Chapter 8
Harry
After finishing the classes and spending four hours with Luna inside a Library researching spells and completing their homework, it was time for him to meet Professor Lupin, and so he set out towards the DADA class with Luna.
(Entering the
"Ah, you are here Harry", called Professor Lupin with a smile as he handed a book to Neville Longbottom as his stooges stood around him, Ron Weasley Scowled at him while Hermione Granger looked away.
"Now Neville I have an appointment with Harry, so how about we resume the session on the morrow", said Professor Lupin.
"Okay, Professor at what timing though?", asked Neville Longbottom
"Uh, How about I send you a message through someone after I look through my to-do list for tomorrow", said Professor Lupin
"Ok Professor Thank you so much", said Neville as he left
Professor Lupin smiled as the three Gryffindor's left
"So, you take extra sessions for Longbottom?", he asked
"Ah yes, he is quite good in DADA and first in class and I have a duty to push him as much as I can, though I must say I am very pleased with your marks you need to improve a little bit and then you may able to catch up to Neville, Lily would be proud of you", Professor Lupin said
Luna patted his back and Professor Lupin got up and brought a thick tome.
"Tea?", he asked Him and Luna.
Both took the offer and slowly nibbled the crackers as Professor Lupin sat in his comfy chair and said,
"I knew James the best, he was my closest friend while at Hogwarts, Lily though, she hated James and our group until the sixth year when she finally started dating James"
"James and our merry band had me, Peter, and Sirius", Lupin said with a hint of anger at the last name.
"What Sirius Black", he asked
"Yes, he and James were close almost like brothers but the worst traitors are friends and I think James never suspected Sirius, but enough about Sirius, James was the leader of our group always doing pranks on people, and he was loved by almost everyone quite like Weasley Terrors but more Handsome and likeable, he was also one of the best seekers in several centuries that Gryffindor had and if not for the war then he might have played quidditch Professionally.", said Professor Lupin lost in thoughts and after few minutes he opened the thick tome and started showing them pictures and regaling the story behind each picture, it was heartfelt and quite touching as he told him about his father's pranks and how his father chased his mother and sharing this moment with Luna just made it more personal.
"Though I must say James would be proud of you already having your girl though as a professor I must condemn your act", he said in a falsely strong tone.
"We are not like that… I mean we are good friends but nothing like that", Luna spluttered.
Professor Lupin just looked amused
"I am sure", he said in an amused voice
"Anyways it's going to be late quite soon, but Harry I have seen you with a lot of different creatures and the praise that comes from Hagrid about your ability with creatures makes me wonder if you have any familiars", Professor Lupin asked.
"Yes, Harry and I have several", Luna spoke for him excited about the topic of magical creatures.
"Oh, may I know what they are", asked Professor Lupin
"Harry have a Bowtruckle, a Bobcat, a snake, I have a Bowtruckle, a kneazle", Luna spoke enthusiastically
"Oh, that is Great I know only one person who had so many familiars", Lupin said
"Who", Luna asked curiously
"Newt Scamander", Lupin said
"Ooooo…. You know Newt Scamander have you ever seen his sanctuary", Luna asked.
"Yes, and I have a most curious tale but it is growing late already seven and I should let you get back to your day now", Lupin said
"Thanks, Professor, thank you so much for your time", Harry said
"No probs Pronglet", Lupin said
He raised his eyebrow and Lupin Laughed, "There is a story most curious behind it perhaps a story for next time"
He smiled and he and Luna took their leave from the professor's study.
"What did you notice Luna", he asked
"He is a werewolf", Luna said simply
He raised his eyebrow.
"Oh stop it Harry we both know the five ways to recognize a werewolf and Lupin already showed three we just confirmed the last two his pupils have morphed into wolf-like and he avoids silvers", she said batting her eyes.
"Nice", he said
"So what would you do", she asked
"Nothing", he replied
"Liar", she said
"No, I will really do nothing I do not care whether he is a werewolf or not I know Homomorphous Charm as much as Gilderoy Lockhart was a fop Homomorphous Charm does affect Werewolves except it does not revert them to their old form but force them away as it causes a lot of pain to them and destroys their sensory systems and if that does not work then I know Patronus which does protect against werewolves", He replied
"Good, he is nice you know", Luna said
"Yes, now enough about Lupin I wanna research some spells and then Hagrid has asked us to come tomorrow to help him with Hippogriffs so we must retire early but fancy a Dinner on Astronomy Tower", he asked Luna.
"Oh yes Harry you are so sweet", she replied
They spent the next two hours in the library where they were able to create a list of spells that they needed to learn this year once the list was complete, he took Luna to Hogwarts Kitchen which was below the Great Hall and behind the painting of Prickly pear. From where he got the dinner packed by House elves and in a nice basket two soon enough both he and Luna shared a very memorable night together as they ate Turkey and roast potatoes with some butterbeer.
