Ebb and Flow

Hogwarts, Winter Fête, December 1975

***

"Althea, how does my hair look?" Jane asked, standing in front of the mirror.

"It looks fine, like I said five minutes ago," Althea sighed, as she leaned against the wall.

It'll get messed up anyway, knowing Black, Althea thought to herself as Jane continued to fuss over her hair. You'll be in an abandoned study before the ball is over. Althea decided she would not attend the Winter Fête, and would stay in the Gryffindor common room. She believed it was a perfect opportunity to write her father, who had informed her he would be unable to visit her over the Christmas Holiday. Therefore, instead of spending her Christmas Holiday in Romania as she had planned, she would be spending her holiday with her grandmother. It would be the worst two weeks of her life.

"Althea, are you sure you don't want to attend?" Lily asked, resting her hand on Althea's shoulder. "I feel terrible leaving you here."

"I'm fine, really. Go and enjoy yourself," Althea reassured in feigned happiness.

Althea gazed at Lily--she looked amazing. Lily's light blue chiffon gown complemented her dark red hair and sparkling emerald eyes. Althea rested her hands on Lily's shoulders.

"Lily, you really shouldn't dress like that. Potter might hex your date," she said and smiled.

Lily laughed. "Oh that won't be a problem tonight," said Lily. "He's not going."

"Not going?" Althea and Jane said in unison.

"Of all people, I would have thought you and Potter would have had dates," Jane said to Althea.

Althea frowned--it was meant to hurt her. For once, Jane was in the spotlight and not Althea. Unlike Althea who seemed to attract it without provocation, Jane craved attention. Jane always seemed to be in the background of the friendship between the three. Even though the three were the same year, Lily and Althea always felt like they had been sisters and Jane was someone they had just met at Hogwarts. Althea did not like her as much as Lily did. She thought Jane to be erratic at times and even insensitive, but Jane was a loyal friend to Lily and Althea would not disagree otherwise.

"My date was Remus," Althea said as she handed Jane mascara.

"Yes, that is a pity," Jane said, turning toward the mirror and applying another coat of mascara. "Too bad for you his old mum got sick again."

"I think you're finished with that mascara," Althea said tersely, and grabbed the mascara tube from Jane's hand.

"Touchy, touchy," Jane teased. "Well, I'm ready for my date," she added gleefully.

Althea rolled her eyes.

Lily frowned.

"Have a good time," Althea said, attempting to sound cheerful. "And don't worry about me, Lily," she added quietly as Lily was leaving.

"I can't help it," she said and gave Althea a hug.

Althea entered common room and watched as the last of the couples left for the Great Hall. She sighed disappointedly as she sat at one of the common room tables. Stupid full moon, she thought, taking out a piece of parchment. Why must you come out for the Winter Fête? Couldn't you let Remus have one night of happiness and normality? However, Althea knew that if Remus could have gone, he would not have enjoyed the ball. He would have gone for her benefit, and Althea would have felt guilty. She imagined him sitting at one of the tables as Althea danced with her girlfriends and his awkward hesitation at the slow songs.

Althea dipped her quill into the inkwell. She had begun her greetings to her father, when a dejected James Potter interrupted her writing. James angrily sat in a chair by the fireplace and folded his arms. Althea could not help but notice James as he sat and wallowed in his misery. She frowned sympathetically at him--he looked pathetic. The Quidditch hero, dateless for the Winter Fête. Potter, there were loads of girls who would have loved to go to the Winter Fête with you, she thought as she twirled her quill in her fingers. You wasted your time chasing after Lily, maybe you'll learn...maybe.

"So, you're not going to the Winter Fête, then?" asked Althea, resting her quill on her parchment.

James answered with some sort of grunting noise that Althea understood as yes.

"I'm sorry I couldn't convince her. I did try, you know."

James grunted again.

"Potter, I know you're a better conversationalist than this," she said and picked up her quill again.

Just as Althea was about to write the first letter of the next sentence, James began to speak in a distant voice, "The two people who should have dates."

"We are a sorry lot," she sighed, and started writing the next sentence.

Suddenly, she felt a thump on the table, which jarred her hand slightly from the word she was writing. James stood before her his hands resting on the table. Althea did not like the mischievous look in his eye--she knew he was plotting something.

"Go upstairs and get dressed. We're going to that damn thing," he said with determination.

