"Laying Low"
Lily Evans was currently being cornered by her two best friends in their shared dorm and to say the least, she was very much annoyed. As soon as she had finished her, surprisingly pleasant, conversation with Hope, Marlene and Dorcas wanted every detail about the new Slytherin who was apparently Professor Mcgonagall’s goddaughter and they were not very trusting of her despite her connection to their head of house.
“I’m just saying,” Marlene started as she flopped on her stomach on Lily’s bed. “What if she’s up to something?”
“Why would she be up to something, Mars? She asked to be friends, okay? Not my hand in marriage. Although, if she were to ask me out, I wouldn’t be opposed.” Lily mused from her spot, sitting up against her headboard and thinking of the very beautiful, auburn-haired Slytherin.
Dorcas was sitting on the edge of the bed, her back against one of the pillars of her four-poster bed. “You are not the only one. Mikaelson is hot. “
Marlene very quickly agreed. “Actually, if you do end up becoming good friends with her, ask her which way she swings cause I am definitely down for that ride.
Lily laughed, looking equally amused and bewildered at her friends. “I’m sorry, but weren’t you the one telling me not to hang out with her? And now you want to know if she’s into girls so you can take her out?” Lily shook her head, still smiling. “Merlin, make up your mind! Do you like Slytherins or not?”
Dorcas was quick with a reply, a smirk playing on her face. “We like pretty girls. And we’re not telling you to not be friends with her, just…be careful. Please? She’s still a Slytherin and they're not known for being trustworthy.”
Lily felt a sudden need to defend her new friend for some unknown reason. “No,” She started, staring pointedly at Dorcas. “They’re known for taking care of their own. The only difference is that we tend to take care of everyone but they only do the same for a trusted few. Is it so bad if I become one of those to Hope?”
Marlene frowned up at her friend. “No, I guess not. But don’t you find it the least bit strange that she came to offer her friendship out of the blue?”
“Yeah, we’re only worried about you Lils.” Dorcas added, her eyes filled with concern.
Lily sighed. “Alright, I promise I’ll be careful. Besides if this new friendship doesn’t work out,” Lily smirks, getting up to walk out. “I’ll have you two as backup.”
“Hey!!” The two girls on the bed chorused.
“What am I? A piece of hippogriff meat?” Marlene whined.
“That is the last time I cover for you when you’re hiding from Potter!” Dorcas shouted as Lily closed the door, her laughter following her out. It was almost time for dinner so she made plans to talk to Remus the next day whenever she found him.
— — — — — —
A loud thud broke Remus out of his homework-induced trance. He was currently working on the last bit of his transfiguration homework before he had to head to the hospital wing. Leave it to Mcgonagall to give homework on the first day of classes, he thought while suppressing a sigh.
When he looked up to see who broke him out of his daze, blazing red hair gave it away and the look on the red head’s face was pure excitement. Which meant she either learned some new information she “just had to share”, as she eloquently put it, or she had a new prank idea she would never admit to coming up with or passing along to a friend to use because her head girl status meant she was “responsible”.
Remus smiled at the red-head who was now sitting across from him, her books creating a small mountain just barely covering her whole body. “Lily,” He greeted. “How may I help you on this fine evening?” It was just after six and dinner wasn’t for another hour or so.
“Well,” She drew out with a smile. “I learned something very interesting from a new friend yesterday.” So it was the former, Remus concluded in his head.
“Does this ‘new friend’ happen to be Mcgonagall’s goddaughter?”
Lily rolled her eyes. “Yes and before you say anything she actually seems really nice.”
Remus put his arms up in defence. “I wasn’t implying anything untoward. Now, why don’t you tell me what you’ve learned from the girl who our dear Jamie seems to be taken with.” He smirked. “You should be very happy about that, shouldn’t you, Evans?”
“Ugh, you have no idea how relieving it is to not have to watch out for him and his antics. But that is not what I learned. Apparently, Hope—”
“Already on a first name basis? I’m wounded Lily,” He put a hand over his heart. “It took me two weeks before you started calling me anything other than “that one”.” Remus teased with an easy smile.
“Oh shove off, we were eleven and I still thought boys had cooties. Now, may I please continue?” Lily glared and Remus motioned his arms for her to keep going, still smiling at one of his closest friends. “Good, now Hope was telling me about her old school. Apparently, it was a school where vampires, witches, and werewolves all studied together.”
