Hogwarts, 7th Year II
September 18th, 1975
Agnes was sitting at a table in the school library, searching for a book that could maybe clear her mind on the events of a few days prior. Her encounter with a mystical creature such as a unicorn had been truly impactful, and her near death experience with the huge spider was all she could think about now. She felt like there was something to understand. But what? All these information were battling in her mind and she did not know how to analyze them in order.
She had written to jeanne to tell her all about what had happened, and had finally received an answer that very morning. To escape from her dormmates who were sometimes a little invasive, she had found calm in the library. She opened the letter carefully.
"My dear Agnes,
What you experienced must have been traumatizing. I have so many things to tell you but my first question is that I wondered why you felt so compelled to go to those woods all of a sudden. Do you reckon that unicorn sort of called you? Maybe magically, like telepathy or something?
I read some books on magical creatures, and the only common trait I could find between the elementals and unicorns could only be found in their gift of infinite life. The blood of a unicorn allows one to transform into an immortal being. An elemental, on the other ahnd, can share such gift with their mate when marrying them.
You should ask your headmaster about it, maybe he knows more.
I also urge you to be careful. If Dumbledore asked you to learn defensive magic, it is probably because he knows you are in danger.
As for the reason why you might be the target of any crime, it is still a mystery to me too. As long as we don't know why someone might be after you, it is preferrable you keep practicing your magic (in safer spaces than that bloody forest!)
I will search some more and let you know. Be safe and keep me updated.
J.DLC"
- Reading your love letters, Lenoir? Said a voice behind her, breaking the silence of the library.
- Bloody Hell! Let out Agnes in a breath.
Remus Lupin was standing behind her, a smile on his face. He was holding a few books under his arm, and his hand was resting on the back of her chair. The young boy came to sit down in front of her, carefully putting the dusty volumes next to him.
- I heard you became prefect. Congrats' She said in a forced smile, trying to hide her perturbed expression from reading the letter.
- That's right. Hard to keep up with the rules when my best friends are the most troublesome students in the school. Admitted Remus.
- I think you'll do a great job, even if that means closing your eyes on some of their mischieves. She smiled.
They laughed out loud and that's when the librarian shushed them loudly from afar, with her usual angry eyes.
September 22nd, 1975
Finally back at the duelling club, Agnes felt at peace. She was literally the superstar of the club, and everyone had congratulated her for her previous victory at the inter-house competition. She loved the sound of compliments, like a song to her ears. But she knew she could do better, and she was eager to consult the professor in regards to her future participation to high-level championships.
Having heard of the passionate duels of the last term, many first years had signed up to the club, wanting to learn from the best. The professor looked happier than ever, seeing his extracurricular work having won recognition beyong the school borders.
Agnes was helping with the level tests, to put the new students into their groups. Some of them were really bad, she had to admit, but others looked motivated to learn and already had some good techniques.
A blonde haired boy stepped out of the crowd, ready for his first duel. His wand before him, he shouted and mumbled some non-existant spell towards his opponent. Agnes frowned her eyebrows. What was he trying to do?
The young girl in front of the student executed a perfect experlliarmus towards him which made his wand flew to the other corner of the room.
Agnes congratulated her and led her to her group, before turning back to the boy.
- I let her win, you see? I don't think a gentleman should attack on a lady as their first encounter. I will try again, now. He said, his chin lifted in a proud expression.
- Err.. I'm afraid you will have to stick with the level 1 group for now. You can try again during the next levelling session in November. Agnes answered with a polite smile.
The face of the boy darkened.
- But... but-
- I am sure you have a great potential, but it is only fair each student get one chance, you see.
- But I- I am a Lockhart! And Lockharts never lose!
- It is not losing, boy. Anyway, what's your full name, please? So I can add you to the list.
He marked a silence.
- Gilderoy Lockhart. And you actually may be right, after all. If I am in the lower level group, I can serve as a mentor figure for my peers. Ha ha! What a great idea!
Agnes was flabbergasted. Well, they had earned an interesting case, hadn't they? That Lockhart boy was a promising pain in the arse, she thought.
