𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 || h.potter

four || Year 3 ✔️

A great buzzing queue of students -- Third Years and older -- each clutching a Permission slip -- pass by a glowering Filch.

"Remember! These visits to Hogsmeade Village are a privilege. Should your behavior reflect poorly on the school in any way,
that privilege shall not be extended again." Professor McGonagall announced, walking out.

Harry approaches her, but before he can utter a syllable: "No permission form. No visiting
the Village. That's the rule, Potter."

"Yes, Professor, but I thought if
you said I could go --" Harry tries to persuade Professor McGonagall.

"But I don't say so. A parent or guardian must sign, and since I am neither, it would be inappropriate." A flicker of pity shows in McGonagall's eyes. "I'm sorry, Potter. But that's my final word."

"Don't worry, Harry." Amelia walks towards him, "I can't go either."

Hermione and Ron watch Harry and Amelia  expectantly from across the way, they all see him turn and shake his head, their faces fall. Harry rises his hand in farewell as the watches them go.

*

"So. No Hogsmeade, eh ?" Professor Lupin asks, leaning on the Bridge. Harry and Amelia was looking at the lovely view in front of them.

Deep in the distance, some boys skate about on brooms, tossing a Ragged quaffle back and forth. Harry, Lupin and Amelia walks along the bridge.

"Well, don't feel too bad. I was roundly disappointed the first time I went." Lupin lets out a sigh.

"Really?" Harry furrows his eyebrows, so does Amelia.

"No. I was just trying to make you feel better. Honeydukes' sweets are the best in the world. Their Pepper Imps are so strong you
smoke at the ears." He explains. "And Zonko's Joke Shop may be dangerous, but you can't beat their Stink Pellets."

Amelia nods grimly. "Not to mention The Shrieking Shack, which, according to Hermione, is the most severely haunted building in Britain."

"Yes, that too..." Lupin nods.

"Professor, can I ask you something?" Harry looks at him.

"You'd like to know why I stopped you from facing the Boggart." He lifts a brow, knowing what Harry was gonna ask. "I should think it'd be obvious. I assumed the Boggart would take theshape of Lord Voldemort."

Harry frowns. Lupin studies him curiously. "But clearly... I was wrong."

"I did think of Voldemort first. But then, I remembered that night on the train... and the
Dementors..."

"Well, well. I'm impressed. That suggests that what you fear most of all is... fear. Very wise." Lupin slightly smiles.

"Before I fainted... I heard something. A woman. Screaming." Harry states.

"So did I." Amelia nods in agreement.

"Dementors force us to relive the worst memories of our lives. Our pain becomes their power." Lupin explains.

"I think it was my mother. The night she was murdered." Harry looks up, Finds Lupin studying him.

"The first time I saw you, Harry, I recognized you immediately. Not by your scar. By your eyes. They're your mother Lily's." He nods, looking at Harry's surprised look.

"Yes. I knew her. She was there for me at a time when no one else was. We used to talk for hours. She was not only a singularly
gifted witch but an uncommonly kind woman. She had a way of seeing the beauty in whoever she met, even -- and perhaps most
especially -- when that person couldn't see it in themselves..." Lupin's eyes glaze in memory, then he blinks, smiles.