The Collision Theory | Remus Lupin

68. Inventive Truths

Yes.
I have the immense urge to admit that yes, I know Remus Lupin, a werewolf.
My head feels immensely heavy, growing impossibly heavier the more I stall my answer.
What do I do?

"An answer," the woman smiles down. It looks more like sneering, "the more we wait, the worse it looks."

"My head hurts," I try not to whine, but I sound pathetic.

"Are you avoiding this question, Miss Novak? Now, please give your answer."

I breath in deeply, slowly, trying to stop the room from spinning. The truth slips from my lips before I realise, "Yes."

There's a murmur of disapproval that spreads across the court, and my eyes burn, threatening to spill tears. I hold them back. This time, it is the man right at the front who speaks up, not noticing the Devil-lady's smug smirk, "How?"

"Your Honour-!"

"Not now, Professor McGonagall."

I don't dare turn, and instead hear the professor's seething rage, "This is not a question related to the case."

"On the contrary, Professor, it may be the link between young Miss Novak and the Death-Eaters," The lady chirps, and then turns back to me, "an answer, dear."

All attention turns back to me, and I know one thing that could get me out of this, "Rubeus Hagrid."

"I beg your pardon?" the Devil-lady's smile drops.

Regaining my confidence, I manage to look her in the eye, "The school groundskeeper, of course. There's no secret that he is half-giant."

The whispering starts again, and I have to squeeze my eyes shut to restrain the churning in my stomach. The woman above speaks up again, "Just him? Is there-"

"Umbridge, please," the man in the middle leans towards her, and they begin whispering to each other in hushed voices. She keeps looking over to me, and I know that she soon try to get more out of me.

"I feel sick," I blurt out, looking up, not at the woman, but at the man in the centre, "I'm going to be sick."

"Court is ajourned," He says quickly, "fifteen minutes."

"Crouch!" The woman cries, but I'm already up on my feet, trying to get up before I lose what's left of my dignity by throwing up in front of the jury.

*

"Miss Novak," McGonagall's voice is muffled by the door.

I splash water on my face before drying myself with the sleeve of my robe, "Coming."

"Drink," she holds out a bottle of water as soon as I open the door, and I take it gratefully, "We're only going back for the verdict, nothing more. All you need to do is listen, and we'll be out of here in time for dinner."

"Thank you," I nod, "for everything."

"We have five minutes," She smiles faintly, leading me back the way we came. I drink half of the bottle before handing it back to the professor and parting ways.

The two aurors are back by my side the moment I walk through the court doors, and I can't help but quip, "Dangerous job, escorting random wandless teenagers from a door to a chair?"

"Believe me Miss, I want to be here as much as you do," One of them sighs, gesturing for me to sit.

"Lunch break must be a relief, then," I grin, but they don't respond, and turn their attention back to the jury above, and the man in the centre- Crouch, the woman had called him- who was getting seated.

The court is called to attention, and I force in a deep breath as Crouch begins, "In light of recent evidence concerning the Ahmet Novak case, a verdict has been reached. Aylin Novak..."

"Yes?" I look up at to the stands, feeling small under the hardened glares of the jury.

"You have been found innocent of all ties to the murderer, along with your family-"

I can't help but laugh, "Thank you."

"Thank the Veritaserum, Miss Novak," The pink lady smiles, but I swear I can see her bristling.

I smirk, feeling a little more confident, "What idiot would thank an inanimate bottle?"

*

The thought of getting back home is so tempting- so sweet- that I pack my case in a matter of minutes, and don't bother to change my clothes. My wand in my hand feels so reassuring, like I had been robbed of a limb and never noticed it.

"I believe that pumpkin pie is being served tonight," McGonagall smiles as we make our way over to one of the fireplaces.

I get in to the grate beside her, the thought making my stomach grumble, "I'm having double helpings of it. With ice-cream."

"Would you do the honours?" The professor holds out a handful of floo powder.

"Oh no, I don't have a good experience with floo, thanks."

"Alright," McGonagall suppresses a laugh, before saying in a loud, clear voice, " the Three Broomsticks."

We lurch forward, and I cling to McGonagall for dear life, squeezing my eyes shut. The moment our feet find the ground, I breathe in, immediately wishing I hadn't. The soot of the pub's fireplace sends me into a fit of coughs.

"Oh! If I had known the fireplace would be used," Madame Rosmerta's voice rings through the empty pub, "I'd have cleaned it out!"

"It's not a problem, Rosmerta, we're only passing by," McGonagall steps out, and I follow, tears clouding my vision from my near asphyxiation. I nod in greeting to the lady, before following the professor out. The air is crisp and cold, a metallic taste in the air, a warning of lightning to come. The castle ahead looks more than inviting, and I find myself quickening my pace towards it.
I'm almost back.
Almost home.

"Don't wear out before you even reach the front door," McGonagall sighs, a smile forming.

I grin broadly, "There's pie to be had."

Call me a drama Queen, but the warmth of the castle greets me in a loving embrace. The only downside is that my glasses immediately steam up.

"Your friends will be waiting for you, no doubt," McGonagall clears her throat, bringing my attention back to the present moment.

"Thank you so much, Professor," I smile, and she returns the gesture.

"It is not a problem-" She begins, but I cut her off, doing something reckless, thoughtless. Leaving my case by my feet, I pull her into a hug.

"Sorry- thank you- I," I pull back quickly, and grab my case, making towards the stairs, "thank you, Professor."

"Goodnight, Miss Novak," She says in a tone that almost sounds like laughter, "enjoy the pie."