The blonde haired student was wearing ravenclaw colors. She had never seen him in the common rooms or elsewhere. She felt a bit ashamed he was in her house, but she would have to endure it.
Severus Snape was the one in charge of this group, and when the young Lockhart appeared in front of him, the Slytherin student suddenly looked so tall and scary. He was like the total opposite of the boy. Agnes tried to restrain a laugh. She knew Snape wouldn't have the patience to hear his spiels.
But, as if he had heard her thought, the dark-haired teenager looked up at her, locking his eyes onto her. Her smile faded at once and she looked away, not wanting him to curse her on the spot.
October 20th, 1975
Agnes had received a small package from Mrs Potter, who welcomed her to visit them during the winter holidays. Agnes had really enjoyed her time at the Potters, and had especially close to Mrs potter, who had a kind heart and sincere love to give.
The parcel was filled with all sorts of homemade biscuits. She had to go tell James to thank his mother on her behalf.
When she finally arrived at the entrance of the Gryffindor dorm, she waited for a student to enter or leave to ask them to fetch the 5th year. She didn't have to wait long as a familiar face appeared from her right.
- Remus!
- What are you doing here? He asked.
He seemed out of breath, and his face looked paler than usual.
- I...came to see James, I received a parcel from his mum.
- Right. I'll call him for you.
He gave the password and the door opened magically.
- Hey.. Um. Are you okay? Agnes asked, hesistantly.
- I'm fine. Just tired. He responded, not meeting her eyes.
Without one more word, the Gryffindor entered the common room, leaving her outside, a confused expression on her face. Remus had never been so cold to her. She knew he was not the most extraverted person around, but he was always polite and gave her a smile every time he saw her at school. Perhaps he was feeling sick? Or had been scolded or got a detention from Filch or something. Weird.
She waited a few more seconds before the door opened itself again, this time James appearing in front of her. He seemed in a good mood, and they talked for a bit, the younger boy promising he'd add a little word for his mother in the next owl he'd send his parents.
- Is Lupin alright? He looked ill. She ended up asking, too worried to keep it to herself.
- Oh.. You know, there are some days where we're not feeling the best! He'll be fine. James said, a polite smile on his face.
It sounded fake. James was a great liar, but Agnes had figured out his tone of voice changing when she had mentionned Remus. There was something off, and James seemed aware of it. But she thought it would be better not to push it, and thanked her friend before walking back to her dorm.
She had worked on some assignements Slughorn asked them to finish by their next class, and chatted with her dormmates in their rooms. One of the girls had brought some new fragrance her uncle imported from Asia, and were trying it out. Each fragrance had a magical spell which made the person smelling it see things like the jungle of Zambia or the beaches of Indonesia.
Agnes had tried the Aurora Borealis one, and northern lights had suddenly filled their dorm room, all the girls going into raptures before the beauty of the scenery.
The sun had already set when Agnes joined the rest of the Ravenclaw students in the common room. The prefects had organized a performance featuring some indoor magical fireworks, and all the first years seemed to enjoy it.
They all looked so young, she thought. Suddenly, the young student crying in Dumbledore's office came back to her mind. He was young too. Yet, he'd lost his father to the death eaters, those crazy assholes. She felt her heart beating faster from the emerging anger. She hated the injustice of it all.
It was always the same story, not being born 'pure' enough, what did it even mean ? Everyone was pure in its own way, and should be born equal, not judged on their parents blood affiliations or magic posession or lackthereof.
She felt the tips of her fingers tingle, and the fire in the chimney suddenly grew stronger in the common room. Fortunately, no one seemed to pay attention, and Agnes escaped from the dorm quickly before someone paid attention to her. The corridors were silent, compared to the Ravenclaw compartment. All the portraits seemed to rest in their own canvas, ready for sleeping.
Agnes knew the curfew was about to start, but she really needed to take some fresh air. Most surely Dumblledore would understand if she explained she had escaped to avoid putting the common room on fire. Although she hated admitting that she still lost control from time to time. Especially fire, which responded really well to anger.
