AN: This is the last real chapter. I'm writing a short epilogue, but I
really don't know what I'm doing with that yet! Thanks a lot for your
reviews.
Werewolf - Part 9 - Harriet's POV
On the first of September, I went up to Scotland early, with my mum, so I didn't have to go on the train with all the others, and so that we could have a meeting with Dumbledore. The meeting was fairly brief; Dumbledore just told me that if I had problems with any individuals to go to him, and said he was sure I'd have no problems with the work.
I was the first person to arrive in the Great Hall for the Sorting, andstart of term feast. I looked at my watch, and saw that the others should be arriving shortly. I sat down in what had been my usual seat at the Ravenclaw table, though I hadn't been there for a year, and someone else had probably claimed it. Dumbledore arrived at the teacher's table, and was shortly joined by Snape, McGonagall, Flitwick, and most of the other teachers. Then the students came rushing in through the large doors which lead to the entrance hall. Danielle waved enthusiastically, and ran over to sit next to me. As other Ravenclaws arrived at the table, they noticed me, and started frowning and whispering amongst themselves. Orla Quirke's eyes almost burst out of their sockets when she saw that I was back, but I didn't return her glare. I saw people further along the table, and even in other houses, pointing at me and muttering. It felt like all the blood in my body rushed to my face. Then McGonagall walked in, followed by a long line of nervous first years, which took the attention away from me for a moment.
"I bet Dumbledore's going to make a speech about you." Muttered Danielle from behind her hand. No. Please no. I begged. The last thing I wanted was more attention. I looked desperately along the teacher's table, and to my surprise, saw Remus there. Was he the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher? I knew that werewolf-phobic Umbitch woman had been kicked out, but hadn't heard what was happening about a replacement.
After the Sorting, and various announcements, regarding obvious things such as forbidden items, (anything made by Fred and George Weasley had been added to the list, I noticed), and also regarding the return of Voldemort. I thought that maybe the announcements had finished, and I was safe, when Dumbledore cleared his throat again.
"I expect that some of you have noticed a young witch at the Ravenclaw table, who has been missing for quite some time. Indeed, there was one time when I sadly thought she would never be able to return to Hogwarts. I suspect that most of you are aware of what has happened to Harriet Rivers over the past year, but I will explain, for those of you who aren't. Harriet is a werewolf," gasps from some of the first years, who were obviously muggle-born and didn't even know werewolves existed. One of the loudest gasps came from a small boy sitting next to me, who edged away when someone told him that it was me. "Last summer holidays, at the full moon, she killed someone, by accident." The first year shuffled further along the bench. "The Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures intended to execute her for this crime which was not her fault." Dumbledore continued, in his calm casual manner, which often caused people to wonder whether he was serious or not. "It was almost entirely through her own efforts that Harriet was released from the death sentence upon her, and for that we are all very proud of her. Some of you may have heard it said that werewolves are monsters, that they cannot feel anything except the desire to kill. I hope that Harriet has proved that wrong. Not only did she save her own life; she managed to change the status of her kind, so that now the Committee cannot kill them.
I hope that all of you would show as much bravery as Harriet has done to survive this last year, and as her friend Danielle has done, helping her. As you will all know, Voldemort returned last year, and there have been a number of attacks over the summer period. In this time, it is very important that we all have friends like Danielle, who we can trust with our lives." Now Danielle was turning red, while to my left, the first year was asking, "What's Voldemort?"
At the end of the speech, there was a small amount of applause, mostly from the front right-hand table, Gryffindor. After dinner, and a loud rendition of the school song, everyone went upstairs to their common rooms. I went straight up to the dormitory and began to unpack my stuff. I was shoving clothes into the cupboard, and slamming drawers violently. I even pinned up a lunar chart with days ticked off, above the chest of drawers.
"Might as well put that up now." I muttered angrily, as I practically hammered the pins into the wall with my fist, tears stinging my eyes. "Everyone knows now. There's no use hiding it."
"It'll be alright Harriet." I jumped and spun my head round quickly. It was Danielle. I hadn't even noticed her coming into the room.
