Chapter 4
Lenore met Draco and Felix during lunch break. They sat on one of the stone benches in the courtyard along with a few of their other school friends. Harry Potter, Ron Wesley and Hermione Granger ,were all members of Griffindor house; Lenore recognised them from some of her morning classes.
Harry was no more than 5'9 with a slender build and a charming face. His hair was deep brown and reached the collar of his shirt. The fringe partly covered his green eyes, which Lenore could tell were aided by contact lenses. His smile was oddly sharp.
Ron was much taller than Harry, standing at 6'2. His hair was rusty red and reached just below his collar, his eyes were deep brown and his skin was pale. He was a trickster, always telling jokes and making sarcastic gestures.
Hermione was a slender size 10, 5'9, with ivory skin and waves of long, chocolate brown hair. She was intelligent, always had her nose in a book and always had an answer for everything. Although she was very polite and pleasant; generally an easy to get along with girl.
They all took to Lenore like ducks to water and wasted no time in questioning her. She, however, was rather uncomfortable and felt her face flare each time she was asked to speak. Hermonie, noticing her distress, told the two boys to back off and so the conversation expanded to others in the group; at this point, Lenore felt safe just listening. It soon became apparent that the reminiscing that appeared to be going on was all for her benefit.
They discussed the years at school, how Draco had been a real bastard to Harry, Ron,Hermonie and how he gave Felix stick for being friends with the Griffendors. But he had changed some time in third year after he had decided he had enough of his father's antics. Felix seemed to have a really colourful past, ranging from his many hair colours, sexual escapades and heated encounters with the professors. Hermonie was the same as always from what Lenore to gather, she still had her head in a book and her grades were still top notch; only thing different was her taste in music, her confident style of dress and the fact that she had decided to write a book. Ron hadn't changed at all, he was still the prankster, still the clown and will always be known for the slug fiasco in his 2nd year. Finally, Harry. He was the troubled teen, which was obvious, hunted down by a dark lord year after year and earning publicity he never wished for or wanted. He was rather quiet and even his scent was mysterious; A mix of strawberries and must.
Once the bell tolled at one forty five, the mass of students reclining in the courtyard all flocked hesitantly inside to their final classes of the day.
Draco, Felix and Lenore all sat in a row in their first potions class of the year. It was one of Lenore's most adored subjects when she had studied it at home and she had always dreamt of the day when she could actually dothe experiments she had read about. However the students around her didn't seem to share her impatience.
"God. I hate this class." Complained Felix, although according to Hermione he was actually rather good at it.
"Hey, don't complain. The sooner this is over the sooner we go to Defence against the dark arts class. Have you seen the new teacher?" Draco grinned, "I would do her."
"Who is she? I haven't seen her yet."
"She was in the great hall last night, sitting by Snape. The one with the long black shiny hair."
"Oh. She was wearing the bodice thing with the flowing crimson skirt?"
"That's her."
"Her boots were nice too." Lenore piped, "Victorian lace ups."
"Was she actually introduced?" Felix asked.
"No. I think they gave up on introducing them after last years. I'll just call her Professor Fuckable." Draco laughed.
"How polite. I am sure she will love that."
"Well she looks young, she'll get it."
The door of the dungeon crashed open and Professors Snapes heavy boots clicked on the stone as he strode forward. Silence broke out among the students; there was a rapid shuffling as some dashed back to their seats. Lenore suddenly felt very intimidated; she had only briefly met the man that previous evening in Dumbledore's office and she was getting the feeling that he wasn't well liked. She found herself unconsciously scratching at the back of her hand, with her sharp finger nails, under the desk out of sight.
"Good afternoon class. Welcome to your first advanced potion's lesson of your sixth year." The man's voice was a deep, he sounded tired and somewhat fed up, "As you all know, these next two years are extremely important for your NEWTs next year. It is not up to me whether you chose to pay attention and successful gain an outstanding in this subject; I cannot make you do the work. It is your choice. Fail or pass. I do not care either way."
