McGonagall Twins

The Gryffindors first years sat about the dinner table. It was finally the day Remus had been dreading. Sunday. He’d been irritable all day and ravishingly hungry devouring anything that was put before him. Luckily he’d been able to keep to himself and try to avoid the others. Rowanne and Lily had gone into the library so that had given him the perfect opportunity to sit somewhere silent. He still couldn’t read the pages of the book too well but he’d managed to find a book with some decent pictures and get a bit of homework done. Although he had to re-do his Potions essay three times because he kept snapping his quill head out of frustration, meaning ink splurted all over the partchmant. He was beginning to really miss biros.

He looked up after finishing his fifth plate of pork chops, “Sorry” he looked down embarrassed at the mountain of bones piled up beside him,

“Don’t apologize, I feel like I could eat like that sometimes” Sirius grinned at him,

The faces of the others were mixed, Robin and James seemed in awe of him while Sirius looked impressed. As always he couldn't tell what Peter was thinking, Lily seemed disgusted while Mary and Marlinne just looked confused. Rowanne on the other hand was the only one that seemed suspicious. He’d spent most of his time with her that day as Severus had taken Lily away just before lunch, although he had been dragged along to play a game of exploding snap when the other boys had realized he was missing.

He knew he’d messed up that day. He snapped at Rowanne for coughing at one point, though she didn’t seem phased, just a bit confused. Especially when a half true apology had tumbled out of his mouth. He’d had to lie his whole life, and he’d always found it easy. But not to these people, maybe it was because they were magical, or maybe it was because he actually cared about them. It didn’t matter, well it didn't seem to. It just made keeping his secret a secret all that harder. He’d also gotten angry at the boys once he lost his sixth game of wizard snap, the whole thing made no sense, and he didn’t really care so he wasn’t sure why he was so angry. But that taunting laugh Sirius gave, stucking his tongue out to mock Remus, just pushed him over the edge and he had to escape. Finding refuge with Rowanne once again in the library.

As dinner had finally subsided he made his excuses that the meat hadn’t agreed with him. That raised more suspicions than he had hoped but he played it off as having eaten too much. It seemed to pacify all except the younger twin but they still all left him so he could make his way over to the hospital wing.

Why did he care? What did it matter? They might be his friends but he didn’t owe them an explanation of his whereabouts did he? Those questions would have to wait as he turned the corridor to the hospital wing. He could see the tree in the bleak night. It looked even less appealing than it had the first day he’d arrived.

Madam Pomfrey greeted him at the door, checking his vitals once again before Professor McGonagall walked in. The two women made small talk with him as they walked down to the shrieking shack.

The transformation was as painful as ever, but the wolf left him relatively unscathed as it used the opportunity to explore its whereabouts. He awoke in the morning on the bed, pulling on a fresh pair of pajamas and attempting to get a few hours sleep before Madam Pomfrey arrived.

“Mr Lupin” , a soft voice, brought him back to his senses. He looked around, seeing the mediwitch peer around the door,

“Over here” he croaked,

“Oh my dear look at you” she handed him a potion which calmed the pain, allowing him to stretch out the aches and stiffness he was feeling.

They walked back to the hospital wing with Pomfrey talking away about the cruelty of it.

The rest of the day went by rather slowly for him. Being trapped in the hospital wing was great to an extent, he didn't have to go to lessons and could sleep all day. But on the other hand he missed his friends and knew the amount of work he'd have to catch up on.

James, Sirius and Peter came to visit him in between astronomy and transfigoration. He was sure that would have made them late which made him feel guilty but Remus was happy to see them. While they kept asking what was wrong he finally felt like he belonged.

They came back after lessons. This time bringing Robin and Rowanne along. Though the boys and Robin had left early, leaving him and Rowanne.

“Oh I brought your homework. Completely forgot”

“Thank you, I’m going stir crazy here, only so much sleep a guy can get”

“Maybe Madam Pomfrey will let you go, we can head to the library and work on it?”

