Harry and Ron both left Remus and Sirius's office in a hurry, deciding that they needed to get back to the tower to relax for a while. Admittedly, the conversation hadn't lasted for a very long time, but they felt tired, especially Harry because of the earlier quidditch practise.
"Should we talk to Hermione about it then?"
Harry turned to see that it was Ron who had spoken, whilst blearily staring ahead, still walking beside him. His best friend then turned to look at him before hastily adding something.
"I mean, no offence to her, but sometimes she can get too involved in something….I mean…look at SPEW for gods sake."
Harry suppressed a small chuckle and tilted his head, contemplating his friend's words. Yes, in the past, when Hermione got stuck into something, she wouldn't leave it alone until something drastic happened. Something she wanted to happen. And sometimes she might go a little too far…get stuck a little too deep into something she shouldn't have done in the first place. But then again, she was incredibly smart and resourceful. If she couldn't figure out Corbin or help him in any way, then who could?
"I…. think…." he murmured, still in deep thought, "That we should leave it for a while. Go with the flow. That ok with you?"
He turned to see Ron nod in agreement, then took a swift left, muttering the password to the fat lady in the portrait, who mumbled in annoyance.
"Look, can you just let us in…?" muttered Ron, glaring at the lady who now seemed to be in deep thought. She slowly faced him.
"Don't get angry with me, young man. I'll keep you out here all night."
Ron's face seemed to redden, and he moved forward. Harry, seeing this as an invitation to be the peacemaker, strode forward, shooting him a warning glance.
"Sorry. Ron's feeling ill. Can you let us in…please?"
The fat lady frowned and unwillingly opened, smirking at the annoyance on Ron's face. As the two friends entered, their eyesight was instantly drawn to Hermione sitting beside the fireplace, alongside a suitcase. In a second, they were both at her side.
"Hermione…." Started Ron, not able to tear his eyes off of the suitcase.
Hermione rolled her eyes and looked at the both, amusement evident on her face.
"Yes, I'm sorry you guys. I'm leaving Hogwarts forever. My parents want to send me to a private muggle school, because it's apparently my destiny to be a dentist, like them."
Harry froze, inwardly screaming in shock and disbelief, and barely managed to look over at Ron who's eyes were wide, and face was pale.
"Hermione-" croaked Harry, stepping forward, expecting a sudden flood of tears from the girl, only to meet a grinning face. Hermione rolled forward, laughing at them both, before uttering a reply.
"I'm not going you idiots. Do you really think I would be that calm about it all?"
Ron relaxed immediately, but this did not stop the shock and suspicion from entering Harry's mind.
"Who's going then?" he asked motioning towards the suitcase, thoroughly confused at this point. Ron looked the same. Hermione shrugged.
"Corbin."
"WHAT?"
Harry and Ron both spoke in unison, eyebrows raised, and Hermione flinched a little.
"He's only going for a few days. He got an urgent letter today. His mother's ill. He needs to see her apparently."
Ron and Harry both edged into separate seats, slowly sitting down. Harry leant forward.
"His mother is ill?" he queried.
"Yeh."
"Oh."
The tense atmosphere dropped a little, and they all leant back in their chairs, Hermione still smiling at the two of them, fidgeted a little, before speaking again.
"His mother has an incurable illness. Happens regularly, these visits of his."
Harry frowned slightly, but Ron was not fazed.
"Poor guy." He muttered, but Harry couldn't help but feel a familiar tug on his memory. Hermione's attention focused on him now, and she stared at him, as though expecting something.
"Realized something, Harry?" she asked.
Her tone was curious but calculated, as though she had planned to say that. Harry's frown deepened, trying to shake off a certain feeling.
"…No. Just thinking."
"Oh."
Hermione's face fell slightly, but she shrugged it off and leant back as a figure emerged from the entrance. She smiled.
"Hey Corbin."
Harry and Ron turned simultaneously, only to watch as Corbin walked towards them, smiling weakly, his robes fluttering behind him.
"Hey. Sorry for having to go so soon."
Harry smiled sympathetically, as did Ron, but Hermione just shrugged and began to talk.
"Its all right Corbin. As long as you're back soon, its cool."
Corbin seemed to lighten at this, and looked at his suitcase warily for a split second, before turning to them all.
"Look, I better go now…."
Harry was on his feet soon and moved forward, punching Corbin lightly on the arm.
"All right. We'll see you in a few days I guess. Tell your mum to get better."
"Oh. Right. Thanks."
Harry couldn't help but notice that Corbin had winced when he had hit him.
Corbin sighed as he dragged along his suitcase through endless corridors, ignoring the talking portraits, and trying to think a little clearer.
Okay, maybe he could be friends with Harry and Ron….but Hermione….He paused for a second, and frowned. She knew too much. What if it turned against him? Then what?
Biting his lip, instead of turning for the corridor that would have lead him to the exit, he turned to the right, beginning to feel himself weaken already. Cursing his strength, he finally reached his destination, only to meet a lone figure standing tall, watching him.
