I don't own Hellsing or Harry Potter, and I'm not making any money from this.

The days went by in a blur. Sirius Black's capture and subsequent escape was all anyone could talk about. Everyone had a theory for how he'd managed it. Some thought he was a master of forbidden dark magic and had discovered a way to walk through walls, whilst others thought he had an unknown accomplice working with him. The small group of Gryffindors who knew the truth kept quiet about the whole affair. When the people around them plied them with questions, they kept to short, concise responses that contained as little information as possible.

Dumbledore must have had a talk with Harry because the boy was no longer trying to proclaim Sirius' innocence. Anyone who asked him about it after the trio's release from the hospital wing was met with a quiet "I don't remember." Most people understood the sentiment and didn't press further. Confounding charms sometimes had funny after effects when removed. If Black had indeed hexed him, he was lucky that he only lost a few memories.

That was the Hogwarts rumor mill's assumption anyway.

Of course, the dark specter of Sirius Black wasn't enough to distract from the other odd occurrences. It soon became apparent that a number of strange things had happened that night. Professor Lupin still hadn't returned to class even after three days had passed. The students had come to accept that he had some unknown illness that regularly 'flared up', but he'd never been out for so long before. He, at least, had an established excuse though. Mihnea's absence was more difficult to explain away. No one had seen or heard from him since the Potions' OWL – and it starting to seem like he was going to miss the rest of his exams as well. That was a big deal for someone who was known for being an excellent student.

Considering the timing and the boy's reputation, it wasn't surprising that people would talk. There were two competing theories flying about the castle. The first was that Black must have targeted his family as retaliation for Mihnea's interference when he broke into Gryffindor tower. He may have been pulled out of school so that they all could go into hiding until the dark wizard was caught. The other rumor was that Mihnea had found out about Black's capture that night and had decided to go after him himself when he escaped. The two must have fought again, and Mihnea may have been seriously injured or even killed. The staff was obviously keeping everything under wraps to prevent a panic from breaking out.

Constance found herself a little disturbed by the idea that people could come up with a story so dangerously close to the truth without having any idea of what they were talking about.

There were other odd tales and tidbits of information passing amongst the students as well. Things that indicated something much bigger was going on, but no one could quite make out how they true they were or where they fit in. Some claimed to hear the portraits whispering to each other about blood in the hallways. Others said they heard wild howls and screams coming from the Forbidden Forest the night of the escape. One of the younger Ravenclaw boys said that he'd seen a huge, dark shape flying close to the castle that night and swore it looked just like a dragon.

"Are you sure he wasn't just half asleep and saw a dementor?" Constance questioned when she heard Dean repeating the story over breakfast.

"Awfully big difference between a dementor and a dragon." Seamus challenged, not impressed. His face lit up as an idea struck him. "Hey, you figure that's how Black got out? Maybe he managed to tame one!"

Dean and a couple of other boys in their year looked intrigued. "Could be." One commented.

"Hey!" Another interjected excitedly. "That might be what happened to Bassarab too! Can you imagine what could have happened if he tangled with a dra…"

Ginny slammed her hands down on the table. "Shut it!" She snapped loudly, shooting a deadly look down the table at them. "What in Merlin's name is wrong with you? Connie's right here!"

The group of boys all froze, as if just realizing what they were doing, and turned toward Constance apologetically; some more bashful than others.

"Uh… sorry, Connie."

Constance grit her teeth and looked up at the ceiling, trying to remind herself that they were ignorant boys and didn't know any better. These stories kept getting wilder by the day and it was getting more and more difficult to ignore them. If they were about some random person or far away thing, it would be different. This, though, was personal and her frustration was amplified by the fact that she hadn't been completely filled in on what had happened.

