CHAPTER 12!
Mina's POV
Friday, November the 10th
Just a week until the trip to Hogsmeade.
Just a week until Mom and Dad and the other deatheaters… including Severus… attack Hogsmeade under Lord Voldemort's commands. And I will confront my father… I must. The only reason he became a deatheater is because Mom became one first. Mom's always been a manipulative person…. She says I am too, I just choose not to manipulate people. It makes me shudder… to think that I inherited anything from my mother besides good looks.
What am I doing? I guess I'm thinking about what's going to happen in one week, right? Or am I just trying to avoid thinking about him? Maybe that's it. I'm such a loser. I can't go two minutes without thinking about him. I love him. He's… different than anybody I've ever known. He's so charming, and yet so… distant. I feel like he's beyond my reach right now. Then again, he is beyond my reach, because I told him I didn't have any feelings for him when I really do. Why did I do that? Is it because I'm distant too? Am I deliberately pushing him away because of my parents?
Remus Lupin… I can't push you away forever. I love you.
"A sickle for your thoughts?" Came Snape's voice from behind me. I turned around to look at him. He was standing behind the couch I was sitting on in the Slytherin common room. He was staring at me and grinning in a repulsive way.
"Make that a galleon, and it's a deal," I said.
"Okay," he said. And then he actually reached into his pocket and took out a galleon.
"Um… That's okay, Sev. I'll take the galleon, though," I joked, "But I don't really feel like talking about it." He put the galleon away.
"Sorry to hear that," he said, trying to sound concerned. He sat down next to me and looked me in the eyes.
"Please, Mina… tell me what's on your mind. I'm here for you," he said. I just blinked at him. How could he be here for me? He doesn't understand what I'm going through. I'm not going to tell him.
"You wouldn't understand," I said.
"Does it have anything to do with the trip?"
"No! Of course not… I'm not thinking about that now, Sev. You… you didn't tell Dumbledore yet, did you?" I asked out of curiosity… and fear.
"No. He didn't figure it out, either." I sighed in relief and put my hand to my forehead.
"Sev, what am I going to do? I can't save the muggleborns if the deatheaters attack them," I said. Snape raised a brow.
"You realize this now, huh?"
"I'm no hero. I can't save anybody…" I said.
"You can save your father," Snape said. I looked at him. He was being serious.
"What do you mean?"
"You can save him. He's not a bad person. You can convince him not to do this," Snape replied.
"I know that…. That was the idea. But there are so many other death eaters … I'll admit, I need help," I said. Snape grinned.
"I knew you'd come to your senses sooner or later," he said.
"What?"
"You need my help, Mina. You said you weren't a hero. Well, I'll be your hero," he said.
"You are joking, right?" I asked.
"I'm serious! I'm going to protect you and the other students! You'll realize how much I care about you!"
"Sev, I already know that you care for me," I said.
"No. I love you, Mina," he said. I sighed. When will this end? You don't love me really, Sev. You can't. You're lying to yourself.
"Whatever," I said.
"Stop it!" He pulled me towards him and kissed me. On the lips. Again.
Ugh... how revolting!
"No! Severus, stop!" I pulled away from his grasp and stood up.
"I'm sorry," was his reply.
"I have to go," I said.
"Mina!" he called after me. I ignored him and left to go see Lily.
That's when I got a good idea. I would simply tell Lily about the attack on Hogsmeade. Maybe she'd stay at Hogwarts so that she couldn't get hurt.
"Lily! I need to tell you something" I said when I saw her in the Gryffindor Common room.
"Me too!" she said.
"Okay, you first."
"No, you go."
"I insist," I said.
"Okay. Phoebe's going to go out with your cousin!" she exclaimed.
"You're kidding me…." I said unenthusiastically.
"Yeah… She and Sirius really like each other now, so they decided to go out," Lily said.
"I guess that's good news…"
"What did you want to say?" she asked.
"Oh… It's um, something very serious. Lily…" I lowered my voice so nobody could hear, "During the Hogsmeade trip, Voldemort and his deatheaters are going to attack. I think it's best if you didn't go."
"Oh, come on, Mina! You're just saying that because you didn't want to go on that trip!" Lily said.
"No, Lil, I'm serious!"
"Mina stop it!" she said. Lily, why can't you take me seriously? Especially at a crucial time like this!
"Lily…" I said.
"Hey, Mina, don't worry about the trip. It'll be fine. Oh, I almost forgot! I have to go to the library to find a book for Muggle Studies. I'll see you at dinner, okay? Bye!"
"Wait!" She left. She just left. Lily, you are such an idiot! This is important!
I slumped down onto a couch and placed a hand over my eyes. How could she do that to me? Didn't she realize I was being serious? Maybe if I tell Phoebe…. No. Forget it. I don't want to talk to anybody right now.
And then I heard his warm, comforting voice, calling my name.
"Mina, is something wrong?"
No, I wasn't going to pour my problems onto Remus. He didn't need to know what was going on. I just smiled at him.
"No. I'm fine," I said.
