Chapter Thirty-Seven: Wolves, Snakes, and Eagles

The next morning, even before breakfast, Daphne went to Snape's office.

"Miss Greengrass?" Snape said when she knocked.

Being the only Slytherin student in the school at that moment probably made it easy to guess who was knocking.

"Hello again, sir," Daphne said a bit nervously. "I, er, have a question. About the potion you make for Professor Lupin."

Snape frowned. "That is between Lupin and me, Miss Greengrass. I–"

"I know he's a werewolf, sir," Daphne interrupted.

Snape blinked slowly. "How did you come to this conclusion?" he asked.

"He's sick every month. At dinner yesterday, Professor Trelawney mentioned that it was a full moon, and I began to think…his boggart is a silvery-gray orb, and when you took over his class that one time, you discussed werewolves with us, focusing mainly on the ways you could recognize one in human form, and you hate Professor Lupin. When you mentioned the 'certain circumstances' under which you and he would kill each other without hesitation, I'm going to assume you meant that you meant running into him while he's transformed," Daphne rattled off. "Did you mean for us to find out, giving us that lesson on werewolves?"

"I…certainly do not mind, though I have a feeling you won't be spreading this information very far," Snape said sourly. "To answer your original question, the potion I brew for him is Wolfsbane. It allows for him to retain his sanity while he is transformed, rendering him harmless."

Daphne nodded slowly. "And it's only that potion that allowed Dumbledore to hire him in the first place, or it would be too dangerous for him to be here, isn't it?" she asked.

Looking even more annoyed now, Snape nodded.

"How long has he been a werewolf? I assume you knew before he came to work here, or were you just against his appointment because you knew he used to be Black's friend?" Daphne asked.

"He was a werewolf even during my school days," Snape said. "Black thought it would be funny if he told me where Lupin went every month. Potter found out and tried to stop me. Apparently letting me get murdered was a bit too much even for him."

"Harry said Dumbledore told him his father saved your life once and that you never forgave him for it," Daphne said.

Snape scoffed. "'Saved my life' indeed, from a prank perpetrated by his best friend. There was nothing altruistic in what he did that day, and I see no reason whatsoever to be grateful for it," he spat.

"And there's no need to be," Daphne said. "Sir, you know I hate bullies. I also hate traitors. But Lupin is–"

"Do you think he was against them doing what they did?" Snape interrupted. "Do you think that, even as a Prefect, he tried to put a stop to what Potter and Black got up to? Inaction is just as bad, if you have the power to step in."

"Then why do you continue to bully everyone not in your House yourself, sir?" Daphne asked. "Even if you have a reputation to uphold, don't you think it's a bit excessive?"

She looked him straight in the eyes, anger now flowing through her. "I may not have the power to step in, sir, but I do it anyway. In a strange way, you seem to respect me doing these things, but then why do you never act like you do? If you know how painful it is to be bullied and belittled, why do you do it?

"Why do you think Harry came to apologize to you for what his father did? He outright told Ron that he wouldn't even wish that sort of thing on you, and, sir, he does not like you. Worse, sir, you were friends with his mother. You most likely know the person who bullied Harry all his life.

"But even putting Harry aside, you pick on all the Gryffindors. Hermione and Neville come to mind first, but they're just the people I know best. I doubt you're all that much friendlier to the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws.

"Sir, I know that you are not truly a bad person, and I know you have to stay in Malfoy's good graces for some unfathomable reason, yet a lot of the things you do are vindictive for their own sake. You were bullied, yes, but I don't believe for a second you didn't give as good as you got. I know you don't believe in justice the same way I do. I'm not even telling you to be fair and impartial.

"But what you're doing now is bearing a grudge against a man who has done far less harm than you have over the years, and in a completely hypocritical way, and I don't care whether you're a teacher or Voldemort himself, I will not stand for it."

"I was under the impression you came here to talk about Lupin, Miss Greengrass, not grill me on morality," Snape said.

