𝐊𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍 | 𝘍𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘞𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘺

Chapter 40 - Grim Defeat

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"Brilliant!"

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Betelgeuse woke early on the day of the match. Her dorm mates were fast asleep as she crawled out of bed and perched on the small ottoman near the narrow gothic window.

She could not ignore the sounds of the thunder rumbling, the pounding of the wind against the castle walls, and the distant creaking of the trees in the Forbidden Forest. In a few hours, she would be out on the Quidditch field, battling through that gale. Betelgeuse sighed.

What horrible weather for Quidditch.

A sudden 'hoot' made her look away from the storm that raged outside; Castor was watching her with keen, sharp orange eyes. The eagle owl was a magnificent beast and a loyal companion for her. Betelgeuse sighed again; looking at the owl, she remembered the letter she had received from home. She had written about Snape's indiscretion towards her and the callous words he had uttered. She had also mentioned the abyssal hatred arbored by the Potion Master against Professor Lupin.

Gentle, considerate Professor Lupin.

The content of the reply to her letter had not surprised the Black. He had explained the old grunge between Lupin and Snivellus, as her uncle had called Snape during their school years. Betelgeuse had to admit the nickname was flawlessly fitting.

Professor Snape was a talented Potion Master, but he was also cruel and spiteful. The Black scowled. The twins had declared bitterly that Professor Snape had assigned them an essay on how they could recognise and kill werewolves. It was barbaric, and he even wanted two rolls of parchment on the subject by Monday morning. Truly barbaric.

Betelgeuse was sure that her fellow fifth-years would not complete the essay. Fred had raged about Snape assigning homework even though he was only filling in. Betelgeuse guessed the feeling was shared by other students.

She was crossed with Snape because she understood that he had set the essay precisely because he hoped that someone would link the clues, recognise the symptoms, and peg Professor Lupin as a menace.

A werewolf.

Betelgeuse shook her head, rising to her feet. She dressed, picked up her Nimbus Two Thousand, and quietly walked out of the dormitory. The sound of the storm was even louder in the Common Room. Betelgeuse wandered silently towards the fireplace but paused when she spotted Harry Potter on the red sofa facing the fire.

She observed him from afar; only his profile was visible, and the fire cast long shadows on his troubled face. Perhaps he was worried about the horrid weather; he must have known better than to think the match would be cancelled. Quidditch matches were not called off for trifles like storms. "How long have you been sending daggers to that unfortunate fire?" Betelgeuse lightly questioned as she observed the younger boy jump in surprise. She had not yet had a real conversation face to face with the boy since the 'Sirius Black problem' had manifested itself.

Harry sent her an apprehensive smile. She was right; he was on edge because of the match. "Come on, Potter. It must already be time for breakfast."

They headed through the portrait hole. "Stand and fight, you mangy curs!" Sir Cadogan yelled, "Oh, my Lady, apologies!"

"Oh, shut up," Harry yawned.