A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

Chapter Twelve

Nathan laughs as he and the twins run down the corridor to the Great Hall, wanting to get there so they weren't caught by Filch from dropping dung bombs on him from the sirs above "Come on!" Fred tells George and Nathan. "W-We are!" Nathan laughs. They run into the Great Hall and sit down quickly, beginning to eat as Filch stalks past. As Filch leaves the three of them struggle not to laugh "What did you do?" Ron asks. "Nothing." the three of them respond. "He's beginning to talk like us Georgie!" Fred grins. "He truly is one of us Freddie." George smiles as Nathan grins at them. "You ready to learn about the levitation charm today?" Hermione asks Nathan. "Y-Yeah." Nathan nods with a smile. Just then an owl flies down and lands in front of him, Nathan gives it a bit of sausage before it flies off "Who's it from?" George asks. "Uncle Remus." Nathan responds, not noticing the lack of stutter in his voice as he talks to the twins.

Nathan,
I hope you've enjoyed your first two months of school. Has anything interesting happened at school? How are your classes going? Are you still wanting to come home for Christmas? If so don't forget to pack everything you and Valour will need back here, including any assignments you may be given. Is there anything in particular that you want for Christmas? Don't worry about Christmas shopping, if you're coming back for Christmas we can go to Diagon. Let me know if you need any more book recommendations, I have a list that I can send you if you want me to.
Hope to see you soon,
Uncle Remus

Nathan smiles as he refolds the letter "Anything interesting?" Fred asks. "Just double checking about Christmas." he responds, getting a nod in response. "Does he know about the pranks you've been helping us with?" George asks. "Not yet, I'm keeping it as a surprise." Nathan smiles. "Nathan, we need to get going to Charms." Hermione tells him, checking the time. "Coming." Nathan tells her "See you in the Courtyard at break?" he asks the twins. "Usual place." the twins respond with a nod.

Nathan and Hermione sit next to each other in Charms, Neville sitting the other side of Nathan "Now, don't forget that nice wrist movement we've been practicing! Swish and flick, remember, swish and flick. And saying the magic words properly is very important, too. Never forget Wizard Baruffio, who said 's' instead of 'f' and found himself on the floor with a buffalo on his chest." Flitwick tells the class. "You can go first Nathan." Neville tells him. Nathan nods and pulls out his wand "Wingardium Leviosa." he says, the feather in front of them beginning to gently float into the air. "Well done, Mr Riddle! Ten points to Gryffindor." Professor Flitwick tells them. Nathan goes slightly red as Hermione smiles and playfully nudges him "Wingardium Leviosa!" Ron shouts, waving his wand around wildly. "You're saying it wrong. It's Wing-gar-dium Levi-o-sa, make the 'gar' nice and long." Hermione tells him, trying to help her. "You do it, then, if you're so clever." Ron snarls. Hermione rolls up her sleeves "Wingardium Leviosa!" she says, swishing and flicking her wand. The feather rises off the desk and hovers above them "Oh, well done! Everyone see here, Miss Granger's done it!" Flitwick praises.

After class Nathan walks alongside Hermione, the two of them behind Harry and Ron "It's no wonder no one can stand her, she's a nightmare, honestly." Ron tells Harry. Hermione's lip wobbles before she pushes past Harry and out of sight "I think she heard you." Harry tells Ron, seeing tears falling down Hermione's face. "So? She must've noticed she's got no friends. " Ron responds, looking slightly uncomfortable. "Sh-She's my friend." Nathan glares, pushing past Ron with Valour. "Wh-Where did she go b-boy?" Nathan asks Valour. Sniffing, the dog starts pulling and leading Nathan in the direction of Hermione's scent "G-Good boy." Nathan smiles. Nathan follows Valour into the girls bathroom, finding Hermione crying in a cubicle "Her-Hermione? It's N-Nathan. Don't l-listen to Ron, I-I'm your friend. S-So is Valour." he tells her. Hermione opens the door "Really?" she sniffs, wiping her eyes. "Y-Yeah, you are. You're o-one of the only p-people I truly tr-trust." Nathan nods with a smile. Hermione smiles and hugs him "I'm glad you're my friend Nathan." she tells him. "Want t-to hide i-in here for a b-bit?" Nathan asks with a smile. Hermione nods "I don't want to see Ron again today." she admits.