The Werewolf's Daughter

13: Getting to know each other

Maya was nervous, tired, but also very nervous. She had been up until at least 3am; first speaking with Draco. They went on a walk around the castle for 2 hours and then when she got back to the dormitory, Hermione was sitting, waiting for her.

Now, it was 9.30am and Maya was lying in bed, struggling to wake up. Her stomach was doing somersaults and she just wanted to go back to sleep. She knew she couldn't though – today she was going to hopefully start to get to know her father.

Maya eventually got out of bed and wandered in to the bathroom; Hermione was still fast asleep, so she was able to have a shower without anyone knocking on the door, telling her to hurry up. By the time she was dressed, it was 10.30am. Just enough time to pop down for some toast.

The Great Hall was practically empty when she walked in – there were no teachers at all sitting at the staff table and there was only about 5 other people in the hall. Maya was confused at first oh of course, New Years Day; everyone will be sleeping in!'

She was quite happy to see Draco was one of the ones sitting in the hall. He smiled as she walked in but continued his conversation with the younger boy sitting on the other side of him. Maya sat down and started to spread jam on some toast; at the same time, she wrote a quick note on a small bit of parchment and sent it over to sit in front of Draco;

'Hey handsome,

Can you meet me later? I should be back for tea so maybe after that, about 7pm in our place?

Also, can I bring Hermione? I know not everyone can know about us, but since she does I think it's time you two talked.

Maya

X'

The young boy sitting next to Draco looked shocked when the parchment went flying towards them; Draco luckily caught it before he could see anything on it. He quickly sent something back

'Hey beautiful,

Of course I want to meet you; I think we should just make it a regular thing – 7pm every night in our spot.

Also, yes bring Hermione. I want to apologise.

Have a brilliant day; can't wait to hear all about it.

Draco

X'

Maya smiled and tucked the note into her pocket. She would speak to Hermione about this later. She finished her toast and made her way out to the entrance hall, where Professor Lupin was waiting for her.

'Hi' Maya said shyly.

'Morning' he replied 'So, are you happy to come with me today?'

'Of course, what did you have in mind?'

'I was going to take you to Hogsmeade. We can have a walk and talk?'

'Sounds good' Maya said, smiling at him.

As they walked, Lupin asked Maya all about her childhood. Maya answered honestly; she didn't remember her Mum, but her Aunt Lyra had given her everything she needed. In return Maya asked Lupin about his childhood. She learned that he was bitten by Fenrir Greyback, a vicious werewolf that liked biting people, especially children. He had only been bitten because Greyback had an issue with his dad. So unfair!

Maya also asked Lupin about her Mum; he smiled when he talked about her and Maya could tell he did truly love her.

'You know, it's a shame you two couldn't have been together longer.' Maya said, 'You really loved her, didn't you?'

'I did. But as I said before Maya, I couldn't provide for her. I was a very poor man and I knew I was no good for her. Anyway; I hope I can make amends for that by getting to know and looking after you?'

'That would be nice.' She responded, smiling up at him.

'What about some lunch?' he asked, nodding towards the three broomsticks. 'We can get a private dining room. Also, I hope you don't mind, but I have asked someone to join us at 2pm'.

Maya nodded. 'That sounds good'.

They made their way to the Three Broomsticks where the owner, Rosmerta, showed them to a private room. Again, they talked about anything and everything, while eating their lunch. At 1.55pm, there was a knock on the door and a young woman popped in.

'I'm not too early, am I? I can come back later if I am?'

Lupin got up and crossed the room and kissed the woman on the cheek. 'Not at all, come in. Maya, this is my girlfriend, Nymphadora Tonks – who prefers just Tonks.' He added quickly, seeing the look on the woman's face. 'Dora, this is Maya. My daughter'.

'It's nice to meet you Maya; it was quite a shock when Remus told me all about you!'

'Sorry.' Maya said quietly.

'Oh no, I didn't mean it in a bad way – it was just a surprise – but a really nice one!'

Maya smiled at the young woman; she looked familiar, but Maya wasn't sure why. She had a lovely heart shaped face and bright pink hair. 'I love your hair by the way!' Maya said.

'You do? Remus thinks it's too bright sometimes. He would prefer if I had it a "normal colour" but that's not fun right?' As she said that, she screwed up her nose and suddenly her hair was a dull brown colour.

Maya's mouth dropped open 'WOAH! How did you do that?'

'I'm a metamorphmagus' she said, smiling. Seeing the confused look on Maya's face she added 'I can change my appearance at will.'

'That is so cool!'

'Yeah, it is pretty cool. Really helps with my auror training!'

'Your training to be an auror? That would be an awesome job!'

Remus smiled at the two women, glad that they were getting on well.

'As much as I am enjoying myself ladies, we do need to get going. Dora, Dumbledore has said you can join us at Hogwarts for the New Year feast.'

