Four To The End (prev Shifting Lines) Book Three (Marauders Era)

Chapter Eighty-Four - A Notice For The Third Years

Author's note: CW emetophobia

Also letting y'all know I'll be getting a bonus chapter out on Friday, since I missed last Tuesday's post haha.

-x-

It was very strange to go to Magical Theory without Sirius. Remus hugged his satchel tightly as he approached the room on Saturday evening, wondering if he'd even be allowed in. Perhaps Sirius's ban extended to him. This was the first lesson of the year, and the only one in January due to the holidays and the Hogsmeade visit.

Chang pursed his lips when Remus walked into the room, but said nothing. Remus nervously sat down, feeling rather exposed. At least Rivers sat down next to him like usual, and then Remus froze when he realized Magpie usually sat on the other side. A moment later she came in, staring intently at him. He looked down at his desk and paper, trying his best to appear inconspicuous. Finally she sat down—not next to him but as far away as she could get. The seat next to him remained empty; as did the one behind him, which was where Sirius usually sat.

Even though he had missed the last lesson, and hadn't gotten very good notes, he didn't have much to catch up on. Most of what they discussed he already knew, and he was able to get back into the groove of things easily. The only problem was Chang decided to pick on him, probably because of Sirius; Remus was called for almost every question and Chang looked a little irritated when Remus kept getting them right.

During the second part of the lesson, Chang talked a lot about old, ancient spells versus the more modern spells. They theorized why some spells changed over time while others remained the same. Soon, however, an argument ensued when they began discussing the possibility of some modern spells existing a long time ago without anybody knowing. Chang listened to both sides and then took a vote. Remus voted with the side stating that 'modern' spells existed in older times because really, it made sense; not everyone recorded their invented spells for future use.

Then Remus's blood ran cold when Chang said, "Why don't we have a debate? One for each side of the coin." His eyes grazed across the room, and Remus shrank back, knowing he was going to be picked and sure enough... "For the yes side, how about Lupin? And for the naysayers... Snape."

No.

Snape looked uncomfortable, but he stood up anyway. All eyes went to Remus who couldn't move.

"Lupin?" Chang asked, raising his eyebrows.

"I—I—I—" He swallowed, curling his fingers into the palms of his hands. "I'd ra-rather n-n-n—rather not, please."

"It's just a friendly debate," Chang said.

The thought of standing up in front of everyone and debating someone—Snape or otherwise—made him want to throw up. His entire body felt clammy and itchy, and his feet twitched as if they wanted to start running. Everyone was still staring at him. Next to him, Rivers was giving him an encouraging smile. But he couldn't. He couldn't.

Instead he slid down in his seat, shaking his head, going beet red, and trying not to cry. There were a few snickers and Chang hushed them. "Very well. Vasileiou? Zeus, I mean."

The Vasileiou twin got up, going to the front of the room where he proceeded to state his opinion. It wasn't very strong, and Remus knew he could do a better job and in fact was mentally adding things to the speech in his head. Then Snape spoke, so quietly that Chang asked him to speak up. Snape scowled, and spoke a little louder. He wasn't very convincing either, and in the end most of the students agreed that Vasileiou had made a better case. Themis Alexander even said, after Chang dismissed everyone, that the only reason she changed her mind was because Snape was a twat.