She'd been told her friends' side of the tale, of course. Connie, Ginny, and the twins hadn't been allowed to visit the hospital ward the night of the escape, but they all had a pow-wow in the common room when the trio was released the next day. What she hadn't been informed of yet was her family's side – which was as necessary as it was irritating. She had been told (via a hastily written message delivered by house-elf) that Mihnea was fine, but it was for the best to not know more than that. It made sense, she thought, though that didn't mean she had to like it. Constance was never one to be comfortable not knowing all the ends and out of a sticky situation – particularly one that had such a profound effect on people she cared about. However, she wasn't stupid. Gossip and rumors were going to spread and with Connie left on her own for the first time, she was bound to be the target of countless questions from students brave (or foolish) enough to ask.

So, as annoying and frustrating as it was, the girl resigned herself to live in ignorance for the time being. After all, one couldn't be expected to answer any questions one didn't have the answers for, could they? Stretching the truth was so much easier when plausible deniability was introduced into the equation.

"They're very misunderstood creatures." A dreamy voice said, cutting through her thoughts.

Connie blinked and turned to see that Luna had walked up behind her. "What was that?" She asked.

"Dragons." The blonde girl clarified. "They can be very aggressive, but only when they have to be. I think they're far more afraid of us than we are of them." She took note of the odd looks she was getting. "I heard you talking about them. I didn't mean to interrupt."

Constance immediately shook her head and scooted over to make room for her. "You aren't interrupting anything, Luna." She told her with a smile. "Would you like to sit with us?"

"Oh! I've already had breakfast, but thank you." She replied. "I'm about to go to class, actually. I wanted to ask Professor Sprout a few questions before everyone gets there."

Ginny's head snapped toward her. "Are you sure that's a good idea, Luna?" She asked, a note of concern in her voice. "After what happened yesterday?"

Connie exchanged a look with Hermione and the boys. She hadn't heard about this and it appeared the three of them hadn't either.

"What happened yesterday?" Ron asked.

His sister frowned deeply. "A group of boys 'accidentally' bumped into us while we were walking to Charms." She began, making it clear from her expression and tone that she didn't think it had been an accident at all. "Luna's bag just happened to rip open at the same time. Her ink pot broke and ruined all of her things and a couple of them ran off with some of her books." She ground her teeth together angrily and she looked back at Luna. "I would have hexed them for it too, if you hadn't stopped me. They had no right!"

Luna herself appeared unbothered. "There's no point in you getting in trouble on my account." She said reassuringly. "I got my books back later and I made a new friend, so it all worked out in the end."

"What?" Ginny asked, surprised. "Wait, when did that happen?"

"I was doing homework in the library after supper last night." The girl told her. "Cassius found me and gave my books back to me. He said he heard about what happened and talked to them to make sure they wouldn't do it again. He even said if I had trouble out of anyone else, to come tell him and he'd take care of it for me. Wasn't that thoughtful?"

They all stared at her in confusion. "Uh… Cassius?" Harry asked. "Who's that?"

"Cassius Ogden." Luna replied simply. "He's one of the sixth year prefects for Slytherin house. He's right over there."

The others blinked and turned to look toward the Slytherin table, while Connie craned her neck to get a better view. The girl's outstretched finger was pointing toward a collection of older Slytherin students. One boy in particular happened to glance up and saw Luna's wave. He had a deep, swarthy complexion and thick, wavy black hair. He smiled and inclined his head in acknowledgement. His bronze colored eyes then swept over the rest of them. Though his expression never changed, Constance caught a look of consideration in his gaze. As if he was sizing each of them up in turn. Not necessarily in a threatening way, but it was still slightly jarring. She also noted that his eyes lingered on her a bit longer than the others. He tilted his head slightly to whisper something to the blonde girl sitting next to him, and she looked up at them as well.

"Um…" Ginny started as she turned back around. She looked unsure. "That's your new friend?"

"No, I didn't mean him, though he was very nice." Luna replied. "He introduced me to Carys. We have Herbology and Transfiguration together. It's a shame we've never talked much before. She has a lot of interesting ideas." She seemed to notice something in the distance and readjusted her bag. "I think she's waiting on me. I'll see you in Charms, Ginny."

