Nadine was running through corridors as fast as she could. She hasn't realized how much time had passed while she was talking to Hagrid. When Nadine finally reached the DADA class she almost banged her head on the doorframe.
"Don’t worry. I’ll speak to Professor Snape. You don’t have to do the essay." Nadine heard Professor Lupin.
"Oh no," she could hear Hermione saying in a disappointed voice. "I’ve already finished it!"
Professor Lupin finally looked at Nadine, who was leaning against the doorframe, panting heavily.
"So-Sorry, ....... Professor, I'm late" Nadine said, trying to catch her breath.
"That's alright, Nadine, we were just about to start. Sit down and drink some water" Professor Lupin turned around.
Nadine took a seat beside Hermione. Neville passed her a water bottle from behind. She took a few sips and passed the bottle to Neville muttering a thanks.
They had a very enjoyable lesson. Professor Lupin had brought along a glass box containing a hinkypunk, a little one-legged creature who looked as though he were made of wisps of smoke, rather frail and harmless-looking. It was known for luring people into bogs.
When the class came to an end Professor Lupin asked Harry and Nadine to stay back.
"I heard about the match," Professor Lupin said, he looked at Harry and asked "and I’m sorry about your broomstick. Is there any chance of fixing it?"
"No" Harry said, looking dejected. "The tree smashed to it bits"
"They planted the Whomping Willow the same year that I arrived at Hogwarts. People used to play a game, trying to get near enough to touch the trunk. In the end, a boy called Davey Gudgeon nearly lost an eye, and we were forbidden to go near it. No broomstick would have a chance." Professor Lupin said with a sigh.
"Did you hear about the dementors too?" Harry asked looking as if he had difficulty speaking about it. Nadine quickly clutched Harry's elbow, which didn't go unnoticed by Professor Lupin.
"Yes, I did. I don’t think any of us have seen Professor Dumbledore that angry. They have been growing restless for some time . . . furious at his refusal to let them inside the grounds. . . . I suppose they were the reason you fell?"
"Yes," Harry said. Nadine could feel Harry's hesitation, he desperately wanted to ask something. "Why? Why do they affect me like that? Am I just —?" Harry blurted out.
"It has nothing to do with weakness," said Professor Lupin sharply, as though he had read Harry’s mind. "The dementors affect you worse than the others because there are horrors in your past that the others don’t have."
Nadine was glad that Professor Lupin was stopping Harry from doubting himself.
"Dementors are among the foulest creatures that walk this earth. They infest the darkest, filthiest places, they glory in decay and despair, they drain peace, hope, and happiness out of the air around them. Even Muggles feel their presence, though they can’t see them. Get too near a dementor and every good feeling, every happy memory will be sucked out of you. If it can, the dementor will feed on you long enough to reduce you to something like itself . . . soulless and evil. You’ll be left with nothing but the worst experiences of your life. And the worst that happened to you, Harry, is enough to make anyone fall off their broom. You have nothing to feel ashamed of."
"When they get near me —" Harry began his voice hoarse "I can hear Voldemort murdering my mum." Nadine squeezed Harry's elbow.
There was a moment of silence and Professor Lupin looked like he was trying to control himself from making any movement.
YOU ARE READING
Nadine Longbottom - Harry Potter Fanfiction
FantasyOn the night of 31st October 1981, there was someone else with Harry, who went unnoticed by Voldemort. A small girl, who protected Harry after Voldemort was gone until Hagrid arrived. Everytime Harry would be in danger, Nadine would feel a need to p...
