Which Witch; REMUS LUPIN

CHAPTER THREE: Calliope Clarilli

WHICH WITCH
Chapter Three

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Valeria's sigh was nearly audible as she reviewed the list of prefect duties for the week. Her gaze fixed on the name paired with hers—Remus Lupin. Of course, it had to be him.

The Gryffindor was known for his easygoing demeanor and sense of fairness, qualities that Valeria found infuriating when paired with her own meticulous and driven nature. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration. Why did she always end up with the Gryffindors?

"Just my luck," she muttered under her breath, staring at the parchment. The thought of spending her evenings patrolling the castle with someone from that insufferable pack made her groan. It wasn't that she had anything against Lupin personally; it was more about the principle of it. Being assigned to work with a Gryffindor felt like a slap in the face to her Slytherin pride.

Valeria slipped on her robe with practiced efficiency, her frustration barely concealed. The heavy fabric rustled as she exited the common room, ready to tackle the evening's duty. She caught sight of Remus standing just outside, leaning casually against the stone wall with a patient expression. His demeanor was almost too relaxed, an unsettling contrast to her own tension.

"Let's get this over with," she huffed, crossing her arms as she approached him. Her tone was clipped, reflecting her irritation at the whole situation.

Remus looked up from his position, his expression unruffled. "Don't act so excited," he replied with a wry smile, his eyes glinting with an easygoing charm. He pushed off from the wall and straightened his posture, ready to begin their patrol.

Valeria's frown deepened, but she said nothing more. She knew it was pointless to argue about the circumstances.

Remus fell into step beside Valeria as they made their way through the dimly lit corridors of Hogwarts. The castle was quieter than usual, the usual hustle and bustle replaced by the eerie silence of the late evening.

"So, where are we starting?" Valeria asked, her voice a touch sharper than she intended. She was trying to focus on the task at hand rather than on the lingering annoyance of being paired with someone she had little in common with.

"Let's start with the library and then make our way through the lower levels," Remus suggested, his tone calm and measured. He was accustomed to working with people who were less than enthusiastic about their duties and had a knack for diffusing tension.

Valeria nodded curtly, and the two continued their patrol in silence for a few moments. The only sound was the soft patter of their footsteps echoing through the empty hallways.

As they reached the library, Remus opened the door and gestured for Valeria to enter first. She shot him a brief, puzzled glance but stepped inside. The library was quiet, the usual rustle of pages replaced by an almost palpable stillness.

Valeria quickly checked the rows of tables and the stacks of books, noting nothing out of place. Remus, meanwhile, moved methodically through the aisles, his eyes scanning for any signs of mischief.

After a few minutes, they left the library and continued their rounds. Valeria noticed that Remus occasionally glanced at her, as if gauging her mood. It was oddly considerate, and for a moment, she wondered if he was trying to make this duty more bearable.