Ah, I haven't written in so long! Sorry about the inconvenience, folks!
Well, here you have it:
Chapter 8.
That morning before classes began, Mina headed to Dumbledore's office. She was surprised to see Snape there instead of Dumbledore and questioned him about it."Dumbledore said he'd be right back," Snape explained.
"And what are you doing here? What happened last night?"
"I came here to tell Dumbledore what happened." The doorknob turned and they looked up to see Dumbledore enter the room.
"Good morning, Ms. Gray. I'm sorry, but I must ask you to wait outside my office while I speak to Severus in private," he said.
"But I already know what this is about! I want to hear what happened," Mina argued. Dumbledore's gaze went form Mina to Snape, and he raised an eyebrow.
"Severus, didn't I tell you to keep this a secret? Do you want to get yourself killed? This is a very serious matter!"
"I trust her, Professor! She won't tell a soul!"
"How can you be sure?"
"Professor, I wouldn't do that! I would not betray a friend," Mina explained. Dumbledore studied her, and after thinking it over, he reconsidered.
"Perhaps you wouldn't; and since you already know, then there's nothing else to keep from you. You may stay if you wish to hear what happened," said Dumbledore. He nodded at Snape, who began to tell his story.
"We discussed plans for an attack on Hogsmeade in a month. On November 17, actually. So, I'd suggest you keep the students in on that particular weekend," Snape said. Mina's mouth dropped open. Snape seemed so used to being a double agent. He acted as if anyone could do the job.
"Very good. I'll have the Order guard Hogsmeade that weekend," Dumbledore said.
The Order? Mina didn't know what it was, but her mother raised her not to ask questions about things she didn't know, so she kept her mouth shut.
"Is that all, Severus?" Dumbledore asked. Snape's eyes fell on Mina, and he nodded his head.
"Very well. You may go." Snape left the room, but Mina lingered.
"Professor, I need to talk to you about my grades in Charms," she said.
"Ah, yes, I heard you weren't doing so well. What do you propose to do?"
"Well, I was thinking about dropping the class all together."
"Charms is a required class, Ms. Gray. You can't drop it."
"I know, but I'm already failing, so I thought I could make it up some other way," Mina said.
"Currently, you are failing, but there is a chance for you to bring up your grade. Have you considered getting a tutor?" Dumbledore's suggestion had not even occurred to Mina. Who would want to tutor her?
"Is there anyone out there willing to tutor someone like me?" she asked.
"I know someone who's looking for some work. One of the prefects, in fact. If you pay them, I think they'll tutor you," Dumbledore said.
"I don't know... I'm a little short on cash."
"That's okay. I'm sure you'll work something out. So, let's give it a week, and then you two can meet. This Friday after classes, okay?"
"Uh... sure."
"Well, then, now that that's settled... class is about to start, so..."
"Oh, yeah, thank you Professor. Bye!" Mina turned and left, thinking about who her tutor might be.
"Mina!" She turned her head to see a very hyper Phoebe running down the hall to meet her.
"Hey, Phoebs. What's up?"
"Not much. Ready for Herbology?"
"Yeah. Can't wait to plant magical...things," Mina said sarcastically. She really hated herbology, but wasn't too bad at the subject. The two of them headed off to the greenhouses.
Professor Shrub, the Herbology teacher, was teaching about different plants used to create the ingredients for Bertie Bott's every flavor beans. Phoebe seemed interested, since the subject was about candy, but she lost interest after a while.
"So, Mina, who's the other person you wanted to go to the dance with?"
"You know who the other person is: Remus. But like I said, I'm not sure yet. I don't even know if I want to go. I'm not big on dancing. I don't even know why we're having a Halloween dance in the first place," said Mina.
"You're right. Nobody in this school dances. But a lot of people like to celebrate Halloween," said Phoebe.
"Do you?"
"Halloween? Free candy? Hell yeah! I know just who to ask to the dance, too!" said Phoebe excitedly.
"Who?"
"Your cousin."
"WHAT? Not Sirius! You like him?" Mina was shocked.
"I don't know, but I know that he likes me," said Phoebe confidently.
"You're crazy! Look, Sirius likes just about every girl in this school. I guarantee he already has a date," said Mina.
"Can you ask him for me?"
"No way! You'll see him at lunch today. You ask him," said Mina.
"Okay."
"The vomiterra bush is used to make the vomit-flavored beans," Professor Shrub's voice trailed off in the background, but Mina chose not to pay attention to it.
During lunch, Mina sat at the Ravenclaw table, thinking about tutoring and the issue of money. She took out a quill and parchment, intent on writing a letter to her parents.
Dear Mom and Dad,
Please hear me out and do not get mad, but I am failing Charms and am in need of money for a tutor. I have spoken to Dumbledore about this, and everything is taken care of, so there is nothing to worry about. If you could kindly send some extra money to me, I will be able to pay my tutor, who I am to be meeting with this Friday. Thank you,
Mina
"You're failing Charms?" Phoebe was caught once again reading over Mina's shoulder.
"Yes, Phoebe, in case you haven't noticed, I suck at Charms," Mina replied.
"Do you know who you're tutor is?"
"One of the prefects. I'm not sure who."
"Well, most of the prefects are smart. I mean, you're smart, too, but... oh, never mind," said Phoebe. Mina raised an eyebrow.
