So even though only 12 people have read the last chapter, I've decided to update. Thanks to EternalVeritie, your words are so inspiring, and Patronousesandpotions, you guys totally rock for the reviewing.
Betas for this chapter are: LittleDrummerGirl2010 and Literatifan4eva. You guys are great.
Also thanks to Prongs Smitch for looking over this even though you didn't find anything wrong.
Chapter 7: Improving Her Trust
Nearly a week after the Halloween incident as Mandy called it in her mind; Lily approached Mandy as the latter worked in the Common Room. "Can we talk?" Lily asked.
"Yeah, upstairs," Mandy said. She closed her Transfiguration book and headed upstairs with Lily following. Once they reached their room Mandy shut, locked, and charmed the door. "Alright, what is it?" Mandy asked.
"This isn't easy for me," Lily said. She paced back and forth as Mandy sat down on her own bed. "I don't have the stigma that were-animals are dangerous. I grew up with stories like Beauty and the Beast, and uh ..."
"Lily, in 90 percent of fairy tales the wolf is the bad guy. Beauty and the Beast is the only one where the beast turns into a good guy. Red Riding Hood he's a bad guy, three little pigs he tries to eat the pigs, and I can go on."
"Look, from what I've read, and I did some more reading, they aren't bad people. I've known you for six years and you never struck me as evil. I mean sure, you can go a little overboard on pranks and you are kinda like Potter—anyway, you're my best friend and you didn't choose to have this happen to you. I am a little scared but I think it's not your fault and I haven't really noticed that much of a change in you so, I mean ..."
"Lily, I understand. Nothing changes between us?" Mandy asked to help the girl out.
"If I can still be friends with Remus with everything, why should you be any different?" Lily asked.
"What's Remus got to do with anything?" Mandy asked.
"You've been friends with those boys for how long and you don't know?" Lily said.
"Don't know what?" Mandy asked.
"You—forget I said anything," Lily said.
"What? That he's a werewolf? Yeah, I've known that. You shouldn't assume things, Lily. That could have been bad."
"I'm sorry, Mandy. I had a very good hunch you knew because your bed is also empty on full moons. Has been for three years. I do wonder what you're doing out of bed on a full moon night—"
"I bum around with the boys. They worry a lot."
"Even if you didn't know, I've very good at Memory Charms, so it wouldn't have mattered."
"When did you find out about Remus?" Mandy asked curiously.
"Two years ago. That's when I knew for sure. I started noticing weird things about Remus in third year," Lily said.
"So you and I are okay?" Mandy asked.
"Yes. I didn't mean to scare you or hurt you."
"Good, because I would hate to have James steer clear of you for no reason."
"Are you threatening me?" Lily asked, looking at her best friend.
"I'm warning you. You may be my best girlfriend, Lily, but James is something else. He and I are extremely close and if you panicked or thought the worst of me he would want nothing to do with you."
"Just because I thought the worst of you? That really does sound like a threat."
"It's not a threat, it's reality." Mandy sighed and smiled at her best friend trying to soften the blow. "Like I said, James and I are really close. He's my friend despite everything and he trusts his friends to a fault. I don't want to have to push you away from him but he'd push you away himself if he found out you thought the worst because of something I can't control. You really should get to know him but know that there are things about James's relationship with me that we won't tell you. We don't mean to hurt you by not telling you we just can't let you in on everything."
"I understand." Lily understood that they didn't mean to hurt her but she wouldn't let them hide their secrets from her forever.
"Speaking of you and James, did you change your mind about him?"
"I don't know. I think so. I mean I can see the appeal and he's not really as bad as he used to be."
"Sure, he's cooled it for the most part but he is still a prankster at heart and that will never change," Mandy defended fiercely. She wasn't going to let any girl change her best friend.
"I wouldn't want it to. And I am seeing more to him than I used to. Honestly he is handsome but he's also dangerous. There's so much talk around him and I'm just scared of getting hurt. We talked at the ball. He does seem like he can be really sweet. And he knows a lot more than I give him credit for. I'm not trying to come off like some prude or anything but the past six years don't disappear overnight." Lily's hesitancy came through in her eyes. Mandy knew just how Lily felt. It wasn't long ago when Mandy had started seeing Sirius differently but was still wary of the seven years that they had been at odds.
"I know. And I know how hard it is to overcome one's past. Just give him a chance," Mandy said. "He could surprise you."