They all watched her walk off to meet a pale, ginger haired girl in Slytherin robes who was waiting patiently by the doorway. She greeted Luna with a bright smile and the two talked animatedly with each other as they disappeared into the hallway.

"What's going on?" Ron questioned. He turned back around with a suspicious expression on his face. "Something's not right if the Slytherins are suddenly deciding to play nic…"

"Oh, I think you'll find we can be reasonable under the right circumstances."

The feminine voice came out of nowhere and the rest of the boy's words caught in the back of his throat. The blonde Ogden had been talking to at the Slytherin table had come over and was standing right behind Ron. Now that she was closer, Constance could see that it was one of the girls from her Potions class.

Harry twisted to look up at her with a frown. "Can we help you?"

She gave him a strained looking smile. "No, you've made your opinion quite clear. I'm not here for you anyway." She paused to look at Constance and her smile brightened and became friendlier. "Did Longbottom leave you behind this morning, Stryker?"

Connie studied her, unsure of what the point of this was. "Professor Apophyll has been letting him come in early to help him set up demonstrations." She replied.

"I see." The girl said easily. "Would you mind if I walked you to your class? It's the Astronomy OWL tonight, so I have a free study day. It will give us a chance to talk."

"Talk about what?" Hermione asked, unable to restrain herself any longer.

"Nothing that concerns you, Granger." The Slytherin girl said firmly, though her tone was oddly devoid of malice. She sounded more annoyed than anything else. Her eyes turned toward Constance expectantly. "Well, Stryker?"

She considered the situation for a moment, then squared her shoulders and moved to pick up her bag. She wasn't sure what her intentions were, but she had pricked her curiosity enough to make her willing to hear the girl out. Whispering a quiet 'it's fine' to her concerned looking friends, Connie rose from the table and walked over to the girl who was waiting for her. She smiled approvingly at her choice of action and the two of them walked toward the exit side by side.

The older girl cleared her throat once they were out in the hallway. "We've taken all of our Potions classes together, but I don't think we've ever been properly introduced." She began, sliding a hand over to her. "Verity."

Connie felt one of her brows go up at the lack of a last name. "Just Verity?" She prodded.

"If you don't mind."

Huh. She thought. Well, so long as she behaved herself, she supposed she shouldn't judge her preferences. She reached out to take her hand.

"Constance." She told her. "Or Connie, if you prefer."

"It's a pleasure."

When the girl released her hand, Connie took a moment to examine her. She noted the prefect pin shining on her lapel. "I didn't know you were a prefect."

Verity waved a hand in response. "Not many do." She told her. "Slytherin prefects operate a bit differently than the other houses. We choose to play to our strengths when exercising our duties. Some are better at breaking up fights and some are better at patrols… and some, like myself, prefer to keep a low profile and keep an eye on things from a distance."

"Ah. So you're a spy." Constance deadpanned.

Verity hummed. "I suppose that depends on your definition." She countered. "The word 'spy' makes it sound like we're enemies." She glanced at her sideways. "Do you believe we are enemies, Constance?"

She regarded her seriously. "I don't know you well enough to be able to say."

The older girl paused mid-step for the briefest of moments and her lips pulled into a wide, knowing smile. "Oh, you are clever." She praised, deftly sliding her right arm under Connie's left to lock elbows with her. "You and I are going to get along famously."

Well, that hadn't been the reaction Constance was expecting. It was apparently shocking for her fellow students to witness as well, given how nearly everyone they passed gave them a wide berth.

"Does this 'keeping watch from a distance' include you learning my class schedule?" Connie asked as they reached the first of several staircases they would have to climb. "That seems an awful lot like spying to me."

