𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 - Harry Potter x Fem!Reader¹

9.. THE MARAUDERS MAP

"If Snape's teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts again, I'm skiving off," said Harry as they headed toward Lupin's classroom after lunch.

"Check who's in there, Hermione," said Ron.

Hermione peered around the classroom door.

"It's okay!"

Professor Lupin was back at work. It certainly looked as though he had been ill. His old robes were hanging more loosely on him and there were dark shadows beneath his eyes; nevertheless, he smiled at the class as they took their seats, and they burst at once into an explosion of complaints about Snape's behavior while Lupin had been ill.

"It's not fair, he was only filling in, why should he give us homework?" exclaimed Dean Thomas, outraged.

"We don't know anything about werewolves — " said Lavender, talking very quickly.

" — two rolls of parchment!" cried Harry.

"Did you tell Professor Snape we haven't covered them yet?" Lupin asked, frowning slightly.

The babble broke out again.

"Yes, but he said we were really behind — "

" — he wouldn't listen — "

" — two rolls of parchment, Re — I mean, Professor!"

Professor Lupin smiled at the look of indignation on every face.

"Don't worry," he said. "I'll speak to Professor Snape. None of you have to do the essay."

"Oh no," said Hermione, looking very disappointed. "I've already finished it!"

They had a very enjoyable lesson. Professor Lupin had brought along a glass box containing a hinkypunk, a little one-legged creature who looked as though he were made of wisps of smoke, rather frail and harmless-looking.

"Lures travelers into bogs," said Professor Lupin as the class willingly took notes. "You notice the lantern dangling from his hand? Hops ahead — people follow the light — then —"

The hinkypunk made a horrible squelching noise against the glass.

When the bell rang, everyone gathered up their things and headed for the door, Y/N among them, but —

"Wait a moment, Y/N," Lupin called. "I'd like a word."

Y/N doubled back and watched Professor Lupin covering the hinkypunk's box with a cloth.

"I heard about the match," said Lupin, turning back to his desk and starting to pile books into his briefcase, "and I'm sorry about your broomstick. Is there any chance of fixing it?"

"No, sir," said Y/N. "The tree smashed it to bits."

Lupin sighed.

"They planted the Whomping Willow the same year that I arrived at Hogwarts. People used to play a game, trying to get near enough to touch the trunk. In the end, a boy called Davey Gudgeon nearly lost an eye, and we were forbidden to go near it. No broomstick would have a chance."

"Have you heard about the dementors as well?" said Y/N with difficulty.

Lupin looked at her quickly.

"Yes, I did. I don't think any of us have seen Professor Dumbledore that angry. They have been growing restless for some time... furious at his refusal to let them inside the grounds... I suppose they were the reason you fell?"

"Yes," said Y/N. She hesitated, and then the question she had to ask burst from her before she could stop herself. "Professor? Why do they affect me like that? Am I just — ?"