RUNNING WITH WOLVES remus lupin

O44. 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐀 𝐖𝐄𝐁 𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐒

𝐅 𝐎 𝐔 𝐑 𝐓 𝐘 - 𝐅 𝐎 𝐔 𝐑

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THE PAST FEW WEEKS HAVE BEEN HELL. Even that is an understatement. Between homework testing exams and thinking about Remus. Elodie's schedule is filled up. Not to mention her uncle who was watching her every move and she couldn't tell anyone about it. Elodie was exhausted. As the third task approaches, the tension around her life seems to get bigger. For the past 20 minutes, Elodie has been off of her own world. Anxious about the meeting she's going to have with her Uncle before lunch.

Though she would consider herself friends with Harry things have gotten tense and out of control. Between Rita Skeeter basically stalking her and Harry everywhere they went. Most of the time the two weren't even together. And Harry seems more intense because he and Ron are in a feud. Harry seems to be avoiding everyone. She asked Fred and George why, they insisted that their brother had to get over this himself.

So there's not much she can do. And the less information she has the more she's in trouble.

"Ms. Ashcombe!" A Stern voice said loudly. She's brought back to reality to see Professor McGonagall looking highly disappointed. Along with the whole class is eyes on her. How Embarrassing.

"I'm sure you have exciting things going on when you leave the classroom but while you're in it I would expect you to pay attention so that you might learn something."

Snickers fill the classroom and a blush creeps up to her cheeks and she ducks her head. "Sorry professor." she says meekly. Merlin's sake, Elodie, you need to get yourself together. McGonagall surveys her a few seconds more with a disappointed look before saying, "I expect you all to pay attention, otherwise mistakes will happen!" McGonagall then goes back to teaching the class. She stares down at her notes and embarrassment writing as she listens.

A few minutes later a note slid in front of her. Elodie glanced down, her heart sinking as she read Penelope's note:

**Are you sure you're okay? You've seemed really off lately.**

She wanted to respond, to explain everything, but the words caught in her throat. Instead, she gave a weak smile and shrugged, hoping to convey that she was just fine. The truth was far more complex, and the last thing she wanted was to burden her best friend with the dark reality of her life now. Penelope already knows the secret that she's the mate of their former professor lupin.

As the class ended and students began to filter out, Elodie felt a knot of dread tightening in her stomach. She had only a short while before she had to meet her supposed uncle and the very thought of it sent chills down her spine.

"Are you coming to lunch?" Penelope asked, grabbing her stuff with a look of concern.

"I'll catch up with you later," Elodie replied, forcing a smile. "I have a... thing to take care of."

Penelope's brow furrowed, but Elodie quickly slipped away, not wanting to prolong the conversation. She made her way through the castle, her heart pounding with each step. The walls felt like they were closing in on her, heavy with the secrets she carried.

Finally, she reached an empty corridor near the dungeons where they had agreed to meet. The shadows loomed, and the air felt thick with tension. She leaned against the cold stone wall, her mind racing with thoughts of Remus and the warmth of his embrace, a stark contrast to the coldness she felt approaching this meeting.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hall, and her uncle appeared, his figure imposing and dark. Elodie's heart raced as she straightened, attempting to mask her fear.

"Ah, Elodie," he said, his voice smooth yet laced with something sinister. "I was beginning to think you had forgotten our little meeting."

"I wouldn't dream of it," she replied, trying to sound composed.

"You're late."

"I'm sorry," Elodie replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "I was in class."

"Excuses won't get you anywhere," he snapped, his tone icy. "We need to discuss your progress-or lack thereof."

"What do you mean?" she asked, confusion mingling with fear.

He stepped closer, his disguise slipping ever so slightly as his irritation bubbled to the surface. "You were supposed to befriend Harry Potter, and encourage him to feel the need to win the Triwizard Cup. Instead, it seems you've done nothing of the sort. Have you even spoken to him?"

Elodie felt her heart race. "Of course I have! But Harry's been preoccupied with his own problems, especially with Ron. He's-"

"Not an excuse!" her uncle interrupted, his voice rising. "You need to understand the gravity of this situation. If Harry believes he must win, he'll be more susceptible to my lor- my influence. And if you continue to fail me, I will ensure you understand the consequences."

Elodie's chest tightened. "I'm trying! But I can't just force him to care about winning when he's dealing with so much already. It's not fair!"

"Life isn't fair, Elodie," he said, his tone cold and cutting. "You have to make your own opportunities. You need to be clever and strategic. How do you expect to survive if you can't even manage a simple task?"

She felt a surge of defiance rising within her. "I won't manipulate Harry. He deserves better than that. He's my friend!"

Her uncle's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Elodie saw the menace lurking beneath his facade. "Friends can be useful, especially when they're powerful. This is your chance to be part of something greater, but if you refuse to act, I will take matters into my own hands. You don't want to see what that looks like."

The threat hung heavy in the air, and Elodie felt a wave of despair wash over her. She was stuck between protecting her friend and obeying her uncle's demands. "I'll try," she said finally, her voice barely a whisper. "But I can't promise anything."

"Trying isn't good enough," he replied, his voice low and menacing. "You have until the end of the week to make significant progress. Otherwise, I'll be forced to remind you of the stakes."

With that, he turned back to the shelves, resuming his act as Madam Pince. Elodie stood frozen for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest. She felt trapped in a web of lies and threats, and the reality of her situation crashed over her like a wave.

As she walked back through the library and out into the castle corridors, she felt sick. She had to find a way to warn Harry,without giving the situation away. That would just put everyone in danger. But how could she do that without revealing the precarious situation with her uncle?

The weight of her uncle's demands pressed down on her as she made her way to the Great Hall for lunch. She needed to figure out a plan-one that would allow her to protect Harry, give herself time to figure out the situation with Remus and navigate the treacherous waters of her uncle's influence.

Elodie felt a surge of determination. She would not let fear dictate her actions; she would find a way to protect her friends and herself, even if it meant playing a dangerous game. She would confront her uncle's expectations head-on, all while finding a way to reach out to Remus. The stakes were high, but she couldn't back down now.