Lenore felt like running now. She loved potions, god, how she did. But suddenly she had grown a slight loathing for them. She glanced at her hand, the skin was red raw, in some parts small bubbles of blood were appearing. She immediately wrapped the sleeve of her black jumper down over the wound.
They were passed out their text books and given instructions to create a 'Felix Felicis' potion, also known as the 'lady Luck' potion. Lenore worked with the two men beside her. Felix was rather good at measuring out the ingredients, Draco was also very skilled and when they asked Lenore to slice the wild heather. She was able to slice it perfectly.
"Bring me a small beaker of your mixed potions. Sadly, they take six months to brew, however I can still judge by colour and smell." No one moved, "Well. Hurry up!"
Lenore quickly poured some into a beaker and joined the line which had formed in front of Snape's desk. A few of the students had gotten nasty comments; others had been dismissed after receiving a pass. Harry stood in front of her.
"Hm. Did you mix this by yourself Potter?" Snape snarled.
"Yes sir."
"Hmm. Very well." Snape sniffed the brew, " Good."
Harry turned and gave Lenore a weak smile before sauntered back to his seat. Lenore set down her potion.
"Well. Miss Requiem. Let's see how years of absence has affected your ability to brew potions." Snape repeated his experiment. His brow furrowed, "Did you mix this yourself?"
"No. Not all of it."
"She did most of it Sir." Felix piped.
"Yes Mr Crowe. I saw."Snape glanced back to Lenore, she was scratching at her hand again, "Very good." Snape glanced at her raw wound, she stopped, "You may leave."
Lenore turned on her heel and strode back to the table. She sat down shakily. The line continued to move and students continued to leave up their brews.
"You okay?" Draco asked linking an arm around Lenore's shoulders.
She flinched. He lifted his arm immediately sensing her discomfort.
"I'm fine. Just nervous." She pulled down the sleeve of her overly large jumper and smiled, "I'm sorry. I'm okay now."
"Alright. Well if you're sure."
The bell shrilly rang, the students began to pack up immediately and proceed to the exit the classroom.
"Miss Requiem. Remain behind!" Snap bellowed.
Draco lent over the young woman.
"Harry and I will wait for you outside, we are both going to DADA." He whispered in her was gone before she could even ask what the hell DADA was anyway.
Harry was the last out, he gave her a quick thumbs up before closing the door gently behind him.
Lenore set her bag down on the floor and approached Snape's desk. He was placing items back onto one of the shelves, he knew she was there but he seemed to take pleasure in making her wait.
"S-sir. I apologize but I have to get to my next class." Lenore stammered. She rubbed the back of her raw hand.
"Yes. Yes. Do not fret." He returned to his desk with a smirk on his pointed face.
He gazed upon the young woman, she looked petrified. Her amethyst eyes neglected to look at him, instead they looked widely around her. Her hair had changed dramatically from that previous evening.
"You are Metamorphmagus?" Snape questioned.
Lenore brought he gaze reluctantly to him.
"Um. Yes. I think."
"You think!?" Snape scoffed, "Do pardon my, rudeness."
Lenore nodded and attempted a smile.
"No. It's okay. I understand, I should know about this stuff, I read about it. My memory isn't working well today."
"First day nerves Requiem. It will pass." Snape sat at his desk, "You are now a Slythern. A member of my house no less. I trust that Malfoy and Crowe are looking after you?"
"Yes. They are."
"Good. You should also know that Emily did ask me to tell you that she is there whenever you wish to speak to her. But she may be slightly busy during the first couple of weeks. Things are always hectic after the summer."
"Thank you sir."
"Also. My Slythern's always find their way to my office when any problems arise. That now includes yourself." He gestured to the door, "Now. Your next class. Thank you Miss Requiem."
"Sir." She nodded, lifted her bag and was gone.
Snape sighed. He was not a fool. He had heard the remarks from the other students and the rumours; they must hurt. Emily had wasted no time in informing him of her home life, surely something the young girl would wish to keep a secret. That was the thing; she was just a young girl. But she had the pain and seen the horrors that not even the eldest of women should have.
Something nagged at the pit of his stomach; he was sure he would be seeing her again. Soon.