RUNNING WITH WOLVES remus lupin

O42. 𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐆𝐎

𝐅 𝐎 𝐔 𝐑 𝐓 𝐘 - 𝐓 𝐖 𝐎

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

AS SHE'S PULLING PENELOPE ALONG, she bumps into ‘Madam Pince’. Oh, great! My night just went downhill again. “Eh- hem! What are you two girls doing in the courtyard?” Elodie fights the urge to narrow her eyes. Like you didn't already know, I was out here.

“Oh Professor, nothing we were just-”
“Trying to find boys to mess around with, I see 10 points from Gryffindor, for each of you. And you come with me, Miss Ashcombe” She felt a shiver go down her spine. “But Madam-” Penelope is cut off, “Do we want to make it 30 points?” Elodie sighs and lets go of Penny's arm. Madam Pince gives a satisfied smile. Penelope slumps frustrated. Though annoyed, Elodie turns to head back to the great hall.

Hoping that the conversation is over. But before they can even take a step. Madam Pince says, “Oh Ms. Ashcombe I'd like a word…” Oh no. Elodie winces, turning back around. Penelope with her. “Run along Ms. Solaris.” Penny gives her a pitying look before heading back to the Hall. While Madam Pince turns the opposite way and begins to walk.

Elodie for a moment hesitates but decides it's best to follow. As they continue down the hall to Elodie's, anxiety about the situation increases. She lets out a few breaths willing herself to be brave, to hide her fear. When it's clear there's no one in view. Rebastian sends the cruciatus curse her way. In an instant, she feels blinding pain. Elodie falls to the floor. Her mouth opens in a silent scream. Thinking for a moment that she should never rise.

“It seems you've been avoiding me, niece.” She does not move and doesn't give him an answer. "Answer me mudblood." This time she opened her mouth to respond but as with her attempts to scream no sound came out. “Don't make me ask again.” She struggles slightly but eventually makes herself answer. “Of course not, I'm not dumb.” She says giving him direct eye contact. To make it seem she's fine. “That is to be seen, well give your report then, be quick this time or you'll regret it.”

Her breath quickened. Her thoughts are going a mile a second trying to find a good response. Rebastian moves to raise his wand. She forces out an answer, “I haven't talked to him.” There's a deafening silence. “Crucio.” Despite herself, she cried out in pain. She falls back to the ground, her body shaking. “No… No more, I will do better.” He leans forward putting his wand under her chin and lifts her head. “I know you won't, niece, that is if you and your sister wish to survive.”

As the pain slowly fades a deep sting lingers. Then Elodie hears the sound of footsteps coming Their way towards them. Rebastian picks her up from the ground. Suddenly she stands though there's a slight sway. Her legs were close to giving out once more. Soon Professor McGonagall comes into view. “Madam Pince, Ms. Ashcombe.” She greets them before sighing. Turning Elodie's directly with a stern look.

“As a Sixth year, one would think you'd know curfew by now, Ms. Ashcombe. And from what I hear you've been towing the curfew you line for a few weeks now.” Elodie stays silent, her brain feeling slightly muddled. Barely being able to comprehend what's being said to her. “S-sorry, Professor,” Elodie says despite herself. “I'll give you a warning with no punishment for tonight since we celebrate the Victors. But let's not make this a habit, seeing as this is your second to last year.”

Elodie nods.

Mcgonagall eyes her with curiosity for a moment. “Are you alright dear?” She says with concern. Before Elodie can answer, Madam Pince speaks up. “Why, Minerva, I found this one swaying down the hall. She might have had too much punch.” She says, implying that the punch was spiked. “I see.” Mcgonagall says continuing with, “Madam you can return to your quarters, I'll escort Ms. Ashcombe to the Gryffindor common room.”

‘Madam Pince’ nods and says. “Of Course, Minerva.” Before turning and walking the other way. Like nothing had happened. How could I be related to someone like that? “Now let's get you to your common room,” McGonagall says to Elodie. As Elodie moves her body from the wall it shakes slightly. The sting is still there though the pain has mostly faded.

________

When she finally makes it back to her dorm room. She wants nothing more than for her body to hit her bed. But Penelope who's wide awake Acosts her as she enters.

“Ellie, where have you been? What happened? Did you get in trouble?” Questions fly from Penelope quickly. Elodie sighs wearily, her body still in pain. “Penny, it has been a long night. Please can we talk tomorrow?” Penelope's eyes now look concerned. “Are you ok, El? you don't look too good.”

She wills herself to smile. Hoping to put her best friend at ease. “Penny I'm alright, I just danced too hard tonight. We'll talk about what Remus said tomorrow. I promise.”

“OK Goodnight Ellie,” Penelope says before closing the curtain around her bed.

__________

The next morning she woke up. She moves around a little. But doing so sent waves of pain down her arms and legs so she stopped. Instead, she attempted to sit up in her bed. She moves over to open her curtain. But Penny is already opening it for her. “Elodie you are not going to believe this!” She says loudly with disbelief.

Elodie winces slightly. “Believe what-”

Penelope cuts her off by shoving a paper into her Lap. Elodie sighs. “Pen I have to get ready, I'll read it late-” Penelope cuts her off again. “Look!” She picks up the paper and starts to read. Elodie's jaw then drops.

THIS TRIWIZARD CHAMPION LIKES OLDER WOMEN?

“No way!” She says in shock. Penelope replies nodding, “Yes way.” she slaps her forehead before putting her head into her hands. “Why is it always me?” She asks, groaning to herself. “Well Harry's never out of the daily profit, so you kind of should have known this would happen,” Penelope says, looking around for a second. Trying to find something to say. “At least you're not alone in this.”

Elodie groans again. “Let's just get ready for Class.” Penelope nods, “Yeah we should before we're late, I refuse to get another detention with Snape this year.”

Both the girls look at each other and then shudder with a grimace.