Something in his expression was different from before. It was almost like he was recalling something from long ago.

Now that Daphne had said what she wanted to say, her anger was gone. "I did. But I don't believe that trying to out Lupin is the right thing to do. If he uses the Wolfsbane potion, what's the harm in him being a werewolf? And if I have figured it out, you can bet Hermione has, too. We finally have a competent teacher for Defense Against the Dark Arts. I'd like to keep him at least until the end of the year."

After leaving Snape's office, Daphne headed over to Lupin's. She wanted to get confirmation on what she'd learned, and hopefully she would be able to dissuade her friends from doing anything stupid.

Werewolves weren't just ostracized from society; they were actively loathed and often even hunted. And in many cases, that behavior was even justifiable. A werewolf named Fenrir Greyback had apparently been on Voldemort's side during the war. He had sought to create a werewolf army to overthrow other witches and wizards.

But Lupin clearly wasn't like that. He deliberately secluded himself from people during his transformations, and if what Snape had just said was true, he'd been doing that even in his teenage years. If it came out what he was, his career wouldn't just be destroyed; his entire life would be. For someone already feeling guilty for the death of his friends for twelve years, that would just be too cruel.

Daphne knew Lupin would likely still be weak, given he had transformed the night before, but there wasn't any time. She knocked forcefully on Lupin's door and was prepared to stand there all morning if she had to — but Lupin opened it fairly quickly. He looked terrible, with thick bags under his eyes and robes that were shabbier and more disheveled than normal.

"I'm sorry to bother you now, of all times, sir, but I have to talk to you," she said.

"Come in, then," Lupin said, sounding hoarser than normal.

"Sir, I know what you are," Daphne said without preamble.

Lupin nodded slowly. "I see. It was only a matter of time before someone found out, I suppose. Did Professor Snape's essay clue you in? Or was it my boggart?"

"All of them, but sir, I don't care that you're a werewolf. But if I have figured this out, then I know Hermione has too, and probably a while ago, at that. I doubt she would use it against you if she doesn't see a reason to, but I want to prevent it from ever happening. You were friends with Sirius Black once. Do you know how he could have gotten into the school?"

"There is…a way," Lupin said hesitantly.

"Does Dumbledore know about it?"

"No, he doesn't," Lupin said.

He closed his eyes, seemingly waiting for Daphne's outburst of anger.

"You're…still keeping secrets for him? Because you were friends all those years ago?" Daphne asked.

"Part of me still doesn't want to believe what he has become. Another part of me…is ashamed. Because if I told Dumbledore the truth, I would have to tell him more than I'm willing to say," Lupin said.

Daphne considered that for a moment. She knew that she would do the same for any of her friends. Even if they suddenly turned on her, she couldn't imagine betraying them. She probably wouldn't want to believe it, either.

"Does it endanger Harry?" Daphne asked.

Lupin gave her a helpless look. "I don't know," he said. "We knew, even before Lily and James died, that someone was giving Voldemort information. I suspected Sirius. He suspected me. Sirius was made Secret-Keeper. Lily and James died. That should be a pretty strong indictment, but…I knew Sirius. Even when I suspected him, I never thought…"

Daphne nodded slowly. Again, she could imagine how Lupin felt. What should she do? Force Lupin to tell Dumbledore everything he knew? With the threat of outing him as a werewolf, she could probably make him comply.

"I don't want to force you to betray your friend," Daphne said eventually. "But if anything happens to Harry because of it, I will kill you myself."

Lupin looked at her grimly. "If anything happens to Harry because of me, death would be a mercy I don't deserve."

"Well? What's so important?" Hermione said angrily after Daphne had dragged her, Harry, and Ron to an abandoned hallway.

It turned out she'd handed Harry's Firebolt over to McGonagall, believing it had been sent by Sirius Black and that it might carry some sinister curse, and now she and the boys were on less than great terms.

