Chapter three

The Disapproval of Professor Lupin

That night, in the great hall, Ron and Harry sat next to Ginny, and ate. The four house flags hung up on the walls, and the great hall was overcome with mindless chatter of the Hogwarts students. Each table was filled with every kind of food you could think from – ranging from fruit to a complete roast.

'What did happen out there with you and Hermione? Not to mention Jacs?' asked Ron, who was reaching over the table to get to the chicken. Harry swallowed his bite of pork.

'We landed, and Jacs was there. Her monkey had run off, and when we got to it, it was riding that white wolf. Jacs went on about how she knew it, and then Hermione started to pat it. Lucius and Snape came then, and we ran.'

Ron shook his head, and slammed his bit of chicken down onto his plat madly.

'That mental Hermione! Blurting out to Malfoy our business! God, it'd be more proper if she had kept her ruddy big mouth shut!'

Harry laughed a little, before shrugging his shoulders a bit.

'Strange aye.'

'So, when did Snape say we had detention?' Ron blurted with his mouth full of chicken, suddenly changing the subject from what had happened earlier. Harry looked up for a second only to think, then shrugged. The only thing that came to his mind when anyone mentioned Snape's name, was this large mental image of Snape, pointing at him and shaking his head. Harry shook the image out of his head at the time, and looked around to Ron.

'I don't think he told us, he'll tell us next lesson I suppose?'

'Or give us more detentions for not coming to the last?'

'Hello Harry!' came out a sweet high-pitched voice from behind him. It was a female's voice, but not Hermione's. This not only caused Ron to jump with fright, but both of the boys to turn around and look at the student.

'Oh, hello Cho.' Harry felt his cheeks flush red as he saw the pretty Ravenclaw student smiling down at him. Cho Chang, member of Ravenclaw house was standing looking down to Harry, her wide pink lips smiling at him. She brushed back a few strands of her short black hair, and straightened up her glasses.

'Not long until Quidditch now aye? Good luck in it Harry! Do you think Gryffindor will win this year?' she asked, looking down to Harry and allowing him to stare into her tempting orange eyes. He nodded quickly while blushing, and then cleared his throat to speak.

'We might, all, depends on whether it's a good start off or not. You, you got a hair cut?'

'Yeah,' she whispered, fluffing up one side of her hair, 'I think it suits me. Don't you agree?' she asked him. He blushed again and used all his self-control to give her a casual smile, rather then a red embarrassed look.

'It does, really.'

'And the ruddy eye doctor says I have short eyesight or some rubbish. Which means I have to wear glasses for a while… I'm not wearing them in Quidditch though, I personally can't stand them! Anyway, I'd better get back to my table, see you round Harry!' she waved bye to him, giving him another smile, which caused him to blush more. As soon as she sat down at the Ravenclaw table, Harry drew his eyes back to Ron, who was staring at him plainly.

'Good luck in it, Harry!' he mimicked in the most annoying voice he could make.

'Oh shut up Ron…' Harry muttered, continuing to blush.

'I don't like that girl, she's so…oh, never mind…' came the squeak from Ginny, who didn't have the gut to tell Harry why she didn't like her. Ron laughed a little at Ginny, and then rolled his eyes more at Harry as he watched him glance over to Cho again.

'The girl's a complete push over; I thought she'd have red eyes for the rest of her life after the water works she put on last year. Now we know why she needed glasses – the side effects of bawling too much.' he sniggered quietly.

Harry looked back to Ron with a tiny grin on his face. He never understood why Ron hated her so much.

'Just because you don't like her.'

'Just because no one in the whole bloody school likes her.'

Ginny was seen to be giggling to herself while Harry, sort of seemed cut by Ron's words. As soon as Harry turned around to Ginny, she has straight away stopped, and continued to eat with the straightest face expression she could ever have.

'You're better off with monkey woman then her.' scoffed Ron, shaking his head.

'Where is Jacs anyway? I hope she god by alright, seeing it was her first time here and all.' Harry said out loud, causing Ginny to look up to him suspiciously. Ron shrugged a bit, before breaking down with a little laughter.

'Pretty funny how it crapped in Hermione's hair… ah how I wish I was there to see Hermione's face.' he laughed. 'Good thing we saw that stupid white thing today – I think maybe Hermione's loosing interest in wanting to find that stupid creature we saw last night. She didn't even mention it to me in Herbology today.'

