a study of character

Why are you lying?

"It's fine," he said, his face still having a slightly pained expression. When he seemed to have catched himself again fully, he asked what I think he had been meaning to ask the whole time " now tell me what a student is doing in the corridors far from there house at this late of an hour?"

"I could ask you the same thing? Who are you, that you can say I am not aloud to, huh?" I retaliated maybe a bit to sharp and aggressive. I hoped I wouldn't regret it, by the look of his confused face.

"I think I am your new teacher in the defence against the dark arts." Never mind, I regret everything. My face must have been red because of how embarrassed I felt. But to my surprise, he still didn't look like he was about to yell at me, like a certain potion professor would have done.

"Oh no" then, when having realised what I just said I corrected " I mean, not you. Just, this is so embarrassing. I mean..."

He stopped me from rambling on, when he said: "Don't worry, I'll let you get away with that since I am new."

Did I imagine that, or did he just wink at me?

Then I remembered something. The missing of Sumira's, no, my DADA book

"I think, I already have something to confess to you, professor...?" I said unsure of his name, as I didn't think he'd already introduced himself.

"Remus Lupin. Is that so, miss...?"

"Amabilia, Saeva Amabilia." I had no idea what he must have been thinking of me, as I stumbled over my own name.

"Well, miss Amabilia, what is your confession?" he asked with a slight smirk dancing over his face. His behaviour made me even more nervous, as it wasn't what I was expecting of a professor. Though, I have to say, he seemed a bit younger than most of the over teachers.

"I guess, I forgot my DADA book at home." He must have noticed how unsure I sounded, and kind of sorry actually, because his expression softened even more. I just didn't want him to already think that I was lacking respect for him, after punching him and questioning his authority to send my straight to bed.

To my further surprise, he just laughed.

"Well, aren't you trying to be student of the month?" and he laughed even more. He had a very nice soft laugh. "I am sure, we will find a solution to your problem, miss Amabilia."

Me, being me, I didn't not want to just be ridiculed by him, as something inside me screamed to say something cheeky back.

" Thank you, professor! But you never answered my question. Why are you up so late?" I studied his face after I'd asked him. He looked like he was trying to find a good answer which would end up being:

"I just wanted to take a walk." He said. Then, as if to better proof his point, he added, "not a very good sleeper, you now?"

That is when I felt it. I hadn't felt it in a long time, but it could be described best as ants running over your whole body. If you can, or want to imagine that. And without being able to hold myself back, I just said: "Why are you lying?" throwing my hands up to my mouth as I was saying it. But it was too late. I had already accused one of my teachers of lying.

"I think it is time for you to go to bed now. Good night, miss Amabilia." He didn't sound angry, more like he was panicking a bit. And then he went around me, touching my shoulder with his as he was hurrying of. What was he actually doing up, that he was so scared about somebody knowing? It couldn't be that incriminating, could it?

I still took it as my cue to go to bed. I didn't want to test my luck any further that night. And as I was finally lying in bed, in my lone room, I thought of the encounter I just had with my new teacher.

And I couldn't stop myself from thinking about how nice he had been. Any other professor would have probably given me a week's worth detention. And I just had to go and ruin it by asking him about his lie. Would I have to stick to the truth? No not even all the time. Just when my dumb senses thought it to be important. I should maybe thing about training them anyway, so I don't turn my new cute professor away.

Wait, cute? I should really stop thinking about him. At least like that. I might just be really tired.

And as I thought that, I fell into a deep sleep.

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After what had happened after yesterdays dinner, and the knowledge, that I couldn't avoid my first lesson, which just so happened to be DADA, forever, I could hardly get any breakfast down. I felt sick, partly from embarrassment partly because I was no nervous. I was in a mood where one would just want to wallow in self-pity. but before I could actually deflate into myself, Tia came around.

Even though she was a Gryffindor she had no problem sitting at the Slytherin table with me.

"Watch them try and stop me" she'd always say with a smirk. Her self-confidence was really refreshing, since I couldn't bring myself up to it today.

"Hey, how are you? You look a bit down? Did something happen?" her face reflecting concern.

I didn't really want to tell her about the encounter I had yesterday with professor lupin. I wasn't really sure how to explain it properly and frankly, I didn't have the energy. I was also kind of scared that someone would hear and would spread the news that I hit a professor in the face.

So, I just said, "oh, you know, the usual, I didn't sleep really well. What about you? You look like something really good happened." I didn't have to try to sound interested because I really was. She looked at me with a beaming smile, as I know noticed.

"He asked, he finally asked. All of last years work, finally paying off!"

"That's amazing! When did he ask you out?" I asked really excited for her. She had been working on getting Jeremiah to go on a date with her all of fifth year, and she had almost given up at the beginning of summer break. So, to hear that she finally cracked the nut made me really happy for her.

"Yesterday evening, it was really romantic. He took me up to the owlery and asked very sweetly. He must be the nicest boy in all of Hogwarts." I just nodded. I couldn't really agree with her. Something always seemed off about Jeremiah Susparis, but I never got behind what it was.

After our little talk, we both headed to our first lessons.

This should be fun. Maybe lupin had already forgotten about yesterday?

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Damn. Never thought I would actually get to uploading a second part. Guess not being able to do stuff with friends because of a pandemic has its perks.

Hope you liked it! ^^