ROTRUFIN

CHAPTER 18-THE NEW TERM

I stared after her completely confused.

I've never seen this side of her before. It was a bit alarming, yet shocking.

Deciding not to let it go, I followed her.

I knew Marybeth didn't mean to tear the story in half and I was positive Chelsea did too.

I followed Chelsea into her room. Her roommate looked up as I entered.

"A boy!" she cried and went to lunge for me, but Chelsea lashed out and grabbed her roommate's arms.

"OFF LIMITS," Chelsea snarled as she pushed the girl out the door.

"Chelse…" I began horrified.

"That's Amanda Davis…she'd have you in bed and on top of you in a matter of seconds," Chelsea said keeping her back to me as she stood in front of her dresser and began rummaging through her earrings in the jewelry box. "She's an Aphrodisiac."

"Whoo," I said shivering as I sat down on Chelsea's bed.

"What do you want?" Chelsea asked shortly.

"I want to make sure you know that Marybeth didn't mean to tear the story," I said slowly.

"I know," Chelsea said sighing. "It's just that I worked really hard on it. I'm going to have to start over again…all over."

I relaxed a bit.

"How about I help you?" I offered brightly.

"Would you?" Chelsea asked turning to face me.

I nodded brightly.

Her expression brightened now.

"Thanks," she said.

Just then, her phone rang. The patients were allowed to have their own phone as long as the parents approved of it. Considering how her parents reacted to her being a werewolf, I couldn't understand why they would approve of phone if they didn't want anything to do with her.

She picked it up.

"Hello?" she asked.

A silence…then:

"Oh…Hi mum,"

I began getting the feeling that maybe she wasn't being completely honest with me. I watched her with a raised eyebrow.

She saw my expression and went pale.

"I'm fine. Listen, can I call you back?" Chelsea asked.

She hung up the phone.

"I thought your parents didn't want anything to do with you?" I asked shrewdly.

"My parents…"

"Really care about you…am I right?" I demanded.

Chelsea flopped down on her bed. I backed away slightly.

"My father that died in the car crash was my step-father," Chelsea explained. "He didn't want anything to do with me, no…but me Mum loves me and calls me every night. My real Dad lives in Wales. When he found out, he wanted to come and help me but at that time, my step-father had put me in here. He really had no say in it except for the step-father. His name was on the insurance and everything else."

"So you lied?" I asked angrily.

"I was ashamed," Chelsea said. "I thought I wouldn't be interesting enough."

"You didn't have to lie," I said firmly. "I would've liked you no matter what your background was."

Chelsea smiled as tears formed in her eyes.

"Are we still friends?"

I exhaled loudly.

"Yeah I guess so," I muttered. "But no more lying okay? Please be honest with me."

Chelsea nodded.

Several weeks passed. James, Sirius and Lily visited us every day. I was set to go home in a few days.

Chelsea wasn't taking the news too well.

I think she really liked me and was sad to see me go.

The day I was set to leave, Marybeth clung to me like glue and wouldn't let me go for nothing. It took three Healers to pry her off of me.

I hugged and kissed her good-bye.

James and Sirius carried my luggage out to a Muggle cab.

Now, it was time to say good-bye to Chelsea.

"Listen," I said softly. "You can write to me every day. I promise to write back."

Chelsea's eyes filled with tears.

"It's not the same," she whispered.

I put my arms around her and hugged her tightly.

"I'll miss you," she whispered in my ear.

"Same here," I whispered back to her.

I released her and stepped back.

She turned and tore back to her room sobbing.

My heart began breaking too.

"Come on, Moony," Lily said affectionately. "Let's go."

Lily led me out to the cab and I slid onto the seat.

I stared out the window at St. Mungo's. I swallowed a lump of tears.

We all piled in and the cab pulled away from St. Mungo's.

Emma was thrilled. We were all staying at Lily's parents' place. The whole group of us.

"Hello, Remus," Mrs. Evans said pleasantly. "Nice to see you dear."

I smiled as she gave me a hug. Mr. Evans came over and shook my hand.

"I'm glad you're all better now. School starts in a few days so we'll go and get your things from Diagon Alley in the morning. Right now, just make yourself at home,"

Mrs. Evans looked exactly like Lily. Same beautiful emerald green eyes and light auburn hair. Mr. Evans had short, thick, wavy blond hair and blue eyes. Both were dressed in Muggle clothes.

I sat down on the couch.

"You seem more like yourself now," Sirius said eyeing me.

"Exactly," I said relieved.

"We understand about you, Emma," Lily said giving Emma a huge hug. "But we're just glad you finally realized Remus didn't mean it."

Emma hugged Lily back.

"Everything's cool," Emma said. "Let's just try and put it behind us okay?"

We all nodded in agreement.

That night, James, Sirius and I spent the night in one room, while Emma spent the night in Lily's room across the hall.

In the morning, we headed to Diagon Alley.

GILLIAN SANDERS.

I was dressed in a black hooded cloak, which was over a gray wool skirt and a white sweater. It was a bit chilly in September. My shoulder length curly brown hair was fluffed around my shoulders. The curls were spiral. My blue eyes were fixed on the Quidditch Supplies store in Diagon Alley.

I loved Quidditch and I wasn't a bad player, but my older brother said girls really shouldn't be allowed to play.

"What a sexist pig," I muttered aloud to myself.

Someone bumped into me from behind, almost forcing me to go face first into the glass.

I turned around.

It was a group of Hogwarts students. Two girls and three boys. One girl had shoulder length light auburn hair and emerald green eyes; the other had shoulder length curly dark brown hair and honey brown eyes.

The first boy had un-tidy black hair and hazel eyes; the second had short, thick black hair and blue eyes and the third had short, wavy, thick dark brown hair and blue eyes. They were dressed in Muggle clothes.