“That'd be great thank you” he heaved a sigh of relief. He'd been nervous that he would miss important things that he needed, “by the way, I’m sorry about yesterday. I know I wasn't exactly great company”

“Eh it's fine. We all have our bad days” she smiled kindly, “what happened anyway?”

She was suspicious, and the thing with Rowanne was that she couldn’t bear being kept in the dark. She always found the answer, no matter how long it took her, if she thought someone was hiding something from her she would do whatever it took to find that out. She’d found out about every surprise party McGonagall had planned and she’d discovered everything she could about every situation.

“Like I said, food poisoning”

“No one else was sick though” she raised an eyebrow, looking exactly like her mother. Remus gulped,

“No one else ate as much meat as me” he smirked,

“Right. Okay” she wasn't convinced. Remus was hiding something, and Rowanne would find out exactly what it was if it was the last thing she did.

“So how have you and Lily been?”

“I think we're good, we worked together in herbology which was nice”

“Good, I’m glad you two are better” he smiled sheepishly,

“Thanks. Though I don't think Severus likes me”

“That's her other friend right?”

“Yeah he keeps glaring at me in the corridors, I don't quite know what to think at this point. Lily said he's just being protective because we had an argument. But it seems more like that. Like he wants her to himself”

“Weird”

“Yeah, I don't think it helps that James and Robin keep calling him Sniverless”

He chuckled as Madam Pomfrey walked over,

“Remus dear, how are you feeling?” She asked, placing her hand on Rowanne's shoulder as a sign of acknowledgement,

“Much better thank you. Do you think I'll be able to leave?” He asked hopefully,

“I don't see why not. Go on” He beamed, jumping out of bed, “take it easy though. I'm warning you”

“Of course Madam Pomfrey” he smirked, as the two hurried out of the hospital wing.

____________________________________________________________________________

Rowanne, Robin, Mary, Marlinne and Lily all sat around the fire in the Gryffindor common room, Lily was trying to explain the method of creating a forgetfulness potion.

“Robin it’s not that difficult”

“Easy for you to say”

“Rob, maybe if you sit upright it'll work better?” Rowanne asked,

“This way I’m getting blood to my brain, can you blame me”

“Hey Lil, go through step 3 again, I didn’t quite catch it” Marlinne said as she scribbled onto her parchment,

“I’m not writing this essay for you Marls” She sighed,

“Oh come on please, your much better at potions” Mary batted her eyelashes,

“Geez, you sound like Sev”

“He’s better than us so I think we deserve to know” Marlinne shrugged.

“Yeah come on Lils” Robin piped up.

“Guys leave her alone” Rowanne rolled her eyes, she knew how Lily felt. “But first, what was step 2?”

“You lot are impossible” Lily chuckled,

“Where is your boyfriend anyway” Robin asked,

“What boyfriend”

“Sniverless”

“Robin don’t call him that”

“I think it’s funny” Marlinne said as she cautiously reached over to take Lily’s instructions without her looking,

“It’s not he hates it”

“He’s a bit of a prick, I’m just saying” Mary shrugged,

“He is not. you just need to get to know him”

“I'm just saying Lils but I tried that. didn’t exactly go well”

“He was being protective, the more time you spend with him the more you’ll like him. you’ll see”

the other girls looked skeptically between each other,

“If you say so”

An awkward silence washed over them, until Robin broke it,

“Hey, pass us your water, let’s see if I can drink it upside down”

“That’s a terrible idea Rob” Rowanne shook her head,

“Yeah, you’ll get soaked,”

“Oh come on, don’t be a spoil sport”

“I kinda wanna see this” Marlene laughed, handing Robin a glass of water.

She was going relatively well, though half of it seemed to be escaping out her nose. But part way through the glass, the portrait opened and the person who entered made Robin choke on the water.

