Lean On Me (SEQUEL)

Chapter 1

Athena

"Athena!" Mrs Weasley called from downstairs hours later. I had been wallowing in pity over my mark since I received it. I hated thinking about the big bold 'T' beside the class name. It made me sick to remember. I trudged down the stairs and didn't bother to wipe the tears from my face. Molly looked at me sympathetically as she motioned towards the door. I looked over and saw my godfather, Remus Lupin staring at me with sad eyes. I shuffled towards him as he ushered me over.

"Come here." Remus said, holding his arms open. I walked over and fell into them. He rubbed my back soothingly. Nobody knew how to make me feel better but him. He was my rock. He let me cry into his arms for a while before I spoke up.

"How did I get a T?" I croaked.

"Let me see your results." He said. I went and got them. It stood in the same spot on the table where we left them. I brought it back and placed it in Remus' outstretched hand. "I see you did amazing in every class." He stated, simply. I eyed him, angrily.

"Except-"

"Here's the thing," he started. I watched and waited for him to continue. He took a breath. "So, Oli brought your results back home, thinking you were there. He's a little slow, you know." He gave a nervous laugh. "Your father and I looked at them, thought you did amazing. Seriously! You're so smart!" He was sucking up. I started to piece together where he was going with his words. "Are you ready for the funny part?" He asked, giving a grin. I didn't respond. "Alright! So, your father, naturally, being a Marauder, thought it would be fun to pull a little prank." He admitted. I squinted, clenching my jaw.

"Are you going to tell me what I think you are?" I grunted. He let out a nervous chuckle.

"That we changed your Defence Against the Dark Arts mark from an O to a T? Yes," I crossed my arms over my chest. "But it was in good fun!" He added, trying to ease the tension. In that moment in time, I didn't think I could be any angrier. I had never been moody with Remus, we were always on good terms. This would be the first time I was ever truly upset with him.

"Moony," I said. He gave a smile filled with fear. I stared at him, unblinking for a moment. I turned to Mrs. Weasley. "Just give us a moment," I gave her a forced smile. I ushered him out the door and closed it behind me. My gaze fixated on the cowering man in front of me.

"Remus!" I yelled and hit his chest. "John!" I repeated my actions. "Lupin!" I did it once more for good measure. "Why on earth would you ever think that would be funny! I was devastated! I cried for hours, thinking I would have to repeat a fifth year class!" I stamped my foot like a child. "I was in agony thinking I was stupid enough to fail my best class, while you and dad sat in your living room and what? Laughed? Like it was no big deal?" I questioned. "He wanted to make up the time he missed? This certainly isn't how he's going to do it!" I took a breath. "So who's idea was it? His?" Remus nodded. "You just let him do it? No hesitation." He nodded again.

"I didn't think you'd be this upset! If we knew, we wouldn't have done it!"

"You know how long I studied for those exams. You knew how much they meant to me, Moony! If you wanted to play a joke on me, you shouldn't have used my schoolwork. You know how scared I was!" I scolded.

"I realize that now, and I am sorry. I truly am. I would not have done it if I knew you'd believe it." He said, apologetically. I paused for a moment, huffing our a breath of anger.

"You go home, and you tell dad this is not how he's going to make it up to me. You two will be lucky to get a letter out of me all year!" I stated. I knew I wasn't serious about the letters, but I wanted him to understand how I felt.