I sat down on the bed and groaned. "How do you know? They might all hate me." I was convinced that virtually everyone in the world was against me. Talk about paranoia! Danielle told me not to worry, but I couldn't help thinking that I'd been right, later on when the three other Ravenclaw 3rd years came in.
The three girls were Orla, her friend Aurore, and Chenaiyi. Orla came over to Chenaiyi's bed and started whispering to her. The only word I heard was 'change' and I was convinced they were talking about me, and the transformation. Then Chenaiyi and Orla swapped beds, taking their suitcases with them. Now Orla was at the far end of the room, as far away from me as possible, then Aurore next to her, Chenaiyi in the middle of the room, me, then Danielle. Now I understood what they had been talking about. Orla wanted to change places, because she didn't want to be near me. Still, Chenaiyi hadn't minded having to move next to me, so maybe she would be OK. I didn't really know her, but I had no reason to dislike her so far.
"Night Aurore," Orla said, drawing the curtains on her bed. "Night you two," I knew she meant Chenaiyi and Danielle. "Night werewolf." I managed to resist the urge to go over there and slap her. Instead I pulled the covers up around my head, and tried to sleep.
The following morning, on the way to breakfast, I was caught up in the usual crowds at the entrance to the Great Hall. With a couple of hundred people all trying to get through the door at the same time, even such a huge doorway became blocked. A prefect took control, and made everybody stop, so he could let people through a few at a time. While we were waiting, someone tapped me on the shoulder, and I turned around, but I couldn't see who it was, and there was no-one I knew there. I turned back to face the front, still feeling people pushing to get past. Maybe whoever it was had just caught my shoulder by accident. Then, when I had almost reached the doorway, I felt the tap on my shoulder again, and once more, I spun round, to see nobody. While I was looking around behind me, someone on my left nudged me, and a voice from the right muttered
"Get a move on, werewolf! You're blocking the doorway." I had been too busy looking behind me to notice that there was room to get through now. I practically ran to the Ravenclaw table, tears stinging in my eyes. If this is what it's going to be like at Hogwarts, I might as well give up now. I thought. But I was stubborn, and determined to make the most of this second chance I had earned
During breakfast, I could see people staring at me, all around the hall. At the Slytherin table, they were mostly glaring at me, eyes narrowed, the Hufflepuff's were staring curiously and whispering to each other, and most Ravenclaws were pretending to ignore me, but glancing up whenever they thought I wouldn't notice. I couldn't see the Gryffindor table very well from where I was sitting, but less of them seemed to be looking. Gryffindors are known for being more open-minded, and less prejudiced than most of the other houses, in fact the Sorting Hat nearly placed me there, for that reason amongst others. The others in my house were irritating me the most. They were being so hypocritical the way they pretended I wasn't there, but then kept looking up.
I felt like screaming at them all. "I'm a person, for God's sake! A being, just like you." I hated it so much. I'd earned that status, hadn't I? "So why are you all looking at me like I'm a freak? I'm not going to do anything!"
And I wasn't. I wasn't intending to do anything, nor was I really thinking of shouting that. I knew I had to stay calm. I had learned that people blamed werewolves for anything, they looked for excuses to hate us. If I lost my temper, someone would say that it was just because I was a werewolf. I ate my breakfast quickly, rarely joining in conversation with Danielle, who was (none too subtly) attempting to get the others to speak to me. Orla would never listen to either of us, obviously, and I doubted that Aurore would either. I thought that perhaps eventually Chenaiyi would get used to it, but I didn't know anything about her.
The first lesson after breakfast was Defence Against the Dark Arts, with Remus. Professor Lupin, I reminded myself. I noticed that he was looking nervous, and also quite tired, I assumed from the full moon a few days before. I hoped I didn't look that bad! He hesitated before speaking. "Today we will be studying werewolves." He stated calmly. Then I knew why he had looked so nervous. Everyone in the room turned and looked at me, even Danielle, when he said it. 'Sorry!" he mouthed at me, wincing. Then he attempted to carry on with the lesson normally. "Does anyone already know anything at all about werewolves? Tell me some facts."
