Petite Étoile → Luna Lovegood

The New Professor

"I don't know what to do," Étoile admitted that morning as she sat at the Slytherin table. She sipped on her pumpkin juice and continued, "I mean, obviously I can't ask the teachers if I could make up work on the nights of the full moon. Most of them would be understanding, but Professor Snape, on the other hand..."

Étoile met her best friend, Lily Moon, on her first day at Hogwarts. Lily, who was meant to be a third year, retook her first year after her parents took her on a trip to Italy two months into the school year. Needless to say, the trip lasted since June the following year.

Lily Moon smiled. "Professor Snape is harsh, but he already knows about your illness; there's no harm in asking."

"You're right," Étoile said, but something about her furry little problem being referred to as an 'illness' rubbed her the wrong way. It was understandable, of course, and Lily was probably the only one that would still hang around despite the 'illness' in question, so Étoile opted to ignore it. She cleared her throat, "Speaking of classes, we should probably go to Defense Against the Dark Arts."

As they were walking to class, they engaged in idle conversation. "Hopefully he's better than whatever kind of teacher we had last year," Lily laughed. "Not to be judgmental, but from first appearances alone, I don't know how well he would fare as a teacher teaching us how to protect ourselves from dark magic. It looks like one curse alone would be enough to finish him off."

"I saw him on the train," Étoile shrugged. "I reckon you're right. He doesn't seem to be in the best condition."

"Maybe he's a werewolf too," Lily said ominously.

Étoile laughed. "Yeah, right."

"I'm not joking," Lily continued, laughing along with her as they entered the classroom. "Imagine, our new DADA teacher, a werewolf! Just the reputation Hogwarts has could make it likely."

Étoile frowned, but a familiar voice beat her to it. "Well, I can assure you I am not a werewolf." Both girls turned to see their new professor standing in front of them. Some sort of panic flashed in Étoile's eyes once she realized how loud they were probably talking, but Lily scrutinized the professor. "Interesting how well you can hear, must have been the werewolf ears kicking in."

Although Lily was mostly joking, Professor Lupin did not seem to share these sentiments. "You two got here early, after class I would like a word with you, Miss..."

"Moon," Lily said boredly. "Lily Moon."

Professor Lupin coughed. "Yes, Miss Moon. I am usually lenient, but spreading false rumors, about teachers being a werewolf no less..."

Now Étoile was sure he was a werewolf. Way to keep it subtle.

"I was only kidding," Lily said, rolling her eyes. "I already have a history of knowing werewolves, even if you were one I wouldn't openly call you out."

When Professor Lupin was out of earshot, Étoile kicked her in the leg. "Ouch, what was that for?" Lily harshly whispered.

"The irony!" Étoile harshly whispered back. "'I already have a history of knowing werewolves, even if you were one I wouldn't openly call you out.' And what did you just do? You said you know a werewolf; you essentially called me out!"

"Stop being so dramatic," Lily scoffed. "I just said I know some. 'Some' being you. There's no way that's evidence enough that I'm talking about you. Anyways, if anything my second statement lowers your suspicion." Lily paused. "Class is about to start soon." Students were piling inside the classroom, and Professor Lupin looked up from his book that he was reading on his desk. "I'm tired, I don't want to fight with you on the first day of school. I've already done that all summer with my mother, and I'm sure you have as well."