"Okay. So… what are you doing here?" he asked.
"Hm? Oh, Lily was here just a second ago. I was talking to her. …I should go back to my own common room," I said.
"No, please stay," he said, "You can talk to me if you'd like." I hesitated.
"Okay. Thank you," I said.
"So, um, do you think we can skip tutoring today?"
"Oh? I guess that's fine with me," I said.
"Good. So… I guess we're going to meet your father on this coming trip," he said.
"Oh. Yes, I guess so," I said.
"Is he as bad as your mum?"
"No way! My dad's the best. Really, he is. But… that doesn't mean I want everyone to meet him," I said.
"Why not?" he asked.
"I… don't know," I answered truthfully. Because the thing is, I don't know why I didn't want anybody to meet Dad. He is a good person, like Severus pointed out. And I love him… even though we don't talk as much as we did before he became a deatheater.
"So what exactly does your father's factory do?" he asked. Of all the things we could talk about, why were we talking about my family?
"They make and sell pre-made potions," I explained.
"That's convenient," he said.
"It is."
"I can't wait to go," he said. I sighed.
That's when it occurred to me. Remus might not be a pureblood. He could get killed!
"Remus, are you a pureblood wizard?" I asked him. He looked at me.
"No, I'm a halfblood. Why?" he asked. I felt my heart sink.
"Oh, just wondering," I replied.
"You know, Mina, you don't really seem too fond of this class trip," he said.
"Well," I hesitated, "that's because I'm not." Well, it's the truth, isn't it?
"Why not? What's the worst thing that could happen?" he asked. I hesitated. What am I supposed to say to him? How would he react if I told him the truth? No, I can't tell him the truth. I can't!
"Remus, if I told you that," I felt my eyes begin to water, "I don't know what you'd think of me!"
"Mina, I like you. Nothing you say could make me think any differently of you," he said with a smile. I wouldn't be so sure of that.
I wiped my eyes and blinked at him. He was really concerned about me…just like Severus.
"Okay," I said, "now I'm not going to tell you all of the details, but you have to promise take me seriously."
"Okay…"
"Okay. It's not going to be safe at Hogsmeade," I said.
"Not safe? How…?"
"I can't explain, exactly. But… your life may be in danger," I said. He laughed. He actualy laughed!
"Well, whatever it may be, the Marauders and I will take care of it," he said with confidence. Remus Lupin, you idiot!
"I'm serious," I said.
"Mina," he said, putting a hand on my shoulder, "I can take of myself, you know. I don't want you to worry about me."
"Do you promise you'll be okay?" I asked. He smiled and rubbed my shoulder.
"Of course." I felt an unwanted tear slip down my cheek. But then the most wonderful thing happened. Remus moved his arm around my back and pulled me towards him. He hugged me! How I've missed having his arms around me!
And then he whispered in my ear, "Everything will be alright." Before I knew it he had pulled away, gotten up, and left.
I wanted to thank him, but I never got the chance. He took me seriously, unlike Lily. I knew I could depend on him.
I got up to leave the Gryffindor common room, but checked the time first. It was almost dinnertime. I headed down to the library hoping to find Lily again. Maybe I could again try talking her out of going on that trip.
Lily was not at the library. She must have gone down to dinner already. I made my way to the great hall and, sure enough, there she was at the Gryffindor table. The Marauders were nowhere in sight. Where could they be? Oh well, it's still early for dinner. They'll show up.
I sat down next to Lily and she smiled at me. What is she up to?
"I saw you talking to Remus," she said.
"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow. So that's it.
"How are things going with you two?" she asked.
"Okay. Better than before, I guess. He… hugged me," I said.
"Really? That's awesome!"
"I was in his arms for just two seconds… but while I was there I was secretly hoping he would kiss me… the way he used to kiss me," I said.
"Aw… you poor thing! But didn't James say Remus liked you? So you two like each other still?" Lily asked.
"Well, yes. That is true. But he doesn't know that I like him. In fact, I told him that I didn't have any feelings for him," I explained.
"Why? Mina, you completely blew it! That was your chance!" she said.
"Lily, it's too soon! I'm not sure I'm ready!" I said.
"Okay. But you should talk to him at every chance you get," she advised.
"Okay," I said.
"Like at dinner tonight. When he comes in, say hi."
"Okay, I got it! I know how to do this," I said.
"Good," she said.
Remus never came to dinner that night, though. Neither did the other Marauders. I wonder where they were…
That night Lily, Phoebe and I sat out by the lake, talking. It was beautiful out; the sky a clear midnight blue, a pool full of stars. The moon was full and gorgeous as ever.
"So, Mina, when does the quidditch season begin? It's already November…"
"On the 20th, which is a Monday. That's when the first practice is, for Slytherin at least. You know, I usually get excited about quidditch coming up. But I feel so… depressed now," I said. Why am I so depressed, anyway? What's wrong with me?
"Probably because of all that happened with you and Remus," Phoebe said. Oh. That's probably it, isn't it? Stupid me, letting a guy take away my love for quidditch. Oh, it's not that I don't love quidditch any more, I just lack the excitement for it.