Remus furrowed his brows leaning back in his chair. “That’s not possible. Those three species despise each other. There’s no way they could go to school together without heads being ripped off or curses flying everywhere.” He remarked, incredulously.
“That’s what I thought at first too so I asked her about things like where the vampires got their blood and what the werewolves did on full moons and…” Lily went on repeating the information she acquired from the Mikaelson girl. Remus couldn’t help but be unbelieving of it seeing as his whole life he’s had to hide who he was. Hell, even his own parents never looked at him the same after he was attacked by Fenrir Greyback all those years ago. Albeit, they did everything they could to help him, Remus still always felt like an outcast even within his own family. After coming to Hogwarts, he had found friends who accepted who he was and even went far enough to become unregistered animagus so they could keep him company during full moons. Remus would forever be grateful for them but that only dulled the ache of wanting to be open about who he was without fearing judgement and prejudice and maybe even being around more of his kind who understood what it was like. There’s no way there was a school out there that would allow him to have that.
“Can you sniff out wolves?”
Lily’s sudden question brought him out his thoughts. Brows furrowed, he replied. “Uhh…when I’m human, yes. But only if I’m actively looking for one and using my enhanced sense of smell—Why do you ask?”
“I think Hope might be a werewolf.”
This causes Remus to sputter. “What!?” He yelled a little too loudly. Madam Pince, the librarian, quickly shushed him and threatened to kick them out. Mumbling an apology his gaze went back to Lily who was staring at him expectantly. “Why do you think she’s a werewolf?”
“Cause when we were talking and she was telling me about her old school she let it slip that she might be one too. When she began explaining the werewolf situation she said “like me” by accident but quickly backtracked to refer to some werewolf friends she knew.”
Remus looked wary. “That also could’ve been a slip of the tongue and she meant nothing by it.” He wanted nothing more than to believe there was another werewolf at Hogwarts but he knew better than to get his hopes up of having someone around who’d understand.
Lily, however, was not deterred. “I know, but if you happen to run into her could you check? There’s no harm in it, is there?” She looked up at him with her big, green eyes looking hopeful. He sighed. “Fine, if I run into her, I’ll check.” Lily beamed at him. “Now, I need to go to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey wants to see me about something. Probably about the next full moon.”
“Oh yeah, the full moon is this Saturday right?” Remus nodded. Ever since Lily found out about Remus’ ‘condition’, she made it her duty to memorize the moon cycle so she was ready in case her friend ever needed her before, during, or after a full moon and Remus was very touched knowing Lily shows affection through action. She may be the brightest witch of her age in academics but showing emotions is a completely foreign topic to her but Remus and the rest of her friends have her pretty much figured out. If Lily Evans decides to help you, willingly, or goes out of her way to help you then that’s how you know she cares.
— — — — — —
Hope’s second day of school went fairly well. Her classes went smoothly and she completed her mission of not standing out too much which was fairly easy with Lily and a Slytherin boy she has yet to become acquainted with, Severus Snape, trying their hardest to come out on top.
After classes, she found herself in the corner of the common room with her friends. The Slytherin common room, with its dim green lighting and cold stone walls, was bustling with activity. The fire in the hearth crackled softly, reflecting off the dark leather couches and casting long shadows across the room. Hope sat cross-legged in one of the armchairs, flipping through an advanced charms textbook, though she wasn’t exactly reading it. Pandora was sprawled out on the floor nearby, humming to herself as she rearranged her tarot cards, her long, blond hair creating a curtain around her face.
Evan leaned against the arm of the couch closest to Hope, juggling two apples and what appeared to be a small pumpkin he had nicked from the kitchen. Barty sat upside down on another chair, his legs draped over the back, tossing Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans into his mouth with mixed results.
Regulus was seated near the fire, a book in his lap. Unlike Hope, he actually seemed to be reading, though his brow occasionally furrowed as though the book had personally offended him.
“You know,” Evan said, catching the pumpkin just before it hit the floor, “we should be studying. N.E.W.T.s are this year, after all.”
“Are you joking?” Barty asked, popping another bean into his mouth. He immediately made a face. “Ugh, earwax. Again. I’m cursed.” He tossed the box of beans onto the table and sat upright. “We’re Slytherins. We’ll figure it out the night before. It’s tradition.”
Hope snorted, setting her book aside. “Let me guess, your plan involves charming someone else to do all the work?”
“Obviously,” Barty said with a grin. “I have charm for days.”
“Charm, or delusion?” Hope asked, raising an eyebrow.
