Note: Alrighty then, here is the next chapter, a nice long one, so enjoy it
whilst you can because there won't be another one up for a little while,
(There really packing on the assignments) but not to worry, Christmas
holidays soon, plenty of writing for you. First day of summer today,
yippee, only 25 days till Christmas. Hurrah!
Shortnsassy: Don't worry here is a whole chapter on Zell and it's extremely eventful, just to keep you happy. And you can see for yourself how Ginny feels about Zell, and how the other Weasley's feel. Thank you for reviewing.
JKH: Random Death Eater? Pettigrew? Tom Riddle? Wow your sure thinking of all the possibilities. Well don't worry you'll find out soon. Is it Lupin? You'll just have to wait and see. Thanks again for reviewing.
Time Warp: You laughed, Hurrah! I tried to put lots of funny bits in this chapter for you too, so I just hope you laugh at this one. You liked the twist, that's great thank you so much for reviewing, I greatly appreciate it.
Daisie: Thank you so much for the very encouraging review. I'm glad to see I thought of things that others hadn't, it's always good to here when you think of different things. Thanks again.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize. I do own Zell however. J.K Rowling is a champ and whilst I do wish to be a writer I am not her and like I said don't own anything you recognize.
.... Okay let's see how Zell's going shall we?............. a nice long chapter for all of you eager reader's.....
The Malfoy's Big Secret!!
Chapter 14!!
The morning after Zell had arrived was not a pleasant one. Mrs. Weasley had introduced him to everyone - everyone who he hadn't met the night before - and the moment they found out he was Malfoy's brother there was utter chaos.
'Why'd you take him in for mum, you know there family's no good,' Ron had said.
'A Malfoy, have you gone mad, he'll tell his parents everything,' Fred added later on.
'He could be You-Know-Who's son for all I care, Dumbledore asked me to take care of him and that's what I'm going to do, regardless of what family he's from, and whilst he is under this roof you are to treat him as if he were one of us. Understood? If you don't like it George than you can leave now,' Mrs. Weasley had shouted to the room. Regardless of whether or not the Weasley children were happy about Zell, they kept there mouth's shut about him for the rest of the day, not wanting to get kicked out - or not get fed, as Mrs. Weasley later threatened.
The first couple of hours had not gone by too smoothly. Whilst Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Charlie, Ginny and Hermione didn't mind the fact that a Malfoy was walking around the house, Fred, George and Ron were not at all pleased. Fred attempted to curse him whenever he walked past; George tried to lock him in the cupboard with Kreacher and Ron was threatening to take him to Diagon Alley and leave him there. However the younger Malfoy seemed to narrowly escape all the dangers that passed his way and it wasn't long before he was thoroughly enjoying running away from George, dodging all Fred's spells and annoying Ron. In fact by the night of his first day, not only was he having fun but Fred and George seemed to be starting to enjoy his company as well, although Harry knew that they would never admit it. They had never had someone that they could perform all sorts of spells on and have them get right back up again, without telling on them and without breaking down in tears.
By dinner time nearly everyone had there own use for the boy, he seemed to be the most exciting thing at the Black's boring old home, although no one wanted to admit it. Hermione and Ginny had loved him right from the word go, Ginny a little reluctant at first, but after only a few short minutes she had taken as much a liking to him as Hermione. ('Oh! He's so cute isn't he?') Harry had never seen anyone quite so energetic, it seemed as though Zell never wanted to sit down, and if he did than he would always have to be doing something, this annoyed Ron a great deal - In fact Ron and Lupin were the only one's who still seemed to disliked the boy by the morning of his second day there.
'Can't you ever sit still?' Ron shouted at Zell who was chasing Crookshanks, Hermione's pet cat, up and down the hall.
'Honestly he's a bloody menace,' Ron told Harry.
Harry nodded his head slightly; he still couldn't decide whether or not he liked Zell, apart from the fact that he was a Malfoy, he didn't seem all that bad, in fact he was totally the opposite to any Malfoy that he had encountered. Even though he was a Malfoy, there was something about him that was so familiar, something that reminded him of someone else, but he just couldn't place his finger on it, even though it was probably so obvious.
'Say Ron,' Harry asked.
'Hmm,' Ron muttered in reply.
'Does Zell . remind you of anyone?'
'Yeah he sure does,' Ron muttered disapprovingly, 'reminds me of Pig.'
