"Well, you and I have some very important issues to discuss with Professor Dumbledore." He led me to a chair in front of the massive desk then sat in the one beside it as the headmaster did so on the other side. I looked around to see where Flitwick would sit and saw him conjuring chairs from nowhere with his wand. He conjured one not only for himself but also for Madam Pomfrey who had just entered the office.
"Your father tells me that you have inherited some rather undesirable traits from him," Professor Dumbledore said, causing me to look back at him.
"I didn't inherit them." My retort was interrupted by Dumbledore's stern voice.
"The circumstances of how this came about are not important. What is important is how we solve this little problem." I glanced at my father and saw that he looked very relieved that I had been stopped from blurting out that terrible secret. On the other hand, I was not. Here I was being discussed as a problem, when it wasn't even my fault that I was this way. My earlier worry had been replaced by anger. "We should like to keep you and all of your fellow students safe," Dumbledore continued calmly, despite seeing the anger on my face. "
"Now, Madam Pomfrey has kindly offered to take you down to the Shrieking Shack every month. You must be in her office long before dark on the day of your transformation." Dumbledore gazed sternly at me as he instructed me. I knew that the Shrieking Shack was where my father had gone during his transformations while he was in school and I was very excited to finally see it. "Now, Miss Lupin, we are finished here. If you would please head back to your common room, I have some things I need to discuss with your father."
"But daddy," I moaned, pleading with him with my eyes. I didn't want to leave him once again.
"No, Carrie-Anne, you will do as the headmaster says. I will see you in just a few months time." He spoke calmly but his eyes showed the same sadness that I felt. "Just be a good girl and listen to your professors. And keep up with your studies. I love you," he whispered as he pulled me out of my chair and into his arms.
"I love you too," I whispered back, tears threatening to spill from my eyes. I had never been alone for a transformation before and I was petrified. Wordlessly, I kissed him on the cheek before I finally released him and walked to the door, which opened before I reached it. I noticed as I stepped back into the corridor that both Professor Flitwick and Madam Pomfrey had followed me out of the office. "Good night," I said somberly as I turned to make my way back up to Ravenclaw tower. They didn't reply because they were already walking away in the opposite direction, talking quickly and quietly. There was no doubt in my mind that they were talking about me, but I found that I suddenly didn't care.
The common room was nearly empty when I entered, as it was now quite late. My visit had taken longer than I had thought. Over in the corner I spotted Mandy and Lisa waiting anxiously. They jumped up as soon as they saw me come through the door. Mandy reached me first and spoke quickly, worrying filling her soft voice. "Where have you been? You couldn't have been in the library this entire time."
I shook my head but didn't say anything as Lisa continued for her, "If you stay out this late you're sure to get into trouble, Carrie." She paused for a second, staring at my face. "What happened to you? You look terrible." Once again, her very outspoken nature surprised me so much it nearly made me laugh out loud. I had been in such a foul mood that I had forgotten what she could be like.
"I haven't been feeling very well. I've just been to see Madam Pomfrey down at the hospital," I said quietly. One look at their faces showed me just how much this increased their worry over me. Their concern touched my heart so I quickly reassured them, "I will be just fine in a few days. Please do not fret over me." I smiled, trying to put them at ease. "Come on, let's get to bed. I'm so very tired." The three of us headed up to the dormitories together, the two of them still shooting furtive glances at me when they thought I wouldn't notice. It hit me again, for perhaps the thousandth time, how great it was to have friends, especially real ones who truly cared about me.
