𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗭𝗞𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗡 [𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚍]

Chapter Nine: Professor Galatea Merrythought

‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ ･⋆✵⋆･ ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾

Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Merrythought was Sirius's favorite subject, hence, successfully taking his mind off the still missing Remus Lupin.

Professor Merrythought had a grandmotherly look about her. With her gray hair and round glasses, one would expect her to be home, baking cookies and tending to a beautiful little backyard garden. Just enjoying retirement and the company of cute grandchildren.

But here she was, an ex-Auror, undertaking the gut requiring task of managing and teaching a band of bumbling, mumbling baboons most commonly known as 'children'.

One of the reasons Sirius really liked her was that her starting speech was better than what any of the other teachers gave. Sirius knows it by heart.

"Whatever it is Minerva might have tried to convince you with her infamous little introduction speeches," she had said in a surprisingly deep and carrying voice. "Defense Against the Dark Arts is the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn here at Hogwarts. It will mean the difference between living and dying. Your knowledge in this field will be your weapon when you walk out of the safety of this school and your homes. The spells you learn here and defense skills you acquire will be your insurance that your buttocks will stay where they belong."

Another thing Sirius really liked about her was her first command of the school year. "Books away." It was music to his ears.

The class had already finished disarming and shield charms over the last few weeks. Today's class was devoted to Impedimenta.

Sirius and James were taking turns throwing pillows at each other while the other slowed down its progress enough to snatch it out of the air and toss it back.

"Maybe someone in the family died." said James out of the blue as he stopped Sirius' pillow in mid air.

"Let's just hope it's not one of his parents." Sirius said worriedly.

"But why was McGonagall acting so secretive about it?"

"She just told us to ask him ourselves. But we shouldn't push him if he doesn't want to talk about it." Sirius said, stopping the pillow as it zoomed for his face.

"You're right."

"How about you chat later and focus now?" said Professor Merrythought, appearing out of nowhere and towering over both of them.

‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ ･⋆✵⋆･ ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾

Sirius, James and Peter walked back to their dorm after dinner, lamenting the fact that they'll have to do their homework without any help from Remus. Again.

"I hope Remus comes back soon. I can't afford to hand McGonagall another lame essay." groaned James. "She'll give me detention till Christmas."

"Hi." said Remus weakly when they entered their dormitory.

"Where have you been, mate?"

"Is everything alright?"

"Why did you leave without telling us?"

"We missed breakfast because of you."

"We were worried sick, you inconsiderate little . . ."

They bombarded him with questions and a few inappropriate words as they hurried to gather around his bed.

"It was nothing." Remus shrugged, pulling his sheets a little higher to his chin.

"No it wasn't and we demand an explanation." said James, completely forgetting what him and Sirius talked about in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Granted, Sirius wasn't about to keep his word either.

"It's really not anything to fuss about." said Remus, biting his lower lip uncomfortably. "My mother was just a little sick."

"Will she be alright?" asked James.

"Oh. She's fine now." answered Remus in a small voice, not meeting their eyes.

"Well. Good for you, mate." Sirius said and gave him a pat on the back. Remus winced a little bit but tried to pass it off as a small cough.

None of them had the heart to ask Remus to help them with their homework when he was like this. He just looked so tired and fragile. So instead they offered to help him catch up with what he missed in the last two days. Mostly to procrastinate but also to help.

‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ ･⋆✵⋆･ ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾

"Welcome back, Remus." beamed Lily the next morning as they entered the Charms classroom.

"Thanks." said Remus.

"Why does she talk to you but not me?" demanded James.

"Maybe because he didn't make fun of her on the train. Or maybe because he doesn't forget to act like a human being when he sees her. Could be for a lot of reasons." Sirius mused, rubbing his chin like he was deep in thought.

"You'd think I asked for your opinion." grumbled James and pushed Sirius out of the way to the door.

‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ ･⋆✵⋆･ ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