Althea narrowed her eyes. "You're going to hex Lily's date, aren't you?"

James gasped. "Morrigan, I wouldn't do such a thing," he said with mock indignation. "I thought it would be better than staying in this boring common room."

"It would be better, but what would everyone think?" she wondered, leaning back in her chair. "Me--dating Remus--going to the Winter Fête with his best friend, while he is tending to his ill mother. Yet another shocking and nasty rumor."

"But you know where my heart will always be--with Lily Evans," he said, placing his hand on his chest.

Althea rolled her eyes. "How could I not?"

"Great! It's settled then," James said happily. "Go upstairs, get dressed, and do all that other girl stuff you have to do."

Althea looked down at her parchment and then at James, who mockingly pouted. Althea could not help but laugh.

"Fine," she sighed and rolled up her parchment. "We'll go, but I'm keeping you away from Lily and Thompson--"

"Morrigan--"

"And if you think of hexing him--I'll hex you," she added, standing.

"I won't," James said and mockingly shivered. "I've seen your work."

"Of course, you have."

Out of James and Sirius, Althea had always liked James the best. She admired his confidence and skill on the Quidditch pitch and his positive attitude. She could tolerate his arrogance to a point, but unlike Sirius, James knew when to stop. Of course, Althea did not like Snape--he preferred to keep his distance and spitefully call her names from under his breath. However, Althea felt Sirius was overly cruel to Snape--especially when she was around.

Althea hurriedly searched her trunk for her dress.

"Where is it?" she muttered, tossing her silver shoes to her side. "I don't want to wear the dress Gran bought me."

Her head, arms, and torso up to her waist were inside her trunk, searching for her dress. Althea let out a noise of triumph for, carefully folded at the bottom of her trunk, was her dress. Althea proudly held it up before her and examined it--no one would have a dress like hers. That summer, while her grandmother was out, Althea started to search the gigantic attic of her grandmother's house. In an old chest, she discovered her dress for the Winter Fête underneath a photograph of her Great Grandmother Morrigan at a ball over seventy years ago. Althea thought it perfect and sought to borrow it for an evening such as this. Althea quickly undressed and gently slipped the delicately beaded gown over her hips, praying nothing would rip or break. She did not want to wear the awful gown her grandmother bought her over the summer. The gown Gran thought to be appropriate--the navy blue gown with the high collar and long sleeves (the fabric was scratchy as well).

"Maybe I should charm my breasts smaller?" Althea mumbled aloud, as she gazed into the mirror. "I look like an Edwardian prostitute."

Althea pulled the bodice higher in an attempt to hide her breasts, but to no avail. Was there a charm to alter the dress? The only Clothing Charms I know are to shorten skirts, she thought and wrinkled her nose. She turned her torso to look at her chest in the mirror. It's the same cut as Jane's frock, I think? Althea examined the dress closely. The floor-length, satin gown was cream, with beads delicately sown into floral patterns along the bodice. Althea draped the burgundy velvet cloak over her bare shoulders, slipped on her long cream gloves, and examined herself again in the mirror for the last time. She fixed her hair that fell loosely down to the small of her back and reapplied her lipstick. I'm acting like Jane now...maybe this wasn't such a great idea, she thought as she pulled the cloak tighter around her neck. Ugh, and wearing it with Potter...this night can't get worse.

"Gran will kill me," she added and pulled a face. "Maybe I should wear that other gown--oh, but it's so bloody awful! I'd be laughed at if I wore it.... No, this one will do."

Althea hurriedly walked down the stairs to see James patiently waiting by the fireplace. "Are you ready now?" James asked.

Althea frowned. "Let's go."

As James and Althea approached the Great Hall, the Wizarding rock music echoed out into the corridor. She smiled with relief--she would be spared from having to actually dance with James Potter.

"I'll find Sirius," James said as they approached the doors to the Great Hall.

Althea nodded. "And we don't have to dance--"

James sighed. "Thank you, Morrigan," he said with a relieved smile. "Shall we?"

Althea inhaled deeply. "You first."

James pushed open the doors to the Great Hall and Althea gasped at the sight before her. The Great Hall glowed from the hundreds of candles that floated beneath the enchanted star-filled ceiling. Althea inhaled deeply at the pleasant smell of evergreen and smiled at the fairies that hung on the dozens of fir trees decorated for the Christmas season. James and Althea proceeded through the Great Hall amid stares and whispers.

