Having already missed lunch Luna and Seymour both had to make a mad dash for Potions and they arrived to the lesson out of breath and with the lesson already in full progress. The room was alive with the sound of scraping cauldrons and clanging instruments and yet Snape still managed to spot them sneaking to their desk above the noise and glided over to them.
"Mr. Turner, Miss Lovegood this is the fourth time this year you've arrived late to my class. I gave you specific instructions to bring those trays of dragons blood to my classroom before lunch, now I find that you decided it would be far more entertaining to deposit them over Mr. Malfoy?"
Seymour cast a look across the room to find Draco glaring triumphantly at them from the open classroom door. The blood once covering his uniform was gone but Crabbe who was standing by his side seemed to have shifted along a few paces sniffing the air around Malfoy with a wrinkled nose. They both turned tail and made off down the corridor.
"I thought I'd made it clear last term that if either of you two stepped out of line again I would be forced to take drastic actions. You are on very thin ice." he glowered at them both, "You will both be serving another two weeks of detention for the destroyed stock of dragons blood, not to mention the points I shall be taking off both your houses. Now sit down and get to work." he turned foot and made for his desk leaving Seymour and Luna to quietly slip into their seats.
Alice quickly shuffled round the desk her face ripe with concern. "Where have you two been?" she asked taking her wand and pointing it at Luna. "You're both soaking wet." A huge gush of warm air fanned from the end of her wand as she busied drying off Luna's robes. Seymour and Luna both grinned back at each other but didn't say a word as they set up their cauldrons for what was to be a very busy lesson creating a sleeping draught.
Seymour clambered out of the portrait hole at half past eight that evening and past numerous students on his way towards the entrance hall. He found Luna waiting by the large house hour glasses and made his way over to her. She waved to him with a smile and reached into her bag pulling out the blank piece of parchment.
"Evening Luna."
"Hello Seymour. Ready for our investigation?" she chirped waving the blank parchment in front of him.
"Are you going to tell me what that is now?" he asked eyeing the object with interest.
"This Seymour is Harry's Marauder's Map." she explained simply. She pulled him closer and pointed to the blank page with her wand. "Now what was it? Ah yes… I solemnly swear that I am up to no good. Mind you it's not as if we're doing anything particularly bad are we?" she continued but Seymour's attention was directed to that of the parchment as it sprang to life with long lines of black ink snaking across the surface drawing out what was if Seymour wasn't mistaken to be a map of Hogwarts castle and grounds. "This will show us where everyone is in the castle down to the very last person." she declared pointing out the two little dots labelled "Seymour Turner" and "Luna Lovegood" stood stationary at the castle's entrance.
"Bloody hell." he exclaimed with a grin scanning the page noting all the dots moving about like ants.
"Should be useful when trying to avoid the teachers and also we'll be able to tell who the werewolf is if we see it. The map extends to the ground just before the Forbidden Forest. Look." she pointed out as they continued to peer at the map. "I have to make sure to get this back to Harry by tomorrow morning. He seemed rather worried I'd misplace it or have it taken off me like my other things."
Seymour was inclined to agree with him, trusting such a prize treasure to a girl who hadn't managed to keep hold of a pair of shoes since September seemed like a brave move to Seymour but he remained silent as they both turned and headed towards the Astronomy Tower.
They'd only been walking for a few minutes when Seymour felt something grasp his hand. He looked down to find Luna's hand tightly held onto his. He looked at her but she was still busy watching over the map as they walked. He did happen to notice however a slight rosy flush to her face and grinned down at her.
Many students passed them walking in the opposite direction towards their common rooms and some Seymour noticed seemed to take great interest in the fact the two of them were walking together hand in hand. He didn't care and let another wry smile creep onto his face as they ascended the steps towards the tower.
It was deserted as they had expected it to be but they still tried their best to be as quiet as possible as they finally reached the top. They climbed out onto the parapet which was where students would normally have done their star gazing during lesson time and they were met by a cold blustery wind. The rain had held off but the black sky above them was dotted here and there by grey clouds.
They both leaned out scanning the school grounds noting the large full moon hanging like a giant searchlight in the sky just above the trees to the Forbidden Forest.
A few students were still outside rushing past the courtyard into the school. Seymour spotted Ginny and Dean leaving the greenhouses on the far side of the castle. They were arguing again. It seemed that ever since she had returned from the Christmas holidays the two of them had taken to having arguments on far more occasions than usual.
Hagrid's hut stood towards the other side near the forest outskirts, glowing warmly with a spiral of grey smoke billowing from the chimney.
"I saw Marie down there this morning." noted Luna with a smile. "She's been helping Hagrid tend to the animals over the holidays."
