Professor Lupin's Debut
Dear Madam Bones:
I apologize for taking time out of what must be a busy schedule. I am writing to follow up on Sirius Black's case. Has there been any progress with the trial? So far, the Prophet has not mentioned any news.
Respectfully,
Harry J. Potter
"Here, Hedwig, take this to Madam Bones at the Ministry". Harry was in Hogwarts' owlery to send this letter. He offered an owl treat before carrying him to one of the paneless windows to let him fly off.
0xFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
Today was Double Potions, the class started like every other class. Snape swept into the room, robes billowing, giving him the impression of an over grown bat. He took his place behind the desk, glowered at the assembled students for a few seconds:
"Before we begin today's lesson, I have an announcement. Miss Ginerva Weasley will be joining our class, as she has met the requirements for advanced placement".
There was polite applause from the Slytherin students, and enthusiastic applause from her house mates.
"Settle down", Snape called out.
"Miss Weasley, I trust you shall not disappoint", Snape addressed her directly, "unlike some of my so-called students".
He said that last part while nodding towards where Ron was sitting. He was turning very pink, as he was well aware of what Snape was implying. There were scattered chuckles from the Slytherins.
"No, Professor, I won't", she replied with conviction.
"See that you don't", he said in that manner that made every suggestion sound vaguely like a threat.
He continued his introductory lecture: "Today, you will be working on a Shrinking Solution. As the name implies, this potion will turn any full grown animal into the size of a new born. There is an antidote, but that's a different potion for a different day. The list of ingredients is on the board…"
He waved his wand, and the list appeared.
"… Use one rat spleen and a dash of leech juice. If your formulation is correct, your potion should be a light green. You will take lab notes and summarize your formulation, to be turned in next session. That is all".
Everyone lined up to collect everything they would need to brew this particular potion. Cauldrons were set on stands, fires lit to heat the contents.
This was also the return of Draco Malfoy after Buckbeak's attack. He swaggered in late, acting the heroic survivor of some dreadful battle.
"How is it, Draco? Does it hurt much?", Pansy asked, genuinely concerned.
"Yeah", Draco said. Harry didn't miss seeing the subtle wink he gave Crabbe and Goyle when Pansy wasn't looking.
"Settle down", Professor Snape called out. Harry and Ron exchanged foul expressions as they knew that if they – or anyone else from Gryffindor, or possibly any other Slytherin – arrived that late for class there would be detentions and house points docked. Snape, being a Slytherin alumnus and now Faculty Adviser to House Slytherin, played favourites. That was especially true of Draco – the closest thing he had to a teacher's pet.
Draco took his place at the same table where Ron and Harry were working.
"Sir", Draco called out, "I'll be needing some help with these daisy roots".
Without looking up from his desk: "Weasley, cut Mr Malfoy's roots".
Ron went red with anger, as he chopped up the roots: "There's nothing wrong with your arm", he hissed at Draco. He roughly cut up the daisy roots.
"Professor", Draco called out, "he's making a mess of my roots!"
Snape came over to see: "Weasley, exchange roots with Malfoy"
"But…", Ron started.
"Now", Snape said in his most dangerous voice. Draco was smirking at Ron.
Ron had no choice but to hand over the roots he'd spent the last fifteen minutes carefully dicing into uniform bits. He started slicing Draco's roots to repair the damage he'd done.
"I'll also need this shrivelfig skinned", he said with a hint of laughter in his voice.
"Pot-ter, skin Malfoy's shrivelfig". Snape gave him that look of loathing he reserved especially for Harry.
Harry skinned the fig, and passed it over.
"Seen your friend, Hagrid?", Draco asked.
"None of your business!", Ron shot back.
"I'm afraid he won't be a professor for much longer", Draco said with mock sorrow. "Father's not very happy about my injury…"
"Keep talkin', Malfoy, and I'll give you a real injury", Ron hissed at him.
"Father has a lot of influence", Draco bragged. "He's filed a complaint with the Board of Governors, and discussed the matter with the Minister himself".
Draco gave a fake sigh: "A lasting injury like this? Who knows if my arm'll ever be the same again?"
"So that's your game? Getting Hagrid fired?", Potter asked in a low voice.
Harry accidentally beheaded the caterpillar he was cutting up, his hands shook so with suppressed rage.
"Well, Potter, that's partly the reason; there are side benefits. Weasley, cut up my caterpillars", he said with a smirk.
