PHANTOM FIGURES | harry potter

28. gryffindor versus ravenclaw

     It was an understatement to say Ron and Harry were upset with Hermione, or rather very upset with Hermione.

     She began to avoid the common room because she didn't want to run into the boys. Aspen knew she had taken refuge in the library, so she joined her occasionally. The two other Gryffindors didn't try to persuade the bookworm to come back.

     All in all, they were glad when the rest of the school returned shortly after New Year and it became loud and crowded again.

     Aspen had been trying to split her time evenly between her friends. She thought Hermione did the right thing, making sure Harry was safe, but she also understood why he was mad, he was the owner of the best broom in the world for a few short hours and then it had been taken away from him, it was also the only broom he had since his old one was destroyed.

     Soon enough classes started. The last thing anyone wanted to be doing on a raw January morning was spending time on the cold grounds, but Hagrid provided a bonfire full of salamanders for their enjoyment, and they sent an unusually good lesson collecting dry wood and leaves to keep the fire blazing whilst the flame-loving lizards scampered up and down the crumbling, white-hot logs. The first Divination lesson of the new term was much less fun; Professor Trelawney was now teaching them palmistry; Aspen was informed that her hand showed she was 'very responsible.' It was relieving to see Professor Lupin teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts since he was ill during Christmas. Aspen gifted him a card.

     Hermione knew something she didn't about the teacher. When they were leaving the class one day, she made a point of saying, "Isn't it obvious?" after Ron pointed out that Lupin still looked ill and was wondering what was wrong with him.

     Aspen stayed behind with Hermione who was trying to close her bag full of books.

     "What do you know?"

     The Granger girl glanced sideways at her, "I won't say it out here, people would be listening."

     "We have a few minutes before our next lesson," Aspen said after checking her watch. "Tell me what you figured out."

     They snuck into an abandoned broom cupboard and Aspen lit up her wand.

     "So, have you noticed any pattern regarding Professor Lupin getting sick?" asked Hermione, stirring curiosity.

     "Erm, it's often."

     "Well, yes," sighed Hermione. "But it happens once a month, every month."

     "Are we sure he's not menstruating or something?"

     "Aspen!" Hermione's head swivelled around as though there was someone else in the small area with them.

     "What? He could."

     "Do you remember what Snape had us learn about the day he took over for Professor Lupin?"

     "Werewolves, right?"

     "Exactly. Why would Snape skip all the way to the back of the textbook for no reason?"

     "You don't think he was trying to give us some secret message or something, do you?" questioned Aspen, recalling that specific lesson and all the weird things Snape was saying.

     "That's precisely what I'm thinking, Aspen." admitted Hermione with raised eyebrows.

     "Are you saying he's a..." the Ravenclaw trailed off. "Mione, that's a very serious accusation. You know how the Ministry is with them."