Mildew Floweret

When Lucille was picking up her things, Professor McGonagall waited, her arms folded, making Lucille jump at the sight of her. ‟Miss Lupin, I would like to have a word with you, in my office.”

She swallowed, ‟Erm, when?”

‟Right now. Follow me.”

Frightened, Lucille turned her head to Padma, who was just as surprised as her; and caught the glimpse of Potter, Granger and Weasley, grinning maliciously – did they snitch?

On the first floor was her office, a tidy small chamber with lots of ancient books and moving portraits. On the professor’s desk, among neat stacks of parchment and quills, Lucille’s gaze was drawn to a framed photograph. It was a picture of the Gryffindor class of ‘98. The photograph was old, yet vibrant with life, the figures moving and smiling within the frame.

‟Tea?”

‟No, thank you,” Lucille replied, preparing for the worst.

The Professor’s gaze was fixed on her,‟I see this picture has fascinated you. Do you recognize anyone in particular?”

Lucille raised an eyebrow, inspecting more carefully. There was, in the corner, a plump, blonde boy, ‟That’s Peter Pettigrew,” next to a clearly taller one with round glasses and ruffled hair – Potter? No, that should have been his father, ‟James.‟  The boy with a heart of gold, Remus’ dear old friend, holding the hand of a redhead girl, evidently his girlfriend. ‟Oh, that’s Lily.” If they were present, then Remus should have been there as well. There was another boy, with dark curls that highlighted his defined jaw, and blue eyes, his hand around a thin boy, taller than all of them, with curly golden hair and a mighty scar on his face. ‟That’s my father,” Lucille said certainly. But who was the other boy? Remus had clearly never mentioned a fourth friend.

‟That’s excellent!” McGonagall smiled enigmatically.

Lucille wanted to hear about that handsome boy, but she wasn’t the one to ask questions. ‟This was not the reason you asked me here, is it?”

Minerva took a sip of her tea. ‟I have to admit that your father was one of my best students, given his complicated condition.”

Yes, and now he is a millionaire, living in a mansion, Lucille thought.

 ‟Given the fact that you are not in my house, you must think the job of leading you is Mr. Flitwick’s, and I have always respected that; but as the Headmistress of the school, I have to step in line in certain cases.”

Lucille was holding her breath.

‟Miss Lupin, you are a formidablly intelligent girl, no doubt in that. My point is, you could give more an interest in school. What do you think?”

‟Oh – I will –‟

‟I look forward to seeing that,” she sat up and started wandering her office. ‟I could not help but notice you had no trouble in finding a great deal of friends.”

‟I have a few... why should I have any trouble?” she raised her eyebrows.

‟You shouldn’t!” McGonagall smiled suddenly, ‟I advise you most that you should be careful who you have ‛round, and what certain secrets you share with them.‟

The girl narrowed her eyes, ‟Oh. You are worried I told my friends that my father is a werewolf?”

There were a few moments of silence, in which McGonagall froze with her eyes widened; perhaps she was suprised with Lucille’s directness. ‟Indeed.”

Lucille felt a sense of relief. ‟Well, I didn’t so far.”

‟You should realise the amount of chaos it would provoke.”

‟Don’t worry, Professor,” Lucille quickly got on her feet, ‟I have no intention of doing so. I understand. Is that all?”

‟That would be all,” she said softly. ‟You are free to go. Oh, and Lucille.”

‟Yes?” she asked, her hand on the door handle.

‟Beware who you are spending leisure time with, or else you will be beliewed to share reputations,” she said clearly and slowly, so Lucille could understand the importance of those words.

Lucille tightened her lips, sceptical.

‟So, Lucy, what did you and Minnie chat about?” asked Susan Bones with unblinking focused eye contact.

The four Ravenclaw roommates were having a so-said picnic by the lake, owing to the nice weather, accompanied by a few Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs, which happened to overview perfectly the boys practicing Quidditch.

Lucille avoided her intense glare, ‟Erm, she was telling me to pay more attention in classes. School stuff only, you know?”

‟Yeah, what else would you talk about, silly?” Hannah Abbott was braiding Lavender Brown’s hair with dandelions.

‟She’s gotten a little tenser this year,” asserted Morag MacDougal, ‟My turn now, Hannah!”

Padma Patil took a bite off her chocolate frog, ‟The whole staff did!”