Daphne could work to fix that later, though. She had to tell them all about Lupin, and their friendship issues could wait until after she was certain none of them intended to blow Lupin's cover. She recalled Lupin's pained expression when he had talked about his guilt. She felt he understood her, and therefore she had to try and help him.

"You have to promise to let me finish talking, alright?" she asked. She didn't think her friends would be able to keep the promise entirely, but still.

Harry and Ron nodded. Hermione, a bit unwillingly, did the same after a moment.

"Lupin is a werewolf," Daphne said.

Harry and Ron gasped, but by Hermione's spectacular lack of a reaction Daphne inferred that she'd already known. They remained quiet, however, so Daphne quickly continued talking.

"However! He isn't dangerous. The potion you saw him drink is Wolfsbane. It allows him to stay sane when he transforms. Snape hates him, but says he would never be such a coward as to poison him. He's also not helping Black, as Snape hinted to Dumbledore that night the Fat Lady was attacked. He says their friendship died when your parents did, Harry, and I believe him."

It didn't feel good to hide the fact that Lupin still knew something about Black he'd never shared even with Dumbledore, but she had chosen her path. If it turned out she chose wrong…

"But…a werewolf, Daphne," Ron said. "Can you really trust–"

"Why not? I know what people say about werewolves, Ron. I'm a pureblood. Purebloods say disparaging things about everyone. You don't believe Muggleborns are less than purebloods, do you?"

"No, but–"

"Then why would a werewolf be? Because people like Fenrir Greyback exist? Lupin is voluntarily locking himself up, and he has the potion."

Daphne looked at Harry. "And he's been doing that since his school days. That whole 'your father saved Snape's life' thing? It was because Black had told Snape where to find Lupin when he went to transform, and your father didn't want Snape to run into a transformed werewolf and get killed."

She sighed. "Anyway, I thought you should all be aware of it. Werewolves don't have a good reputation. If this came out, people would start to fear for their lives, and start accusing Lupin of helping Black."

"How do you know he isn't? Someone has to be, right?" Hermione asked.

"Lupin thinks Black is acting alone. He's clearly capable of sneaking past Dementors somehow, since he escaped from Azkaban, so it's not impossible.

"In any case…what do you intend to do with the information you just heard?" Daphne asked. "I mean, if you wanted to tell McGonagall or Dumbledore — who are, of course, aware that Lupin is a werewolf — I couldn't stop you. But I really don't think you should."

She waited nervously for what the others would say, hoping furiously that she'd presented her case well enough.

"I…don't know," Hermione said. She looked at Daphne earnestly. "I don't want to turn him in. I don't think he means us any harm, and he's certainly the best Defense teacher we've ever had. But…No. I won't turn him in. You're right, Dumbledore knows about it, and the other teachers probably do, too. That's good enough for me, then."

Daphne decided not to mention that Dumbledore had also been the one to hire Lockhart.

Ron shook his head. "I haven't heard any good stories about werewolves," he said. Then he smiled. "But there was a time I hadn't heard any good stories about Slytherins, either, and we all know I was wrong there. I won't turn Lupin in."

"I'm not going to turn him in, obviously," Harry said. "He's done nothing but help me, and the way you talked about him, he's the real deal, or else he is a master actor. Besides," he added with a grin. "I trust you, Daphne. If you trust Lupin, I will, too."

Daphne smiled, but in the back of her mind she realized that Lupin had once trusted Black, too. She hoped Harry's trust in her — or that of Hermione and Ron — would never turn out to be misplaced.

Term started up again with Daphne's friends still not very happy with each other.

It would take some time to fix that problem, since the Scabbers-Crookshanks situation was still ongoing in addition to the Firebolt one. Hermione, stressed to the limit by her insane and physically-impossible-even-for-a-witch workload was also not particularly reasonable at the moment.

