The Padfoot Twins

7: Concerned Mothers and Dreadful Professors

Chapter 7.
November 1st, 1993

Dear Noah, Chloe, and Brianne,

"Hey look, she wrote my name first! Proof I was born firs-" Noah was silenced by my elbow colliding with his gut.
When we had received an owl from our mother at breakfast this morning, we knew it was best if we read it somewhere private, with Brianne. We were all huddled around the letter in the owlery, safe from the abnormally talented eavesdropping skills of the student body of Hogwarts. I continued to read aloud:

I heard what took place last night and it can't help but worry your father and I very deeply. I don't want any of you to wander away from the crowd by yourselves-"

"Too late-"
"Shush Noah, let her finish!"

"- and to keep safe at all times. We expect you all to look out for each other and to stay close in this difficult time. Always remember that no matter who your birth father is, and his resentment towards you all, your father and I will forever love you as our children. Keep strong my loves, we are counting down the days to Christmas.

Love,

Mum

P.S. Noah, try not to attain too many detentions this year, it's not good for career references from professors.

Noah scoffed at the ending note, but I took mothers words to heart: don't worry, as long as we stay together.
"You two, I hope you were paying attention, mother said not to wander off by ourselves so you better not have any pranking plans to commit," Brianne warned, acting as though she was much older and mature than us, like usual (which was only a little bit reality).
We returned to the school for third period to start. Noah and I sauntered into Defence Against the Dark Arts, looking forward to a lesson with my favourite teacher, only to be greeted by my least favourite. The look of disappointment was clearly stricken over all of us Gryffindor when Snape sharply told us to be seated.
"Professor. Lupin isn't feeling well today so I will be filling in".
A grim smile rested on his thin lips, obviously satisfied with the fact he was teaching the subject he had been after to teach for years.
"I bet it was him who made Lupin sick, probably food poisoning or somethin'!" Ron hissed in my ear.
"Don't be ridiculous Ron," Hermione said from the desk behind us, seated beside Noah, although she looked pretty sour about the fact that Snape was teaching us as too.
Snape continued to drone about the importance of organizing, "a skill Lupin clearly doesn't acquire" and the basics of the dark arts we were defending ourselves against- something Ron was also convinced he was infiltrated with.
I noticed that Harry was absent from the lesson and hoped he was okay, but at the same time was jealous of him whatever he was doing Finally, 10 minutes into the class, Snape got going on the lesson
"Professor Lupin hasn't left any record-" at that moment, Harry burst in the classroom.
"Sorry I'm late, Professor Lupin, I-" Harry stopped in his tracks, frowning at the sight of Snape.
"The lesson began ten minutes ago, Potter, so I think we'll make it ten points from Gryffindor. Sit down".
Harry didn't move.
"Where's Professor Lupin?" He asked.
"He says he is feeling ill. I'm to be your professor today," answered Snape with a twisted smile. "I believe I told you to sit down?"
Harry, being his stubborn self, stayed where he was. Oh Harry, just listen to the darn man.
"What's wrong with him?"
"Nothing life-threatening," he said, causing Ron to whisper "I bet he wishes it were". Ron's hatred towards Snape was hilarious in my mind.
"Five more points from Gryffindor, and if I have to ask you to sit down again, it'll be fifty". Harry walked slowly to the pair of desks beside Ron and me, next to a pale-faced Neville. It was common knowledge in this class that his biggest fear was Professor Snape.
Snape ended up trying to make us understand everything about werewolves in one lesson, which I'd say he failed miserably at.
"Which of you can tell me how we distinguish between the werewolf and the true wolf?" Said Snape. Everyone sat in motionless silence; everyone except my frizzy-haired best friend who's hand was shot up straight into the air.
"Anyone?" Snape said, rudely ignoring Hermione's hand like usual.
"Are you telling me that Professor Lupin hasn't even taught you the basic distinction between-"
"We told you!" said Parvati suddenly, a sweet pretty girl who had had a crush on Noah since forever. "We haven't got as far as werewolves yet. We are still on-"
"Silence!" Snarled Snape, causing Parvati to recoil. "Well, well, well, I never thought I'd meet a third-year class that wouldn't even recognize a werewolf when they saw one. I shall make a point of informing Professor Dumbledore how very behind you all are..."
"Please sir," said Hermione, whose hand was probably numb from being raised for so long. "The werewolf differs from the true wolf in several small ways. The snout of the werewolf-"
"That is the second time you have spoken out of turn, Miss. Granger," said Snape coolly. "Five more points from Gryffindor for being an insufferable know-it-all."
Hermione went very red and I immediately felt an immense surge of hatred towards Snape for insulting my best friend in such a way. Teachers were supposed to encourage knowledge, not tease students for obtaining it! The whole class was glaring at Snape for causing Hermione's eyes to swell up with tears. This showed how much we all hated Snape because everyone in the class, excluding Neville, had probably called Hermione a know-it-all at least once, and Noah who probably called Hermione a know-it-all twice a day, said loudly, "you asked us a question and she knows the answer! Why ask if you don't want to be told?"
I instantly knew my twin had gone too far and so did the rest of the class. Snape advanced towards Hermione and Noah's desk in which Noah looked angry and Hermione looked as though she feared for Noah's life.
I held my breath, "detention, Dawlish" Snape said silkily, his face very close to Noah's. "And if I ever hear you criticize the way I teach a class again, you will be very sorry indeed."
The class was silent for the remainder of the class, taking notes on werewolves although half of us were scribbling down things we didn't understand. I peered behind me at Noah and saw a repetition of 'I'm pretending to be writing something down' filling two parchment pages. I stifled my laughter as Snape passed my desk, frightened by his menacing glare.
When the bell rang, he held us back.
"You will each write an essay to be handed into me, on the ways you recognize and kill werewolves. I want two rolls of parchment on the subject, and I want them in by Monday morning. It is time somebody took this class in hand. Dawlish, stay behind, we need to arrange your detention."
I left the room with Ron, Hermione, Harry and the rest of the class and waited until out of earshot to start our rants about Snape.
"He's just awful! How can he still be teaching here, he's probably not even qualified!" I said, my voice going shrilly. We continued venting to each other until Noah caught up with us five minutes later.
"Do you know what that-" (he called Snape something that made Hermione say "Noah!") "-is making me do? Clean the whole hospital wing. Without magic!" We all felt sympathetic towards Noah as he continued, "and I might as well just hand these into him Monday!" He exclaimed, thrusting out his 2 parchment pieces of 'I'm pretending to be writing something down'. "It's probably worth more than my actual knowledge on werewolves. Merlin's pants, the things I do for you Herman, you're damn welcome." Noah tutted his tongue, causing Hermione to roll her eyes, but genuinely say,
"Thank you."

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