Several cauldrons over, Neville was in trouble once again. Potions was the class he had the most difficulty with, and Professor Snape the teacher he most hated and feared. Snape knew this, and delighted in tormenting Neville. His potion at this stage should have been green, but it had turned…
"… Orange, Longbottom?", he said as he ladled some out of the cauldron so that everyone could see.
"Orange. Tell me, Boy, does anything ever penetrate that thick skull of yours? Didn't you hear me clearly explain that you needed just one rat spleen? Wasn't I clear enough when I said only a dash of leech juice would suffice? What do I have to do to make you understand, Longbottom?"
Neville was turning red, and looked about to burst into tears.
"Please, Professor, I could help Neville make it right", Hermione called out.
"I don't recall asking you to show off, Miss Granger", Snape said with frost in his voice.
"Longbottom, at the conclusion of today's lesson I shall feed some of this slop to your toad. Perhaps this will give you enough incentive to try harder in my class. Is that understood?"
Snape walked off to check on the other students' progress.
"Help me", Neville moaned to Hermione.
Seamus Finnigan leaned over from the table ahead of Harry's to borrow Harry's scales.
"You heard?", he asked. "Article in the Prophet says Black's been seen. Not too far from here, but it was a muggle lady. She called the police hotline, but he was long gone by the time the aurors got there".
"Not too far from here", Ron repeated while looking Harry's way, concerned.
"I'm sure it's nothing", Harry said, "we don't know if the report was right. They didn't find anything, did they?"
Ron noticed Draco's noticing: "What? You need something else cut up, do you?", Ron asked.
"Thinking about going after Black, Potter?", Draco asked as he leaned over the table.
"Yeah, that's right", Harry dismissed, but Draco wasn't about to let this go.
"If it were me, I'd've done something long before now. I wouldn't be hanging around school like a good boy: I'd be out there, looking for him".
"What are you talking about, Malfoy?", Harry asked.
"Don't you know, Potter?", Draco asked.
"Know what?"
"I'd want revenge, and I'd be hunting him down personally. I wouldn't be leaving it to the dementors or aurors. But being a Chickendor, maybe you'd rather not risk your neck? You'd rather play it safe?"
Professor Snape had an announcement: "You should have finished adding all the ingredients. This potion needs to stew before it can be used, so use this time to clean up. Then we'll test Longbottom's potion".
Crabbe and Goyle laughed. Hermione was muttering last minute instructions out of the corner of her mouth so Snape wouldn't see. Harry and Ron headed for the stone basin in the corner of the lab to wash their hands and ladles.
"What was Malfoy talking about?", Ron asked.
"Hell if I know", Harry lied, "Black's done nothing to me… at least not yet. As for Malfoy, I'm sure he'd like to see me do something stupid… something that'd get me kicked out of Hogwarts. He's wasting his time".
"Gather around", Snape ordered everyone. "We shall test Longbottom's potion. If it's made correctly, then his toad will become the size of a tadpole. More likely, it will poison him".
Crabbe and Goyle chuckled, no doubt they wanted to see Trevor drop dead.
Snape noticed that Neville's potion was no longer orange, but green, as he dipped a small spoon into Neville's cauldron. A few drops into Trevor's mouth, and he swallowed. The toad did indeed shrink to the size of a tadpole.
All the Gryffindor students applauded, exchanged high fives and back slaps.
"Way to go, Nev", Seamus called out.
"Knew you could do it", Dean added.
The celebratory mood didn't last long. Snape took a bottle of antidote from a pocket and dropped a few drops on tadpole sized Trevor, who returned to adult sized Trevor. He was clearly unharmed by the ordeal.
"Fifteen points from Gryffindor", Snape called out.
The Gryffindors went silent.
"Granger, didn't I ask you not to show off? Cheating is the one thing I will not tolerate in my class. You can be thankful that I didn't make my suggestion an explicit order. So you can be grateful that points is all you lost, and that I am in a generous mood. I could dismiss you and Longbottom from class with a 'U' for the year. Next time we meet, we will see about alternative seating arrangements.
"You are dismissed".
"That shit bag!", Ginny was complaining out of Snape's hearing. "Losing points for doing the potion correctly?!"
"Why didn't you lie?", Ron asked Hermione, "tell him you didn't help"
"Would he believe that? Snape's had it in for Gryffindor ever since Day One. He bullies Neville in almost every class. All lying would accomplish is just to make more trouble, probably give him enough of an excuse to get us kicked out of class.
"Hope there's something good for lunch today, I'm positively famished" she ended further discussion.
