AUTHOR'S NOTE! Heavily edited chapter with extra content added! Please re-read for continuity!
Enjoy!
It was only the first week of classes being back in session, and Eliza already wanted to tear her hair out.
She couldn't lie and say having only one class was as terrible as having two, but when that one was Potions, most would disagree. It was common to despise Snape, and most did with a fiery passion. Even those in his own house whispered about his obtuse nose and greasy hair.
But down in the dungeons, only seven students were in his Advanced Potions Class, mostly Slytherin, minus one Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. And even worse, out of all the tables that remained, Silas took a seat right next to Eliza, smiling sweetly.
"Isn't this great?" She said, pale teeth shining in the dim classroom light. "I was worried I'd be all alone this year."
"You must know some of the other people here. They're from your house."
"Do you know every single Hufflepuff? I thought not." Silas huffed. "And besides, this'll be our last year together. I can't believe I'm saying it but, I think I'll miss you."
Eliza snorted, "You'll miss us bickering and Snape yelling at us?"
"Won't you?" She smirked. Silas proceeded to take out her quills and ink, as well as the required book for the year. It was the same Advanced Potions book as last. I gave mine back, she remembered, it belonged to the half-blood prince.
"I don't think I've asked what you want to do after graduation," Silas said offhandedly, waving to a Slytherin a few tables over.
"I haven't planned anything yet. What about you?" Eliza asked. "Following after your Father in the Ministry, maybe?"
Silas went still, eyes forward and mouth pursed. "No," she said darkly, "He's said I'm to find my own path. He's not interested in giving hand outs."
"Oh." Eliza gave her enemy a sincere smile. "Maybe you don't need him. If you're smart enough to get into Advanced Potions, you could do anything you put your mind to."
Silas chuckled shallowly, "You don't believe that."
"Don't sell yourself short," Eliza nudged her.
The classroom door opened and Snape strode in, head held high with his eyes straight forward. He reached the front of the room, standing before the measly group of seven students.
"Welcome," he began, "To your final year at Hogwarts where you will be learning Advanced Potions. All of you received near perfect marks in your sixth year, and are therefore qualified to learn in your seventh. Our textbook will be the same as last. If you have misplaced your book, find another on the left of the classroom."
A beat passed before five out of the seven students rose to grab a book, but Eliza halted when Snape stepped in her way, holding out a book. "I believe this one belongs to you," he said.
She gulped, "I believe I can get my own, Professor."
"And I believe," Snape leaned down, "that this is yours. Take it."
In his pale grip, the grey Advanced Potions book waited to be taken, and when she did, an uptick formed on the left side of Snape's mouth. It was irksome that he took joy out of her discomfort, and when she flicked the page open, there was no sign of the sprawl that belonged to a younger Snape. In fact, aside from a small tear at the bottom of the page, it looked entirely new.
"Thank you," she mumbled, to which he said, "Return to your seat, Ms. Jones."
Eliza plopped back down next to Silas, ignoring the curious gaze from the other witch. The book felt warm in her hands as she flipped to page seventy-two, listening as Snape instructed them on brewing their next potion. Wolfsbane was bolded at the top of the page.
Wolfsbane is to be drunk in seven consecutive nights following that of the full moon. Failure to do so will result in a full transformation, one that is said to be painful. Effects of Wolfbane are fatigue, aching limbs, nausea and headaches. To brew this intricate potion, Aconite is required, but is highly prized and limited. Failure to brew correctly will result in death.
That night at the Shrieking Shack, Sirius had asked whether Remus had taken his potion, and this is what he must have meant. According to the steps, it seemed difficult to brew, and Aconite, a dangerous plant, was near impossible to procure. That left the question of who was making it for Remus.
"As requested by the Headmaster, we're to receive a limited supply of Aconite. But be warned, it is not something to be used lightly. The fumes of the flower are known to close the throat and stop the heart."
She gulped as Snape continued, "Aside from Wolfsbane, you shall all learn to brew Veritaserum."
"Professor," Silas called out, "Isn't that banned by the Ministry?"
"Perhaps, Ms. Graves, but I've intended to teach it, and you shall learn. It requires twenty eight days to fully brew, and is not to be given to anyone outside of this classroom."
Veritaserum, otherwise labeled a 'truth' serum, forces the drinker to reveal the darkest secrets. Three drops is more than enough. The potion is odorless and colorless, mixable with any other drink or liquid. The only known resistance to Veritaserum is Occlumency, the ability to close one's mind.
"The strength of Veritaserum knows no bounds, and any student found smuggling it to their friend's will be expelled from this school. Do I make myself clear?"
