p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;" align="center"Sept. 1sup style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 13.23px; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 0;"st/sup, 1993/p
hr style="margin: 0.875em auto 1.2525em; border-style: solid; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; width: 359.25px; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.12px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Kings cross was a cesspool of chaotic energy, heavy footfall filled the station as muggle and obvious first time families scurried about the station, more experienced wizarding families charged through the entrance to the platform between pillars nine and ten./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Are you feeling alright." Seren's eyes scanned the crowd, "Nervous?" Seren gave a nod, gently he rested a hand against her back to guide her through the throngs of people, through the barrier and onto the platform, doing his best to ignore that familiar wave of warmth that washed over him when he got close to her./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Once through the Barrier things got a bit hectic, the noise made Seren's head spin and her stomach lurch as kids shouted across the platform at their friends and magicked items flew about. Bringing her hands up she tried to drown out all of the noise by covering her ears./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Deep breaths, can you do that?" his steady voice coaxed her to loosen her grip just a bit, letting some of the sound flood her ears./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Heaven's, is she alright?" Remus looked up to find Molly Weasley, "Poor dear."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Hello, Molly. Seren's fine, it's just a lot to take in.." Remus rubbed soft circles against her back in an attempt to calm her down./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Seren?" there was a surprised look of realization on her kind features, "Seren Price? Heaven's! I haven't seen you since you were a little girl. Saw the both of you on the cover of the prophet not long ago." The muffled words must have reached her because she looked up at Molly with a pained expression, trying to be polite by making eye contact at the very least. "How you've grown." Molly smiled, fixing the both of them with the kind, motherly smile she was known for./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""The Prophet only knows what she's freely told them." Remus smiled; he knew that given enough time she could write a book on her captivity. Seren seemed to be trying to place the plump ginger woman but putting a face to memory was proving to be difficult./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Right, I won't keep you a moment longer. I was just helping the children load their things. Take care of her, Remus."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Goodbye, Molly." The crowds were dispersing as children climbed into the train, sprinting down the aisles to find their friends./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"The odd pair had found an empty compartment just as the train was leaving, setting their trunks in the overhead spaces before taking a seat across from one another. Remus leaned against the window and Seren tugged her knees up to her chest, crossing her arms over them and resting her head against her kneecaps./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Opening his mouth, he tried to find something to talk about that wouldn't absolutely bore the girl across from him, finding nothing he closed it and the silence resumed. "Are you excited to be going back to school?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I'm nervous. I missed all of fifth and sixth year. What if I mess up?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Then you're just like everyone else, you can't beat yourself up for things clearly out of your control." She nodded, clearly not convinced as he gave her a reassuring smile, "If you're really worried, we can continue working on your spell work over the weekends."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""But won't you be busy grading papers?" there was a soft chuckle, "Seren, no matter how busy I may get with work I will always have time for you as well as my other students." There was a sincerity in his voice that seemed to ease her worries, "The train will be departing soon, I suggest getting some rest, first night back is always chaotic."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"She remembered the start of her fourth year Ravenclaw tower had decided to get in on the back to school party trend, and it had ended in utter disaster. Some sixth year had spiked the drinks which had resulted in a multitude of students of varying ages getting completely plastered. Madame Pomfrey and Professor Flitwick had not been pleased./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Leaning her head against the wall of the compartment she felt herself drift off as the train took off down the tracks./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"The soft sound of voices was what stirred her awake./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Why are we stopping? We can't be there yet." Her eyes shot open in a panic as the train lurched, her hands shooting out to steady herself before she was thrown to the floor./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Bloody hell!" her eyes trained on the other three people who'd joined them in the compartment,/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""What's going on?" the dark haired boy fell back onto the seat, "I dunno, maybe we've broken down." The second the lights went out was when Seren lost it, curling her knees back up to her chest, A natural defense mechanism these days./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""What's wrong with her?" The ginger boy shifted to look over her out the window, "Ouch, Ron, that's my foot."