“M, mu, mum” She sputtered,

“What on earth are you doing?'' She looked at her disapprovingly, though quickly recovered, “I need you and Miss McGonagall to follow me.” She directed. Robin swung her legs down from the top of the sofa, almost taking Mary out with her. McGonagall winced, but kept her cool as the twins got up to follow their mother.

“Mum it’s almost curfew” Rowanne stated half questioning her mother. McGonagall didn’t turn around but glided towards the door,

“Doesn’t matter” The twins looked between each other, this was definitely unusual,

“I’m going to say don’t wait up for us” Robin grinned, enjoying the drama as always,

Rowanne on the other hand was terrified, she went through everything that had happened that weeked. Other than the odd run-in with Severus she’d kept pretty much to the library, or over by her favorite tree when she needed to be alone. Nothing her mother would be this angry about. She ran to catch up with Minerva and Robin, “Mum what’s going on?”

“Your grandparents want to talk to you” She said, with little emotion. Rowanne breathed a sigh of relief, of course.

“Ugh youve got to be kidding me mum” Robin rolled her eyes,

“Robin, I am not in the mood. They are your grandparents and you love them”

“Yeah I know but we were in the middle of something”

They reached the door to McGonagall’s quarters, “Well then you better make this quick” She said before adding all they needed, to know what they already knew Minerva was thinking, “Please”

“Okay okay” The door was opened and the two girls made their way into the lounge area where the fire stood,

“Mum, dad look who I brought” Minerva smiled, faking every bit of it,

The girls knelt down in front of the fire, addressing the two individuals inside,

“Hi Nanny, Gramps” Rowanne addressed the two figure heads,

“Hello sweetpea, your mother finally dragged you out did she” Isobel returned the smile,

“Mum, I didn’t drag them” McGonagall sighed, already irritated,

“Well I don’t see why they have to sleep in the dormitatry” Isobel shot back

“Nanny it’s fine. We like being there” Robin piped in,

“We have our friends and the common room”

“Well I think you should be closer to your mother. It’s an oversight on her part. We don’t want them turning out like you”

Minerva pursed her lips, the girls sat silently, unsure of what to say. Robin braved a look up at her mother. It was clear she was hurt, but she hid it well enough from her parents.

Robert had kept quiet. He always did, ever since the twins were born. He loved them, but they were the main reason he now had a strained relationship with his daughter, not that that was their fault.

“Turning out like what, mother” McGonagall shot

Isobel began to speak, but her husband cut in front. “You know what she means, Minerva. But we’re not here to discuss your life. We’re here to talk to the twins”

“Yes, yes we are, tell me everything you two! How are your classes? Made any new friends?”

It hurt McGonagall to watch her mother being kind to the twins, asking questions she didn’t think she’d ever been asked. But she was happy for them, she knew her mother could be that way. She always had been with her brothers.

Robin began recounting their time there, happily telling the story of her prank. McGonagall sighed, from the faces of her parents she knew they weren’t impressed, but they said nothing. In their eyes it wasn’t Robin’s fault, it was hers.

The girls finished raving to their grandparents about Hogwarts, lessons, Sirius, James (Robin talked excessively about James), Peter, Remus. Rowanne said very little, Robin was often oblivious to what was going on between Minerva, Isobel and Robert. It had been going on their entire lives, while there were times Robin hated talking to them, specifically because she’d rather be playing quidditch or exploding snap and they weren’t allowed to do that at their house. Rowanne on the other hand wasn’t oblivious, she hadn’t worked out why there was a rift between her mother and grandparents but she knew there was one. However whenever they were around them, Isobel and Robert were nothing but loving and kind towards the children, and one snappy comment from McGonagall when she was 7 had made Rowanne too nervous to ask anymore.

It was almost 10.30 when the girls left the deputy’s quarters, McGonagall walked them back to the Gryffindor dormitory, not saying a word.