Every student nodded, watching Snape wave his wand. Behind him, a piece of chalk began to float and write across the board.
"For your first assignment, you will venture to Madame Pince in the library. She will direct you to the section on Wolfsbane and its uses. You will write an essay on the effects of false Wolfsbane and its effects. This will be due two classes from now."
"How long should it be?"
"As long as necessary," Snape quipped. "Class dismissed."
Students began to pack their things, Silas muttering, "Well, that was quicker than I expected. I suppose this'll be easier than I thought."
"Yes," Eliza hummed, standing with her things in hand. "I'll see you Friday."
"You too," said the Slytherin seventh year student, but not before saying, "I think Snape is teaching some other class besides Potions. Have you heard about it?"
She shook her head; "I didn't think he wanted to teach anything else as it is."
As Eliza walked out of the dungeons and up to the warmer light of the afternoon sky, she thought of many things. Remus and his curse, the werewolf that lingered under his flesh, showing itself under the full moon. Maybe one day, she would be the one to brew his potion and calm his pained soul while the wolf hungered for freedom.
Someday, she hoped, he wouldn't have to hide.
By Friday, after another Potions class, Eliza and her friends were free to leave and enjoy Hogsmeade. It was a beautiful day out, the sun shining with only a few clouds lingering overhead. I have a date, she smiled into the mirror, I've never been on a date before.
"So," Jean started, fingering her friend's ravenous and frizzy curls, trying to find a way to make them sit still but failing. "What are you two going to be doing? I hope you've made a plan in advance."
"We haven't seen each other in months, so there should be more than enough to talk about, right?" She found her friend's eyes in the mirror.
"I know if it were me, I'd have a little list up my skirt of things to talk about. But then again, I've never been on a date with my former werewolf Professor."
Eliza shushed her, "You don't know who could be listening!"
They still hadn't told the other half of their four-person group what had been conspiring since their sixth year. Lying to their friends did feel wrong, but if either of them took it the wrong way, Remus could fall into trouble, or worse, be sent to Azkaban. Being a werewolf meant he was constantly on the fence, and if it got out that he was seeing a former student, his life would be over.
But that didn't mean Eliza didn't want to tell Daisy, because she did.
"We can't keep it from her forever," Jean sighed.
"I didn't say we had to." Eliza let her shoulders slump. "I just want to wait for the right time."
"And when is that? When we've graduated and gone our ways and you don't have to think about lying to one of your best friends anymore?"
Eliza rolled her eyes and fingered the ends of her hair. "Don't act like you're not lying to them as well. You're an accomplice in all of this."
Jean muttered "not by choice" and began to style her friend's hair, trying not to pull too hard, watching for discomfort in her mirror' reflection.
Eliza found her friend's eyes in the mirror; "We haven't seen each other in months, so really, there should be plenty to talk about…right?"
"I know I'd never go on a date without a back up plan."
"You haven't been on a date in years."
"… But the last one I went on was amazing."
Eliza scrunched her nose, "I thought Edmund tried to stick his hand up your dress—ow!" she rubbed her tender scalp, "Not so harsh, please."
Jean petted her friend's delicate scalp and grinned, "It's not my fault he was a horn dog and tried to feel me up within ten minutes of our date and now has to wear tiny glasses because I clubbed him so hard."
"Well, I 'd rather not club Remus on our first date." Eliza chuckled.
Jean huffed a laugh, "This is your first date, isn't," and she could taste the judgment in her friend's tone, but decided not to push. .
The outfit they'd decided on was hidden under her Hogwarts Robes; a frilly tight cut shirt that dug into her cleavage but squeezed her stomach a little too much for comfort. The pants were the tightest ones she owned—"just wait till wolf man gets a load of that"—and while it wasn't the smartest decision in such cold weather, it was better than the pastel skirt Jean had tried to force on her.
Sadly, her feet donned the regular school shoes.
It was the hair that was the most important; normally the strands would tightly spiral into curls if she didn't care to brush her hair after showering, but Jean had demanded that they actually try and style it.
Jean's hands were magic in finding an off center part and carefully fluffing the curls; they'd contemplated putting bows or clips, but decided to leave it as is.
"Do you think he'll like it?" Eliza asked, biting her lip in the mirrored reflection, thumbs twiddling in her lap.
"Who cares if he likes it?" Jean snorted, "I think you look lovely."
"Are you meeting somebody?" the voice of Daisy rang through the room, her shoulder leisurely resting against the doorjamb of the Hufflepuff bathroom. "I thought we'd all hang out like we usually do. Desmond was really looking forward to it."