Neville caught up with Ginny: "If you can skip the entire second year, why aren't you in Ravenclaw? Not even Hermione did that!"
"The Hat suggested Ravenclaw, but the Weasleys have a long history with Gryffindor. Mum and Dad wouldn't like it if I cut that string, so I asked for Gryffindor".
0xFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
Everyone filed into the class room for their first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson with Remus Lupin. Everyone took out books, parchment, ink pots and quills. They talked while waiting for their professor, wondering why he was late, what kind of lesson this would be. Finally, Lupin arrived, set his leather case on the desk. He was as shabby as before, but now was looking healthier than he did on the Express. He made an announcement:
"You can put away your books. Today's lesson will be a practical lesson, and you'll be needing only your wands".
This was different, as neither Quirrel nor Lockhart ever gave a practical lesson, unless you counted Lockhart's bringing a cage full of pixies to class where he let them out, and left the students to deal with the resulting chaos.
"Right", he called out. "If you will follow me…"
Lupin led everyone down a deserted corridor, around a corner. There, they encountered Peeves the poltergeist, who was floating upside down while stuffing a wad of gum into a keyhole. He ignored the new arrivals until they were right opposite the door.
"Loopy, loopy, Lupin", Peeves began in a sing-song voice. This was different in that at least Peeves showed some respect for faculty. Everyone was wondering how Lupin would react.
"Loopy, loopy, looney Lupin", he continued.
Maybe it was because Lupin was the new guy? Everyone wondered how he'd react to Peeves' provocation.
"I'd take that gum out of that keyhole if I were you", Lupin said it in an unexpectedly pleasant tone. "Otherwise Mr Filch won't be able to get his brooms and cleaning supplies", Lupin explained.
Peeves gave him a wet raspberry.
"Everyone: watch closely. This is a useful little spell", Lupin explained as he took out his wand.
"Waddiwasi", he pointed his wand at Peeves. The gum shot out of the keyhole like a bullet and flew up Peeves' left nostril, turning him upright. Peeves flew off, cursing.
"Cool!", Dean Thomas exclaimed.
"Thank you, Dean. I'm glad you approve", he said as he put away his wand. "Shall we proceed?"
The class followed on, their respect for the new guy growing. He led everyone to the Faculty Lounge.
"Inside, please", he said as he opened the door and stood back.
The Lounge had but a single occupant: Professor Snape sat at a low armchair. He looked up as the students entered. There was a nasty sneer playing around the edges of his mouth. Lupin entered last, and made to close the door.
"Leave it open, I'd rather not witness this", Snape got up and made to leave. At the door he paused:
"I see your class includes Longbottom. I would advise you not to entrust him with anything difficult… unless Miss Granger is there to hiss instructions in his ear".
Neville went scarlet, and Harry glared at Snape. It was bad enough, the way he bullied Neville in his own class, but to do it in another professor's class was beyond unacceptable.
Remus raised his eyebrows.
"Actually, I was hoping Neville would lend a hand in the first stage of the operation. I'm sure he will perform admirably".
Neville went even redder, if that were possible. Snape curled his lip as he departed, closing the door on his way out.
Remus continued his lecture:
"A boggart has recently taken up residence in that wardrobe", Lupin indicated a wardrobe where the professors sometimes hung spare robes. He stood beside the wardrobe which quivered and bumped against the wall.
"Who can tell us about boggarts?"
"Yes, Miss Granger". Hermione's hand was the first up.
"They have no fixed form, and are classed nonbeings. They guard their places by becoming whatever it is that most frightens those who disturb them. They like dark and undisturbed places, well, like old wardrobes".
"Quite right, you are also likely to find them in cabinets under sinks, under beds, in little used closets. One even took up residence inside a grandfather clock. As for the boggart here, can you see its dilemma?"
Once again, Hermione had her hand up.
"How about you, Mr Potter, can you see?"
It was very off-putting, standing beside Hermione as she reached for the sky while bouncing on the balls of her feet.
"Well…", he started, hoping to buy time. "Ummmm… since there are so many of us here, it won't know what form it should take?"
"Precisely, Mr Potter. More than one person's presence will confuse it. That's why it's always best to have a partner when removing boggarts. There is a spell that neutralizes the boggart's attack: Riddikalus".
Lupin demonstrated the wand movement that went along with the incantation.
"Try it, but without wands", Lupin suggested.
"Riddikalus", the class answered.