"I haven't been stalking you, if that's what you're implying." Verity replied. "I only know about Geomancy because of Blaise. He complains about you and Longbottom as often as he can." She gave her a meaningful look. "You most of all."

Connie frowned in confusion. Aside from the altercation they had in second year, she and Blaise had very little to do with each other. He usually acted like she didn't exist in class, so she couldn't fathom what he had to complain about.

"I don't understand." She said. "I haven't had any issues with Zabini recently."

"You kicked his balls up into his throat in front of the entire school last year, if I'm not mistaken." Verity reminded her.

"Yes, I did." Connie said, not ashamed in the least. "The bastard deserved it, too."

The blonde girl's eyes lit up with amusement. "I'm sure he did." She agreed, before her face dropped into a more serious expression. "Unfortunately, it doesn't matter how deserved it was. You publicly humiliated him. Blaise is just like his mother – proud, vain, and incredibly ruthless. Have you ever heard of Ms. Zabini?"

When Constance replied that she hadn't, Verity went on. "Ms. Zabini has a rather… interesting reputation. She's been married seven times already and is working on her eighth, if my mother's friends are to be believed. She has a taste for men with money you see, but none of her husbands last long. There's a year, maybe two, of wedded bliss before some tragic accident befalls them. And naturally, there's always been a will left behind leaving all of their assets to her." She paused to allow time for her words to sink in. "Blaise is an only child. Her pride and joy. I'd wager he's probably learned a great deal from her." She gave Connie's arm a light squeeze. "Under normal circumstances you'd never have to worry about him. He cares too much about his own skin to risk a fight he knows he wouldn't win. But things have… changed. With Mihnea gone, he's been acting more brazen. Be careful around him. He might be willing to try something now that his biggest obstacle is out of the way."

Constance found herself hoping that she was exaggerating, but she had a feeling that she wasn't. Verity looked quite serious, and there was no smirk or twinkle in her eyes to indicate that she was trying to scare her. Was she actually expecting Blaise to try to attack her or something?

She carefully cleared her throat. "I appreciate your concern, but I can handle myself." She said firmly. "I don't need anyone to fight my battles for me."

The approving smile came back in an instant. "No, I don't imagine you would." She agreed with a nod. "But it never hurts to have a friendly wand to guard your back, does it?" She patted her arm in an almost sisterly way. "Consider it a preventative measure. They'll be no reason to break up a fight if it can be avoided in the first place."

They finally arrived at the Geomancy classroom and rather than dropping her off at the door as she expected, Verity refused to let go of her arm until they reached her assigned seat. Neville noticeably paled at the girl's presence and looked back and forth between them in confusion.

"It's been delightful, Connie." Verity gushed openly, ignoring the boy's reaction to her. "We shall have to do this again sometime." Once Constance put down her bag, the girl clasped both of her hands in hers and leaned forward to press a kiss to her cheek. "Do tell your cousin that he is missed and that we hope he returns soon. In the meantime, if you have any trouble…" Her eyes drifted over her shoulder to settle on someone sitting toward the back of the room. "…Any trouble at all, do let me know."

Connie recognized what she was doing. She was making herself obvious on purpose – putting on a show for the others in the room. The more people who saw, the more who would go on to spread it around the school. She still wasn't sure what the girl's motivations were… but as long as they weren't a hindrance, Constance would accept the peace offering.

"I'll do that." She replied, putting on a smile of her own. "Thank you, Verity."

"Oh, it's no trouble at all." The blonde replied with a shrug. "We true Slytherins protect our own." She released her hands and stepped back, shooting a look toward the back of the room again. Her smile remained, but her eyes became hard. "Zabini."

Constance didn't have to look behind her to know the boy was upset. She could practically feel the heat of his glare boring into the back of her head.

"Selwyn." Blaise replied. It sounded like it was hissed through gritted teeth.

Verity inclined her head to him, fixing him with a look that warned he was being watched, then gracefully turned and exited the classroom. Neville leaned over to whisper in her ear once she was gone.