“Mum?” Rowanne eventually asked as they reached the portrait hole,

“Yes munchkin” Her voice was soft and kind, but there was something behind it, as though she had to make a conscious effort not to snap at her daughter,

“Are you alright?” Rowanne felt even more unsure about the situation, she shouldn’t have said anything,

“I’m fine love” She smiled slightly, but Rowanne still looked concerned. Maybe Minerva could see the fear and uncertainty in her daughters eyes because she dropped down to her level, “Don’t worry dear. I’m used to it” She kissed Rowanne on the forehead, reaching out and squeezing Robin’s wrist. “Now off you go. Goodnight girls”

“Night mum” Robin smiled, walking through the portrait. Rowanne lingered back for a moment, still concerned, until she too left.

____________________________________________________________________________

The next day Robin sat in detention, she had been given the task of finishing the essay she was supposed to have handed in that day.

“Mum I'm stuck” Robin winned, looking up from her desk at Minerva who was working at hers.

“Professor, Miss McGonagall” Minerva said, “What do you mean?”

“I don't get how I'm supposed to do this” She had never gotten upset over something as trivial as homework. Well trivial to her. But she really wanted to do well, impress her mother. Well that was what she was telling herself, in reality she wanted to impress a boy. One that seemed obsessed with the grades of another girl. Maybe if she did well he'd like her as well?

“Do what dear” Her voice softened, seeing the girl's distress,

“Write this essay, I've written it three times but it's just not right” she sighed, tired, frustrated and angry.

“I'm sure it's fine” She smiled, Robin was actually trying. It was a nice change.

“I’ve tried mum. I really have, it's just not written correctly, I don't know how to write essays” She sighed, dropping her head into her hands

“Oh princess it's okay,” McGonagall moved from her desk, kneeling down in front of Robin,

“Can you show me how” She asked, voice breaking

McGonagall thought for a moment, "I can't offer you that opportunity and not the others"

"But other kids can ask their parents for help"

"They're not the teacher that set the essay"

"But mum…" She flickered her eyes, hoping to convince her mother

"Let me see what I can do princess" McGonagall smiled, she couldn’t let her daughter suffer. But it couldn’t just be Robin right? Every first year had to be struggling with this.

The next day they walked into transfiguration, Robin had her homework in her hands, completely unsure about it. But on the board there wasn't any transfiguration. Robin smiled when she saw the title,

'how to write an essay'

Her mother had come up with something.

____________________________________________________________________________

Friday rolled around, Rowanne sat at the breakfast table in between Robin and Mary. Marlene sat opposite Mary, Lily next to her opposite Rowanne, with Sisius beside her and James next to Robin. Sirius had been joking around with James, until the moment the owls delivered a post.

“Sirius are you alright?” James asked

“Yeah I’m good” he said

“Are you sure? You look like you’ve seen a ghost” Remus asked, a look of concern evident ion his face,

“Yeah mate it’s not like you to not eat your sausages” James commented,

“Oh, I’m just not feeling it” He stated bluntly, also unusual,

Rowanne studied him for a moment. No he definitely wasn’t okay. But Lily, Marlene and Mary were finishing up. Heading off to their first lesson and Rowanne hurried to join them.

By lunchtime it was clear to everyone that Sirius wasn't okay, he was quiet, distant. Even McGonagall had kept him behind to check up on him, not that she wouldn't do that for anyone. Rowanne decided someone had to talk to him. James had apparently tried but he'd been shut out. Rowanne wondered if it had anything to do with the letter Sirius had received. But who would be writing to him that might leave him feeling that way?

She decided that maybe Robin could talk some sense into him. It was clear to her that Sirius admired Robin. He had since the day they'd met in Diagon Alley. Specifically he'd admired her since the moment she'd stood up to Sirius' mother.

“Oi Rob” she dragged her sister behind the others as they walked towards the great hall.

“You alright Ro?”

“Yeah, but I don't think Sirius is”

“Nah he seems off”

“You should talk to him”

“Why?” Robin looked blankly at her, typical.

