Listen To Your Heart

Chapter Twenty Nine-The Surprise Visit

MADDIE.

When class was over, Professor Snape handed me a book on Potions.

"You can read up on some of the more advanced Potions if you'd like," he said. "Tell your Mum I gave it to you."

"Thanks, Professor," I beamed and hugged the book to my chest.

Mum had left the classroom to talk to Professor Dumbledore. Two boys whom I recognized waited for me.

"You feeling better, Maddie?" one boy asked with untidy black hair, emerald green eyes which were behind a pair of thin black-rimmed glasses and wearing Gryffindor robes asked me worriedly.

"Potter," Professor Snape sneered coming up behind us. "I would advise you not to inflict your previously large head that is filled with ego on this poor unsuspecting girl."

Harry glared at Snape.

"I was just asking how she was feeling, sir," he answered.

Snape raised an eyebrow at him.

"Why would a Gryffindor worry about one of my students?" he asked frowning. "I've never saw either your or Mr. Weasley express concern before."

"She's our friend," Harry argued. "We don't care that she's in your house, sir."

He was trying to be respectful, but it was starting to become a loosing battle.

"It's okay, Professor," I chimed in. "I am friends with them. They were with us on the Hogwarts Express."

Professor Snape glanced at me and then glared at the boys.

"Just be aware, Miss Lupin, that this one's head is the size of a hot air balloon. He's exactly like his father. Blatant disregard for rules or even other people's safety," he sneered with anger before heading off down the corridor, his black robes billowing out behind him.

"Sheesh," Ron said glaring after Snape. "Someone's thong is too tight."

I giggled.

"He's not too bad," I said. "Mum seems to know how to handle him."

"That's because I think he fancies her," Ron grinned at me.

"Nah," I said shaking my head. "Come on. We've got Charms."

We headed off to Charms.

A boy with blond hair and blue eyes sat down next to me.

"I see you've come around," he said smiling. "I'm Draco Malfoy."

"Maddie Lupin," I introduced.

"Your Mum introduced us earlier," Malfoy said smiling.

"Oh," I said taking my wand out and supplies.

"I see you're frolicking with Weasel and Potty," he said glaring over at the Gryffindor section of the classroom.

"They're nice," I said.

"I can show you the better side of magic," Draco said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Good people," he said emphasizing the word 'good'.

I knew what he meant.

"Oh," I said. "Maybe some other time?"

Draco narrowed his eyes, but said nothing more.

ROSELYN.

"So you see," I said miserably to Dumbledore. "No one knew about Maddie. I had to tell her."

Dumbledore got up and sat down beside me.

"Roselyn," he said softly putting a hand on mine. "I remember you when you hung around the Marauders. You are a good person. You do what's right. You were scared about telling Maddie that she was really adopted. You told her and you see, she loves you regardless of things. She loved Remus and she loves you."

I smiled.

He always had a calming way about him.

Suddenly, a bright flash of light shot across my eyes. I turned my head and just stared off into space:

I saw Lord Voldemort and Harry down in the basement area of the castle standing in front of a mirror. I saw Lord Voldemort's face behind one of the teachers' heads…Professor Quirrell.

I saw a white wolf standing next to Harry, snarling at Professor Quirrell before charging at him. With a rough backhand, Professor Quirrell knocked the wolf to the side and Harry lunged forward and touched Professor Quirrell's face. He howled in pain and a green stone fell from Harry's left hand.

The light vanished, causing my body to jump.

"Did you have a vision?" Professor Dumbledore asked curiously and wisely.

I nodded and told him what I'd seen.

I hadn't realized that there was a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I guess I was so upset over Remus that I wasn't really paying much attention to details.

The new teacher was quiet and stuttered a lot. He bumped into me in the Hallway from leaving Professor Dumbledore's office.

"Oh…I-I'm s-sorry," he stuttered. "I hope y-you are a-alright?"

"Of course," I said softly.

He nodded and quickly scurried off down the corridor.

What a strange little man, I thought shaking my head as I continued on my way.

MADDIE.

I was curled up on the couch in the Slytherin common room reading the book that Professor Snape had given me. Mum entered a few minutes later.

"Hi," she said brightly sitting beside me on the couch. "Whatcha got there?"

"A book Professor Snape gave me," I said brightly.

"Oh," Mum said smiling. "That's okay."

I continued to read eagerly.

"Mum," I said suddenly raising my eyes off the book. "I heard that Ron thinks Snape fancies you…is that true?"

Mum sighed.

"Yes," she said earnestly. "See back when he and I went to Hogwarts, we kinda had a crush on each other before your father and I had gotten together."

I looked at her.

"Did Dad know?" I asked.

"Yeah," she nodded. "This was way before your Dad and I realized we loved each other."

"So you cheated on Dad then," I said, my voice becoming angry.

"No hun," Mom shook her head. "Your father and I…."

Her voice trailed off as I cut her off.

"YOU CHEATED ON DAD!" I shouted, causing Draco Malfoy and his friends who had come into the common room at that moment to look up in surprise and shock. "EITHER WAY YOU LOOK AT IT IT'S THE SAME!"

I slammed the book closed and tossed it beside me before I jumped to my feet and stormed from the common room.

I decided to take a walk on the grounds to calm down. I couldn't believe Mum had done that. I stayed outside for the rest of the afternoon, skipping classes until darkness fell. The chilly night air caused me to shiver so I pulled my Slytherin robe around me tighter and hugged myself.

"Maaaadddiiiieee," I heard my name being whispered.

I froze in fear and stopped walking. I looked around the grounds…they were as empty as ever.

