Over the Edge [ Lupin x Evans ]

Chapter 14: Miss Evans' tutoring

"Dear students! Welcome to the welcoming feast of another new year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! I would especially like to welcome the new first-years who have just joined their new houses. However, before we grab our knives and forks to feast on delicious treats, I would like to say a few words to begin with," Dumbledore started, as always, at the beginning of the first of September feast.

"Do you think he'll sing the anthem this year too?" whispered Peter, chuckling.

"Shh!" someone hissed from nearby.

"When has he not sung it?" Sirius laughed.

"We've all heard about Lord Voldemort's actions," the Headmaster's voice chilled everyone to the bone, and whispers rippled through the hall. No one dared speak that name aloud, as it was shrouded in dark legend. Some even believed it was cursed. Only Dumbledore seemed unafraid, always speaking it as if it were any other name.

The Marauders exchanged looks.

"You're all aware of what's been happening recently," Dumbledore continued. "You must understand that these are by no means good things. However, I trust that this school and its professors have taught you how to distinguish between right and wrong. I believe that, when the greatest trial comes, you will all be able to make the right choice. Let your faith remain unshaken! I hope that, in the end, everything will be alright."

After the traditional singing of the Hogwarts anthem, the Headmaster invited everyone to begin the feast. In an instant, the tables were laden with all kinds of delicious food. Juicy meats — ribs, ham, and turkeys roasted with cranberry sauce — filled the air with mouth-watering smells. Colourful cakes, pies, and pastries lured with their cream and icing. There was also a rich, sweet pudding, toffee apples, and many self-refilling jugs of pumpkin juice. Yet, despite all the tempting food, the Marauders were too absorbed in their conversation to pay much attention.

"Did you understand any of that?" James asked, puzzled. Padfoot was about to speak when Remus suddenly interrupted him:

"Look at the Slytherins."

Each of them discreetly turned their head toward the Slytherin table. The wizards with the green crest on their robes weren't even trying to hide their sly glances and knowing smirks.

"Do you think some of them support You-Know-Who?" Peter asked.

"I'm sure of it," replied Lupin. "Dumbledore's worried that the Slytherins will leave the school this year to join him and become Death Eaters."

"When I was still seeing my cousin at Grimmauld Place, she was going on and on about 'the Dark Lord this' and 'the Dark Lord that'... and the old ones didn't mind at all," Snarled Sirius. "She definitely joined him, that bloody nutter. I can't stand the whole damn Black family."

"What exactly do they hope to achieve?" asked Wormtail, almost lazily.

"They probably want to wipe out Muggle-borns and take control of the wizarding world. There were already rumours about mysterious abductions last year... In other words, they want the same thing that's always been fought for in every war. Power and control over everything," Lupin explained seriously.

"I just hope they don't succeed," James whispered. "My parents told me about the conflict with Grindelwald, who's still considered the most dangerous dark wizard of all time, and has been sitting in Nurmengard for ages. Dumbledore himself defeated him, and there was probably more to it, because we never even hear about him in History of Magic lessons."

"If we survived the terrible Grindelwald, what could some Lord do to us?" Black scoffed with a relaxed tone. "Can we start eating now?"

They all glanced at the towering platters of food beside them, and, without further discussion of the spreading evil, they dug in eagerly.