"So, what should we do?" Althea asked nervously--she did not enjoy the stares.

"Find a table?" he replied, wary of the stares.

Althea and James found a table in relative darkness compared to the rest of the Great Hall. Althea took off her cloak and sat down, rolling her shoulders forward. The two sat in silence as they watched the other couples laughing and dancing. Ever so often, James would sniff, mess his hair, or tap the table with his fingers. Althea felt guilty--she should not have gone. At least I'm not having a good time, she thought as Jane giggled uncontrollably at a joke Sirius had just told.

"Sirius," James muttered, standing.

Althea sighed, leaning back in her chair as James Potter had joined Sirius.

"This is ridiculous," she muttered and abruptly stood.

As Althea stood by the long table of sweets, she felt a sharp nudge in her side. Althea looked to her right and saw Lily frowning. Althea placed her half-eaten cake upon the table as Lily grabbed her arm.

"Althea!" she admonished, guiding Althea through a crowd of students to a secluded corner. "What are you doing with Potter?"

"We were bored and decided to come," she explained, prying Lily's hand from her arm. "I felt sorry for him--he looked pathetic."

"Pathetic?" Lily repeated. Althea saw a small gleam in her eye.

Althea's eyes narrowed. "Yes, pathetic," she repeated cautiously. "Don't worry; he won't bother you and Thompson. He promised."

"Oh, and I trust his word--"

"He couldn't be apart from Black," she said, pointing to the two boys. "See, now I don't have to spend anymore time with him."

"Good," she said. "Do you think they'll dance?"

"Who? Black and Potter?" she asked and cocked her head to the side as she studied the two boys. James, smiling, clapped Sirius upon the back. Sirius weakly smiled. "They'd argue about who would lead."

Lily laughed quietly and interlocked her arm with Althea. "Thank you for coming, anyway. Mark is so boring," she said, and the two girls laughed.

"How is our dear Jane?" Althea asked, searching the crowd for their friend.

"Oh, just splendid!" Lily said in haughty voice. "I had to leave her, though. I couldn't stand to hear another, 'Oh, Sirius, you're so clever,'" she added, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

Althea laughed, eyeing Sirius. "His head might explode from flattery.... I could only hope."

Lily groaned. "Ugh, Thompson," she said and nodded at the boy with blond hair walking toward them.

Thompson offered his arm to Lily. Lily smiled as she reluctantly took his arm. She looked toward Althea.

"I'll be okay," she said and winked.

Althea watched Lily and Thompson disappear into the crowd. Soon, more couples joined the dance floor and Althea remained on the periphery, watching them. She arched an eyebrow at McGonagall dancing with Professor Flitwick. Despite the odd pairing, the couple was rather graceful as they spun across the dance floor. Althea sighed wistfully as she looked at the couples and soon found herself gently swaying to the music.

"Would you care to dance?" she heard the smooth voice of Sirius whisper into her ear.

Althea became rigid and the back of her neck tingled. "I reckon your date wouldn't like that very much."

"I don't think she'll mind," he said, and motioned with his hand over his shoulder.

James tightly held Jane, spinning her around as fast as he could across the dance floor--her friend squealing and giggling with delight. I'm taking back your Christmas present, Jane, she thought as she stared at dancing couple.

"Why do you want to dance with me?" she asked, eyeing him incredulously.

"Why not?" he replied, holding out his hand. "Let's just say I've been filled with the Christmas Spirit," he added, smiling. "Also, we'd be the only two not dancing, and wouldn't that look awful."

"I don't think it's a good idea--"

"Is that--is that Snape dancing?" he asked, his eyes wide.

Althea furrowed her eyebrows and looked in the direction of his stare. "Where?" she asked eagerly, rising and falling on the bottoms of his feet.

Sirius chuckled softly. "You really think that--"

Althea frowned at him.

"--would be here? He's not dancing, and neither are you."

"Black--"

Sirius leaned close and whispered, "Don't be a coward, Morrigan."

"It's not cowardly. I just--"

"Dance with me...please."

Althea gently bit her bottom lip as she surveyed the scene before her--they were the only two not dancing.

"It's Christmas," he whispered, his warm breath warming her cheek.

"If I must," she sighed and reluctantly took his hand.