Neville
(same day)
"What was the Loony Girl and Potter Boy doing with Lupin", asked Ron
"Don't know and we should not care either Ron it is between Lupin and them", he said sighing
"But the snake could be planning something", Ron complained
"That is enough Ronald Weasley", Snapped Hermione "Neither Potter nor Luna have done anything to us since the first year"
Ron snorted, "Well then what are Lonny and Potty doing in the Forbidden Forest all the time then?"
"I don't know though I think it would be nice to follow them and see what they do?", Hermione said
"I don't know if they are doing anything shady, Hagrid says they are good with animals probably helping him around, you know Hagrid's been quite busy this year", He said noncommittally.
"What are you thinking Nev", asked Hermione
"Nothing Herms just the match against Slytherin is coming up and Wood's running me dry I can do only so much", he replied
"Ask Lupin to reschedule the next session", Hermione suggested
"Probably should do", he muttered
"Anyways any news regarding Sirius Black and Bellatrix Black?", He asked
"Nothing mate, just some muggle seeing Blacks near London", replied Ron
"Anyways, Hagrid had called us for tea to his hut Let go or it going to be too late", Hermione said
"Yeah, let's go", Ron said excitedly
Soon enough three of them made their way to Hagrid's hut, all the while Hermione Urged Ron to start studying, Hagrid's hut was homely though and as they entered, they could clearly see Hagrid quite tired with dark circles under his eyes.
"Ah… 'here You 're, com' in come in", Hagrid said
Inside they could see Fang and surprisingly a lot of books some on Dragon others on Hippogriffs and some on breeding which were most likely from the Forbidden section of the library.
"You have been reading Hagrid", Hermione asked surprised
"Ah, ye' Harry helped me prepare for ma NEWT of Care of magical creature last year", Hagrid spoke
"Oh, Harry, Harry Potter I presume", Hermione asked sweetly
"Ye' ye', Nice boy natural with creatures him and Lovegood Girl, they help me a lot, Rock cakes Neville, Ron, Hermione", the half-giant asked
"No, we are alright", Hermione said
Hagrid Poured a few cups of tea served them, sat on his huge sofa and began slurping tea from a bucket-like cup.
"So Hagrid how has this year been", Asked Hermione
"Truth to be told, It's been one of the best, Dumbledore bless him, first allowed me to stay at Hogwarts then offered me the post of Professor It all that I wanted", Hagrid said and then wiped his eyes.
"So, what would you be teaching us next", asked Hermione
"Oh, I have planned Hippogriffs, Harry and Luna on the morrow will help me with them, you know both of them already befriended two Hippogriffs and that too without my help even Centaurs like both of them", Hagrid said taking a huge slurp of tea from his cup and a frightening crunch as he bit into his rock cakes.
"Isn't Hippogriffs a bit dangerous Hagrid", asked Hermione
"Nay with Harry's Help I think I can manage", Hagrid replied
"Anyways tell me how you three are doing.", Hagrid asked
"Quite well", Hermione said
"Tired but Doing great Hagrid", he replied
"Scabbers still missing but otherwise doing fine", Ron muttered
"Oh yea, here", Hagrid said as he picked up a vase and pulled out Scabbers and tossed it to Ron
"That rat was 'bout to be eaten by Buckbeak but managed to get it away from him", Hagrid said
And Ron thanked Hagrid
Crookshanks meowed strangely he saw the Tabby cat look straight at the rat which hid inside Ron's Robes
"Anyways Hagrid it was nice meeting you up hope we can meet more frequently", He spoke
"Yeah, I need to feed Hinkypunks as well, Bye", Hagrid said and waved to them as they left.
"Wow, the meeting was nice though I never thought I would see Hagrid read", he said
"Yeah mate, though I ain't complaining after all I got Scabbers back", Ron said
"That is not nice and Hagrid's a professor now", Hermione snapped
"Anyway keep your cat away from Scabbers now", Ron said
"Crookshanks is nice and it does have a thing for your rat", Hermione snapped
"Oh that is enough you two", he said interrupting before both of them began to argue.
"I need to go to practice session with Wood try not to fight please", he begged
"Will try", Hermione said shooting a dirty look at Ron
"I'll go and prank some kids with Dean and Seamus", Ron said shooting an equally dirty look at Hermione
"I'll be in the Library meet at six", Hermione asked Him
"Yeah that would be good, in Foyer", he said
"Okay", Hermione agreed
"Nice six then", he said as he left for his quidditch practice.