Pandora giggled. “Barty’s aura says it’s definitely delusion. But it’s a very pretty delusion. Kind of sparkly.”
Regulus finally looked up from his book, smirking slightly. “You’d know all about sparkly delusions, wouldn’t you, Dora?”
Pandora ignored the jab, reaching for another tarot card. “Your skepticism wounds me, Regulus. I’m only trying to help you embrace your destiny.”
Evan snorted. “His destiny to sulk in the corner and glare at everyone?”
Regulus shot him a withering look. “Better than juggling stolen vegetables like a circus act.”
Hope laughed, her eyes twinkling. “You’re all insufferable. No wonder we’re stuck in the dungeon. Imagine us unleashed on the rest of the school.”
“We’d take over,” Barty said confidently, leaning forward. “We’d be unstoppable.”
“Until someone figures out that your brilliant plan for world domination involves bribing people with vomit-flavored jelly beans,” Hope said dryly.
“Excuse me,” Barty said, clutching his chest in mock offense. “I’ll have you know I’m a visionary.”
Regulus rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at his lips. Hope caught it and leaned forward, her chin resting on her palm. “What about you, Regulus? What’s your master plan for world domination?”
He raised an eyebrow at her. “Why would I share it with you? That would ruin the surprise.”
“Because you secretly enjoy our company and don’t want to admit it,” Hope shot back, her grin widening.
Regulus held her gaze for a moment, his grey eyes flickering with something unreadable before he looked back at his book. “Keep dreaming, Mikaelson.”
Pandora, who had been quietly observing, suddenly gasped. “Oh, I just had the most wonderful idea! Let’s play a game.”
“What kind of game?” Evan asked, looking mildly interested.
“A truth game,” Pandora said, sitting up and gathering her cards. “We each draw a card, and I’ll interpret it, and then you have to answer a question based on the meaning.”
“Pass,” Regulus said immediately, turning a page in his book.
“Oh, come on,” Hope said, nudging him with her foot. “What are you afraid of? That we’ll discover your dark, brooding secrets?”
“I don’t have secrets,” Regulus replied coolly, not looking up.
“Sure you don’t,” Hope said, smirking. “Let’s play.”
Pandora clapped her hands together, her excitement contagious. She shuffled the cards dramatically before drawing one and handing it to Barty. “The Tower! Chaos and upheaval. Barty, if you could cause any chaos in Hogwarts with no consequences, what would it be?”
Barty grinned wickedly. “Oh, that’s easy. I’d charm all the staircases to move constantly while the little firsties are on it, so no one could get anywhere. Total anarchy.”
Evan laughed. “That’s so petty. I love it.”
The game continued, with each person revealing increasingly ridiculous truths. When it was Hope’s turn, Pandora handed her a card with a flourish. “Ah, the Lovers. Partnership, choices. Hope, if you could pick one person to be your partner in crime, who would it be?”
Hope pretended to think, tapping her chin. “Hmm… definitely not Barty. He’d get us caught.”
“Rude,” Barty interjected.
Hope ignored him, her gaze sliding over to Regulus. “I think I’d pick Regulus. He’s sneaky. And smart. Plus, he already looks like he’s plotting something most of the time.”
Regulus finally set his book aside, his expression unreadable. “I’d refuse.”
Hope grinned. “Oh, you’d come around eventually. No one can resist my charm.” She flipped some of her hair back dramatically to make a point.
The others laughed, but Regulus simply shook his head, though there was a faint hint of amusement in his eyes. For a brief moment, his gaze lingered on Hope, and she couldn’t help but wonder what, exactly, was going on behind those cool grey eyes.
As the game wound down, Pandora stretched dramatically, her tarot cards spilling across the floor. “That was lovely, but I think I need to go find some fresh air, maybe feed the thestrals before dinner. The dungeons are stifling tonight.”
Evan stood, gathering the remnants of his juggling act. “I’m heading to the library. Some of us actually care about N.E.W.T.s,” he said with a smirk in Barty’s direction.
Barty rolled his eyes, shoving the box of Every Flavour Beans into his pocket. “I’ve got better things to do than study. Like plotting staircase anarchy.” He winked at Hope. “Coming, Pandora?”
Pandora nodded dreamily, gathering her things. “Chaos loves company.”
The group began to file out, leaving the common room quieter than it had been all evening. Hope stayed seated, watching as the firelight cast shadows across the green-and-silver décor. She noticed Regulus hadn’t moved either, his book still in his lap, though he wasn’t reading it anymore. His gaze was fixed on the fire, his expression distant.
