~Year 3~ The Truth

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It was a relief to see Harry return to the noise and bustle of the main school on Monday. Even if he had to endure Draco's taunting. Draco was almost beside himself with glee at Gryffindor's defeat. He had finally taken off his bandages, and celebrated having the full use of both arms again by doing spirited imitations of Harry falling off his broom. Draco spent much of their next Potions class doing dementor imitations across the dungeon; Ron finally cracked and flung a large, slippery crocodile heart at Draco, which hit him in the face and caused Snape to take fifty points from Gryffindor. 

To be honest it was pretty funny to watch Draco's reaction to a crocodile heart he had to peal off his face. After potions I headed down to DADA. To my relief Lupin was back. But it was a little uneasy knowing he was a werewolf. But he was still the kind teacher he was a few days ago. Even though within that time he become a giant man eating wolf. It certainly looked as though he had been ill. His old robes were hanging more loosely on him and there were dark shadows beneath his eyes; nevertheless, he smiled at the class as they took their seats, and they burst at once into an explosion of complaints about Snape's behavior while Lupin had been ill.

"It's not fair, he was only filling in, why should he give us homework?"

"We don't know anything about werewolves two rolls of parchment!"

"Did you tell Professor Snape we haven't covered them yet?" Lupin asked, frowning slightly. The babble broke out again.

"Yes, but he said we were really behind he wouldn't listen — "

" — two rolls of parchment!" Professor Lupin smiled at the look of indignation on every face. "Don't worry. I'll speak to Professor Snape. You don't have to do the essay."

"Oh no," said Hermione, looking very disappointed. "I've already finished it!"

"Sucks to suck!" I shouted at her which earned snickers. I even got a laugh out of Ron. Overall they had a very enjoyable lesson. Professor Lupin had brought along a glass box containing a hinkypunk, a little one-legged creature who looked as though he were made of wisps of smoke, rather frail and harmless looking.

"Lures travelers into bogs," said Professor Lupin as they took notes. "You notice the lantern dangling from his hand? Hops ahead -people follow the light — then — " The hinkypunk made a horrible squelching noise against the glass. When the bell rang, everyone gathered up their things and headed for the door, I among them.

"Wait a moment, Harry," Lupin called. "I'd like a word." Harry stopped and walked back. "You to Gibson!" He called after me as I reached the door. I sighed and headed back.

"I heard about the match," said Lupin, turning back to his desk and starting to pile books into his briefcase, "and I'm sorry about your broomstick. Is there any chance of fixing it?"

"No," said Harry. "The tree smashed it to bits." Lupin sighed.

"They planted the Whomping Willow the same year that I arrived at Hogwarts. People used to play a game, trying to get near enough to touch the trunk. In the end, a boy called Davey Gudgeon nearly lost an eye, and we were forbidden to go near it. No broomstick would have a chance."

"Did you hear about the dementors too?" said Harry with difficulty. Lupin looked at him quickly.

"Yes, I did. I don't think any of us have seen Professor Dumbledore that angry. They have been growing restless for some time — furious at his refusal to let them inside the grounds... I suppose they were the reason you fell?"

"Yes," said Harry. He hesitated, and then the question he had to ask burst from him before he could stop himself." Why? Why do they affect me like that? Am I just — ?" I kinda stood there awkwardly. The teacher and his best friend were having a conversation I felt I wasn't welcomed in.

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