‟With Black on the loose, no wonder!” Parvati Patil added eagerly. ‟All those Dementors around...”

‟Who cares,” Lucille did not raise her eyes off the Quibbler, a replica recieved by Luna Lovegood. ‟They won’t get near the castle, nor will Black. Quite boring, should you ask me. Dunno why everyone is so alarmed.”

‟Are you serious?” Parvati Patil asked, bewildered. ‟They are clearly here after Harry.”

‟Harry Potter?” –  ‟Yes, indeed.”

Lucille rolled her eyes at this, ‟yes, because everything has to do with him.” Padma giggled.

‟Did you not know, Lucy?” Parvati sounded serious. ‟Black is the reason Harry’s parents were murdered, and a bunch of other Muggles. He used to be You-Know-Who’s right hand. He is after Harry.”

This was utterly out of her knowledge.

Susan Bones was inspecting her colourful fingernails, ‟Now that we’ve brought Potter up, he’s gotten a bit handsome over the Summer, didn’t he?”

The girls were giggling. Lucille rolled her eyes, ‟Fancying everyone these days, aren’t you? What about MacMillan? Thought he was supposed to be your future lover!”

‟He absolutely is!” Bones undid her ponytail and shook out her hair, so as the blonde boy from the broomstick would notice.

From far away, descending from Hagrid’s Hut, Granger, Potter and Weasley were heading for the castle; Hermione Granger was approaching closely the shore

‟She’d better not come here,” Susan Bones ran a hand through her hair, ‟Oh, hi, Hermione...”

‟Hello, girls,” smiled Granger nervously, ‟Parvati, are you coming to the library?”

Parvati glared at the girls and replied, ‟Um, right now? Why?”

‟You asked if I could help with the Potions essay,” she crossed her arms slowly.

‟Surely you could do it later,” MacDougal suggested dryly.

‟Yeah,” Parvati said impatiently, ‟we can do it later. It is too fine a day to be wasted in the library.”

Granger lowered her head and turned to leave. Lucille watched with her hands clasped behind her neck, though watching her get awfully rejected had made Lucille feel pity.

Suddenly, Lucille sat up with annoyance, the magazine under her arm, ‟I believe it’s time for Astronomy. C’mon, girls.”

One by one, the class was being filled with Gryffindors and Ravenclaws – it could have been the foggy clouds, or that her eyesight was broken, but for a vey moment, she could’ve sworn that she saw an orange cat hanging out with a jet-black hound over the lake.

"Lupin!” Professor Sinistra said sternly, "Is your head in the clouds? I have just asked you something."

"Erm – I apologise, professor – "

"Please, professor," Hermione Granger was occasionally lifting her eyebrows while speaking swiftly through her wide prominent teeth, "Gamma-ray bursts can release more energy in 10 seconds than our Sun will in its entire life."

"Very well, miss Granger! Another five points to Gryffindor."

Lucille and Padma exchanged annoyed glances, sharing a silent agreement in their exasperation.

 aying by the chimney on the sapphirine ox carpet, Lucille was sewing a patch on the blue blouse, her so-said Quidditch jumper. A little far away were Lisa Turpin and Morag MacDougal concerned by a round of chess, by the round table. They knew to withdraw enough for Roberta Lutterworth to excuse their loud discussions.

"How come you’re not staying with the boys? All cool an interesting, aren’t you now?"

Michael shrugged, "Felt like hanging out with you, I suppose?”

Lucille smiled faintly, "Mike, you hardly speak to me since they’ve befriended you. It’s as we’re not even friends anymore. Had to hang out with Bones, can you imagine?" She snatched his book, "I like Quidditch as well, but don’t make it your entire personality. "

"Oi, what do you mean? I was about to ask if you’d like going to Hogsmeade together," he glared at her and Padma. "And don’t say it as if you’re not in the team!"

"Aren’t I? But...dunno, I don’t mind that you get along, but they haven’t made a proper impression of themselves. I can see how they roll their eyes at me and loose their temper during practice... Hogsmeade, you say?"

"Don’t know," said Padma uncertainly, "haven’t finished my essay and I don’t want to dissappoint Professor Lupin, unless you may put a good word for me,” she teased softly.

"Don’t worry about that essay," Sue Li said sparingly, from behind the girls. "Professor Lupin is ill again, or so I heard. Isn’t he, Lucy?"

