The Green Flame Torch
By: maraudette_luna
By The Way: Thanks for the reviews guys! Uh… since this is my first story, I prefer no flames. Constructive criticism is welcome…I'll need it for this chapter.
To Mistress Snape: The Marauder's Era = 5th year. I have no clue what year Narcissa graduated, so I'm putting her in seventh. I thank you for your review; I enjoyed it!
Chapter 2: Have You Washed That?
~*~ Harry Potter Era ~*~
"She threw a book at you? She must be mental, that one." Ron laughed.
"Hey! Quit complain'n! I'd go for about any girl that'd just hug me for no reason at all!"
"George, she probably hugged him for a reason. That would just be stupid if she didn't." Hermione pointed out.
"Well, then she's our type of girl." Fred grinned at George.
Hermione scowled, but instead of complaining she turned back to Lupin, "So how long did you two go out?"
Deciding that he couldn't keep his entire past a secret any longer, Lupin replied, "Well, we got along quite well, until the beginning of June."
"You didn't tell her about you being a werewolf," Ron gave him a scared look, "did you?"
"Oh, of course he didn't Ron. Even patients at St. Mungo's aren't that crazy!" Hermione snapped at him.
"I'll make you a bet Snape broke them up. He is a git after all!" Fred chimed.
Lupin smiled at them, "I don't believe Professor Snape had anything to do with it, nor when I told her about what I am. In fact, she had already figured it out, as she informed me one night."
"She didn't mind that you're a werewolf? … And when there wasn't even any potions to help the problem?" Hermione looked astounded.
"Well…no."
"So…er…what happened?' Harry, who had been listening intently, had finally spoken up. Though he still felt an empty feeling in his stomach from the loss of his godfather, Sirius Black, he was quite happy to have returned to number twelve Grimmauld place, after a one weeks terrible stay at the Dursley's.
"I don't know actually. The next day, no one could find her. She just…disappeared. The minute the school year ended, I tried to look for her, but failed miserably." Lupin explained, with a solemn look on his face. Everyone gaped at him; shocked at what they had heard.
"A-and was she ever found?" Hermione asked quietly, "I mean by the M-Ministry or Dumbledore?"
"Not from what I've heard," Lupin looked at their worried faces and gave them a sad smile. "Now don't you become all flustered. If she hasn't turned up by now, then I doubt that she ever will. The past is the past and whatever happens, happens. Now, let's finish these drawers, so we can get down to dinner. Molly should be back from Diagon Alley soon with your school supplies."
Understanding that Lupin wasn't going to tell them anymore about his days as a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry, the group finished cleaning the drawers (which tended to enjoy slamming it's compartments on their fingers) and headed downstairs. Walking into the kitchen, they saw Mrs. Weasley scurrying about, making dinner.
"Molly! I didn't hear you come in. Let me help you set the table." Lupin hurried his way towards her.
"No, no, no. You've all had a tiring day. I have it all under control." Enchanting a knife to cut up some lettuce, she continued, " All of your books and supplies are in your rooms. I want you to all to finish packing and go straight to bed after dinner. We have to wake up early tomorrow, since the ministry has refused to lend us cars again this year."
"But haven't they already apologized to Dumbledore?" Harry questioned her.
"Yes, but they need to use the cars for their own purposes. Arthur owled me about it this morning. Something about warning the muggle government about You Know Who." She sighed as she placed dinner on the table.
"Mum, where's dad?" Ginny asked.
"He has to stay at work a bit later tonight, dear." She sat down and turned to Lupin, "So have you finished packing."
"Yes, Molly."
Ron eyed them suspiciously, "Packing for what?"
"Dumbledore felt that there should be yet another person from the Order at Hogwarts this year, and has asked Lupin to return to his post as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
"Is it true? Are you really going to teach us again?" Hermione said excitably.
"Yes, Hermio-" but he was drowned out by the loud cries of "Yes!" and "Alright!" from the students at the table.
Fred and George were the only ones who weren't shouting out with glee. Instead they groaned in unison, "How come the best teacher has to come back the year we aren't there. It's not fare! Our last teacher was Umbridge!"
Lupin smiled and looked down at his watch. "We better eat quickly. It's already late." Finishing their dinner, the Weasley children, Harry and Hermione strode upstairs, to their rooms.
