parents after all

chapter 13

Chapter 13 - Operation Cho

Werewolves healed fast, but werewolves with a cold didn't. In fact werewolf mechanisms seemed to be specially designed for a cold after a transformation – the werewolf concerned would be pulled into a deep slumber which allowed cells and tissues to metabolise back to their original state at a quicker rate.

With the Wolfsbane Potion, Remus suffered a minimal amount of injuries; but because of his cold, he was only clear-minded enough to have class two days after the transformation. So naturally, he got Gryffindor a deduction of 20 house points for late submission of work from Snape and five essays waiting for him to be completed.

Overloaded with spells and calculations, Remus decided that his brain could function no more after a full day of class and an evening of revision in the library. He schlepped himself back to the Common Room just in time to see Sirius studying a piece of parchment.

'What's that you've got over there?' asked Remus as he unloaded his books onto the couch. It was rare to see the hyperactive boy to be poring over anything at all unless it was some elaborate plan for a prank which Remus suspected was exactly the case.

'Background studies,' Sirius waved the parchment. The crooked smile on his face told Remus that the truth was way more complicated than that.

'Of whom?' asked Remus dubiously. Just as he edged towards the black-haired boy out of curiosity, James and Peter burst in with an armful of pasties and muffins.

'Welcome back, Professor Lupin!' James hopped across the room to where Remus and Sirius were. 'Want some refreshment?'

Remus did not need further encouragement to devour a chocolate muffin. Peter, whose mouth was stuffed with apple crumble and cheesecake, managed to gulp down the content in a second and sat down just next to Sirius. 'So how is it going?'

James hovered over Peter's head excitedly. 'Think we've got enough information?'

'What is going on?' Remus tugged at Sirius's arm impatiently.

'Austin, Bulstrode, Abbott, Chang, Paulson and Delacour,' Sirius said matter-of-factly. 'Choose one, Moony.'

'Why?' asked Remus suspiciously.

'The Yule Ball,' said Lily, striding into the room with her robes flying behind her. She quirked an eyebrow as her gaze landed on the parchment. 'Honestly, Millicent Bulstrode?'

'Peter's idea,' James spread out his hands. 'We need to have a date for the ball so we listed out a number of candidates.'

'Cho,' replied Remus calmly after a second of deliberation.

'Why?' Sirius's expression was almost murderous.

'Well if you were expecting me to say Bulstrode, I wasn't,' snapped Remus.

'Actually, Remus,' Lily shot Remus an apologetic glance, 'what they haven't told you is that they made this list for Harry. Cho's alright 'cause I nominated her. Black's just messing with you.' She slid down the arm of the couch and placed a friendly arm over Remus's shoulder. 'Good, we're allies now,' she turned to James and smiled triumphantly. 'So that's two votes on Cho, Potter.'

'I fail to understand why you didn't vote Delacour,' said James indignantly. 'Our son deserves the world.'

'First, Harry likes Cho, that's the most important reason,' replied Lily with a flick of her hair. 'Second, I'd like to see how Harry is going to drive away the long queue of suitors after Delacour. Or you could do it for him again, if you like.'