Lucille shrugged – Tonight it is full moon, Bloody hell...

"Pehraps he has a low immune system," Padma suggested, "you should convince him to take his vitamins."

"But it’s rather unusual, getting ill so often," said Sue Li urgently, biting into two biscuits at once, "My uncle had the same symptoms and then one day he sneeze his lungs out."

"Ha, ha, ha. Good one!" Lucille’s smile slowly faded as she noticed Sue’s straight face.

”Penelope! They’re here again!” Marietta Edgecombe, sustained by Roberta shouted for their Head Girl as a group of seventh years were smoking cigarettes outside on the old balcony – they were regarded by Roberta Lutterworth as horrbille smelling which would also affect the inside atmosphere. Marietta Edgecombe, the fourth year was a terrbile snitch: she would do anything for Professor Flitwick’s approval under the form of  justice.  Nobody apart from Cho Chang could stand her.

Under the wintry skies of Hogsmeade, Lucille, Michael Corner, and Padma Patil strolled through the village's cobblestone streets. The air was crisp with the scent of chimney smoke and the faint promise of snow. The quaint shops adorned with wreaths and fairy lights cast a magical glow against the snowy ground.

As they walked, a friendly black dog with a wagging tail approached them, its fur dotted with snowflakes. Padma, ever compassionate, offered half of her sandwich to the dog, which eagerly accepted the treat with grateful eyes.

Eventually, they made their way into the inviting interior of the Three Broomsticks inn. The atmosphere inside was lively, filled with the hum of conversation and the comforting aroma of butterbeer. Wooden tables were packed with Hogwarts students and villagers alike, sharing tales and laughter amidst the cozy ambiance.

It was there, amidst the chatter and clinking of glasses, that Lucille unexpectedly spotted Fred and George Weasley.– they made themselves comfortable and bought themselves Butterbeers. Leaving, Lucille got held up by the two of them; they tried persuading her into bringing Extra Dunggie Bombs – forbidden by school – inside Hogwarts.

"Dunno, something feels off. You could’ve brought them yourselves by using the Marauders Map! "

The two redheads glared at eachother, mysteriously. "About the map..."

‟We have forgotten it again,” Fred explained vaguely. ‟No worries, no soul would ever suspect you are capable of doing such wrong stuff. Loosen up, Lucy!”

Dreary and with nothing else to do, she accepted taking the much heavy bombs and joined her friends, quickly to return to the castle.Professor Snape, wearing a thick black robe cut their way. "Well, I suppose your little trip was exciting?"

Lucille glared at Padma strangely, why would Professor Snape ask about her trip?

"It was. We saw loads of things,” begun Padma loudly, as Lucille froze.

”I can see you’ve brought a bunch of souvenirs. That bag is bigger than you. May I take a look?”

Lucille swallowed. taking a step back.

"Accio!” said Professor Snape, smirking evily seeing what was inside.‟Accio! Accio!”  Padma glared in shock. He immediately pulled her arm the whole way to McGonagall’s office, who was not surprised to see her again for a mischeif she had done.

The fortunate thing: Remus was in the Hospital Wing, unable to attend this horrible event; the unfortunate thing: Professor Flitwick was having tea party with Minerva and Professor Sprout. Snape was most proud to show them his findings. Lucille was looking away in embarassment, her heart pounding faster, somehow predicting her expellment this time.

"I don’t reckon she did this all by herself, did you, Miss Lupin?” McGonagall asked, taking a sip.

"Surely some other older students had inluenced her into this," the head of Ravenclaw was certain.

"Don’t you undersand? I think she absolutely could. She is just like her father. Or have you forgotten what they have done to me that night?” Professor Snape was raising his voice.

”That would be enough, Severus!” McGonagall gave him a stern look.

"It is not! Unless, she is working with the little two evil Weasleys! We have all seen them together! They are just as bad! I insist we punish them as well!”

”Lucille, tell us,” said she, calmly, ignoring Severus Snape. ”Did somebody put you bring them inside the castle?”

”No...” she muttered, with no intention of betraying her friends. Especially Fred and George, aware that their mother would murder them.

”Are you sure?’ asked Professor Sprout, sounding unduly curious.

”I most certainly am, professor!”

The teachers glared at eachother. ”So you’re saying you brought them inside all by yourself, aware that these things have been forbidden by the Headmaster?”