"Oh," the boy with the un-tidy black hair said looking upset. "Sorry about that. I didn't mean it."

"Fine," I muttered.

"You like Quidditch?" the boy with the dark brown hair and blue eyes asked.

"Absolutely," I grinned.

"I'm James Potter," the boy with the un-tidy black hair introduced. "And this is Sirius, Remus Lupin, Emma Gibson and Lily Evans."

He pointed to each of them in turn.

"I'm Gillian Sanders," I said.

"Are you going to Hogwarts too?" Lily asked her emerald green eyes twinkled happily.

"Actually yes," I said. "My uncle works there. He's the Headmaster."

All of their faces had a look of shock.

I grinned.

"I kind of expected that reaction," I said.

"That is so cool! We love Dumbledore," Sirius said his eyes wide.

I grinned.

"Yeah he's great," I said affectionately.

"So," Remus said slowly. "We're here to get supplies for the new term…would you like us to show you around? In case you're new."

I smiled.

"Actually, I know my way around Diagon Alley. Me Mum's a witch, but me Dad's a Muggle. Mum usually takes me shopping. See, I go to school in Oxfordshire called Danton Magical Academy. I'm just here visiting my uncle for the term. My parents are away on their second honeymoon,"

At that I made a face.

"I take it you're not too thrilled?" James asked softly.

"No," I said. "I usually get dumped on Uncle Albus. This happens a lot."

Remus had a sympathetic expression on his face.

"That sucks," Sirius said shaking his head.

"Yeah well," I said shrugging and let my voice trail off.

"Listen, we're heading into The Three Broomsticks for some butterbeer. We don't have to meet my parents until 4:00. Would you like to join us?" Lily asked brightly.

"Sure," I said eagerly.

We all began walking toward the pub.

We entered the pub and took seats. Remus sat next to me, James sat next to Lily and Sirius went to get the butterbeers.

I took off my cloak and hung it on the back of my chair. I folded my arms on the table and scanned the pub.

"May I ask where your parents went?" Remus asked softly.

"Cruise," I muttered. "While they're away their only concern is whether or not they're going to get sea sick or burned in the sun too much."

Remus sighed.

"That's not right,"

"No," Lily said firmly. "But I'm sure they do care about you."

"Oh yeah," I said nodding. "Last Christmas they made sure I spent the entire weekend with Uncle Albus and made sure I was okay financially."

"I mean I'm sure they love you," Lily continued.

"Love is such a strong word," I said frowning. "Their more like 'Caring Guardians'."

They looked at each other.

"On a more cheerful note," I said changing the subject. "What about you lot? What's new with you?"

"I just got out of the hospital," Remus said as Sirius plopped down a frothing mug of butterbeer.

"Oh no," I said looking concerned. "Nothing serious I hope."

James, Lily and Sirius exchanged looks.

I looked at them quizzically before returning my eyes onto Remus.

"Well," he began slowly. "I'm not exactly what you think I am."

"Remus are you sure?" James asked meaningfully. "No offense, Gillian, but we don't know you that well."

"Au Contraire," I said smirking. "Uncle Albus has told me all about you. I know the truth about you guys."

They looked at me in surprise.

"He told me to hang out with you guys," I continued taking a sip of butterbeer. "He trusts you and didn't want me hanging out with the wrong ones. Plus he said I'd have a blast."

Remus looked a bit relieved now as he drank his butterbeer.

"Oh okay," Lily said. "Just don't go telling anyone."

"Naw," I said shaking my head. "Your secret is safe with me."

They nodded.

I thought Remus was cute, but I didn't want to say anything like that. Truthfully, I really didn't know him THAT well, plus I didn't want to make a fool of myself either.

"Do you have a boyfriend back home?" Sirius asked brightly.

I blushed.

"No," I said. "Never had one."

Remus, James and Sirius had shocked expressions on their faces.

"I find that hard to believe," Remus said frowning.

I blushed even more.

We finished our drinks and left the pub.

Lily checked her watch.

"Eep, it's four," she said. "Time to meet my parents at Flourish and Botts."

"We'll see you in school then right?" Remus asked looking at me.

"Most definitely," I said nodding.

They all said good-bye and began walking off down the center cobbled street of Diagon Alley.

Remus glanced back every once and a while at me.

I felt myself smiling. This was going to be an interesting term…I knew it.

A few days later, I arrived at Hogwarts. Uncle Albus had me sit with the Gryffindors. Lily, James, Sirius and Remus were already sitting at the table.

"Hey," Sirius said brightly. "Like the school so far?"

"Oh yes," I said nodding. "This is much nicer than Danton."

It was the Sorting Ceremony for the first years. The Gryffindors all cheered as several students were put into their house.

Once the ceremony was over, the owl post arrived.

James and Sirius poured over the latest copy of The Daily Prophet, while my owl, Lana, came swooping in and landed on my shoulder. She had a letter from my parents.

"Looks like Mum and Dad wanted to tell me how lovely their vacation is," I said sarcastically as I took the letter from Lana and she took off again.

Remus leaned close to read it.

I opened the letter and began reading:

Dear Gillian

How are you? We're doing wonderful…but the trip hit a little snag…we've hit bad weather and the ship is tossing around like a rag doll. We've gotten sick already! Can you believe it?

Anyway, I've asked Albus to keep an eye on you for a bit longer because your father wasn't happy with this trip at all. We're heading off to Egypt after the cruise. So I hope you have lots of fun with your new friends and Albus will most definitely keep us updated on your welfare and I know you'll be safe with him.

Love, Mum

I angrily crumpled the letter up and tossed it across the table. It accidentally hit Sirius.

I got up and left the Great Hall.