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 13sup 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;"th/sup, 1993/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;""You're kind of strange, aren't you?" the girl beside her asked quietly as Snape paced the room with terse impatience. Peering up she notice the blue of the girls robes as she stirred the cauldron six times counterclockwise before adding the next ingredient and setting the cauldron to simmer./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;""How do you mean?" Seren asked offhandedly, "Well, you're always a little spaced out, like your mind is literally anywhere else." Peering up from her book Seren takes in the girls appearance for once, she's pretty with bright teal hair and deep brown eyes, "I think you mean contemplative?" the girl laughs, drawing snapes attention 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;""Miss Clark, I trust you know here is not the place for your silly gossip." The girl clears her throat, "Yes, sir." Ducking her head down as Snape passes their shared station he seems to nod, "It seems you're not entirely hopeless, miss Price." The subtle compliment left her curious, "I think he likes you. I'm Tarryn, by the way." Seren's green eyes filled with further curiosity, "Nice to meet you…" picking up her mixing stick she stirred the potion in the opposite direction, watching as it changed color. She quickly turned off the burner before scooping some of the mixture into one of the vials, corking it and bringing it to the front of the room./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;"Snape peered at her from the back of the room, "It seems that despite missing two years of my class you've still proven more adept than your peers." Seren jumped, realizing he'd strolled up behind her. Turning, she caught his scrutinizing stare and inched away from him before quickly returning to her seat beside Tarryn./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 must really know what you're doing." Seren closed her book, tucking it away, "I just read the book…" Tarryn gave a small nod, "Makes sense, so if you're in Ravenclaw house how come I never see you in the common room?" Seren frozen, "I…um…they thought it would be best not to overwhelm me…" the Answer seemed to sway the girls curiosity as she went back to her own potion, finally leaving Seren to her thoughts./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 soon as potions ended she hung back so the mass of students could leave the dungeon, only following suit as the last of the crowd reached the stairs. She had a free period between potions and Transfigurations, often finding she spent her time in the clock tower just staring out at the grounds or re-reading assigned chapters from her texts./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 she poured over the pages of her transfigurations book the sound of students down below captured her attention. Peering through the railing, at the bottom of the tower was a mixed group of Gryffindors and Slytherins heading for the forest. Carefully she closed her textbook, setting it aside to watch the grounds./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;""Seren!" startled, she turned to see Tarryn running up to her again. Part of her wanted to take off towards the Defense against the Dark Arts classroom just to see if she could lose the girl, "I missed the chance to talk to you after potions. What class do you have next?" Tarryn's persistence was slightly irritating but she fought back the need to snap at the girl./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;""Defense against the Dark Arts…" the teal haired girls face fell, "I see, I opted for ancient Runes, I've always been rubbish at Defensive spells." It was easy enough to tell that Seren had extraordinarily little experience socializing with people her own age, something the blue haired girl seemed to tune into. "You don't say much, do you?" given her condition, her time at Hogwarts had been especially isolated so the fact someone purposely sought her out picked at her nerves a bit./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 alright, we all heard Dumbledore's speech in the great hall. I can't imagine…" Seren's eyes narrowed, "Oh, sorry. I didn't mean anything by that, honest."/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…gonna be late." She had had a much easier time opening up to the staff in the two weeks since term started, but the fact remained she had a long way to go before she would be who she used to./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, well…I'll see you at lunch?" Seren didn't give her an answer, turning on her heel and taking off for the DADA classroom, arriving to see she was the first one there…perhaps she had misjudged the time./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;""Is everything alright?" startled, she turned to face the voices owner, "You're quite early, is something the matter?" shaggy brown hair shook in response to his question, "No, um…" Remus' eyebrow twitched upwards, curiously. "You can talk to me, Seren."/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;""Um…well…" She stumbled over her words for a moment, "How…How do I tell someone I want to be their friend?" a soft smile appeared on his face as he strolled towards her, pulling out one of the desk chairs to sit on, motioning for her to do the same. "Someone approached you then?" she gave a small nod, taking a seat at one of the desks. "Even before…everything…making friends was 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;""Well, in my personal experience those who know your condition and still seek you out are rare finds indeed. Do they know?" Seren shook her head, "I don't think so…I've always been pretty isolated here at Hogwarts, despite having lived in the dorms before now." Remus gave a soft nod, humming at her predicament./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 see, well in my experience, being willing to talk to people is a good start, did they give you their name?"