Harry smiled slightly. He was indeed very much like Ron's tiny, hyperactive owl by the name of Pigwidgeon, but that wasn't what Harry had meant.
'I mean a person Ron. Does he remind you of anyone we know . not so much personality, but looks,' Harry asked.
'Dunno, haven't really looked. OY!' He shouted out the door. 'Malfoy, come here a sec.'
Straight away the tiny blonde headed boy stuck his freckly face around the corner of their door and made Ron jump slightly.
'How'd you get here so fast?' he asked, angry that he had made him jump.
'I was already here,' he squeaked happily.
'Whatever,' Ron said returning to his sitting position on his bed. 'Just stand here for a second . and don't fidget.'
Zell stopped moving around almost at once and stood right where Ron had told him too, straight in front of the two of them. Harry watched as Ron looked Zell up and down, squinting every now and then. Harry took this opportunity to have a good look at him too. He had on a dark blue, baggy pare of Jeans and an old white t-shirt that was far too big for him, he defiantly reminded Harry of someone.
'He sort of looks like Sirius . if you squint,' Ron said, squinting his eyes so much that they were almost closed.
'That's only because him and Malfoy's mum were cousin's, they probably have some similarities in looks. Look again Ron and this time keep your eyes open.'
'I was,' Ron said, but nonetheless he took another look at the boy that stood in front of him. Zell was beginning to get a little agitated with standing still for so long and slowly began to turn his body from side to side, in boredom.
'Sorry Harry, I don't see it,' Ron said shaking his head, at that moment Hermione entered.
'What are you guy's doing?' she asked sounding extremely bored, 'Oh! Your talking to Zell, Ron, well that's real-'
'-I'm not talking to him, just analyzing, and where done now so he can go,' Ron said signaling the door to the small boy.
'How come you've got so many freckles?' Zell asked in his usual excited tone.
'GET OUT!' Ron yelled angrily, as Harry tried to suppress a laugh.
'Oh Ron, let him stay, what harm could he do?' Hermione said.
'It's not what harm he'll do; it's what harm I'll do to him if he stays.'
'Oh Ron really,' Hermione said, moving into their room and sitting on the end of Ron's bed, 'he's not that bad.'
'Yes he is,' Ron protested but it was no use, Hermione had signaled for Zell to stay and he quickly made his way over to his bed which was squashed so close to Harry's that it looked like a double, and lay flat on his back, staring fixated on Ron - even though Zell slept in the room, Ron forbid him to be in there at any time, unless of course he was asleep.
'This place is so boring,' Hermione said, trying to break the hostile atmosphere that was in the room.
'You bored?' Ron said, 'Haven't you got homework to do or something?'
'Well, I finished it all in the first week and I was just doing some extra study, but I've finished most of the books I borrowed.'
Ron and Harry stared at Hermione in disbelief; she shifted uncomfortably and than quickly changed the topic.
'So, what were you two talking about before?'
'Him,' Ron said, shoving his thumb in Zell's direction.
'I asked Ron if he reminded him of anyone, but he doesn't see it,' Harry added to Ron's very general overview.
'As a matter of fact, I was just saying that to Ginny at breakfast,' Hermione said looking at Zell again, 'but between us we couldn't work out who it was.'
'Neither can I,' Harry said disappointed.
'Well I guess he would probably look like his mum and dad,' said Ron rather sarcastically, 'as that's usually where a person gets there looks.'
'That's right Ron, but who is his dad,' she corrected him quietly; unsure of whether Zell knew his family situation.
'Oh yeah,' Ron said stupidly, 'guess I forgot about that.'
Zell had started getting bored again and he was fidgeting with his hands whilst looking around the room for something to do or annoy.
'Come to think of it, I suppose he does kind of remind me of someone,' Ron told his friends, 'although I'm with you two, I don't know who.'
'I think it's his eyes,' Hermione said, 'I do wish I knew, this is really starting to bug me.'
'Why don't we just ask him,' Harry asked, 'It couldn't do him any harm.'
'Right you are Harry,' Ron said, and than blurted out before Hermione could intervene, 'Oy, Zell, who's your father? I mean your real father? You do know that Lucius isn't your real father, right?'
'Ron,' Hermione said appalled.
'Yes,' Zell said, delighted at being spoken to again, 'my brother told me.'
'Of course he would, Malfoy takes pleasure in ruining everyone's life,' Ron said rather disgustedly. 'So who is he than?'