"So you and Sirius," Lily prompted.
"I don't even want to go into me and Sirius, at all. We're learning to trust each other again and it's not easy," Mandy said.
"I wanted to say I'm sorry. I don't think I ever apologized for what I forced you to do. Sirius is good for you and if he makes you happy I will stay out of it for now. He hurts you though, I am a redhead," Lily explained.
"I know, there's already a list of people waiting to hurt Sirius if he hurts me. I'd be proud to let you in on that. After I get to him of course. Thank you though. It means a lot that you see how wrong you were about forcing me to dump him," Mandy said.
"I know and you were right. I'm sorry I didn't see that to begin with." Lily looked down and Mandy could tell she felt really bad.
"It's okay; you realize it now, that's all that matters, especially since you apologized for it."
Lily looked up and grinned then changed the subject. "So have you done your homework for Professor Hunt yet?" Lily asked.
"Yeah."
"I can't wait to see what he does next."
"Something difficult I hope. I'm starting to get bored."
"What haven't you learned to master?"
"Non-verbal's." Mandy shrugged and unwarded the door.
XXXXXXX
"All right class, you have done so well lately with nonverbal spells that I wanted to give you a break from that. Today we will be discussing a topic that even most adult wizards, years out of Hogwarts have problems with," Jason said as he faced his seventh year class. Once again he was leaning back against his desk in front of less than half of the school's seventh years. The students that sat in front of him were the 40 percent that had passed their O.W.L.s with at least an E and their field of study required the class.
"Professor," Lily said her hand up, "if they can't do it what makes you think we can?"
"I'm not expecting any of you to be able to. I just want you to know, I'm sure a few of you will get it but it's a subject that does come up on your written N.E.W.T.s so we're going to cover it, Miss Evans."
Lily nodded her quill poised to take copious notes.
"Who can tell me about Patronus Charms?" Jason asked. More hands went up than he thought would. His sister's, Lily's, Remus's, and Parker's hands didn't surprise him but Mike Smithheart's, Severus Snape's, James Potter's, and Peter Pettigrew's did. "Mr. Pettigrew."
"It's the only known protection against Dementors," Peter said.
"That it is. Anything else?" Jason asked.
"Don't they also work against Lethifolds?" Peter asked.
"Correct. Can anyone tell me more about the spell itself?" Jason asked. The seven other hands went back up though his sister's was more subdued. "Mr. Snape?"
"There are two forms. Corporeal and incorporeal form," Snape answered. "The first takes the shape of the animal that represents our true selves."
"Correct. Miss Evans?"
"The Patronus Charm, or Expecto Patronum, is a charm that is the only known method to fight off Dementors. The incorporeal form is a silver mist whereas the corporeal form forms a silvery animal that like Severus said defines your true character. Like you said earlier it is a very difficult spell to cast and someone who can cast it, is said to have superior magical ability. It's a pure magical concentration that can protect you," Lily explained.
"Miss Hunter?" Jason asked.
"It's said that you have to be pure of heart to cast one as a backfiring spell will cause the castor to be devoured by maggots," Mandy answered in a bored tone.
Jason sighed at his sister's answer. While it was true it was also an extreme version. "Mr. Smithheart, can you tell me what you need to cast one?" Jason asked. Michael shook his head. "Mr. Potter?"
"A strong memory. Something that you can remember very vividly," James answered almost as bored as Mandy though his didn't show in his tone.
"A very happy memory. Strong but also happy. The happier the better," Jason clarified.
"Are you saying someone who picks a strong memory that isn't happy won't be able to form a Patronus?" Sirius asked.
"Not at all Mr. Black," Jason answered, shaking his head. "The happier the memory the stronger the Patronus. Standing in a classroom like this or anywhere you're not under a threat, any memory will produce something but the happier the memory is the stronger it will be when one is facing an attack. Now, does anyone know the way to predict the form of one's Patronus?"
"No," Mike answered, his hand up. "But a researcher did say there are certain principles that are true about Patronuses."
"Go on," Jason said.
"He said that when facing a Dementor a person has to draw upon characteristics they've never needed before and that could cause their Patronus to take a shape they wouldn't expect," Mike said slowly as if trying to remember what he had read.
"Correct. Mr. Lupin, what can you add?" Jason asked.
"A Patronus's form may change, unlike a wizard's Animagus form."
"Under what circumstances?"
