Casanova (Male Oc Insert)

Christmas 1971

I was sitting in Transfiguration class, the air thick with anticipation as Professor McGonagall began her lesson. As we neared the end, she unexpectedly called on Remus, who was lost in thought, his gaze fixed on a point far beyond the classroom. “Lupin, perhaps you can tell me – what are the transfigurative properties of lapis philosophorum?”

Remus blinked, momentarily startled, then quickly collected himself. “Well, I think that’s the one that turns stuff into gold? If you use it right… and Cleopatra the Alchemist used it to turn lead into silver, I think,” he answered, his voice gaining confidence as he spoke.

“Correct.” McGonagall’s tone was crisp, though an edge of surprise crept into her voice as if she hadn’t expected such a well-informed answer. “Five points to Gryffindor. And another five for making the connection to Cleopatra the Alchemist – she’s not mentioned in *Transfiguration for Beginners*, did you read that in your history text?”

“Well, excellent. Some of my third-year students are incapable of cross-referencing their studies like that,” she continued, a hint of approval softening her stern demeanour. “I’m pleased to see you taking such an interest.” Addressing the entire class, she announced, “And we will begin discussing alchemy after Christmas. Which reminds me – with the holidays approaching, I’d like to ask any students planning to remain at Hogwarts over the break to let me know by the end of next week. Thank you; you’re dismissed.”

As the bell rang, signalling the end of class, students rose from their seats, chattering excitedly as they filed out. A few classmates lightly patted Remus on the back in a gesture of camaraderie, while he simply smiled, looking a bit sheepish.

“Mr. Lupin, if you have a moment?” McGonagall called after him, her tone commanding yet not unkind. I was walking beside James when the door swung shut, abruptly cutting off our line of sight to Remus.

“Do we wait for him?” I asked, glancing toward James, who was already contemplating his plans for the holidays.

James had invited Sirius, Remus, and me to visit his home over the winter break, fully aware that neither of my two friends had any particularly cheerful plans for Christmas. “Bellatrix, that bitch, has been feeding my parents information,” he explained in a hushed tone, a dark shadow crossing his face. “Apparently, I’ve disgraced them enough already. If I go to yours then it’ll only get worse. Sorry, mate.”

A pang of disappointment shot through me as I realized I would miss spending Christmas with James, forced instead to endure the company of my nightmarish family. “We’ll send you owls!” James promised, his expression brightening slightly. “See if you can come up with our next plan of attack on Snape!”

Remus grinned and nodded, promising to give it a shot. But as I boarded the Hogwarts Express, the usual buoyancy that filled my heart faded, replaced by a thick veil of sadness. Sirius seemed to mirror my emotions, his robust spirit dimming as we took our seats. James and Peter busied themselves discussing everything except Christmas, perhaps due to their own reservations about the season. They seemed to be tacitly honouring James's advice to steer clear of any mention of Sirius's recent breakdown in the library.

Suddenly, tfamilyurched to a stop, and an unsettling worry coiled tightly within me. I knew all too well what awaited me at home – my father’s wrath for the fight with Mulciber. He always reacted harshly; his punishments were meted out with cold precision.

As the train doors opened, a suffocating wave of dread washed over me. My father, Orion, stood waiting in the crowded station, his face a mask of disapproval as he observed us departing the train. He frowned deeply as my brother and I exchanged farewells with James and Peter but remained silent until the two of them were safely out of earshot.