'I don't know, my mum wouldn't tell me,' he said uncaringly.
'Doesn't that bother you?' Hermione asked, getting involved.
'A little, but she'll never tell me, and Draco doesn't know,' Zell told Hermione. 'Do you like the Chudley Cannon's?' he asked Ron, noticing the posters on his wall and forgetting all about their previous conversation.
Ron didn't have to answer because Fred and George immediately burst in the room.
'Okay time's up,' Fred told Ron, whilst George grabbed Zell.
'For what?' Ron asked looking confused.
'He means that your time with Zell is up, it's our turn now,' George said.
'No way were talking to him,' Ron protested, 'what do you want him for anyway?'
'He's our tester,' Fred said cheerfully.
'What? No!' Hermione squealed disapprovingly.
'What's the problem Hermione, he loves it, gets to eat all the lollies he wants, he doesn't care if he gets sick, ain't that right mate?' George said patting Zell on the back.
Zell nodded happily and with one last gleeful look at Hermione they strode off, taking Zell with him.
'I'll give him till morning,' Ron said.
'Until what?' Harry asked puzzled.
'Until they kill him with those things,' Ron added.
Mrs. Weasley cooked up another feast for dinner that night, a little earlier than usual as there would be another meeting for the Order that night. Dumbledore had joined the usual crowd and miraculously Zell was still alive and unharmed.
Fred and George asked him over and over again which lollies he liked the most, and which tricks were his favorite, and why. They were clearly beginning to like the idea of having someone younger to manipulate and use as their guinea-pigs, the fact that it was a Malfoy, seemed to be an added bonus. Ron hadn't taken his eyes of him since their little conversation before and neither, for that matter, did Harry.
Hermione and Ginny were having a conversation about something girly with Mrs. Weasley and Bill, Charlie and Mr. Weasley were laughing heartily away at the opposite end. Lupin was having a conversation with Dumbledore that didn't look like it was a very pleasant discussion as both seemed very grim.
'Don't worry about it Remus, we are doing everything we can, believe me,' Dumbledore finished obviously trying to reassure Lupin, but not succeeding.
A small comfortable silence spread across the table as everyone was too busy eating, to worry about talking. Zell, who had obviously finished eating, was staring at Lupin in fascination. Lupin who had obviously only just noticed shifted uncomfortably.
'What is it?' he asked rather rudely. Lupin had not been awfully fond of the small boy since he had come. Harry assumed it was to do with the fact that the Malfoy's had played a significant role in Sirius' death and he wasn't taking to kindly to any of them after that, and since Tonks had been announced missing, Lupin hadn't been in the best of mood.
'Are you Professor Lupin?' he asked in his energized voice.
'I'm not a Professor anymore, but yes that's me. Why?'
'My brother said that you're a ware-wolf, is it true?' he squealed in absolute delight and amazement.
'Yes it is,' Lupin snapped, a little unnecessarily, 'I suppose he made up some story about how violent and sadistic I am and how everyone was scared of me.'
'No,' Zell said looking displeased with getting yelled at.
'So let me get this straight, he actually said good things about me?'
'Well, no,' Zell said shrinking slightly in his chair, 'but-'
'If you don't mind, I don't particularly want to talk about it,' Lupin said roughly as if this was final.
'Okay,' Zell said softly, looking away from Lupin.
After Zell's conversation a miserable sort of feeling had come across the table at Lupin's obvious bad mood and seeming as though no one had anything else to talk about and the atmosphere was already miserable Harry asked the question he had wanted to ask.
'Have you heard any news about Tonks?' Harry asked quietly, aiming the question at Dumbledore.
'Not as of yet, Harry,' Dumbledore said seriously, staring straight at Harry.
'Who's Tonk's?' Zell asked curiously.
'Do you ever stop asking question's that people don't want to answer,' Lupin said, turning his head to face Zell.
'I just wanted to know who was missing,' Zell said, 'maybe I know where they are.'
'You wouldn't know,' Lupin said rather harshly, 'but I wouldn't be surprised if your parents did,'
'If my parent's know than why don't you ask them?'
Harry felt extremely sorry for Zell, he probably had no idea how people regarded his family in the real world.
'I wouldn't ask them anything, even if my life depended on it,' Lupin said starring the six year old right in the eyes.
Zell stared back, obviously looking angry, although compared to the type of angry Harry had seen in his life this was nothing, he would know what real angry was later on in life.
