Crime of the Century | Remus Lupin (o.h)

Chapter Five

Although Estrella Quinn has excelled in her studies throughout her time at Hogwarts there was something her Professors couldn't quite understand and that was how she frequently showed up late. 

It was quite funny that the girl that was used to waking up suddenly and on time would be the token student for turning up late to nearly every class well at least the morning classes. But alas that was the model she was stuck with and that was also exactly what was happening on that morning. 

They were only three days into her sixth school year but none of the Professors was showing no mercy towards the fact that they were still getting over the holiday break. Although it terrified Estrella that she only had one more year left at Hogwarts before she was left stranded by herself once more. 

She still had no clue about what she wanted to do despite the flurry of meetings with the Professors last year about what careers they wanted to pursue. Although she had received exemplary O.W.L.S which had kept all her doors open but still had no clue with a little over a year and a half to work it out. 

"Miss Quinn, punctual as ever." Professor McGonagall said as the brunette entered the class as silently as she could, hoping to remain undetected. 

"Ah I'm so sorry, Professor McGonagall. I was lost." Estrella replied with her innocent smile. 

"Do you mean to try and guide me under the impression that you got lost? The student who has been here for six years and knows every single inch of this castle?"

Estrella tried to hide her chuckle knowing very well she had been caught out but managed to meet the Professor's eyes before finally admitting the truth. 

"Um. . well in that case. . I over slept."

"And the truth finally comes out, Miss Quinn. Please wait after class." Professor McGonagall finished before turning back to the blackboard. 

Sniggers filled the room as Estrella took her seat beside Bridget and Alastair, taking her books out. 

"Why didn't you wake me up?" Estrella whispered over to Bridget. 

"You don't remember?" Bridget whispered back urgently, her eyes never leaving McGonagall's turned back. "You deliberately told me to leave you. Lily nearly had my goddamn head for not actually waking you up."

"Oh, I'll deal with Miss Prefect." Estrella whispered back quickly as McGonagall turned back to the class and the brunette decided that now would be a better time than any to actually concentrate. 

The class soon came to an end mainly due to the fact that it was considerably shortened due to Estrella's late arrival but as the students got up to leave, she was left to face an angry McGonagall. 

"Estrella." Professor McGonagall started using her first name which shocked the brunette. 

"I am really sorry McGonagall. I would say that it will never happen again but given my track record I can't really guarantee that."

"Estrella, it's only the third day of school and you've somehow been at least a few minutes late to every single class. As a Professor I do find it hard to complain, you receive brilliant grades and are clearly playing catch up outside of your classes. But I do want you to remember one thing, your time at Hogwarts is a privilege and I really don't want to have any reason to take that away from you. So please let this serve as a warning, Estrella. I do not want to have this discussion again."

"Thank you, Professor McGonagall. I completely understand." Estrella replied, gathering her books together quickly before leaving the room only to find Bridget and Alastair waiting for her.  

Unfortunately due to the fact that the three of them were in different houses they only had a few classes together but the two girls in Gryffindor and Alastair in Ravenclaw had still found a way around it all. From studying sessions in the library and the occasional meal in the Kitchens, their friendship had grown immensely throughout their time at Hogwarts. 

"That's it?" Bridget asked incredulously, shocked that not only did the meeting between McGonagall and Estrella had been so short and that there was no shouting involved. 

"What did you end up getting? Detention for the rest of the year? An increasingly amount of homework?" 

"Um. . actually nothing."

"What?" Bridget and Alastair asked in unison. 

"Yeah, just a warning."

"Really? McGonagall let you off with just a warning?" Alastair asked in shock. 

"I don't understand why you always seem to get off easy compared to everyone else."

"Yeah, I don't really know." The lie falling off Estrella's tongue easily. "But hey, it's lunchtime and we have two free periods this afternoon, plus it's one of the few nice days before it gets cold. So what do you say?"