She was lucky enough to reach the outside without being seen by any professor on duty. The night was clear, and many stars were already shining bright in the sky. Everything around her was well illuminated by natural lgiht, and she realized it was a full moon. Maybe that's why she had felt all over the place today. She sighed.
She walked straight, not really knowing where she was going. It felt good not caring about the rules for once, just wandering around and looking at everything under a new light. Hogwarts looked different at night. She could see the lights coming from many windows, and notices some shadows of people walking back and forth in their room.
Agnes stopped moving at once when she heard some voices rom afar. She sat, crouched on the wet grass, trying to see from where it came from.
A few dozens of meters before her, a little group of students was chatting, unsuccessfully discreet, and were heading towards the Whomping Willow. They're crazy! she thought. They're going to get smashed by that huge tree!
Not wanting to be discovered, she decided to follow them from afar, just in case they would get harmed. The young witch took her wand in one hand and the other on the ground, holding her steady while still be crouched.
As she got closer, the voices kept resonating in her head, and got suddenly really familiar.
Oh, she should have seen it coming.
The marauders.
They were up to something, for sure! They always seemed to find a way to get into trouble and were heading directly towards disaster. James Potter, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew and Remus Lupin had stopped walking and were standing near the moving tree who was starting to get agitated at their presence.
- Peter, are you sure? asked James in a loud whisper, in a serious voice.
- Yes! Yes! I'm sure. I practiced enough, I promise I'll do it correctly this time. And I won't go back to the dorms when you guys are having fun together.
- Do you think we're here to have fun? snapped Remus, a tired hand running through his face.
Everyone stopped talking and looked at the Gryffindor, surprised by his cold tone.
- Alright, mate? Asked James, a hand on his friend's shoulder.
- Yeah. I- I gotta get inside now. It's going to start soon. Remus answered, hurrying towards the Whomping Willow.
_ Wormtail, don't mess this up! Sirius added before walking behind Lupin.
The shortest student sighed and grumbled something Agnes did not catch, and followed the group.
She was about to stand up and reveal herself, she had to prevent them from getting hurt! They were reckless !
She had opened her mouth to discreetly shout their names, but stopped dead.
The scene happening before her eyes had left her mute from the shock.
Blimey...
Sirius Black had just turned into a wolf-like looking black dog.
Agnes' eyes widened even more when James Potter transformed into a sag, with fresh horns on his head. Remus had vanished under the tree, followed by the two animals, leaving Peter Pettigrew alone on the grass.
He seemed hesitant, and finally gave himself some words of encouragement. And vanished as well.
Wait, no. He was still there. Under the form of...
...a rat??!!
The little rodent sprinted towards the tree and vanished under it, just like had done his friends.
Agnes stood there, mouth and eyes opened. Speechless.
She did not know what to do, how to act, where to go. What had she just witnessed? She was in shock.
These teenagers she thought she knew were animagus? How was that possible? They were only in their 5th year, there was no way they'd managed to learn such type of magic so early. Or maybe they were Metamorphmagus? But all of them? It wasn't that common. Impossible.
She felt a rush of adrenaline and, without a second thought, ran towards the castle, hurrying to get back to her dorm room, as if to forget what she had just seen and get back to normal.
She carefully avoided McGonagall who she heard coming from the Great Hall, and Agnes quickly climbed the stairs to the Ravenclaw tower.
When she had finally made it back to her bed, the girls were asking her where she'd been, when it was way past curfew. She'd pretexted a headache and that she had to run by the nursery to get some calming solutions, before going to the showers where she could finally think about what had happened a few minutes prior.
The group of boys she had befriended were most likely animagus. At 15 years old. Each one of them. Although she hadn't seen what animal Remus had changed into, she assumed he was also part of it.
How crazy, how.. impressive!
And how illegal... But that was obvious coming from them.
Agnes did not sleep for the most part that night, thinking over and over about the scene she had witnessed. The dog, the sag and the rat. And Remus. And his exhausted expression.
For the few hours she'd slept, her dreams were filled with animals of all sorts, and agitated by her being chased by enormous spiders.
The last image crossing her mind before she finally got some rest was a rounded shape of white, shining in the dark.
Today was a full moon.