Fifth year II.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast..." Rhea lifted her head up at the sound of the headmaster's voice. She felt terribly tired and her head seemed heavy as it ailed as if someone was pinching her brain with sharp metal nails.
She and the twins had quite a nasty experience on the train where Rhea almost fainted when the black figure came into their compartment. Luckily for her, Remus came just in time to cast a Patronus charm. Saving the situation before anything could happen. Rhea would have done it herself, as she is quite skilled in this particular spell. But in the haste, she wasn't able to recognise the creature as Dementor. Nothing happened with either of them but the aftermath was now falling on Rhea, concerning both twins and her other friends.
"Are you sure you feel fine? I can take you to the Hospital Wing if you want..." Angelina suggested. She was a caring friend. Even if she doesn't let it be seen by the others. And when she found out what happened to Rhea she blew up on the twins saying that they should have kept an eye on her. Of course, it wasn't their fault. But try explaining that to an angry and worried mama Angelina. Impossible.
"I'm fine Ange...just a bit tired," Rhea muttered softly, giving her friends a tired smile that couldn't deceive anyone. But since no one wanted to cause a fuss in the packed-up Great Hall they kept quiet. All of them kept a close eye on the blond.
"As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business." The hinting couldn't be more subtle. Yet every student knew exactly what Dumbledore was talking about. And as if on cue many eyes turned towards the blond who was seated in the middle of the gold and red table, surrounded by her friends. Some stares were empathetic, others were mostly filled with hatred or fear. Even in the sea of her most trusted people, Rhea felt alone. The judgment surely being something that she should get used to during this year.
Unless they catch her father she won't get rest from the whispers and prejudice. But if her father gets caught it is clear as day that he will be killed. And maybe Rhea didn't get to spend much time with her father. Honestly, she didn't even know the man properly. Still, it would feel terrible, knowing that her father was dead. Though the knowledge of him being in Azkaban was not much better.
One way or another the outcome will be terrible for the young Black. And she was not sure if she is ready for any of that. Who would be? This was the kind of situation that no one can truly prepare for. Either be the outcast of the whole school or have her father dead. One way or another it's a loss. From her left, Rhea felt someone place a hand on her shoulder. Glancing in that direction she was met with a reassuring smile of none other than Fred Weasley.
The ginger noticed her racing thoughts and the nasty looks of the people around. If they weren't in the Great Hall that had all the professors in, he would do something else to stand up for his best friend. He didn't want to earn himself detention before the year even started. He planned on doing that later with George. They had plans you see. But Rhea was content enough with the simple gesture. It made her a bit more at ease and self-assured, she was ready to listen to the rest of Dumbledore's speech.
"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds," Dumbledore continued, "and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises...or even Invisibility Cloaks," Rhea took this minor pause to glance at Harry. "It is not in the nature of a Dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I, therefore, warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the Dementors," he said.
The group of friends looked over at Angelina. The new Prefect of Gryffindor was first enjoying the new status. The title going nicely into her long-term plans. But now that she heard what was expected from her and the teasing looks of her friends, she was starting to regret her decisions. All of a sudden it didn't appear as a dream job.
"On a happier note," Dumbledore continued enthusiastically all of a sudden. "I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year. First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." There was some scattered, rather unenthusiastic, applause. Only Rhea and her group seemed to be clapping the loudest. Being almost tied with Harry, Ron and Hermione. But because the twins were in Rhea's group they easily outshouted the others.
The blond couldn't help but notice how scruffy Remus' robes looked. Compared to the other professors who wore their robes proudly, with no holes or rips. Then there was Remus whose best robes looked like from rubbish when next to the others.
"Oi, Snape looks like he ate one of the sherbet lemon sweets," Fred whispered into Rhea's ear, nodding towards the teachers' table. Professor Snape, the Potions master, was staring along the staff table at Professor Lupin. It was common knowledge that Snape wanted the Defense Against the Dark Arts job but Rhea knew there was something more behind that expression that Snape was bearing on his pale face. It was beyond anger: it was loathing. It wasn't just the fact that someone else has gotten the position of the DADA teacher. It was the fact that it was her uncle Moony. One of the people that Snape despised the most in his years at Hogwarts as a student.
"Or maybe a whole packet of them," Rhea said back, suddenly feeling well enough to make fun of the professor with a sour face.
"As to our second new appointment," Dumbledore continued as the lukewarm applause for Professor Lupin died away. "Well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties."
Of course, the whole Gryffindor table erupted in cheers as Hagrid was always fairly friendly to them and mostly cheered on the Gryffindor stands during Quidditch games. Might be because he was there to watch Harry, but never the less he was there. And the fact that he would be the teacher finally was actually thrilling as Gryffindor could now excel in more than just Transfiguration.
"Well, I think that's everything of importance," Dumbledore said once the applause died down. "Let the feast begin!" The golden plates and goblets before them filled suddenly with food and drink. Rhea, though feeling slightly sick to the stomach, couldn't help but reach for some food along with the other students. The previous thick atmosphere around melted away once the feast started. Students no longer caring about the daughter of a murderer once they had their food magically appear in front of them.