“Because you're his friend. And I think he needs someone to talk to”

“That's your area”

Rowanne rolled her eyes, “please Rob. I think he needs to”

“Okay okay, fine. I'll talk to him”

“Thanks Rob”

Robin rolled her eyes, rushing over to join Mary and Marlene. Rowanne hurried after her, coming up next to Lily.

____________________________________________________________________________

“Hey Sev, over here” Lily called from their spot by the lake. Lessons had finally finished for the day and it was abnormally warm for a late September evening. Lily had decided this would be the perfect opportunity to introduce her best friend to her Gryffindor friends. But it hadn't gone to plan. Marlene and Robin had gone to watch the quidditch try-outs and Mary had tagged along. Leaving Rowanne and Lily to be the only two meeting Severus.

From a distance Rowanne could see his jet black hair glistening in the sun, scoul plastered all across his face. He walked hunched over, seemingly disinterested in meeting them. Lily ran to meet him, abandoning their chess game which was fair enough, she was losing by a mile.

Seveus stood rigid with arms wrapped around him. Lily eventually broke the hug, grabbing his hand and dragging the reluctant boy over to their base.

“Sev, meet Rowanne. Officially” Lily smiled

“Hey” Rowanne looked down, embarrassed.

He just made an indignant grunt, standing awkwardly, “Sev sit down” Lily rolled her eyes, pulling him onto the floor. He crumpled onto the floor, glaring at Rowanne.

There was an awkward silence for a while, Lily attempting to make conversation between the two, Rowanne tried her best but this was Robin’s area of expertise and Severus certainly didn’t help matters. He sat not engaging with Rowanne except for shooting daggers in her direction every time she spoke. Apart from that Lily carried the conversation for a while trying to break the ice between the two.

“So Sev, how were your classes? Rowanne thought they were idiots in transfiguration as well” She smiled,

“Ummm, yeah. Robin was way out of line. Sorry you got caught in the crosshairs” He studied her for a moment, scowling but saying nothing,

“Sev?” Lily pushed him,

“What?” His voice was cold, sharp.

“Don’t be like that” Lily winned,

“I’m not!”

“Yes you are”

He folded his arms, looking away.

“Well, Rowanne, have you finished that astronomy thing Gonnolinne set you. He’s so hard on you”

Rowanne shrugged, “He’s always been like that”

“Your lucky” Snape sneered,

“What are you talking about”

“You’re lucky he pays attention to you”

“Sev he’s like really mean though. Didn’t you see what he did today, he wripped her essay in half in front of the entire class”

“Maybe it wasn’t good. Did you ever think of that?”

“Rowanne’s was better than mine! Why are you being like this Sev”

“Like what?”

“Mean, your being mean”

“I’m saying the truth Lily”

“You know what we’re going” Lily stood up,

“What, why?”

“Because of you Severus” Lily grabbed a hold of Rowanne’s arm, dragging her away from the lake. Rowanne looked back, Severus looked fumming, but that wasn’t what she cared about. What she cared about was the chess board that was next to him. It would be alright, she would come back for it later.

____________________________________________________________________________

The other three girls walked back towards the castle, the quidditch tryouts had been really fun to watch, especially when James had gotten annoyed at some of the directions and ran out onto the pitch to ‘offer his advice’ that hadn’t gone down well with Marlene’s brother and James had been told to leave which left Sirius with the girls.

Robin liked James, he was smart, funny and he made her feel special. His constant comments surrounding her pranks and jokes made her smile and feel accepted, something she’d rarely felt before. His heart fluttered every time he spoke about her, especially those large proclamations of her brilliance. But he never seemed to see her that way. His eyes sparkled at another and his smile widened whenever she walked by. It hurt Robin, she didn’t hate the girl, but it definatly stung. First Rowanne and naw James. Lily was taking everyone away from her. There was however Sirius, he was nice, kind, and he seemed to like her, admire her almost. That was nice, no one had ever admired her as such.