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""There's something moving out there. I think something's coming on board." She could vaguely make out the curly haired girl asking if she was alright before the train car got incredibly cold and lurched forward again./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Bloody hell, what's happening?!" A ghastly cloaked figure drifted in front of their shared compartment; the glass glazed over with crystalized frost. Seren felt sick as she tucked her head between her knees, trying to hide from it as the door slid open and a shriveled, claw of a hand breached the threshold./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"A bright light flooded the small cubicle, sending the creature away before he crouched in front of his charge, "Seren, hey look at me." he lightly shook her to snap her out of her trance, "Look at me, look right at me." strenuously her head seemed to turn upwards until he saw the green of her eyes, "Breath." The two other conscious parties in the compartment looked confused, the sandy haired girl shaking her friend to wake him./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Deep breath in, that's it. Good." Once he was certain she had calmed down he reached into his jacket, pulling out a chocolate bar and breaking off a small sliver before passing it to her, "Eat." He turned to the boy who was coming to, "You as well, you'll feel better. It's all right, it's chocolate."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""What was that thing?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""It was a dementor, one of the guards of Azkaban. It's gone now. It was searching the train for Sirius Black." He set the left over chocolate on the seat beside the boy Seren now knew as Harry potter. His name was common and she had heard it frequently in passing growing up, his was a name that was often used among Auror's in her mother's friend circle./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Now if you'll excuse me, I need to have a little word with the driver." He turned to look at the girl still huddled in the corner, "Could the three of you keep an eye on her? I won't be long."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"As the train pulled into Hogsmeade station and students disembarked the train she took in the old familiar sights, the lights of the village could be seen in the distance a few happy memories flooding back as she and Remus headed for one of the carriages./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""You'll be fine." He assured once again as they loaded their trunks before climbing into the carriage as the Thestral carted them off towards the large castle./p
hr style="margin: 0.875em auto 1.2525em; border-style: solid; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; width: 359.25px; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.12px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"As the frog choir finished their rendition of double double toil and trouble the Great Hall fell to silence as Dumbledore took the podium for start of the year announcements./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Welcome, Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. Now, I'd like to say a few words before we all become befuddled by our excellent feast." Seren had tucked herself at the very end of the Ravenclaw table, trying not to draw unwanted attention to herself as the elderly headmaster spoke./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""First, I am please to welcome Professor R.J Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Good luck, Professor." Remus stood as the hall filled with applause, quickly taking his seat again./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Secondly, Professor Kettle burn, who has been a teacher here for many years, has decided to retire, in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs. Fortunately, I am delighted to announce that his place will be taken by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid." The Gryffindor table erupted into cheers./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""On a more describing note, at the request of the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts will, until further notice, will play host to the dementors of Azkaban until such a time as Sirius black is captured. The dementors will be stationed at every entrance to the grounds. Now, whilst I've been assured that their presence will not disrupt our day to day activities, a word of caution; Dementors are vicious creatures, they will not distinguish between the one they hunt and the one that gets in their way. Therefore, I must warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Dumbledore seemed to be looking between Harry and herself as a chill settled in despite the warmth of the room, "It is not in the nature of a dementor to be forgiving. But you know, Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"She had remembered a similar lesson from her mother when she had been a little girl, constantly moving from place to place before settling in Oxford./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Lastly, I'd like to give a warm welcome back to one of our students, who, until recently, we thought lost to us." Seren's eyes shot open, peering up at the table towards Remus who shook his head like he'd had no idea this was going to happen. Seren tried to slip under the table, "Miss Price, if you could stand please?" all eyes fell to the girl trying to hide under the table before she carefully reappeared. Murmurs could be heard around the hall, a few dirty looks from the Slytherin table made her shrink a bit. Children of those who had taken her in the first place…children who knew what she was./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""A recovery mission was launched this past summer holiday to retrieve Ms. Price, who we thought had been lost to us after an unforeseen attack in the oxford corridor two years ago. Some of you may have read about this story in the Daily Prophet. To our staff, I ask your patience and guidance, and to our students I ask understanding and kindness." The murmurs continued and Seren felt herself feeling nauseous as she took her seat once more. Thankfully, Dumbledore hadn't shared the specifics of her condition after calling her out in front of the school./p