The two friends made sheepish faces in the mirror, turning to full face Daisy. She similarly donned a winter coat with school shoes, but her pants were for comfort and not the seduction of a certain werewolf.
"I'm—"
"She's—"
They both paused, turning to glare at each other.
"She's meeting with Snape."
Daisy raised a confused brow, crossing her arms over her chest, "You're getting dressed up to meet Snape?"
Jean nodded as Daisy pointed out, "But he never goes to Hogsmeade. He'd prefer to sit in his dungeon grading papers."
Eliza and Jean nervously chuckled, and Eliza was the one to stand up and stride to her friend's side, patting her coated shoulder, "I promise, it's nothing bad. I'll go down to Hogsmeade a little early and try to see you guys before we have to go back."
Daisy let her crossed arms fall, biting the inside of her cheek, "Alright, I guess." She turned on her heel to leave, "I heard something about some new schools coming to visit tonight, so let's meet up, yeah?"
"Sure thing." Daisy slunk away with a frown, and the two girls' waited for the retreating footsteps to die off.
"We're going to have to tell her soon." Eliza sighed, "I feel horrid."
"Believe me, I don't either. And I'm not trying to defend your actions but..." Jean trailed off.
"We both know she wouldn't like it. I'm convinced she'd run to Dumbledore as soon as the words 'I'm dating last year's Professor who I also sort of made out with when he was still working here' left your mouth."
"Don't you think she'd understand?"
"Understand what?" Jean said. "That you and Lupin, who is a werewolf, have some strange bond that I barely can begin to understand but am blissfully allowing you to go about as if it's normal."
Eliza flinched, "We aren't that weird."
"Yes, yes you both are." Jean snorted. "I'll even forgive him for turning and scaring the living daylights out of a couple of third years." Jean squeezed her friend's shoulder in comfort. "But you and I both know that what you and Lupin have was something that barely had a chance to grow."
"But—"
"I'm not even going to try to convince you to leave him because I'm your friend and it'd be useless, but… maybe you should try and get to know him before moving forward. You two met during a school year that would've seen him kicked out if anyone saw a hint of anything for you in his eyes."
Eliza wished her friend's words weren't true, and dejectedly crossed her arms over her coated chest.
"I only want you to be happy, Eliza." Jean said, "You do know that, right?"
The clothes on her back started to feel heavier, the school shoes tighter, and hair less pretty. The worry that he wouldn't like her had lingered in her brain all summer, but there was no escaping it now. And Jean was right, they barely knew each other, and yet this was love that she felt for him.
But did he love her just the same?
"Let's go," Eliza nodded to the doorway, "I'd rather not be questioned by any one else on the way down."
In the morning, Hogsmeade lacked the bustling Hogwarts students. The sky was dark and cold as overbearing clouds blocked out the sun's warming rays. The sun wouldn't be seen for a couple of months, not until the winter chill would flee towards the beginning of spring.
The Three Broomsticks was still closed and Honeydukes had just flipped the sign to 'Open'. A few stragglers lingered in the dark corners with snow-covered shoulders, probably trying to hide from the cold. The once cobblestone ground was completely covered in white, and the two girls grimaced as it stuck to the bottoms of their shoes.
"Do you know when you'll be back?"
Eliza shook her head, curls flicking in the wind "No idea. I'll mention to him what Daisy said about tonight and try to meet you three here before you head back."
There was a light smattering of snow falling from the clouds, and Jean ushered Eliza under a closed off alleyway, wanting to protect her lovely hair.
"Did Lupin say where he'd meet you?"
"No."
"Did he say when?"
"No."
"Did he—"
"Jean," Eliza stopped her. "He asked if I'd spend today with him and I wrote back I would. It takes time when we're only writing letters back and forth. We're doing the best we can."
"I think I can take it from here, ladies," came from the alleyway a few feet away, and both girls turned to see the hooded figure with his face just peeking out. His auburn hair was styled back and there was a neat beard coating his chin. A long coat covered his form from shoulder to thigh, leaving only his brown slacks and shiny black shoes exposed to the cold.
Eliza flung herself into his arms, smiling when he pulled her close. Her heart thrummed when his arms slipped around her waist, nose pressing against the crown of her head.
"I've missed you dearly, Elizabeth." He mumbled into her hair, audibly taking deep breaths.
The pair held their embrace for a handful of minutes, making up for the time they'd spent apart. Eliza wished she'd never have to leave his arms, feeling safer than she'd felt in a long time. And Remus—as well as Moony—was over the moon.
The longing for their mate had become nearly unbearable, and neither wanted this moment to ever end.
"Well," Jean loudly yawned from a few feet away, "I guess I'll be heading off then."
