Chapter 2

Penelope dived headfirst into her lessons for the week. More than anything, her students needed the distraction from their worries about a certain mass murderer on the loose. And if she was truthful with herself, she needed the distraction as well. After all, her school days infatuation with Severus Snape had been hard enough to shake the first time. Back then, he hadn't noticed her a wink, not that she had made any moves to draw his attention. Aside from that ridiculous Valentine's card that is. As she poured over her history texts, intrusive thoughts of watching Severus cast spells in dueling club struck her with old admiration. Thoughts of watching him brew perfect droughts in his cauldron and then scribble in his textbook on how to make improvements. Adorable. Now, those thoughts were mixed with new memories. Severus confidently walking through the halls, mentoring students. Holding her wrist in his warm hand, for an instant. "Gahh!" she exclaimed as she knocked a pot of ink onto her parchment. This is no use. She needed to take a walk. Get some air.

Lately her lessons had been a hit with the students. Some of them even seemed mildly interested in the astronomy sources they had been analyzing. She chalked this up to it being a Friday, and to her stargazing charm on the ceiling. As she strode down the corridor, several students called out greetings. The irreverent trio, Fred, George, and Lee seemed overly cheerful as they wished her well, likely covering up something nasty in the lump under George's shirt. "Behave boys! And do see Madam Pomfrey about that hunchback, George." She called out, causing Lee to snicker. She secretly appreciated their creative pranks, inconvenient as they may be. Next, she ran into a couple making out in the East stairwell. "Huh-HMM" she warned them as she approached, causing a startled Cedric Diggory to separate from a second-year Hufflepuff she didn't recognize. "Run along you two." That boy had a new girlfriend every month, she could have sworn. Now she was almost to the front entryway, but no good. Hermione Granger was walking side by side with Ron Weasley. She was NOT in the mood to entertain all of that girl's questions about the latest essay assignment. Time to take a detour.

As she rounded a corner, Lupin and Harry Potter came into view. "Sorry professor, I can't make it to our patronus lesson today. I'm swamped with homework, so I really need to study. Let's meet next week." Lupin accepted his excuse, but not without a hint of suspicion in his face. Potter dashed off and Lupin noticed Penelope standing there. "Why Professor Lark, what a pleasant surprise. Please, come join me in my office. I seem to have a free hour all of a sudden. Penelope did not particularly care to chat with the man, but she was curious about these patronus lessons. Also, Lupin seemed particularly ill-looking. She supposed the full moon was approaching quickly. "Certainly. I'd like to see this famous office for myself."

Inside, Lupin sat down on a comfortable leather chair and uncovered a tin of biscuits. Penelope glanced around at his collection of creatures and books. "Don't mind if I do." She chirped, snatching up a biscuit and taking the other chair. Lupin laughed and then remarked, "You know, I haven't recognized you all this time. But you went to school with me didn't you? Obviously not my year and Slytherin, but still. What a small world. That makes three of us, You, me, and Snape. Who would have thought we would have been thrown together again as coworkers? I certainly never would have." He seemed to enjoy the randomness of the situation. "It is strange to think of it that way." She was anxious to change the topic. "Also, I have a question for you. I notice you have been giving lessons to Potter. Private ones for casting a patronus. By the looks of the last quidditch match I'd say they're paying off too." He nodded, waiting for her question. "I was wondering… could you help coach me on my patronus? I had an unfortunate accident and well, it left my patronus a wispy mess. Maybe I just need some guided practice?"

"Ah- I see. Well to tell the truth I'm no great expert. But I can try seeing what you've got to work with. I must warn you, if it is from damage to your magic it may never fully present itself."

"I know that. Just give me a chance to see if it can be helped. Please?" She tried to think of what she could offer in return. "I could pay you for the lessons. I know your time is limited. Or if there was any spell I could help you out with, I'm more than willing to lend a hand."