"Have you taken it?" the figure asked, moving forward.
Corbin nodded slowly, and dropped his suitcase, smiling weakly at the clattering sound it made. After all, he hadn't packed anything.
"Remus, I thought you had said that the full moon was in a week or so!" exclaimed Sirius to his friend. Remus shrugged and managed to reply.
"Sorry. I didn't realize. I was preoccupied."
He got a sigh as an answer.
Remus was heading towards the shrieking shack, shivering, his eyes closing as he walked along. Sirius, walking beside him, held him up, supporting him, as they grew closer with each step.
When they finally reached the cold, dark house that contained so many memories, Remus abruptly sat on the floor, groaning with pain as the aching in his body became more intense. Sirius sighed and rubbed his friends shoulder.
"I'm going to change now, Remus. All right?"
Remus, hearing his friend's words distantly through the fog that clouded his mind, nodded weakly and watched with an uncomfortable silence as a large black dog replaced the area in which Sirius had recently occupied.
Albus Dumbledore sighed, and shuffled the papers on his desk in a small habit of his. Running a hand through his beard, he reread the letter he had received a few days ago, marvelling at how long it was.
A small sound emitted from the other side of his office, and he slowly looked up, only to meet the gaze of Madam Pomfrey, walking towards him.
He smiled at her politely, and stood also, motioning towards a chair nearby.
"Hello Poppy. Care to sit?"
Poppy nodded and sat down, turning to him with concern.
"I trust it went well." Mentioned Dumbledore before she could say anything. Poppy meekly smiled back at him, her gaze dropping for a second.
"It went fine, Albus. I have to say, the boy is rather used to…it."
"Unfortunately, he had had to learn to live with it."
Poppy mumbled something, and turned away. Dumbledore frowned and leant forward, not quite catching what she said.
"He reminds me of Remus." Mumbled Poppy, taking the invite to speak again. Dumbledore's frown turned into a small smile, and he nodded.
"…Yes. He is but the second werewolf to attend Hogwarts. Although…there is yet another issue I must mention to you…"
Poppy turned and looked at him curiously.
"Another issue?" she queried, looking sceptical. "Albus, I think the boy has enough as it is."
Dumbledore sighed.
"Not as many as you might think, I am afraid. Now listen closely."
Harry sighed and stared deep into the fire, thoroughly confused at the potions essay he was meant to be writing. Admittedly, it was late, and he was tired, but Hermione wasn't letting him give up.
"Please Hermione!" He pleaded with her yet again, giving her the cutest look he could possibly muster. And yet again, she blocked him out, waving her hand in his face.
"Harry. If you get it out of the way now, you don't need to worry, do you?"
Harry grumbled in reply, and picked up his quill again, shooting a venomous look over at Ron who was sat, snoring in an armchair. He motioned towards him.
"How come Ron gets away with it?"
Hermione glanced over at the red-head with little interest, and laughed.
"Because he's always been a failure."
A low grunt made Harry look around to see Ron sit up, glaring at Hermione.
"Failure my-"
"Ah, Ron! Language. I could tell your mother." Interrupted Hermione, waving her finger. Ron's face turned red, and he looked away.
"Whatever." He mumbled, before falling asleep again. Harry ran a hand through his hair at this, and blinked wearily, earning a reproachful look from Hermione.
"Wonder how Corbin's doing…" he muttered, causing Hermione to sit up. She looked at him curiously.
"Why?"
Harry frowned.
"His mum. Remember?"
Hermione frowned and sighed.
"I thought you would have realized…" she trailed off.
"What?" Harry asked, suspicious at her behaviour recently. Hermione looked at him, her face expressionless. She stood slowly, and motioned for Harry to follow. Harry, completely freaked out by then, followed her to a window. Hermione turned to him.
"Look outside, Harry."
"…What?" he asked, in disbelief.
"Just look."
Frowning in confusion, he peered outside and looked around through the darkness. Nothing but landscape and some of Hogwarts. Irritated, he turned to Hermione.
"Are you feeling all right?"
Hermione sighed in exasperation.
"I'm fine Harry! You weren't looking properly, that's all."
Harry, frustrated, bit his lip to stop himself from shouting.
"What? What am I meant to be looking for? At least be specific."
Hermione shrugged and pointed upwards, out of the window. She turned to him.
"See?" she asked, in an accusing tone.
Harry rolled his eyes and spared a glance at the still-sleeping form of Ron, before peering outside again, following Hermione's finger. Warily letting his eyes scan the sky, something glimmered, and as the dark clouds parted, he stood, transfixed as he realized what she had meant. The full moon.
Authors Note: Sorry for the long wait. I've been...extremely busy. It scares me now whenever anyone mentions the word essay, lol. Anyway, not one of the good chappies, but I hope you like it, and please review! Stories finally getting onto the main plot, hehe. Cheers you readers... : )