Moonstruck | A Remus Lupin Love Story

Chapter 8 : Sirius Black

Over the next few weeks, Esmeray trained with Professor Lupin most evenings after classes. She would occasionally have a session or two with the other tutors, but Lupin was most definitely her favourite. He had helped her most with gaging control and they had begun expermenting with what this new found power was capable of. They would stroll into the forbidden forest, the place now becoming Esmeray's safe haven, and she would wield and unleash her magic, seeing what was possible. It was becoming obvious that Esmeray's power had strong connections to all that was nature. At first, it was plants growing from where she was wielding, then it was the weather, which shifted depending on her emotions. And then it was the animals, all creautures followed her where ever she was, whether it was birds flying around in the sky, spiders in the classroom, or the strange beasts that watched her in the forest. Professor Lupin would stay up late, reading scrolls of ancient magic, trying to decipher and understand her power. But Esmeray had an inkling. She knew, she wasn't human. Despite her starting to see herself as good, she also wasn't unrealisitc. She knew Voldemort crafted her from all the magic he could find which included enchantment plants, powerful beings and catastrophe's of nature. This was why she held such care for all creatures, because she simply was one. The only people who knew her true forms were Albus and Padfoot. And no one else would ever, ever find out. Although she trusted Professor Lupin, this was too much to reveal. Sure, there were such thingsas animagus', but she was something else entirely. A being who could shift into different forms of beasts. Only a few forms had manifested fully since her magic surfaced, and she would escape to the forest at midnight to again train her control over them. She had felt the shift begin in class on a few occasions and knew, just like her powers, she had to tame it, to keep everybody safe. Though Esmeray was getting a better handle over her magic, it was still growing stronger each day, and others noticed. Most of her professors recognised her extraordinary skill in class, and so did the students. Some praised and admired her, and others teased and retaliated, acknowledging how much of a freak she was. Although it didn't affect her much, as she had a group of friends that she loved dearly and they loved her back, it still hurt. She knew she was a freak, and they didn't know the half of it.

One night after dinner, and after an exhausting day of training, Esmeray was heading back to the Gryffindor dorms with Harry, Ron and Hemoine. They were lost in coversation until they noticed the commotion surrounding the entrance. A mass of black, white, red and yellow scattered about eachother in hushed whispers. Through the crowds, Esmeray glimpsed at The fat, old lady's portrait and gawked at the three slashes that ran through the painintg.

"I think someone tried to get into the common room" said Harry after noticing the same.

"Do you think it was Sirius? I mean he is after you Harry..." Ron spoke before Hermoine's hand clamped over his mouth. All heads spun to Esmeray, after realising that Ron had let out Harry's secret of being Sirius' godson.

"Alright, spit it out you three" Esmerayed stared at them with those eyes of blue steel. Ron gulped as Harry begun, "Ok, you can't tell anyone, but Sirius Black is my, uh, godfather too apparently." Esmeray's eyes widened at this realisation. "BUT, he betrayed my parents and now, we all think he has come to , kill me" he blurted out after. Esmeray was so shocked by this news, was her padfoot really a psychotic evil murderer. Though he was sent to Azkaban, and his name was on every newspaper calling him evil, she had never fully believed it. Her memories of him were so full of warmth and light. She reminisced about how much fun and mischief they used to get up to around her cabin. He made her little hidden slice of the world feel grand. She had loved him, like a father. But now, after hearing this, she was unsure. She had grown to love Harry, and the others, like a family. And she wouldn't let anybody hurt them.

The trio eagerly watched on as Esmeray processed this. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me..." she offered, as they waited for her response. They all visibly let out a huge breath, relieved. "He must've been some guy ay, to be the godfather of a great witch and wizard" offered Ron. Harry looked at him painfully, as did Esmeray, his memory now tainted. Ron offered a quick apology before Professor Mcgonagall interupted them. "Students, please, quiet down, attention all students! The common room is no longer safe. There has been an attack. You will all return to the great hall for tonight" she boomed over the crowd. The students erupted into chaos, spooked from the news. Everybody began scampering to the great hall, Esmeray and the trio included, until a hand clamped down on Esmeray's shoulder. She turned around startled, staring at Minerva.