'Why? What's wrong with my parents?' he said, sticking out his bottom lip to show that his anger.
'Their Death Eaters that's why, although you probably don't know what that means. It means there cowards, weaklings and have to work together in big groups, hiding behind masks to kill a measly crowd of helpless muggles.'
'My parent's aren't murderers,' Zell said defiantly, 'but my brother told me that ware-wolves are.'
What Zell had said had hit its mark. Lupin was taken a back and looked on the verge of lunging at the boy. The fact that the words had come from a mere six-year old, a child, was probably what had gotten him the most. The look on Zell's face however told Harry that he didn't quite understand what he had just said or the effect that it just had on Lupin.
'You're asking for i-' Lupin began in a savage tone but was interrupted immediately by Dumbledore's firm, overpowering voice.
'- Zell, Remus, I demand you cease this senseless bickering at once,' Dumbledore said his voice booming around the room. 'We must learn to get along and put aside our differences. Remus, Zell is not the same as his parent's and you should know better than to take a six-year olds word's to heart, I don't think he fully understands the meaning of what he has just said.'
Both Lupin and Zell had turned to stare at Dumbledore, both looking as though they didn't regret what they had said at all.
'Now I want each of you to apologize and end this with a friendly handshake, and there will be no more of this childish behavior from you Remus, you must set an example.'
Lupin knew that Dumbledore's words were final and reluctantly apologized, Zell bowed his head as if saddened that he was yelled at by Dumbledore and after a much more meaningful sorry than Lupin, they shook hands. It seemed almost comical seeing a full grown wizard shaking hands with someone who didn't even reach their waistline.
A small clatter and a loud gasp however made everyone's heads turn. Mrs. Weasley had dropped her fork onto the table with a clang and was starring fixedly at Lupin as though in shock.
'Remus .' she stuttered, not taking her eyes of him, 'he . you . I mean ..'
She glanced at Zell than at Dumbledore and after receiving a small glare back continued to speak.
'S-sorry Remus . I . never mind .' she finished still not taking her eyes of him. Finally she excused herself from the table and began collecting the plates to wash up. Lupin rubbed his face as if there was something on it that had caused Mrs. Weasley to gasp in surprise, but unable to find anything he looked back at Dumbledore confused.
Everyone proceeded to their desert, Mrs. Weasley looking up to glance at an extremely confused Lupin every now and then, a large mile spreading across her face.
Shortnsassy: Don't worry here is a whole chapter on Zell and it's extremely eventful, just to keep you happy. And you can see for yourself how Ginny feels about Zell, and how the other Weasley's feel. Thank you for reviewing.
JKH: Random Death Eater? Pettigrew? Tom Riddle? Wow your sure thinking of all the possibilities. Well don't worry you'll find out soon. Is it Lupin? You'll just have to wait and see. Thanks again for reviewing.
Time Warp: You laughed, Hurrah! I tried to put lots of funny bits in this chapter for you too, so I just hope you laugh at this one. You liked the twist, that's great thank you so much for reviewing, I greatly appreciate it.
Daisie: Thank you so much for the very encouraging review. I'm glad to see I thought of things that others hadn't, it's always good to here when you think of different things. Thanks again.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize. I do own Zell however. J.K Rowling is a champ and whilst I do wish to be a writer I am not her and like I said don't own anything you recognize.
.... Okay let's see how Zell's going shall we?............. a nice long chapter for all of you eager reader's.....
The Malfoy's Big Secret!!
Chapter 14!!
The morning after Zell had arrived was not a pleasant one. Mrs. Weasley had introduced him to everyone - everyone who he hadn't met the night before - and the moment they found out he was Malfoy's brother there was utter chaos.
'Why'd you take him in for mum, you know there family's no good,' Ron had said.
'A Malfoy, have you gone mad, he'll tell his parents everything,' Fred added later on.
'He could be You-Know-Who's son for all I care, Dumbledore asked me to take care of him and that's what I'm going to do, regardless of what family he's from, and whilst he is under this roof you are to treat him as if he were one of us. Understood? If you don't like it George than you can leave now,' Mrs. Weasley had shouted to the room. Regardless of whether or not the Weasley children were happy about Zell, they kept there mouth's shut about him for the rest of the day, not wanting to get kicked out - or not get fed, as Mrs. Weasley later threatened.