Orla raised her hand, and Remus nodded at her. She smirked, and began to speak slowly and with relish, directing every word towards me. "It has a Ministry of Magic classification of XXXXX." She paused, trying to remember the exact quotation. "Meaning, 'Known wizard killer, impossible to train or domesticate.'" Again, practically everyone turned and stared at me, with expressions of shock and fear on their faces. I couldn't understand it, I mean, everyone had a copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and surely they'd read it, so they must have known it already. I could never forget that rating. I was a 'wizard killer, impossible to train or domesticate.' I hated it. I hoped the book would be changed in more recent copies, and wouldn't include werewolves, seeing as werewolves are no longer classed as beasts.
"Yes, that is correct, Orla." He replied, although he was looking less than happy with her answer. "However, you forgot to mention that this rating only applies to the wolf - that is, the animal that the cursed human becomes, one night a month." Once again, people glanced at me, this time looking unsure. Orla let out an odd laugh, which sounded rather like a pig snorting.
"But I've seen loads of reports of werewolves attacking people, even when they were in human form. They're still dangerous and vicious.
"Oh, and I suppose you've never heard of a normal human attacking or even murdering anyone." Contradicted Remus, sharply. Orla had nothing to say to that, so she just turned around and glared at me. It was totally unfair. Why was she angry with me, because she'd lost an argument with Rem - Professor Lupin. It wasn't my fault! And of course, this pause gave the rest of the class yet another chance to stare at me.
"Excuse me." said Professor Lupin, quietly, but firmly. "Could you please all stop staring at Harriet? I know she's been away for a year, but you saw her yesterday, and this morning, not to mention all the other times you've looked at her this lesson. I very much doubt that she's changed since you last saw her about 30 seconds ago!"
One of the boys, Stewart Ackerly, thought of an excuse. A pretty stupid one I have to say, but what do you expect from a thirteen-year-old boy? "In first year, Moody brought things in as demonstrations. Last year we didn't learn anything, so it didn't count. You ought to bring in things for us to look at! You didn't bring in a werewolf, but there's one here anyway, so I thought it could be useful to look, you know, for reference!"
"Harriet is in human form at the moment, and looks no different to how she would if she had never been bitten. I'm sure she doesn't want you lot staring at her."
"But -" Stewart was about to make another supposedly 'smart' comment, but Remus cut him off.
"If you insist on staring at a werewolf, even though it's not the full moon, then could you please stare at me!" He closed his eyes tightly, then looked down. I could almost tell what he was thinking. There. I've said it. The whole class gasped, including me, though I was shocked for a different reason. Why did he tell them? "At least that way you'll be paying attention." He continued, calmly and determinedly. Everyone was still gaping, with their mouths wide open, but Remus ignored them, and carried on with his lesson.
"So, does anyone know any other facts about werewolves?" A few people were a bit calmer now, and Danielle and Chenaiyi put their hands up. Chenaiyi's arm was shaking slightly. When Remus chose Chenaiyi to answer the question, Danielle kept her hand up, waiting to give her answer once Chenaiyi had spoken.
"Silver kills them." Danielle lowered her hand, having obviously been about to say something similar.
"Yes Chenaiyi, that's right." Remus nodded. "But can anyone else explain it in more detail?"
I had realised that if I never spoke, then people wouldn't get to know me, and accept me for who I was. I couldn't hide in the classroom, talking to no one but Danielle for the rest of my five years at Hogwarts. It didn't work, for one thing. It wouldn't make people understand me. So two people put up their hands to answer that question, Danielle and me.
Remus looked surprised at my volunteering, but very pleased, so he chose me. "Harriet?" he smiled encouragingly.
"Touching silver causes severe burns and blistering." I said quietly, looking down at the table. I didn't need to raise my voice like people usually had to if they wanted to be heard in lessons. Everyone's attention was focused on me. "And if it penetrates the skin, it burns away the surrounding flesh. It kills if it burns any vital organs, or if it causes a lot of blood loss. Also, if it stays in the body for a long time, it can poison us." I'd had difficulty deciding on that last word. I could have just said 'them' or 'werewolves', and completely disassociated myself, instead of acknowledging what I was. Now that I'd done that, I might as well carry on that way. I put both of my hands on the desk in front of me, palms up. "This burn mark is where I tried to pick up a silver goblet, a couple of months ago." I turned over my left hand, with the three missing fingertips, and held that out. "And here, I was cut with a shallow knife. It was only a shallow cut, just a scratch really." I shivered, though the classroom was quite warm. "You can't imagine how much it hurts, just to touch silver." I told them.