Remus pulled back first and threw Jean a smile, "I'll bring her back in one piece. I promise."
"I'll hold you to that, wolf-man."
"Jean!"
"Alright, I'm going." She turned and strolled out into the snowy air of Hogsmeade, wondering if a stop at Honeydukes before heading back was a bad idea.
"So," Eliza tried to keep her excitement contained, "What do you have planned for us?"
"I'm hoping you won't mind if I take us somewhere else for the day." His arm had slid around her back and tugged her closer; "I'd like to show you Grimmauld Place, if that's alright."
Her brow furrowed, "Where's that?"
One of his hands slipped into the pocket of his lengthy coat, revealing his wand with a mischievous grin.
"London."
The process of apparating from place to place always caused the feeling of nausea, and Eliza held her stomach as she landed on a chilly London street. The air was chillier than back at Hogsmeade, and there were more people out and about. While there was a lack of rain, the air felt wet and cool.
Remus kept his hand on Eliza's hips, righting her dizzy form; his warm hand pressed against the small of her back.
"Are you alright?" he whispered. "It gets easier after a while, so this won't happen every time."
She choked out, "I'm alright," standing tall and finally seeing clearly.
It really was London; it wasn't a necessarily familiar street, but the style of buildings—and the ungodly gloomy weather—was enough of a clue that it was London.
They stood side by side on a cement pathway, facing a row of tall apartment buildings. A tall black fence lined the sidewalk, and she bit her lip and turned to Remus. "Is this Grimmauld Place?"
"Not quite." He muttered.
Her eyes marveled at what happened next; the buildings seemed to split apart in the middle, every brick moving in a precise fashion that exposed a hidden building within. It shouldn't have shocked her to see such a display of magic, but it did.
"This," he waved his arm to the new building revealed, "Is Grimmauld Place."
His rough hand slid into her own, "Welcome to 12 Grimmauld Place, it's been in the Black family for generations."
She turned back to look at the people who continued down the street as if anything was amiss. "I'm assuming Muggles can't see it."
"This house is protected under the Fidelius Charm, meaning no one can see it unless told by a Secret Keeper. Seeing as I've revealed it to you, you'll be able to access this place through any means."
"What's a Fidelius Charm?" She'd never heard of anything like it.
Remus retrieved a key from his pocket, "A very old and powerful spell that makes a place untraceable."
The lock clicked and he pushed the door open, Eliza marveling at the inside, "What's here that needs to be hidden?"
"Elizabeth!"
A ravenous, wild haired Sirius Black stood at the top of the set of stairs, no longer donning the horrible Azkaban wear and instead suited in black slacks and a soft looking robe. His chest looked more full of life—ribs less poking through and tattoos less gnarly—and the smile on his face was full of such life.
Sirius flew down the stairs in record speed and enveloped Eliza in a massive hug, swinging her around the room while Remus chuckled, taking off his coat.
"Finally," Sirius moaned as he set her back on the floor, "I was starting to lose my mind. It'd drive one mad to be stuck here with a bird upstairs and Mr. Grumpy over here."
"Buckbeak is here?" she smiled at Sirius, nose scrunching in delight, "And it's so good to see you, Sirius. I've begun to worry about you."
His wide smile faltered, "Didn't you get my letter?"
Her mind raced, trying to remember ever reading a letter from Sirius, but nothing came to mind. "I don't think so—"
"Sirius," Remus cut in, lightly tugging Eliza closer, "If you'd please, I'd like to treat her to what was promised."
Sirius looked like he wanted to question her more, but lightly backed off with his hands up in a retreat, "Don't let me keep you two lovebirds."
He made his way back up the stairs; "I'll just be with Buckbeak… all alone… in the dark… by myself."
She giggled as Remus tugged her away from the dramatic Sirius, following behind his lanky form into a modest kitchen. A long table dominated the room, as well as a stove that looked as old as the rest of the building. The most up to date appliance was the fridge, but even it looked a bit dirty. Chairs lined the table, and she started to pull one out to take a seat.
"Actually," Remus interrupted her sit, "I think the parlor would suit this better. If you would?"
She stood tall and gulped, eyes watching as he held his hand out to her.
She noted his nails were trimmed down—much unlike Sirius's longer ones—and that a few new scars donned his wrist. There was a longing to peck those scars with soft kisses.
Her hand slid into his with ease and he led her to the parlor with slow steps.
She marveled at the room; "Oh Remus, it's beautiful."
