Tainted Blood

Chapter Seven

It is absolutely silent, the heavy oak doors blocking the noise in the Hall. I strain my ears, barely able to pick up on the hundreds of beating hearts past the double doors.

Suddenly, said doors push open almost hitting me. I yelp slightly, stumbling back as the doors crack open to reveal Professor McGonagall.

"Come inside, Miss Moreau. Stay by the entrance until the Headmaster calls you."

Mentaly cursing as I flush and made a fool out of myself again. Nodding stiffly I follow her into the Great Hall but remaining at the entrance as she instructed. It takes most of my remaining energy to not visable cringe at the loud thump-thumps of every heartbeat. A few people notice me and begin to whisper. Soon, the entire Hall is staring at me. I close my eyes, hating the attention.

However, the staring doesn't last long for a man in a purple robe with a long greying beard rises, clapping his hands together. All the attention turns to him and I gasp slightly.

Albus Dumbledor! Il est fort! I can feel his power from here!

The old wizards eyes twinkle and he opens his mouth to speak.

"Welcome everyone, to another year at Hogwarts! As you can very well see, we have a new student. A transfer from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic."

The whispers start again. I groan and pretend I can't hear them even though every word is clear to me. The Headmaster clasps his hands together again, regaining his students atttention.

I open my eyes and shift my gaze up from the floor, meeting the old mans eyes; they twinkle merrily. Squaring my shoulders and lifting my chin, I stalk down the aisle past all the intruiged faces.

I stop before the steps leading up to the teachers table and stare up at Albus Dumbledor.

"State your full name."

"Lexi Abrielle Moreau."

"Reason for transfer?"

I hold in a growl.

"Aucun de votre putain de buisness."

The few people who understand French splutter, their eyes widening like saucers.

The Headmaster inclines his head towards me, testily. I expect him to be angry but he only smiles.

"You have much nerve young one. We will discuss later."

He lifts his hand to the Sorting Hat and I catiously approach it. It's cracked, old, and dirty. I curl my lip in disgust, shuddering slightly.

"Miss Moreau, if you will."

Still sneering, I pick up the old thing and hum with mild surprize at soft leather under my fingertips. Slowly, I place the Hat upon my head.

Hello, young werewolf.

'You know?'

Yes, but do not worry I won't tell. Who would listen to an old hat anyway? Now, Lexi Moreau, you have a very intelligent mind. A mind that belongs with Ravenclaw...however.. That house is not for you.

'Non?'

No. You have a very strong heart. I know the place... "GRYFFINDOR!"

Loud cheers erupt from the table adorned in red and gold as the other tables cry out with dissappointment. I gently remove the Hat and look up to meet Dumbledors' gaze. His eyes shine with satisfaction and I scoff quietly.

Obviously I have been placed into the favored house. How bloody typical.

My dislike for this school returns as I stalk over to the Gryffindor table scowling. The occupants foreheads scrunch, confused by my bad mood after just being sorted.

"Filer."

The boy I adressed makes a small confused noise.

"Huh?"

"Move over," I hiss and he obliged. I plunk down heavily and rest my chin in my palm. My new housemates stare curiously at me before Dumbledore speaks again.

"Congradulations, Gryffindors," some of the first years smiles drop as they wonder why they haven't been congradulated. Dumbledor does not notice and continues, "Before you are furthered befuddled by the feast, I have an important announcement."

He cleared his throat.

"As you are aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is currently hosting the Dementors of Azkaban."

Some terrified murmurs and I vividly recall the hoplessness I felt when I was face to face with that vile creature. Apparently, I'm not the only one who was affected because a boy with dark brown hair and circular, wired frame glasses turns quite pale. I grimace sympathetically even though he isn't looking at me.

"The dementors will be stationed at every entrance to school grounds," the Headmaster continues, "and while they are here, I must enforce that no student is allowed to leave the school without permission."

"Merde," I whisper shout earning a few strange or exasperated looks. Flushing in embarressment, I focus on the Headmaster.

"These creatures will not be fooled by tricks or diguises. It is not in the nature of a dementor to understand pleads or excuses. I warn you to not give them any reason to harm you and look to the Prefects, and new Head Boy and Head Girl, to make sure no one runs afoul."

After his speech, I let my eyes wander around the Hall and breathe in deeply. So many different smells assault my nose as air fills my lungs. Apples, cinnamon, choclate, wolf, pump-woah, wait. Wolf?

I sniff again and-

Yes! There it is! C'est bizarre. Who is it... There!

At the end of the professors' table, a man with a patched up coat and stringy brown hair is seated, twiddling his thumbs. He must have felt my eyes on him because he suddenly looks up and meets my gaze.

You. You're like me.

His nostrils flare and I know he can smell me because his eyes get considerably bigger. I raise an eyebrow and he blinks furiously before looking away when Dumbledor calls him up.

Smirking, I lean forward, resting my chin in my palm.

So, Remus Lupin, huh? Looks like Hogwarts is going to be santuary for more that one werewolf this year.