"That is entirely unnecessary, Penelope. I will help you free of charge. That is if I can even be of service to you." He stood, gesturing for her to move to the cleared space in the middle of the room. "I have a boggart on hand. That should do the trick for now to test it out. I'm sure it won't become a dementor, but it may give you the motivation you need." She agreed, this was the best bet. Come to think of it, she hadn't been near a boggart in years. She wondered what would appear for her. "Thank you, Remus." She steeled herself, preparing for whatever horror awaited her. She was not prepared. Lupin sprung the lock on an old wardrobe and the boggart sprung out in front of her. It immediately transformed into something more hideous than she could have imagined. Her brother stood there. Just like the last time she saw him, his fangs were smeared with blood. His body was contorted into a wolf form, and blood was splashed across his front as well. She knew whose blood it was. Their parents. He smirked, running his tongue across his repulsive teeth. In his familiar, self-assured way, he took two steps towards her. She wanted to puke. She was there again, walking into their childhood home, finding her whole world in ruins, torn apart by her brother and Greyback's pack of monsters. Worst of all, she remembered having to tear Elliot apart herself. She couldn't stop. It was one year ago, and now in Lupin's office she couldn't shake the adrenaline. She heard Lupin reminding her to breathe with worry in his voice. Elliot stepped closer, raising an eyebrow.

"CRUCIO" she screamed, shoving her wand at the hulking figure before her. A spark sailed straight through the boggart like air and singed the wardrobe behind it. Lupin leaped in front of her and shouted "RIDDIKULUS" as a hand reached from behind her and pinned her wand arm to her side. It fell to the floor with a clatter. It wasn't Lupin's hand, however. "What in blazes is going on?" Snape demanded, looking pointedly at Lupin. Penelope crumpled down to the floor on her knees, breathing strained. "We were-" Lupin began but Penelope clumsily stood and said, "I'm sorry. I clearly can't do this. I-I wasn't expecting- but I should have. I'm sorry." She turned to leave, wanting more than anything to be back in her chambers to lay down. Snape hadn't let go of her arm, and as she stood he trapped her to his side, now both arms pinned down. "What is going on?" He asked Lupin again. His tone was dangerously impatient. Lupin himself was looking at Penelope, horrified and questioning. She knew he was wondering about the werewolf she feared more than anything. One of his kind.

"I was offering Ms. Lark patronus lessons. She has been experiencing…difficulties with the spell. I am sure her choice to resort to an unforgivable curse was not intentional. Boggarts can be quite traumatic to some people."

"I am well aware of the effect of boggarts, Remus. This misguided attempt should serve as a warning for you. Stop trying to help when you can only be a hindrance." Snape squeezed Penelope tighter as he punctuated his words with anger towards Lupin.

Ignoring Snape's remark, Lupin asked, "Penelope, are you ok? You look very pale, you should go see Pomfrey."

She felt dazed, and truth be told Snape's arm was keeping her standing on her shaky legs. "I don't need to go to the infirmary, I'll be just fine. I just need to lay down for a bit. It isn't your fault, Remus. Thanks for trying." She added. She grasped Snape's hand and gently pushed it to free herself, but at her first wobbly step, he caught her around the waist. "Hold onto me. I'll see you to your room." His voice had softened, but his command was still firm. She noticed as they left a smoking glass sat on the table where it hadn't before. Wolfsbane.

Thankfully, they didn't run into many people on the way to her room, aside from Nearly Headless Nick who seemed to be scheming gossip at the sight of them. Snape was silent as he carefully steered her down the hall and up the steep steps. When they were almost to the top, she tripped and his grip tightened. Suddenly he swept her feet up to carry her the rest of the way. "Oh you don't need to- really Severus-"

"Yes I do." His voice was matter-of-fact.

At her chamber, he pushed open the door and set her down on her bed. He lingered over her just a moment longer than necessary.

"Are you sure you don't need Pomfrey?" He asked.

"I'm certain. I've just had a scare is all. Physically I'm fine. Some sleep and I'll be right as rain." she attempted to sound cheerful.

"I'll make you an elixir for the morning, all the same." He said as if daring her to argue. After a pause he quietly added, "I'm sorry about your brother. I heard what happened. Well some at least…" Seemingly to himself he muttered, "That nitwit Lupin didn't have the sense to check before unbounding a blasted boggart on someone."

"I'm ok, really Severus. Thank you." She was eager to be alone and shake off the awful memories that had been unleashed. She pecked him on the cheek, and he drew away surprised. "Very well then… get some rest." He swept out of the room with a glance back before shutting the door. With her head on the pillow she drifted off quickly.