Seventh Year
After that day in Hogsmeade, things were awkward between Remus and Althea. Their conversations were awkward and stilted, neither sure exactly what to say or how to rectify the situation. Additionally, Althea couldn't stop thinking about Remus in more than friendly terms. Her relationship problems with Remus however, were the least of her worries. The Slytherins ("Death Eaters in training", they were called) had grown bolder in their persecution of Muggle-borns and half-bloods, and one day Althea's suspected parentage was revealed to the whole school. After that reveal and with the knowledge that Henry Potter had sympathetic views toward Muggle-borns, the digs and attacks toward her only worsened. Somehow, Althea thought that being a half-blood was worse than being a Muggle-born. Both of her parents had been half-bloods, and the Slytherins often sneered at her, questioning her on why her grand-parents had defiled themselves with Muggles.
She let the insults roll off her back, but she couldn't deny that they hurt. At least she had a newfound ally in James Potter, who she presumed was a cousin. Since finding out that they might be related, James became a whole new level of protective over her and even apologized for his actions in The Three Broomsticks. Slowly but surely, Althea felt that James was starting to mature. Althea yawned, stretching out on the couch in the Gryffindor Common Room. Christmas Break is coming up in a week, she thought, and I will be staying here. I can't very well go home, because my parents and my siblings are in America.
She didn't mind staying at Hogwarts; it was her second home after all, however she did miss her home and wished that it had at least been an option. The portrait of the Fat Lady swung open and Remus walked into the Common Room, precariously balancing a stack of books in his arms. He dropped them onto a chair and sat down on the ground, not acknowledging her. She had to admit that it hurt. They had been forging a friendship – maybe even something more – and to have it suddenly fade within an instant, hurt. Althea couldn't exactly blame, Remus for becoming closed off. She hadn't told him about her possible parentage, and to be quite honest she hadn't exactly hidden her feelings for him very well.
He was Remus Lupin, a self-depreciating werewolf. He didn't think that he was good enough for anyone because he was a werewolf, and Althea felt like that was the main reason he was avoiding her. He had finally allowed his insecurities to get the better of him. She sighed, looking down at her lap. She supposed she couldn't blame him, though. Becoming a werewolf every month was rough, especially when it wasn't your choice. Still, she wished that he'd see how amazing he was and that any girl would be lucky to have him in their life. Remus had no idea just how admired he was by girls at Hogwarts.
Sure, James and Sirius had the fan clubs and the girls who followed them around pining for their affection, but Remus was special in his own way. He may not have the fan clubs, but he did have a lot of girls harboring their own crushes on him. He wasn't like Sirius, he wasn't a player and that attracted many girls to him – not that he knew it – because they felt like they could have a relationship with him, instead of being tossed aside after a few weeks like Sirius tended to do with girls.
The door swung open again and Lily emerged looking distraught. She looked between the two of them, a frown forming on her face. "Are you two still not speaking to each other?" Neither answered and she gave a frustrated scream. "You two, come here now."
Althea got up, tucking her wand into the waistband of her skirt and walking over to the terrifying redhead. "I was doing homework Lily, what do you need?"
Lily groaned. "Can you two please, go back to being friends? It's driving me crazy!"
"I wasn't aware that we had stopped being friends," Althea answered softly, looking down at the ground and avoiding Lily's eyes. She was acutely aware that Remus was also staring at her.
"I'd say that the two of you aren't, because you have ceased interacting with each other." Lily snapped, unable to control her anger. She sighed, "Look, I understand that whatever happened in Hogsmeade made things awkward between the two of you, but don't let that ruin your friendship. I am friends with the both of you, and I don't want things to continue being awkward. I want it to go back to the way it was."
Althea sighed. Could they go back to pretending like Hogsmeade had never happened? Althea didn't know, but she figured that they could try. Besides, now that she was thinking about it they both had overreacted. Her, with avoiding Remus because of her feelings for him, and Remus because of Lily calling their outing a date.
"Very well, if that will make you feel better Lily we shall endeavor to move forward." Althea said formally. "Now, if that is all I have Arithmancy homework to finish."
"I could help you with that," Remus spoke up startling the seventh-year. She looked at him and he smiled a little crookedly, "I know that you aren't the best when it comes to Arithmancy or Ancient Runes."
Althea regarded him shrewdly for a few moments. "Fine," she sniffed although a smile was tugging at her lips.
The two worked on their homework quietly together, and slowly as the days passed fell back into tandem. As Saturday approached, Althea was hoping that she and Remus would get the chance to do their traditional studying session, but she also knew that it was Gryffindor's first Quidditch game against Slytherin and James would never forgive either of them if they missed it. So, on Saturday she found herself sitting in the stands, huddling between Sirius and Remus for warmth, as the players warmed up around the pitch. Althea was shivering violently even though she was decked out in a hat, gloves, a scarf, and a large coat. However, those articles of clothing did little to help her.