"This spell converts the boggart's form into something you'd consider comical. Even though it seems to be a simple enough spell, it isn't as simple as it first appears. You need to concentrate, think of something funny that you'd like to see it become, before you perform it. Otherwise, the spell will simply fail. Fortunately, there is no danger to the caster, as there is no backfire, as it were. Who wants to go first?"
Lupin waited for volunteers, but none were too eager to try.
"How about you, Neville?"
Neville went red and wanted nothing more at this moment but to fade into the background.
"Come, come: I'm not asking you to do something dangerous. Remember what I just told you and you'll do fine".
Neville came forward, towards the wardrobe. The boggart seemed to sense his presence as the wardrobe gave a more violent shake, that had Neville's stepping back.
"First things first", Lupin said. "What would you say is the thing that frightens you the most?"
He made to say something, but no words formed.
"Sorry, I didn't quite get that".
He cleared his throat: "Professor Snape", he said in a barely audible voice. This was something he didn't want the class to know.
The rest of the class giggled.
"I understand you're living with your grandmother?"
"Yes, but I don't want it turning into her either".
"You misunderstand. Tell me, does your grandmother, perhaps, have a favorite ensemble?"
"There's this hat, a tall one with a vulture perched on top… a green dress, usually, and sometimes a fox fur scarf".
"And a hand bag?", Lupin asked.
"A big red one".
"Can you see that outfit in your mind's eye?"
"Yeah"
"Can you imagine Professor Snape in that outfit?"
"Yes", his mouth curved into a half smile.
Ron was saying to himself: "Take off its legs", repeatedly. Harry knew what he was talking to himself about as Ron was terrified of spiders, and that was before his encounter with Aragog.
"When I open the door, Professor Snape will appear. Then you will use your wand and cast Riddikalus, and if all goes well, Boggart Snape will be wearing your grandmother's outfit.
"The boggart will undoubtedly turn its attention on someone else. I'd like for you to consider what frightens you the most, and think of ways to make that thing look comical.
"Ready, Neville?"
Red sparks shot from Lupin's wand, hit the handle, and the wardrobe opened. Out stepped Snape, robes fluttering, as he glared at Neville who raised his wand with a shaky hand, mouth moving, but voiceless again. Boggart Snape was reaching inside his robe…
"Rrrrr… Riddikalus!", Neville cast. With a whip crack sound, Snape was wearing a long green lacy dress while wearing a tall hat with a moth-eaten vulture and swinging a red handbag. It looked confused.
"Parvatti, forward", Lupin called out.
Boggart Snape turned towards her and turned into a bloody mummy. It shuffled towards her and began to lift its arms…
"Riddikalus!", she cast. The bandages by its feet began to unravel, tripping it. It fell face forward, its head coming off.
"Seamus, you're next".
The boggart turned into a hideous woman with long, black hair and a slightly green, almost skeletal, face: a banshee. She let out a scream that had everyone covering their ears.
"Riddikalus!", and the banshee grabbed her throat, unable to utter a sound.
"Ginny!"
The boggart turned into an elderly version of herself. She was wearing nothing more than filthy rags as she begged for knewts.
"Riddikalus!", and the boggart turned into a young lady who was now wearing an elegant gown.
"Ron", Lupin called out.
The boggart became a spider that was as hairy, and as big, as Aragog. Its fangs dripped venom as they clicked. It was advancing on Ron.
"Riddikalus!", and the spider became what looked like an over sized beach ball that rolled helplessly along the floor. Lavender got out of its way and it came to a stop at Harry's feet.
"Here!", Lupin called out as Harry was lifting his wand. At first, no one saw where it was until they looked up. They saw a silvery orb floating near the ceiling.
"Riddikalus", Remus cast very casually. Whatever that was supposed to be, it became a colorful beach ball, with alternating white and red stripes. It dropped to the floor, bounced and rolled.
The boggart became in succession a bloody severed hand, a bloody eyeball, a rat, a rattlesnake.
"It's confused", Lupin said. "Now, Neville, finish it off"
Boggart Snape returned.
"Riddikalus!", Neville cast with more determination and there was a vision of Snape in Augusta's outfit again. Neville laughed and the boggart exploded into wisps of black smoke.
"Excellent!", Lupin congratulated. The class applauded. "Excellent, Neville and well done everyone. Let's see… five points for Gryffindor for everyone who tackled the boggart. Ten points since Neville faced it twice, and five more points for Harry and Hermione".
"But I didn't do anything", Harry objected.
"Yes, you did: you and Hermione answered the questions correctly".