Everyone was staring at me again, but this time I didn't really mind. They weren't staring at me just because I was there, and because of what I was. They were curious about what I had said, that was all. They looked surprised too, they hadn't expected me to speak. It was only Orla who looked as if she really hated me, though quite a few didn't look at all sure whether they should be listening to me, a werewolf, or not. Some were afraid of me, I was certain, but at least they didn't hate me.
The rest of the lesson was mostly spent researching in the textbook, with Remus going round checking people's work. I could hear quiet chatter coming from most desks in the room, but people were clearly doing their work as well. I didn't pay all that much attention to the textbook for the rest of the lesson. Afterall, how much could it teach me? I'd spent twenty- four hours a day, since I was seven years old, learning what it's like to be a werewolf, and I knew the obvious information as well. Remus came over to my desk, and crouched down next to it, to talk to me.
"I'm sorry about the lesson." He said, apologetically. "I'd forgotten that you'd be in the class, when I planned the lesson, and I wanted to get the lesson on werewolves over and done with at the start of term. Still, in the end I think it's been OK. They got a slightly different lesson to what I'd planned, but it worked. Are you alright with it?"
"Yeah, I don't mind. I'm fine now, though I was really horrified when you first said what we'd be studying today." I said, with a forced smile.
"I really don't like teaching about werewolves." He admitted, with a shrug. "I usually talk about werewolves in generall of course, but I still feel like it's personal. Makes me wonder how the other creatures I teach about feel!"
"Why did you tell them?" I asked him, perplexed. They respected him, I thought and he threw that away.
"I'm sure they'd have heard rumours about me sooner or later, from the older students. It was probably better for them to hear it from me, though I didn't intend it. I told you I'd taught here three years ago, well Professor Snape told everyone about it, when I left." He smiled at me. "I don't think I'd have dared to, if you hadn't changed everything." I sighed.
"I didn't change everything. I got them to change the law, but it doesn't change how people think. I don't think that's ever going to happen."
"It will." He assured me. "You saw how people reacted earlier in the lesson. It was changing all the time. I'm sure some of them won't have any problems with you soon. Not everyone hates us, Harriet. I used to think that, before I found friends who accepted me."
After the lessons, as me and Danielle were walking down the corridor on the way to Herbology, a couple of lads joined us, asking me stupid questions about being a werewolf. They left soon enough when I showed them my hands up close, and in fact, they both turned quite pale. Boys are so pathetic! But really, I didn't mind them being there. Yes, they were immature, not to mention tactless, but they weren't deliberately being unkind, they just seemed curious.
We passed a bunch of Gryffindor fifth years in the corridor - Harry Potter and his friends. They all looked miserable still, and I knew it must be because of Sirius Black's death. It hadn't been publicised, because everyone still thought he was a criminal, but Remus had told me in a letter, over the holidays. He had been killed in a battle with some of Voldemort's Death Eaters, at the Ministry of Magic. When they spotted me, they cheered up slightly.
"Hi Harriet. Well done." Said Harry, smiling warmly.
"Maybe I should organise a protest for the S-P-E-W." Mused Hermione Granger. Some people say that she's Harry's girlfriend, but I don't think she is.
"Spew?" I queried, puzzled.
"Don't even ask." Advised Ron, before they disappeared round a bend in the corridor.
Chenaiyi sat with us in the Potions class, and although she was shy, and quite awkward around me, after a bit we were all getting along OK. I was proved right sooner than I'd expected about her getting used to the idea. Naturally, Snape was his usual delightful self, (note sarcasm), throughout our Potions lesson. Despite this, and comments from the Slytherins who shared our class, I coped. I felt a bit better after the Defence Against the Dark Arts class, and so managed to ignore the others. Things weren't going to change completely or straight away, but they were getting better, I could see that. By tea time I was in a good mood, and even managed to be reasonably polite to Orla. That is, I asked her to pass the salt, without glaring too much.