The entire room looked as though it had been thoroughly cleaned and dusted; the grand piano in the corner called to her, and the lovely shining loveseat rested before a low table that was covered in a greater spread than she'd ever seen. Bleu cheese, camembert, brie, delicate crackers—white and wheat, grapes, strawberries, and an array of thinly sliced cured meats, no doubt to sate the canine hunger in him.
There were two stunning pale teacups resting at the front of the table, along with a pot of cream and a bowl filled to the brim with sugar cubes. The pot of tea had steam rising, and the scent of lavender entered her nose. No one had ever done something this nice for her.
His hand slid from her grip and rested on her back, "I hope this is alright."
"Remus," she gushed, "This is—amazing. I wasn't expecting anything close to this and I…"
The hand on the small of her back skimmed around to hook her waist, pulling her into his chest. She stared up into his ocean eyes and felt lost. They were one of his most stunning traits, and her cheeks grew warm as he stared at her the same.
"You are beautiful, Elizabeth Jones," he whispered into the air, leaning down to seal their lips in a kiss.
The months of missing one another were poured into this kiss and the air around them grew warm with lust and desire. His hold on her grew tighter the longer their lips stayed connected, and her own hands grabbed handfuls of his button on, wanting him as close as possible. It was hot beneath her skin, and the fever started to rise as his lips trailed from her mouth to the crease of her neck, his hungry lips sucking on mouthfuls of her flesh.
A hearty growl echoed in his chest before his lips were pulling back, eyes now dark and wide. There was a hunger in those eyes, one that had her thighs clenching and heart racing, whispering his name like a sin.
Remus pulled away from her first, the distance between them clearing both of their heads. He righted his now wrinkled shirt while she rightfully adjusted the collar of her blouse.
He cleared his throat, "Would you like some tea?"
The words registered in her head a moment later, "Yes, yes please." She muttered, shyly scurrying to sit perched in with her knees inches from the table. Her eyes followed his long fingers; gulping as they poured her tea to the same style as the first time they'd had tea together in the beginning of last year. It warmed her heart that he remembered.
"I've missed you, truly." Remus said, sitting on the couch and patting the empty space. "It was easier when the both of us were in Hogwarts together and I know where you were, but now," he sighed deeply, "I find myself thinking of you the longer you're away."
"I missed you too." Her hand slithered over to rest on his warm thigh, thumb rubbing the fabric. "I think the letters helped, but it's nice to be here. To see you."
The urge to kiss him almost jolted her into his lap.
"How is Hogwarts, if you don't mind me asking?" He did indeed tug her closer and breathe in the crown of her head.
And she snuggled closer to his side, "I suppose it's alright. Being in my last year is easier than I thought it'd be. I actually ended up speaking to Dumbledore about changing one of my classes, and now I only have Potions twice a week."
"Potions?" Remus looked surprised. "Are you quite good at them? I've never known Severus to be simple in his teaching."
"He isn't," she chuckled. "But I can handle it. It's the same book as last year, and there are only a handful of people with me. I would've been in Herbology, but now its just Potions."
Remus leaned forward to sip his tea, fingers tapping on Eliza's knee. "I just hope Snape is kind to you. If you ever need anything, I'm here for you."
Eliza smiled at him, "I know you are. And Snape mentioned that we'd be learning to brew Wolfsbane, and I read a little bit about it. I was wondering who made yours?"
Remus took another sip of tea, "How sure are you I drink Wolfsbane? Some of my kind compare it to drinking poison for a week straight."
"I remember Sirius asking you if you'd taken your potion that night when you turned."
"Ah," Remus nodded. "Well, you are right. And I have Severus to thank for my monthly doses of Wolfsbane. We may not see eye to eye, but I am grateful for him."
She didn't ask what had transpired between the werewolf and Potion's master, not wanting to bring up old memories that were better left unsaid. Instead she asked what he'd been doing in his free time.
Remus perked up and smiled. "I think you'll be happy to know that Sirius convinced me to apply at the Ministry. I'm still good friends with Kingsley, and we have a mutual friend, Nymphadora."
"She's a metamorphmagus that went to school with Sirius and myself. I've mailed her to see if they have any positions open." He explained.
She beamed, "That sounds wonderful, Remus! I just know you'll make the Ministry a better place."
He gave a half shrug, "I can only hope so."
A hungry grumble sounded from Eliza's stomach, and her cheeks grew hot, glad there was no visible blush. Remus's brows shot up, hand sliding to her back and gesturing to the full table. "Please, help yourself."
They both nibbled on the salami and Brie, a few plump grapes here and there, and Remus was the one to break the silence this time.
"Tell me, Elizabeth," Remus began, nervously picking at the seam in his pants. "How much do you know about werewolves?"