"How's she been?" asked Seymour realising he hadn't seen her since last term.
"Fine. She seems happy enough. Although it doesn't look like she's made any more friends yet." Luna frowned in concern.
"Give it time Luna. I'm sure she will."
"Yeah your right." she added taking a step back and sitting on one of the benches used during stargazing lessons. Seymour joined her as they sat looking out over the empty school grounds, the wind gently whistling round the battlements of the castle, singing it's way down to the ground below. "It's cold." Luna noted wrapping her robe around her tightly. Seymour took off his winter cloak and draped it over her shoulders. She stared up at him. "Won't you be cold?" she asked noting the cold air billowing his robes.
"No I'll be fine." he replied defiantly feeling the cold air wrap against his skin. "Actually yeah it is pretty cold." he added in a defeated tone causing Luna to shake her head and laugh.
"Come here then." she grabbed his arm and pulled him closer taking the cloak and draping in over the two of them. They huddled close together fighting off the winter bite, keeping their eyes peeled for any movement below.
"This has been the best school year ever." she said to herself, smiling and pulling the cloak tighter between the two of them.
"It's only January." he pointed out wrapping his arm around her waist.
"I know." she declared happily gazing at him. She leaned up and kissed him. Seymour closed his eyes and breathed in her hair that blew onto his face before parting again.
"That's alright isn't it, if I do that?" she asked looking rather sheepish once again reminding Seymour how he wasn't the only one between them to feel rather new to this sort of thing.
He beamed down at her, "Any time you want to."
"So if I wanted to do it again?" she pondered leaning in to kiss him once more. He also went to lean forward but was faltered when Luna shot up from her seat causing him to fall forwards over the bench and onto the floor.
"Seymour get up quick, look!" she exclaimed rushing over to the edge of the tower and pointing out over the dark grounds.
Brushing himself off he followed her and peered over the tower craning his neck for any sign of movement. Down below in the dark shadows surrounding the castle he could make out a figure walking just beyond the courtyard, as it stepped into the light of the torch hung walls Draco's face came into view. He withdrew to one of the benches and slumped down onto it, wracking his hands through his hair.
"What's he doing still out at this time?" whispered Seymour.
"I don't know. Harry thinks he might be up to something. He's always disappearing off the map for some reason or other." she explained staring down at Draco deep in thought.
"Maybe he's just- Luna!" Seymour grabbed hold of Luna's arm and turned her in the direction of the Forbidden Forest. Even in the dark shadows there was no mistaking it. The long, hunched body prowled on all four across the grass. It's large, sharp white teeth glistening in the moonlight. The glint of it's hungry eyes reaching though the darkness and could be seen all the way from the tower.
"I knew it would show up." Luna cried in a hushed tone, grabbing the Marauder's Map from within her robes and flattening it out on the stone battlement. She hurriedly scanned the page biting down on her lip as she did before frowning and looking again. "It's not here." she said pulling Seymour to look for himself.
Seymour's eyes ran over the map, he found Draco's dot in the courtyard and looked upwards pouring over the space that indicated the grounds to find nothing, no dot, no name, just a blank empty map. "But Luna I don't understand, what-"
"Seymour!" It was Luna's turn to grab his attention as she leaned over the battlements. "It's heading for Draco."
Seymour peered down and noted that this was in fact true. Draco with his hands still buried in his face had no idea that the path the creature was taking would lead straight into the courtyard in a matter of minutes.
"Quick we've got to get down there!" Luna cried pushing herself away from the castle wall and leaping down the stairs. Seymour raced after her, reaching inside his robes for his wand and grasping it tight. Fear struck at his joints but he pushed on as they clattered down the stone staircase and into the entrance hall. Giving no thought to the noise they were making they teared across the hall and ran down the long stone path that lead to the courtyard.
They broke out into the open space and Luna clasped her hand to her mouth. The large black creature was now only yards away from Malfoy who had his back turned to it, his eyes still cast down towards his feet. The beast slinked silently towards him not making a sound, it's teeth bared, baying for blood.
Seymour and Luna both broke out into a run. "Draco!" Luna yelled sprinting towards him with her wand held out. Malfoy turned to look in her direction before his face broke out into a look of fear. He fell back off the bench as the creature continued it's path towards him.
Seymour rushed past Luna and cast a stunning spell at the beast's back. It slammed into its side. Malfoy who was only yards away scrambled to his feet looking round for his wand. Luna cast yet another but it skimmed just over the creature's head and caught Malfoy who fell onto his back, rigid and still. They both sent a further two spells at the creature who turned round growling at the two of them. Fighting the urge to turn and run Seymour sent another stunning spell in it's direction, it hit it right between the eyes and caused the beast to back away, shaking it's large head furiously.