I was feeling reasonably contented about everything, by the time I climbed into my four poster that night. Some people would always have a problem with what I was, but I was determined not to let them bother me.
Werewolf - Part 9 - Harriet's POV
On the first of September, I went up to Scotland early, with my mum, so I didn't have to go on the train with all the others, and so that we could have a meeting with Dumbledore. The meeting was fairly brief; Dumbledore just told me that if I had problems with any individuals to go to him, and said he was sure I'd have no problems with the work.
I was the first person to arrive in the Great Hall for the Sorting, andstart of term feast. I looked at my watch, and saw that the others should be arriving shortly. I sat down in what had been my usual seat at the Ravenclaw table, though I hadn't been there for a year, and someone else had probably claimed it. Dumbledore arrived at the teacher's table, and was shortly joined by Snape, McGonagall, Flitwick, and most of the other teachers. Then the students came rushing in through the large doors which lead to the entrance hall. Danielle waved enthusiastically, and ran over to sit next to me. As other Ravenclaws arrived at the table, they noticed me, and started frowning and whispering amongst themselves. Orla Quirke's eyes almost burst out of their sockets when she saw that I was back, but I didn't return her glare. I saw people further along the table, and even in other houses, pointing at me and muttering. It felt like all the blood in my body rushed to my face. Then McGonagall walked in, followed by a long line of nervous first years, which took the attention away from me for a moment.
"I bet Dumbledore's going to make a speech about you." Muttered Danielle from behind her hand. No. Please no. I begged. The last thing I wanted was more attention. I looked desperately along the teacher's table, and to my surprise, saw Remus there. Was he the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher? I knew that werewolf-phobic Umbitch woman had been kicked out, but hadn't heard what was happening about a replacement.
After the Sorting, and various announcements, regarding obvious things such as forbidden items, (anything made by Fred and George Weasley had been added to the list, I noticed), and also regarding the return of Voldemort. I thought that maybe the announcements had finished, and I was safe, when Dumbledore cleared his throat again.
"I expect that some of you have noticed a young witch at the Ravenclaw table, who has been missing for quite some time. Indeed, there was one time when I sadly thought she would never be able to return to Hogwarts. I suspect that most of you are aware of what has happened to Harriet Rivers over the past year, but I will explain, for those of you who aren't. Harriet is a werewolf," gasps from some of the first years, who were obviously muggle-born and didn't even know werewolves existed. One of the loudest gasps came from a small boy sitting next to me, who edged away when someone told him that it was me. "Last summer holidays, at the full moon, she killed someone, by accident." The first year shuffled further along the bench. "The Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures intended to execute her for this crime which was not her fault." Dumbledore continued, in his calm casual manner, which often caused people to wonder whether he was serious or not. "It was almost entirely through her own efforts that Harriet was released from the death sentence upon her, and for that we are all very proud of her. Some of you may have heard it said that werewolves are monsters, that they cannot feel anything except the desire to kill. I hope that Harriet has proved that wrong. Not only did she save her own life; she managed to change the status of her kind, so that now the Committee cannot kill them.
I hope that all of you would show as much bravery as Harriet has done to survive this last year, and as her friend Danielle has done, helping her. As you will all know, Voldemort returned last year, and there have been a number of attacks over the summer period. In this time, it is very important that we all have friends like Danielle, who we can trust with our lives." Now Danielle was turning red, while to my left, the first year was asking, "What's Voldemort?"
At the end of the speech, there was a small amount of applause, mostly from the front right-hand table, Gryffindor. After dinner, and a loud rendition of the school song, everyone went upstairs to their common rooms. I went straight up to the dormitory and began to unpack my stuff. I was shoving clothes into the cupboard, and slamming drawers violently. I even pinned up a lunar chart with days ticked off, above the chest of drawers.
"Might as well put that up now." I muttered angrily, as I practically hammered the pins into the wall with my fist, tears stinging my eyes. "Everyone knows now. There's no use hiding it."
"It'll be alright Harriet." I jumped and spun my head round quickly. It was Danielle. I hadn't even noticed her coming into the room.
I sat down on the bed and groaned. "How do you know? They might all hate me." I was convinced that virtually everyone in the world was against me. Talk about paranoia! Danielle told me not to worry, but I couldn't help thinking that I'd been right, later on when the three other Ravenclaw 3rd years came in.