“You’re not going with them?” Hope asked after a moment, breaking the silence.
Regulus didn’t look at her. “No.”
Hope tilted her head, studying him. She wasn’t sure why she stayed either, but there was something about the way he sat, shoulders slightly slumped, that made her want to. “You okay?”
He let out a quiet scoff, finally glancing at her. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because you look like the world’s weighing on you,” she said simply, leaning back in her chair. “And I’d know. I’ve been there.”
Regulus didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he closed his book and set it aside, his fingers lingering on the cover. “You ever feel like… no matter what you do, you’re never enough?”
Hope’s brows knitted together. She hadn’t expected him to open up so quickly, but she wasn’t going to interrupt him now. “Sometimes,” she said honestly. “Why?”
Regulus leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. The flickering light caught the sharp angles of his face, but it didn’t soften the tension in his expression. “Sirius left,” he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. “My brother, he abandoned everything—me, my parents, our family name. He didn’t even look back.”
Hope stayed silent, letting him speak.
Regulus’s hands curled into fists. “Everyone thinks he’s this great rebel, running off to Gryffindor and playing the hero. But do you know what it’s like to be the one left behind? To pick up the pieces while he gets to act like none of it matters?”
Hope’s chest tightened. She didn’t know Sirius well—just what Lily had mentioned about his charm and recklessness—but she knew enough to see the pain Regulus was carrying. “That sounds awful,” she said softly. “I’m sorry.”
Regulus shook his head, his voice growing sharper. “I hate him sometimes. I hate that he left me alone in that house. With them. But then… I don’t. I miss him. I miss how we used to be before everything fell apart.”
Hope leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees to mirror him. “That’s the thing about family, isn’t it? You can hate them and miss them all at once.”
He finally looked at her, his grey eyes searching hers. “You sound like you’d know.”
She hesitated, the words catching in her throat. Her past wasn’t something she shared easily, but there was something in Regulus’s raw honesty that made her feel safe enough to be vulnerable. “I do,” she admitted. “I’ve lost people I loved. My parents… they’re gone. And my family—what’s left of it—it’s complicated. When I was younger, my dad left. He didn’t have much of a choice.” Regulus looks slightly confused at that. “It’s complicated.” Hope repeated, not wanting to go into detail. “But when he left he never made any move to contact us. I understood why—it was for our…my protection—but I still hated him for it no matter how much I loved him. He was gone ten years before I did something that forced him to come back. Among other things, I’ve had to make choices I didn’t want to make, just to survive.” Hope adopted a faraway look in her eyes that glazed slightly, reliving the memories and the choices she made that led to her mother getting killed.
Regulus watched her carefully, his sharp features softening slightly. “It doesn’t get easier, does it?”
“Not really,” Hope said, her voice barely above a whisper. “But you find ways to cope. You find people who make it bearable.”
Regulus leaned back in his chair, his gaze returning to the fire. “I don’t have many people like that.”
Hope smiled faintly, returning back to the present moment. “You’ve got some now. Pandora, Evan, Barty… even me.”
He raised an eyebrow at her, the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. “You?”
“Yeah, me,” she said, grinning. “Sorry, Black, but you’re stuck with me now. Consider it payback for all your brooding.”
Regulus rolled his eyes, but there was no real malice in the gesture. “Lucky me.”
They sat in companionable silence for a while, the weight of their conversation settling into something lighter. Hope felt a warmth she hadn’t expected, a strange sense of comfort in their shared understanding. For all his cold, calculating exterior, Regulus wasn’t nearly as unreachable as he seemed.
And for the first time in a long time, she felt like she’d found something that resembled a real friend. Not someone with her in solidarity fighting another monster but someone standing with her to face both the simplicities and intricacies of life with.
A few moments passed and Hope felt something underneath her. It was a crumpled up parchment. Unraveling it, she found a note from Poppy telling her to meet her in the hospital wing. Over the summer, Hope had taught both Minnie and Poppy a fire message spell so they could contact each other easier once the school year had started. It was a simple incantation and all Hope had to do was find a way to translate her knowledge and make the spell work with a wand. It took her a while but she finally perfected it.
Looking up, Regulus noticed the parchment and couldn’t help his curiosity. “What’s that?”
“Hmm? Oh, it’s a message from Poppy to meet her in the hospital wing.”