"Are you getting cozy with the Slytherins now?" He asked.

Connie shook her head and gestured toward their professor, who looked like he was about to begin the lesson. "I'll explain later."

As Verity made her way back toward the stairway, a tall, stocky figure pushed himself away from one of the walls and fell into step beside her.

"Well?"

The girl shot him a knowing smirk. "That one is a snake wearing a lion's skin." She declared. "I like her."

"Ah, so you agree with Professor Snape, then?" He asked. "That's good to know."

She caught sight of the playful spark in his eyes and swatted at his shoulder. "Careful, Cassius." She warned. "She's spoken for."

"By a Weasley." He retorted with a snort. "I'd hardly call that competition."

"Oh, I don't know about that. Fred and George can be rather cunning when they want to be." Verity challenged. "I wouldn't misjudge them, if I were you."

"Hmm… Didn't see them at breakfast this morning. They must have slept in. It would be a shame to waste such a golden opportunity… " He chuckled when she hit him again. "Oh calm down, would you? You know I don't mean it."

She made a face at him. "I didn't expect you to put Carys with Lovegood. You know she can't be with her in all of her classes."

"No, but I'm hoping her presence will be enough of a deterrent on its own. The Weasley girl will be with her in the others, and she seems to handle herself well." Cassius replied smoothly. He clasped his hands behind his back. "She needed a chance to get some things out of her system anyway. Merlin knows the girl would burst if she didn't have someone to talk to about that ridiculous muggle 'string theory' she goes on about. Lovegood is the safest option. If Bassarab has a soft spot for her, then she likely knows how to keep her mouth shut."

"Likely is still a risk." She countered.

"Calculated risks are necessary for advancement." He replied. "We stand to gain a great deal if this works out. If the rumors are true…"

"Rumors with very little evidence to back them up." Verity interjected. "You're willing to risk everything we have on something that might not be true?"

Cassius stopped walking and looked at her intently. "Are you willing to risk everything if they are?"

The girl froze and chewed on her bottom lip nervously. "No." She said quietly. "No, I'm not." She shook her head, a disturbed expression crossing her features. "Cass, some of them… they're so young. You know what would happen if people found out. They need us."

"And they'll have us." He told her, his tone firm and resolute. "For as long as we are here. But we're not going to be around forever and we can't do this alone. None of us can. We need to expand and we need allies. Powerful allies. It's the only way."

Verity sighed. "I know." She said, relenting. "You're right."

He smiled. "Aren't I always?"

"Shut up, Cassius."

The door to Lupin's private quarters flew open violently, slamming back into the wall with a loud bang. The sound startled Remus out of sleep and he shot upright in bed, throwing out his wand arm defensively.

"Ah. So you aren't dead." A deep voice drawled from the doorway. "I was beginning to get my hopes up."

Lupin winced at the sudden brightness flooding into the room and blinked against it. "Severus?"

The Potions Master ignored him and strode into the room like he owned it. With a flurry of black robes, an assortment of stoppered vials and bottles were unceremoniously dropped onto a nearby table. Remus kept a wary eye on the man as he sorted through them.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

Snape paused long enough to shoot a look of irritation in his direction. "Our esteemed Headmaster apparently suffers from the delusion that I am your nursemaid." He took in the other man's pallor and bleary eyed appearance. "Decide to get rat-arsed when your boyfriend left, did you?"

Lupin's shoulders stiffened at the insult and his grip tightened on his wand as he pushed himself up to sit on the edge of the bed.

Snape's eyes flicked toward the wand and he let out a snort. "Put it down, Lupin. I've heard all about your little escapade. I'll not kill you today."

Remus faltered and lowered his hand a hair. "He… Dumbledore told you?"

"Do you think you'd still be breathing right now if he hadn't?" Snape challenged. He marched forward and thrust a bottle into his face. "Drink it." He instructed.

