R.J. Lupin | Sunlit Hugs and Moonlit Kisses

Chapter 3

"You can't control the ocean, the waves and the tides, but you can learn how to sail."

- Kate Knapp

THE Great Hall buzzed with the chatter of students as sunlight streamed through the enchanted ceiling, casting a warm glow over the long house tables. Alethea was sat once again at the Slytherin table, her deep blue-trimmed robes a stark contrast to the emerald-accented attire of surrounding students.

Adelyn had just finished recounting the dramatic events that took place last night when she returned to her common room. Apparently, a sixth year's Firewhiskey stash he'd brought from home was "stolen" and he accused his dormmate of nicking it from his trunk.

"Merlin's beard!" Estella gasped, her eyes wide with excitement. "Did the dormmate do it?" she asked eagerly.

Shaking her head, Adelyn lowered her voice, "No, his dormmate had no idea what he was on about, but they continued to shove each other though." She huffed a laugh, "It was kind of funny, especially when his cat strutted into the common room dragging a bag behind it."

"No way!" Alethea scoffed in both disbelief and amusement.

Smiling, "Yes way!" Adelyn nodded beginning to laugh while Estella looked between the two with furrowed brows, clearly not making the connection. Noticing her friend's confusion, Adelyn continued, "The cat had accidentally and unknowingly dragged its owner's bottles of Firewhiskey around the dungeon all night."

Realisation flashed across Estella's face as she realised the humour of the story, finally joining her two friends in their laughter. Before any of them could make further comments on the stupidity of the argument, the unmistakable swish of a black cloak announced the arrival of Professor Snape. His pale, angular face was as impassive as ever as he approached the trio.

"Miss Longbottom, your timetable," he intoned, handing Adelyn a crisp piece of parchment. Turning to the two Ravenclaws, he added, "I took the liberty of collecting your schedules from Professor Flitwick. Here."

"Oh! Thank you, Professor," Estella stammered, clearly taken aback.

Alethea smiled warmly. "We appreciate it, Professor. See you in Potions." For a fleeting moment, the corners of Snape's thin lips quirked upwards, but the almost-smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

As Snape glided away, Adelyn turned to her friends, her expression a mixture of shock and amusement. "Did Snape just do you two a favour? And you're not even in his house!"

Estella rolled her eyes. "He only did it because Thea's his star pupil. You know how he dotes on his favourites."

Alethea felt her cheeks warm. "I wouldn't say I'm a favourite," she mumbled. Although she couldn't help but recall Snape's words: 'you are my most promising and tolerable student'.

Adelyn glanced at her watch and jumped up. "Merlin's pants, I've got Herbology! See you in Potions!" She dashed off, her bag swinging wildly.

Estella groaned, reaching for another piece of toast. "Can't believe we've got Care of Magical Creatures first thing on a Monday. This year the class is so small its mixed between all houses."

Alethea perked up at that. "Yes! I've been waiting for a class where we can hang with Carrie and Benji at the same time!" Carrie Cadogan was a Gryffindor that Alethea befriended in Charms their first year, and Benjamin Loughty was probably Alethea's closest friend after Estella and Adelyn. 

"Come on," Estella said, tugging at Alethea's arm. "Let's go before Filch starts shooing students out the door." The girls hurried out of the castle and across the grounds towards Hagrid's hut.