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p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"After the opening feast was concluded she had met with Dumbledore so he could show her to her new living quarters, somewhat dismayed that it had turned out to be an old storage room the staff had put an extension charm on and refurnished, located on the first floor near the west wing./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I hope you find it to your liking. I personally find it quite homey myself. My deepest Apologies by the way. It was not my intention to embarrass you in front of your peers. It is my hope that as you will be able to not only successfully reintegrate but also help guide those who may come to look up to you." She watched Dumbledore with a hint of curiosity, "Professor?" the elderly man turned, "Yours is a story of hope, Seren, in a world growing ever more dark and cruel. Despite the indescribable cruelties you faced, you chose to return to our hallowed halls when you could just as easily have fled."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I don't think Rem…er, Professor Lupin would let me live it down if I ran with my tail between my legs…" there was a twitch of a smile on the headmasters face, "I'm well aware of your bond with Professor Lupin, Seren, you've nothing to hide."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""You knew?" Albus chuckled, "I'm known to be very perceptive, Ms. Price, aside from the both of you sharing in Lycanthropy, I'm well versed in matters of the heart. I myself once loved someone so dearly I made a blood vow with them." Seren hung onto his words, "We had aligning goals once. However, as I got older and matured my allegiances changed, I became a teacher here at this very school actually. The person of my affection was driven mad with power and it corrupted him before finally consuming him."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Him?" Dumbledore nodded, "Yes, you'll have learned about him in your history of magic courses, I presume. But the Moral of the story is that everyone falls in love, Seren, and we can't always help who we fall in love with, all we can do is follow what's in here." He tapped his index finger over her heart, "Do you understand?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I think so…but…" there was a knowing look in the headmasters eyes, "I understand completely, Miss Price, but you'll face no repercussions, I assure you." He finally turned, heading for the door./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I've made sure a silencing charm will be placed on your room, should you choose to go through your transformation in here on nights of the full moon. Professor snape will provide yourself and Remus with Wolfsbane potions throughout the year." He turned back once more to smile at her,/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I hope you'll join your peers in the great hall tomorrow, I think it will do you a world of good." Seren gave a small nod, "I'll try." Nodding he turned the doorknob, "I'll take my leave now, Miss Price." Finally, she was alone, a mechanism on the door clicked signaling she was locked in, probably for the best given it was well past curfew now. Deciding to take a shower later, Seren sat on the fourposter bed, her eyes trained on the wall./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"The room was mostly bare. Her bed was decorated in the familiar Blue and Bronze of her house, off set only by the deep grey concrete of the castle walls. Along another wall was a simple desk with an old looking wooden chair and in the corner near the bathroom was a simple armchair and two bookshelves, possibly furniture left from the refurnish./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"She hadn't come to school with much but she set about unpacking what little she did have, putting her textbooks on the bookshelf near her bed before unloading her clothes into the small dresser./p
hr style="margin: 0.875em auto 1.2525em; border-style: solid; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; width: 359.25px; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.12px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;" align="center"September 2sup style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 13.23px; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 0;"nd/sup, 1993/p
hr style="margin: 0.875em auto 1.2525em; border-style: solid; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; width: 359.25px; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.12px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Good morning everyone. I thought we'd start with a brief refresh of what you've already learned, so if you could all push your desks to the outside of the classroom, we'll have you find a partner." Lupins eyes scanned the classroom, he hadn't expected her in his class at all given the circumstances, yet he was thrilled she had actually turned up./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Wonderful. Now Pair up, everyone should have a partner. Ms. Price, feel free to observe." It was easy to tell from his perspective that she was uncomfortable, "Professor, shouldn't she participate with the rest of us?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Miss Price?" he could tell the formality made her skin crawl but she ever so slowly made her way over to a seventh year Hufflepuff girl who she must have deemed friendly enough./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Now, form two lines on either side of the room, facing your partner. Wands away until I tell you." he pushed off his desk, walking to the head of the two lines, "Dueling is an important skill set for witches and wizards, and should you find yourself in a situation where you're being attacked you should know how to adequately protect your weak spots."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Yes, Mister Alfray." The boy's hand had launched up like a rocket, "Will we be doing any actual spell work in your class? Last year Professor Lockhart said it was impractical and that there was little chance we'd ever be attacked…and well…" He'd been informed of what had happened at Hogwarts last year with the Basilisk and the petrification of several Muggleborn's./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I've been made well aware that Professor Lockhart's lessons were less than exemplary and failed to prepare you for the world outside of Hogwarts. While we will not be tackling any serious forms of magic in today's lesson, it is my job to ensure you are equipped to manage any situation you may find yourself in."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"His eyes flicked to Seren again who was shifting anxiously, perhaps if she had been better equipped she never would have found herself at the mercy of death eaters. "Now, I want everyone to get into dueling position, don't worry if it's not perfect, we'll make corrections." Shoes scuffed on the polished wooden floor as he stepped down the lines, looking at people's feet, correcting stances and motioning where arms should fall./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Well done, I want you to memorize how your body is positioned, how do you feel? If you feel stiff then you need to release the tension in your back, rigidity is just as dangerous as leaving yourself prone, it means there is less time for you to react if a spell is thrown your way.." he watched a few students whose posture shifted with the advice./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Wonderful, I'm sure by now you're well versed in how to hold your wands properly. Draw your wands and then resume your dueling stance." He walked down the line once again making correction as needed, "Straighten your posture Miss Calloway."