She wouldn't hear a single bad word about Crookshanks, but the simple fact was that Crookshanks was a cat. He was a predator, and rodents like Scabbers were part of his diet. Hermione's insistence to even take him with her into Harry and Ron's dorm was unbelievably selfish of her, but there was no way she'd listen to that now.

So, rather than trying to fix that particular argument, Daphne decided to focus on a different project first. The Slytherin versus Ravenclaw Quidditch match was coming up. She would be going to watch it…and she was taking Harry and Ginny along.

Both Harry and Ginny were, of course, quite aware of what she was trying to do, but since both of them loved Quidditch, they agreed to come and watch.

But Daphne had a reason to bring them specifically to this game: Ravenclaw had a chance to beat Slytherin. If the Ravenclaws pulled ahead, the Slytherins would most likely turn to fouling to regain the advantage. And both Harry and Ginny hated behavior like that with a vengeance.

It was a cold and windy day when the game was played, but Harry hadn't even put on gloves. Daphne could see that he was wearing the bracelet again, and she wondered if he ever even took it off anymore. The hot feeling in her face when she noticed it was probably because the wind was so icy cold it turned hot again.

The game began, and Daphne kept glancing to her side. Harry was sitting next to her, and Ginny was next to him. Good, the pieces were all set. Now all she needed was…

"What was that?! How was that not a foul?!"

Daphne grinned. The game hadn't even been going that long, but Ravenclaw had taken an early lead, and Slytherin didn't like it. Ravenclaw scored a couple more times, and Slytherin's play was getting dirtier, though they didn't seem quite as eager for a brawl as they were against the Gryffindors.

It was slightly shocking to Daphne how the Slytherin team had far superior brooms to the Ravenclaws, yet were only barely able to get ahead. She was sure that if the Gryffindor team had been on those brooms, they would have flattened anyone they faced in minutes.

"What is Malfoy even doing?" Ginny said. "He's just flying in circles. Look at him, he has no clue where to look."

"I know. Look at Chang, the Ravenclaw Seeker. She's keeping a much better position to react to anything," Harry said.

"Those brooms are just wasted on the Slytherins," Ginny said with a shake of her head.

Daphne's grin got wider. It wasn't quite a conversation yet, but Harry and Ginny were sharing observations on the game now. They just needed a little bit more.

Fortunately, Slytherin provided. Realizing they were in trouble, they began fouling more often.

Ginny, as expected, began swearing and shouting at them.

"That throw was just abysmal," Harry said after an attack by one of the Slytherin Chasers had gone completely off-target.

"I know, right? I could've made that shot with my eyes closed," Ginny said.

Finally! It was starting. A direct response, and not even a single blush or stutter.

Daphne now fully took her eyes off the game and just observed Harry and Ginny. They were basically having a conversation now, though both had their eyes on the players. Still, it was good enough.

"Look!" Harry said. "I see the Snitch. Behind the ring, there, that glint in the sun."

Ginny looked where Harry pointed.

Daphne tried to see it as well, but for the life of her couldn't see what he meant. Maybe she needed glasses, too.

Ginny, though, seemed to get it.

"Oh, right! I think Malfoy has spotted it now."

She groaned. "Ah, Chang can't possibly get there in time. Slytherin's going to take this one."

She was right. Although the score was close, Slytherin did win the game. Amusingly, Malfoy got no more for his efforts than a pat on the shoulder by Flint, which nearly knocked him off his broom.

"Ravenclaw deserved more out of that one, I think," Harry said.

"Yeah, their play was much more coherent," Ginny agreed. "Still, Slytherin made at least a few good shots…"

"Don't let Ron catch you saying that," Harry warned her.

Ginny shrugged. "I don't like it either, but with brooms like those, I suppose you can win even without much talent…"

Daphne walked a short distance behind Harry and Ginny, who were still carrying on the conversation about the game when they walked back into the entrance hall. At long last, Daphne had succeeded in her mission to get Harry and Ginny talking for real. Then why did it make her feel like punching a wall?