Talking of Sirius, he was walking behind them, not really looking up. Robin remembered her conversation with Rowanne earlier, now it’d been pointed out she could see what Rowanne meant. Sirius was hunched over, white as a sheet. Robin dropped back from the conversation, not that she’d been paying much attention anyway.

“Yo” Robin walked beside him, placing her arm on his shoulder

“Huh, what? Oh hi” He looked up, facing her,

“So what’s up?”

“Nothing, why do you all think i’m upset”

“Because you’ve been floating around the castle like a depressed moaning myrtle”

“What on earth are you talking about”

“It’s pretty obvious your not alright”

“I- I’m sorry, that wasn’t my intention”

“I’m not good at this”

“Good at what”

“Feelings, that was always Rowanne’s thing. If we came across someone crying, like a stressed seventh year or a scared first year, it was always Rowanne who dealt with it”

“Oh, cool”

“But I'm here though, if you want to talk, need to talk”

There was a silence for a while before Sirius finally spoke, “I got a letter”

“This morning right?”

“Yeah, it was from my parents”

“Is that not good?”

“Not when it comes to my parents”

“What did it say?” Robin asked as they finally entered the castle,

“It’s complicated”

“Where do you want to start?”

“Well basically they’re angry at me”

“Why”

“For being in Gryffindor”

“That sucks Gryfindor is awesome”

He chuckled, “Yeah, it is. But not according to my parents”

“Why not?”

“Every generation of the Blacks has been in Slytherin”

“Every one?”

“Since the school opened. We’re part of the Sacred 21”

“What is that again?”

“It’s 21 families who have no muggle blood in them. They pretty much hate all muggle-borns and anyone who sympathizes with them”

Robin thought back to her conversation with Rowanne, “What about half-bloods?”

“Them to, not as much as muggle borns but they’re still seen as lesser”

“So your parents are angry because your not in the house they wanted you to be in”

“Yeah, they said I was-” He paused as they reached the gryffindor dormitory, “Why don’t I just get the letter”

“Yeah sure” They entered, it was quite busy for a Friday night and most of the seats were taken, there certainly wasn’t any place to have a private conversation. Robin found a corner however, it was on the opposite side of the fireplace but had a radiator which made it warm. She crouched down, spreading out against the wall on the floor.

Sirius returned moments later, eventually spotting her and coming over to join her on the floor. He handed her the letter and she read. Robin didn’t like reading, it hurt her eyes and brain, the words would often jump off the page and mix with others, it was quite annoying. She read through the letter, twice to be certain.

“Sirius, this, it, it isn’t”

“I don’t want to go home”

“What do you mean”

“I don’t want to be punished”

“What are you talking about?”

“I don’t want to be hurt” His eyes had welled with tears at this point but Robin just looked at him dumbfounded. She placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to be comforting, but failing miserably. He didn’t remove it however, he just looked up, staring into her amber eyes. “I’m scared”

“I know” Robin was almost shocked at herself, “But Sirius I need you to tell me, who’s going to hurt you”

He looked at her confused, “My mother. Walburga, of the ancient and noble blah blah” His face was defeated but still he was able to make her smile,

“Why would she do that?”

“Because I’ve disappointed her”

“But it’s not your fault”

He looked away, “It’s not Sirius. She shouldn’t hurt you. I swear that’s illegal, it must be. We could go to my mother, she’ll do something”

“NO” His eyes filled with terror and he pushed Robin’s arm away from him, “No, please no”

“Okay, okay, I won’t tell anyone. I promise”

“Thank you” He seemed to relax again, just as the three other boys came into the common room.

“Oi there you are!” James called rushing over to them.

“I think Mary and Marlene were looking for you. Dinner’s almost over and Lily and Rowanne seemed upset” Peter explained to Robin. She snapped into action, Rowanne, upset.