Althea became rigid as Sirius placed his hand upon her middle back. Oh, I don't believe this, she thought, finding it difficult to breathe. Althea concentrated upon Sirius' shoulder, aware that students have noticed the pair dancing. She glanced to her side--Lily, puzzled, looked upon the couple with her mouth slightly parted. Althea sighed--she knew upon the song's end that Lily would painfully pull at her arm and drag her to the corner to question her...to question her loyalty. Althea had to admit that Sirius was handsome--if not gorgeous. He was tall--and Althea realized as she held him--with an athletic body (her neck and torso flushed at this observation). His face was handsomely featured with a perfect white smile, and his hair lazily, but nobly fell into his lively grey eyes.

"Lily won't dance with Potter," she said as the two danced.

"I'm aware," he murmured, staring into her eyes.

Althea diverted her eyes to the collar of his dress robes. "You should really dance with Jane."

Sirius shrugged. "I'll dance with whomever I please," he said as he slid his hand to the small of her back.

Althea's eyes widened slightly. "Have you heard from Remus?"

Sirius frowned slightly. "No."

"Oh," she murmured as Jane spotted the two dancing--Jane narrowed her eyes. "I just--I just wondered how his mother was doing?"

"All right, I guess," he said, and she realized that his hand had become moist upon the small of her back.

"So, have you found anything wrong with me yet? I know how you love to announce my shortcomings."

"No," he replied as he held her closer to him.

Althea felt unnerved and quickly looked to his forehead. "Well, you must find something," she said, a devious smile developing on her face, "besides my freckles."

Sirius frowned.

"Well, if you do find something, please tell me. I'd hate to offend you."

"Not tonight, Morrigan," he said with a small smile.

"What?"

Sirius twirled her around very fast, holding her close to his chest. "What if I told you I was madly in love with you?"

Althea held onto him tighter as not to fall. What kind of question is that, she thought, confused. For a moment, she actually thought he meant it.

"Aren't you going to answer?" he asked.

"I would tell you that I ardently despise you," she replied, looking into his eyes.

"Of course, you would," he replied with a slight smile. "This is a long song isn't it?" he muttered, looking over Althea's shoulder.

"Yes," she replied, turning her head to see what caught his attention. Lily had rested her head on Mark Thompson's shoulder.

Sirius sighed. "I suppose we should conduct some small talk. I could compliment on your gown," he said, drawing her attention away from the dancing couple. "Then you could compliment on my robes," he added as they turned. "I'll start," he said, and paused as he looked her up and down--Althea wished she still had her cloak on. "Morrigan, you look lovely in your gown tonight," he commented and Althea skeptically raised an eyebrow. "Now you; say something about my robes."

"What are you getting at, Black?" she asked as Sirius frowned slightly.

"Why must everything be an argument with you?" he asked, somewhat annoyed. "Can't even make a simple compliment--"

"Fine then, you have soft lips," she answered, and smiled slightly as he attempted to make sense of her comment.

Just the effect I was hoping for, she thought triumphantly, he doesn't know what to make of it.

"After the incident in the library," she continued, as he stared at her strangely--she could not determine if it was amusement, embarrassment, or a mixture of the two. "I meant to tell you, but you were too occupied acting unconscious."

"Well, you did hit me in the head with a very thick book," he replied as the song mercifully finished.

"It wasn't the thickest, though."

"No."

"You can let go of me now, Black. The song has ended," she replied, pulling away from him.

"Right," he breathed and ran his fingers through his thick black hair.

As she walked away from Sirius, she felt his eyes following her. Don't look back, she thought as she reached her table. You know he's looking at you and don't give him the satisfaction of looking back at him. Althea grabbed her cloak and proceeded to make her way through the crowd of couples dancing. She had enough of the dance, and the possibility of dancing with Sirius again unnerved her. I really do not understand that boy, she thought as she navigated her way to the entrance of the Great Hall. He absolutely hates me and yet he wants to dance with me? Honestly, did he forget who I was? Morrigan, the 'weak witch' as he so loves to say.

However, Althea was not about to return to Gryffindor Tower--she knew Lily would follow shortly and question her about her choice of dance partner. What was she to say? It was all very odd. He has acted so strange, she thought, hiding behind a large statue as one of the professors past, very strange this entire year. Once the professor rounded the corner, Althea charmed her shoes to quiet and proceeded down the corridor. One moment, he's exceedingly nice to me, and then the next moment, he's exceedingly awful, she thought, wrapping the cloak tighter around herself. It's Remus, isn't it? He's attempting to be nice to me for Remus' sake because we are dating. No, he was attempting to be nice to you before that--oh, never mind. There is nothing to understand--he's an idiot.