He addressed the rest of the class: "You did very well, and I'd call this a most productive first class. For homework, read the chapter on boggarts and summarize it for me. You'll hand it in on Monday".
The students were talking about today's lesson.
"You see how I took down that banshee?", Seamus asked.
"Or my mummy".
"And the hand", Dean said as he waved his own around. His boggart was a bloody, severed hand that was crawling with its fingers. His answer was that it became caught in a mouse trap.
"Or Snape in that dress!"
"I wonder why Professor Lupin's scared of crystal balls?", Lavender asked no one in particular.
Harry wasn't feeling so cheerful. He wondered why Lupin intervened, not allowing him to face the boggart. Was it because Lupin saw him collapse on the Express? Didn't think Harry had it in him to succeed?
"That was the best DADA lesson we've had so far", Ron announced.
"Mr Lupin seems to be a very good teacher", Hermione agreed. "Wish I had a turn with the boggart".
"What would it become for you? A quiz that got only nine out of ten answers right?", Ron said with a snicker.
In the Common Room, just before the noon feast, Harry had a word with Hermione.
"You really shouldn't do that…"
"Do what?"
"Monopolize the Q&A: you did it in Potions and again in DADA. You should give some of the other students a chance".
"I knew the answers".
"Yes, but you don't have to be such a show off. And another thing: when you're told to write, let's say, six inches, you shouldn't turn in two pages".
"I like being thorough…"
"It takes more of the professors' time. You aren't the only student and yours isn't the only essay. You don't want to get a reputation for being a know-it-all".
"I don't see how it's any of your business, Harry".
"Just think about it, that's all".
Care of Magical Creatures was a bust. When they arrived at the cabin, Hagrid had set up a long table. There were slimy, brown things writhing on the table top. No one could tell which end was which, as there was no difference.
"Today's lessin is the care of flobber worms… Yeah, rye,.. kin innyone tell us 'boud 'em?"
"Yes, Miss Hermione", as her hand was first up.
"Flobber worms are scavengers that typically feed off decaying vegetation. They like dark, moist environments, and can grow to lengths of twelve inches. Their mucus is often used as a thickening agent for potions. They are also edible…"
"YUCK!", Pansy called out. "Disgusting! Granger: you're not pulling our legs, are you?"
"Akshully", Hagrid interrupted the outburst, "once ye get past the looks, some 'sider flobberworm fritters a delicacy sort'a how thuh French 'sider escargot – snails. Beferr ye prepare 'em, ye needs ter clean 'em out. Juss give 'em water for several days, then they ready. Flobberworms ain' much ter lookit, but they's dead useful. Tankee Miss Hermione, an' five points fer Gryffinderr".
The whole rest of the class was feeding wilted lettuce to the worms.
"At least the oaf didn't bring anything that can take off fingers, hands, or arms", Draco emphasized by pointing out his bandaged arm.
"Shutup, Malfoy", Harry hissed at him.
"Still here?", Draco said in mock astonishment. "Too chicken to face Black?"
"I'm not going anywhere, and I'm not stupid enough to do anything that'll get me expelled, so give it up".
"You still don't know, Potter?!"
"I know enough, so kindly fuck off".
"Black got your parents kiilled! He betrayed them to the Dark Lord…"
"Whatever you say", Harry said dismissively.
0xFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
Dear Mom and Dad:
I would have written sooner, but these first few days back have been unusually eventful. Hagrid finally won the Care of Magical Creatures professorship, something he's been wanting for a very long time now. I'm afraid he's been a bit too enthusiastic: his first lesson was on hippogryphs. Leave it to Malfoy to ruin it for him. He didn't pay attention during the lecture, and got his arm sliced open when he insulted the hippogryph Hagrid brought to class. He's been making it out to be a lot worse than it really is, trying to get Hagrid dismissed before he's even gotten classes under his belt.
We also had our first practical lesson with a new DADA prof: Remus Lupin.
On the down side, Hogwarts is being patrolled by dementors, and I really don't like them. Fudge insisted since he believes that Sirius is out to get me. I kind'a embarrassed myself by passing out on the Express when one boarded the train. As if Sirius would actually be on board. Draco's been giving me a hard time about that. Anyway, Professor Lupin seems to know the subject better than the last two Dumbledore hired for the DADA professorship.
Love,
Harry
"Here, Hedwig, take this to 4 Privet Dr".
The next day, the owls dropped two letters in front of Harry.
"You aren't in any sort of trouble?", Ron asked.