“Poppy? You call her by her first name?” His disbelief was probably the most emotion she’s seen the man show.
“Yes, I do. I spent the entire summer with her and Minnie. She’s basically family.” Hope shrugged. Regulus shook his head. “Unbelievable.” He muttered before his gaze turned accusing. “How’d she get that message to you? You’ve been sitting here the entire time.” Wanting to bridge any gap between them, she opted to put some trust in him.
Hope smirked slyly. “Know how to keep a secret?”
“Occasionally.”
Hope shook her head, smiling. “Oh no, Reggie. I need a blood-binding oath.” She gave him a hard glare that could’ve killed if it weren’t for the slight uptick of her mouth.
Regulus rolled his eyes fondly. “Alright, Mikaelson. I assume you have a ritualistic knife I could use with the correct runes? And you better have a good healing spell to fix my hand because there’s no way I’m letting you permanently mark my perfect porcelain skin.” Hope snorted.
“I might have one stashed away for special occasions.” She mused. “And ‘porcelain skin’, really? Bit full of yourself, don’t ya think?”
He rolled his eyes. “Are you going to tell me your little secret or not?” Hope huffed. “Fine,” she dragged out. “I came up with a spell that allows a person to send a message. It’s called fire messaging.”
“You came up with a spell for sending messages through means other than owl or patronus?” He couldn’t help but question the validity of what she said.
“Is that so crazy?”
“Yes it is.” He deadpanned.
Hope gasped dramatically. “How dare you doubt my skills?! Here, let me show you.” She pulled out a spare bit of parchment to write out her reply to Poppy saying she’ll be there. “Watch and learn.” Regulus paid close attention to what she did. He couldn’t believe she had managed to create a spell to send messages in a more competent and discreet way. When Sirius had started his first year at Hogwarts, the two of them could never owl because their mother, Walburga, always intercepted the letters. Maybe if they had a different way of communicating when they were apart, their relationship wouldn’t be as estranged. Regulus watched as Hope pulled out her wand and said the incantation: touve mon se kavo. She slightly flicked her wand at the parchment and barely a moment passed before it burst into flames and disappeared.
Regulus’ knowledge hungry mind couldn’t believe it. Hope smiled at the childlike wonder on his face with his wide eyes staring at the spot the parchment used to be. “You have to teach me that spell, Hope!” He exclaimed, unable to hide his excitement. The tribrid noted the use of her first name and mentally counted that as a victory.
Hope laughed, getting up. “Maybe later, I have to meet Poppy but…I’ll see you at dinner?” Regulus nodded in return and she could see the gears turning in his head about the spell as he picked up his momentarily forgotten book.
— — — — — —
Hope made her way into the hospital wing, spotting Poppy through her office window. Walking in, the tribird was met with the scarred face of Remus Lupin. Her wolf immediately perked up. She had never been this close to him but now she could smell it. All supernatural creatures have a distinct scent that’s easy to sniff out for those with enhanced scents. For witches in her world, they’re able to sense auras that tell me exactly what they’re dealing with.
“Ahh, there you are darling.” Poppy’s voice broke through her thoughts. Hope smiled over at her. “Come sit down.” She gestured towards the chair next to Lupin. Sitting down, she offered him a smile which he hesitantly returned. She wondered if he was able to sniff her out too and if he sensed her vampire side.
“Now that you're both here, we can get started.” Lupin cut her off from continuing. “Why are we here, Madam Pomfrey, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Well, I might as well cut to it.” She mused mainly to herself. “You’re both werewolves.” She deadpanned. Hope looked at her with wide eyes. That was supposed to be a secret.
“I’m sorry but…what?!”
“Yes yes you heard me quite right Mr. Lupin. You both are werewolves but two different types.” Poppy continued.
Hope decided to stay quiet for the better part of the conversation so she could get all the information she could about why Poppy was exposing part of her secret. She was definitely going to ask her tomorrow when she came after curfew for her weekly blood bag to keep her from desiccating. If Lupin found out about her then he would definitely know something’s up when she either A: doesn’t turn on a full moon or B: turns into an actual wolf instead of the wolf/man mix this world has.
“Different types? I thought there was only one kind of werewolf?” Lupin asked. “I’ve done lots of research over the years since I was bitten and I’ve never come across another kind of werewolf.”
“That’s because they’re not widely known and keep to themselves. The only people who know of their kind are the ones they trust enough to tell because of the way their wolves are turned and even then, those very few individuals are sworn to secrecy through unbreakable vows.”