“Thanks, I better go. Sirius, are you going to be alright?” She sounded like Rowanne,

“Yeah, I’ll be fine, thanks Robin” She smiled at him, her eyes didn’t meet James’ like they normally would, as she rushed out of the common room. Two beady eyes following her, Sirius’. He suddenly felt very vulnerable.

____________________________________________________________________________

****TRIGGER WARNING!!!!! BULLYING. TILL END OF THIS SECTION*******

The weekend ticked by for Rowanne, she attempted her essay again, once again having it wrapped up in front of her. Lily and Severus hadn’t spoken so the girl had been around more than usual, not that Rowanne didn’t still spend most of her day at her table in the library hiding and trying to write something that wouldn’t become a meaningless pile of ash when she next met Gonnoline on Monday.

She had gone back for her chess set but it hadn’t been there, she felt a stab of pain. It had been given to her for Christmas by her mother and they would always play, not that she ever won.

There was a cough behind her. Rowanne didn't think much of it. But there it was again, and again. Each time more purposeful. Eventually Rowanne turned around to see Severus following her. She turned back around,

Before she could do anything however Severus had come up on her left side, pushing her towards the stone wall of the corridor. It was deserted, of course it was deserted. What was he doing? Why was he doing it?

“Look at you. Your nothing more than a silly little girl. I can challenge Lily, I can make her happy. Not you” His face was close to her’s now. His breath condecending on her neck. He drew backwards, arms paced either side of her head. There was no escape. No where to run, no where to hide. “Here’s what you’re going to do Rowanne” He spat her name with such disgust that it shook her to her core, she backed furtherinto the wall, hoping it would swallow her whole, of course it didn’t. “Your going to tell Lily that we talked, that we’re friends and then you’re going to tell her to talk to me. Or else I will take this worthless peice of junk and give it to the squid. Maybe it’ll teach those half-breed mermaids a thing or two”

A hint of fear flashed across her eyes. What would she tell Minerva? But it didn’t matter, he was gone. Almost as quickly as he had appeared, leaving Rowanne panting, clutching the wall for support.

____________________________________________________________________________

The next day the Gryffindors sat around the table at dinner, Mary, Marlene, and Lily were discussing some of the herbology homework they had. Rowanne sat awkwardly, she'd been accosted by Severus again today and now she had to get Lily to forgive him.

Robin also wasn't invested in the conversation, she sat admiring James as he talked about his most recent attempt at pranking professor Flitwick by gradually removing one book from the pile every lesson. It had been a week since he'd begun and the desk professor Flitwick usually stood at was now up to his chin, the poor man had no idea.

Opposite Robin, Sirius sat there staring at her. He felt better since their talk, at least someone else knew what he was going through. She intrigued him, no one he knew could stand up to his mother, face her head on and come out not feeling like they'd been hit with the imperious and cruciatus curse combined.

Rowanne had barely touched her meal when the girls got up to leave, Mary, Marlene and Robin walking ahead as Rowanne pulled Lily back to walk with her.

“Thing 1, are you alright?”

“Yeah yeah, I'm alright”

“Are you sure? You've barely eaten”

“Mhm, I just wanted to ask you something”

“Sure whats up?” She linked her arm with Rowanne's as they followed the other girls,

“Well Inwas wondering what's happened between you and Severus”

“What?” Lily looked confused, “nothing, happened”

“I think he feels like you don't like him”

“He was mean to you”

“It's fine”

“No it's not”

“He apologized” well that was a li

“He did?”

“Yeah, he said you'd given him time to think and he said sorry” more lies

“Hmmm. Okay, well maybe I'll talk to him”

“Soon, please”

“Alright, soon” they approached the portrait hole,

“Come on you two” Marlene called,

“Coming” Lily ran to catch up, Rowanne following slightly behind her.

____________________________________________________________________________

Robin wandered down the halls, she was unsure. The end of the month had rolled around and for the first time she was walking towards the transfiguration classroom in the evening for something other than detention. Yet she was even more nervous than she normally would be.