"This is great, eh? Lupin back at Hogwarts? He was the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher we've had so far." Ron commented to Harry and Hermione, who grinned in return.
"Oh, definitely! I wonder what our first class is going to be about? We're supposed to study banshees this year. Do you think he'll be able to get one at Hogwarts?" Hermione was talking rapidly.
"Probably." Harry opened his trunk and placed the new things Mrs. Weasley had bought for him inside it. He yawned and continued, "We better get some sleep."
"Your right. Well, goodnight you two. I'll see you in the morning." And Hermione climbed the stairs to the bedroom, which she shared with Ginny. Not bothering to change his clothing, Harry got into bed and instantly fell asleep.
~*~
"Harry! Come on! Wake up! We have to leave soon!" Harry woke up with a jolt, as Ron was shaking him madly. "Mum says we have to leave in five minutes! Hurry up!" Seeing a plate of toast on his bedside table, he stuffed a piece into his mouth. He then jumped out of bed, picked up his trunk and Hedwig's cage, and quickly followed Ron downstairs. Ginny and Hermione were already waiting for them by the door.
"O.k.! Are we all ready to go? Good!" Mrs. Weasley burst into the hallway, and was hurriedly followed by Tonks, Professor Lupin and a grouchy Mad-eyed Moody.
"I still believe we should split up – just to be sure we not being followed." Moody grumbled, opening the front door.
"No time, Mad-eye!" Tonks said impatiently, pushing him outside.
The group basically ran to King's Cross Station. Ron, Hermione, Harry, Ginny, and Professor Lupin scrambled onto the train, a second before it started to move.
"You'll have to find a compartment by yourselves," Lupin explained. "I have to stay in the teacher's area."
"But last time you were allowed to sit with us!" Ginny whined.
"Rules change," he replied with a sigh, "Well, I better get going. I'll see you four at the feast." He turned around and made his way towards the teacher's section.
"Come on. We better find a compartment. I suspect there almost full by now." Hermione stated.
"Yeah your right" Harry agreed, as he started searching for an empty compartment, but Ginny didn't move.
"Uh…I'll see you guys later. I've promised Loony-" she giggled, "- I mean Luna Lovegood, that I'd sit with her."
Ron narrowed his eyes suspiciously at her, "When did you promise her that?"
"When she wrote to me over the holidays."
"Oh. Well in that case, we'll see you later." Without another word, Ginny hurried away from them to find Luna, while Harry, Ron and Hermione continued to search for a place to sit.
A few minutes later, Hermione stopped outside of a compartment, staring in through the window. "Hmm… I've never seen her before." Harry and Ron rushed over to see whom she was staring at. A girl with golden-brown hair was sitting inside, reading an extremely thick book.
"Well, why don't we ask her who she is?" Ron grinned at Hermione.
Hermione knocked and opened the door. "Uh…hi. We were just wondering if-" but she stopped in mid-sentence. The girl had instantly held up her first finger, signifying that Hermione should stop talking. After a few more moments of reading, the girl placed a bookmark in the book and looked up, smiling.
"I'm sorry. What were you saying?"
"We were wondering if we could sit here?" Hermione repeated.
"Oh, yes. Of course." The girl began to place the many books, scattered on the ground, in a tall pile on the seat next to her. When she finished, she sat back down and looked at the three new people who were now sitting across from her. When her gaze set on Harry, he felt the usual uncomfortable feeling that he got every time a person stared at him. Please don't look at my scar, he thought, but she never did. Instead, she began to speak, "You remind me of someone."
Ron snickered at this comment, "Let me take a wild guess. Does he remind you of Harry Potter? 'Cause that's who he is."
"I know who he is, thank you," the girl snapped. "I was just going to tell him that he looks like his father."
Harry was suddenly more interested in the conversation. "How do you know what my father looks like?" he asked.
"Oh! Well my mother was…err…a somewhat of a friend of his. She had a lot pictures of him and his friends."
"Really?" Ron eyed her suspiciously. "Who is your mother?"
"Luna Moonglade." The girl replied quickly.
"Hey…wasn't that the girl Lupin was talking about last night?" Ron questioned, turning to Harry and Hermione.
"Yes it was," Hermione paused and looked at the girl, "Where is your mother?"