'True… she'll find something else to hound you by prolly.' Nodded Harry, turning back to the table and reaching out for a role of bread. Ron began to look up to the roof, his eyes drifting around each of the four house flags. As soon as his eyes met the Ravenclaw house flag, his nose formed wrinkles as he remembered the past presents of the Chinese seventh year.

'Quidditch is coming up soon, Percy tells me sometime this season old Oliver Wood and his girlfriend were coming back to watch some games.' Mentioned Ron, going now to start on some roast pork. Harry laughed a bit at what Ron had just said, and then rose his eyebrows at him with a large smirk.

'He has a girlfriend? Oliver Wood?'

'Yeah, some Simone chick, Percy says they're getting married on the Quidditch field…together…'

'Wood? Getting married? Hah, the guy finally found something he loves other then Quidditch.' Laughed Harry.

There was a rather loud laugh coming from the Ravenclaw table, which made Harry's eyes shoot to Cho – who was the one laughing. She had a group of 7th year boys and girls around her, cracking jokes and laughing like Simone Davies.

'Geesh, what could be so funny? What a little flirt, don't see why any guy would like her…' grunted Ron as he turned back from the laughter. 'Haha! I'm Cho! I have no brains!' Ron went on, having his eyes cross-eyed and his tongue poking out the side of his mouth. Although, the only laughs he got was from Ginny.

Harry how ever, didn't, and continued to look at Cho laughing loudly. The more she laughed, the more he blushed. Ginny started to go pink under her freckles as she watched Harry blush; if only Harry knew how much she liked him too.

'God, you need help mate; Cho Chang is the last person I'd ever think about liking. I spose she has some friends, and she's prolly not that bad…but I don't bloody well like her. Do you know if Hermione likes her?'

Harry's attention suddenly was drawn away from Cho and to Ron at the sound of her name.

'Hermione? Where is she anyway?'

'Oh, she was in the library last time I checked. She told me to tell you she'd be to dinner a little bit later, she was reading on…a white wolf?' Ginny mentioned to them. Harry and Ron both looked at one another with small grins on their faces.

'She's taking this wolf thing a little far, never thought she'd become so attached to her. Only good thing about it was that it saved me from having to follow her in that stupid forest.' Ron spat, stuffing his face with more roast.

'Was pretty strange though, the wolf, being so friendly and then not biting old Fang.' Said Harry. Ron burped a little before looking back to Harry.

'Yeah, was. But you know, not like we're ever going to see her again, not now that Hagrid went and told Dumbeldore… she'd be killed off by Hagrid by now.'

Harry sighed softly, and then looked up.

'Why does everyone have something against them? White wolves…can't be that bad can they?'

'I reckon by the time Hermione's finished in the library, we'll know everything there is to know about them. I'm sure Professor Lupin doesn't have anything against them.' added Ron, stuffing more food into his mouth.

Harry's eyes drifted up to where the teachers sat. Dumbeldore who was in the middle, then McGonagall who was on the right side of him, then Hagrid who was next to her, then more random Professors. But Harry then noticed that, to his left, where Snape and now recently Lupin sat – both the seats were empty.

Dumbeldore because of the lack of Defense against the dark arts teachers had summoned Lupin, despite the fact that he resigned, back into Hogwarts. As normal, most thought the job was jinxed. There was also a rumor that there was a special reason for his return, one no one but the Professors knew about.

Even though every student now knew of Lupin's werewolf secret, they students were more then happy to have him back. Of cause, not most of the Slytherins though who thought it was ridicules that a supernatural Professor should be allowed in Hogwarts, and that thought was including Snape.

But, Dumbeldore had assured everyone that because Snape made him the potion, he was harmless to all. Harry of cause was more then happy to have him back; he was the best Defense against the dark arts teacher ever. And with the recent passing of Sirius Black, the company of Lupin was a prize to him.

'Um, Ron? Where are Lupin and Snape?' he muttered to Ron, poking his shoulder slightly. Ron looked up to where they usually sat and noticed that they weren't there.

'Um…not sure…it's not full moon, so he can't be far. Snape may have him in his office, bashing the living daylights out of him because his hair is better looking then –'

Suddenly, both Ron and Harry heard a puffing noise from outside the hall. Both looked in the direction of the noise, to see Hermione running towards them with a large old book in her hands, her expression looking shattered.

'Hermione?' asked Harry, who had just finished swallowing his ham slice.

'What's wrong? Did you get raped by Mione too?' asked Ron concerned.