"Who's there?" I called out in fear.

No reply. Then:

"Maaaadddiiiieee," again.

"Who's there?"

Someone dressed in a dark robe stepped out from behind the tree that lined the Forbidden Forest.

He reached out to grab me. I screamed, but then looked in absolute shock and disbelief.

"Dad?"

SEVERUS

Roselyn was worried greatly about Maddie. She had run to my office and explained what had happened. Maddie hadn't been in any of her classes and Roselyn was having a panic attack.

Just then, the double doors leading into the castle burst open as we passed them and we froze. There stood Remus and Maddie, who was grinning broadly.

I could tell by Roselyn's expression that she was just as shocked and stunned as I was.

"R-Remus?" Roselyn stammered incredulously.

"Roselyn," Remus said.

His voice sounded husky and rough.

Roselyn brushed past me and practically leapt into Remus' arms. Maddie continued to grin broadly and happily.

Suddenly, Maddie's grin began fading away. I followed her gaze onto Roselyn's back. I saw the tip of something wooden protruding from her back.

"Maddie, come here," I instructed.

Maddie obediently came over to me and I pushed her behind me protectively.

Remus stepped back and Roselyn turned to me. Remus and thrusted his wand into her abdomen. Blood began staining her shirt. She stumbled toward me and almost fell if I hadn't caught her.

"Take….care…of…Maddie," she choked out and then slid down. Her blood had gotten onto the front of my robes. She landed at my feet in a heap. She didn't move again.

Maddie screamed behind me.

At that moment, Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall had come rushing into the Entranceway.

"What on earth is going on? Remus?" Dumbledore asked stunned.

Remus grinned and then fled from the castle.

"Oh my Lord," Professor McGonagall said gently crouching down beside Roselyn's lifeless body.

"Bring Maddie into my office," Dumbledore instructed.

I nodded.

Maddie was still screaming and hysterical as we led her into Dumbledore's office. Mr. Weasley, Mr. Potter and Miss Granger had been walking down the corridors talking and when they saw the blood on my robe and Maddie, they immediately bombarded me with questions.

"Sir, what happened?"

"Is Maddie alright?"

"Where is Mrs. Lupin?"

"Enough," I snapped. "It has nothing to do with you."

"Au Contraire," Dumbledore said. "Potter, I'd like you to come as well. You two head to the Gryffindor tower."

He said to Ron and Hermione.

Nodding, but still giving me glares, Ron and Hermione headed off. Potter followed us into Dumbledore's office.

"Sit," Dumbledore said gesturing to the two large comfy chairs in front of his desk.

Potter sat in one while I put Maddie in the second.

Maddie was just hugging herself and rocking back and forth sobbing.

I stood behind Maddie's seat.

"Harry," Dumbledore said turning his blue eyes onto Potter. "I have a favor to ask you."

"Sure, Professor," Potter replied politely.

I raised an eyebrow at him, but turned my attention to Dumbledore.

"I want you to keep an eye on Maddie," Dumbledore said sincerely. "She's lost both parents and unfortunately, you know what that is like. Help her."

Potter nodded.

"Professor? Might I say something?" I interrupted.

I began feeling a lump rising in the back of my throat. It had just hit me that Roselyn was dead.

"Of course, Severus," Dumbledore said.

"Roselyn-Mrs. Lupin requested that I keep an eye on Maddie for her," I said. "She told me before she…"

Dumbledore held up a hand before I could finish.

"I figured as much," he said gently. "I mean for Potter to keep an eye on her while she is not in your presence."

I fell silent.

I wanted to burst into tears right there.

"Miss Lupin," Dumbledore said kindly as he crouched down in front of Maddie. "Drink this."

He conjured up a smoking goblet and handed it to Maddie. She shakily took the goblet and finished it.

"I gave her a Dreamless Sleep Potion," Dumbledore explained to Potter. "It kicks in after about 10 minutes. I'm giving you permission to enter the Slytherin common room."

He said to Potter. "Severus, kindly give Potter the password."

I looked at Potter skeptically.

I didn't like the idea of Potter in my house common room, but after all this was for Maddie.

"Dragonet," I muttered.

"Excellent," Dumbledore said. "You're dismissed."

HARRY.

Professor Snape, Maddie and I left Professor Dumbledore's office. Maddie oddly stuck close to Professor Snape. He still had blood on the front of his robe.

"Erm, Professor? May I ask what happened exactly?" I asked cautiously.

He looked like he wanted to cry at any moment, something I've never seen him do.

Professor Snape raised his dark eyes onto mine.

"Her mother was killed by her father," he replied bluntly.

I frowned.

"I thought Mr. Lupin was…?"

"I can't explain it either, boy," Professor Snape snapped shortly. "But I saw what I saw and she saw the same thing."

"Sorry, sir," I apologized.

He maybe a git, but I could see he was deeply upset about what happened. Maybe Ron had some truth about him fancying Mrs. Lupin.

I fell silent.

We arrived in the Slytherin common room. Naturally, Draco Malfoy and his cronies were already there and looked up when we entered.

"Sir? What is THAT doing in here?" Malfoy asked shrilly pointing to me.

"He's on the Headmaster's orders to keep an eye on Miss Lupin here," Professor Snape said in a shaky voice. "Her mother was just killed."

Even though I hated Malfoy, I saw a bit of a human side to him when he looked at Maddie.

Maddie robotically sat on the couch.

"I'm sorry, Maddie," Malfoy said in a soft tone that I've never heard him use before. "And I'm sorry you got stuck with Potty as a guardian."

I narrowed my eyes at him.