Moonstruck | A Remus Lupin Love Story

Chapter 17: Nocturnal Creatures

The night of the Yule ball stayed etched into Esmeray's mind, playing like an endless dream over the next few weeks. Her normal Hogwarts routine had resumed to some what normal, but the halls were filled by the excitement for the last Tri-wizard challenge, which only made Esmeray anxious. Not to mention the ferocious rules that had been put in place as the the fear of Sirius' escape had escalated after the break in, and since Harry and Esmeray were both becoming more well-known to the public eye. Not to mention, Remus had yet again returned to his distant state. She couldn't be angered by this, as although they shared such a special moment at the ball, she knew deep down somewhere, that it couldn't really be, especially with all that was going on. However, in every one of his classes, there was always something in the air, always small little looks at one another, always an excuse to touch or be close when practicing spells. There was a draw between the two. No one wanted to admit it, and both were scared to act on it, but yet it was there, powering the connection between.

Esmeray had been staring out of the classroom window, focusing on the dread and gloom that encased the sky. That feeling of anticipation, of something drawing closer had made a home in her stomach. She was so used to the darkness now, it was almost a numbing sensation that didn't completely register with her anymore. There wasn'anything much more she could do. She had alerted Dumbeldore, who had told her to not worry about it. She trained day and night, just in case something were to happen. Her life was 'worrying' about it. Her only distraction were her classes, specifically Defence Against the Dark Arts. Professor Lupin had just wrapped up a particularly fascinating, but slightly depressing class on nocturnal creatures. He had discussed many beings such as vampires, goblins, nymphs, fae, elves and werewolves, however the class had been more focused on the species lifestyles, and hardships exisitng rather than just simply defence. Esmeray had been excited to learn about such people, but she felt her heart ache for thier mistreatment. Not only that, she feared for her own treatment if anyone discovered what she truly was. She didn't even know what she truly was. She wasn't just one thing. And she wasn't human. She was some nightmare collage of all the monsters Voldemort could find. At least here, they weren't shown as monsters, but as people. And that was one of the reasons she adored Remus and his classes so much.

Esmeray grabbed her books and meandered out the door into the hall among the other students. A few students in front of her started chuckling, causing a commotion in the corridor. As Esmeray neared, she started to make out thier words,

'They should all just be round up and killed I say,'

'Yeah, the whole fight within the Ministry with trying to get them working rights is crazy,'

'Like, imagine working with some horrible murderous beasts,'

'I'd kill it straight away, they aren't even human anyway'

Esmeray stood behind them, her entire being shaking with rage. How could anybody say such cruel things. How could anybody decide the worth of someones life, without meeting and learning about them. Thats why there was so much hate in the wizarding world towards these beings, no one understood, or put in effort in to understand them. She couldn't help herself, Esmeray had let her heart win, and had to say something,

'Hey, that's not fair, didn't you guys listen to Lupin's class?' she nudged her way into the group, talking through a false calm exterior. She was only met with a fit of laughter.

'Pfft, not fair! They kill people, thats not fair!' somebody responded.

'Well, some aren't given the choice, they're just trying to make a living, how can they do that when they can't work,' she offered, her blood beginning to boil.

'Thats because they aren't human! They don't deserve that, they are below us obviously,'

'Yeah, I don't know what Professor Lupin's getting at, I want to learn how to kill something, not fight for some law,'