Moon Phases // Professor Lupin

Chapter Seven

(A/N: trigger warning suicide mention)

Sunday was dull. There was no morning question from Hank. Winston spent all day with Madison, who Paisley wasn't sure how she felt about yet. Marley was awkward around Paisley all day. Sydney purposely avoided the group. In all six years that Paisley had known them it was never like this.

When Monday came, Paisley was relieved to see Lupin in class. He greeted her with a warm smile and suddenly all the stress from the weekend was gone.

"Have a good weekend?" He asked her.

"I don't even know where to start," Paisley groaned, "What about you?"

"Nothing of interest," Lupin said, "By the way, I couldn't help but overhear an obfuscate charm the other day."

"Oh, right," she said. Was he going to get her in trouble for sneaking in booze?

"It's a somewhat advanced spell," he pointed out.

"I told you I was a good student," she poked.

He laughed, "Right. Have a seat."

Paisley was wearing a blue cardigan over a black cami and a short pleated black skirt. White sheer socks with lace at the top rested on her ankles and underneath a pair of black mary janes.

She still carried the love jar in her pocket, although she wasn't sure if it was working, or if she even wanted it to work, If anything, she seemed to be attracting people that she didn't want to.

"Good morning everybody," he began, "If you'll please open your books to the chapter on dementors. I figure if we're going to have them roaming the school you should at least know a bit about them."

Paisley skimmed through the chapter, looking at printed images of dementors. They were terrifying.

"Anyone know what the dementor's kiss is? Nobody? Very well. I hope you should never have to find out."

Paisley raised her hand.

"Miss Franklin," he called, careful to use her last name.

"How do you protect yourself from one? A dementor."

"Good question," he nodded, "The patronus charm. It's a very high level charm. It produces a silvery light of happy memories, sometimes in the shape of an animal."

"Are we going to learn it?"

"No, I don't think so," Lupin said, "It's a bit too advanced."

Paisley was disappointed but didn't say anything. She thought she was totally capable of handling a patronus charm.

After class Paisley approached Lupin.

"I want to learn the patronus charm," she decided.

"I'd love to teach you," he began.

"Great."

"But—"

"Of course there's a but."

"But," he continued, "Between classes and grading and...I'm far too busy."

"I'll grade papers," Paisley offered, "I do most of it anyway."

"What about your school work?" He asked.

"Oh please, as if I do my schoolwork," she scoffed.

"You don't do your schoolwork?"

"That's not the point."

"Even if I could teach you, it's a very difficult charm and you likely wouldn't pick it up for weeks."

"I have time."