Chapter 4

Ashley spent two nights in the Hospital Wing. She only allowed her uncle and the other teachers in to see her, not the trio or other students. Lupin had given her the greatest support with her decision to tell the fifth years about herself when he offered to be there with her as she told her story to her fellow classmates.

Ashley spent the next few days catching up on the homework and class work that she missed. She missed an important Charms class and had to have a special session with Professor Flitwick to make up the work. She felt that she needed to keep her grades with an uncle on staff at her school.

When Potions came around again, she was quite nervous and showed up at her uncle's office early to speak with him. She found Professor Lupin already there. She gave them both a weak smile and sat in a chair next to Lupin. She was fiddling with some loose tendrils of hair as she looked at her uncle.

"Now, Ashley, will you be okay with this?" Snape asked.

"As much as I can be, uncle. I'm happy that you're here, Remus," Ashley said. "Do you know what will happen?"

"There may be some outrage, but these kids will accept you, Ashley. When Ron Weasley first found out that I was a werewolf, he wouldn't let me near him," Lupin said. "Now, look, he has no problem with me."

"Okay, I'm ready. I need to get this over with," Ashley said after taking a few deep breaths.

"I'll go in first then you two come in when I say so," Snape said.

The two sat in the office for about five minutes before they were called in. Ashley got up and grabbed her bag. Lupin held the door for her and they went into the classroom. She faced her fellow classmates and shook like a leaf in a hurricane.

"Now, listen to Miss Snape as she tells you the story of why she transferred to Hogwarts," Snape commanded in his harsh way.

"Hi, everyone. I… I had to move to England and Hogwarts because my parents were killed in July. They were… ," here she stopped and took a deep breath; "they were killed by a werewolf. We were walking through Central Park and the thing jumped out at us. I… I… I was the only one who survived, but I had a bite on my leg."

"Ashley, are you a werewolf?" Pavarti Patil asked, her brown eyes were huge.

"Yes, Pavarti, I am. But I have a problem. The Wolfsbane potion somehow reacts to me. On the night of the full moon, when I transform, I'm unconscious by morning. We don't know what is causing the problem, hence the research project," Ashley said.

The cries of fear and outrage burst forth from the Slytherin side of the room. They didn't want another werewolf in school with them. They were making noises of getting Ashley out of the school. Ashley heard this and tried to remain clam.

"Listen, everyone, do you have a problem with me here?" Lupin asked suddenly.

"No!" shouted the Gryffindor side.

"Not really," was the grudging answer from the Slytherins.

"Miss Snape is here to stay, I will not send my niece away," Snape said menacingly. "I want to find out what is making her pass out at each full moon, so get started on your research."

Ashley escaped to her seat and pulled out her books, parchment and quills and ink. She started her own research. She kept her gaze averted from everyone and concentrated on her potions book. Lupin left he room with a nod to everyone while Snape went to his desk and sat down. He looked over the group and his gaze settled on Ashley as she worked.

The class time went fast and the bell rang. They all got up and started to leave. The Slytherins all avoiding Ashley. She just packed up slowly and stayed in her seat. She was going to speak to her uncle about an idea she suddenly came up with regarding the Wolfsbane potion.