Episkey//D.M

6

Snape stood at the front of the class, completely ruining my day with just his presence, Potions this morning was enough of him and now he was stood in front of me taking over my favourite class. I let out a sigh of annoyance when he began to speak, his tone already pissing me off. "Turn to page 394." His tone was draining as he addressed us all and I looked over at Harry in annoyance.

"Excuse me, sir, but... where's Professor Lupin?" Harry asked Snape who turned to him sharply obviously already irritated. He looked over to me for a brief moment before looking back to Harry and I frowned in confusion. "That's not really your concern, is it, Potter? Suffice it to say, your Professor finds himself incapable of teaching at the time. Page 394." Snape instructed aggressively again and I focused my attention on my book. As I flipped the pages, an uneasy feeling washed over me and I looked up, my gaze meeting Draco's. He stared back at me for a few moments before screwing his face up and turning back to his book, I stared at the back of his head for a few moments, not understanding why I felt uneasy.

"Werewolves?" Ron asked Snape and I looked down at the page in confusion, knowing for a fact we shouldn't be onto this topic yet.

"But, sir, we've only just begun learning about red caps and Hinkypunks. We're not meant to start nocturnal beasts for weeks-" Hermione began and we all looked up to our professor who turned quickly. While Ron and I looked over at Hermione, not understanding where she came from.

"Quiet!" Snape yelled, cutting off Hermione and making us all jump.

"When did she come in? Did you see her come in?" Ron asked both Harry and I, but I shook my head also sure I hadn't seen her come in with us.

"Now. Which one of you can tell me the different between an Animagus and a werewolf?" Snape began and I raised my hand, but before Snape could pick me, the door opened, shocking us all as McGonagall waltzed in and glanced around the room.

"Phoenix Winters." She spoke into the classroom and I looked over to Snape who nodded at me. I quickly gathered my things before looking at my friends nervously. In complete silence, Mcgonagall led me to Dumbledore office, I could feel a lump rising in my throat and a horrid feeling of sickness taking over me. I had no idea what this could be. When we entered Dumbledore office, Arthur and Molly Weasley were stood in the room along with Remus who looked off into space. Dumbledore stood from where he sat, silently making his way around his desk towards me.

"What's going on?" I asked, Remus looking up quickly once he noticed my presence. Dumbledore looked past me to Mrs Weasley who had tears in her eyes. She reached forwards, placing her hand on my cheek as she smiled at me sadly.

"Phoenix, my dear, your father... he passed away this morning." For a second, I couldn't hear anything, I could see her mouth moving but everything was quite. I stumbled back from her grip as I felt myself begin to crumble to the floor, no tears fell as my knees hit the floor, everyone watched as I unraveled, as I screamed as loud as I could until I no longer made any noise.

***
The common room was silent as I sat on my own, staring at the fire which flickered away. Word travels fast around the castle, even when you don't want it to. I had been excused from my classes for the rest of the day and until chrsitmas. I was yet to see my friends, all I'd done was come back to the common room and sleep on the sofa while people came and went. I finally came back down to reality when the twins flopped down on either side of me.

"We're sorry about your Dad, Phe." Fred sympathised and I smiled up at him painfully and nodded my head.

"Thanks guys, I'm glad you're both apart of my life." I smiled between both the boys and they immediately attacked me in a hug, sandwiching me between them, making me laugh quietly.

"We're here for you, Phoenix." George assured me and I just smiled at them both again. They stuck around for a while longer, telling me about quidditch practice before they both went off to go do something. I sat for a while longer in the common room, staring at the fire once again. Classes ended and people began to filter into the room, the whispers and mumbles of mh name making me uncomfortable. So eventually, I made my way to the defence against the dark arts classroom. The door was slightly open so I stepped in. Professor Lupin was sat on one of the desks, staring down at the ground. Slowly I made my way over to the desk opposite, sitting on it and crossing my legs.

"Your father was a good man, Phoenix. He was damaged after the loss of your mother, but he was a good man, I just wish he'd been a good father to you. I'm so sorry for you loss, I truly am." Lupin looked at me and I I looked down at my hands, clearing my throat before I spoke

"He was good a father as his mind would let him me. I am also sorry for your loss." I spoke quietly to him before finally letting my gaze meet his. "I have no one left Professor. All of my family are dead." I began to choke up, he got off of the desk and pulled me off of my own. Taking me into a tight hug.

"I am so sorry." The man comforted me, patting my back as I cried into the hug. We stood like that for a while, for the first time I felt seen, understood and cared for, I hadn't felt that in a long time. But eventually, Lupin had to go to a meeting and I was tiredly making my way back to the common rooms. Bur before I could get any further in my sauntering back, someone grabbed my arm, pulling me into an empty classroom.

"What the hell!" I yelled as I drew my wand, pointing it at whoever the hell had grabbed me. Bur when I turned around I was faced with Draco who had his hands up in defence. "Malfoy! What the hell do you want? I asked loudly, lowering my wand quickly as I stepped back from him. He stood up straight, brushing off his coat and straightening his clothes.

"There were rumours around the castle that your father had died, I wanted to know if it was true." His tone was unusual and I stared at him to try and decipher it, he was speaking softly yet his words were still harsh.

"Yes, he did die. This morning. What is it to you Malfoy, are you going to use this against me also?" My voice was strained as I spoke, with the amount of crying and yelling, I was starting to wear myself out. Draco shook his head, clearing his throat.

"I may hate you, Phoenix. But your father died, why would I ever use that against you?" He seemed almost offended that I would accuse him of such a thing. I blinked a few times before bowing my head. "I'm sorry for your loss, Winters." Draco commented and I was to tired to argue. I stood against the wall, sliding down it painfully as I brought my knees up to my chest. Draco came up beside me, doing the same bud keeping his distance.

"Sometimes you feel like nothing will ever be okay again." I looked over to him and he looked at me pained while I turned my attention to the spider crawling across the floor in front of us.