The three girls were Orla, her friend Aurore, and Chenaiyi. Orla came over to Chenaiyi's bed and started whispering to her. The only word I heard was 'change' and I was convinced they were talking about me, and the transformation. Then Chenaiyi and Orla swapped beds, taking their suitcases with them. Now Orla was at the far end of the room, as far away from me as possible, then Aurore next to her, Chenaiyi in the middle of the room, me, then Danielle. Now I understood what they had been talking about. Orla wanted to change places, because she didn't want to be near me. Still, Chenaiyi hadn't minded having to move next to me, so maybe she would be OK. I didn't really know her, but I had no reason to dislike her so far.
"Night Aurore," Orla said, drawing the curtains on her bed. "Night you two," I knew she meant Chenaiyi and Danielle. "Night werewolf." I managed to resist the urge to go over there and slap her. Instead I pulled the covers up around my head, and tried to sleep.
The following morning, on the way to breakfast, I was caught up in the usual crowds at the entrance to the Great Hall. With a couple of hundred people all trying to get through the door at the same time, even such a huge doorway became blocked. A prefect took control, and made everybody stop, so he could let people through a few at a time. While we were waiting, someone tapped me on the shoulder, and I turned around, but I couldn't see who it was, and there was no-one I knew there. I turned back to face the front, still feeling people pushing to get past. Maybe whoever it was had just caught my shoulder by accident. Then, when I had almost reached the doorway, I felt the tap on my shoulder again, and once more, I spun round, to see nobody. While I was looking around behind me, someone on my left nudged me, and a voice from the right muttered
"Get a move on, werewolf! You're blocking the doorway." I had been too busy looking behind me to notice that there was room to get through now. I practically ran to the Ravenclaw table, tears stinging in my eyes. If this is what it's going to be like at Hogwarts, I might as well give up now. I thought. But I was stubborn, and determined to make the most of this second chance I had earned
During breakfast, I could see people staring at me, all around the hall. At the Slytherin table, they were mostly glaring at me, eyes narrowed, the Hufflepuff's were staring curiously and whispering to each other, and most Ravenclaws were pretending to ignore me, but glancing up whenever they thought I wouldn't notice. I couldn't see the Gryffindor table very well from where I was sitting, but less of them seemed to be looking. Gryffindors are known for being more open-minded, and less prejudiced than most of the other houses, in fact the Sorting Hat nearly placed me there, for that reason amongst others. The others in my house were irritating me the most. They were being so hypocritical the way they pretended I wasn't there, but then kept looking up.
I felt like screaming at them all. "I'm a person, for God's sake! A being, just like you." I hated it so much. I'd earned that status, hadn't I? "So why are you all looking at me like I'm a freak? I'm not going to do anything!"
And I wasn't. I wasn't intending to do anything, nor was I really thinking of shouting that. I knew I had to stay calm. I had learned that people blamed werewolves for anything, they looked for excuses to hate us. If I lost my temper, someone would say that it was just because I was a werewolf. I ate my breakfast quickly, rarely joining in conversation with Danielle, who was (none too subtly) attempting to get the others to speak to me. Orla would never listen to either of us, obviously, and I doubted that Aurore would either. I thought that perhaps eventually Chenaiyi would get used to it, but I didn't know anything about her.
The first lesson after breakfast was Defence Against the Dark Arts, with Remus. Professor Lupin, I reminded myself. I noticed that he was looking nervous, and also quite tired, I assumed from the full moon a few days before. I hoped I didn't look that bad! He hesitated before speaking. "Today we will be studying werewolves." He stated calmly. Then I knew why he had looked so nervous. Everyone in the room turned and looked at me, even Danielle, when he said it. 'Sorry!" he mouthed at me, wincing. Then he attempted to carry on with the lesson normally. "Does anyone already know anything at all about werewolves? Tell me some facts."