Letting out another roar of pain it rose up to it's full height and eyed the two students who were still pointing their wands directly at it's long snout before it took off in the direction of the Forbidden Forest, leaping from the stone steps out into the moonlit grounds at pace.
Luna grabbed Seymour's arm. "We have to make sure it leaves the school. Quick!" but as they made to run after the creature another shout lifted the silence of the courtyard making them stop in their tracks.
"Stop right there!" Professor Snape ordered striding out into the courtyard followed both to Luna and Seymour's surprise by Professor Goodwin.
"What's this?" Professor Goodwin demanded looking from Luna and Seymour and then down towards Draco who was still flat on his back only just coming to from the stunning spell that had hit him.
"Sir quick, the werewolf, the dog thing that chased us. It's just tried to attack Malfoy. It took off for the forest again." Luna cried making to run off towards the grounds but Professor Snape grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back.
"Enough of this nonsense. Draco get up." the professor ordered as Malfoy both out of breath and disorientated slowly rose to his feet.
Seymour took a step forward next to Luna. "But Sir we're telling the truth. If we let it get away again-"
"Silence." Snape held up his arm and walked over to Malfoy. Professor Goodwin walked off towards the edge of the courtyard staring out across the grounds. Peering through the night for any sign of movement.
"Now Mr. Malfoy could you kindly explain to me what happened here?" asked Snape now that Draco had had a chance to get himself together. Professor Goodwin joined the group as Malfoy breathing heavily glared venomously at Seymour and Luna and shouted, "It was them. Those two tried to attack me whilst my back was turned!"
"What?" Seymour gawped at Malfoy who merely glared back.
"You and her." he pointed his wand at Luna who stared back wide eyed. "Attacked me right here."
"What about the huge dog set to pounce on you, you idiot." Seymour stared at him in disbelief.
"What dog?" Malfoy demanded in a crazed tone, "Trust a sneaky git like you to try and curse me whilst I'm looking the other way. It was her who got me professor." he again jabbed his wand at Luna.
"We were trying to save you. If it wasn't for us you'd be dead!" Seymour could feel his temper rising as he glared back at Malfoy.
Snape held up his hand once again to stop the two of them bickering and turned to Draco. "Malfoy did you see this creature Mr. Turner is so desperately trying to claim was set to attack you?" he smirked in Seymour's direction but Seymour didn't care, he couldn't understand why Malfoy was denying all existence of the creature.
"He's lying sir." Malfoy spat trying desperately to straighten his robes. "I was sitting over there when I heard her shouting at me. I turn round to find them both pointing their wands at me and-"
"We weren't pointing them at you we were-" protested Luna but Snape silenced her to allow Malfoy to continue.
"Then they started trying to send stunning spells at me. He missed but she hit me whilst I was down." Draco glowered at Luna and clenched his fist tight round his wand. "I know why they did it sir, it's because of what I said to Luna. Couldn't handle a little home truth and thought they get me for it."
"Shut up Malfoy!" roared Seymour desperately wanting to wring the boy by the neck until he told the truth.
"Right off you go Mr. Malfoy. We'll discuss why you were out so late this evening tomorrow morning." Snape waved Malfoy away who glared once more at Seymour and Luna.
"I'll get you for this." he sneered turning and limping off towards the dungeons.
Mr. Goodwin who still had yet to say a word merely studied the sight of Malfoy walking away, deep in thought. Snape turned on the spot and folded his arms. "Follow me." he said to them turning to Professor Goodwin and adding. "I shall handle this Professor. I'll let you get back to patrolling the corridors. No doubt these aren't the only students out after hours."
Professor Goodwin nodded silently in reply and glanced over at Luna and Seymour, his expression one of someone trying to come to a decision over something. For a moment he looked as if he was going to speak but merely frowned instead and turned to walk away.
Snape motioned for the two students to follow him and he walked off making towards his office. Seymour and Luna obediently followed side by side casting each other curious looks but not daring to speak.
Once they were inside Snape's office he closed the door behind them with a thud and once again stood before them, piercing his eyes into both of them, sneering in his usual manner. "I told you not once but twice that if you two were involved in any more trouble I would make it my personal duty to make sure it could never happen again."
Seymour made to reply but stopped when Snape fixed him with a particularly dangerous look.