"Um…well…she died years ago. I live with my aunt now, since I've never met my dad. Did you say you knew Lupin? Remus Lupin?" she sounded slightly more excited as she asked this.
"Yes. He's the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor this year," Harry smiled and added, "I think he would like to see you."
The girl blushed slightly. "Well, I don't know. I mean, he was dating my mother until…well…anyway, it would feel uncomfortable. I'll be seeing him in class already. I think that's enough." Harry, Ron and Hermione exchanged glances and looked at the girl again.
"What's your name?" Hermione gave her a warm smile.
"Oh! Violet; Violet Moonglade. I was named after my mother's middle name, you see," she stared them. "May I ask who you are?"
"I'm Hermione Granger, and this is Ron Weasley and Harry Potter."
Well, I'm very pleased to meet you all." Violet fell silent and looked out the window at the passing scenery. A sorrowful look appeared on her face. Harry could see the clouds reflecting off her golden eyes, as a few small tears formed and fell down her cheek.
"Are you alright?" Hermione had just noticed that she was crying.
"Yes, I'm fine. I-I…uh… just remembered a sad story my aunt was telling me last night. A very sad story…" Violet shifted around in her seat and wiped the tears off her face, though she continued to look outside.
"What's it about?" Ron said bluntly; not really realizing what was going on. Hermione glared at him, in which he responded with a small shrug.
"Um…uh…well, it's about a girl who was taken
away from her friends and family by an evil man. When this person had…
err…freed her in an unknown world, she felt lost and alone. No one was there to
comfort her, nor was there any help nearby.
The girl wondered many times if she was to be forgotten; if she was to fade
away and become nothing, but that of a broken heart. The evil man had wanted
her to be forgotten forever and to never return to her real world; her real
home." Violet tore herself away from the window to look at Harry, Ron and
Hermione. "I don't know the ending of the story yet. My aunt hasn't gotten
around to it."
Hermione stood up, moved the pile of books on the seat next to Violet, and sat down beside her. "Why is your aunt telling such a story to you if it's so sad?"
She was about to reply, but Ron spoke before she had the chance. "It's just a story. Why cry about it? It's not like it's true."
"Actually, it is a true tale," new tears began to form in her eyes, "My mother was that girl, and she had suffered t-terribly!" Violet trembled with anger.
Hermione patted her on the back. "Ron! How come you have to be so rude all the time?" she snapped at him in a loud whisper.
"No, no. He's right. I-I shouldn't be crying. There's no point. I-it's just a story." She quickly tried to wipe the tears away, but a few more fell down her cheeks.
The compartment was quiet for what felt like half an hour. Harry found it quite annoying when Hermione kept on shooting Ron murderous looks every few minutes. Instead of continuing to watch them, he turned and gazed at Violet. She was looking out the window again, twisting her hair in between her fingers. She had stopped crying for a while now, but still showed the same sad and distant expression on her face. There was something strange about her; something intriguing. He watched her eyes. They were following the moving landscape outside, but something was different about them. They weren't as golden as before. They were more brown; brown with green speckles… What was he doing? Why was he examining her eyes? He surely wasn't falling for her…no. He didn't have that feeling that he used to feel whenever Cho was around…
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the compartment door, sliding open. Harry drew is eyes away from Violet, and towards the three figures who were standing in the doorway.
"So it's true then. There is a new student who's come to Hogwarts." Draco Malfoy smirked, looking around at the people in the small room. He gave Harry an extra long glare, before turning to Violet. Holding out his hand for her to shake it, he continued, "I'm Draco Malfoy, and you are?"
Violet stared at him and made a look as though thinking to herself, before she answered with a smirk. "Have you washed that?"
"W-what?" Malfoy stammered.
"Have you washed your hands recently, because I don't want to touch anything filthy. And as you've given each of these people (she pointed to Ron, Harry and Hermione) some very rude looks, you seem to have a filthy personality"
Malfoy was struck dumb (so were Crabbe and Goyle, but they already had that look). He just stared at her with his mouth hanging open. After only a few moments though, he pulled himself together, and said in a forced smile, "WE seem to have gotten of on the wrong foot. I'm Draco Malfoy. I'm a Slytherin-"
"How did I figure that out," Violet muttered, but Malfoy either did not hear, or he pretended not to.