Althea quietly walked through Hogwarts, carefully avoiding wandering prefects and professors, until she reached the outside lawn. She picked up her gown as she carefully stepped through the snow toward the lake. What was I thinking? I really should have changed, she thought, holding the hem of her gown higher. As she walked along the edge of the lake, she gazed up at the cold night sky--thousands of stars and distant planets sprinkled the crisp wintry sky. The newly fallen snow, like the stars, produced a silver glow and twinkled in the moonlight. The large trees of the distant Forbidden Forest cast large blue shadows across the silver snow. All was quiet and timeless, except for Althea's footsteps. Soon, the chilly winter wind awakened and blew shimmering snow across her path. The thin, leafless trees swayed back and forth creaking like old doors. The sound of the wind passing through the ice-covered branches reminded her of the ocean water as it receded against the shell-covered beaches. Althea sighed contentedly, and watched as her warm breath intermingled with the cold air.

Suddenly, Althea heard a twig snap. The sharp sound caused her to jump, and Althea quickly turned around, but saw nothing. She continued walking, but careful of the noises around her. Again, Althea heard a twig snap and quickly turned around. Althea could not scream. Her eyes were transfixed on the growling werewolf twenty feet from her. Althea closed her eyes and took in a deep breath--there was no way of escaping. Instinctively, her right hand felt for her wand at her hip, but the dress--that Muggle dress--did not have a compartment for her wand. Panicked, she growled at her grandmother's wisdom in dress and her stupidity for leaving her wand upon her nightstand. She slowly took a step backward, but the werewolf stepped forward as well. What if this is Remus, she thought shivering from fright and cold, maybe I can talk to him?

"Remus--Remus, listen to me. This is Althea, Remus. Go away!" Althea thought she noticed something register inside the werewolf. "Remus, don't hurt me--you'll regret it. Remus, go away."

The werewolf turned its head to the side as if he understood her. Althea felt small relief--maybe it was Remus and maybe he would go away. Maybe it was possible to reason with a werewolf at the full moon. Suddenly, the werewolf charged at her and Althea's scream pierced the quiet night sky. Right, talk to him, Althea. Maybe he'll understand you, she thought sardonically as she ran in the snow. Althea ran as fast as she could, but the werewolf ran just as fast--leaping over snowdrifts.

"Bloody hell!" she gasped, the cold night air painfully contracting her lungs.

Somewhat disoriented, she found herself darting for the Forbidden Forest. It was dark, so dark Althea could not see a foot before her, and she hoped the darkness would conceal her from the werewolf. The snarling and gnashing of teeth alerted her to its presence. Still, Althea ran as fast as she could, tangled and scratched by branches of trees and bushes. She did not care what she met in the Forbidden Forest--anything was better than a werewolf. This would be a good time to transform, she thought as her skirt caught on a low branch. Transform as I did when I was eleven and my father told me I would live with Gran. I'm just as scared and upset, if not more--damn it, Daddy! Why didn't you tell me what I could do? I need it now! Suddenly, Althea stumbled and tumbled down a cliff into a ravine. The branches and rocks tore at her arms and legs as she tumbled down to the bottom, where she came to rest upon a rock--Althea winced. Heaving herself forward, she rolled off the rock and crawled toward a tree. Resting the back of her head against the cold, moist tree trunk, she hesitated from taking a full, deep breath. At the bottom, all was quiet except for Althea's pained breathing.

From a few feet away, Althea heard the low growl of the werewolf. It was of no use to run--she was in no shape to run--and she was too full of adrenalin coursing through her veins for tears. Althea closed her eyes once more. So, this is my death, she thought as she tried to steady her breath. She sensed as the werewolf lunged at her and closed her eyes even tighter. Suddenly, she felt light, as if she was floating. So, this is what death is like. She rose higher and higher into the air. Althea opened her eyes. She did not see her mangled body next to the tree, but saw the werewolf violently shaking its head for it had just hit its head against the tree. She flew higher and higher out of the Forbidden Forest toward Hogwarts. Althea circled the entrance of the snow-covered courtyard. Although alive and safe, Althea wondered how she could return to her human self. I'd bumped my head last time, she thought, swooping to the courtyard below. As her tiny feet touched the ground, without realizing how she did it, she transformed--the cold ground shocked her skin and she winced.