"None at all".
"Then why is the DMLE sending you letters? That can't be anything good".
"Family business".
Harry didn't get to read it until a class break just before lunch. Ron was hovering around Harry.
"Do you mind?", he said before opening the envelope. Ron slinked away into an armchair where he glared at Harry.
Dear Mr Potter:
I regret to inform you that the Wizengamot voted narrowly against reopening the Black case. I warned you that there was much opposition due to how embarrassing it would be for members of the present administration, and of the previous tenure of Millicent Bagnold, the Minister before Minister Fudge. Reopening the case could prove embarrassing to Barty Crouch Sr, who ordered Mr Black to Azkaban.
The opposition cited Mr Black's confession that he gave voluntarily to the investigating aurors. He admitted that it was all his fault, the betrayal of James and Lily Potter, and the destruction that claimed twelve muggle lives.
I am deeply sorry.
Sincerely,
Amelia Bones, Directrix
Department of Magical Law Enforcement
"Bad news?", Ron asked.
"Yeah", was all Harry had to say.
Dear Harry,
We are pleased that your classes are going well. I hope that irresponsible excuse for a headmaster hasn't been leading you into more dangerous situations? It is too bad about Professor Hagrid: that he would have success snatched out from under him before he's really gotten his new career off to a start. It happens in the business world all the time. It's too bad people can't separate business from politics. It only takes a few to ruin everything for everyone else.
I can appreciate your dilemma regarding the dementors. I strongly suspect – as do you – that your Minister wouldn't have felt it necessary to bring them to Hogwarts had your headmaster shown more responsibility.
I am also pleased that you thought to write. So far, we haven't heard a word from Dudley.
Love,
Uncle Vernon
Aunt Petunia
0xFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
Professor Lupin's star was rising as fast as Hagrid's was falling. After a few classes, Defense was becoming the students' favourite class. After boggarts, the lesson moved onto red caps – these nasty goblin-like entities that lurked around the potholes of old battlefields, castle dungeons, oubliettes, the scenes of particularly notorious crimes, anywhere violent bloodshed had occurred. They waited for the unwary to get lost in their territory in order to reenact those acts of violence.
After red caps, next was kappas. These water demons looked like scaly monkeys with webbed hands and feet. They liked to pull swimmers and waders under to drown them. They were responsible for otherwise unexplained drownings.
Harry wished the rest of his classes were as interesting and pleasant. Care had become the epitome of dull and boring: the hour devoted to stuffing shredded, wilted lettuce down the slimy gullets of the flobberworms.
"Care? Who needs, or wants, to care for flobberworms?", Ron once asked.
It was obvious that Hagrid had lost his confidence after his first, action packed, class. He had become too risk-adverse, due to Malfoy's mishap with Buckbeak. Hagrid was in close competition with Professor Binns – of Magical History – as the most boring professor of Hogwarts.
Care was simply dull. Potions was a completely different story. Professor Snape was stuck on pissed off. This due to the fact that Neville's boggart had been Snape wearing his grandmother's clothes. The school rumour mill went into overdrive with that, until there wasn't a student or teacher who hadn't heard of it. Snape took it out on the Gryffindor students, and especially Neville, more than usual.
As for Divination, Harry couldn't bring himself to like Trelawney. There was the way those magnified eyes filled with tears every time she looked at him. There were those lessons that required him to tease meanings from the dregs of tea leaves. What he saw in the bottom of his tea cup hardly matched the neat illustrations in Unfogging the Future. He inevitably deciphered the clues incorrectly, according to Trelawney.
Trelawney had also acquired a couple of groupies: Lavender Brown and Parvati Patel. They were always talking up Trelawney's brilliance, and had even taken to spending their free time in Trelawney's quarters. They returned from these visits with looks of superiority, as though they possessed knowledge denied the less unfortunate. Lavender and Parvati may have been the most star struck, but they weren't alone in the almost reverential respect the class had. They were always addressing Harry in subdued tones, as though talking with someone on their death bed.
Dear Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon,
Next time you see Tom, I need a bit of advise. Enclosed is the letter I received from Madam Bones. The Wisengamot doesn't want Sirius' case reopened. The one thing that could change their minds is revealing that Pettigrew is alive and well. If he's presented to the aurors, they wouldn't have a choice would they?
On a happier note, Quiddich is starting up, and our first match is Gryffindor v Slytherin. Lupin, the Defense Against the Dark Arts really knows his subject, and we're actually learning something useful.
Love, Harry
