Author's Note: Here's a real quick chapter, and then we're on to Hogsmeade later this week :)
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I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters or anything else resembling what J.K Rowling introduced us all to. Just the plot and OC are mine.
Chapter 25
Ava glanced over her shoulder, taking one last took at Remus in the hospital bed. I'll be there next time, she promised internally. She closed the privacy curtain behind her and followed Madame Pomfrey back to her own bed and hopped up on it.
"So, what's wrong with me now?" she asked.
The healer's eyes widened before furrowing her brows. "Nothing. Why would you think such a thing?"
Ava shrugged. "I dunno." She looked down to the bed sheet, smoothing it out. "I guess everything has just kept getting worse since I got here."
"Well then. I'm sorry to say that I've only got good news for you."
Her head whipped up to Madame Pomfrey. "Yeah?"
"While your magical core hasn't gotten any better, it seems to be holding steady for the time being, which is most assuredly good news. Also, you might not have noticed, but the scrapes and bruises that you arrived with have been healed. Given that they were only minor, they were easy to heal while you were unconscious."
Ava pressed her lips together. She may have been stunned for a good reason, but that didn't mean that she needed to agree with it. After another moment of silence, she asked, "Why can't you heal the bruises and cuts on Remus?"
Madame Pomfrey scowled. "I wish I could, dear. Bruises caused by extreme blunt force trauma simply take longer to heal, but those cuts…" She sighed. "I cannot magically heal any scratches caused by a werewolf. They simply need time, but they will scar."
Ava's vision blurred at the reminder that she wasn't there for her soulmate when he needed her. Next time, she thought as she wiped her eyes. "What about Muggle medicine? Could that heal the scars? Like antibiotic ointment?"
The matron frowned and opened her mouth to reply, but they were interrupted by the arrival of Professor McGonagall.
When Ava saw who walked through the door, she looked away, feeling her face redden. I hope she's not too angry with me. She could sense her aunt approaching the bed, but still didn't make eye contact. McGonagall cleared her throat, drawing Ava's reluctant gaze.
"You have some explaining to do, young lady," she said, keeping a blank expression.
Ava felt her hope flicker out. Her eyes stung and she began to apologize when McGonagall continued.
"How in Godric's name did you manage to cast those spells wandlessly?" the older witch asked with a smile, genuine curiosity shining through her eyes.
"You're—you're not mad?" Ava sputtered out.
"Certainly not, dear child. I—Ooph." The professor was cut off by Ava launching herself off the bed and wrapping her up in a tight hug.
"I'm so sorry! I really didn't mean to. I didn't even know what I was doing, I swear! I'm sorry!" she exclaimed while crying into her aunt's shoulder.
McGonagall gently patted Ava's back while sharing an amused look with Pomfrey and pulled away from her niece. "Calm down, Ava. It's quite alright."
She wiped her nose and eyes. "But what if I had actually hurt you?"
"Nonsense. I'm perfectly fine. While I believe your magic was acting out of instinct, I doubt it would've truly harmed me."
Ava sniffled. "You think so?" Both the professor and healer nodded. "So, you think that's what happened? My magic acted out because it wanted me to get to Remus?"
"I think that's the most logical explanation," McGonagall said. "You were rather determined to see him after your…ordeal."
Pomfrey spoke up. "Now, you may be physically healed, but I'd like you to rest for the next couple of hours until breakfast."
Ava nodded, moving to climb back into her hospital bed.
"I think it'd be for the best if you return to your quarters actually. So that you can rest without distractions," she said while nudging her head towards where Remus was. "With your permission, I'd like to administer a Calming Draught," the healer continued, giving Ava a pointed look.
Throwing a forlorn look in the direction of the privacy curtains, Ava nodded. "Fine." Fortunately, her magic only put up a small fuss, trying to lead her back towards Remus as she left the Hospital Wing. Must be because I got to spend a couple hours with him, she thought.
Professor McGonagall and Ava walked back to their quarters, chatting about Ava's classes until they reached her bedroom. Her aunt made sure to watch Ava drink the Calming Draught, and the young girl even made the point of opening her mouth wide and sticking out her tongue while holding the potion vial upside-down.
"You'll wake me up before breakfast?" Ava asked.
"Of course."
"Alright. Goodnight then," she said before closing the door behind her. Thankfully, her aunt had the foresight to resize her furniture and set her room back to normal before picking her up. Not bothering to change her clothes, Ava collapsed on her bed and feel soundly asleep within a minute.
With Remus's absence from the Gryffindor table, Ava figured that the meal would be easier for her, considering her magic wouldn't try to force her to publicly make-out with him from across the table. However, her magic had other ideas. Primarily, that Ava should be with Remus in the Hospital Wing. And apparently, she needed to be reminded of that fact constantly. Thanks to the potion Severus brewed, she wasn't experiencing the usual pain that accompanied her magic's temper tantrums, but needing to physically be with Remus wasn't far from her mind. Whenever she let her guard down, Ava would find herself beginning to rise from her seat, intent on going to the Hospital Wing. Once she explained behind a softly cast Muffliato, Sirius and James kept an eye out and every few minutes had to pull Ava back to reality.
Lily startled Ava at one point, saying, "You look a lot healthier than yesterday. Are you feeling better?"
Ava nodded, a little too enthusiastically. "Yep. I finally saw Madame Pomfrey about it."
Lily narrowed her eyes slightly, but then flashed Ava a smile, seeming to let it go.
