Beauty and the Beast (Remus Lupin)

76.

It was the new school year for Hogwarts and it was time to send Ginny off for school.

Mrs. Weasley was afraid of sending her, but Mr. Weasley convinced her that it was safer than anywhere else. Especially because of her pure blood status. For added protection as they take her, Bill and Tonks came as well.

King's cross station was by far the worst Rose had ever seen it. Actually, it was the worse any of them had ever seen it.

Yes, it was still rather dirty and crowded, but the normal joy about going to Hogwarts was gone. Now more than ever since Snape became headmaster and death eaters were teaching a few classes. One of them being Defense Against the Dark Arts. As far as they knew, Mcgonagall, Flitwick, and Sprout were all still there as well as Slughorn.

"Ok, you have everything?" Mrs. Weasley double checked with Ginny.

"Yes, mum." Ginny pushed her cart towards the train.

Nearly everyone that was there look unhappy, except for the Slytherins. But taking a more careful look, Rose noticed Draco and his mother talking near the end of the platform.

She had never seen him look this bad for the time she had known him. Even last year, he didn't look like this.

All the little color that he had left in his face was drained and he was more pale than ever. The normal slick back hair was scattered everywhere. Even his mother, Narcissa, looked exhausted.

If anything, they looked more fearful than anyone that was there.

It took everything in Rose not to go over and see what was wrong. After she had seen him in the hospital when Harry attacked him, she barely saw him again.

Draco was always rude to them, but to her, it was never as bad. Harry, Ron and Hermione just linked his behavior to his father, or being in Slytherin but Rose always had a hunch there was more to the problem.

"Remember," Tonks lowered her voice, "stay out of trouble as much as you can. You're pure blood but that'll never stop you from being punished."

"And no one really knows what the punishments would be like, except extremely awful." Bill warned.

Clearly, their conversation didn't help Mrs. Weasley's anxiety about her daughter. She actually looked more scared than Ginny was and she wasn't even going to Hogwarts.

"She'll be fine," Rose reassured them, "this is Ginny after all."

"She's not wrong mum." Bill agreed.

"Hello, everyone." Luna walked over alongside Neville, "how is everyone?"

"We're alright, just the new year nerves." Rose said, "and you two?"

"Oh just fine." Luna smiled, "Neville here is rather excited for going back to school."

"Well, a little." Neville said.

There was something about him this year. Now thinking about it, pretty much everyone had changed in just one summer. Neville seemed more confident and comfortable than ever. It was good seeing him like this.

Mrs. Weasley then pulled Ginny aside to talk in private. "So Rose, how's the baby doing?" Luna asked.

"Blimey, baby?" Neville gasped.

Rose nodded, "Yep...baby. But the baby is fine, thanks for asking."

"Daddy and I have been debating on it. He thinks it's a girl but I think differently." Luna said.

"Debating?"

"More constructive criticism. All is good though, we're excited for you two."

"How's Lupin with the news?" Neville asked.