The first couple of hours had not gone by too smoothly. Whilst Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Charlie, Ginny and Hermione didn't mind the fact that a Malfoy was walking around the house, Fred, George and Ron were not at all pleased. Fred attempted to curse him whenever he walked past; George tried to lock him in the cupboard with Kreacher and Ron was threatening to take him to Diagon Alley and leave him there. However the younger Malfoy seemed to narrowly escape all the dangers that passed his way and it wasn't long before he was thoroughly enjoying running away from George, dodging all Fred's spells and annoying Ron. In fact by the night of his first day, not only was he having fun but Fred and George seemed to be starting to enjoy his company as well, although Harry knew that they would never admit it. They had never had someone that they could perform all sorts of spells on and have them get right back up again, without telling on them and without breaking down in tears.
By dinner time nearly everyone had there own use for the boy, he seemed to be the most exciting thing at the Black's boring old home, although no one wanted to admit it. Hermione and Ginny had loved him right from the word go, Ginny a little reluctant at first, but after only a few short minutes she had taken as much a liking to him as Hermione. ('Oh! He's so cute isn't he?') Harry had never seen anyone quite so energetic, it seemed as though Zell never wanted to sit down, and if he did than he would always have to be doing something, this annoyed Ron a great deal - In fact Ron and Lupin were the only one's who still seemed to disliked the boy by the morning of his second day there.
'Can't you ever sit still?' Ron shouted at Zell who was chasing Crookshanks, Hermione's pet cat, up and down the hall.
'Honestly he's a bloody menace,' Ron told Harry.
Harry nodded his head slightly; he still couldn't decide whether or not he liked Zell, apart from the fact that he was a Malfoy, he didn't seem all that bad, in fact he was totally the opposite to any Malfoy that he had encountered. Even though he was a Malfoy, there was something about him that was so familiar, something that reminded him of someone else, but he just couldn't place his finger on it, even though it was probably so obvious.
'Say Ron,' Harry asked.
'Hmm,' Ron muttered in reply.
'Does Zell . remind you of anyone?'
'Yeah he sure does,' Ron muttered disapprovingly, 'reminds me of Pig.'
Harry smiled slightly. He was indeed very much like Ron's tiny, hyperactive owl by the name of Pigwidgeon, but that wasn't what Harry had meant.
'I mean a person Ron. Does he remind you of anyone we know . not so much personality, but looks,' Harry asked.
'Dunno, haven't really looked. OY!' He shouted out the door. 'Malfoy, come here a sec.'
Straight away the tiny blonde headed boy stuck his freckly face around the corner of their door and made Ron jump slightly.
'How'd you get here so fast?' he asked, angry that he had made him jump.
'I was already here,' he squeaked happily.
'Whatever,' Ron said returning to his sitting position on his bed. 'Just stand here for a second . and don't fidget.'
Zell stopped moving around almost at once and stood right where Ron had told him too, straight in front of the two of them. Harry watched as Ron looked Zell up and down, squinting every now and then. Harry took this opportunity to have a good look at him too. He had on a dark blue, baggy pare of Jeans and an old white t-shirt that was far too big for him, he defiantly reminded Harry of someone.
'He sort of looks like Sirius . if you squint,' Ron said, squinting his eyes so much that they were almost closed.
'That's only because him and Malfoy's mum were cousin's, they probably have some similarities in looks. Look again Ron and this time keep your eyes open.'
'I was,' Ron said, but nonetheless he took another look at the boy that stood in front of him. Zell was beginning to get a little agitated with standing still for so long and slowly began to turn his body from side to side, in boredom.
'Sorry Harry, I don't see it,' Ron said shaking his head, at that moment Hermione entered.
'What are you guy's doing?' she asked sounding extremely bored, 'Oh! Your talking to Zell, Ron, well that's real-'
'-I'm not talking to him, just analyzing, and where done now so he can go,' Ron said signaling the door to the small boy.
'How come you've got so many freckles?' Zell asked in his usual excited tone.
'GET OUT!' Ron yelled angrily, as Harry tried to suppress a laugh.
'Oh Ron, let him stay, what harm could he do?' Hermione said.
'It's not what harm he'll do; it's what harm I'll do to him if he stays.'
'Oh Ron really,' Hermione said, moving into their room and sitting on the end of Ron's bed, 'he's not that bad.'
'Yes he is,' Ron protested but it was no use, Hermione had signaled for Zell to stay and he quickly made his way over to his bed which was squashed so close to Harry's that it looked like a double, and lay flat on his back, staring fixated on Ron - even though Zell slept in the room, Ron forbid him to be in there at any time, unless of course he was asleep.
