Memories of the Heart || Harry Potter x Reader

Y3 ~ Hogsmead

The classroom felt heavy with anticipation as the students stood in rows, the dim light from the tall windows casting long shadows on the stone floor. The air hummed with tension, the cupboard in the center of the room shaking violently. Professor Lupin, calm and collected, faced the class with a steady gaze, his voice cutting through the excitement.

"Repeat after me, class—Ridikulus!" His tone was firm yet kind, a guiding presence amidst the chaos.

The third-years echoed in unison, "Ridikulus!" Some voices were confident, others shaky, but the excitement was palpable.

Y/N stood near the back of the room, her arms crossed loosely. She felt the familiar thrum of Draco Malfoy's presence behind her—his irritation was practically tangible. His bandaged arm, still wrapped from his overblown injury with Buckbeak, hung at his side like a badge of misplaced pride.

"This class is ridiculous," Draco muttered under his breath, just loud enough for his cronies, Crabbe and Goyle, to snigger. His disdain was unmistakable.

Without turning around, Y/N's lips curved into a sly grin. "Not as ridiculous as you, daddy's boyyyyyy," she said, drawing out the insult with a slow, mocking sweetness that dripped with sarcasm. The words hung in the air like a challenge, sharp and biting. Harry, standing beside her, stifled a laugh, his green eyes sparkling with amusement.

Draco's face twisted with anger. He took a step forward, his fists clenching as he glared at the back of Y/N's head. "Don't you dare talk to me like that!" he spat, his voice low but seething.

Y/N remained unmoved, her posture relaxed and unbothered. She didn't even bother to turn around, knowing that ignoring him would only infuriate him more. Draco's temper was predictable, and she had no desire to feed it.

"Is there a problem back there?" Professor Lupin's calm voice broke through the tension, drawing the eyes of the entire class to the back of the room. His gaze rested on Draco and Y/N, concern evident on his face.

Draco took an instinctive step back, his anger deflating as quickly as it had risen. His fists unclenched, and he shifted uncomfortably under the weight of the class's attention. Y/N turned slowly, her expression cool and collected as she met Professor Lupin's gaze with a sweet, innocent smile.

"No problem at all, Professor," she said lightly, glancing briefly at Draco before flicking her hair over her shoulder. "Just straightening out some *miscommunication*." Her tone was smooth, as if she were explaining something completely ordinary. Draco's eyes narrowed in frustration, but he remained silent, clearly outmatched.

Professor Lupin paused, his lips twitching as if suppressing a smile. His eyes lingered on Y/N for a moment longer than necessary, recognizing the playful mischief in her words. It was almost as if he were reminded of a student he'd known long ago—one with a similar quick wit and sharp tongue.

"Well," he said, his voice light with amusement. "Glad to see you're keeping things in order, Miss Nightengale. But let's not distract from the lesson, shall we?" His tone was gentle, but his eyes sparkled with a hint of knowing. He turned back to the class, the smile threatening to break free.

The room rippled with quiet laughter as a few students exchanged amused glances. Harry and Ron both grinned, trying not to laugh out loud, while Draco glared at the floor, his face flushed with frustration.

"Now, where were we? Ah, yes, volunteers..." Professor Lupin stroked his chin thoughtfully, scanning the class for a student brave enough to step forward, though the slight smile on his face lingered, as if Y/N's clever remark had brightened his day.