"- prefect, and am very pleased to welcome you to our school." He was picking his words very carefully. "I am sorry about how I reacted to my fellow students' presence, and wonder if you will tell me who you are?" His fists were clenched now, as he tried to widen his forced smile.
Violet laughed and looked at him, "Thank you very much for the not needed speech. All you did need to say was 'sorry' to them." Malfoy's face reddened slightly with anger. When she saw this, she laughed a bit louder and continued, "Anyway, my name is Violet Moonglade, and I'm starting my sixth year at Hogwarts."
"Well then, I'll be seeing you at the feast, but I have to dress into my robes now. Crabbe, Goyle, let's leave…now!" and with that, Malfoy closed the compartment door and left.
Harry was still staring at Violet, having seen a whole new side to her. When she spotted him looking at her, she grinned. "He needed to be taught a lesson, and so I gave him one. I hope you don't think differently of me."
Harry smiled and shook his head, "No. He needed a good telling off."
"What just happened?" Ron was still staring at the spot where Malfoy had stood.
"I'd just dropped my being polite, to that person who had just barged in here," she was using the tone Malfoy had used towards her, "I suspect you aren't friends with him?"
"No. Definitely not, "Harry glanced at Ron, who had finally come back to reality.
"I know what happened, but what happened? I mean with Malfoy. He never acts like that when someone insults him."
"Well Ron, just believe me when I say it's the Moonglade charm."
"Charm? Ar-are you a Veela?" Ron's eyes widened and Violet giggled.
"No, no. I'm not a Veela."
"Can you make guys fall in love with you?" he asked.
"I wish! No, I-I don't really know what happened."
Harry smiled, "Well if that continues, then I know we'll be great friends."
Harry! You don't become friends with someone, just because they can snap back at people you don't like!" Hermione glared at him.
"Why do you think we're friends with you?" Ron commented. Hermione looked like she wanted to strangle him, but instead she resided to muttering under her breath. Harry thought he heard her say, 'To copy off my homework,' but looked over, back towards Violet.
"So what house do you want to be in?"
"Oh, Gryffindor! Definitely!" Her eyes sparkled excitably when she said this. "So what house are you in?"
"We're all in Gryffindor," mumbled Hermione, who was still staring threatingly at Ron, but he didn't notice.
"How do you know so much about Hogwarts?" Ron asked.
Violet laughed, "I don't know that much about Hogwarts, though I did read, 'Hogwarts: a History,' and that did help."
Hermione forgot about Ron and smiled at the new student, as if she had just found a million dollars. "Finally! Someone else who's read that book!"
"Hermione! You don't become friends with someone, just because they've read the same book you have!" Ron said in a mocking tone. Hermione didn't seem to hear however, since she and Violet were talking rapidly, as they exchanged their points of view and different facts that they had learned from the book. Their chattering continued for the rest of the trip, while Harry watched the clear blue sky grow steadily darker. The food trolley had already gone by, and everyone had already changed into his or her robes. Harry wondered what would happen this year; if it would be better or worse. He was extremely happy that Umbridge wasn't teaching anymore and that Lupin had returned, but what about Voldemort? What was he planning right now?
The train slowed down steadily and came to a stop. The four students got off the train quickly, carrying two wakening owls, and a drowsy cat, listening intently for Hagrid (except for Violet; not knowing who he is). Harry felt a great amount of joy growing inside him when he heard a loud, booming voice calling, "Fers' years over 'ere please! Fers' over 'ere!"
"Hey Hagrid!" Harry yelled over the bustling crowd.
"Hia Harry! 'Ow was yer summer?"
"Fine!"
Hagrid gave him a huge smile, "Grea'! I'll be seein' yeh la'er, righ'?"
"Definitely!" But Hagrid was already calling out to the first years again.
"Come on! I don't want to be late for the feast. God, I'm hungry." Ron began to rub his stomach, staring longingly at the castle.
"O.k. I'm coming." Harry sighed.
"Uh… am I supposed to go with you?" Violet was staring at the group of first years, who were surrounding Hagrid.
"I think so," Hermione paused, "The boat ride is only for first years and you're in sixth."
"Yah. I'll just go with you guys."