/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;""Tarryn Clark?" Remus' smile seemed to grow, "Ah, Ms. Clark. Tarryn is a particularly precocious girl, I know her parents. They're good people." He watched her visibly relax, "They know about my condition as well, she's a safe person to place your trust in." There was the slightest twitch of a smile on the teens face, "There's that smile, it suits you, you know." He decided to change the subject, "So, how are your other classes 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;""I think Snape gave me a compliment today…he told me I wasn't… completely incompetent." Lupin seemed surprised, Praise from the potions master was few and far between, "Well, high praise indeed. Especially in the N.E.W.T'S courses." He reached over and ruffled her already messy 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;""How about your other courses?" A couple of Hufflepuff students stepped into the room, waving a polite Hello to their professor, "Well, Professor Flitwick has been helping me with problem areas, he said he'd be proud to see me as an Auror. And Professor McGonagall has offered to meet with me over the weekends to go over fifth or sixth year curriculum."/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 wonderful news!" several more students filed into the classroom, "Perhaps we can chat more after dinner?" Seren's face seemed impassive again as he pushed the borrowed chair in and strolled to the front of the room./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, come on in." Remus slipped so easily into his professor façade as a few stragglers pushed through 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;""Good afternoon. I'll ask you all to put your books back in your bags. Today will be another practical lesson. You will need only your wands." Several students started to whisper amongst themselves as shuffling sounds filled the room./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;""Alright then" Lupin clapped his hands together excitedly, "If you'd follow me." there were a few more confused looks and conversations as the seventh years stood, "We did this same lesson with my third years this morning." Seren was intrigued as they followed him out of the classroom and down the deserted corridor. "Though earlier in the day we had a run in with Peeves." There were a few sour faces in the crowd of seventh years./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 poltergeist is a menace." One girl growled, "Alright, settle down. Thankfully, Peeves has been chased off by the Bloody Baron. So, he'll not be disturbing our lesson." As the class quieted down and continued down the corridor, stopping outside the staff room./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;""Step inside, please." The room was quite spacious as he held open the door for everyone to enter. The room was mostly empty aside form Snape who was seated some distance away in an armchair, he looked around as the glass filed in, seemingly unimpressed, though it was many students' speculation that was just his default mood. Quickly, the Black robed man stood, departing the room./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;"At the front of the room was a dark finished, ornately carved wooden wardrobe, "I'll ask for a volunteer to assist me in just a bit, but first I'd like to explain today's lesson." The wardrobe gave a sudden lurch, rocking back and forth before once again settling on the wooden floor. "Nothing to worry about." even Seren had noticed the few apprehensive faces in the class, "There's a boggart in there." He informed calmly, watching with another smile as chatter filled the room./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;""Boggarts like dark, enclosed spaces." Lupin informed, stepping forward to address the class, "Wardrobes, the gap beneath beds, the cupboards under sinks, I've even met one that had lodged itself in a grandfather clock. This one moved in yesterday afternoon. I asked the headmaster to leave it so I could offer my classes some practice in sending them away. Now, the first question we must ask ourselves is…what is a boggart?" Lupins eyes scanned the seventh years,/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 Spettell." The Ravenclaw's hand fell, "It's a type of shapeshifter, isn't it? we read about them last year when Professor Lockhart was teaching. It can take the shape of whatever it thinks will frighten us most."/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 correct. Ten points to Ravenclaw. Well done, Ms. Spetell. So, the boggart sitting in the darkness within has not yet assumed a form. He does not yet know what will frighten you so this will be quite an informative class."/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;"Briefly his eyes flickered to Seren, standing off to the side behind a slightly taller Ravenclaw boy, he hadn't thought much about what her fear would be, maybe it would be the night her mother was killed, or perhaps something much darker…time would tell. "Nobody knows what a boggart looks like when he's alone. However, when I open this wardrobe he will immediately become what each of us fears most. This means—" he began, "that we have a huge advantage over the boggart before we begin." As he carried on explaining there were a few students scribbling notes on parchment, "The charm that repels a boggart is simple yet it requires force of mind, you see, the thig that really finishes a boggart is laughter. What you need to do is force it to assume a shape that you find amusing. We will practice the charm without wands first. Repeat after me, please. Riddikulus."