𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐞 || 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐮𝐬 𝐥𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐧

•𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟎•

"What is it?"

Aurora stood right before the boys in a deserted hallway. She didn't enjoy their companies in the slightest; they didn't look trustworthy, albeit she was confident that Matt wouldn't do anything stupid.

"There's no need to be tense, Martin. We only wish to talk," Lucius said, leaning on the hallway wall. No other student visited the third-floor corridor at this time of the day, which was a good observation made by Severus.

"I'm not tense, Malfoy. Just bored. I'm afraid your company is not very entertaining," Aurora crossed her arms, examining Malfoy's attire. The pristine black robe over the same coloured jersey created a good contrast with his silver hair. The rings on his fingers were enough to conclude the Malfoy family's affluence.

"Will you spill the beans?"

"Your relationship with Lupin..." started Matt hesitantly, "It's no secret that you don't like him."

Aurora chose to keep her silence, furrowing her eyebrows. Only a week ago, she considered asking them what they knew about Lupin, and now they were standing in front of her, mumbling something about her relationship with him. She was confused and cynical about their true intentions.

"Moreover, it is plainly obvious to any mind bearing a drop of intelligence that something is not right with him," Matt continued, taking a step forward. He was struggling to decide on the right words; they needed Aurora's support, and for that, it was necessary to convince her.

"And I'm guessing you three musketeers know exactly what that something is?"

"We assume-"

"No."

Severus's sudden intervention made everyone's heads turn to him. Lucius knitted his brows, staring at Severus in annoyance. He felt the rage flow through his veins. How were they supposed to persuade Aurora to help without telling her the reason why?

The "No" didn't sound plausible to Aurora either. Nor it made sense. Why did they drag her all the way to the middle of nowhere if they had nothing to say?

"We don't know yet."

"Then why am I here?"

"We need your help to reveal his secret," Lucius stepped in, hoping to handle the situation. "You are the only Gryffindor with the same incentive as us."

"Enlighten me on that incentive, Malfoy."

"You despise Lupin just as we do, and his manners with you are outrageous. Surely, you must yearn for a payback."

A moment of silence.

"He is always rude to you, Aurora," Matt faltered, calling the girl by her first name. He hoped it would subconsciously establish a sense of trust in her mind. "You shouldn't have to tolerate his attitude like in last week's Potion class."

Yes, Aurora detested Remus Lupin. And yes, she hated the way he made her incensed. She wished to know the reason behind his weird temper and possibly hurt him. But could she trust them? Was it worth working with the enemy for the sake of Remus's downfall?

"What do you exactly want from me?"

"We need you to be or at least pretend to be his friend, gain his trust and learn his secret."

A sarcastic cackle from Aurora danced around, making Severus roll his eyes. They were kidding, right? It was bewildering that they didn't see her as capable of doing that on her own. She just didn't wish to waste her sweet time on such games.

"What's in it for me? Why would I help you? You don't even have anything on him, and please spare me from the 'same incentives' bullshit. We have nothing in common."