Orla raised her hand, and Remus nodded at her. She smirked, and began to speak slowly and with relish, directing every word towards me. "It has a Ministry of Magic classification of XXXXX." She paused, trying to remember the exact quotation. "Meaning, 'Known wizard killer, impossible to train or domesticate.'" Again, practically everyone turned and stared at me, with expressions of shock and fear on their faces. I couldn't understand it, I mean, everyone had a copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and surely they'd read it, so they must have known it already. I could never forget that rating. I was a 'wizard killer, impossible to train or domesticate.' I hated it. I hoped the book would be changed in more recent copies, and wouldn't include werewolves, seeing as werewolves are no longer classed as beasts.
"Yes, that is correct, Orla." He replied, although he was looking less than happy with her answer. "However, you forgot to mention that this rating only applies to the wolf - that is, the animal that the cursed human becomes, one night a month." Once again, people glanced at me, this time looking unsure. Orla let out an odd laugh, which sounded rather like a pig snorting.
"But I've seen loads of reports of werewolves attacking people, even when they were in human form. They're still dangerous and vicious.
"Oh, and I suppose you've never heard of a normal human attacking or even murdering anyone." Contradicted Remus, sharply. Orla had nothing to say to that, so she just turned around and glared at me. It was totally unfair. Why was she angry with me, because she'd lost an argument with Rem - Professor Lupin. It wasn't my fault! And of course, this pause gave the rest of the class yet another chance to stare at me.
"Excuse me." said Professor Lupin, quietly, but firmly. "Could you please all stop staring at Harriet? I know she's been away for a year, but you saw her yesterday, and this morning, not to mention all the other times you've looked at her this lesson. I very much doubt that she's changed since you last saw her about 30 seconds ago!"
One of the boys, Stewart Ackerly, thought of an excuse. A pretty stupid one I have to say, but what do you expect from a thirteen-year-old boy? "In first year, Moody brought things in as demonstrations. Last year we didn't learn anything, so it didn't count. You ought to bring in things for us to look at! You didn't bring in a werewolf, but there's one here anyway, so I thought it could be useful to look, you know, for reference!"
"Harriet is in human form at the moment, and looks no different to how she would if she had never been bitten. I'm sure she doesn't want you lot staring at her."
"But -" Stewart was about to make another supposedly 'smart' comment, but Remus cut him off.
"If you insist on staring at a werewolf, even though it's not the full moon, then could you please stare at me!" He closed his eyes tightly, then looked down. I could almost tell what he was thinking. There. I've said it. The whole class gasped, including me, though I was shocked for a different reason. Why did he tell them? "At least that way you'll be paying attention." He continued, calmly and determinedly. Everyone was still gaping, with their mouths wide open, but Remus ignored them, and carried on with his lesson.
"So, does anyone know any other facts about werewolves?" A few people were a bit calmer now, and Danielle and Chenaiyi put their hands up. Chenaiyi's arm was shaking slightly. When Remus chose Chenaiyi to answer the question, Danielle kept her hand up, waiting to give her answer once Chenaiyi had spoken.
"Silver kills them." Danielle lowered her hand, having obviously been about to say something similar.
"Yes Chenaiyi, that's right." Remus nodded. "But can anyone else explain it in more detail?"
I had realised that if I never spoke, then people wouldn't get to know me, and accept me for who I was. I couldn't hide in the classroom, talking to no one but Danielle for the rest of my five years at Hogwarts. It didn't work, for one thing. It wouldn't make people understand me. So two people put up their hands to answer that question, Danielle and me.
Remus looked surprised at my volunteering, but very pleased, so he chose me. "Harriet?" he smiled encouragingly.
"Touching silver causes severe burns and blistering." I said quietly, looking down at the table. I didn't need to raise my voice like people usually had to if they wanted to be heard in lessons. Everyone's attention was focused on me. "And if it penetrates the skin, it burns away the surrounding flesh. It kills if it burns any vital organs, or if it causes a lot of blood loss. Also, if it stays in the body for a long time, it can poison us." I'd had difficulty deciding on that last word. I could have just said 'them' or 'werewolves', and completely disassociated myself, instead of acknowledging what I was. Now that I'd done that, I might as well carry on that way. I put both of my hands on the desk in front of me, palms up. "This burn mark is where I tried to pick up a silver goblet, a couple of months ago." I turned over my left hand, with the three missing fingertips, and held that out. "And here, I was cut with a shallow knife. It was only a shallow cut, just a scratch really." I shivered, though the classroom was quite warm. "You can't imagine how much it hurts, just to touch silver." I told them.