Lupin slowly reached up and closed his fingers around the bottle. He stared at it, confused. "What is this?"

"A potion to absorb any remaining toxins." The man sneered, as if that was something he should already know. He jerked his head toward the table. "There's strengthening solution and stomach soothers for when the house elves bring your meal. As much as I'd enjoy the sight of you starving yourself, I've put too much energy into saving your ungrateful arse for it to have been for nothing."

The mention of food made Lupin's stomach clench in hunger. Aside from the mildest of foods, he hadn't had much luck in keeping things down. However, he might have more success at it today – especially if Severus had indeed found a way to draw the poisonous blood out of his system. And if Dumbledore had told him everything… He choked down the potion with a grimace and set it to the side.

"I'm not ungrateful, Severus." He told him, meaning it. "You may not believe it, but I truly appreciate everything you've done."

Snape was neither impressed, nor pleased with the sentiment. "I assure you, Lupin, not one thing I've done has been for you."

"I understand." Remus said in acknowledgement. "But I thank you for it all the same."

The man's only response was a clench of his jaw. Without a word, he briskly turned away to leave the room. He had just reached the doorway when Lupin cleared his throat.

"How is Mihnea?" He asked.

The Potions Master went still. "Pardon?"

"Mihnea." Lupin repeated. "How is he? He was a mess last time I saw him."

"A…mess." Snape repeated emotionlessly. He slowly turned back around. "And when, exactly, did you have an opportunity to see him?"

The moment he saw the raw intensity of the glint in his eyes, Lupin realized that at some point during this conversation, he must have misunderstood something. He instinctively fingered the handle of his wand, preparing himself to grab it.

"You said Dumbledore told you what happened." He said softly, muscles tense with apprehension.

"Dumbledore told me Black was innocent." Snape said slowly, his voice dripping with intent. "That Pettigrew was the true criminal and Black was after him and not Potter. That he sent Potter and Granger back with that blasted time turner of hers to make sure he escaped. That you spent all night as a wolf in the Forbidden forest and somehow managed to get yourself back into the castle the next morning without being noticed." He took a step forward. "I allowed Mr. Bassarab to deliver the wolfsbane potion to you, but you had left your office before he arrived. I know because I was watching. And I can account for every moment that passed from that point until the moment you transformed."

The man took another step and Lupin quickly shoved himself up to his feet. "Severus…" He began carefully.

"He went home that same night." Snape went on, still slowly moving forward as Remus starting backing up. "I was told it was a private family matter. Nothing for us to be concerned about. I thought the timing was suspicious, but there was a full moon and that offered a possible reason." He paused, letting his words hang in the air. "But that isn't what happened… is it?"

"Severus, I can explain."

"You had better." He warned, coming to halt at the table – which was currently the only thing in the room separating them. His fingers flexed before clenching into fists. "I don't like being lied to Lupin, and this story that I've been given isn't adding up. So I will ask you again: when, exactly, did you have any opportunity to see one of my students before they were mysteriously whisked away without my knowledge?"

Remus swallowed and took another step backward. The silence that fell was deafening.

The Potions Master narrowed his eyes. "He was there." He said, not asking a question. It was plain enough to deduce from Lupin's silence. "He was involved somehow. And you have something to do with why he left."

Lupin watched as the man leaned forward and gripped the edges of the table so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Severus Snape was a formidable opponent at the best of times. In his weakened condition, he feared that he wouldn't be able to withstand the full brunt of his wrath if he chose to become violent. Which he had no trouble imagining him doing at the moment. One hand tensely gripped his wand at his side, whilst he brought the other hand up in a calming gesture.

"Severus…" He said, trying again.

"What happened?" Snape demanded.

They stared each other down in silence as Lupin struggled with what to say. Without warning, the Potions Master's wand shot up, firing off a wordless disarming spell ripped Lupin's wand from his hand and sent it flying across the room. He blinked in shock and shrank back further, holding up both hands.