Lucille shrugged innocently.

”Very well, if you don’t want to tell the truth, then all punishment will affect only you.” Lucille lowered herhead. It was not like she was unused to be punished.

”I thought you had a little more brain” said Flitwick, dissappointed, ”but this will teach you to have smarter choices in who to trust.”

To sum up, she was banned the whole year from Hogsmeade.

1. Whole. Year.

At least she wouldn’t clean the Trophy Room or Snape’s filthy cauldrons again.

Remus Lupin was caught by his daughter while correcting a pile of parchment sheets, seventh years’ essays. He was marking them with red ink, while Lucille was examinating the dark creatures he had used for decoration. Neville Longbottom wore his smile to his ears while saying goodbye to the teacher.

”He’s doing a fantastic job,” Neville told Lucille to his way out, his toad Trevor bouncing his way towards the complete opposite direction.

”I like what you did to your office.” There was a small, horned, green sort of creature into a pot. ”Aww, you’ve got yourself a pet.”

”Mind the Grindylow, it bites,” said he casually, caught in his work, but her finger was already bitten. She hoped it weren’t poisonous.

Lucille shook her fringer, eyeing Remus directly, and hesitated, “Dad, er—” Remus rose his glare towards her, “I have a question about this... You must have already seen him through the news, or heard of him—erm. What I am willing to ask is what did he do to be so—What was he arrested for?”

“Who are you talking about?” he asked, a soft smoothing in his voice.

“Sirius Black,” his glare tightened, “Other children say he did something bad, he worked for You-Know-Who but what’d he really do? There was this article saying he murdered a bunch of Muggles—“

“Lucille,” he intrerrupted her, strenly, “we are not to talk about such things. As you can see, I am working right now on something precisely important, and you are disturbing.”

“Sorry...” she turned around to leave, her stomach feeling heavier.

“And don’t read about that man again,” he added, “You are forbidden from simply mentioning him. Am I understood?”

Lucille nodded. As she returned that evening, as all her friends were off to Hogsmeade, she had found the office empty, though voices and noises were heard from the attic. 

”There you are, Lucille!” Remus turned, his sleeves to his elbows and his wand ready.

Harry Potter. He was standing on a shabby sofa, the first buttons of his shirt untucked, severely sweating.

”Hm.” Lucille straightened, a defiant glint in her eye as she met his gaze head-on.”Did not expect you here.”

”I didn’t either,’ His tone was more accusatory than curious, as if daring her to give an answer that would justify her presence in what he likely considered his territory,”but where else may you go while everyone’s at Hogsmeade?”

”Missing out all the fun, eh?” Her voice was cool, laced with a hint of challenge. She refused to back down, refusing to let him think he could intimidate her, even in this intimate space.

Potter's jaw tightened further, his frustration evident as he stepped closer, invading her personal space. "At least I’m not banned from there," he muttered, his tone low but sharp.

”All bad for the good, right?” Lupin intervened before it was too late, ”Now we’re all spending time together. This is good.”

”Can’t you put a good word for me to Professor Mcgonagall so she’d less off the punishment, dad? She adores you,” she said, persuadingly.

"Why would I do that? This punishment will make you be careful who you trust next time. And you’re not allowed to hang out with Fred and George grom this day forward. Minerva says they’re bad influence."

Potter laughed under his breath.

”But it’s not fair! They’re absolutely not! Besides, the Ravenclaw Quidditch Team, which I’m part of by the way, is talking about celebrating at the three broomsticks after we’ll win the game against Gryffindor.”

”Let them go then, they are clearly older. You have no bussiness to go there.” Harry chuckled again. ”Harry, are you going to that party?”

“No, sir, haven’t heard of it till now.”

Lucille looked at Potter sternly, “Of course you aren’t, you’re the rival team—“

“Lucille, stop right now!” He was drawing a great box in the center of the chamber. ”I’m teaching Harry how to invoke his Patronus, perhaps you will be interesting in joining us."

She raised an eyebrow, ”what’s that a Patronus?”

As Remus was explaining about the overly complicated spell hat included using his dearest memory, Lucille was jealous that Potter would be required to spend so much time with him, stealing him away and making her father adore him even more.

”I cand believe you think they’re here specially after you?! Well, who knows? Perhaps they fell in love—just kidding, dad—no, I wouldn’t like to learn it. Such a waste of time! As you say, it’s completely complicated and as far as I know, they’re not on my trail.”