/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 mumbled the spell to herself as the staff room filled with chants of the spell, "Good! Very good. But that was the easy part, I'm afraid. You see, the word alone is not enough. This is where our volunteer comes in." Lupin's eyes scanned the students, "I'll try, professor."/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;""Ah, thank you for volunteering, Mister Merstun. Step up here if you would." The wardrobe rattled again, drawing apprehensive looks "Tell us, Mister Merstun, what is it you fear most?"/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'd have to say I'm terribly Afraid of Snakes, sir."/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 not the first today, Mister Merstun. Come on up here." The two of them stepped up to the wardrobe, "Now I want you to picture whatever you think is funny and will the boggart to turn into it. Laughter is what truly finishes a boggart. I need you to picture what makes you laugh clearly in your mind's eye, Mister Merstun. 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;""Yes, sir."/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 I'm going to open this wardrobe and let the boggart out." Lupin turned his attention back to the class, "If He is successful, the boggart will likely shift it's attention to each of us in turn, so it is now that I would like all of you to take a moment to think of the thing that frightens you most."/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's mind drifted back in her memories as silence fell over the room, "Imagine how you might force it to look comical." Once again Remus let his eyes fall to the short Ravenclaw girl, she seemed to be migrating further towards the back of the group and he wondered what she had produced, time would tell./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;""Everyone ready?" Lupin asked, turning back to face the boy at the front of the room. "We're going to back away now, Mister Merstun, let you have a clear field. Alright? Once you've finished I'll call the next person forward, everyone back now, form a line please." The scattered group of students shuffled together in a haphazard line of sorts, all eyes fixed on the wardrobe as Lupin drew his wand,/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 the count of three." The class watched in anticipation as the wardrobe suddenly flipped open and out slithered a humongous cobra, towering over the boy in front of it./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;""R-Ridikkulus!" a whipping sound made Seren jump at the back of the room as the snake suddenly shifted into stuffed hand puppet with wonky eyes./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!" the class seemed to erupt with giggles as the boy stepped back into line and the next person stepped forward. The boggarts attention snapped towards her and it began to shift again, the loud crack revealed a tall, black clad figure with a pale face stalking towards the girl,/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;""Riddikulus!" the figure once again changed, this time into one of those inflatable boxing clowns and the class laughed again as it rocked back and forth./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;"One by one the students took their turns and chants of 'Riddikulus' reverberated off the stone walls until finally it was Seren who stood at the front. Carefully he stepped forward, leaning down to her level, a comforting hand on her shoulder./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 sure you're ready?" Lupin gave her a soft look, catching the glint of hesitation in her eyes, "I can do this…I'll be fine, I promise." She offered him a shy smile, trying to sway his concern, "I'll be right there." He nodded to a spot just a few feet away./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;""Step forward, Miss Price." Swallowing back her fear she took a step forward, flinching again as the whipping sound filled the room, the boggart swirled for a few seconds before it took shape and Remus felt his blood run cold. He had expected a full moon, like his own boggart was, he had certainly not expected the image before him now./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 boggart was her, chained down in the cage as he'd found her months ago, eyes obscured by pitch black fabric as several hooded figures stood above her. The scrap of a girl on the floor was sickly looking with scar littered, paper white skin he was glad had been remedied quickly. Her face was gaunt and sunken in. She'd mentioned she'd been tortured…but she had not mentioned she had been assaulted./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;"Her reaction at the leaky cauldron the morning he'd gotten carried away made sense now, when she said they were the same and it made his blood boil./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 fell into hushed whispers as the hooded figures turned to face her, wands drawn./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." Her eyes were fixed on the figured as the whisper's got louder, the faceless, hooded figures were in front of her now, the chained girl in the background long forgotten. Shakily she raised her wand and Lupin watched with piqued interest as she tried to stop herself from shaking./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;""Rid…" She swallowed, trying again, "Riddikulus!" suddenly the figures disappeared as the boggart shifted into a screeching rubber chicken. Quickly stepping forward, Remus sent the Boggart back to the wardrobe./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 quite enough for today. Class dismissed." Chatter began almost immediately as students filed from the room, "Seren, would you mind staying back?" she hadn't moved from her spot, jumping as a gentle hand closed around her wrist, snapping her from her thoughts./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 was a spectacular display." Lupin complimented, "but I think you and I need to talk about that."