She only took a few moments to catch her breath, while she pushed the annoying few strands of hair dangling in her face behind her ear, and then shot out words at Harry and Ron as fast as she could – and not to mention ignoring Ron's stupid comment.

'The wolf, I over heard Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbeldore talking before, Hagrid told them about the wolf, and Dumbeldore's sent both Professor Snape and Lupin out to kill her, along Fang with them!' she gasped for air.

Harry and Ron took it seriously, they had never seen Hermione so worked up over an animal she had helped and only seen for barely a day. Harry pushed his cloak back, ready to stand up while Ron just looked up at her with confusion.

'Why would they send Lupin and Snape after it? Dumbeldore knows they both hate one another? Why didn't they just send Hagrid? Gesh, he must of caught Hermione's mentalness! That's like sending me with Cho?' asked Ron.

'For one, if someone in the wizard world shoots a white wolf, they're cursed for life with a fairly basic spell – not life threatening but could become irritating; ('Hermione?' whispered Ron) a white wolf is way too pure for any one to kill it. If one wants to destroy it, they need to give a potion called "Wolfeckna" which slowly penetrates the body of the wolf, so it's paralyzed and dies within minutes! That's what Snape is needed for!' she gasped out once again, having to take a seat next to Ginny who handed her a glass of water.

'Was that the potion he was making today?' Ron asked, dumbfounded. Hermione's eyes lowered at his words.

'No, Ron¸ that potion had nothing to do with it! The Wolfeckna potion only takes about an hour to make, and the purpose is much different! Listen in class more, Ronald! We made that yesterday!'

Luckily, Ron, Harry and Ginny were the only ones listening to Hermione's cries; everyone else seemed amused with himself or herself.

'And Lupin, what's he needed for?' Harry asked quietly. Hermione raised her eyebrows high at him and placed down the glass of water, which Ginny had given her.

'Who's able to track down a wolf better then a werewolf? I mean honestly, even know it's not full moon, I'm sure Lupin would be able to use some wolf techniques?'

'Oh, right.' Said Harry.

'You're getting mighty worked up by this Hermione, why –'

'She's an innocent creature Ron,' she pleaded out with tears forming in her eyes, 'please, help me save her!'

Harry quickly rose from his seat and looked down to Hermione. She was after all one of his best friends, and had to help her whether he liked the idea or not.

'Ok, come one Ron, we will. I'll go up to Gryffindor tower and get my dad's cloak, you two meet me at the bottom of the stairs.'

Hermione smiled as bright as she could, and nodded.

'Thank you Harry. Come one Ron.'

'Oh, but the food!'

'RONALD!'

Both Ron and Hermione waiting at the bottom of the corridor stairs for Harry, shivering slightly as the cool breeze passed them by. Ron shivered for a moment, before looking back to Hermione with a cold expression. No one was around – nothing but black sky, tiny stars and the half moon above the both of them.

'You must have found a lot out about them, those white wolves didn't you?' he mumbled to her. She nodded shortly and looked towards him.

'Not many books about them, I found about one. Not too common – this bread anyway.'

'Did it say any thing about her not biting Fang?' he asked.

It only took Hermione a moment to remember what it said, then shook her head.

'That's the only part that sort of doesn't make sense to me. It's meant to bite for food all the time, but this one didn't. There was one more chapter left, which was "Secrets of the white wolf" but that's the time I over heard Dumbeldore and McGonagall talking about it. That's why they were both late to dinner.' She finished, pulling her cloak over her more. 'The only book I found them in was a book called The many howls of a wolf… it's got barely any information at all. Two chapters – that's it.'

'Hah, strange I reckon. Should of borrowed the book –'

'I did Ronald –'

'I'm here,' Harry's head poked out all of a sudden of the invisibility cloak – freaking the heck out of Ron. Hermione nodded in joy and pulled part of it over her.

'You coming Ron?'

'Yeah, coming.'

Not far in the dark forest, Professor Severus Snape and Remus Lupin where, by themselves with only Fang to protect them. The half moon's light was slightly bigger then last nights, allowing more light to be let threw the canapé of the dark forest.

Snape was looking more cold and white in the face then ever. He looked certainly more annoyed about having to work with Lupin then he would look if someone called him hooknose. His black hair didn't seem to move at all as the breeze passed threw it; was this the outcome of not washing your hair?

(Author's note: I honestly don't think his hair's greasy… but I'm keeping to J.K.Rowling's …mind.)

