Moonstruck | marauders era

xiv. hallway encounter

     As the month of November came to an end more students found themselves inside the castle's walls, escaping the cold air on the grounds and hiding in the warmth of Hogwarts. The students of the sixths year potion class were seen with their potions partners more and more as most of the potions on the list needed the time of the two weeks they had left. Cassie found herself in the library working on her part of the essay when she spotted three different pairs between the shelves working on their project. She had greeted Mia when they searched for helpful books together and she had waved at Mia's partner Christopher Buckley, a friendly guy in her house. She gave Grace a bright smile who was sitting next to Marlene Mckinnon – both too busy with their talk to even notice her. As she sat on a table by her own, writing down the very last sentences, she felt eyes on her. For a second she thought Grace had finally spotted her but when she looked at the two girls they were still unaware of her presence. Her head moved to another table and she smiled when she met the eyes of Remus. He smiled right back and raised his hand in a small wave. Lily, who was seated with her back towards Cassie, noticed the movement, turned around and gave Cassie a grin and a wave herself. Cassie had waved back before focusing on her work again – the smile on her lips didn't fade.

After finishing her part of the essay she rewarded herself with some mashed potatoes, vegetables and a piece of warm apple pie during lunch, enjoying every single bite of her food. Her friends were missing from the great hall but it was early for lunch so she wasn't worried. Grace was most likely still in the library with Marlene, Dana and Bella were probably working on their homework and Skyler was avoiding all kinds of people for the last few days. She was upset over her assumption of failing potions and having to rethink her career choice of becoming an Auror but she was still too stubborn and too proud to be the first to give in and talk to Sirius. Cassie knew she'd come around and that she needed some time by herself but she hoped that either she or Black would jump over their shadow and just talk to the other.

For now, Cassie didn't mind sitting alone and enjoying the time and her food by herself but it didn't last long. Noah sat down across from her and started to fill his plate with all kinds of food, his eyebrows furrowed, his hands moving fast and clumsily. Sam, seated next to him, patted his shoulder in sympathy and Benjy, who now sat next to Cassie, gave him a reassuring smile.

"What's got your wand in a knot?" asked Cassie with a frown.

Noah looked up at her and instead of answering shoved a fork full of his mashed potatoes in his mouth.

"McGonagall introduced him to his tutor-student today." said Benjy.

"Come on, it can't be that bad, right?"

"It's Black." said Sam and Cassie raised her eyebrow in wonder.

"I thought you said he's two years below you."

"He is," Noah sighed and nodded, "it's the small Black."

"Well, he's not really smaller than Sirius," Sam snorted but the glare Noah gave him lead his voice to become quieter as he finished his sentence, "just....younger."

"Thanks." Noah stated sarcastically and shoved more food in his mouth, "I just don't feel like tutoring a potential future death eater."

Cassie grimaced at his words and Benjy sighed.

"Maybe he's not even that bad. And who knows, maybe you'll be the person to open his eyes."

Noah huffed. "I doubt that. Iwill only save his grades in transfiguration."

"How come McGonagall asked you in the first place for a two years younger student from a different house?" Cassie asked and he shrugged.

"I don't know, she said I'm one of her best students currently and especially in the O.W.L. exam back in fifth year."