"What. Happened?" The man repeated, enunciating each word in a harsh, clipped tone.

Remus cleared his throat carefully. "I need you stay calm and listen to me." He said, trying to appeal to senses.

"You look guilty, Lupin." Snape told him with a sinister look in his eyes. "What did you do?"

"You don't understand." He insisted. "He was trying to help them."

"What. Did. You. Do?"

"It was an accident…"

The Potions Master slammed his fist down on the table. "An accident!?" He bellowed, furious.

His arm swept across the tabletop, sending the potion bottles flying. Lupin winced at the sound of shattering glass as they hit the floor. The table itself was next – sent toppling over sideways when Snape flung it out of the way in his anger. He marched forward and grabbed Remus by the throat, shoving him up against the wall.

"You're a fucking werewolf, Lupin!" He shouted, nostrils flaring. "A werewolf provided with the means to control yourself – which you conveniently forgot about in your rush to play hero! That is no accident! What have you done!?"

Remus gasped at lack of oxygen. "He's not infected, Severus." He choked out. "Its… Gods, you don't know…"

Snape's eyes flashed as he let go and jerked him away from the wall. Lupin stumbled, trying to regain his balance, when he found the tip of the man's wand pressed into his cheek.

"I've been on the receiving end of one of your accidents before, if you'll recall." He spat at him. "I know what you're capable of. Your negligence and lack of common sense could have killed someone! Do you think it's an acceptable loss if it's one of mine? What if it was Granger or Potter that you got your mangy claws into?" He dug the wood painfully into his skin and spoke in a low, deadly tone. "I'm done with you, Lupin. No more potions or cleaning up messes for you. And when Mr. Bassarab returns – and he had better return – if he is not perfectly whole and completely himself, your life, as you know it, will be over. Do you understand?"

Part of Lupin wanted to snap back at him. To argue that he didn't know what he was saying and none of it was true. But another part of him, a much bigger part, forced him to keep his mouth shut. Because deep down, he knew the man was right. He had been careless and had made a mistake. It could have been worse, but his actions still caused someone to suffer. He would probably never know for certain if things had worked out for the best, but the idea of what could have happened had things been different was… terrifying. He didn't think he'd be able to live with himself if such a thing ever came to pass.

"I understand." He said quietly.

Snape fixed him with a hard glare and he finally removed his wand, stepping away from him with a deep, dismissive sniff. Without another word, he whirled around and stormed out.

In the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, two second year Hufflepuff boys argued between themselves about the wisdom of leaving their finished essays on the professor's desk before going down to supper. Professor Snape was right git about homework and likely wouldn't accept anything turned in outside of class. However, if they got lucky and Professor Lupin was well enough to take over the next day, he'd probably allow it.

They had finally decided that they might as well leave them as they'd already convinced themselves to come anyway, when they heard the shouting. Loud, angry voices coming from the direction of Professor Lupin's office. The boys' lively debate immediately halted and they walked closer to the stairs leading up to the door, craning their necks in an effort to hear better. The voices sounded further away than they'd expect, as if coming from the private rooms further within that from the office itself. But even from a distance, they could hear the words clearly.

Professor Lupin was a werewolf. He'd hurt someone and they'd been sent home. Snape was furious. Loud footfalls approached the door and the boys' survival instincts kicked into high gear. Not wanting to get caught snooping, they both dove behind desks to hide before the door was thrown open and Professor Snape appeared in a swirl of dark robes. He blustered past their hiding places in a fury, and they both jumped at the slamming of the classroom door.

They waited for a few moments to make sure he'd really gone before climbing back out into the open. They looked at each other in shock at what they'd heard. A silent decision was made and they bolted out of the classroom and headed straight for their dormitory.

It didn't take long for a new rumor to begin circulating through the castle. This one much more dangerous than any of its predecessors.

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