Thank God, Ava thought, returning to her meal. At the end of breakfast, while everyone was busy gathering their things and heading to class, Ava whispered to Sirius that she needed to speak with him and James in the Room of Requirement around 9 p.m. that night. He nodded in agreement without hesitation. Let's hope they're that willing once they've heard my plans later. She mentally scoffed. They'll have to. I won't be taking no for an answer, she thought, considering how torn up Remus was after the full moon.
Severus strode into the library, eyes searching for Ava before making a beeline to their usual study table. He wouldn't admit it to himself, but he was desperate to hear how the full moon went for her. Judging by her appearance at breakfast this morning, it couldn't have been too bad. I don't think she transformed, he thought hopefully. Lupin was still missing, but she was at least able to attend meals and classes.
Finding Ava already at their spot, he sat without taking out his assignments and proceeded to stare at the girl until she looked up a few moments later. "So?" he asked, raising his brows.
Ava frowned slightly and hesitated.
Maybe she did turn, he thought, his stomach dropping to the floor.
She quickly cast Muffliato before regaling him with details of last night. His clenched fists were able to relax when Ava revealed that although she endured great pain as though she were transforming, she didn't actually turn into a werewolf.
He whispered, "I'm relieved."
She grimaced, probably recalling the pain.
Without thinking, he reached out to place his hand over hers, and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I'm sorry you had to experience that." His eyes widened minutely before he schooled his features. Why am I apologizing? he scolded himself. It's not as though it's my fault. But Ava's resulting smile made Severus feel more confident in his actions.
Pulling back his hand, he indicated for Ava to continue speaking. Severus could feel his eyes bug out when Ava mentioned that she managed to wandlessly stun Professor McGonagall.
She giggled. "I know, right?"
"What did you do after that?" he asked eagerly.
Ava shook her head at him with a smile, but continued, describing everything that happened up to her returning to her quarters.
After a few moments of silence, he said, "It seems as though your magic won't relent unless your unconscious or with Lupin." Ava nodded. "So, what are your plans for the next full moon? Will you try to be with him during the transformation?"
She sighed. "I hope so."
Severus couldn't bring himself to fully understand where Ava was coming from. Even without the life threatening prank that Black had pulled, he couldn't see the appeal of being near a werewolf during transformation. I suppose her magic will keep her safe. "Will your magic protect you?" he asked aloud.
"Oh, yeah. Definitely," she replied, nodding vigorously.
Knowing that he would just have to take her word for it, he changed the topic. "We're ahead on brewing the pain potion, so I think our time tonight would be better spent practicing your Occlumency skills."
Ava smiled. "Alright. Want to meet in the Room of Requirement after dinner? James and Sirius are supposed to meet me there at 9 anyway, so we can practice until then."
"That works for me."
Until it was time for their evening meal, the pair completed homework assignments and studied. Severus was rather impressed with Ava's progression through the magical curriculum, not that he'd willingly tell her that anytime soon. He wagered that she'd be in several seventh year classes by Christmas and perhaps all of them by March. On their way to the Great Hall for dinner, he briefly wondered if she would still want to spend time with him once she caught up in her studies. But as they walked into the dining hall, he saw Regulus and Ava make eye contact, causing her to smile and wave. That small action reassured Severus that Ava was a true friend. She might have been a Gryffindor, but she was always honest and real with him, unlike most of his fellow Slytherins.
Throughout dinner, Ava thought that Lily had seemed a little shifty. The redhead wasn't involved in the group's conversations as much as usual, and she kept reaching around James to ask Ava questions.
"So, how are you feeling now? Still okay?"
"Is your magic doing okay too?"
"Is it behaving normally?"
"Did you have any problems with it today?"
"How about yesterday?"
Ava just smiled and nodded or gave one word answers, internally wondering what on earth was going through Lily's head. As she was leaving the Great Hall to meet up with Severus, Lily stopped her just outside the entrance.
"Ava, I, uh, wanted to ask you something."
"Yeah?"
Lily hesitated, but Ava could see determination enter her eyes right before she asked, "Is there something going on with you and Remus besides just liking him?" The redhead crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes while adding, "And don't lie to me."
Ava's eyebrows disappeared into her hair line. "What do you mean?" she asked, hoping her voice sounded stronger than it felt.
Lily's face softened before she reached out to place a hand on Ava's arm. "I'm not trying to bully you into telling me your secrets, but I'm here to talk if you need anything. And I know things." She leaned closer and whispered, "Like Remus's furry little problem."
Ava nodded.
"And you seem to be in a similar, if not the exact same situation," Lily continued.
Her mind whirled. Lily figured it out. If all it took was one full moon, what about the rest of the year? Will everyone notice? I can't let that happen.
Lily must've been able to see Ava panicking internally because she gently gave Ava's arm a squeeze. "Hey, I'm not going to say anything. I can keep a secret you know."
Ava laughed weakly. "Yeah, uh, it's not exactly what you think."
Someone behind Lily cleared a throat. Both girls looked over to see Severus giving Ava an expectant look. She nodded to him, and he moved to wait for her on the other side of the corridor.
"Ava, are you sure—"
"He's my friend, Lily," she said firmly.
"I understand that, but I don't think you should be spending a lot of time with him."
Ava sighed. "I'll be just fine."
"Just—just be careful, yeah?"
"I appreciate your concern, but I'm actually really good friends with him."
Lily's eyebrows raised and she opened her mouth to speak. However, before she could say anything, Ava muttered a quick goodbye and joined the Slytherin, both immediately setting off down the corridor.
