"Like I said at the start of this year, our Defence Against The Dark Arts classes will seem like a lot of revising previous topics." Professor Le Fay spoke from the staircase that looked over the classroom. "However I will continue to try and make each lesson new and engaging for you all."

Professor Le Fay was the newly appointed Defence Against The Dark Arts Professor. She was a pale skinned woman, with piercing green eyes that gave her a respectable, fearless look. This air of fearlessness may have been heightened due to the distinctive burn mark that covered half her face and neck; they were all yet to discover what had caused it but no one had dared ask. Some students had decided she had battled a dragon, others say it was a curse from a dark wizard and others thought it was for show. Either way, after a few weeks of having the witch as their Professor, it was safe to say almost everybody enjoy the lessons.

"About as engaging as watching Pettigrew."

"That is enough Parkinson, five points from Slytherin."

"Blood traitor." Parkinson directed this to the Professor, earning a few scoffs of agreement from other Slytherin students.

"Detention Parkinson." The Professor replied, not even allowing so much as a wrinkle of shock or disagreement to appear on her face. "Now, back to our studies. I shall need you to open your study books and turn to Page 394."

Pages began to rustle as students scurried to the correct page, a chorus of 'ooh's' and 'ew's' followed. Only several people remained utterly silent.

"Werewolves." Professor Le Fay announced; with a silent swish of her wand all the shutters came down and a faux full moon appeared in the centre of the classroom ceiling. "Villains or victims? Beasts or beings? Something that has been debated for centuries."

"Are you ok?" Ophelia whispered to Remus who was sat beside her. The pair had conveniently been sat next to each other this year due to similar grades, supposedly.

"Yeh, fine. Nothing that I haven't heard of before." Remus replied, choosing to not look at at Ophelia and instead at the full moon. "Although, it's the first time I've been able to stare at one of them."

"One of what?" Ophelia followed where Remus' stare ended. "Oh. It's quite beautiful isn't it."

"Yeh."

"Rem, you know you're not a beast or villain, right?" Ophelia gently placed her own hand over Remus' wrist; the pair both choosing to ignore the growing warmth inside of them from the touch.

"That isn't what ninety per cent of these texts say." Remus replied, still not looking at Ophelia.

"But it's why I say, it's what your friends say and it's what your family says. We know who you are and nothing shall change that."

"Lupin and McGonagall, care to share whatever is so important that you've neglected reading the text." Professor Le Fay's orotund voice interrupted the pair; all eyes of the class now facing them too.

"No Professor." Remus replied quickly, conscious of the people watching him and possibly taking notice to his scars more than normal.

"McGonagall? Anything you'd like to say?" The Professor turned her attention to Ophelia.

"Uh, no." Ophelia responded slowly, before a sudden surge of confidence filled her, just as Professor Le Fay had turned away. "Actually yes."

"What is she doing?" James whispered to Sirius beside him.

"No idea, but it looks like it's going to be good." Sirius replied whilst the pair, along with the class, watched Ophelia stand.

"I just think it's ridiculous to call lycanthrope's beasts or anything negative." Ophelia began. "We all have bad days, there's just happen to be a bit of a furry problem." James and Sirius snorted at this description, quickly stopped by a stern look from Professor Le Fay.

"She-she's right you know." Peter stood up from the desk situated behind Ophelia and Remus. "They're people first."

"Exactly Pete!"

"Oh shut up McGonagall and park that pretty arse of yours on that seat." Parkinson grunted, earning him the attention he clearly felt he was lacking.

"Watch your mouth Parkinson." Sirius spun round from his chair.

"Or what Black? Going to use that Gryffindor courage you earned from dishonouring the family name?"

"Leave his family out of this." James interrupted, placing a hand on Sirius' shoulder preventing him from standing.

"Can't do anything without having Potter can you Black?" Parkinson hissed.

"Or without me." Ophelia added from the other side, whilst being tugged at the sleeve by Remus in an attempt to make her sit down.

"Settle down now, let's not result in losing house points." Professor Le Fay spoke in threatening tone, eyes flickering between the group who were causing a scene. Yet all of them continued to remain in their fight like stance.

"He's not worth it Fi." Remus spoke but didn't gain a response; unaware of whether he meant the words he was going to say or whether it was just to gain Ophelia's attention he continued with a whisper. "I'm not worth it."

Sure enough this gained Ophelia's attention who immediately stopped looking at the boys and faced Remus.

"Rem, don't." Ophelia sat down on the stool abruptly. "You're worth fighting for."

"We're not going to discuss this anymore Fi." Remus removed his hand from Ophelia's sleeve and gently placed it atop of her small hand; ignoring the tingle that appeared almost every time they touched. "I appreciate it, I really do. I just don't need it."