Lupin on the other hand looked quite normal, his thin body clothed in poor tatty looking robes, bright blue eyes having the moonlight reflect on them and his light brown shaggy hair done in a ponytail blowing slightly in the wind. (And Lupin does not have an evil mustache like in the 3rd movie … stabs mustache)

'Sense anything yet…' came the cold mutter from Snape as he lifted the latten higher. Lupin closed his eyes and shrugged slightly.

'None at all Severus.' He said kindly.

'Then keep looking…' Snape snapped at him.

Lupin took no notice of Snape's bitterness, and continued to look out for the wolf. After looking around for about a moment, Lupin saw a flash of fur move in the corner of his eye, but seemed to avoid the sighting. He then looked to the back of Snape with this eyebrows tilted backwards, and in his mind planed his sentences that he was about to say.

'I, don't see much point in this really. Not like the wolf killed any one, just got in a bit of a fight with the dog here, surely no real damage done –'

'Now, a man like yourself would stick up for wolves wouldn't he…' Snape hissed lazily. Lupin rolled his eyes slightly at the fact that he couldn't say any thing to Snape without being snapped at. As much as Lupin didn't feel right playing along with Snape's childish game, he just had to say something back to get them both equal.

'You would say the same if we were looking for a hooked nosed snake.' He said gently, having nothing but the smallest smirk on his face. Lupin just couldn't help but say something amusing to Snape. There wasn't a word heard from Snape though, but only the sound of his teeth grinding loudly.

'That's them there!' Ron whispered from underneath the cloak.

'Shhh Ron, don't want them hearing us!' snapped Hermione, stepping on Ron's foot.

'Aw!'

'Shhh!' Harry hissed.

There was, all of a sudden a crackle noise coming from within the bushes, which made both Lupin and Snape jump, followed by Ron, Harry and Hermione. Lupin was the first to look in the direction of where the noise came from, but then relaxed after being the first to not see anything.

'What was that?' Lupin asked, pretending he didn't know whether it was there or not.

'How am I meant to know Remus, I didn't see it.' Snapped Snape once again.

'It sounded like a cracking of a branch, coming from over there,' Lupin pointed to a particular bush, where all of a sudden fog started to appear, 'you'd better watch out you know,' a sarcastic tone in his voice began to pick up, 'the white wolf may pounce out and eat everything on you bar your hair.'

Snape moved in front of Lupin, deliberately knocking his shoulder as he passed him as his next move in the little game they both seemed to be playing. Lupin though ignored Snape's move, but had the look upon his face like he knew what was going on. Harry, Ron and Hermione kept as still as possible as the fog gently seemed to float around them as well.

'Seemed like a clear night…' Snape mumbled looking up to the moon, 'didn't expect fog…'

Lupin looked around him, only to notice that the fog seemed to only be in the one place.

'Severus, notice that the whole of the dark forest floor has fog?'

'Shhh!' he hissed at him, 'I hear something… and let me tell you, even though I am totally human¸ my hearing is better then yours.'

Lupin just sighed to himself at being cut off yet again by Snape's rudeness and stared at Snape trying to figure out where the noise was coming from. Snape, must of obviously been to occupy to notice that the fog, which surrounded both him and Lupin, had disappeared, and another noise was heard.

'Severus –'

'I said shhh! I want to find this wolf, and kill it. That wolf is mine…' Snape angered at him, giving him an ugly frown. Lupin raised his eyebrow and pointed towards the East with nothing but a lazy look on his face.

'What's white, furry, glompable, calm and at no cost not needing to be killed?' Lupin asked, a little playful grin appearing on his face. Snape's eyes shut at Lupin's question, and then swung around to scare Lupin with an ugly frown.

'We're no longer in the first grade, Remus.'

'Give up?'

'What are you on about? What does glompable mean?' Snape growled, holding up the lamp higher so he could see further out.

'Give up?'

'Have you drank your potion today? I believe you're loosing your sanity.' Growled Snape, having a vacant expression – just waiting for Lupin to repeat the two words he was now sick of.

'Give –'

'YES God damn it!' Snape spat, swinging around to Lupin again to see his cheery smile, 'I give up!'

'Even though I didn't include the grass description, a white wolf!'

Snape's eyes shot open as his whole body swung around to face the wolf, which was standing about ten meters away. Her white fur moved softly threw the wind, and her bright blue eyes sparkled almost as bright at the moon.

'What's that around her foot? I'd say she was the leader of the pack.' asked Lupin, pointing to the black piece of cloth tied to her front right paw.