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"He walked to the back of the room, out of harm's way should anything go wrong, "Good, now I want everyone to concentrate only on disarming your partner." As chants of 'Expelliarmus' bounced around the room, echoing off the walls and wands flying about, occasionally clicking against the wooden floorboards when someone failed to catch them./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"They'd moved from disarming spells to jinxes and onto stunning spells before things went sideways./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Petrificus totalus!" Several students hit the floor as their bodies seized up. His eyes traveled to Seren who had crouched out of the way to avoid being hit/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;" turning back to his class he nodded, stuffing his hands into his pockets "That's a good place to end for today. Read the chapter on Dueling and we'll resume next class period." Quickly he walked out the door as students started moving their desks back into place./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""You did well." Her head whipped around as he came to sit beside her on the floor "Mind if I join you?" he didn't wait for an answer as he stepped forward, taking the spot on the ground next to her, "I didn't expect you to turn up, figured you'd take a few days to settle in."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Am I in trouble?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""No. do you think you ought to be?" the familiar shrug of her shoulders told him what he needed to know, "Why do you think you deserve punishment?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Because."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""That's not an answer, Seren. Do you think you deserve to suffer?" the way her face contorted painted a new picture of the teen beside him, and here he'd thought he'd made some headway with her, "Despite Dumbledore's intentions and his insistence that things will be alright…I just feel so…"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Frustrated? Disgusted?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Alone. Mum did her best while I was growing up, made sure I had as normal a childhood as possible…but."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""My own Parents worried over me after my accident, I've told you the story but you've never shared much of yours." He smiled, hoping talking about what was on her mind would aid in some way./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"The familiar smell of lilacs and Vanilla invaded his senses once more as she rested her head on his shoulder, carefully he brought a hand up, running it gently through the short curls in an effort to soothe her./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""When I was little…I used to get this feeling like the girl in the mirror wasn't really me, that she was someone else…and the longer I stared at her the angrier I got because I hated her, with every fiber of my being I hated her." Tilting his head, he looked down at her, fingers still working through the short, curly mop of hair,/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Why?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Because when I walked away, she got to disappear while I was left existing in that house. I hated how I looked…the sound of my voice, the self-inflicted scars…the pitiable looks my mother would give me as the full moon came and went. And no matter how much she reassured me that she loved me, it all just felt like I wasn't a person anymore…"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Your mother loved you, otherwise she never would have sacrificed herself the way she had. That night she was trying to protect you." Seren scoffed, "And a world of good it did her, she died."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Despite your willingness to believe the world is purely black and white, there are good people out there who want to help you. I want to help you in every way that I can." She could feel her anger start to ebb away, nudging him lightly in the ribs. How he always managed to disarm her made Dumbledore's words echo in her mind./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""You're just saying that because you're my professor and it's your job."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I think I've proven on more than one account I am not just your professor, Seren." Her mind flashed back to the other day at the Leaky cauldron and her face dusted bright red./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I…um…Dumbledore said…he, um." Remus chuckled beside her, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head, "I've spoken to Dumbledore, as I said I would. Nothing to worry about."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""So then…" she hesitated as he spoke "Things can carry on as they have been. And if it's any comfort to you we can continue spending full moons together."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""But…won't it be weird for you? I mean…I am also your…and other students could see…" Remus chuckled again, "Always worrying about appearances, my room is not anywhere near the Defense against the Dark Arts classroom, no one would see you coming or going."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"There was a brief intermission in their conversation as she suddenly rummaged through her robe pockets, pulling out a folded sheet of paper. "I got my timetable this morning…" taking the paper from her he unfolded it, scanning over the class list,/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Charms, Transfigurations, Defense against the Dark arts…Potions?" he looked down at her curiously as she pulled back from him./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I…I want to try and be an Auror. They have an option for interns this year."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I think that's an admirable goal, but you know there will be those who have a prejudice against you." she clasped her hands together in her lap, straightening her legs out in front of her, "You're always encouraging me to try, even when you were helping me with spells at the leaky Cauldron you didn't let me give up…so…I'm going to do this." Reaching up once more he ruffled her hair in an affectionate manner./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Then I will do what I can to ensure you get there."/p