"But don't let it get to you," Lily encouraged, "you're still an amazing quidditch player. Better than James, at least."
"Yeah, I am, aren't I?" I said confidently. Because I knew I could kick Potter's ass, and I have done it plenty of times before.
I looked up at the full moon, in all of its glory, shining brilliantly down on us.
"It's so gorgeous, isn't it?" I asked them.
"What? The moon? Yeah…" said Lily.
"Definitely," Phoebe agreed.
"I wish Sirius was here," Phoebe sighed. I laughed.
"Oh, please," I said, "I can't imagine what he'd be doing right now. Most likely making a fool of himself."
"I wonder where they are," Lily said, "the Marauders, I mean."
"Who knows. They're all idiots. Who cares," I said.
"What about Remus?" Phoebe asked.
"The biggest idiot of them all," I said, sighing, "and, of course, I always fall in love with idiots."
"No way. Mina, this is the first guy you've dated who was in Gryffindor, and the first guy who was a decent person, not a fool," Lily said.
"After all, he is a prefect," Phoebe reminded me.
"Well, that is true." Which makes me a decent person too, right? Although I lose track of doing my prefect duties… when is it my turn to patrol again? The 10th… "Oh! What time is it?" I asked.
"It's almost past curfew, we should go back inside…" said Lily.
"I have prefect duties tonight, I totally forgot," I said.
"You always forget," said Lily, "but it doesn't matter, since nobody ever wanders out past curfew."
"How do you know?" Phoebe asked.
"We just know," I said. It was true. The prefects had to patrol the castle every now and then until 11 pm to make sure nobody's sneaking around, but none of the prefects ever really did it. Most of them would walk around until 10, then just go to sleep.
"I don't feel like going back to my common room, actually. I feel a little restless. Do you mind if I walk around with you?" Lily asked.
"Why not. Phoebs, how about you?" I invited.
"That's okay. I think I should call it a day. I'll see you guys tomorrow," Phoebe said.
"Bye." She went back inside and Lily and I got up.
"So… why don't we just walk around out here?" Lily asked.
"What?"
"It's so nice out tonight," she said, smiling. Her green eyes glistened in the moonlight. God, I wish my eyes could do that!
"Okay," I said, returning her smile.
We walked around the lake once and then over by the Forbidden Forest.
"Let's go in!" Lily said excitedly.
"Lily, are you crazy? What's gotten into you tonight?"
"Come on, Mina, I want to have some fun!" she said.
"You know, Lil, it's called the Forbidden Forest for a reason," I reminded her.
"You're just scared," she teased. Maybe she's right.
"That's not true!" I defended myself.
"You'd better believe it, sister, because you're trembling!" she pointed out. I wasn't trembling. I was shivering.
"It's cold," I said.
"What a lame excuse," she joked.
"Fine, okay, we'll go in! But only for just a minute," I said, trying to sound less scared.
We entered the ominous forest, unaware of what dangers awaited us inside.
I lingered at the entrance while Lily kept walking, amazed at the beauty of the forest. Sure, it was scary, but it was also a sight to see. The trees were taller than a giant and the moon peeked out from behind them, illuminating and casting shadows everywhere. Vines crept up the trunks of the trees and little white flowers sprang up around the tree roots. Something scattered across the ground near Lily. She shrieked. It was a rabbit.
I couldn't help but giggle at Lily's jumpiness. She was just as scared as I was.
"Who's scared, now?" I teased.
"Oh, be quiet! I'm not in the least bit afraid," she said. Just then, something howled.
"What was that?" she asked.
"You know what it was," I said.
"A w-wolf?" she said. I shook my head.
"Not a wolf, Lily. You saw the full moon, didn't you? It was a werewolf," I said.
"We should get out of here!" she said. I looked around, hoping not to see the source of the howl we heard. It was hard to see anything at all.
"We should," I agreed, looking at her. She walked back towards the entrance and I followed her out of the forest.
"Do you know what this means?" I asked her.
"What?" she looked at me, trying to figure me out.
"We have a werewolf at Hogwarts!" I said.
"You're right! I wonder who it is? A teacher, or a student?"
"Maybe it's Dumbledore!" I said, joking.
"Oh yeah, right. Hey, maybe it's Snape!" she said, laughing. I laughed, too.
"Of course, maybe it isn't somebody in Hogwarts. Maybe it's a spy!" she said.
"Why would somebody send a werewolf to spy on Hogwarts?" I asked.
"Who knows?" she said. I laughed.
"Well, we'd better be careful on nights of the full moon," I said. She nodded. Then I heard it. Another howl. Lily grabbed my hand so tight I thought it might fall off.
"Relax," I said, glancing at the forest, "It's in the forest. It can't harm us." But I was wrong. For just then, a huge wolf sprang out of the forest, headed right towards me!
It's a cliffhanger! Surprised you, didn't I? Oh, really? Then Review and tell me what you thought!
-Much Luv, MINA