'Oh, before we go. Can I ask you something? I have someone special in my life too – someone at school. I can't tell you their name just now, but I wondered if I could tell them about your… you know, problem? If you don't want me to, that's fine. I just don't want to keep secrets from them if I can help it.'

'Do you trust them?'

'With my life!'

'Well then I don't mind. As long as they don't tell anyone else.'

Maya nodded and got up from the table. The three of them walked back up to the castle together; Remus in the middle of the two women. He put one arm around Maya's shoulder and was holding Tonks' hand.

'Professor Lupin, thank you for today.'

'Please, outside of the classroom, call me Remus. At least until we have figured all of this out!'

Maya nodded; she was glad he said Remus – she wasn't quite ready to call him "Dad" just yet.

The three of them made their way in to the Great Hall; the tables were in the same place they had been on Christmas Day. Once again, Maya was sat next to McGonagall and then Draco came in and sat next to her.

'How did today go?' he asked, under his breath.

'Amazing!' Maya answered, squeezing his hand under the table.

Draco nodded, and they sat in silence until everyone else had arrived.

'Good evening everyone and a Happy New Year to you all! Now, tonight is our last night as a small-ish group so enjoy it while it lasts – your fellow students will return tomorrow lunchtime! Tuck in!'

Beside her, Maya felt Draco stiffen. She couldn't find his hand to hold, so she placed a hand on his knee instead and he jumped. 'Sorry' she said, under her breath. 'I just wanted to say, don't worry!'

McGonagall then spoke to Maya and she carried on a conversation with her for the rest of the meal. Maya noticed that Draco barley touched his food; he was obviously worried about his house-mates coming back.

At 6.30pm Maya saw Hermione leave and she got up to follow her. 'See you soon' she muttered to Draco as she passed. Draco nodded and continued speaking with the young first year on his right.

Maya caught up with Hermione before she reached the staircase 'Hey, Hermione!' Maya shouted.

Hermione turned around 'Oh hi Maya, are you ok? Did today go ok?'

'It went really well – but more about that later. I'm meeting Draco at 7pm – will you come? He wants to talk to you.'

Hermione looked shocked but nodded. Maya led her up to the seventh-floor corridor. 'So, where do you meet? When I saw you, I had Harry's map and it was like you were here one minute, then disappeared. A few hours later you appeared again'.

'I'll show you – it's so cool!'

Maya stopped at Barnabas the Barmy and started to walk back and forth three times; Hermione gasped when a door suddenly appeared. 'Woah, what is that?!'

Maya opened the door and pushed Hermione in. 'Welcome, to the room of requirement. A magical place that becomes whatever you need it to be.'

Suddenly, the door opened behind them and Draco appeared. When he saw Hermione, he smiled at her and said hi. He walked over to Maya and kissed her forehead. 'I missed you' he told her.

'Missed you too!' she responded, pulling him over to the couch to sit down.

Hermione sat down opposite them. 'Thank you for coming 'Mione – it means a lot to me!'

Hermione smiled at Maya but didn't say anything.

Instead, Draco spoke. 'Grang – I mean, Hermione. I know it probably took a lot for you to come here tonight and I wouldn't have blamed you if you had said no to meeting with me. I'm glad because I want to tell you that I'm sorry for everything I have ever done or said to you.'

Draco continued to talk; he explained why he had been the way he was, why it seemed like he had such a hatred for Hermione and why he had to pretend to treat Hermione as if he hated her.

'I promise though, I will not say a thing about you unless I really need to.'

'Mione, are you ok?' Maya asked. Hermione had not said anything the whole time Draco had been speaking.

'Yes, I was just mulling it all over. Draco, I understand why you have been the way you are, and I promise I won't take any future behaviour to heart. Thank you for apologising.'

Draco nodded and Hermione stood up. 'I'm going to get back to the dormitory now – see you both later!'

Hermione left the room and Draco looked at Maya. 'That went better than I expected.' Maya nodded.

'Now, Mr Malfoy – can you please eat something? I saw you at tea, you barely touched anything.'

'I'm not hungry.' Draco mumbled; as his stomach rumbled loudly.

Maya raised her eyebrows. Sandwiches appeared on the table in front of them and Draco eventually took one.

'Are you ok about tomorrow?' she asked after watching him eat for a while.

'No, not really. I'll cope though!'

'Oh, that reminds me. I have something for you – call it a late Christmas present'.

Maya went over to a bookshelf and pulled something down. Draco stared at it. 'Is that, a pensieve?' he asked, in awe.

Maya nodded and smiled at him. 'I don't want you to get rid of your memories completely, but this may help you to get rid of the nightmares. Put your bad memories in here to give yourself some time away from them. Also, this.' she added, handing him another item; 'is a bad-dream catcher. Put it under your bed and it catches all your bad dreams before they take hold.'

Draco stared at the items 'This is the most thoughtful gift anyone has ever given me! Thank you so much.'