Hope interjected. “We aren’t known for a reason, Poppy.” She grit her teeth. “I don’t think telling a bitten wolf about us is the best thing. Can we trust him?”
Poppy wasn’t affected by Hope’s biting tone. “Certainly.”
“Let me rephrase: Can I trust him?”
Remus watched the interaction carefully while still reeling at the new information. Another kind of werewolf! He couldn’t believe it. But why were they so well hidden that they weren’t in any books he’s ever read about his kind? And he’s read a lot of them. What was so bad about how they turned?
Poppy sighed. “Hope, I wouldn’t have brought this up if I didn’t think you could.” Her eyes were so honest, Hope couldn’t help but trust the judgement of the women she’s come to think of as family. She nodded at the older witch. “Would you like to explain to Mr. Lupin about your kind? You know best.”
Hope turned to Lupin with a stern look that made him sit up straighter if that was possible. “Whatever I tell you does not leave this room. Not even your closest friends or family can know, am I clear?”
If looks could kill, Remus Lupin would be six feet underground. Merlin have mercy on his soul. He silently prayed. Madam Pomfrey let out a sudden laugh as if the girl before him wasn’t glaring daggers at him. “Darling, go easy on him. He looks ready to jump out of his skin.”
“Well if that keeps him from telling anyone about me then good.” Hope crossed her arms in defiance.
Remus finally spoke up. “I swear I won’t tell anyone outside this room about whatever you’re about to tell me as long as you don’t tell anyone about what I am. Only a few people know.” He said in trepidation, his voice low.
Sensing his worry, Hope softened. “Look, this is a very hard topic for me and people don’t take this information all that well. I’m asking you only once, can I trust you?”
Mikaelson was looking into his eyes so earnestly and with the same fear he knew was in his own eyes when his friends had found out about his ‘condition’. She was scared that he was going to betray her. He was a complete stranger to this girl but she was going to willingly put her trust in him because of her love and respect for Madam Pomfrey. He knew Lily liked the Slytherin so that was enough for his own seal of approval and seeing the look on her face right now he knew Lily was right in her judgement.
“You can trust me.” His voice was hard with determination and honesty.
“I’ll leave you two to talk but first, Hope can I speak with you outside for a moment?” Hope nodded, getting up. Poppy turned to Lupin. “We’ll just be a second, dear.” Lupin nodded while seeming deep in thought, probably trying to piece together what he was going to find out about Hope in his mind.
Stepping outside, Hope shut the office door and cast a wordless, wandless silencing spell over them. “What the hell was that!?” Hope yelled.
“Language,” Poppy glared. The tribrid gives the healer a pointed look in response making the older witch sigh. “Look, Minerva and I were talking and we thought it best that we tell Mr. Lupin about you with a twisted version of the truth before he sniffed you out himself. This way we know we won’t tell anyone and maybe you could help the poor boy with his transformations.”
“When was he bitten?” Hope read all about the werewolves in the wizarding world and knew that being a werewolf was not genetic but most wolves, especially power hungry alphas, liked turning witches and wizards young.
“Four.” Poppy confirmed Hope’s reading. She couldn’t believe it. Even in this world, the transformation was painful and having to go through that at such a young age was pure torture and only someone full of strength could endure it for so long. Hope knew that Poppy was worried about Lupin and wanted someone who semi-understood what he was going through, to help him.
Hope sighed before continuing. “Of course I’ll help him but did you really have to ambush me about telling him about me and how I’m a “different type of wolf”.” She raised a brow at the healer.
Poppy looked almost sheepish. “We thought it’d be more authentic of a reaction to catch you off guard.”
“Yeah, definitely not Slytherins. Both of you.”
“I’ll have you know I am a proud badger!” Poppy exclaimed. Her arms down and hands balled into fists looking almost comical, causing Hope to laugh. “Now,” She started, straightening out her medical robes. “Do you think you could come up with a convincing enough story about your kind of wolf and why they’re basically nonexistent?”
“Because we’re from another universe and I never existed here until two months ago?” Hope offered. Poppy gave her best “stern mom” look and the tribrid sighed. ”What happened to me laying low?”
“You’re an immortal tribrid from another universe pretending to be Minerva’s goddaughter and attending a school for magic.” Poppy exasperated in a bored tone and accusing look, her hands on her hips. Hope relented.
“Good, now get back in there before he gets restless or suspicious.”Here goes nothing, thought the world traveler.