Everyone was staring at me again, but this time I didn't really mind. They weren't staring at me just because I was there, and because of what I was. They were curious about what I had said, that was all. They looked surprised too, they hadn't expected me to speak. It was only Orla who looked as if she really hated me, though quite a few didn't look at all sure whether they should be listening to me, a werewolf, or not. Some were afraid of me, I was certain, but at least they didn't hate me.
The rest of the lesson was mostly spent researching in the textbook, with Remus going round checking people's work. I could hear quiet chatter coming from most desks in the room, but people were clearly doing their work as well. I didn't pay all that much attention to the textbook for the rest of the lesson. Afterall, how much could it teach me? I'd spent twenty- four hours a day, since I was seven years old, learning what it's like to be a werewolf, and I knew the obvious information as well. Remus came over to my desk, and crouched down next to it, to talk to me.
"I'm sorry about the lesson." He said, apologetically. "I'd forgotten that you'd be in the class, when I planned the lesson, and I wanted to get the lesson on werewolves over and done with at the start of term. Still, in the end I think it's been OK. They got a slightly different lesson to what I'd planned, but it worked. Are you alright with it?"
"Yeah, I don't mind. I'm fine now, though I was really horrified when you first said what we'd be studying today." I said, with a forced smile.
"I really don't like teaching about werewolves." He admitted, with a shrug. "I usually talk about werewolves in generall of course, but I still feel like it's personal. Makes me wonder how the other creatures I teach about feel!"
"Why did you tell them?" I asked him, perplexed. They respected him, I thought and he threw that away.
"I'm sure they'd have heard rumours about me sooner or later, from the older students. It was probably better for them to hear it from me, though I didn't intend it. I told you I'd taught here three years ago, well Professor Snape told everyone about it, when I left." He smiled at me. "I don't think I'd have dared to, if you hadn't changed everything." I sighed.
"I didn't change everything. I got them to change the law, but it doesn't change how people think. I don't think that's ever going to happen."
"It will." He assured me. "You saw how people reacted earlier in the lesson. It was changing all the time. I'm sure some of them won't have any problems with you soon. Not everyone hates us, Harriet. I used to think that, before I found friends who accepted me."
After the lessons, as me and Danielle were walking down the corridor on the way to Herbology, a couple of lads joined us, asking me stupid questions about being a werewolf. They left soon enough when I showed them my hands up close, and in fact, they both turned quite pale. Boys are so pathetic! But really, I didn't mind them being there. Yes, they were immature, not to mention tactless, but they weren't deliberately being unkind, they just seemed curious.
We passed a bunch of Gryffindor fifth years in the corridor - Harry Potter and his friends. They all looked miserable still, and I knew it must be because of Sirius Black's death. It hadn't been publicised, because everyone still thought he was a criminal, but Remus had told me in a letter, over the holidays. He had been killed in a battle with some of Voldemort's Death Eaters, at the Ministry of Magic. When they spotted me, they cheered up slightly.
"Hi Harriet. Well done." Said Harry, smiling warmly.
"Maybe I should organise a protest for the S-P-E-W." Mused Hermione Granger. Some people say that she's Harry's girlfriend, but I don't think she is.
"Spew?" I queried, puzzled.
"Don't even ask." Advised Ron, before they disappeared round a bend in the corridor.
Chenaiyi sat with us in the Potions class, and although she was shy, and quite awkward around me, after a bit we were all getting along OK. I was proved right sooner than I'd expected about her getting used to the idea. Naturally, Snape was his usual delightful self, (note sarcasm), throughout our Potions lesson. Despite this, and comments from the Slytherins who shared our class, I coped. I felt a bit better after the Defence Against the Dark Arts class, and so managed to ignore the others. Things weren't going to change completely or straight away, but they were getting better, I could see that. By tea time I was in a good mood, and even managed to be reasonably polite to Orla. That is, I asked her to pass the salt, without glaring too much.
I was feeling reasonably contented about everything, by the time I climbed into my four poster that night. Some people would always have a problem with what I was, but I was determined not to let them bother me.