Disclaimer: I forgot to put this up here the first time… whoops! Anyhoo… needless to say, I don't own any of these characters… they're all the property of J.K. Rowling.~~~
"What you must remember", said Albus Dumbledore to his N.E.W.T. level Transfiguration class from the front of the classroom, "is that these examinations may influence your futures for many years to come! If you have not already given serious thought to your careers, now is the time so do so. And in the meantime, I'm afraid, we shall be working harder than ever to ensure that you all do yourselves justice!".
Several audible groans erupted from the back of the classroom. Minerva McGonagall, up in the front of the classroom, smiled silently to herself. Yes, this year would certainly be harder than the other four, but she was determined to achieve the highest marks possible on her N.E.W.T.s, not only for her career plans but for personal satisfaction and the chance to finally make something of herself. If she could do well on her exams and build a steady career path, she would have it made, and maybe someday would be able to stand alone in the world.
With those thoughts, the turned back to Professor Dumbledore.
"Now then… today we will be working on vanishing spells…." ~~
From the back of Professor Dumbledore's classroom, Remus Lupin transfixed his eyes to the front, but the last person he was concentrating on was Professor Dumbledore. No, his gaze was instead on the girl with the long brown hair in the first seat of the middle row- Minerva McGonagall. They had been friends for as long as he could remember, but lately, Remus was starting to think of her as more than just a friend. The trouble was that since they'd practically grown up together, Minerva thought of Remus as her brother.
The end of the lesson finally arrived and Remus notes that Minerva stayed behind to ask Professor Dumbledore a few questions; this was not uncommon in Minerva, who was the top student in every class. No wonder she was Head Girl.
Remus too lingered for a moment, pretending that he was having trouble fitting his book into his bag. Minerva approached him seconds later.
'You'd better hurry up, Remus… you don't want to be late for Potions…"
"I'm having trouble with my-"
Minerva took out her want and flicked it silently through the air. His book instantly flew into his bag.
"How'd you do that?! You didn't say any spell…"
Minerva laughed.
"Come on… let's go. It's quite a walk to the dungeons."~~~
Down in the Potions classroom, Tom Riddle poured through potions books to find the right potion to carry out his evil plan. The Halloween feast was only a few days away and it was the perfect opportunity for him to get what he most desired in the whole world.
Just then, he saw the class start to file in. He noted that Remus Lupin was walking with Minerva McGonagall. He was convinced that the two had a secret relationship going.
Suddenly, Tom found the potion he was looking for. Perfect, he thought. It was just what he needed to ensure that everything went his way. ~~~
The Halloween Feast had been great. It was late and Minerva was exhausted. She was just about to leave the Great Hall when Remus approached her.
"May I escort you to your common room, Minerva?" he asked with a smile.
Minerva turned to look at him.
"Remus! I haven't seen you all night, I thought you were… you know… sick…."
"Well, I'll admit I was feeling a little sick to my stomach earlier, but I wasn't really sick."
"How so?" Minerva noted that there was something strange about his eyes, something she had never seen before and that she disliked….
"Is to say, Minerva, the reason why I felt so sick is…. well, to tell you the truth, I'm lovesick."
Minerva laughed as they exited the Great Hall.
"Lovesick? May I ask who the lucky girl is?"
"Well, I think you know her very well…. she's a Gryffindor for one…"
'Oh come now, I'll need a bit more than that, you know…"
They went up the staircase and made a right.
"Well, let's see now… she's got green eyes and brown hair… and she's really smart…"
Minerva laughed again.
"Sorry to burst your bubble, Remus, but the only girl I can think of that fits that description is Lily Evans, and we all know she's got a thing for James…."
They made another right into a corridor marked with paintings and a mirror.
"No, no", said Remus, "keep thinking".
He stopped walking and Minerva followed suit.
She shook her head. "Sorry, can't think of a soul".
Remus took her by the shoulders and turned her towards the mirror so they could both see each other's reflections.
"Think, Minerva… a Gryffindor girl… with emerald green eyes… and gorgeous long brown hair…"
As Minerva gazed into the mirror, the truth of what Remus was saying her right in the face: it was her. Now she was the one who felt sick to her stomach, it was just so sudden…
She started to turn around slowly.
"Remus, I-" she began to say, but it was as far as she got before a sea of darkened engulfed her. The last thing she saw before she completely blacked out was a pair of gray eyes that were unfamiliar to her.