THE GREAT WAR | HARRY POTTER

Wolfsbane

୨⎯ ✨ ⎯୧

OCTOBER 31, 1993

The first Hogsmeade trip has arrived, and Lorelei Hugo has found herself ditching the amazing event for a lecture from Professor Snape. She's not really sure how she ended up here—well no, that's a lie.

A week after classes had started, Snape had asked her to stay after class. Was she a bit apprehensive? Of course.

"Hugo," he had said. "As I am aware of it, you have something that belongs to me."

She rolled her eyes. She had multiple things that belonged to him. Books. Multiple books. And some potions stuff. And maybe a variety of things in his office that she thought looked cool.

She also could have sworn she saw the professor's lip twitch upward as she proceeded to lie to him about the matter. She then looked around his dark classroom trying to avoid eye contact because she could not read this man with the life of her.

He grumbled then said, "I know of what happened on the train, Hugo. I am very mindful that my copy of A Haze of Blue has gone missing conveniently around the same time you decided to produce a Patronus to defend Potter."

She was angry at the mention of her defending him. "Professor–"

"Silence," he gritted his teeth. Lorelei said her prayers. "I don't think you realize how much skill this spell takes, especially for a naive witch of your age. You continue to prove me wrong with your power, Hugo. The occlumency, potion making, and now this. Just like your father..."

Lorelei had so many questions floating through her mind and may have let a few out, to which Snape answered bleakly.

Long story short, this conversation induced a proposal (rather a demand) from Snape; she would begin private lessons from the professor. In his words, she had so much potential that he hated to see her waste away with a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor such as Lupin.

So, technically, Lorelei knows why she is here; she just doesn't know why she is so intrigued by the thought.

Snape had summoned her with an owl, requesting her presence in his classroom at sunrise on Halloween day. She impetuously followed, making her way to the dungeons promptly. She knocked on his office door and was met by the professor harshly swinging the door open.

He didn't bother for a greeting, instead opting straight for an introduction: "Wolfsbane. You will assist me in brewing it and then will bring it to Lupin this afternoon."

And so they began the day's work. Snape carefully explained each step, and briefly the reasoning for the potion. He let Lorelei take the lead mostly, rarely correcting her methods. He was impressed by how easy this had come to her—something he had seen not for any Gryffindor before.

BY MIDDAY, a goblet of the potion had been readily prepared. He led Lorelei to Professor Lupin's classroom, stopping at the entrance of the door. Voices could be heard on the other side; one Lorelei had known for certain belonged to Lupin.

"Stay here," Snape mumbled, then knocked on the door aggressively.

"Come in," Lupin yelled.

Snape walked in as Lorelei stayed at the entryway. She peered inside, catching a glimpse of the scene before her—Harry Potter and Lupin having a cup of tea. She felt eyes on her and turned to the repeating culprit.

Harry looked dubious, his face asking what are you doing here?

Lupin's condition was to be kept a secret. She questioned whether or not her being in the presence would jeopardize that fact, and so she looked away.