𝐊𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍 | 𝘍𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘞𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘺

Chapter 41 - Poignancy

____________________________________________________________________________

Perfer et obdura, dolor hic tibi proderit olim. 

____________________________________________________________________________

The Gryffindor team visited Harry once again on Sunday morning, this time accompanied by Wood, who told Harry in a hollow, dead sort of voice that he did not blame him in the slightest. Betelgeuse noticed that something grave was troubling the spectacled boy, but she did not press, deciding to remain in silence.

Monday arrived, and with that, the fantastic news of Professor Lupin back in his DADA teacher spot. Betelgeuse entered his classroom with Fred and George. The trio had endured double Potions, and they all carried the aftermaths. Betelgeuse had her arms full of notes and was muttering to herself about the Befuddlement Draught they had prepared.

The twins looked nothing like the flawless Black; they had rumpled hair as if they had run their hands through their russet locks numerous times from frustration.

"You are talking again to yourself, Bel," George pointed out as they tried to sit in the too cramped desk.

"I talk to myself because I need an expert opinion," Betelgeuse flatly replied.

"You are awful, Bel," Fred stated, chuckling.

Betelgeuse raised a black eyebrow, "This statement coming from the most awful person on the Planet."

"I'm not a mirror, Betelgeuse."

"And I am not a reflection, Frederick." Betelgeuse countered as George groaned beside her. "Here we go again. Married couple squabbles at their finest."

"Oh, shut up, George," Fred and Betelgeuse retorted simultaneously.

"Speaking of important matters, reckon we could test the Love potion we made on Peeves," Fred proposed with a devious smirk. Betelgeuse and George exchanged a look, "With whom?" The Black asked, pulling the DADA book from her bag.

"Filch," Fred replied.

Betelgeuse paused, "Fred, you are evil."

"Not as much as you, Bel."

"Oh, for Merlin's beard, can you two stop flirting for a blasted minute?!" George cried out, making Fred blush. Betelgeuse was not impressed and regarded the younger twin with an annoyed look.

"Ok, we can either do this the right way, the wrong way or the Weasley Twins' way," Fred stated as the red blush subsided from his freckled cheeks.

"Is that just the wrong way?" Betelgeuse inquired, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Yes," George replied, "but faster." Betelgeuse did not have time to retort as Professor Lupin entered the classroom. It certainly looked as though he had been ill. His old robes were hanging more loosely on him, and there were dark shadows beneath his eyes; nevertheless, he smiled at the class as they took their seats, and they burst at once into an explosion of complaints about Snape's behaviour while Lupin had been ill.

"It's not fair! He was only filling in; why should he give us homework?" 

"We know everything about werewolves —"

"— two rolls of parchment!"

"Did you tell Professor Snape werewolves are third-year program?" Lupin asked, frowning slightly. The babble broke out again.