Harry Potter: 19 Years Later

22: Rose's POV

Rose's head turned towards where the professors sat in the Great Hall. McGonagall had risen and called for attention. Slowly, as the students quieted down and exchanged bewildered glances, she began speaking.

"Attention, students! I am afraid I have alarming news. Two of our students have been infected with a werewolf bite."

The thing Rose liked most about McGonagall was how she got to the point immediately. No dawdling, no stalling, she automatically spoke what was on her mind. And then, of course paused to let the others register what she'd just said.

And that's what happened. Throughout the entire Great Hall, student looked to student, confused glances were exchanged, and the place erupted into a roar of shouting, talking, and yelling. Rose couldn't help but notice that many people's glances were shot at Teddy; a few even pointed a finger at him.

"What right do they have; accusing him of this?" she hissed, grabbing Violet's arm.

Her friend chewed her lip, staring down into her plate of mashed potatoes. "Well, I mean... his father was a... you know."

Rose narrowed her eyes. "A werewolf? Yes, I know. But werewolves can't pass that down to their children, remember?"

Violet nodded. "Yes. I know. But still, it's easy to associate him with werewolves."

"Attention! Attention!" McGonagall's clear voice rang out, louder now, as she'd used the Amplifying Charm on herself. "I want silence until I finish speaking! I believe most of you have forgotten that lycanthropy cannot be passed down from a parent to a child."

A few murmurs of apology rippled through the Hall. Teddy bowed his head, his cheeks flushed.

"A student–which I will not name–has been infected by a werewolf bite and has bitten another student. No, I will not name these students, therefore do not bother asking." She glared pointedly towards the Slytherin table, where a few students in the seventh year had begun jeering and pointing at others.

"It is in your best interest to report any knowledge of werewolves to me or any other trusted adult. We currently do not know who has infected the first student. There is no need to panic!"

A small first year boy in Ravenclaw had begun whimpering softly. A girl–presumably his older sister, judging by her similar facial features–comforted him. Rose glanced around and noticed some students were speaking in panicked whispers.

"Attention, attention! I will assure you that Hogwarts is under very strong security and the chances of another student getting bitten are very low."

"Yeah, well with two students already infected, we sure are convinced!"

The scoff had come from Aaron, the captain of the Slytherin Quidditch team. He was standing, a look of determination and anger on his face. "I see how strong your security is. Two students already infected and you haven't done anything!"

McGonagall raised her chin and spoke, her voice betraying no emotion. "The second student was bitten less than two months ago. The same time as the first students's first transformation. As you can figure for yourself from that information, Mr. Henchkin, the first bite happened only about two months ago. We only had so much time to do anything and we've been doing all we can. If you have better ideas, you are welcome to help... Mr. Henchkin."

Aaron's cheeks flushed. He sat back down, muttering to his henchmen as he did. Rose felt Violet huff with vexation beside her. "Same. He's an incompetent dickhead," she whispered.

The last few minutes of dinner were spent in silence, listening to McGonagall explain the situation more thoroughly. After she wrapped the speech up, she waved a hand, dismissing them all to bed.

"Rose?"

Rose squinted into the darkness. She had just begun to doze off. What could Violet possibly want that couldn't wait until morning? "Yeah?"

"Do you fancy Scorpius Malfoy?"

At this, Rose propped herself up with her elbows. "What?" she whispered.

Violet giggled softly from the bunk underneath Rose's. "I dunno. I'm just curious. You got a bit defensive," she added.

"Violet..."

"Don't worry... the other girls are asleep. We can talk freely."

Rose rolled her eyes. "No, I don't fancy him."

Violet giggled again. "Rose..."

"What? I told you; I don't fancy him."

Her friend sighed. "Fine, then. Well, what do you think of him?"

"I dunno. He's a Malfoy–"

"Oh, besides that!"

"Pfffft... I dunno. He's... interesting. I guess."

"How so?"

"What's with all the questions?" Rose grumbled. She fell back into the comfort of her covers and turned towards the wall.

"Rose... I'm just curious, that's all."

"Whatever. I'm going to sleep." She ignored the rest of Violet's annoying protests and slipped back into unconsciousness.