I Think I Like Him

34. A Murmur Of Logic, A Howl Of Love

A/N - This chapter is nearly double my usual!

TW - vague mentions of SA (non explicit)

Word Count: 3666

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"No... only one will die tonight!" Black growled at Weasley, inching closer.

And before Draco could stop him, Harry surged forward; "And it'll be YOU!" He grabbed the man by the front of his rugged cloak, and dragged him down, pinning him to the floor with a wand at his neck. Even in such a moment, Draco found himself impressed.

But before anyone could do anything else, the door slammed open to reveal Professor Lupin. "Expelliarmus!" He yelled, leaving Harry's wand to go shooting out of his hand with a crackling white spark. The man nodded for Harry to get up, and he did; stumbling backwards.

"Well, well, Sirius. Looking rather ragged, aren't we?" He said with a stern gaze, as he stood over the Azkaban-Escapee. "Finally the flesh reflects the madness within..."

"Well you'd know all about madness, wouldn't you, Remus?" Black said with a smile.

And instantly it all felt wrong again. Something in the air changed, and Lupin lowered his wand. Their teacher pulled him up and embraced him. They seemed just as familiar to each other, as Black's face had been to Draco.

Black pulled away from Lupin with a toothy grin, "I've found him! Let's kill him!"

"No! I trusted you!" Granger screamed, "And all this time, you've been his friend!" She looked at him with betrayal. "He's a werewolf! That's why he's been missing classes."

Draco's gaze snapped back to Professor Lupin. He didn't look particularly threatening, aside from the scars which he supposed he now had an explanation for. But growing up, Draco was taught that Werewolves were violent creatures; more animal than wizard. They didn't speak about the war much, but Draco had deduced over the years that his mother had been attacked by one just a few months before Draco was born. She didn't become one, of course, but something terrible must have happened. She always grew so silent when a younger, curious Draco would bring it up.

But Professor Lupin (as much as he hated to admit it) was a good teacher. A great one, even. But he supposed that was all an act. Because here he stood. With Sirius Black.

Lupin regarded her with a thoughtful gaze. Impressed. "How long have you known?"

"Si... since Snape set the essay." Draco glanced at her. That had been months ago.

"Well, well, Hermione, you really are, truly, the brightest witch of -"

"Enough talk, Remus-" Black whipped around with a sudden manic rage. "C'mon, let's kill him!"

"Wait-"

"I DID MY WAITING!" He screamed, "TWELVE YEARS OF IT! IN AZKABAN!" the man - already so rugged - crumbled in on himself. His raw throat crackled with sobs he refused to let out.

Sirius Black looked so human.

Professor Lupin took a moment to stare at the four of them, before turning back and handing the criminal his wand. "Very well. But wait just one more minute - Harry - he has the right to know why."