She approached the door, opening it and peering inside. However it was empty except from the small slither of light that emerged from the door in the corner, clearly there specifically to invite her in.

As Robin walked through the room, weaving through desks until she reached the door. Her mind swirled with questions, should she be here? What would they do? Did McGonagall really want her there? What would they talk about?

Her hand reached towards the doorknob but she suddenly had a change of heart. No, Minerva didn't want her there, she'd said that because of Rowanne, she wanted to see Rowanne and she couldn't do something for one twin and not the other. She turned around, making her mind up to leave, but she was too late.

“Robin?” The door opened and McGonagall stood there, smiling down at her. Robin whipped round to face her, “come on in princess” McGonagall guided her inside, hand placed comfortingly on her back,

They entered the room, Robin's eyes widening as she saw in the kitchen bags of ingredients. She turned back to her mother, all fear and anxiety leaving her face, to be replaced with a beaming smile.

“Flapjack!?”

Minerva smiled back, “your favorite”

“Can we make them?”

“No i put them there as decoration” Minerva rolled her eyes, “come on” she winked, walking over to the kitchen.

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*******TRIGGER WARNING!!!! BULLYING AND BODILY HARM******

A few days had passed and the weekend rolled around, she decided to make use of the autumnal heat, finding her favoroute spot. It was cose to thw Whomping Willow, allowing her to study it at ease, but a safe distance away that he wasn’t in any danger.

She flicked through information regarding the Whomping Willow and hoped that she might finally learn something. All her homework was done, and if she worked any harder on her astronomy essay any harder it would loopback round and be as bad as it was before.

She had read through any book she could think of that might be in any way related to the Whomping Willow, but no luck. On top of that Remus’ odd behavior had resurfaced which confused her greatly. He would get progressively angry, annoyed and short tempered before falling ill one night and being bedridden the next morning. It was quite peculiar.

Severus on the other hand had left her alone, Lily had started hanging out with him again, meaning she spent much longer hours alone in the library. That suited Rowanne, she liked LIly, of course she did, but nothing could beat some alone time.

It could have been a few minutes, it coud have been an hour. But Rowanne didn’t notice the figure walking towards her. Not until he was right on top of her, his shadow breaking the perfct light on her textbook.

“Hello” That cold, sly smile appeared upon her face, one that she’d come to reccognise over the past month. He had a wooden box in his hand. Her box, her chess set. Rowanne got up, hoping to change the visible power difference between them. It didn’t work.

“You want this?” His eyes gleamed with power, lording every peice he could from her. The box in his hand shook, taunting her.

“Severus give it back”

That didn’t seem like the right thing to say, not to him. He didn’t like it.

“Maybe I won’t” His voice was laced with something, something foul, though she couldn’t tell what.

Rowanne dropped her head, embaraseed. Why are you embaraseed? Great, the voice was back, now you’re embarassed about feeling embarassed, how stupid Yes it was stupid but right now she needed to focus on Severus. What was he doing? Rowanne focused back on the conversation, Severus was now gliding away from her. But where was the chess set, it wasn’t in his hand. She glanced around before spotting it. Rushing forward without even thinking.

_________________________________________________________________________________

“Mum!” McGonagall’s head snapped upwards. Her seventh years did the same, she always set exams at the end of Christmas and so with her newly open Saturdays, she’d began a revision club, mainly for fifth and seventh years, but some sixth years came. And sometimes Rowanne, come to think of it she hadn’t seen Rowanne yet. They were working on an essay, but the prospect of what might happen was too interesting.Robin burst through the door, causing Minerva to stand up in protest.

“Young lady” She’d been too startled to keep her teacher face on, dropping straight into treating Robin like her child and not just another student, “What do you-”

“Oh shut up” A few of her students giggled “We don’t have time for that. Rowanne's in the hospital wing!”

“What!” McGonagall's face turned, “Come on” She rose, fear creeping on her face as she gradded Robin’s hand, marching down the corridor.