/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;"Jade met steely blue and he could see that fear still lingered. "After dinner, meet me at my office. We can talk in private."/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…" Seren began, "You're not angry with me?" his face softened, "No, I'm not angry with you, Seren." His hand moved to rest on her cheek, running his thumb along the soft skin, "Why would I be? You didn't ask them to do those things. They took advantage of you." carefully, he pulled her towards him, wrapping his arms around her and resting his chin atop her head,/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 understand now, why you were so upset that day, Seren, and I will apologize again and again for overstepping." He felt her arms wrap around his torso, her face pressing into his jumper, "You don't need to apologize Prof…Remus." He stepped back from her, "I mean it though, and I also mean when I tell you to talk to me." offering her a small smile he caught the curious look on her face./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?" he caught her lips twitching up into a smile as she got on her tip toes and placed a soft kiss to his cheek. "I'll…uh…see you later." She whispered, taking off for the door. Carefully he reached up and touched his cheek, chuckling as she rounded the corner./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;""There you are!" Seren jumped as Tarryn took the seat next to her, "I waited for you by the doors but I must have missed 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;""I…Professor Lupin held be back a bit, there was an…issue during lessons today." Tarryn's expression shifted, "Is everything alright?"/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;""Everything's fine…" Seren hesitated, "We took on boggarts today and mine got a bit out of control." Tarryn smiled, "My uncle had a boggart in his home once, I'm terrified of the things so I likely would have fainted." Seren tilted her head confused, "What's your boggart?"/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 have this horrible fear of zombies after my older sister showed me this horror movie when we were younger. She still makes fun of me." Seren nodded as the food began to appear on the tables, "So, did you defeat it then?" Tarryn reached for some of the fried chicken in front of her before heaping a large portion of mash and vegetables onto her plate. Carefully Seren scooped some veg onto her plate as well but reached for a hamburger./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;""Not a chicken person?"/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…not really, it tastes all watery. I'm…more of a red meat eater." Tarryn nodded, "That makes sense, your condition and all." Seren coughed, turning to look at her blue haired companion with wide, frightened eyes, "How did 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;""I heard some other students chatting on during free period, relax, your secret is safe…not that the whole school probably doesn't know by now…we may be the smart house but that means nothing in the way of common sense and secrecy."/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;""And you're not, you know…Repulsed?" Tarryn smiled, chewing her food quickly and swallowing, "Not at all, my parents and Professor Lupin have been friends since I was little, the lot of us think it's rubbish what the ministry's done to werewolves."/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 mentioned he knew your parents. Said I could trust you." Seren took a small bite out of her hamburger, "Well, I'd like to think we're more…progressive…than other wizarding families, "I've got a cousin who's part house elf…to each their own, you know?"/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 tried to imagine what would possess someone to sleep with a house elf, but decided it was a subject best left untouched./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 never answered my question earlier." Turning her head, she looked at Tarryn again, "About being friends." Swallowing her food, Seren contemplated the idea, "If you really mean that you're okay with…you know, then yeah, I can only try, right?" she coughed as the blue haired girl clapped her on the back, "That's the spirit!" Seren offered a tiny smile in response as they both went back to eating lunch./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;" /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 classes finished for the day she made quick work of dinner before she tried to remember where Remus' office was located, "Bit lost, are we?" Seren whipped around, looking for whomever had spoken, "Up here, young lady." The head poking out from the ceiling made her relax, it was only Sir Nicholas, "Ah, the young Miss Price, welcome back to Hogwarts!" she smiled awkwardly at the ghost,/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;""Sir Nicholas, would you perhaps know where Professor Lupins office is?" the resident ghost gave her a cheery smile, "Just head up those stairs there and it'll be the second to last door on your right." with that he disappeared through the ceiling 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;"Climbing up the stairs she followed Sir Nicholas' direction's, stopping at the second to last door and giving a soft knock./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;""One moment!" shifting on her feet in the empty corridor, she scuffed her shoes on the stone tiles, still unaccustomed to wearing shoes for prolonged periods of time, she jumped as the door suddenly swung open./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;""Sorry, didn't