'This place is so boring,' Hermione said, trying to break the hostile atmosphere that was in the room.
'You bored?' Ron said, 'Haven't you got homework to do or something?'
'Well, I finished it all in the first week and I was just doing some extra study, but I've finished most of the books I borrowed.'
Ron and Harry stared at Hermione in disbelief; she shifted uncomfortably and than quickly changed the topic.
'So, what were you two talking about before?'
'Him,' Ron said, shoving his thumb in Zell's direction.
'I asked Ron if he reminded him of anyone, but he doesn't see it,' Harry added to Ron's very general overview.
'As a matter of fact, I was just saying that to Ginny at breakfast,' Hermione said looking at Zell again, 'but between us we couldn't work out who it was.'
'Neither can I,' Harry said disappointed.
'Well I guess he would probably look like his mum and dad,' said Ron rather sarcastically, 'as that's usually where a person gets there looks.'
'That's right Ron, but who is his dad,' she corrected him quietly; unsure of whether Zell knew his family situation.
'Oh yeah,' Ron said stupidly, 'guess I forgot about that.'
Zell had started getting bored again and he was fidgeting with his hands whilst looking around the room for something to do or annoy.
'Come to think of it, I suppose he does kind of remind me of someone,' Ron told his friends, 'although I'm with you two, I don't know who.'
'I think it's his eyes,' Hermione said, 'I do wish I knew, this is really starting to bug me.'
'Why don't we just ask him,' Harry asked, 'It couldn't do him any harm.'
'Right you are Harry,' Ron said, and than blurted out before Hermione could intervene, 'Oy, Zell, who's your father? I mean your real father? You do know that Lucius isn't your real father, right?'
'Ron,' Hermione said appalled.
'Yes,' Zell said, delighted at being spoken to again, 'my brother told me.'
'Of course he would, Malfoy takes pleasure in ruining everyone's life,' Ron said rather disgustedly. 'So who is he than?'
'I don't know, my mum wouldn't tell me,' he said uncaringly.
'Doesn't that bother you?' Hermione asked, getting involved.
'A little, but she'll never tell me, and Draco doesn't know,' Zell told Hermione. 'Do you like the Chudley Cannon's?' he asked Ron, noticing the posters on his wall and forgetting all about their previous conversation.
Ron didn't have to answer because Fred and George immediately burst in the room.
'Okay time's up,' Fred told Ron, whilst George grabbed Zell.
'For what?' Ron asked looking confused.
'He means that your time with Zell is up, it's our turn now,' George said.
'No way were talking to him,' Ron protested, 'what do you want him for anyway?'
'He's our tester,' Fred said cheerfully.
'What? No!' Hermione squealed disapprovingly.
'What's the problem Hermione, he loves it, gets to eat all the lollies he wants, he doesn't care if he gets sick, ain't that right mate?' George said patting Zell on the back.
Zell nodded happily and with one last gleeful look at Hermione they strode off, taking Zell with him.
'I'll give him till morning,' Ron said.
'Until what?' Harry asked puzzled.
'Until they kill him with those things,' Ron added.
Mrs. Weasley cooked up another feast for dinner that night, a little earlier than usual as there would be another meeting for the Order that night. Dumbledore had joined the usual crowd and miraculously Zell was still alive and unharmed.
Fred and George asked him over and over again which lollies he liked the most, and which tricks were his favorite, and why. They were clearly beginning to like the idea of having someone younger to manipulate and use as their guinea-pigs, the fact that it was a Malfoy, seemed to be an added bonus. Ron hadn't taken his eyes of him since their little conversation before and neither, for that matter, did Harry.
Hermione and Ginny were having a conversation about something girly with Mrs. Weasley and Bill, Charlie and Mr. Weasley were laughing heartily away at the opposite end. Lupin was having a conversation with Dumbledore that didn't look like it was a very pleasant discussion as both seemed very grim.
'Don't worry about it Remus, we are doing everything we can, believe me,' Dumbledore finished obviously trying to reassure Lupin, but not succeeding.
A small comfortable silence spread across the table as everyone was too busy eating, to worry about talking. Zell, who had obviously finished eating, was staring at Lupin in fascination. Lupin who had obviously only just noticed shifted uncomfortably.
