Artemis (A Remus Lupin love-story).

Chapter 5- A Howler

Diana had quickly become something of a pet for Slughorn, her quick brain, steady intuition, and polished potion-making skills promptly earnt her second place in the potions making class, only to be rivalled by Severus Snape- the greasy-haired boy from the train. Her bloodline and ancestry certainly helped earn her a place as his favourite too. At first, Snape had scowled at her for the praise she had earnt, but when she had helped him with his own potion (which was almost perfect) he slowly warmed up to her. Slughorn was just in the middle of awarding her thirty house points, when a magic snowy-white owl swooped into the potions classroom, a letter in its beak, Filch burst through the potions door, swearing obscenely causing Diana to wrinkle her nose in distaste and Alice to cover her ears.

'Now, now Filch.' Slughorn cautioned. 'Not in front of the first and second years, please.'

The owl soared over to Diana's table, paying no heed to the caretaker, and Diana recognized it instantly as her mother's. She gulped, as it dropped the letter onto her table and took note of the red seal. A Howler. The owl sat perched determinedly on the table, clearly it had no intention of leaving. She cast a desperate glance at Alice who said, 'Just open it. I know the situations not ideal, but...' Diana suppressed a slightly hysterical laugh at the understatement. She shivered, goodness her laughs were starting to sound like Bellatrix's. She tore the paper apart, and a thunderously loud voice erupted from the parchment.

'DIANA SELENITE BOLEYN! HOW DARE YOU SHAME THE BOLEYN FAMILY NAME. YOU ARE IN THE HOUSE OF BLOOD TRAITORS AND MUDBLOODS! CONGRATULATIONS!' Diana winced at the sarcasm. 'DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT CONSORTING WITH THEM, OR YOU LOOSE YOU'RE PLACE IN MY HOUSE AS WELL! I SUPPOSE YOU THINK YOU ARE GOING TO GET OFF LIGHTLY, YOUNG LADY, BUT YOU ARE MISTAKEN. YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR SISTER AND THE SAME HAPPENS TO YOU. YOU'RE FATHER AND I ARE ASHAMED! I AM SHOCKED AND SORELY DISAPPOINTED WITH YOU! I CAN TELL YOU FOR A FACT THAT THERE ARE VERY FEW WAYS TO REDEEM YOURSELF, AND UNTIL THEN I THINK I'VE FOUND A PERFECT REPLACEMENT FOR THE KITCHEN HOUSE-ELF, DON'T YOU? DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT SINKING ANY LOWER OR I'M SURE BELLATRIX BLACK WOULD ENJOY DEALING WITH YOU! YOU'RE FIRST CHANCE OF REDEMPTION WILL BE AT HER WEDDING. UNTIL THEN. ASHAMED TO CALL MYSELF...

YOUR MOTHER'

Alice patted Diana's arm, as tears filled her eyes watching the parchment shrivel into ashes. Some of the Slytherins snickered loudly, and Diana wished to the heavens she didn't have to take potions with them. The Gryffindors however looked sorry, Alice in particular. Slughorn who had finished kicking Filch out in time to hear most of the howler, shifted uncomfortably and cleared his throat.

'Ah, yes. As I was saying, thirty-five points to Gryffindor.' Neither, Diana or Alice had really liked Slughorn with his slimy, sycophantic ways but they both appreciated his attempt to cheer her up and smiled at him. Diana tucked her potions book into her bag, quietly and left, an invitation to Slughorn's infamous Slug Club in her hand.

She did not fully perk up, however, until dinner-time when Narcissa (who had heard the news) slipped her hand comfortingly into her own, and whispered, 

'Night, sister.'

And Regulus specifically came to see her. Diana had an idea Regulus was avoiding her, fearing she would turn out like her brother- however one look at her tear-stained face was enough to tell him that she needed comforting. By the end of the conversation, she was almost as firm a friend with him again as with Narcissa. What really helped her however, was the chocolate bar she found in her clutch, with a note attached saying,

'I noticed you didn't eat much at dinner. Thought this might cheer you up. Remus John Lupin.' And after that, strangely enough, she did not even care that Avery had tried to trip her up on her way to the common room.