mean to startle you." he stepped aside, ushering her into the room. The first thing she noticed was the soft glow of the blazing fireplace and the large, ornate windows that looked out over the grounds, "This office is isolated enough from the rest of the school, safe enough for transforming as well. Come on, have a seat." She continued to observe the rather spacious office, "It's nice in here, warm." Lupin took a seat in one of the plush armchairs, crossing one leg over the other as he watched her, "Yes, I suppose. It's quite homey, isn't it?" the brief thought that she seemed considerably smaller in this room crossed his mind for a split second as she finally took a seat in the chair beside him and he couldn't help but chuckle as she sank into the overly large chair./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 so funny?" he shook the thought form his head, leaning forward, "Nothing, just a memory." She seemed to buy his excuse,/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…what exactly do you want to know?" Seren fidgeted with her hands now, unable to look at him again. In that moment, the same image of a frightened rabbit made it's way into Remus' mind, "I want to know what you haven't told me. what did they do to 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;""You saw the Boggart…the same as everyone else…I think you know what they did." His expression steeled, and the fact she wouldn't…no…couldn't meet his gaze cemented his suspicions. If he'd not seen that boggart…/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 was your way of telling me, wasn't it?" she flinched, there was no warmth in his voice now, only ice and venom. And the fact she'd felt safe enough in his presence to show an entire class of her peers…he should have sent them all out the moment the boggart began to take shape…he should have done for her what he'd done for Harry, but she hadn't asked him too. Something clicked./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;""How long?" She flinched again, shrinking back into the chair as his voice rose in volume, "HOW LONG?!" she jolted from the chair, pressing herself against the far wall of his office before he'd realized he'd shouted at her. None of this had been her fault, she was the victim and him shouting at her was a fine way to show her she could trust 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;"Clenching his fists he took a deep breath, softening his expression, "Seren?" he'd made so much progress with her in the two months they'd been together and watching that progress shatter so easily was difficult to watch, "Seren, come here please." She didn't move for what felt like hours as the clock on the wall ticked, carefully he stepped towards her, finally kneeling down so he could tilt her head to look at 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;""Look at me, please?" when her eyes finally drifted up to his face she saw nothing but kindness and patience, "I didn't mean to lose my temper with you, I'm sorry."/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 like it when you yell…and…and I don't like fighting with you." he ran his thumb over her cheek again, as he had earlier that day, "I know, Seren, but I need to know the answer." The girl before him seemed apprehensive, "if I tell you…then what?"/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 was a good question, what would he do with the information once he had it? he had no idea who her assailants were other than potential death eaters and neither did she, "I don't know." He felt a small hand tug on his jumper, and he looked down into gentle pools of jade, "Remus, being angry now…it…it doesn't change the fact that it happened. No matter how much I wish it hadn't."/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 you should be angry, you're allowed to be angry, you understand that right? You're allowed to be angry and sad; you're allowed to feel those things."/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 know…and sometimes I still do…but it doesn't do me any good to be angry at the people I care about. Not when they're so few." He felt her other hand brush some stray hair out of his face, "People deal with their grief and anger in different ways. If I spend all of my time angry at them for hurting me…it doesn't make me any better than them." Remus reached up for her hand,/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 were the one who told me the world wasn't purely black and white, and so I am trying my best to live by that. And I don't want you to be angry for me, I want…" she trailed off, smiling at his now softened expression, "I want you to feel happy, Remus. I want to keep spending time together and having these talks and…going for walks along the river Thames." Him chuckling made her furrow her eyebrows,/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 so funny?"/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 you've somehow managed to turn this around and make it about me." she quirked her eyebrow at him, "Well…you're always going on and on about how I should take chances…Maybe you should too."/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 should take chances should I?" her face turned that familiar shade of pink he loved as he leaned in, "I think you and I both know—" She could feel her heart hammering in her chest as he softly bit the top of her ear. "—That I've taken plenty of chances." He smirked as he pulled away, watching her face change from soft pink to 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;""So...how long?" She stammered, caught off guard by his sudden forwardness, and on school grounds no less, before she finally conceded, though mildly annoyed he'd used such a trick to get his answer./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;""...since my second transformation in captivity..."/p