***
Once the feast was over everyone was sent back to their common rooms. The group of friends got ready to leave as well. Angelina was supposed to take care of the first years so she was standing back a bit, trying to collect all the red and gold newbies along with her co-prefect Kenneth Towler. Fred is totally enthusiastic to see that prick as a prefect.
Fred and George were at the front telling everyone about their experience of Egypt. People were mesmerized by the fact that they have seen real pyramids and how their brother is a curse breaker. They apparently enjoyed the attention they were getting from the other students since soon there wasn't just the group of friends but almost every Gryffindor. Rhea just chuckled at how the two of her best friends bathed in the attention.
She was not a fan of big crowds, especially the ones that were pushing and shoving, so she was walking a bit behind the group. Wanting to rejoin her friends once they reach the common room. She enjoyed her walk looking around the castle. Every single wall and corridor bringing back memories from previous years. She noticed Edmund leading the group of first years down the corridor alongside their large group. He was at the front, his dark hair, like always, resembling the maintained mess. They have grown a bit in length. His new prefect badge was proudly pinned on the front side of his uniform.
What made it even better was how Rhea noticed the sneaky glances Edmund kept sending to the back of the group when speaking with the first years. His eyes fell right onto the girl in the far back. She was the other Slytherin prefect and her silky white hair were almost shining in the candlelight. Althea, the nicest Slytherin out there. No wonder why they made her the Prefect. It was better to show the new kids someone nice before they join their ranks. But Rhea's eyes caught on the small silver necklace with a heart shape that had the letter E on it.
Before Rhea could share as much as a smile with either of the Slytherin Prefects she heard a voice of a familiar person from behind her. Turning her head she noticed her uncle walking slowly after her, unlike Snape's robes, his weren't flapping in the air, they just slumped next to his long legs. He didn't appear to be urgent, nor distressed but not completely at peace either. It was mainly because he didn't want to show favouritism around other students. But if he had to be honest he would openly say that his main concern was on the blond Black girl.
Rhea stopped walking, allowing her uncle to catch up with her. Her group of friends already reached the stairs leading towards the Gryffindor tower. She didn't even know the password but seemed to not care much, Fred and George might sooner or later realise that she is not with them and once they do they will wait for her outside the common room to let her in.
Remus soon reached her. Standing tall in front of her just like always. His expression worn out but he still managed to muster a warming smile. Rhea took notice of the new rip on his tacky robes. She could only guess from what it was.
"Hello, professor." Rhea greeted her uncle with a cheeky wink when saying the professor. The word rolled off her tongue almost teasingly but both of them knew it was anything but. Remus shook his head slightly, a light laugh escaping him.
"I noticed you didn't look too good at dinner." The ever so caring uncle stated. The mother-like nature that he carried with him since his young teenage years came to the surface. There was nothing that could elude his perceiving eyes.
"I was just a bit light-headed, nothing concerning, really," Rhea assured him. The betrayal of him not telling her about her father's escape still nagged inside her, the tip of her tongue wanting to spit out various questions at him all at once. Mixed with accusations and regrets. But her heart wouldn't let her be so harsh to the worn-out man. After what Fred and George told her she believed that he had to have some good reason for it.
Remus however seemed like something was weighing down on him. The fact that Rhea must know about the circumstances already was obvious. Judgmental looks that the other students were giving her in the Great Hall didn't go unnoticed by the new professor.
"I should've told you," He muttered softly. Giving Rhea the most sincere and apologetic look he could muster. The blond looked up at him. At first not understanding what he was trying to say. But then it clicked. And she just couldn't bring herself to do or say anything but shrug. "I knew I should've told you sooner. Preferably the moment I found out. But I just..."
"It's fine. I get it." Rhea said. She thought she would have to force the smile but surprisingly it was a genuine one. Maybe she really wasn't bothered as much by it. Or she just didn't find it worthy of her anger. It just happened and no one could do anything about it. The seriousness of the situation surely wasn't anything minor. It was actually a life-threatening situation. And even if Rhea believed that her father couldn't have possibly killed all those people, but it slightly triggered her why he would escape just now. And how?
She wouldn't lie if she said she was a bit uneasy about her father's freedom. She heard terrible things about Azkaban. And if they were only half true her beloved father must have turned into a madman.
"Are you sure you will be all right? With all the talk around, I suspect some students might give you trouble..." Remus asked carefully. Worried since kids could sometimes be quite cruel to their peers. Especially when they find something weird or out of order on them.
Rhea honestly wasn't quite sure if she was all right with it. Sure she wasn't particularly worried about glances and what other students thought of her now. It didn't bother her as much as she thought it would. But it could just get a bit worse once everything about the start of the year calms down. What happens in the future is just a big unknown right now and that was striking fright into the girl.
"I'm sure it will be all right," Rhea assured him with slight uneasiness lacing her voice. It was not given in her stars to have a smooth fifth year. There were O.W.Ls waiting for her, and the pressure from the outside was rising. It sure will be an interesting year for her, but she was not about to worry her godfather. He too had his own problems now that he is a professor. "I better get going before I get locked out of the common room for good."
"Right, well...Good night don't you dare come late for your DADA lesson."
"Good night Professor." Rhea chuckled, resuming her walk towards the stairs leading to her common room. Praying to Merlin that they won't turn right then.