'How do you know it's a she…' muttered Snape, almost rising an eyebrow at him, 'but wait, I don't want to know where you've been looking…'

Lupin rolled his eyes at Snape again, giving him a slick look. He then pointed to it's eyes, and nodded his head.

'I didn't look at it Severus, quite easy to tell girl from boy. Girl has blue eyes, boy has red – '

'Shhh!'

'That's her!' exclaimed Hermione.

'Let's see what they do, and what the wolf does to protect itself.' Harry whispered, pointing to where the wolf was.

Snape moved forward slowly, taking his wand out in the process and keeping a stern look upon his sour face. The wolf just sat there, glancing down towards Snape as he aimed his wand up to her. She still didn't move, her eyes were still glued on Snape.

'One…two –'

'Wait, Severus!' came Lupin's voice, interrupting Snape's aim. Snape, who now looked more annoyed then before brought his wand back down to his side and glared at Lupin.

'What…?' he answered in his deep swallow voice, 'another guess who game?'

'Just, leave her be. I know that Headmaster Dumbeldore sent us out here, but killing a white wolf? Not common you know, we'd be just helping endanger the species if we do this. And I fear, that if we do this, we'd not only be killing an innocent wolf's life, but another.' Lupin's eyes moved up to the wolf, which looked down at him, her eyes sparkling.

Snape however, also had sparkling eyes, but this sparkle wasn't because he was impressed by loyalty to wolves, but anger of Lupin's excuses not to harm her.

'What, on Earth do you mean…? If I kill her, I'd be killing her and no more!'

'Ah, you haven't read about white wolves have you. You don't know what makes them so special.' Lupin told him, having his arms crossed and his eyes closed.

'What's he talking about?' asked Ron.

Hermione, seemed more stumped then both Harry and Ron. She didn't recall reading about what Lupin was talking about.

'I'm not sure… we'd have to ask him, or I'd have to finish that book.'

All eyes once again flew back to Snape and Lupin, who were giving one another glares – well, mainly Snape. He now had the thought in his head that Lupin wanted to get into a more serious argument, rather then his favourite playful ones.

'Then, Remus the wolf, expert, what does make them so special…? Special enough for you to care…?'

Lupin couldn't help but laugh a bit at Snape's words, and then thought of the most playful but offensive thing he could think of.

'Maybe this is why you never got the Dark arts job?'

If Snape had grinded his teeth any harder they would of fell out of his mouth in millions of little pieces. His face was ever so sour now Lupin had said that to him.

'Obviously you don't know if you're not saying it…'

Lupin's smile grew slightly bigger, then looked over to where the wolf was standing. She was on a large rock, which was surrounded by crystal clear water. He looked down into the water where the half moon shine shone, then back up to the wolf, and then smiled again.

'I am right.'

'If this is so, then do tell Remus!' Snape angered at him again, continuing to fill with rage every time he looked at Lupin's smile. Lupin however, took no notice to Snape's rage, and simply smiled more before turning away.

'What's green, empty, sticks to you when it's wet and is in sight now?' Lupin then asked, rocking back and forward as Snape's eyebrows lowered more at his words.

'Not another one…'

'Give up?'

'DON'T, say those words… I'm not here to play you're little games, Remus, I am here to find and kill that white wolf!'

'Oh, was that you're answer? So close! Give up?'

Snape's expression remained the same, vacant one. He then threw his hand up to his chin, and began to sarcastically think.

'You?'

'Give up?'

'ReMUS!'

'Alright you party pooper, an empty grass spot.'

Snape's eyes shot back to where the wolf was standing, and now saw she wasn't there any more. Before he spoke, there was a faint howl heard, and then silence after that. His head twisted back around to Lupin's smiling face, with exactly the opposite of his.

'Headmaster isn't going to be pleased with you, Lupin!' Snape growled, throwing his cloak over his robes. Lupin shrugged gently then put on a pleasant expression.

'All I have to do is tell him the truth, I'm sure he'll understand.'

And that was the last thing said between Lupin and Snape the whole time they were out there; they now began to move back to the school grounds.

'Did you see that? She disappeared!' Harry gasped, taking the cloak off of him. Hermione folded her arms and shook her head slightly.

'I'm not sure what Lupin is talking about, maybe in his class tomorrow we could ask him?'

'Yeah, we can, but right now I'm bloody cold, let's go back!' complained Ron, having the whole cloak wrapped around him.