"Why is it so c-cold?" She chattered.
"It's winter Althea, it's supposed to be cold," Sirius told her amused.
She pouted and didn't answer. Remus glanced at his friend and shuffled a little closer, pressing his leg against her. She was surprised at how warm he was, but didn't question it. It probably had something to do with him being a werewolf and mentioning it would only make him closed off. Instead, she leaned into him curling against his side. Sirius pressed closer on her other side, as Althea rested her cheek on Remus's arm.
"We better beat the Slytherins today, otherwise I will be so mad at James for making us come out here." Althea grumbled under her breath, a frown pulling at her delicate features.
"You have professed an admiration for Quidditch though," Remus pointed out to her. "Regardless, you will have enjoyed the match win or lose."
"I would enjoy it more if it wasn't freezing." Althea said, sticking out her tongue to catch a snowflake.
Lily, who was sitting in front of them turned around and asked rather cheekily, "Are you cold Althea?"
"Shut up Evans," Althea grumbled. She eyed Lily. "Isn't that Potter's old sweatshirt?"
A dark flush appeared on Lily's face. "What of it? He saw I was cold, and it's quite warm."
Althea smiled mischievously, "I was under the impression that you hated him Lily. And now you're wearing his clothes. Is there something you aren't telling us?"
Sirius jumped at the opportunity shouting, "Hey Prongs! Are you and Evans dating!?"
The flush on Lily's face darkened even more, and Althea felt a little bad about poking fun at Lily, however she was genuinely curious to know what was happening between the two. Last, she knew, they loathed each other and Lily could hardly stand to be in Potter's presence.
"Lily, as your best friend you have to tell me what's happening," Althea told her, making her eyes big as she pleaded with the Head Girl to tell her.
Lily took a deep breath, fiddling with the edge of the sweatshirt. "We're not dating, but he's not as much of a prat as I thought he was. He's become remarkably decent since the Hogsmeade debacle, which I find surprising. He doesn't continually ask me out anymore, and he's acting like more of a friend to me. Him lending me this sweatshirt is no different than Remus or Sirius lending you a sweatshirt, Althea."
"Do you want there to be something more between the two of you?" Althea pressed, leaning forward and looking at Lily closely.
Her friend laughed airily. "No."
Althea leaned back in her seat. "Don't believe you."
Lily flushed, turning around, and deciding to ignore Althea. Said girl just grinned and curled back up against Remus's side. I was right, Lily totally fancies James, she thought as the match between Gryffindor and Slytherin began. As Althea watched the match she couldn't help but feel her anger start to rise – the Slytherins were playing dirty. James in his pursuit of the Snitch had nearly gotten knocked off his broom by the Slytherin Seeker or by one of the Slytherin Beaters. However, because Slytherin was playing dirty Gryffindor got in a lot of penalty shots and because James was also a great Quidditch captain, the strategies that he had come up with were working phenomenally. The score was 110 to 70, and if James caught the Snitch soon they would win. One of the Gryffindor Chasers sent the Quaffle spiraling into one of the hoops, and a cheer went up from the Gryffindor crowd. Althea yawned, tucking her head against Remus's arm quickly losing interest in the match. In a few minutes her breathing had evened out and she was fast asleep.
Over her head, Sirius looked at Remus a smile appearing on his face. "Remus, I think she's sleeping," he stage-whispered.
Remus glanced down at the girl sleeping against his side. "Yes, it would appear that way, wouldn't it? Perhaps, we should wake her."
"No!" Sirius shouted.
His shout ended up waking Althea, who jerked and looked around panicked. "What's going on?" she slurred, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
"Sirius was just being loud," Remus murmured. He glanced toward the pitch, "Seems that James has caught sight of the Snitch."
Within minutes the Quidditch match was over, and Gryffindor had come out on top. Althea stood up, stretching as everyone else in the stands cheered. Sleepily, she leaned against Lily who jumped a little, but upon seeing it was Althea significantly relaxed.
"So, Lily," Althea whispered into her ear as James flew by winking at them, "are you and Jamesie dating?"
"No," Lily huffed wiggling underneath Althea.
"I know when you're lying Lily," Althea gently reminded her best friend. "Just tell me the truth. Sirius and Remus can't hear you right now. It's just me. Your best friend."
Lily huffed. "We are not dating Althea. However, I wouldn't be entirely opposed if it were to someday happen."
Althea beamed, "That's all I wanted to hear Lily-bean. I'll see you later, I have a Transfiguration essay that's calling my name. Tell James I said congratulations."
With that Althea abruptly released her friend and navigated her way out of the stands, striding back to Hogwarts purposefully. She had a six page Transfiguration essay to write.