The Hogsmeade evenings were spent watching Potter faint and fail over and over. Then, one afternoon, Remus left for his Wolfsbane potion and Lucille was left with him till he regained consciousness. She had put few drops of a brownish substance – something she had read about in a book – right under his nose which smelt awful but successfully woke him up.

”Good morning, sleeping beauty! It’s been a hundred years,” she said with a wide smile.

His hair was standing in all directions, few strings fell into his eyes as if he’d just got off his broomstick. He put his glasses upsite down and wiped his nose with a finger, disgusted, ”The bloody hell is this, were you trying to poison me?”

”It obviously didn’t work. You’re still breathing,” she giggled. ”Just kidding, I was trying out this new potion which is said to wake up silly people who faint a lot just like you. You should be thankful.”

He frowned, ”So you were testing it on me?!”

”Calm down, Harrykins. It worked. I am an especially skilled soon-to-be doctor and my prescription for you is lying in bed forever.”

He put a hand on his forehead, painfully, ”Where is Professor Lupin? How long have I been—”

”About ten minutes. Don’t worry about dad. He put me look after you till you wake up, and now you did, so you’re welcome.” She put her hand through a strap of the schoolbag, ready to leave.

Harry's usual confident demeanor was absent. Instead, he sat slumped in a chair, his emerald eyes clouded with frustration. ”I don’t think I’ll ever do it, ”he confessed, his voice a mixture of anger and despair.

”Do what?’ she turned to him, curious.

”The Patronus,” he shrugged doubtfully.

”You just have to accept you cant be good at everything,” Lucille concluded dryly.

”I don’t believe I am good at everything. But it almost worked! I saw smoke. I know I can do it, but it’s too damn hard.” He seemed a little too under the weather.

Lucille's heart softened at his admission, despite the animosity that usually simmered between them. She approached him tentatively, her footsteps barely audible on the worn wooden floor. "It's not easy," she said, her voice gentler than usual. "Butdon’t give up now. Who would annoy me on a daily basis if the Dementors take you away?"

She moved closer, her eyes fixed on him, but in her distraction, she accidentally kicked a box lying on the floor. It skidded across the room, the lid flying open. A Boggart emerged, twisting and contorting until it took the form of a lifeless wolf. Lucille's breath hitched in her throat. Lucille’s breath hitched, her eyes widening in terror. The wolf lay still, its eyes closed, a hauntingly familiar form.

“Dad…” she whispered, her voice breaking. Her mind flashed back to memories of her father, Remus, the gentle strength in his eyes, the warmth of his embrace. Seeing the wolf now, motionless and cold, she felt an overwhelming surge of panic. She couldn’t breathe, her chest tightening with fear.

Harry acted quickly, his wand already drawn. "Expecto Patronum!" he shouted, his voice steady and commanding. A magnificent silver stag erupted from his wand, galloping towards the Boggart and driving it back into the box. With a final, decisive flick, he sealed the lid, and the stag vanished in a shimmer of light.

Lucille stood frozen, her body trembling. Harry turned to her, his face etched with concern. "Lucille, it wasn't real," he said softly, stepping closer to her. "It was just that Boggart."

Seeing her distress, he reached out and placed a hand gently on her chest, feeling the rapid, frantic beat of her heart. "Breathe with me," he murmured, his voice calm and soothing. He guided her hand to rest on his chest, over his own heart. "In... and out. Slowly."

They stood inches apart, their breaths gradually falling into sync. Lucille felt a strange, unfamiliar warmth spreading through her, mingling with the remnants of her fear. She looked up into Harry's eyes, their green depths filled with concern and something else—something that made her heart flutter in a way she didn't want to acknowledge.

For a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them connected in their shared heartbeat. The firelight danced across Harry's face, highlighting the strong lines of his jaw and the intensity in his eyes. Lucille's breath caught, her mind reeling with the sudden, undeniable realization of her attraction to him.

But the awareness of their closeness snapped her back to reality. Embarrassed and overwhelmed, Lucille pulled away abruptly, her cheeks flushing with a mix of shame and something more. "I—I have to go," she stammered, grabbing her schoolbag and fleeing the office without a backward glance. As she ran through the corridors of Hogwarts, her mind whirled with conflicting emotions.