'What is it?' he asked rather rudely. Lupin had not been awfully fond of the small boy since he had come. Harry assumed it was to do with the fact that the Malfoy's had played a significant role in Sirius' death and he wasn't taking to kindly to any of them after that, and since Tonks had been announced missing, Lupin hadn't been in the best of mood.
'Are you Professor Lupin?' he asked in his energized voice.
'I'm not a Professor anymore, but yes that's me. Why?'
'My brother said that you're a ware-wolf, is it true?' he squealed in absolute delight and amazement.
'Yes it is,' Lupin snapped, a little unnecessarily, 'I suppose he made up some story about how violent and sadistic I am and how everyone was scared of me.'
'No,' Zell said looking displeased with getting yelled at.
'So let me get this straight, he actually said good things about me?'
'Well, no,' Zell said shrinking slightly in his chair, 'but-'
'If you don't mind, I don't particularly want to talk about it,' Lupin said roughly as if this was final.
'Okay,' Zell said softly, looking away from Lupin.
After Zell's conversation a miserable sort of feeling had come across the table at Lupin's obvious bad mood and seeming as though no one had anything else to talk about and the atmosphere was already miserable Harry asked the question he had wanted to ask.
'Have you heard any news about Tonks?' Harry asked quietly, aiming the question at Dumbledore.
'Not as of yet, Harry,' Dumbledore said seriously, staring straight at Harry.
'Who's Tonk's?' Zell asked curiously.
'Do you ever stop asking question's that people don't want to answer,' Lupin said, turning his head to face Zell.
'I just wanted to know who was missing,' Zell said, 'maybe I know where they are.'
'You wouldn't know,' Lupin said rather harshly, 'but I wouldn't be surprised if your parents did,'
'If my parent's know than why don't you ask them?'
Harry felt extremely sorry for Zell, he probably had no idea how people regarded his family in the real world.
'I wouldn't ask them anything, even if my life depended on it,' Lupin said starring the six year old right in the eyes.
Zell stared back, obviously looking angry, although compared to the type of angry Harry had seen in his life this was nothing, he would know what real angry was later on in life.
'Why? What's wrong with my parents?' he said, sticking out his bottom lip to show that his anger.
'Their Death Eaters that's why, although you probably don't know what that means. It means there cowards, weaklings and have to work together in big groups, hiding behind masks to kill a measly crowd of helpless muggles.'
'My parent's aren't murderers,' Zell said defiantly, 'but my brother told me that ware-wolves are.'
What Zell had said had hit its mark. Lupin was taken a back and looked on the verge of lunging at the boy. The fact that the words had come from a mere six-year old, a child, was probably what had gotten him the most. The look on Zell's face however told Harry that he didn't quite understand what he had just said or the effect that it just had on Lupin.
'You're asking for i-' Lupin began in a savage tone but was interrupted immediately by Dumbledore's firm, overpowering voice.
'- Zell, Remus, I demand you cease this senseless bickering at once,' Dumbledore said his voice booming around the room. 'We must learn to get along and put aside our differences. Remus, Zell is not the same as his parent's and you should know better than to take a six-year olds word's to heart, I don't think he fully understands the meaning of what he has just said.'
Both Lupin and Zell had turned to stare at Dumbledore, both looking as though they didn't regret what they had said at all.
'Now I want each of you to apologize and end this with a friendly handshake, and there will be no more of this childish behavior from you Remus, you must set an example.'
Lupin knew that Dumbledore's words were final and reluctantly apologized, Zell bowed his head as if saddened that he was yelled at by Dumbledore and after a much more meaningful sorry than Lupin, they shook hands. It seemed almost comical seeing a full grown wizard shaking hands with someone who didn't even reach their waistline.
A small clatter and a loud gasp however made everyone's heads turn. Mrs. Weasley had dropped her fork onto the table with a clang and was starring fixedly at Lupin as though in shock.
'Remus .' she stuttered, not taking her eyes of him, 'he . you . I mean ..'
She glanced at Zell than at Dumbledore and after receiving a small glare back continued to speak.
'S-sorry Remus . I . never mind .' she finished still not taking her eyes of him. Finally she excused herself from the table and began collecting the plates to wash up. Lupin rubbed his face as if there was something on it that had caused Mrs. Weasley to gasp in surprise, but unable to find anything he looked back at Dumbledore confused.
Everyone proceeded to their desert, Mrs. Weasley looking up to glance at an extremely confused Lupin every now and then, a large mile spreading across her face.