RUNNING WITH WOLVES remus lupin

O40. 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃

𝐅 𝐎 𝐔 𝐑 𝐓 𝐘

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ELODIE'S VISION IS BLURRY AS SHE OPENS HER EYES. She blinks a few times trying to look around. Then begins to sit up but she's being stopped by Madam Pomfrey who seemingly appeared out of nowhere. "You need your rest, Ms. Ashcombe. She's awake." Elodie turns her head upon hearing footsteps. She sees Dumbledore, Mcgonagall and Madam Pince. She fights the urge to flinch back. The conversation she recently had came back to her.

'And if I even catch you even going near Dumbledore or his office. Even going to McGonagall. Your sister will pay the price. Just like my sister did.'

"Ah, Ms. Ashcombe it's good to see you awake, fortunately, Madam Pince was able to get you here quickly." She says nothing. Too distracted by all the thoughts running through her head. He killed my mother. He's a Death Eater. That is not Madam Pince. In a circular loop again and again. But she can't say it out loud. Not here, Not now that she's a spy for... him. So she'll keep her cool for her sister. She cannot lose another family member.

She focuses back on the professors in front of her. McGonagall stared at her with concern. Dumbledore gives an appraising look. 'Madam Pince' looking at her sternly. As if daring her to say the wrong thing. Elodie clears her throat. "W-what happened?" she asks with a rough tone. Her throat is feeling very dry.

"Well you've see Ms. Ashcombe, you've had quite the nasty fall. Madam Pince explained that when I called an early curfew the students instantly piled out of the library, it seems you were caught in the panic." No, I wasn't. "Oh. What time is it?" Dumbledore gives her a pitying look. "Ms. Ashcombe I'm afraid you missed your first class of the day, you've been unconscious since last evening."

Dammit- I hope Penelope wasn't looking for me. I can't even tell her or anyone for that matter.

"Should I attend my next class-"

Madam Pomfrey cuts her off immediately. "I should hope not Ms. Ashcombe." Dumbledore sighs, "I don't think it'd be wise, so I've waved your classes for the rest of the day. I think you should rest in the care of Madam Pomfrey to make sure there's no further injury." At least I'll be able to collect my thoughts... I hope so.

"Oh my God, Ellie what happened!" Elodie winced at her friend's outburst. "Quite down Ms. Solaris, this is a hospital room for resting, not a quidditch match." Penelope winced in embarrassment. While the professors behind her, excluding 'Madam Pince', looked highly amused. "Well, it seems like you are in good hands Ms. Ashcombe, I do hope you'll feel better." He paused before looking at Penny. "And do try to make it to your next class Ms. Solaris." She nodded hurriedly. "Good, come along Minerva, Irma, we should let her rest."

Professor McGonagall nods and turns to exit. While fake Madam Pince gives her a long look, in warning. But Elodie's probably the only one who can tell what the look means. 'Madam Pince' makes her exit. Professor Dumbledore as well.

After the professors leave Elodie looks back over at Penelope. Who is looking at her anxiously. "El, I was so worried when I heard, what happened?" Elodie winces as she sits herself up in the bed. Hesitating for a moment going over a lie in her head. She would not bring her best friend into this. It's already my fault my sister is in danger.

"Nothing big, you remember Dumbledore calling for early curfew right?" She pauses, Penelope nods. "Well, I guess people are still wired because of the Sirius Black situation." That poor innocent man. She thinks as she continues, "So everyone scrambled from the library and I wasn't paying attention, so someone ended up bumping into me, I hit my head, and well-'' She's cut off when Penny gives her a tight hug.

"People should really watch where they are going, I'm glad you're ok, Ellie."

Elodie smiles, "Thanks Penny I'm glad you came." Penelope pulls away slightly from the hug. "Well, Freddie and Georgie wanted to come but they had to get to detention." Elodie then lets out a loud laugh.

"This is a hospital wing, not a quidditch match!"

The two friends instantly stop, ducking their heads in embarrassment. "Sorry, Madam Pomfrey." They say together as Penelope fully pulls away. "I better go, so we don't get in more trouble." Elodie nods. "Rest up and get better so you can help me pick the perfect dress for the yule ball," Penelope says with a fake stern voice. She then looks at the clock. "Blimey! I have a class in seven minutes! Get better El." Penelope says hurriedly, as she runs out of the hospital wing.

Elodie lays back down with a frustrated sigh. A death eater spy, huh? How did I even get myself into this mess?

____________

A day later she's released. She quickly begins to resume classes. Things begin to go back to normal. That is as normal as things can be with Penelope stressing over her dress for her date with George to the Yule ball. She's currently walking to the Owlery, looking around hoping not to rub into 'Madam Pince' or 'Professor Moody'. When she arrives she immediately sees Harry looking visibly upset. He doesn't seem to notice her.

"Um- Harry? Are you alright?"

He jumps up and looks at her. "What? Oh yeah I am, your Elodie right?" She frowns at him. "Are you sure? You don't really know me but I'll listen if you want." He looks at her warily for a moment. He then sighs seemingly defeated. "It's just I think Cho's the prettiest girl and I wanted to ask her to the ball..." He trails off a little looking around avoiding eye contact with Elodie. "But she's already going with Cedric, which is fine! I hear he's a great bloke, but now I don't know who to go with."

"I don't have anyone to go with either, I could be your date." Elodie offers.

Harry's eyes widen now looking at her. "Really, I thought you had a thing with Remus? You know from how you acted that night. Well, how he really acted..." Her cheeks instantly darken with a pink hue. "We do not have a thing!" She says in instant denial. "And I meant platonically, as friends, Harry." She pauses, willing herself not to blush at Harry's accusation about Remus. Then she says, "I'm way too old for you, I just thought you needed a friend and we're friends... kind of."

"That'll be great Elodie, thank you." He says awkwardly. It is then that Elodie remembers her task.

Well, there's my in with Harry.

A/N:
Yes, I know Harry goes to the ball with, Parvati but in my version he doesn't... until next time!