"Falling in love, an emotional upheaval, losing someone you care deeply about ..." Remus trailed off. "Some people are able to form their first Patronus after such an event."
"Very well done. A point to each person who got a correct answer. Most Patronuses are common animals, cats, dogs, horses, and things along that line but it is not impossible for them to be magical or even extinct. Now I want you all to rise," Jason said. Everyone did so as it was not unusual for him to clear the desks and get them to practice a spell.
"Professor, can you cast a Patronus?" Lily asked.
"Yes, I can," Jason said as he cleared the desks and chairs. "Watch now. Remember a happy, strong memory." Jason thought for a moment then cast the spell. His Patronus ran the length of the room before returning to his side and sitting. It lingered for a few moments then disappeared as most of the girls aww-ed.
"Was that a lion?" James asked.
"It is. It is said that a lion is the mark of self-control, strength, courage, pride, protection, and patience," Jason said.
"I think it's just because you're a Gryffindor through and through," Mandy muttered.
"Enough. Practice," Jason demanded. Everyone began working as Jason walked around the room. After stopping by a few girls and assuring them they would not be devoured by maggots, Jason saw his sister barely trying. "You're holding back," Jason whispered.
"I am not," Mandy answered fiercely.
"Then pick a different memory," Jason said. "Mr. Potter, I assigned you a task. Get to it." Jason barely had to glance over his shoulder to tell that James wasn't really working. Instead he was whispering with Sirius.
"Fine," Mandy said. Mandy let go of the memory of her first broom ride when she was nine and picked the memory of her first kiss with James. It was a bit happier but she knew it wouldn't be enough to produce anything but mist. Jason nodded at her progress and walked away. Finally he stopped back at the front of the room and raised his hands which cued everyone to stop. The last of the mist fell away and Jason nodded.
"I can see some of you improving but remember it's got to be a strong, happy memory. Something you can remember exactly how you felt during," Jason said.
"What do you think of?" Parker asked. She had been able to produce the mist only once and had been upset when she couldn't do it again.
"I was nine years old and just found out that I was getting a sibling." Jason smirked as he leaned back against his desk.
"So finding out you were going to have a sibling was happier than actually getting one and bringing her home?" Parker asked curiously.
"It's stronger, not happier," Jason explained. "You see, my mum and dad had just come home from another meeting with a healer. After my parents had me they found it difficult to have another child. Healer after Healer told them there was nothing wrong with my mum. She even went to a few muggle doctors. No one could tell them why they weren't having another baby. When they got home that night they sat me down and told me they were having a baby. It must have been middle of February. I was so excited. I always wanted a kid brother." Jason grinned.
Being nine years old with a kid brother on the way would have been his biggest dream come true. He was looking forward to coming home on school breaks and doing all kinds of boy things with his brother. He had big plans for his kid brother and the smile wouldn't leave his face for weeks.
Jason looked back at his students and smiled again. "What boy wouldn't want a kid brother? Certainly some of you can understand that?"
James and Sirius grinned at each other feeling the bond that ran deeper than blood. Sirius also remembered how happy his childhood had been with Regulus before his parents had started forcing their pureblood nonsense on their sons. A few of the other boys smiled and nodded. Talon grinned.
"I remember when I found out about Timmy and Matt," Talon mentioned his two kid brothers now aged 14 and seven as he smiled.
"So you know what I mean. I realized when they told me that if they knew, they had to be at least four months pregnant and my mum wasn't showing enough to be four months pregnant. She wasn't showing at all. When I mentioned my confusion they told me my mum wasn't having a baby but rather my aunt and uncle were. They were having twins." Jason shook his head
"How come your parents only adopted one?" Talon asked.
"My aunt and uncle weren't ready for twins but my aunt wanted a child. She could handle one but not two. Since my aunt and my mum are sisters my mum knew how important it was for Aunt Cassie to keep one of her children. My aunt was so excited. To tell the truth my mom didn't want two brand new babies either. With both my dad and my uncle working long hours it wouldn't have been easy for my mum or my aunt to raise twins on their own. The best outcome was to split the twins up and raise them as cousins. Anyway just remembering how excited I felt when I found out I was getting a sibling fills me with joy and a happiness that allows me to perform the charm," Jason explained. "That's the bell. For next week I want 12 inches of parchment on the most famously known Patronus forms, what made them so famous, and a summary on the charm. Miss Hunter, come here, I would like to see you a moment. Alone," Jason said.