"Well- Oh, look, it's the musketeers. Here's your chance to ask Sirius to the dance, Phoebe." The Marauders had indeed just entered the Great Hall.
"Oh, I just can't. You're right. He probably already has a date, anyway. I was stupid to think that he liked me," said Phoebe. But Sirius spotted her in the crowd and began walking towards her.
"I don't know, Phoebe. Maybe he does. He's certainly not coming over to talk to me," said Mina.
"Hey Cutie," Sirius pulled up a chair in between Mina and Phoebe.
"S-Sirius, hi. What are you doing here?" Phoebe spoke nervously.
"What're you doing in two weeks from now?"
"Uh..." Phoebe tried to think what was going on in two weeks.
"Don't answer that. Just listen- come with me to the dance," said Sirius.
"The dance! Oh yeah! Wait... you want to go with me?" Sirius nodded.
"Has anybody else asked you?"
"Not yet. There's another two weeks."
"Hey! I have an idea! Let's wait until those two weeks are up, and if nobody else asks you, you and Phoebe will go together," said Mina.
"Mina!"
"No, that's a good idea," said Sirius, "I'll see you, Cutie." He patted Phoebe on the rear and got up.
"A lot of girls are going to ask him! I'll never have a chance!"
"That's what I've been trying to tell you, Phoebe. He doesn't care for you! He just wants to date every girl in this school that's not related to him and is in 4th year or above," said Mina.
"Hello Angel." A hand fell on Mina's shoulder. She felt warm breath on the back of her neck, and turned around slowly.
"Remus," she did not smile, but her eyes gleamed with contentment.
"Let's go somewhere and talk," he said.
"Oh. Sure, let's go talk," she said. She waved goodbye to Phoebe and got up, following Remus out of the room.
"Empty classroom's usually the best place to talk in private," said Remus.
"I don't know. I prefer bedrooms, but whatever," said Mina. Remus looked her over.
"Uh… Well, I mean, if you want to..."
"It was just a joke. Don't get any ideas, now," she said. They walked into a random classroom.
"Don't worry, I won't," he said with a grin closing the door behind him. Mina laughed and threw her arms around his neck. Pushing him up against the door, she leaned on the tip of her toes and pressed her lips against his. Kissing her back eagerly, he put his hands around her back. She ran her fingers through his hair, silently promising never to let go of him. She knew this was the best relationship she'd ever been in, and all they'd done was kiss, but she intended for it to go much, much further someday. Today was not that day.
"I know we came here to talk, but we really need to talk," Remus said.
"What?"
"I have to talk to you about something."
"Oh. About what?"
"Well, you know that Halloween dance thing? I didn't want to go, but I realize that you probably want to, right?"
"No."
"No? You mean you don't want to go?" Remus was surprised.
"Not really. Unless you want to. Do you?"
"Not unless you do," he said.
"Good. Now that that's settled," she leaned in to kiss him but he pushed her away.
"I'm not done talking."
"Neither am I." She kissed him, this time opening her mouth just a little, inviting him in. He couldn't resist, and flung his arms around her once more. The bell rang. For a second, neither of them moved, but then Mina pulled away.
"Oh. Did the bell ring?" Remus asked. Mina nodded.
"Students will be coming in here any second. We'd better get to class," she said, and pulled him out of the room quickly.
"I believe we have Charms together, right? Slytherins and Gryffindors," he said.
"That's the only good thing about Charms class," she replied.
"Well, Mina, I'm glad you're glad to see me, but don't you think the class is important, too?"
"Not at all. Only you matter to me," she said in an entrancing voice. She snaked her arm around his waist, but he pushed it away.
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I hate Charms, anyway," she said.
"Mina, it's very important! Especially since we have the OWLS at the end of the year!"
"Don't get so upset, Remus, I know what I'm doing. Well, actually, I don't know what I'm doing, but that's why I'm getting a tutor," she said.
"What are your grades?"
"So far? I'm failing the class," she said.
"Mina!" A couple of heads turned and Remus realized how loud he'd been.
"What?"
"Class is going to start, let's just go," He grabbed her hand forcefully and pulled her away to their classroom.
Mina pulled her hand away as they entered the room and sat down next to Lily just as the bell had rung.
"What's up?" asked Lily.
"Nothing. Just having another stressful day," said Mina.
"Well, I have good news, so cheer up!"
"What?"
"I finally got the courage to ask Frank Longbottom to the Halloween Dance!"
"Really? That's great! What did he say?"
"He said he'd have to think about it, but that's good, right?"
"Yeah. Hey, Phoebe got asked out, too. By my cousin."
"Really?"
"Yup."
"And Severus asked you to go, too, so I guess we're all going with someone," said Lily.
"Wrong. I'm not going."
"What?"
"I don't want to go, so you guys just go without me. You'll have fun," said Mina.
"You sure?"
"Yes."
"Miss Evans, Miss Gray, please be quiet!" Professor Flitwick scolded.
Lily took out a parchment and wrote down:
What about Remus?
Mina answered underneath:
He doesn't want to go either.
Lily nodded her head, although she didn't understand why anyone wouldn't want to go. Partying and hanging out past curfew is loads of fun.
to my reviewers-
bookluva629- i must thankyou for reviewing all my stories. hope you liked the kissing in this chapter. .
crazayladay- werewolves are sexy... and so is hugh jackman. Since you are the demanding reviewer of this story, i will apologize personally that i haven't updated as often as you've been asking me to. so, sorry.