CHAPTER ELEVEN
↳ professor snape and the werewolf essay

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After that day at Hogsmede, the revelation that Sirius Black had attempted to break into the Gryffindor common room echoed throughout Hogwarts as a ghost tale. Everyone had to sleep in the Great Hall whilst teachers ( not including Elara's papa who was dealing with his furry little problem ) searched the entire castle for the mass murderer. The school had multiple theories, apparation ( prompted by a Ravenclaw ), transfiguring into a plant ( that was prompted by a small Hufflepuff ), but the more they searched, the less likely they seemed.

Elara had no clue either. She prodded her books for answers, but it seemed as though it wouldn't give her the answers she desired. Her papa had told her about how his friends became animagi during their Hogwarts years, however Elara assumed her papa would've told Dumbledore about that if it was the case. She would typically go to Remus for an answer, although this was her other dad so she felt as though it would be too sensitive.

Right now, Elara, Cedric and Morgan all sat out on the grass. Sure, it was slightly cold, but when else do you get to do this in the beauty of Autumn? Her hair was tied in two Dutch plaits and was spread out on the grass. Morgan was laying on Cedric's lap, the pale boy playing with Morgan's hair. Elara had brought up her belief of Sirius Black being an Animagus, she never said he was because she already knew that, she just wanted to see this from an oblivious point of view that wasn't biased due to family relations. "Personally, maybe he just got in on pure luck," Morgan elaborated further. "Dumbledore would know if he was an Animagus, especially seeing as his name isn't on the registration," Oh, Morgan, oblivious Morgan. Elara shook her head, her lips pressed together realising that the Ravenclaw had forgotten that illegal animagi probably existed, probably meaning definitely.

"I hope that's the case,"

"Hey," Cedric interrupted. "I don't see why you are so worried, he'll be back at Azkaban in no time," that wasn't exactly reassuring although he tried to reassure her. Elara doubted that. Firstly, he managed to get past the dementors, who's to say he won't do it again, secondly, he attacked the Fat Lady who was scared out of her mind. More she thought about it, her other parent must have a whole plan thought out. Everyone was convinced that it was pure luck that Harry and no one was in the common rooms, although Elara had a peculiar belief that this was a well thought out plan.

Thinking more and more about it, how would he have torn the portrait if he wasn't using his Animagus form?

To go off topic, ( the topic was getting extremely awkward for her and she didn't want to talk about her dad who's a murderer ), Elara decided to say the first thought that came to mind. "If I bought a goldfish from a muggle pet shop, do you think Laurie and Crookshanks would enjoy it for lunch?"

Cedric and Morgan gave her a look, said in unison. "Why are you imagining that?" and then turned to each other, laughed and fell to the ground in tears from hysteria.

Laurie, who was sitting on Elara's lap, purring, and Crookshanks, who seemed to like Elara a lot and was sitting by her head, both tilted their heads at her. "Cats like fish," she said, simply. Elara's dainty fingers reached out to scratch Crookshanks' neck. "Maybe papa will let me get a goldfish,"

"Morg," Morgan tilted his head to Cedric. "Remind me to write to Mr Lupin about this?" and Morgan nodded.

Elara's attention was now directed to the sound of humming. Cheerful humming. She knew very well who this tune belonged to. "Hello Luna," the girl greeted. "Off to see the Thestrals?" Elara knew all about the second year's expeditions to see the creatures that the witnesses of death could only behold. It must've been haunting to see them, a reminder of a death you witnessed lingering and taunting you whilst everyone dismissed it.

"Yes," the blonde tilted her head slightly, a dazed glance as she sighed dreamily. "It appears as though the nargles have taken my shoes, all good fun and all, just as long as I have a pair for bed," Elara gave her a smile and waved when the second year went back to skipping off, humming her merry tune, to where she assumed the thestrals were.

"I wonder when she'll realise that it's the other students who take them," Morgan mused, his gaze lingering where Luna once was. "It's quite sad,"

"I think it's magical, she's always in her own world,"

"What even are 'thestrals'?" Cedric asked, glancing dubiously.

"Horse like creatures that can only be seen by those who have witnessed death," Elara explained. "Do you not read?"

Cedric gave her a quick glance and scoffed. "Of course I read,"

"Like what? 'We're going on a bear hunt'?" Before Cedric could slap her, Morgan grabbed his hand and kissed him on the head.

"Does that mean she saw death?"