"Right, now that we've established our views on lycanthropy." Professor Le Fay continued her lesson, although taking just a second to see the quiet exchange happening between Ophelia and Remus. "Let's continue to look at this calendar on moon phases and the affects a lycanthrope will face."

"It's next week." Ophelia muttered with realisation whilst staring at the chart.

"Yeh." Remus replied.

"You'll be ok won't you?"

"Other than all my bones breaking?" Remus tried to joke but saw the pain flash in Ophelia's eyes at the thought of him being hurt. "I'll be fine, it's been like it for years now."

"That doesn't make me feel better." Ophelia sighed. "I wish I could help."

"You can't. Not unless you suddenly lose humanity."

"So it's impossible."

"Nothing is impossible to a willing heart, Miss McGonagall." Professor Le Fay stood at the desk where the pair were seated, the rest of the class engrossed in their own discussions of the moon charts. "Thank you for your contribution earlier, it's always refreshing to hear advocates for those who are forgotten."

"Oh, it was nothing."

"It most certainly wasn't nothing, was it Mr Lupin?"

"Uh, no. It was brave."

"I wouldn't call it brave, I would call it highly altruistic." The Professor raised an eyebrow in an exaggerated manner. "Never stop fighting for what you believe is right Miss McGonagall."

"I won't." Ophelia replied, not noticing the large smile growing on Remus' face beside her.

"Truly a Gryffindor." The lady chuckled.

"What house were you Professor Le Fay?" Ophelia questioned.

"Slytherin." A lack of emotion was evident in the witch's voice, like she was trying to mask the true feeling.

"I bet you looked beautiful with green, I feel like it would compliment your hair colour so well." Ophelia replied, breezing over the fact that all Slytherin's were deemed as evil.

"Thank you." Professor Le Fay sounded sincere. "Now return to your work you two. I don't want to hear anymore chatter from you."

The quick change to authoritativeness was enough to tell Ophelia and Remus not to continue their attempt to learn more about the Professor.

"Yes Professor." Remus replied.

"Although, I think you'll find this parchment more beneficial."  The Professor tapped her wand on the pair's moon cycle causing the words to rearrange themselves.

"Lycanthropy and animals?" Ophelia questioned.

"Yes. I think you'll find the bond they're able to share rather interesting."

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

They say time passes slower the longer you stare at a clock. And this Gryffindor Grandfather clock did nothing to dampen this theory. Along with the ticking of the clock, there was only the sound of the fire crackling to keep Ophelia company tonight.

The full moon hung in the sky, previously being something that Ophelia saw as beautiful. An all-seeing presence in the sky that guided the world below through darkness. Yet by shining it's own light so bright, it had to dull others. It had to dull the light that usually shone from Remus.

Deep in thought about the danger Remus was in, Ophelia was entirely unaware of a creaking staircase followed by hushed words.

"What do you think she's doing?" Peter mumbled into the side of James.

The three of them were huddled beneath the invisibility cloak, a tough task considering it was only ever meant for one person. James was centre and tallest of the three, a stern concentration face eyeing Ophelia. Sirius was to the left of James but slightly ahead because he always had to be that little bit speedier, he too was quiet. Peter was squashed into the right of James, almost being left behind by the pair and having to almost force himself to be under the cloak. Three was a crowd; even more so when under an invisibility cloak.

"Waiting for Moony of course." James replied.

"She knows he won't be back tonight doesn't she?" Peter questioned.

"Of course she does, it's Fi." Sirius answered.

"She's obviously just waiting till the sun rises."

"And until I know he's safe." Ophelia stood at the bottom of the staircase, staring in to the space she believed the boys to be. "You three will never master the art of subtlety."

"Busted." James pulled the cloak down from the three. "We were just concerned."

"And Moony asked us to make sure you didn't - ow." Peter rubbed his foot where James had just stood, stopping him from continuing.

"Didn't worry." James continued quickly.

"Well I was going to worry even if under your watchful eyes." Ophelia laughed.

"True, now bed." Sirius pointed in the direction of the staircase leading to Ophelia's dormitory.

"I'm not a dog Sirius." Ophelia rolled her eyes partially before a thought entered her mind.

"...the bond they're able to share..."

"Fi, Fi." James waved his hand in front of Ophelia's frozen eyes, waiting for a response.

"That's it." Ophelia blinked when she spoke.

"That's what?" Peter asked, looking just as confused as James and Sirius.

"How I can help." Ophelia answered with a growing smile. "How we can help."

"Help who?" Sirius looked to James in hope he knew the answer, but James appeared to remain bewildered.

