Ethereal [George Weasley]

𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙨𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙭 - 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙞𝙜 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙖𝙡

I woke up to see my four friends, Gizmo and Trésor surrounding my bed. I blinked in confusion.

"Everything okay?" I said, stifling a yawn and sitting up.

"Not really." Lindsey said.

"What's wrong?" I asked. "Are you guys okay?"

"We're fine." Evelyn said, before shaking her head. "We're just worried about you."

I thought hard for a few seconds.

"Because of the Dementors?" I questioned. "But that was ages ago-"

"Not that." Amanda interrupted. "I saw you. Last night. You got up and were gone for a good hour."

Oh. Oh.

"Well?" Harley said expectantly. "We're waiting."

I puffed out my cheeks, desperate to come up with an answer.

"I had to use the bathroom." I lied.

"So you used the bathroom with George?" Amanda snorted. "Because I also followed you out the room watched you leave together from the top of the stairs."

Crap.

I wanted to tell them the truth, but I couldn't. It would put Lupin's job at risk. And even if I told them the same as I told George - that I just wanted extra information - they would just ask why I didn't tell them to come with me instead.

"It's none of your guys' business." I muttered, which was the best I could come up with.

"Wait." Lindsey paused. "Are you two dating?"

"What?!" I said. "No way!"

"That's what it seems like." Lindsey admitted. "It makes sense too."

"I promise you, I would never date anyone without telling you guys first." I said. "You know me - I don't keep secrets like that."

"Well then what's this?" Harley said.

"You've been really distant recently, Jess." Evelyn said in concern. "Are you sure it's nothing? Is it about your family?"

I sighed.

"I'm fine." I said. "And I wish I could tell you, but I just... I just can't, okay?"

"You go on about how you hate that your family is hiding stuff from you." Amanda snorted. "But you're doing the same to us!"

"I know." I sighed. "I'm sorry but-"

"Whatever." Evelyn said. "Let's just forget it. How about we all spend the day together? We haven't done that in a while."

I internally groaned.

"I can't. Not today." I said quietly.

"You're blowing us off?" Harley said. "Again?"

"Harl-"

"No, it's pissing me off. Stop hiding stuff." Harley said. "If you're dating my cousin, then just say so. Or if you're doing something else, Godric knows what, then at least admit it!"

"Can you guys stop attacking me?" I snapped. "Look, i'm sorry, but some things are just meant to be secret. And I can't hang out with you today because I already have plans. And no, I am not dating George!"

Before they could say anything, I grabbed my clothes and stormed off. I guess I would be changing in the toilets.

#

After I had got ready and come back to put my pyjamas away, my friends had already left for breakfast without me. I didn't blame them - I knew I was in the wrong. But right now, I had other things on my mind.

Smoothing out my beige turtleneck and my denim jeans, I went down to the Common Room, where I spotted Fred and Lee. I briskly walked over to them.

"Fred, can you do me a favour?" I asked, before furrowing my eyebrows. "Where's George?"

"Detention with Minnie." Fred answered. "What's the favour?"

"If my friends ask, can you tell them i'm in the library?" I requested.

"Why? Library's always packed with seventh years on a Sunday."

"Exactly. I don't want them to come looking for me." I explained, before pouting. "Please?"

"Okay." Fred shrugged, not pressing further.

"Thanks." I smiled, before setting off to find Lupin.

I figured that he'd be in his classroom, but when I checked, he wasn't there. I checked the Great Hall, careful for my friends to not see me, but he was absent there too.

Finally, I spotted him coming out of the staff corridor.

"Professor?" I called. "Professor Lupin, can I speak to you?"

Lupin spun around and looked at me.

"Of course. Is everything okay?" He said in concern.

I scrunched up my face.

"Not really..." I said, playing with my moon necklace (which I had forgotten to thank McGonagall for). "It's something... private."

Lupin blinked.

"Okay. Let's go to the History of Magic classroom. I think it's empty right now."

I nodded and we walked to said room. Luckily it was close to the staff corridor, so we didn't have to walk too far.

"Now, what is it?" Lupin asked as he shut the door.

I took a deep breath.

"I know." I said quietly. "About... that."

Lupin looked uncomfortable.

"And what would 'that' would be?" He said, swallowing.

"About your Lycanthropy." I mumbled.

He stared at me.

"W-what are you talking-"

"There's no point in denying it." I sighed. "I've done my research and I have my evidence."

"Jessica-"

"I won't tell anybody." I said quickly. "So don't worry. I just decided to tell you, for other precautions."

He looked at me as a silence fell. Then he sighed.

"It's true." He admitted, disgust tinged in his tone. "I am a werewolf."

"Does Dumbledore know?"

"All of the staff do." Lupin said. "They know of what... what I am."

"Not what you are." I pointed out. "It's what you become. You aren't a monster."

Lupin offered a small smile.

"That's not true. However, I appreciate your optimism." He said.

I was desperate to ask something else, and before I could stop myself, my mouth started moving.

"How did it happen?" I said abruptly. "How did you become a Lycanthrope?"

I had so many other questions, but I stopped myself from asking too much. Lupin smiled.

"Jessica." He said. "I think it's time for a story."

969 words