"Yes of course it does," Elara pursed her lips, licking them. She felt rather sorry for the young girl. She had stopped some mean kids during the halls last year mocking the girl for her odd persona. She had been wearing her Spectrespecs, which were at early drafting by the Quibbler, a peculiar magazine owned by Luna's father. Elara herself had a pair, kindly gifted to her by Luna for Christmas ( strangely Wrackspurts were quite common and oddly fascinating ). Luna personally chose to stay alone, but frequently talked to Elara who had offered plentiful generosity that couldn't be resisted. She never understood the bullying against Luna and was quite relieved the girl was always in a far off reality that no amount of abuse can reach.

"Well that's depressing,"

"You don't know half of it," Elara opened a bar of chocolate and plopped it in her mouth, the taste of mint chocolate ( yes, she was in love with mint in general ) lingering in her taste buds. "What have you got next? I have defence and I have no clue what my dad was going to do," of course she knew of her dad's absence today, having dropped off some chocolates early in the morning whilst he was asleep, a new scar gracing his pale arm that she had to place back under the duvet.

"I have no clue,"

"Same,"

"Cedric," the boy hummed in response. "Do you think anyone's been run over by the Hogwarts Express?" Let's just say Elara's question wasn't answered.

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Unlike most of her class mates, Elara knew her papa wasn't capable of teaching. He was still in pain and needed to gain back any loss energy. It was rather unfortunate, especially when Professor Snape ( an absolute git ) came in, slaming all the window's shut with magic, pulled down the projector and turned to the entire class who was wide eyed, staring beadily at the greasy haired man. "Turn to page 394."

Everyone stared for a split moment, wearily curious. They must all been thinking where dad was? Elara turned to where Hermione sat besides her. "El, where's Professor Lupin?" Elara simply replied with 'sick' and went to turn her page to where it said '394'.

Harry, who wasn't at all fond of the greasy man, asked out. "Excuse me, sir, but... where's Professor Lupin?" If only they all knew. She knew exactly why she couldn't tell them, it wasn't her place at all.

"That's not really your concern, is it, Potter? Suffice it to say, your Professor finds himself incapable of teaching at the present time. Page 394."

Page 394. Elara found herself, staring at the chapter with wide eyes. Professor Snape walked right past her desk, gave her a glance and offered a foul smirk when he saw her squinting at the chapter entitled-

"Werewolves?" Elara looked blankly, emotionless as a horrifying, exaggerated image projected itself onto the screen.

"But, sir, we've only just begun learning about Red Caps and Hinkypunks. We're not meant to start nocturnal beasts forweeks --"

"Quiet!"

"But sir, would it be very beneficial for our learning if you disrupt what we are doing currently?" Elara spoke out. She really hoped this was all a sick joke and they'd all go back to reading about Red Caps and Hinkypunks.

"Let me remind you Ms. Lupin, I am the teacher," the man snarled out. The man glared at her menacingly, and then asked her a question that she knew how to answer. "Tell me thedifference between an Animagus anda werewolf?"

"I don't know," Elara shrugged. She did know. She knew werewolves had no choice, whereas an Animagus did. She knew Animagus' made the choice, whereas werewolves were cursed. It's just she didn't want to satisfy the Professor who fed off embarrassment and fear.

"Don't know?" Professor Snape knew she was lying. But he took the pleasure of mocking her. "Ms Lupin, are you completely incompetent that you find yourself incapable of answering a simple question like that?" Elara looked down, the images flashing on the projector taunting her as a reminder of what her father was in the eyes of the ignorant. "At this rate you wouldn't even be able to function properly in society with a pathetic mind that you bare," Hermione's eyes remained fixed on Elara, noticing a single tear that ran down her cheek. She noticed how Elara's hands fidgeted with one another, how she bit her lip to hold back a sob. "Five points from Hufflepuff for being incapable of providing an answer,"

"Please, sir, an Animagus is a wizard who elects to turn into an animal. A werewolf has no choice in the matter. Furthermore, the werewolf actively hunts humans and responds only to the call of its own kind --"
Draco copies the howl of a werewolf which, to Elara having heard the howl for many moons, was a pathetic attempt that was poorly executed.

"Quiet, Malfoy!" The teacher scolded, although it was more of a small tap in comparison to the amount of abuse the rest (non Slytherin) experienced. "Though one must admit to feeling your pain. That is the second time you have spokenout of turn, Miss Granger. Tell me. Are you incapable ofrestraining yourself? Or do you take pride in being aninsufferable know-it-all?"