"Rem!" Ophelia laughed at the answer she gave, a laugh of relief and happiness.

"I think she's sleep talking." James decided.

"I'm not." Ophelia turned away from the boys and began to walk towards the portrait. "I'm more awake than I've ever been."

"She's lost her gobstones." Peter spoke concerned.

"Don't wait up for me!" Ophelia shouted as she climbed out the portrait.

"I hope she's not going to try and find Moony." Sirius joked.

"Merlin knows, should we follow?" James questioned.

"No." Peter answered. "We should trust her."

"You know what Pete," James began, "for once you're right."

"Uh, thanks."

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

Ophelia didn't even think of the time, let alone the repercussions she could face for running through the corridors so late. All she wanted was to see one person. One person who could help her, help Remus.

The sprint wasn't too far, the room remaining close to the Gryffindor tower. With a few close calls from levitating candles that Ophelia could only presume were down to Peeves, she was at the door of the person who held the answers. Just as she went to knock, the door swung open leaving Ophelia to fall in.

"Good heavens Fi, what on Merlin's name are you doing here." Minerva spoke tiredly.

"What are you doing awake?" Ophelia was shocked to see Minnie stood at the door. "In fact, how did you know I was coming?"

"I didn't know you were coming, I was pre-warned by Nearly Headless Nick that a Gryffindor was sprinting 'non compos mentis' through the corridors." Minnie began. "I was just leaving to investigate, when you say gracefully fell through my doorway."

"I didn't fall, you moved the door." Ophelia joked, but was not greeted with laughter. "Sorry."

"Get comfy and I'll go grab the biscuits." Minnie pointed to the armchair. "This better be important missy."

"It is. So you know Animagi?"

"Yes, I so happen to be one myself."

"I thought comedy wasn't an option Minnie." Ophelia tutted jokingly. "But yes, as you so beautifully are. Are they in theory an animal when in their Animagus form?"

"In what sense? As in how they act? If so, no you still control how you act."

"No, I mean more do other regular animals or creatures view them as an animal and not an Animagus?"

"I see. Only a fellow animagus can spot an Animagus in animal form."

"So, say a werewolf ran into an Animagus, it wouldn't attack them because they don't see them as a witch or wizard."

"Yes that's true." Minerva was starting to realise exactly where this conversation was going, even if Ophelia wasn't planning on declaring why she was so interested. "A werewolf wouldn't bite an animagi when in their animal form."

"Ok, thank you." Ophelia stood to head back to the door. "Is it hard?"

"It is illegal." Minnie replied.

"I wasn't going to-"

"Don't even attempt to lie to me, you'll fail miserably."

"Sorry, I just want to help him."

"I know, dear. Even if it's reckless." Minnie came closer to Ophelia and placed a comforting hand on her arm. "It's illegal, yes. But who's to say it's illegal if I become your tutor."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, there is a rather limited number of registered Animagi and during our last annual meeting we discussed how we would love the younger generation to invest in such difficult skills." Minerva explained. "I am sure I could pull a few strings and guide you on the way to mastering the skill, as long as you are registered."

"I don't see the problem with that?" Ophelia asked rather than stated, noting that Minnie seemed a bit reserved still.

"It's not necessarily a problem; it's just that I must make it crystal clear that when asked why you want to become an Animagi that you do not mention Mr Lupin as the reason."

"Because I shouldn't help Lycanthrope's." Ophelia dishearteningly replied.

"Sadly, yes." Minnie tried to offer a smile, knowing how much the cause, and of course Remus, was beginning to mean to Ophelia. "But, between ourselves and Madam Pomfrey-"

"But-"

"But nothing. Ophelia if you are going to be placing yourself in danger with Mr Lupin, Poppy must be prepared for any complications. I do also trust her to keep this a secret."

"I can't thank you enough Minnie." Ophelia fell into a hug with the lady who had become her mother, realisation hitting her that she may finally be able to help Remus. "Don't mention this to Rem yet though, I want to surprise him."

"I didn't plan to. We can start this over the Christmas holidays, it's a long process and I assure you, you will want minimal distractions."

"Perfect, I'm going to head back to the common room for now." Ophelia had grown tired, but remained determined to stay awake for the remainder of the night. She just knew that if with Minnie, she'd be ushered into bed. "Thank you again."

"Oh, detention tomorrow evening." Minerva called just as Ophelia began to open the door, causing the girl to spin round with a gasp. "Don't you gasp at me missy, you know the rules. No roaming the corridors after ten pm."

"Fine, was worth it though!" Ophelia laughed, even with the frown resting on Minnie's face. "Love you."

"Love you more, dear."

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────