"And tonight whilst patrolling the halls I hear two students running across the entrance hall after hours and follow only to find both of you with your wands drawn at a fallen student who has clearly been cursed only moments before. Now Mr. Turner, Mrs Lovegood do you take me for a fool? Do you think I'm so easily swayed that I would fall for some complete cock and bull story about a werewolf prowling the grounds looking to attack and devour any student it passes?" he smiled darkly watching the two students sharing fleeting glances with each other both completely at loss for words. "Now mark my words this is the last time that either of you two shall be able to cause havoc in this school together for as long as I remain a teacher here. I will not allow two students who think they know better than everyone else to run free around this school like a pair of Weasleys freely breaking the rules at their whim and attacking other students. I would happily suggest to the Headmaster that you both be expelled but I have a better idea." The professor took out his wand and smirked again as he watched Luna take a small step backwards. "Hold out one of your arms, both of you." he commanded with a glare, daring either one of them to defy him.
Seymour hesitated but eventually did as he was asked along with Luna. Snape grabbed hold of both their arms with his free hand and brought them together. He then began to utter strange words under his breath, some incantation that Seymour had no knowledge of and from the look on Luna's face her neither. Both their wrists seem to glow red momentarily and a hot feeling shot over Seymour's skin before disappearing.
"Now." said Snape making his way over to his desk and sitting down. "The charm I have placed on you is one that will alert me the moment you two come within touching distance of each other. If I find you two together outside of lesson time again I will personally make sure that you are both out of this school by the end of the day. You know me well enough now to know that I do not make empty threats. I believe you both to be a danger to other students when together and will see how your behaviour improves after time spent apart." he crossed his arms looking down his long nose at them. "And if I find out that either of you have been involved in any more trouble I will be certain to make sure it is the last thing you do within these walls. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes sir." Seymour muttered through gritted teeth. Luna didn't say anything but merely nodded casting her eyes towards the desk in front of her.
"Now leave and don't ever let me find you in my office again."
Seymour made for the door with Luna close behind him. It slammed shut leaving them both standing in silence in the hall. They broke into a slow walk side by side, their footsteps echoing down the empty corridor as they went.
"Do you think there's a way around it?" Seymour asked her once they'd made it to the courtyard again. Luna shook her head sadly and sat down on one of the benches. "What about Malfoy, do you think we could get him to tell the truth?"
Luna gazed at Seymour for a while without saying a word until she finally answered. "I don't think he was lying."
Seymour went to reply before nodding in agreement. It seemed far to crazy for Malfoy to lie about something as serious as being attack by a creature like the one that was willing to kill him tonight.
"But what does that mean?" he sat down next to her and leaned his head back staring up at the full moon still shining down on them.
"I really don't know." Luna admitted leaning her head on his shoulder and sighing heavily. Seymour could almost feel her brain whirring into action beside him.
"So what, it's not a werewolf. It's something else?" he couldn't remember the last time his head was so crammed full of thoughts.
"It definitely looked like one." said Luna, "Maybe it really was the Grim." Luna who would so often have been first to come up with a fresh idea seemed lost for one on this occasion as they continued to sit in silence.
"Unless Malfoy knows something about it, maybe that's why he was out tonight. He's the type that would go to any lengths to keep a secret, especially one that could get him chucked out of school." Seymour suggested casting his eye over to where Malfoy had been sitting.
"But why would it attack him then?" Luna asked casting a quizzical look up at him.
"Was it going to attack him though? I think even a werewolf would know better than to eat a slimy git like Malfoy, I bet he tastes of old socks and rotten eggs."
Luna laughed beside him, the colour that had been drained from her face slowly returning.
They both turned in the direction of footsteps now making their way towards them from the dungeons to find Snape step into the clearance of the courtyard. He stood watching them his expression cold as he looked upon them.
"What did I tell you two. Do not think it was an empty threat, I suggest you do not test my patience any longer after what has happened tonight."
Seymour glared at his teacher hating every part of him. He glanced down to find both his and Luna's wrists were glowing a dull shade of red. Luna grasped his hand beside him and stood up from the bench. Snape sent them another bitter look and then disappeared down the corridor as Seymour reluctantly stood up facing Luna with a grim expression. "Goodnight Luna."
"Goodnight." her words were barely audible but she managed a smile.
"See you in Defence on Wednesday yeah?"
She nodded and turned to leave, he watched her disappear towards Ravenclaw's tower before turning himself to make his way to bed. He'd only gone a few paces when he felt Luna rush towards him, wrapping her arms around his stomach and hugging his back. He smiled and turned round taking a long hard look into her face. She kissed him and grabbed him by the front of the robes, giving him a shake.
"It's not the end of the world is it?" she said, putting a little too much effort into sounding cheerful, before kissing him again and walking off down the corridor and out of sight.