Althea ran--limping--toward the entrance. She prayed she could slip upstairs to Gryffindor Tower undetected. She reached out her hand to open the heavy doors, but the doors opened for her. Sirius Black stepped through the doorway and yelped, leaping out of the way as Althea jumped and spun to avoid him.

"Morrigan!" he said, grabbing her arm.

Althea lurched forward--a sick feeling in her stomach. "Let me go, please!" she begged--her voice hoarse, pulling her arm away.

"Morrigan," he said, holding her arm tighter. "Morrigan, what happened?"

Althea spun to face him.

"My God," he breathed with a mild look of horror.

The adrenalin began to subside and the prickling, searing pain of her scratches and scrapes began to surface. Her torn gown was no longer cream, but mixture of brown and grey. She shivered as she stood--covered in snow, blood and mud.

"A werewolf--it's not safe--"

Sirius paled. "You're mistaken--"

"No!" she said and pulled him through the entrance. Althea quickly shut the door behind them. "I was chased by a bloody werewolf roaming Hogwarts!"

Sirius furrowed his eyebrows. "Are you--"

"Yes!" she replied and stomped her bare foot upon the stone floor. "A werewolf!"

Sirius looked panicked. "This isn't good," he said, rubbing the side of his face. "This isn't good."

"He's still out there--"

"No! No," he said and hesitantly placed his hands upon her shoulders. "You have to forget--"

"Are you mad?"

"You can't tell Dumbledore!" he blurted out--his expression wild.

Althea's eyes widened with fury. She knocked his hands from her in disgust. "I could've been killed--"

"I know, but--"

"You can't tell me what to do!" she growled and started to walk away.

Sirius grasped her arm, but Althea refused to stop. "Morrigan, don't!" he pleaded, his grip upon her arm painfully tight.

Althea quickly turned to face him. She felt his fingers trembling against her skin.

Sirius swallowed. "You can't...you just can't."

"Why?"

Sirius was silent--his expression one of someone carrying a great burden. He let go of her arm.

"Why?"

Sirius sniffed and looked to the ground. He shook his head.

"I can't tell you," he whispered. "I promised."

Althea caught her breath. "I know what Remus is," she said quietly, crossing her arms.

Sirius lifted his head--his lips slightly parted. His pained expression confirmed for her what she imagined to be true.

"It was Remus, wasn't it?"

Sirius refused to answer.

"It was Remus."

Sirius bit his bottom lip.

Althea stepped forward. "I have to tell Dumbledore, Black," she said, letting her arms fall to her sides. "He could bite someone--or even worse--kill...and you know what happens to those werewolves that have killed?"

Sirius inhaled through his nose.

"I don't care if you try to stop me," she said, narrowing her eyes. "It's the only way we'll protect him."

Sirius sighed and massaged the side of his face as he looked ahead of him. Finally, he nodded.

"But, I saved your life, right?"

Althea sneered. "Berk."

***

Dumbledore awarded fifteen points to Gryffindor. Althea received ten points for alerting the headmaster to Remus's escape (thankfully, she was not punished for her after hours walk--a chase from a werewolf was punishment, indeed), and Sirius received five points for his daring rescue of Althea (he was convinced he would have received more points if Althea had not laughed at the critical part of the story--when she fainted). Althea returned to Gryffindor Tower, and was pleased that Lily had not yet returned. She must be enjoying her time with Thompson, she thought as she shut off the tap to the bathtub. I thought he was very boring. Slowly, she slipped into the warm rose bubble bath and sank to the bottom--her muscles grateful for the soothing water. Althea rested her head against the back of the tub. If I were Lily, I'd have gone with Potter; at least I'd know I'd laugh. Althea quickly sat up--the soapy water lapping over the sides of the tub, splashing to the floor. Why would you want your best friend to go out with someone she despises? It would be like you dating Black, she thought and slowly rested her head against the back of the tub. It's never going to happen.

"Black," she murmured and made a face. "Such the bloody hero."

Saving my life? He only cared because it could've gotten Remus expelled, she thought, closing her eyes. The warm bath felt unnaturally cold and she shivered.

Her boyfriend tried to kill her tonight.