The rest of the students filed out, James much slower than the rest, and when they were finally alone Jason locked the door.
"Yes, I was holding back and you're wrong," Mandy said before he could lay into her.
"Wrong about what?" Jason asked putting the desks and chairs back in their proper places.
"The memory. It doesn't have to be happy. Mine's not. It's just a memory that I remember in vivid detail. It's the day I first met Sirius. The day he dumped punch on my head."
"How far does the memory go? Until you get home or before that?"
"Until Mum hands me a mug of cocoa," Mandy said.
"Couldn't the happiness be from your first real showing of magic? Or from the fact that it's the day you met the man you eventually fell in love with?" Jason asked.
"I don't know. I just never feel truly happy when I think about the memory. You want a happy memory? How about memories of Mum and Dad being there for me on Christmas Day when I'd open my presents with them watching? Times spent at the Potters and De's famously warm hugs? Things like that."
"Those memories could also be making you so sad you don't want to think about them," Jason suggested. "What is your Patronus? And don't lie to me."
Mandy muttered the spell and the dog came barreling out of the wand. "I just didn't want everyone to know it has an actual shape," Mandy said then left the room. Jason was left staring at the floor in front of him where the larger than average dog had sat moments before.
"What did your brother want?" James asked when Mandy sat down to lunch.
"Just wanted to check up on me." Mandy shrugged. "Make sure I'm taking care of myself."
"Typical brother stuff."
"He's been worried since April. Turns out last Christmas my dad told Jason that he'd told me who my real parents are. Jason's worried about me and how I'm handling everything. First I found out that my parents aren't really my parents and then four months later they die. He says that you can guess what that can do to a person. I loved them even if they—" Mandy shook her head and stared at the table. Neither James nor Sirius said a word but Sirius wrapped an arm around Mandy and after a bit she felt better. Then Sirius offered her a red and gold lily causing Mandy to laugh. She took the flower and shook her head.
"Show off," Peter muttered.
"That he is," Mandy agreed.
Sirius's favorite way to charm girls was to conjure a white flower and then cast a color charm on it so it would look the same color as the girl's house colors. "You don't like it?"
"I know it's magic, Sirius. My mother grows lilies. They don't grow in these colors. I'd be more impressed if you could convince me they did," Mandy answered.
"Ah," Sirius answered rolling his eyes. Then Lily sneezed.
"Right, forgot," Mandy said. She waved her wand over the flower and sent it back to her room.
"That's odd," James said.
"Not really. Lily's allergic to lilies," Mandy answered.
"Didn't you tell him not to try to do that?" Remus asked.
"What charm me?" Mandy asked as they stood to go to their next class. "Yes, I did say that, but you know Sirius."
"He couldn't stop if his life depended on it," Remus said smirking.
"I could too," Sirius pouted.
"Sure," Mandy rolled her eyes, "if you could stop charming a girl, you'd give me space and wouldn't try to charm me for at least a couple weeks. I'm supposed to be mad at you."
"It's hard to stay mad at the ever impressive Sirius Black." Sirius grinned.
"You're doing it again," Mandy warned.
"Cool it, Pads," James said.
Sirius huffed but backed off. Mandy paused as the boys kept walking and let Lily catch up. When the boys were sufficiently ahead Mandy looked at Lily. The redhead girl looked deep in thought and Mandy wandered what was going through her best friends head. "Everything alright, Lily?"
"I guess so. I'm just thinking about what Professor Hunter said in class." Lily looked at her girlfriend carefully. "About how your mum adopted just you." It bothered Lily that she didn't know how Mandy felt about the circumstances surrounding her birth and subsequent adoption.
"My mum couldn't handle two babies, neither could my mother. I understand and I'm not angry."
"Okay. Are you really irritated with Sirius?" Lily asked.
"A little, I mean it's sweet that he's trying to charm me and make it up to me what happened," Mandy smiled softly then her look darkened, "but at the same time I am also irritated. I told him not to and then he goes and does it anyway. He cheated on me, Lily. I mean he didn't kiss her and he didn't ... you know, sleep with her but they were in bed together. It's just—" Mandy sighed in frustration.
"I know what you mean." Lily nodded.
"You girls coming?" James called over his shoulder. Lily and Mandy shared a look and then caught up with the boys.
Please, please tell me what you think. Please. It's been a week and only 12 people have read the last chapter? I feel like I'm doing something wrong. Please let me know. Thanks.