"She only answered your question!" Elara shook her head, rolling her eyes as another five points were deducted from Hufflepuff. Not that any fellow Hufflepuff cared, she had every right to defend Hermione who was her best friend. Snape took away five points from Gryffindor as well, for no reason other than because Hermione had given an answer ( pathetic ).

"As an antidote to your ignorance, I prescribe two rolls of parchmenton on the werewolf by Monday morning,with particular emphasis placed on recognising it," Elara knew her papa would be back on Monday and saw no point in it. She just viewed it as Snape's way of trying to get people to catch on to her papa's secret, which was ( and always will be ) extremely rude. She left that lesson in a foul mood, not wanting to write about werewolves at the request of Professor Snape.

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After lessons had ended for the day, Elara had decided she was going to visit her papa. She hoped he was awake, and her hopes were answered when he called out for her to come in. "Hey," she said, her thumb rubbing her forefinger for no reason at all. She typically always visited after he was awake, it soothed the both of them. "Did you get the chocolate I left you?" She knew he did, seeing as a wrapped of Cadbury's Dairy Milk ( a British muggle chocolate brand that tasted like a gift from the gods themselves ) was in the bin next to his bed. Remus looked dreadfully pale, although she assumed the wolfsbane potion had helped slightly.

"Yeah, thank you for that poppet," Remus patted the bed, motioning her to sit down. "Now tell me why you seem so upset?" And so she told him all about Professor Snape's lesson. How he deducted points from her for not answering a question and processed to mock her for not wanting to answer, defending Hermione ( which earned her a chocolate piece because Remus was happy she defended her friend ). "Honestly papa, he's a right foul git if you ask me,"

"Poppet! That's no way to speak about your teacher, even if it's correct," Remus scolded lightly. Although he seemed quite proud she didn't like him. He was rather detestable. "I'll speak to him about the werewolf essay. Don't do it, it's not worth it especially when you already know how to identify a werewolf,"

"Touché," she quirked her head to the side, eyebrows raised. "I wasn't going to do it anyways,"

"Elara!"

"What? It's true!" She put her hands up in defence. "You really expect me to bother with something a person who isn't even supposed to be teaching us is telling us to do?" Remus didn't answer and Elara knew she had a point. Why would you? It's like a supply teacher telling you to do something that the main teacher said not to do. Were they marking it? No. Why should you bother then?

"How's Laurie?"

"Keeps chasing Scabbers around with Crookshanks," Elara replied simply. She tried keeping the rat away from the small kitten, although the white furry creature seemed to find it quite fun and acted all innocent when Elara finds him. Elara had apologetically explained how she had no time to train Laurie and promised to try and keep him away from Scabbers, even giving the annoying, ugly rat some cheese as a composition so that it didn't hurt Laurie. Ron seemed to forgive Elara, elated she was taking responsibility and wasn't excusing the kitten's actions. Hermione seemed to defend Crookshanks at any given opportunity and didn't seem too concerned for Scabbers ( "El why do you even care? You hate that rat," ) ( "I don't like seeing my friends upset 'Mione," ). "I have no clue why, he's always fed and okay so maybe he's just hyper,"

"He wasn't hyper when I got him, curled up in my chest immediately when I picked him up," Remus didn't have much to offer about the whole issue with the cats. "Maybe try and keep Laurie besides you when you can?" He offered. He knew the girl was obsessed with the snowy cat, nuzzling him close whenever she had the chance, keeping him near her for most the time wouldn't be an issue at all. "Where is Laurie anyways?"

"Oh he's being babysat by Wisteria, she loves him," Elara explained simply. Remus knew who "Wisteria" was, mainly because no one else was named Wisteria in this school. Short, brunette with a shy smile, despite her shyness, she was quite memorable. Remus nodded and gave Elara a wide hug. "I hope you're okay papa," Elara had whispered quietly.

"With you by my side, I'm always okay, poppet,"

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OKAY SO LIKE ELARA AND REMUS ARE ADORABLE 🤧🤧 I wish me and my dad were this close. Fun fact, Elara wearing her hair in Dutch plaits is a little connection to me who is also wearing their hair in Dutch plaits ( braids ). The mint chocolate loving is also a connection to me 😭🤚 Snape's a git and he's ew.

Can I just have some opinions though? Like is what I write good? I've been told it's good, but I'm internally convincing myself it's just because the people who get to read before an update are my close friends.