and leaned down to give him a hug. "Thank you. I won't be too long." I kissed his cheek and walked to the door.
I concentrated for a moment and felt my body shift and shrink, until I was about 60 centimetres high and standing on all fours. I glanced down and saw my white furry paws. my whole body was now full of white fluffy fur and one tail behind me. I had transformed into an arctic wolf, a little smaller than the average one, but I didn't mind because it helped me sneak into things a normal wolf wouldn't get in to. I looked over my shoulder and Remus winked and with a wave of his wand opened the door for me and I patted out.