The four of them made their way towards the carriages. Finding an empty one, they climbed inside and sat down. Violet and Hermione began to talk to each other again, while Harry and Ron just watched, as the castle loomed closer with every movement of the carriage. By the time they reached the school, the sun had completely set.
"Finally, we're here! Feast here I come!" Ron jumped out of the carriage and ran towards the large front doors, carrying a flustered Pigwidgeon after him.
"Ron! We still have the Sorting to watch!" Hermione called after him. He stopped in his tracks and said something very rude aloud. A couple of third year girls nearby gave him looks of disgust.
"Why do we have to watch the Sorting? It's bloody well boring," he complained.
Hermione and Violet looked at each other and said as one, "It's tradition Ron!"
"Do you both have to be against me?"
Harry, Violet and Hermione walked over to him. "We aren't against you Ron, we're just answering your question," Violet stated, "Now, let us get inside."
The group quickly opened the front doors and strolled towards the Great Hall. Harry examined the ceiling. Tonight the sky was cloudless. Stars twinkled like millions of diamonds, which brightened the earth below. Harry was so absorbed in watching the night sky, that he did not notice the greasy-haired man who was striding, quickly towards him.
"Sit down, Mr. Potter! I do not intend on having to deal with you tonight." Harry spun around to find his potions teacher, Professor Snape, glaring at him with deepest loathing. "Mr. Weasley, Ms. Granger, stop talking and-"
"YOU!" Violet snarled, "What are YOU doing here?" She had just realized that Snape was there.
"I teach at this school, Ms. Moonglade. This way, students like Mr. Potter here, can learn valuable things to stuff in their usually already inflated heads."
Violet's eyes narrowed, "Who would want to be taught by you?"
"Anyone who wishes to pass potions this year." Snape's eyes flashed evilly, "Now come with me. You have to be sorted privately. Hurry up!" he started striding his way out of the Great Hall.
"I would never go anywhere with you."
Snape turned around to face her again. "May I ask then, where you'll sit at meals or sleep at night? And if I wish to take points away from your house, as I do right now, which house would I take them away from."
"Hmmm…well, Slytherins always cheat at everything, so I'd say to take it away from them."
"I am not going to take points way from my own house!" A few students nearby turned their heads to see what Snape was yelling about, and quickly grew interested in the conversation.
"Ahhh…Yes; but what if I was in your house. What if I tormented you till you went insane? Would you then take points from your house, or would you continue to blame the Gryffindors for anything that has ever happened?" Almost everyone in the Great Hall was listening now. She continued, "I've heard, that all of the head of Slytherin house professors were always unfair to the Gryffindors. Is this true?" Snape's lip curled and his eyes narrowed. Suddenly, he grabbed her arm and started to pull her across the room, towards the doors. "TAKE YOUR GREASY HAND OFF ME NOW, SEVERUS! I DO NOT WANT TO GO ANYWHERE WITH YOU! TAKE YOUR FILTHY HAND OFF-" Snape waved his wand at her mouth and no sound came out. He had placed a silencing charm on her. Her mouth was still moving, though, forming words as she tried to free her right arm.
"Students aren't allowed to call me by my first name, Ms. Moonglade. That is your first lesson." He had just reached the door, when it opened and Professor Lupin walked in.
"My! It's quite silent in here…" Then he saw Snape and Violet, "Severus did you put a silencing charm on her? You know very well, that it's against the rules!" Lupin waved his wand and Violet's voice echoed loudly again, throughout the room.
"HOW DARE YOU! I AM DISGUSTED! HOW DID SOMEONE AS CRUEL AS YOU EVER BECOME A TEACHER! DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH ME AGAIN, YOU PIECE OF ROTTIN FILTH!" Violet was glaring at Snape with more hate than even he could give Harry.
"I know he was a bit harsh, but calm down a bit." Lupin tried to comfort her. She had just turned and raised her head to look at him, when he stepped back in shock. Harry wondered what was so surprising, until Lupin said quite loudly, "Luna?"
~-----------------------------------*------------------------------------~
Hope you liked it! I'm going to try and update weekly. Please R&R!! This chapter didn't turn out as bad as I thought it would. He He! I'm adding an introduction poem- yah that's right a poem -to my first chapter, so you can read it. The date with Remus is next…so keep reading!
