The Astronomy Tower || Marauders Era

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AMELIA

The letter in my hand whipped around in the chilly night wind as I leant against the railing of the astronomy tower, looking over the dark and quiet grounds of Hogwarts. The astronomy tower was my favorite place to go to be alone and just think. Especially after receiving a letter from my family. My pure-blood family, my Slytherin family. My Slytherin family who have been extremely disappointed in me since being sorted into Gryffindor in my first year. Now entering the end of my third year, they still insist on sending me a letter every year just to remind me... it's not like they already ignore me all break. But I wasn't the only one. There were a few pure-bloods from Slytherin families who had been sorted into different houses. My family just took it particularly hard, being one of the Sacred 28. I rolled my eyes at the thought and folded the letter up, ripping it into many small pieces before throwing up into the night air. I watched on as the little pieces of paper float through the night and down towards the trees below.

I didn't really care what my family thought of my House, or my friends. I didn't want to be like them at all, I wanted to be my own person, with my own thoughts and views on certain subjects. I didn't have too many in Gryffindor, most of my friends being Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff but I did share a dorm room with Lily Evans, Marlene McKinnon, Dorcas Medowes and Mary McDonald. It was unusual for a third year to share a dorm with fourth years but that's just how it worked out this year. We don't really talk to each other though, I spent a lot of time up here in the astronomy tower, or in the library as well as with my friends from other Houses. The girls were sweet though and were always incredibly nice to me.

My eyes wandered from the falling pieces of paper to the moon. A small smile formed on my face as I noticed it was a full moon. I've always loved full moons. They were incredibly beautiful and lit up the whole night sky; I was so distracted by the moon that I almost missed the two shadows sneaking their way towards the Whomping Willow. Squinting, I tried to get a better look at who it was. The medical hat on top of one of the shadow's heads gave away it was Madam Pomfrey, but the other was a little harder to spot. Madam Pomfrey didn't stay with this person for long, helping them through the Whomping Willow, which they easily managed to immobilize, and then making her way back towards the castle. My curiosity got the better of me. Shrugging I made my way down the astronomy tower and through the castle quickly, not wanting to be seen or caught by any of the teachers, The grounds were were quiet as I made my way towards the Whomping Willow, The owls in the owlery could be heard hooting, many of them flying in and out of the windows of the owlery.

The Whomping Willow was spinning, her branches flying all around as I approached the entrance as she tried to keep me out. Taking my wand out, I pointed it at the giant tree. "Immobulus." I said, using the freezing charm to stop the tree from moving. The spell worked perfectly and the Whomping Willow froze long enough for me to head through the entrance. The tunnel took me a few minutes to get through and I knew I was approaching a door that led to the Shrieking Shack. It seemed quiet in there, no noise to be heard as I twisted the door handle, pushing the door open. "Hello? Anyone in here?" I called out, walking through the door and coming to a stop in what would have been the living room of the Shack. Creaking could be heard from the floor above so I made my way up the stairs carefully, peering into one of the upstairs rooms. There was someone hunched over in the corner, breathing heavily. A frown found itself onto my face as I crept forward. "Hey, are you okay?" I asked, kneeling down on the floor a few feet in front of them. The person in front of me continued to breathe heavily, their chest rising and falling in loud breaths. They seemed to notice I was here, raising their head to look at me. My eyes widened as I realized who it was.

Remus Lupin stayed crouched in front of me, his pupils large and eyes wide. He looked around the room wildly, as if searching for someone who wasn't in the room. It was just him and I. I tried to smile at him but clearly I had caught him at a bad time. "Remus? It's Amelia. Amelia Greengrass... we're both in Gryffindor. I share a dorm with Lily Evans and the girls? We met back in my first year on the Express. Are you okay?" I asked, reaching out my hand towards him. A low growl emitted from him, which caused me to move my hand and take a few steps back. "Remus, is there something I can help with?" I questioned once more, taking a few more small steps backwards. Remus continued to say nothing, slowly rising to his feet, the wild look still present in his eyes as he locked onto me. He growled louder as he started to stalk forward, causing me to continue backwards. What was happening?